Top 10 Wrestlers of All Time

Top 10 Wrestlers of All Time

Written by Zeromage 114 Comments
Last Updated:: August 13, 2009

Who are the greatest wrestlers of all time in WWF history? A just as important question is why does Old-Wizard even care? What, has Old-Wizard become Old-Wrestler now? Our love for Retro extends past video games, it even extends to wrestling! In this list, we will place who we think are the top 10 wrestlers of all time. This isn’t just some arbitrary list. This is a list created with passion for the pseudo-sport of professional staged-wrestling. We spent the past weeks getting ripped watching old Royal Rumbles and Summer Slams arguing who was more perfect, Mr. Perfect himself, or the Undertaker? We compared stats as if the stats actually meant something; like how long a Royal Rumble participant lasted, and how many times The Intercontinental Belt was won by a certain wrestler. Finally we came down to a list that was partially based on stats and partially based on fame. Here then is Old-Wrestler’s (sorry, I meant Old-Wizard’s) top 10 wrestlers of all time.

10. Shawn Michaels

Shawn Michaels first started off in the queer tag team “The Rockers”. After high kicking Marty Genetti in the barbershop, he became his own man and took on all comers. He was a force to be reckoned with not only with the girls who swooned over him but with the wrestlers who would have to watch out for getting high kicked any time in the match. This devastating blow was like getting hit with an uppercut by Mike Tyson in Mike Tyson’s Punchout. Shawn Michaels turned back and forth from protagonist to heel numerous times showing his versatility in personality. He was a better heel than hero though; when girls loved him and guys hated him.

9. Rowdy Piper

Rowdy Piper was a firestorm. Whenever he hit the ring, the crowd would erupt. He was a solid wrestler, but his greatness came from his Scottish adrenaline when down in a fight. He would run in circles and then start smashing the fighter to his doom. He was a dirty fighter too. He would take people by the nostrils to the middle of the ring and then eye gouge them. He was a Scottish Street Brawler. His record was impeccable and he fought only the best wrestlers. He was always a great main card or mid card wrestler. Simple in suit but strong in heart, Rowdy Piper was one of the greatest.

8. Bret Hart

Bret Hart’s venture into the WWF was a slow one. He didn’t catch the crowd as immediately as the rest of the wrestlers on this list, but this is what made him so great. When his physical endurance was shown in the ring along with his wrestling prowess, he slowly gained the respect of his fellow wrestlers and fans in the WWF. He became know as the “excellence of execution” and delivered this excellent execution in matches against the best, from Yokozuna to Mr. Perfect. It was a great moment for wrestling when Bret Hart was able to put the sharp shooter on Yokozuna. Even the greatest beast couldn’t get out of the sharp shooter. If it weren’t for ring ropes, Bret Hart might be the greatest wrestler of all time.

7. Ric Flair

Ric Flair never knew when to quit. He loved the sport too much. Just when you thought he was going to retire, he came back and fought with the ardor of a 20 year old. There are many memorable moments with Ric Flair. Most of all though was Royal Rumble 1991 where he won the rumble after coming in at the #3 spot. Looking back, how couldn’t we know he was going to win with Hennan losing his voice trying to prop up the fact that no one could ever win the rumble entering in as early as Ric Flair. He did it though, with poise and professionalism. He was a showman. He knew how to work the angle of being beat and tired. He knew how to drop face first like no one before or after. He was also a good wrestler too executing the figure four leg lock to perfection. Ric Flair was a special wrestler. No heel had ever been as celebrated as him.

6. Macho Man

Macho Man was probably the most intense wrestler of all time. You saw it in the veins of his neck. You heard it in the rasp of his voice. You saw it in his wrestling delivery. He was tight as hell throughout a whole match. Simple elbows were executed with an explosiveness that another wrestler would have done lazily, thinking that they were just trying to carry a match. Watch one of his interviews to experience the intensity of Macho Man. Who knows what he was on before a match or even before an interview. Regardless, he pumped up the viewer into making this smaller figure a main card wrestler. His finishing move, the elbow from the top rope devastated opponents. No one got up from it. One of the few finishing moves that no one could ever get up from. This guy wasn’t simply macho, he was pure intensity.

5. Mr. Perfect

With a name like Mr. Perfect, how could he not be in the top 10 WWF wrestlers of all time? His name wasn’t just a gimmick though. He was the best pure wrestler in WWF history. Every move was executed to perfection; so much so that he had a manager named “The Genius” to further accentuate the his artistic quality in the ring. Mr.Perfect was involved in some of the greatest matches of all time, regardless of whether he lost or not. Forget the arrogant posture he brought the ring spitting out his gum and smacking it away with his hand or his overly-self-assured smirk upon entering the ring. He was a wrestler’s wrestler. He won and lost with grace. Every match he wrestled to perfection. Has there ever been a more perfect finishing move than the Perfect Plex? He was admired by everyone in the locker room where it mattered the most. A true professional, Mr. Perfect really was the perfect wrestler.

4. The Undertaker

The Undertaker’s place in WWF lore is certain. He’s one of the greatest wrestlers of all time, one of the greatest showmen of all time, and the greatest dark figure in wrestling history. This was sedimented with his win over Hogan in Survivor Series 1991. This is when The Undertaker was a heel. The kids in the crowd were crying, the kids who purchased the Survivor Series via Pay Per View at him were crying. How could their hero Hulk Hogan be beaten? Two words, “The Undertaker”. No one gets up from the tombstone. For a wrestler as big as The Undertaker he showed a scary agility being able to fly off the ropes with full body torpedo and could tight walk the ropes and smash a wrestlers arm. There has never been a wrestler who struck their opponent or the fan with a sense of fear like The Undertaker. This presence will always keep in the Top 5 of all time.

3. The Ultimate Warrior

The Ultimate Warrior went through a couple different incarnations, at least, due to alleged death via steroid use. There was only one Ultimate Warrior though, and that was the original who was as close to as important as Hulk Hogan. Who could ever forget him beating Hogan in Wrestlemania 6? Surely one of the greatest matches of all time, but the warrior had the intensity to take the belt, and just like that, he was basically done from the WWF. He accomplished what needed to be accomplished; holding the belt once, instead of losing it, and winning it over and over (Hogan). The one word to describe The Ultimate Warrior is ‘Fire’. He ran to the ring with fire, fought with fire, and got up from a beating with fire. Trying to understand his explosive and solipsistic interviews is like trying to read James Joyce’s “Ulysses” which made him even that much more intriguing. The fire of WWF lore belongs to The Warrior alone.

2. Hulk Hogan

What can be said about Hulk Hogan that hasn’t already been said? He changed wrestling even though he couldn’t wrestle. He had one of the worst finishing moves of all time, yet somehow he was the most popular wrestling in the history of the sport. He wore awful and entiointrepid tights. When Hogan came to the ring though, the crowd would erupt. Events were based soley on him. Every mid card match was a lead up to seeing Hogan come down the ring. The inspiration he caused in the degenerate fan was earnest. He is human and non-human at the same time. Hogan was the one who started the phenomena of getting up from seemingly interminable finishing moves; shaking his head with the eyes of a maniac. After that it was a boot to a face then a leg drop that would never touch the wrestler. The only person Andre would “pass the torch” to was Hogan, and he carried it for some time to come. Andre saw something in Hogan, as did everyone else who every experienced wrestling.

1. Andre the Giant

Many things can be said about Andre the Giant. He was the biggest wrestler of all time. He was the most entertaining figure to see in all of wrestling. He was the greatest heel of all time, except that he became a non-heel without ever wanting to become a non-heel. This was quite the phenomena. Never has there been a wrestler that was meant to be disliked but people began to like them anyways (Undertaker broached this until he become a full-on protagonist once McMahon saw the phenomena happening). What was it about Andre that inspired this reaction? In one small gesture, Andre would give a slight smile even when he was fighting Hogan and this made the fans of wrestling see in his soul; A passionate and caring wrestler who believed in the non-sport of staged wrestling. There will never be another 8th wonder of the world. While Hogan made wrestling popular, Andre was the first to make it a legitimate show. It was not only his size, but his heart that made for staged-wrestling’s ascendancy.

114 Comments

#1 POLISH POUNDER says:
March 18th, 2010 at 5:14 pm

Delta and Berserkr, you two are the definition of “INTERNET TOUGH GUYS”

#2 POLISH POUNDER says:
March 18th, 2010 at 5:14 pm

I am sure I could easily POUND both of you at once!!!

#3 POLISH POUNDER says:
March 18th, 2010 at 5:15 pm

Oh, and try to claim that the USA (around for 200 years) is better than Poland… LOL

#4 POLISH POUNDER says:
March 18th, 2010 at 5:16 pm

The US gets everything from Europe you idiots.

#5 POLISH POUNDER says:
March 18th, 2010 at 5:16 pm

EU economy > US economy

#6 Delta says:
March 18th, 2010 at 5:36 pm

Nope Polish Catcher, I would beat the absolute shit out of you, sodomize you with a kitchen utensil, then break your limbs until you cried that you’re a little bitch. Only way I’d stop. You’re just a pathetic little bitch, admit it.

Prove you could POUND me. I’m 25, I’ve been practicing Martial Arts since I was 10. I grew-up a white kid in a bad neighborhood that was predominately black. Obviously I needed it, and used it fairly often, including against guys that make your claims of size look rather small. I have yet to lose a fight, including against people of your claimed size, and bigger. Closest thing I’ve done to losing a fight against someone bigger than me was in high school, almost got into a fight with a freshman who actually smacked me, and one of the two who responded to stop it from turning serious after I threw the kid down, put me in a bearhug and lifted me up until I calmed down. Though I actually could have gotten out of it, but I came to my senses pretty quickly. You’re just a little bitch, and it’s obvious by the fact you keep claiming you’ll POUND people. Who the FUCK actually says that?!!?! That’s what proves me right, and you wrong.

And how the fuck is Poland better than the United States because Poland’s been around longer? Tell me what Poland’s actually contributed that’s had any effect on the world.

Let me name SOME things the U.S. has developed that impacted the world. The development of nuclear weapons. Rockets. Kevlar, ballistic nylon, and nomex. So were it not for an AMERICAN company, Military and Law Enforcement personel wouldn’t have the protective body armor that’s so important. And firefighters wouldn’t have protective suits. The M-16 and it’s Carbine variant the M-4 have probably been used by at least 10 times as many people as anything Poland’s produced. American television and movies are far more common in other countries than foreign films being imported to the U.S. What the fuck has Poland produced for TV or movies that has been successful world-wide? Were it not for American companies, you probably wouldn’t be on a computer to claim you’re way tougher than you actually are to people on other websites. Also the United States was a huge reason the Internet was developed. And I would be surprised at all if McDonald’s has had more impact on the world alone than your entire country’s history has had.

And I could come-up with more. So the U.S.>>>>>>>>>Poland.

Also I LOVE how you make SUCH a big deal out of the European Union. So, basically, you’re saying your country is a little pussy bitch that requires others to help it have SOME level of relevancy. Poland is PART of the European Union, not THE European Union. That’s worse than you whining like the little bitch you are about Americans acting like English is our language. Well, it actually is. I mean, we descend from people who developed it, and we’re part of the reason why it’s probably the most important language in the world. You see anybody not Polish speaking your native tongue when speaking to others who are from other countries, hm? Nope, you don’t. English is the common language for people to communicate from other countries.

Also, according to the CIA Factbook, the EU’s economy isn’t THAT much greater than the U.S.’s and there’s how many countries in the EU? So the EU isn’t even that much greater, and your precious little country that’s only precious to the utterly irrelevant Pollacks doesn’t even play much of a role in it’s successful economy.

And as to your making a big deal over Europe having many more artists ect., well that’s Europe with thousands of years of history. And the ENTIRE continent. Not some irrelevant country full of worthless idiots like you.

And I love how you’re ignoring and not responding to every time you’ve been ass-raped on some stupid shit you’ve said. Run away little girl, run away!! Daddy touch you in the wrong place, hm?

#7 BERSERKR says:
March 18th, 2010 at 7:32 pm

“Delta and Berserkr, you two are the definition of “INTERNET TOUGH GUYS”

How is that? I am not the one saying i could POUND everyone:P

#8 Delta says:
March 18th, 2010 at 7:45 pm

Hey BERSERKR, is it just me, or does Polish Catcher remind you of One-Eyed Willie, with the whole, “I’ll POUND you in real life!!” like how Willie said, “I’ll PWN you in real life!!” hm?

#9 POLISH POUNDER says:
March 18th, 2010 at 8:10 pm

Berserkr, if you really want to meet somewhere I honestly will go anywhere you want and we’ll see who the real tough guy is, you fucking chump. Delta, you admit the EU’s economy is bigger than Americas, so I win. Europe is better in every way possible to America. Once it unites into a single country the US will be as irrelevant as Sweden is right now.

#10 BERSERKR says:
March 18th, 2010 at 8:27 pm

Ok then Polish Pounder, Vancouver BC, Canada, be there:P

#11 BERSERKR says:
March 18th, 2010 at 8:27 pm

why wont my picture show up dern it!

#12 Alberto says:
March 18th, 2010 at 8:47 pm

How do you put your picture?

#13 Delta says:
March 18th, 2010 at 8:54 pm

LMAO POLISH CATCHER YOU’RE SUCH A FUCKING DUMBASS!!!!!

Poland is basically what you are. A poor, pathetic little bitch who needs other richer, more powerful people to make him look almost relevant.

The U.S. is much more important than the E.U. I love how once I showed how America fucking OWNS the little Pollack Land on economy, power and relevance, that you shut the fuck up.

And you pretend everything that you’re wrong about wasn’t said, like the little bitch you are. Should I start quoting everything you’ve failed to respond for due to being WRONG? It would be quite a bit, you cock-sucking, cum-guzzling incest whore.

You fail, loser.

#14 President Steve says:
March 18th, 2010 at 10:09 pm

Alberto:

Go to Gravatars.com

#15 UP2IP2 says:
March 18th, 2010 at 11:02 pm

what happen Nachooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo =P

#16 UP2IP2 says:
March 18th, 2010 at 11:02 pm

what happen Nachooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo! =P lol

#17 UP2IP2 says:
March 18th, 2010 at 11:03 pm

wtf A dupilcit Comment?

#18 Fedricco Rabaya says:
March 18th, 2010 at 11:21 pm

Don’t know but since I started watching UFC I don’t like WWE anymore. I know it’s entertainment but it’s just too scripted. UFC is the real thing.

#19 Delta says:
March 18th, 2010 at 11:31 pm

Pro-Wrestling and MMA share similarities, but are quite different and are for two different audiences, really.

#20 Fedricco Rabaya says:
March 18th, 2010 at 11:40 pm

Even these WWE wrestlers stomp their foot while punching in order to create sounds. Don’t know why people buy this crap. I think they even allow some to use steroids. And what’s with the Undertaker dying and rising from the dead. He also likes rolling his eyeballs.

#21 Delta says:
March 18th, 2010 at 12:05 am

Fedrico…..

On them doing things like stomping to make sounds when hitting their opponents, it’s not that people BUY it(though most of the ones who do are probably kids too young to know). Do you know what “Suspension Of Disbelief” is?

#22 Horror Wolf says:
March 18th, 2010 at 12:36 am

Why aren’t there any newer wrestlers on this list? How about Edge? Or Stone Cold Steve Austin? Or even the Rock????

#23 Troll 4 Life says:
March 18th, 2010 at 3:56 am

Delta, Berzerkr, You Stupid Polish Fuck, how the hell are you people even smart enough to get on the internet. Was this just an attempt at trying, and failing, to find your dicks with both hands. It must be hard for men of your size. I wouldn’t know, mine’s so large, I’ve had to fuck all of your mothers repetedly just to wear out my erection, and prevent back pain.

#24 Delta says:
March 18th, 2010 at 4:59 am

So Bitch4Life, remember that time me, you and BERSERKR were on a trip to get some munchies and we got pulled-over by a chick cop?

She said if our combined dick lengths equaled 20 inches then she’d let us go without a ticket. So I whip mine out without any arousal, 10 inches. BERSERKR whips his out, 9 and a half inches. You whipped your’s out, half an inch.

So she let us go. While driving, I say, “Ya’ll better be glad I’ve got a 10 inch dick.” BERSERKR says, “You better be glad I have a 9 and a half-inch dick.” And then, Bitch4Life, you said, “You better be glad I had a hard-on.”

We know your real size, and I revealed it to the world. Now shut the fuck-up you dumbass pussy bitch or I’ll bring the YouTube link of me owning you. When BERSERKR and I lied to you that we found a girl desperate enough for you to lose your virginity to. And then you walk in, I’m standing Crane Style while balancing on a ball, then jumped at you and did this sweet lookin’ bicycle kick and knocked you the fuck out.

#25 BERSERKR says:
March 18th, 2010 at 5:11 am

Troll 4 Life

Where did that come from?

#26 Delta says:
March 18th, 2010 at 5:17 am

‘Cuz Bitch4Life is just that, a trolling bitch. Little fagot’s worse than Polish Catcher.

#27 BERSERKR says:
March 18th, 2010 at 7:32 am

I have always debated my opinions with the utmost respect to others and have shown a lot of restraint, sure i may have slipped from time to time, but i am human after all, well……….partially….MWA HA HA HA!!!

#28 Darkest Lord says:
March 18th, 2010 at 6:59 pm

Pfft I’m sick of hearing how people brag about martial arts and end up sucking in real fights. Must be desperate to prove something if you could give us a page long rant about it (which I didnt read)

#29 Troll 4 Life says:
March 18th, 2010 at 4:01 am

Delta, I will find your mothers grave, dig it up, and fuck her corpse with my 12 incher, then, I’ll fuck you to death in the eye with a chainsaw made of anthrax.

#30 Delta says:
March 18th, 2010 at 4:02 am

You know, I think I’ll request you be banned, Bitch4Life. Consider yourself owned further.

#31 Delta says:
March 18th, 2010 at 4:03 am

Darkest Lord, shut the fuck up you worthless bitch. You probably get the shit beaten out of you on a consistent basis. You’re just an annoying little, and I DO mean “little,” troll.

#32 Zigdog says:
March 18th, 2010 at 9:57 am

1. Stone Cold Steve Austin
2. The Rock
3. Hulk Hogan
4. Andre the Giant
5. Triple H
6. Hitman
7. Mr. Perfect
8. Edge
9. Chris Benoit
10. Undertaker

#33 AJ says:
March 18th, 2010 at 2:34 pm

Ultimate Warrior at #3? This list has lost all credibility. He is maybe a top 20, but #2 is pretty stupid.

#34 Troll 4 Life says:
March 18th, 2010 at 12:03 am

Delta, do you mean to tell me you’re such a useless, whiny little bitch, that you have to whine to daddy Zeromage just because I hurt your feelings. It’s not my fault your vagina’s so dry, it’d turn a mummy to dust.

#35 Delta says:
March 18th, 2010 at 12:22 am

Nope, you’re the whinny little bitch who’d get the shit beaten out of you. I just figure you’re so utterly pathetic that I WILL have you banned. Good-bye loser bitch, go back to sucking your daddy’s cock in hopes he won’t beat you again.

I’ll keep laughing at you, though. That’s ONE thing you’re actually good for, is to be laughed at.

#36 RavenWolfx says:
March 18th, 2010 at 4:17 pm

While I agree Andre is the greatest… couldn’t you have found a more flattering picture? You know, instead of him straddling the ropes with a strange look on his face…

#37 LookNLaugh says:
March 18th, 2010 at 4:41 pm

HAHAHAHAH, I loved wrestling as a kid but the comments on this list are where the real entertainment is. You guys are TOO fucking funny.

And yes, that is a glorious Andre picture.

#38 Delta says:
March 18th, 2010 at 7:18 pm

No, we laugh at you.

#39 Sage says:
March 18th, 2010 at 3:53 pm

Rumor around the OW water cooler is that a video game list is in the works…And is Sage due for a triumphant return? Stay tuned!

#40 BERSERKR says:
March 18th, 2010 at 5:55 pm

Now that time has passed have you guys finally seen the light and realized that the Wii is the worst system on the market right now? Not saying its bad i have one, but XBOX and PS3 both have Alot more variety and a much larger list of quality games.

#41 Gyb says:
March 18th, 2010 at 2:41 am

Now, where is that Polish guy? You all did it too rough for him, you know.

And yet he keeps coming back.

On-topic: Andre is a phenomenal wrestler.

#42 Delta says:
March 18th, 2010 at 2:53 am

Polish Catcher isn’t too bright and obviously says the shit he does to compensate for being a little bitch with a small penis.

He claims he got tired of me on arguing Hulk VS various characters, yet showed sheer ignorance for all characters he argued against.

Then he comes on here and says he’ll pound any wrestlers and it’s not real. Why? Well, not only to boost his own ego to compensate for, well, everything about him, but he’s also quite……stupid doesn’t even begin to describe him.

#43 Bill Zebub says:
March 18th, 2010 at 9:23 pm

Why are people debating about the Hulk and Poland and all this other bullshit on a Wrestling list? Anyone have any relevant comments?

#44 Delta says:
March 18th, 2010 at 12:20 am

If you paid a little bit more attention Bill, and have a shred of competence, you might be able to figure it out.

#45 Polish Pounders Uncle says:
March 18th, 2010 at 1:06 pm

Delta, You have no idea how bad your ass would be beat if I ever saw you in real person. You would never come on here again out of embarrassment

#46 frugalfrak says:
March 18th, 2010 at 5:12 pm

Great article. I used to love wrestling. I can’t stand it now. Hulkamania all the way

#47 Delta says:
March 18th, 2010 at 9:13 am

Nope Polish Catcher, you’re nothing but a little fagot bitch. You tell yourself that all you want. Obviously you’re compensating for everything to be the way you are. Go suck on your boyfriend’s cock, stop bothering to trick people into thinking you have a properly functioning brain, and stop bothering anybody with the slightest shred of competence.

#48 Fedricco Rabaya says:
March 18th, 2010 at 2:13 pm

HAHA WTF I remember Ric Flair was the one who twists other wrestler’s cocks. What a dirty player. Why is he called the Nature Boy?

#49 Mullet2dmax says:
March 18th, 2010 at 5:22 am

You are definitely 32 years old Zeromage. Don’t forget your Jake the Snake and Superfly Snuka honerable mentions. This list suffers too much from the “remember the good old days” syndrome, but they are all still amazing wrestlers nonetheless.