Greatest In-Ring Competitors of All-Time
Wrestling is a funny sport. It seems like 99% of the time the biggest draws (most popular) aren't the best workers (wrestlers). What they do have, is unmatched charisma and microphone skills. So they connect with the audience. To the mainstream audience these are the most beloved characters. After a while though most people seem to figure out that, "Hey this guy in the mid-card is a fantastic wrestler he just can't talk very good." Or whatever the case may be that's holding him back.
Not everyone chooses to like the workhorses exclusively obviously. But you should realize if you don't, that just because Hulk Hogan wins every match, doesn't mean he's the best athlete in the world. He's just got a good build, and unbelievable charisma.
Let's assume for a moment that you can't grasp this concept. Maybe you're not a fan, or maybe you can differentiate the fact from fiction. (That dreaded word "fake" comes in to play here.)
I've always thought that the wrestling biz is a lot like the music industry. Now this example may be ridiculous, but I think it explains things more clearly. Let's pretend it's 10 or so years ago. Britney Spears is ruling the music world. Anyone with a sane mind would tell you though, that Christina Aguilera has a better voice than Britney. However, Britney was clearly number one, popularity-wise. Christina was a distant second. Now, it's called "music" so shouldn't the number one artist be the best singer? Nope because it's entertainment. Same with wrestling, (well sports-entertainment anyway) it's called "wrestling" but the top guy isn't usually the best wrestler, just the guy that the fans connect with the most.
If you still don't get it, Britney had great charisma, dance moves, and just an OK singing voice. Her wrestling equivalent could be Stone Cold Steve Austin. He had great charisma, a cool gimmick, and just moderate wrestling skills, but he clearly is one of the biggest names of all-time. Christina had decent dance moves, her own bit of charisma, and a hell of a singing voice. Bret Hart likewise, had moderate charisma, decent enough mic skills, and was one of the best wrestlers pound for pound ever. Get it now?
This rule doesn't always apply point for point though. Chris Jericho is a fantastic wrestler, and has hellacious charisma (he was on Dancing with the Stars for cryin' out loud), and was on top of the biz for a while, but never will be in Cena's league as far as popularity goes. Why? Who really knows, just the way it works sometimes.
Anyway I hope that didn't confuse you more. Let's just go back to my original analogy. I'm here to list the "Christina's". You may not have heard of these guys if you're not a wrestling fan, (and God bless you for still reading this if that's the case) but they were truly the best inside the ropes.
In no particular order:
Kurt Angle- Angle is pretty much a machine. He's gone balls to the wall for 12 years now, and doesn't miss a beat. He's an Olympic gold medalist so he obviously can mat wrestle, but he can high-fly, brawl whatever you want. If anyone is legit, it's Kurt. It's true it's true!
Ricky Steamboat- Steamboat pretty much set the tone for the rest of the guys on this list. As I'm sure a WWE fan could tell by looking at this list, I'm not terribly fond of wrestling past the 90's, but Steamboat always keeps me entertained. Definitely a pioneer for the "workrate" style.
Mr. Perfect- He was called "Mr. Perfect" for a reason. Ironically though, only one of two people (along with Owen) I listed here that wasn't a world champion at some point. But does it really matter when you have a whole catalog of match of the year candidates in your resume?
Chris Benoit- This is a tough one. Not for whether Benoit was that good or not, but everyone knows who Benoit is. And it's not a good reason why. Yes this is "that guy." Terrible tragedy no doubt, but I'm not here critiquing their personal lives. So with that out of the way, Benoit was a machine in the ring. Yeah I used that for Angle too, but they were so eerily similar that I think it's appropriate. And it's no coincidence that they had their best matches against each other, usually resulting in match of the year, or possibly match of the millennium.
Eddie Guerrero- The wrestling world really misses Eddie. Heel or face (good or bad guy), on the mic, in the ring, performing a skit, Eddie was so entertaining. One of my personal favorites, Eddie like everyone else on this list, is a perfect wrestler. He made you believe in everything he did.
Bret Hart- Bret was the first "small" WWF champion ever. For good reason, he was so good in the ring that Vince had to reward him with the title. When it comes down to the greatest mat wrestlers of all time, it usually is a debated between Bret and Kurt. It's a shame they never got to lock up.
Chris Jericho- I was going to call Jericho a "poor man's HBK" but that sounds kind of like a knock on Jericho. Jericho is similar to Michaels in that he exudes charisma, talent, or whatever you need him to do at the time, but Jericho does it his way. Yes there are similarities between the two for sure, but he "concentrated on being the first Chris Jericho" and we were never disappointed after the fact. Along with Guerrero, those three are pretty much the perfect "sports-entertainers." (Which I guess isn't what this list is about, but hey, they're still top notch in the ring.)
Owen Hart- Owen unfortunately is another guy that is known for all the wrong reasons. Yes he died falling from the ceiling in a tragic accident in Kansas City in '99. That should NOT define his career though. Owen was so smooth in the ring. Like his brother Bret, he was a tremendous in-ring competitor, although he always seemed to live in his shadow. A storyline they played up great in '94 though. Owen actually may have been better than Bret pound for pound, (though never given the big push) but that notwithstanding, Owen was a joy to watch.
Edge- Edge was another guy you could tell was a big Shawn Michaels fan. However like, Jericho veered off in his own direction and became his own man. This pick may be a tad controversial for some, but when you look at Edge's resume he owns the last decade as far match of the year candidates; whether solo or as a tag team with Christian. Edge was exciting even if you hated him for most of his career.
Shawn Michaels- I've already mentioned him a few times, which shows how important he is. If I had to pick the best ever, there would be no need to think. Shawn is the greatest. How many guys had a decent match with Goldberg? Shawn and that's it. Who was in the best Wrestlemania match every year even if he was in his 40's and had to compete with a ladder match and other giant spot-fests? Shawn. There is a reason he is "Mr. Wrestlemania" and not the Undertaker, even if the Undertaker is undefeated at that particular event. Shawn always delivers. Honestly have you ever seen a bad HBK match? I know I haven't. Everything Shawn did looked good, and he always looked like the best.
Undertaker- So my list consists of a bunch of 200 pounders, and one 300 pounder. How does that work? Well my friends Undertaker is special. Like Shawn, he keeps having match of the years well into his 40's. Any near 7-footer that can do a plancha or any other top rope move with the grace he does, automatically makes him special. Sure he had a few rough years, but he has come roaring back the last few, and proved without a doubt he is the greatest big man of all-time. It's not even close really. No one is even comparable, except maybe Kane, but there is no argument in any one's mind that he could claim number one on his best day. So when the Phenom hangs them up, all the other giants will be fighting for number two.
And here's the boys that I just thought barely missed the list: Christian, HHH, Rob Van Dam, Rey Mysterio, and the Macho Man Randy Savage. I went back and forth on HHH, but in the end I feel that he didn't fit in with the others. You could make that argument for Undertaker I suppose, but I think I made my point why he should be included on the best of the best.
At some point I will write a list on the best workers today currently, some who I'm sure could be added to this list when it's all said and done.
Not everyone chooses to like the workhorses exclusively obviously. But you should realize if you don't, that just because Hulk Hogan wins every match, doesn't mean he's the best athlete in the world. He's just got a good build, and unbelievable charisma.
Let's assume for a moment that you can't grasp this concept. Maybe you're not a fan, or maybe you can differentiate the fact from fiction. (That dreaded word "fake" comes in to play here.)
I've always thought that the wrestling biz is a lot like the music industry. Now this example may be ridiculous, but I think it explains things more clearly. Let's pretend it's 10 or so years ago. Britney Spears is ruling the music world. Anyone with a sane mind would tell you though, that Christina Aguilera has a better voice than Britney. However, Britney was clearly number one, popularity-wise. Christina was a distant second. Now, it's called "music" so shouldn't the number one artist be the best singer? Nope because it's entertainment. Same with wrestling, (well sports-entertainment anyway) it's called "wrestling" but the top guy isn't usually the best wrestler, just the guy that the fans connect with the most.
If you still don't get it, Britney had great charisma, dance moves, and just an OK singing voice. Her wrestling equivalent could be Stone Cold Steve Austin. He had great charisma, a cool gimmick, and just moderate wrestling skills, but he clearly is one of the biggest names of all-time. Christina had decent dance moves, her own bit of charisma, and a hell of a singing voice. Bret Hart likewise, had moderate charisma, decent enough mic skills, and was one of the best wrestlers pound for pound ever. Get it now?
This rule doesn't always apply point for point though. Chris Jericho is a fantastic wrestler, and has hellacious charisma (he was on Dancing with the Stars for cryin' out loud), and was on top of the biz for a while, but never will be in Cena's league as far as popularity goes. Why? Who really knows, just the way it works sometimes.
Anyway I hope that didn't confuse you more. Let's just go back to my original analogy. I'm here to list the "Christina's". You may not have heard of these guys if you're not a wrestling fan, (and God bless you for still reading this if that's the case) but they were truly the best inside the ropes.
In no particular order:
Kurt Angle- Angle is pretty much a machine. He's gone balls to the wall for 12 years now, and doesn't miss a beat. He's an Olympic gold medalist so he obviously can mat wrestle, but he can high-fly, brawl whatever you want. If anyone is legit, it's Kurt. It's true it's true!Ricky Steamboat- Steamboat pretty much set the tone for the rest of the guys on this list. As I'm sure a WWE fan could tell by looking at this list, I'm not terribly fond of wrestling past the 90's, but Steamboat always keeps me entertained. Definitely a pioneer for the "workrate" style.Mr. Perfect- He was called "Mr. Perfect" for a reason. Ironically though, only one of two people (along with Owen) I listed here that wasn't a world champion at some point. But does it really matter when you have a whole catalog of match of the year candidates in your resume?Chris Benoit- This is a tough one. Not for whether Benoit was that good or not, but everyone knows who Benoit is. And it's not a good reason why. Yes this is "that guy." Terrible tragedy no doubt, but I'm not here critiquing their personal lives. So with that out of the way, Benoit was a machine in the ring. Yeah I used that for Angle too, but they were so eerily similar that I think it's appropriate. And it's no coincidence that they had their best matches against each other, usually resulting in match of the year, or possibly match of the millennium.Eddie Guerrero- The wrestling world really misses Eddie. Heel or face (good or bad guy), on the mic, in the ring, performing a skit, Eddie was so entertaining. One of my personal favorites, Eddie like everyone else on this list, is a perfect wrestler. He made you believe in everything he did. Bret Hart- Bret was the first "small" WWF champion ever. For good reason, he was so good in the ring that Vince had to reward him with the title. When it comes down to the greatest mat wrestlers of all time, it usually is a debated between Bret and Kurt. It's a shame they never got to lock up.Chris Jericho- I was going to call Jericho a "poor man's HBK" but that sounds kind of like a knock on Jericho. Jericho is similar to Michaels in that he exudes charisma, talent, or whatever you need him to do at the time, but Jericho does it his way. Yes there are similarities between the two for sure, but he "concentrated on being the first Chris Jericho" and we were never disappointed after the fact. Along with Guerrero, those three are pretty much the perfect "sports-entertainers." (Which I guess isn't what this list is about, but hey, they're still top notch in the ring.)Owen Hart- Owen unfortunately is another guy that is known for all the wrong reasons. Yes he died falling from the ceiling in a tragic accident in Kansas City in '99. That should NOT define his career though. Owen was so smooth in the ring. Like his brother Bret, he was a tremendous in-ring competitor, although he always seemed to live in his shadow. A storyline they played up great in '94 though. Owen actually may have been better than Bret pound for pound, (though never given the big push) but that notwithstanding, Owen was a joy to watch.Edge- Edge was another guy you could tell was a big Shawn Michaels fan. However like, Jericho veered off in his own direction and became his own man. This pick may be a tad controversial for some, but when you look at Edge's resume he owns the last decade as far match of the year candidates; whether solo or as a tag team with Christian. Edge was exciting even if you hated him for most of his career.Shawn Michaels- I've already mentioned him a few times, which shows how important he is. If I had to pick the best ever, there would be no need to think. Shawn is the greatest. How many guys had a decent match with Goldberg? Shawn and that's it. Who was in the best Wrestlemania match every year even if he was in his 40's and had to compete with a ladder match and other giant spot-fests? Shawn. There is a reason he is "Mr. Wrestlemania" and not the Undertaker, even if the Undertaker is undefeated at that particular event. Shawn always delivers. Honestly have you ever seen a bad HBK match? I know I haven't. Everything Shawn did looked good, and he always looked like the best. Undertaker- So my list consists of a bunch of 200 pounders, and one 300 pounder. How does that work? Well my friends Undertaker is special. Like Shawn, he keeps having match of the years well into his 40's. Any near 7-footer that can do a plancha or any other top rope move with the grace he does, automatically makes him special. Sure he had a few rough years, but he has come roaring back the last few, and proved without a doubt he is the greatest big man of all-time. It's not even close really. No one is even comparable, except maybe Kane, but there is no argument in any one's mind that he could claim number one on his best day. So when the Phenom hangs them up, all the other giants will be fighting for number two. And here's the boys that I just thought barely missed the list: Christian, HHH, Rob Van Dam, Rey Mysterio, and the Macho Man Randy Savage. I went back and forth on HHH, but in the end I feel that he didn't fit in with the others. You could make that argument for Undertaker I suppose, but I think I made my point why he should be included on the best of the best.
At some point I will write a list on the best workers today currently, some who I'm sure could be added to this list when it's all said and done.
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