Best WWE Players of all Time

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LAS VEGAS - AUGUST 24: A general view of the WWE Monday Night Raw show at the Thomas & Mack Center August 24, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

WWE is one of the most popular sports leagues in the world and is known for its high-octane matches. But who are the best WWE players of all time? Well, that’s a difficult question to answer, as it largely depends on personal taste. However, we’ve compiled a list of the top 10 WWE players of all time based on their contributions to the sport and their popularity within the WWE fanbase. So who cuts? You’ll have to read on to find out!

1. “Stone Cold” Steve Austin

Best WWE Players of all Time
ATLANTA, GA – SEPTEMBER 29: Pro wrestling Hall of Famer Steve Austin united with other celebrities under a common cause to join Wendy’s in the effort to spread the news that good BBQ is now available to everyone with Wendy’s new BBQ Pulled Pork offerings. As part of Wendy’s #bbq4Merica campaign, celebrity spokespersons Austin, actor, and dancer Alfonso Ribeiro and actor and filmmaker Ralph Macchio created a series of humorous public service announcements videos launching today.

 

Stone Cold Steve Austin is, without a doubt, the greatest WWE performer of all time. Before the wrestling industry even existed, he was a household name, cemented his legacy as one of the biggest stars in history by winning multiple championships and becoming one of the most popular and controversial superstars in history.

Austin’s charisma, performing skills, and cutting promos made him an instant icon when he first started wrestling in the early 1990s. He quickly became known as “Stone Cold” due to his unyielding attitude and refusal to back down from anyone -even the toughest opponents. His matches were always filled with action, violence, and suspense, which helped make him one of the most popular wrestlers of all time.

He is also well-known for his feuds with Bret “The Hitman” Hart and Shawn Michaels, among the most memorable storylines in WWE history. Austin’s antics on and off the stage made him a media phenomenon, and his influence can still be seen today in various aspects of popular culture.

2. Shawn Michaels

Shawn Michaels
ATLANTA, GA – APRIL 03: Hall of Fame inductee Shawn Michaels attends the 2011 WWE Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony at the Philips Arena on April 3, 2011, in Atlanta, Georgia.

Shawn Michaels is, without a doubt, one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time. He is a five-time World Champion and has been inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame twice.

Michaels was born in Astoria, New York on December 25, 1965. He started wrestling at ten and quickly rose to prominence as an amateur wrestler in the United States. In 1984, he won the championship belt called the NWA World Heavyweight Championship, which made him the first foreigner ever to hold that title.

In 1985, Michaels made his professional wrestling debut for World Wrestling Federation (WWF) as ‘Crusher’ Rick Martel’s bodyguard. That same year, he became a tag team champion with Marty Jannetty and went on to win many more championships throughout his career – including two more World Heavyweight Championships.

In 1992, Michaels joined up with Andre The Giant and Bobby Heenan to form The Main Event Mafia and won another world title – this time as part of The Mega Powers faction alongside Hulk Hogan and Randy Savage. In 1994, he finally captured his coveted fifth world championship by defeating Razor Ramon in a triple-threat match at WrestleMania X-Seven. Michaels retired from professional wrestling in 1997 after suffering a knee injury that left him unable to wrestle again.

3. Dwayne Johnson “The Rock”

Dwayne Johnson
HOLLYWOOD, CA – DECEMBER 13: Actor Dwayne Johnson attends a ceremony honoring him with the 2,624th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on December 13, 2017, in Hollywood, California.

While there are many great WWE players over the years, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is without a doubt one of the greatest. He has been a part of the company since its inception back in 1988 and has won multiple championships and accolades along the way. He’s also become popular for his acting career outside of WWE, most notably in films such as The Scorpion King, Baywatch and Jumanji.

Throughout his career, The Rock has always had a knack for making an impact on television audiences. Whether it was with his wild antics or his unique style of wrestling, he always managed to captivate viewers. He’s also known for his philanthropy work – he’s donated millions of dollars to charity throughout his career. In short, The Rock is an all-around incredible person and wrestler who deserves to be considered one of the best WWE players of all time.

4. Hulk Hogan

Hulk Hogan
PERTH, AUSTRALIA – NOVEMBER 24: Hulk Hogan rips his shirt prior to the bout against Ric Flair during his Hulkamania Tour at the Burswood Dome on November 24, 2009 in Perth, Australia.

Hulk Hogan is without a doubt one of the most iconic and revered WWE stars of all time. With his incredible strength, size, and charisma, he was a force to be reckoned with on the wrestling circuit. He is the only man to ever win both the WWF World Heavyweight Championship and the WCW World Heavyweight Championship.

He is also well-known for his feuds with Stone Cold Steve Austin and The Rock. Hogan was also a major part of storylines that involved popular wrestlers like Ric Flair, Randy Savage, Vince McMahon Sr., Hulk Hogan’s son Terry Bollea, Stone Cold Steve Austin (again), and The Undertaker.

Overall, Hogan was an outstanding performer who dominated the WWE scene for over two decades. He will always be remembered as one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time.

5. Ric Flair

Ric Flair
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – NOVEMBER 28: Ric Flair competes against Hulk Hogan during the ‘Hulkamania Tour’ at Acer Arena on November 28, 2009 in Sydney, Australia.

There’s no doubt that Ric Flair is one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time. He has competed in every major wrestling promotion over the years and is a two-time world champion. His skills on the mat are unrivalled, and his ability to tell a story in the ring is second to none.

Flair’s popularity has only continued to grow since he retired from professional wrestling in 2016. He continues to perform at various conventions and events, and his appearances always draw a big crowd. Whether he’s performing his signature Flair dance or talking about his career, Ric Flair knows how to put on a show.

6. The Undertaker

The Undertaker
TOPSHOT – World Wrestling Entertainment star The Undertaker makes his way to the ring during a match at the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) Super Showdown event in the Saudi Red Sea port city of Jeddah late on January 7, 2019.

The Undertaker is without a doubt one of the most professional and successful wrestlers in WWE history. He has won numerous championships, including five world heavyweight championships, two tag team championships, and one championship for the company’s cruiserweight division.

He has also achieved great success in international wrestling promotions, including the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW), and Japan’s New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW). In total, The Undertaker has won over 30 championships in different promotions around the world.

The Undertaker is also known for his signature move – the Tombstone Piledriver. This move was so iconic that it was even included in the game “Mortal Kombat X”. The Undertaker is a true icon and professional wrestler who will always be remembered for his spectacular performances.

7. John Cena

John Cena
WWE superstar, John Cena at his home on August 17, 2005 in Land O’ Lakes, Florida.

John Cena is the most successful wrestler in the history of the WWE. He has held the championship for an astonishing 13 years, which is more than any other wrestler has managed. During that time, Cena has won countless awards and accolades, including five World Heavyweight Championships and three United States championships.

Though he started as a rather generic professional wrestler, Cena has since evolved into one of the most iconic and popular figures in all of professional wrestling. His energetic performances and engaging storylines have made him one of the most watched wrestlers on earth. His popularity has also led to him starring in several Hollywood movies, including “Trainwreck” and “Daddy’s Home”.

8. “Macho Man” Randy Savage

Randy Savage
Randy Savage in New York City circa 1991.

Randy Savage was a WWE icon for over two decades and is widely considered to be one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time. He is also renowned for his outlandish personality and promiscuous lifestyle, which made him one of the most relatable and popular stars in the history of the sport.

Savage began his wrestling career in 1984 when he joined Hulk Hogan’s World Wrestling Federation (WWF) promotion. He quickly became a mainstay on the card, and by 1985 he had won the WWF Championship. That year, he also became involved in a highly-publicized rivalry with Hulk Hogan that culminated in a match at WrestleMania III that is still considered one of the biggest events in wrestling history.

Savage went on to win several more championships over the next few years, before leaving WWF for rival promotion World Championship Wrestling (WCW). He returned to WWF later on, but his popularity had waned somewhat by this point. In 1998, he retired from wrestling after losing a match to Vince McMahon at Survivor Series.

Since retiring from professional wrestling, Savage has remained active as an actor and musician. He has appeared in several films and television shows over the past few years and performed at both WrestleMania XXIX and XXVIII as part of his farewell tour. He remains one of WWE’s most popular legends!

9. “Rowdy” Roddy Piper

Roddy Piper
NEW YORK – MARCH 31: Wrestler “Rowdy” Roddy Piper attends the WrestleMania 25th anniversary press conference at the Hard Rock Caf� on March 31, 2009 in New York City.

There’s no doubt that “Rowdy” Roddy Piper is one of the most influential and iconic wrestlers of all time. He rose to fame in the mid-1970s as a member of the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) and quickly became a fan favourite.

Piper is well known for his dramatic promos and explosive matches, which earned him the nickname “The Bad Guy.” He was also known for his comedic skills, which helped to add some levity to what could often be a brutal sport.

Though he retired from professional wrestling in 1993, Piper has since continued to make occasional appearances at WWE events. He remains one of the most popular and successful professional wrestlers ever, and his legacy will always be remembered fondly by fans everywhere.

10. Mick Foley

Mick Foley
NEW YORK, NY – AUGUST 23: Mick Foley greets the audience at WWE SummerSlam 2015 at Barclays Center of Brooklyn on August 23, 2015 in New York City.

Mick Foley is without a doubt one of the greatest WWE wrestlers of all time. He has won multiple championships and performed in some of the most memorable matches in history.

Though he retired from professional wrestling in 2010, Mick Foley continues to make occasional appearances on WWE programming. He recently made an appearance at Wrestlemania 33 to induct his old friend The Rock into the Hall of Fame.

If you’re a WWE fan, then you need to check out Mick Foley’s career – he’s definitely worth your time!

11. Triple H

Triple H
NEW YORK, NY – APRIL 01: Triple H attends the WrestleMania 30 press conference at the Hard Rock Cafe New York on April 1, 2014 in New York City.

Triple H is unquestionably one of the greatest WWE Superstars of all time. He has won numerous awards, including five World Heavyweight Championships, four Royal Rumble Championships and two King of the Ring Awards.

What makes Triple H so successful? To start with, he is a natural leader. He knows how to get the best out of his team and manage egos to achieve collective success. He is also a very skilled wrestler who can pull off spectacular moves at any time. In addition, he can connect with his fans on an emotional level, which helps make them feel like they are part of the show.

All in all, Triple H is an incredible example of what it takes to be a truly successful WWE Superstar. If you’re looking to emulate his success, then you need to focus on developing your leadership skills and mastering wrestling techniques at the highest level possible.

12. Chris Jericho

Chris Jericho
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 04: Chris Jericho attends the All Elite Wrestling panel during 2019 New York Comic Con at Jacob Javits Center on October 04, 2019 in New York City.

There are many great WWE players over the years, but Chris Jericho is without a doubt one of the greatest. He has been with the company for almost 20 years now and during that time, he has won a total of 17 championships – including 7 world championships. He’s also won countless other awards and accolades, making him one of the most successful professional wrestlers in history.

Jericho’s popularity is based on his character – he is both entertaining and unpredictable. He always brings excitement to his matches and his fans love him for it. He’s also known for his signature move, the Codebreaker – which is a suplex variation that can be extremely dangerous if done incorrectly. 

If you’re a fan of WWE or wrestling in general, then you should check out Jericho’s performances!

13. Kurt Angle

Kurt Angle
Kurt Angle during Spike TV’s 2006 Video Game Awards – Arrivals at The Galen Center in Los Angeles, California, United States.

Kurt Angle is arguably the most successful wrestler in the history of WWE. He has won numerous championships, including three World Heavyweight Championships, one Intercontinental Championship and two United States Championships.

Angle began his career in 1995 as a part-time wrestler for WCW. He made the switch to WWE in 1999 and quickly became a fan favourite thanks to his high-flying style and exciting matches. He was eventually signed to a full-time contract and became one of the most popular wrestlers on the roster.

Angle’s popularity reached its peak during his time with WWE’s main event division, where he emerged as one of the company’s top stars. He won consecutive World Heavyweight Championships in 2004 and 2005, as well as the 2006 Royal Rumble match. In 2007, he was also inducted into WWE’s Hall of Fame.

Though Angle recently retired from professional wrestling, his legacy remains firmly entrenched within the WWE archives – making him one of the best wrestlers of all time!

14. Andre the Giant

Andre the Giant
Andre the Giant at Wrestlemania 2 at the Rosemont Horizon in Rosemont, Illinois, April 7, 1986.

There is no one answer to this question, as the best WWE players of all time can differ depending on who you ask. However, a few of the most well-known and successful WWE players include Andre the Giant, Stone Cold Steve Austin, Hulk Hogan, and The Undertaker.

Andre the Giant was the greatest professional wrestler of all time. He was so large and strong that he was even banned from competing in Japan due to his size and potential danger to other wrestlers. Andre made his debut in World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF) in 1984 and became a mainstay on the card within a year. He achieved unparalleled success during his tenure with the company, winning multiple championships and becoming an international icon. Andre’s career came to an abrupt end in 1991 when he suffered a heart attack at the age of 46 – but his legacy continues to live on through his iconic wrestling persona, Andre The Giant.

Stone Cold Steve Austin is another world champion wrestler who had an incredible impact on professional wrestling during the 1990s. His meteoric rise to fame began when he won a WWF Raw Championship tournament in 1992 – which made him one of just two people ever to hold both the WCW World Heavyweight Championship and WWF Championship at the same time. During his illustrious career, Stone Cold Steve Austin won numerous championships including five World Heavyweight Championships, three Intercontinental Championships and one United

15. Dusty Rhodes

Dusty Rhodes
ATLANTA, GA – APRIL 03: WWE Hall of Fame member Dusty Rhodes attends the 2011 WWE Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony at the Philips Arena on April 3, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia.

There is no question that Dusty Rhodes was one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time. He is credited with helping to turn WWE into a global phenomenon and is widely considered to be one of the most influential figures in the history of professional wrestling.

Rhodes started his career in the early 1960s as a part-timer, but it wasn’t long before he made a name for himself as one of the best tag team wrestlers in the business. In 1974, he joined forces with manager Vince McMahon and went on to win countless championships and become one of the biggest stars in WWE history.

One of Rhodes’ most famous accomplishments was his reign as World Heavyweight Champion from 1978 to 1981. During this time, he became known for his spectacular matches and signature yellow tights (which are now part of WWE’s heritage). He also helped to create the infamous “stiff arm” move, which is still used today by many professional wrestlers. 

Though he had a brief retirement in 1990, Rhodes returned to WWE several years later and continued to perform until his death at the age of 69 in 2002. His legacy lives on through his memorable matches and contributions to professional wrestling overall.

By Michael Smith

Hi. Hailing from Manila, I am an avid consumer of anime, gaming, football and professional wrestling. You can mostly find me either writing articles, binging shows or engaged in an engrossing discussion about the said interests.

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