25 best WWE wrestlers of all time

All through its illustrious historical past, WWE has seen some legendary skilled wrestlers step into its rings all around the world. The likes of Hulk Hogan, Shawn Michaels and The Undertaker captured the hearts of followers throughout among the firm’s hottest intervals, whereas the likes of Roman Reigns got here onto the scene way more lately and have finished a superb job flying the WWE flag.

With such a military of spectacular and iconic figures having known as themselves WWE superstars through the years, compiling an inventory of the 25 biggest feels like an extremely robust process and one nobody would doubtless rush to create. With that being stated, that is precisely what we have determined to do. a number of completely different elements, we have recognized the 25 greatest wrestlers in WWE historical past. Earlier than we get began, check out the completely different elements we have checked out to create our record beneath.

Title wins Longevity within the sport Microphone work and charisma (ranked from poor and okay, to good and glorious) Influence on the wrestling enterprise

Now that is out of the way in which, let’s get began. Listed here are the 25 biggest WWE wrestlers of all time, ranked.

25 Charlotte Aptitude

Shortly over a decade in the past, ladies’s wrestling began to be taken slightly extra severely and followers started protesting for WWE to deal with their ladies higher and provides them extra alternatives. This coincided with the arrival of Charlotte Aptitude within the firm, a lady who has gone on to forge her legacy as the best ladies’s wrestler of all time since.

The daughter of the Nature Boy, Ric Aptitude, Charlotte has received nearly the whole lot there may be to probably win in WWE. Whether or not it is gold in NXT, or the quite a few championships she’s held on the principle roster, no girl has achieved fairly as a lot as she has. She’s additionally very gifted contained in the squared circle, clearly taking after her father in that division. Charlotte nonetheless has years forward of her and it is fairly formidable to think about simply how way more she’ll have added to her legacy by the point she calls it a day.

24 Goldberg

Whereas not the perfect wrestler, there is no denying that Goldberg had one thing particular happening in WCW through the Nineties, and followers beloved it. The 285 lb famous person was huge for the corporate, however after they folded, he made his transfer to WWE in 2003. Whereas there, he had iconic feuds with The Rock and Triple H, the place he got here out on prime on each events.

His exit only a 12 months later denied followers what might have been an all-time nice run, however his return in 2016 at the very least gave solution to some memorable moments. Regardless of being removed from the perfect technical wrestler that the corporate has seen, there isn’t any doubt that his gimmick and ruthless particular strikes, the spear and the Jackhammer, made him a star that followers world wide all the time appeared ahead to watching.

Associated WWE: Goldberg went straight for The Rock in his mega 2003 debut The WCW legend made his impression immediately identified by focusing on the Nice One on Uncooked

23 Andre The Large

One of many largest WWE stars ever, Andre The Large, at a time when the spectacle was extra essential than the match high quality, performed his function higher than anybody. He won’t have been the best in-ring employee and her microphone abilities left lots to be desired, however Andre was a bonafide attraction when WWE wanted them probably the most. His function as the corporate went world underneath Vince McMahon was huge.

Andre’s match with Hulk Hogan at WrestleMania 3 continues to be one of the crucial essential within the historical past of the business. Whether or not it was as a delicate large, or the brute villain working alongside both Bobby Heenan or Ted Dibiase, the enormous might do all of it and he’ll all the time be fondly remembered as one of the crucial essential figures in WWE’s early years.

22 AJ Kinds

Not many individuals gave AJ Kinds an opportunity in WWE. He spent the vast majority of his profession on the impartial scene, making his identify in TNA and New Japan Professional wrestling earlier than lastly becoming a member of the corporate in 2016. Debuting within the Royal Rumble, he acquired off to a powerful begin and any doubts about how WWe would deal with Kinds have been rapidly put to mattress as he received his first WWE Championship lower than a 12 months into his run.

He is since received quite a few championships and had some unbelievable matches with the likes of Seth Rollins, Brock Lesnar and Daniel Bryan. There aren’t many wrestlers round that may match Kinds contained in the squared circle, and he is nonetheless acting at a really excessive stage nicely into his 40s.

21 Mick Foley

He may need by no means fairly appeared just like the stereotypical WWE star, however Mick Foley is among the most essential figures within the firm’s historical past. With out the Hardcore Legend, there is a robust likelihood that Vince McMahon’s firm would have come out on the shedding finish through the Monday Evening Wars. It was his WWE Championship victory, and Tony Schiavone’s feedback about it that noticed thousands and thousands flock to WWE to look at the second, and it modified wrestling perpetually.

Except for that, Foley has had quite a few unbelievable moments in WWE. From debuting because the menacing Mankind, earlier than transitioning that character into one of the crucial loveable misfits round, he broke the mould of what a WWE famous person has to appear like. From the insane Hell in a Cell match towards The Undertaker to the hilarious Dude Love character, Foley has impacted WWE in so some ways through the years and deserves extra respect.

20 Eddie Guerrero

Whether or not a heel or a babyface, Eddie Guerrero was adored by followers the world over. His work in ECW and WCW launched audiences to him worldwide, nevertheless it’s his work in WWE that made him a worldwide star. Extremely gifted within the ring, it was his infectious persona that received so many individuals over. Few might entertain to the extent he might.

His WWE championship victory over Brock Lesnar at No Manner Out 2004 stays one of the crucial emotional and uplifting moments within the firm’s historical past. Taken far too early, there is a very robust chance that Eddie might have ranked even increased than this if he hadn’t handed away in 2005.

19 Rey Mysterio

The largest underdog in WWE historical past, Rey Mysterio helped revolutionise high-flying in skilled wrestling and his affect on the enterprise is unmatched. After making a reputation for himself in each ECW and WCW, he lastly joined WWE in 2002 and has change into an icon within the years since.

Except for a spell between 2015 and 2018, the previous World Heavyweight Champion has spent the vast majority of his profession over the past 20 years in WWE and received a plethora of titles and different accolades to construct his legacy as one of many firm’s biggest stars. Who can overlook his historic Royal Rumble win in 2006? Or the World Heavyweight Championship triumph at that 12 months’s WrestleMania in honour of Eddie Guerrero? These are moments that no WWE fan will ever overlook and are solely a handful of his unbelievable run. He is additionally the first-ever father to win tag group gold along with his son.

18 Roman Reigns

After years of making an attempt, WWE succeeded in making Roman Reigns a serious star and he is change into one of many biggest wrestlers within the firm’s historical past. After floundering as a bland hero for a number of years, his heel flip in 2020 kickstarted what has change into a legendary run because the Tribal Chief and he is at present embarking on one of the crucial historic world title reigns in latest wrestling historical past. As of January 2024, Roman Reigns is ‘the man’ in WWE, and can undoubtedly go down as one of many all-time WWE greats.

The “Head of the Desk” has held onto the Common Championship for 1200 days on the time of writing, the longest reign in a long time. It is laborious to think about anybody coming near matching that feat within the trendy period. Who is aware of what’s subsequent for Roman Reigns in 2024?

Associated WWE’s authentic plan for Roman Reigns on the Royal Rumble revealed The Tribal Chief will compete in a deadly four-way on the occasion however was initially imagined to do one thing very completely different

17 Daniel Bryan

The most effective pure in-ring wrestlers of all time, there are via in wrestling historical past that may match Daniel Bryan’s skills within the squared circle. His run in 2013-14 which culminated with the WWE Championship victory at WrestleMania 30 continues to be among the greatest storytelling in WWE historical past.

He won’t be working for WWE anymore, however he earned a powerful sufficient legacy throughout his time with the corporate to land a spot right here. He is additionally nonetheless performing on the highest stage along with his work for each AEW and New Japan Professional wrestling.

16 Randy Orton

Whenever you communicate to many wrestlers, they are saying that Randy Orton does the fundamentals higher than anybody, and is among the greatest. There’s one thing to be stated about that. The third-generation famous person joined WWE in 2000, spending time of their developmental territory OVW, earlier than becoming a member of the principle roster in 2002 and for the final 20 years, he is constantly been one of many firm’s largest and most reliable stars.

Orton is stable contained in the ring and has had among the most iconic characters in latest wrestling historical past. Whether or not he was the Legend Killer or the Viper, he has achieved some historic feats in WWe and solely a handful of stars have received extra world titles than he has. He is 43 years previous now however lately got here again from damage in the perfect form potential. He might even someway rise even additional on this record sooner or later.

15 Kurt Angle

Kurt Angle took to WWE higher than anybody, and whether or not a heel or babyface, was virtually all the time certainly one of WWE’s prime stars, instantly from his debut. Incomes a repute for his unbelievable gold medal triumph within the Olympics, he took to skilled wrestling like a duck to water and was able to having incredible matches with nearly anybody. Exterior of his unbelievable skill as a wrestler, Angle was all the time able to getting nearly any character over.

Whether or not he was the Olympic wrestling machine or Stone Chilly Steve Austin’s comedic sidekick, he made the whole lot work and followers all the time had a blast watching him. The very fact he spent the vast majority of his profession outdoors of WWE makes it laborious to rank him increased than this. His time in TNA was incredible, and he’s simply one of many promotion’s greatest-ever stars, however as we’re strictly judging him on his work in WWE, this feels about truthful.

14 Dusty Rhodes

Simply hearken to his ‘Arduous Instances’ promo, and you will perceive why he is so excessive up on this record. Within the eyes of some, nobody related with wrestling followers greater than Dusty Rhodes. The American Dream was a person of the folks and followers all around the world adored him for it. His physique may need been deceptive, however he was able to placing on incredible matches with nearly anybody throughout his profession and there was no yet one more gifted with a microphone of their hand.

Rhodes spent virtually his complete profession outdoors of WWE, so we won’t rank him any increased than this, however he is an icon in wrestling and deserved his flowers. Additionally, his work with WWE’s developmental programme and the impression he had on NXT throughout its youth cannot be ignored. The affect he had on the present era of expertise cannot be understated, and the enterprise is healthier for having had Dusty in it.

13 Chris Jericho

Each time you assume his profession could also be winding down, Chris Jericho creates one other gimmick that will get over with the followers and earns him a prime spot. He is really one of the crucial versatile performers ever. He is excelled all around the world, whether or not it was in WCW, ECW, Japan or extra lately AEW, the Canadian all the time performs at a really excessive stage. His in-ring work was stellar all through his time in WWE, however his microphone work perhaps even higher.

He might play the cool babyface, the evil villain or perhaps a comedy character completely and Jericho’s knack for always reinventing himself helped forestall him from ever actually rising stale. His time in WWE is well the height of his profession and changing into the first-ever Undisputed WWF Champion is an achievement nobody else in historical past can boast of.

12 Brock Lesnar

Brock Lesnar is certainly one of wrestling’s largest and most intimidating stars. Regardless of being certainly one of WWE’s prime stars for the whole thing of each of his stints with the corporate, his work contained in the ring is someway underappreciated by followers. His first run noticed him placed on some incredible matches with the likes of Kurt Angle, nevertheless it’s his second stint that solidified his standing as certainly one of WWE’s biggest stars ever.

Having stepped into the UFC Octagon and conquered the heavyweight division, successful gold, the Beast Incarnate returned to WWE in 2012 with a totally new aura and it is helped make him one of many final true particular sights within the enterprise. He won’t wrestle all that always, however when he does, we’re all the time in for time. Not solely has he received a plethora of gold, however he ended The Undertaker’s WrestleMania streak… he is earned this spot.

11 Ric Aptitude

It does not take a genius to level out that Ric Aptitude might be one of many GOATs. Not most likely, he’s. He was proper on the prime for thus lengthy. Not many individuals come shut. His work for Jim Crocket Promotions and WCW solidified his standing as a legend within the skilled wrestling business. Except for a quick spell at first of the Nineties with WWE, it wasn’t till lengthy after his prime had ended that Aptitude ended up within the firm correctly which hurts his case as certainly one of their biggest ever stars.

If we’re judging all promotions, he ranks increased than this, however an excessive amount of of it was outdoors of WWE. With that being stated, he is nonetheless an icon. His Royal Rumble victory for the WWF Championship in 1992 continues to be one of many biggest within the firm’s historical past and he helped create the most effective factions in WWE historical past with Evolution within the 2000s. His retirement match at WrestleMania 24 towards Shawn Michaels continues to be one of the crucial emotional moments in WWE historical past and was the right solution to name time on his legendary profession. Sadly, he ruined that by stepping again into the ring elsewhere, however let’s not give attention to that proper now.

10 Randy Savage

The most effective wrestlers ever who additionally broke out into the mainstream, Macho Man might be the final identify on this record who did not get all the pictures he deserved, regardless of being extremely profitable. In a time when WWE prioritised larger-than-life characters over expert in-ring staff, Savage was the perfect of each worlds. He was adored by followers for his wild persona and his entertaining promos, however he all the time delivered contained in the ring too.

Whether or not it was his iconic relationship with Miss Elizabeth or his on-again-off-again friendship with Hulk Hogan, he was all the time concerned in a few of WWE’s largest tales throughout his time with the promotion. His WWE Championship win at WrestleMania 4 continues to be one of the crucial iconic moments within the historical past of the Showcase of Immortals. Savage was really certainly one of a sort.

9 Triple H

Triple H has finished the whole lot there may be to do in WWE and a few occasions over at that. Behind the scenes too, most of the guys on prime of WWE have been picked and mentored by him. Debuting as Hunter Hearst Helmsley within the Nineties, he ultimately blossomed into the enduring Triple H character and, whether or not it was as a despicable heel or a wildly entertaining hero, he was all the time doing one thing memorable in WWE.

He helped launch two of probably the most iconic factions ever in D-Technology-X and Evolution and he received an unbelievable plethora of titles all through his in-ring profession. Remarkably, along with his spectacular work as the top of WWE proper now, there is a chance that his work outdoors of the ring ultimately turns into an excellent greater a part of his legacy than something he did in it and he did lots.

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8 Bret Hart

If we’re going strictly off of his technical skill and work inside a wrestling ring, there’s completely little question in any respect that Bret Hart would rank far increased up this record than he does right here. The Hitman is among the most gifted wrestlers of all time. Nobody might placed on a clinic fairly like he might and there is a purpose many joke concerning the truth he might have wrestling match with a picket broom. Whether or not it was his iconic Summerslam 1992 important occasion with the British Bulldog at Wembley Stadium, his WrestleMania 10 opener with brother Owen, his Iron Man match with Shawn Michaels at WrestleMania 12 or his unbelievable Submission match with Stone Chilly Steve Austin at WrestleMania 13, Hart is chargeable for among the biggest matches in WWE historical past.

The Hitman was additionally extremely underrated on the microphone, delivering some excellent promos through the years, particularly throughout his heel run in 1997. Sadly, his departure in 1997 and the person through which WCW squandered him over the following few years earlier than he was compelled to retire stopped him from pushing up this record. One can solely think about simply how a lot higher his legacy might have been if he’d remained with WWE and continued performing on the stage that he was all through his run because the Hitman.

7 Shawn Michaels

It is fairly becoming that instantly after Bret comes his largest rival, Shawn Michaels. The Heartbreak Child is undeniably one of the crucial expert wrestlers to ever step right into a WWE ring and the sheer quantity of unbelievable matches he had all through his profession cannot be touched. They known as him Mr WrestleMania for a purpose and he is chargeable for among the most memorable moments the Grandest Stage of Them All. His pair of WrestleMania matches with The Undertaker are sufficient to earn him legendary standing, however his complete profession was full of stellar work.

Whether or not it was within the Nineties because the cocky, brash younger Heartbreak Child, or the older, wiser veteran within the 2000s, Shawn was virtually all the time the perfect factor about any WWE card he appeared on. It is scary to consider a lot greater his profession might have been if he hadn’t been compelled right into a four-year retirement between 1998-2002. It is laborious to think about how significantly better he might have been, however we’re pretty sure he’d have managed to do it.

6 The Rock

Dwayne Johnson’s full-time run in WWE spanned lower than eight years, however he had a major impression throughout that interval. Nobody has ever damaged via the skilled wrestling boundaries and change into the extent of star that The Rock has. He is a family identify all around the world now, however these foundations have been laid via his work in WWE. Initially debuting as the tasteless hero ‘Rocky Maivia’, it wasn’t till he was allowed to showcase his charisma as The Rock that folks started to take discover of how promising he was.

From there, he grew to become a phenomenon in WWE and had among the firm’s most legendary moments, together with his birthday section on Monday Evening Uncooked with Mankind which continues to be the most-watched section in WWE historical past. With quite a few championships, unbelievable matches and quite a lot of electrifying returns underneath his belt, The Rock has greater than finished sufficient to earn his spot as certainly one of WWE’s greatest-ever stars.