PWPNation.com is happy to announce the “Greatest Ever Series,” where we’ll rank a wide range of topics from the world of professional wrestling. The first will be a list of the Top 50 Wrestlers of all time.
Members of the PWP Nation staff and community put together their own collective lists, which was then infused into one solidified list. From all walks of life, young and old, long-time to recent fans, we feel like we have a very accurate and precise list that can represent the greatest performers and wrestlers of all time.
This list will feature current stars like John Cena and Daniel Bryan, to old school legends like Bruno Sammartino, Andre The Giant, Lou Thesz, and stars from the most popular time in wrestling, the “Attitude Era,” like ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin, Shawn Michaels and The Rock.
The following names are the members who helped contribute to the final list:
- Eron Ramadanov, Editor-in-Chief of PWPNation.com
- Jay Alletto, Owner & Founder of PWPNation.com
- Zak Fellows, Senior Staff Writer
- Matt Burgess, Featured Writer
- Brennan Daly, Featured Writer
- Tim Bell, Featured Writer & News Reporter
- John “JCD” Dimiceli, Senior Staff Writer
- Zack Heydorn, Featured Staff Writer & Host of “The Bottom Line” on PWP Nation Radio
- Chris Baker, Staff Writer
- Nick Ohrn, PWP Nation Community Member
- Mike Roche, PWP Nation Community Member
- Stephen Ajamie, PWP Nation Community Member
- Ford Fischer, PWP Nation Community Member
- Ron Adams, PWP Nation Community Member
- Matthew Hollie, PWP Nation Community Member
Along with these names, we received several other anonymous lists.
One of the biggest questions we’ve been asked is how the members of the PWP Nation universe put together their respective lists. When posing this task to them, we asked them to take into account everything that can be considered when trying to analyze a wrestler/performer:
- In-ring abilities
- Microphone/promo skills
- Drawing power/merchandise sales
- Longevity
- Name recognition
- Influence on the business
- Intangibles
Obviously, we can’t confirm that people didn’t place their own personal bias into their respective lists, but we feel like because there were so many entries, the margin for error is small. Also, we asked our contributors to take into account the different eras. For example, it’s hard to compare someone like Lou Thesz against someone like John Cena. Both great in their respective eras, but two completely different performers.
The Top 50 list will be released in several parts:
- #50-41: READ HERE
- #40-31: READ HERE
- #20-11 will be released on Tuesday (5/17)
- #1o-6 will be released on Tuesday (5/24)
- #5-1 will be released on Tuesday (5/31)
Each part of the list will have analysis and explanations from the staff and members on why they placed a certain performer where they did and why they should be higher or lower on the overall list.
To stay tuned and up-to-date with all the postings of the Top 50 Wrestlers of All Time, follow us on Twitter @PWPNation and check us out at Facebook.com/ProWrestlingPowerhouse.
So, here’s numbers 30-21:
#30. CM Punk
Achievements/Accolades:
- 5-time WWE World Heavyweight Champion
- 1-time ECW Champion
- 1-time Intercontinental Champion
- 2-time Money in the Bank Winner (2008, 2009)
- 1-time ROH World Champion
Opinions:
“CM Punk piled up the accolades on the independent wrestling scene before making the jump to WWE in the mid 2000s. While it took him a few years to really hit is stride, his run at the top of the company was historic. He broke down barriers for Vince McMahon to trust independent wrestlers to draw serious money for WWE. He may have been one of the most controversial WWE superstars that we’ve seen in recent memory, but he definitely left a mark on the company where fans chant his name to this day. I thought he may have had an opportunity to make the Top 25 on this list.” — Jay Alletto
“Throughout this entire process I have tried to remain as objective as possible, but I have to acknowledge that CM Punk is my favorite wrestler of all time. A workhorse in the ring, and a magician on the mic, “The Straight Edge Superstar” has been the most captivating star in the WWE since Stone Cold Steve Austin. Not only do I think he is the greatest talker of all time, but his ability to tell a story is second to none. Something personified by his match with John Cena at Money in the Bank in 2011, which is not only my favorite match of all time, but epitomized everything that is great about professional wrestling. A storyline that had fans on the edge of their seats, unbelievable promos that left everybody guessing, and an instant classic of match. I may have let my love for Punk get in the way, but I think he is deserving of a spot higher than #30.” — Matt Burgess
“Listen, I don’t like CM Punk. Never did. Probably never will. But, I will admit that he is one of the best wrestlers to ever step foot in a WWE ring and I think not only did he do a lot during his time in WWE, but his impact within the company will remembered forever. Without WWE taking a shot in the dark with Punk, I don’t know if guys like Daniel Bryan or Seth Rollins would be placed in the position they were put in and I don’t know if guys like Sami Zayn, Kevin Owens, Shinsuke Nakamura, Samoa Joe, etc. would even get a second look. So as far as a impact standpoint, CM Punk certainly changed the business for the better, in many ways, with his in-ring work and his fight for the “underdogs” within the wrestling business. But it doesn’t mean I have to like it.” — Eron Ramadanov
#29. Rey Mysterio
Achievements/Accolades:
- 3-time WWE World Heavyweight Champion
- 4-time WWE Tag Team Champion
- 3-time WWE Cruiserweight Champion
- 2-time Intercontinental Champion
- 5-time WCW Cruiserweight Champion
- 3-time WCW Tag Team Champion
- WWE Royal Rumble Match Winner (2006)
Opinions:
“Mysterio could be the greatest cruiserweight wrestler of all time. His innovative move-set helped inspire a generation of wrestlers that we are now witnessing & his work will continue to do just that. He broke down barriers for the lucha libre style in the United States & achieved his biggest accolade when he won the World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania 22. He’s a definite future Hall of Fame wrestler and will hopefully have another run in WWE before it is all said and done.” — Jay Alletto
“Rey Mysterio is one of the greatest high-flyers in the history of professional wrestling, and helped jump-start the rise of the cruiserweight in the US during his time with WCW. With WWE he was the ultimate underdog who went on to become a Royal Rumble winner and three-time world champion. Watching Rey Mysterio wrestle is truly a thing of beauty. I will gladly place Rey Mysterio in the top 30 everyday of the week.” — Matt Burgess
“I talked above about someone who changed the game for future generations. Well, the same applies for Rey Mysterio. Someone who worked incredibly hard to get lucha libre big in the United States, Rey Mysterio has opened the door for superstars like Kalisto, Sin Cara, etc., but not only as high flyers, but as interesting and investible characters, as we saw from Rey leading into WrestleMania 22. He definitely deserves to be on this list.” — Eron Ramadanov
#28. Jake “The Snake” Roberts
Achievements/Accolades:
- WWE Hall of Fame (Class of 2014)
Opinions:
“One of the greatest characters in the history of pro wrestling, Jake “The Snake” Roberts was able to blur the line between fact & fiction. He helped you believe every single word he said during his unmistakable promos. I was petrified as a child when he turned heel on Macho Man Randy Savage & Miss Elizabeth during their wedding reception at SummerSlam 1991. Shortly thereafter, he tied Savage in the ring ropes and unleashed his King Cobra on Randy Savage’s arm; biting & digging deep into his skin. While his run as a babyface in WWE was tremendous, he’s heel work is what really stood out for me. Personally, interviewing Jake Roberts was one of the more powerful experiences of my life. A mere few weeks before he was announced as a future inductee in the WWE Hall of Fame & returned on Monday Night Raw, he appeared on my radio show & answered all of our questions honestly. His comeback from drugs and alcohol has been a pure inspiration for anyone struggling with addiction.” — Jay Alletto
“The inventor of the DDT, Jake “The Snake” Roberts was one of the most captivating wrestlers of his generation. He was a true storyteller with a must see gimmick. Personally I think #28 is a little high for Jake Roberts, I think a spot closer to #40 is more fitting, but he is nevertheless worthy of a spot in our top 50.” — Matt Burgess
“This isn’t even debatable. Jake Roberts is top 50 easily. Inventor of the DDT, a tremendous mind for the business and one of the bonafide legends of our business.” — Eron Ramadanov
#27. Randy Orton
Achievements/Accolades:
- 12-time WWE World Heavyweight Champion
- 1-time WWE Intercontinental Champion
- 1-time WWE Tag Team Champion
- Royal Rumble Match Winner (2009)
- WWE Money In The Bank Winner (2013
Opinions:
“The Legend Killer. The Viper. The Apex Predator. Randy Orton has had multiple runs at the top of WWE with different twists to his character that has kept him in the spotlight. While he has had the tendency to become a bit stale with his character, he’s always been able to overcome that & reinvent himself. He’s main evented WrestleMania multiple times & has won the World Heavyweight Championship countless times. He’s he top 50? Unquestionably.” — Jay Alletto
“Royal Rumble winner, two WrestleMania main events and a 12-time world champion, Randy Orton has done it all since his WWE debut in 2002. Gaining notoriety as “The Legend Killer” I have grown up watching Orton become one of the biggest stars to ever step foot inside a WWE ring. A third-generation superstar, and the son of “Cowboy” Bob Orton, “The Viper” and his RKO has dominated the WWE for the past 14 years, and a spot at #27 is exactly where I had him.” — Matt Burgess
“The Natural. One nickname or tag line that I was shocked WWE never used for Randy Orton. When he is in the ring, it belongs to him. One of the best in-ring performers in WWE history and easily someone who deserves to be on this list. His longevity, in-ring work and character development warrants a spot on this list.” — Eron Ramadanov
#26. Edge
Achievements/Accolades:
- 11-time WWE World Heavyweight Champion
- 5-time WWE Intercontinental Champion
- 14-time WWE Tag Team Champion
- 1-time WWE United States Champion
- King of the Ring Winner (2001)
- Money In The Bank Winner (2005)
- Royal Rumble Match Winner (2010)
- WWE Hall of Fame (Class of 2012)
Opinions:
“While his career came to an untimely end, Edge went absolutely all out during it. He put his body on the line on countless occasions & helped usher in a classic era of tag team wrestling. His run as the Rated-R Superstar was on point because it brought a certain sense of reality during a time of transition in the WWE. He was arguably the biggest rival for John Cena & was consistently in the World Title picture of years after being the first man to cash in his Money in the Bank briefcase. I’ll admit that while Edge was around, I took him for granted. I didn’t like his in-ring style very much, but thought his character was always on point. Shortly after he retired, he was sorely missed on the roster & his absence was noticeable. He’s arguably a Top 20 candidate.” — Jay Alletto
“Edge is one of the most decorated wrestlers of all time, with 31 championships in WWE including 11 world championships. The “Rated R Superstar” oozed charisma and rose through the ranks of the WWE; starting out as one half Edge & Christian, to become one of the greatest singles competitors in WWE. The hall of famer has certainly left his impact on the WWE, and is still adding to his legacy thanks his appearances on the WWE Network. Although I placed him slightly higher, at #21, a spot at #26 does not draw any complaints from me.” — Matt Burgess
“Personally, I’m really happy to see Edge being recognized for his achievements and career in the business. I think he’s one of the most forgettable legends of all time. I think he belongs in the conversation with guys like Shawn Michaels, Triple H, Undertaker, Kane, etc. as a legend and icon. He proved, throughout his career, that he can do anything. Need a babyface to carry SmackDown? Edge. Need a heel to feud with Cena? Edge. Tag team wrestler? Edge. Mid-card champion? Edge. World Champion? Edge. On my list, I had him at 24, but I’ll settle for 26. Edge always pushed the boundaries of what a “superstar” is supposed to be and is one of the best in-ring workers, microphone technicians and legitimate nice-guys in the world of professional wrestling. “ — Eron Ramadanov
#25. Daniel Bryan
Achievements/Accolades:
- 4-time WWE World Heavyweight Champion
- 1-time WWE United States Champion
- 1-time WWE Intercontinental Champion
- 1-time WWE Tag Team Champion
- 1-time ROH World Heavyweight Champion
- Money In The Bank Winner (2011)
Opinions:
“I’ve gone on record since the mid 2000s that Daniel Bryan is one of the greatest wrestlers I’ve ever seen. I was lucky enough to have seen his run in Ring of Honor while it transpired & was in attendance for some of his classic matches during his run there. As far as an in-ring competitor, “American Dragon” Bryan Danielson could be the greatest ever. He could wrestle a broom in a “5-star match.” It’s a true wrestling tragedy that his run in WWE was cut extremely short. However, the mark he left on the company will be felt forever. His run to WrestleMania 30 and everything that transpired during it is one of the greatest & most organic stories ever told. There is NO DOUBT in my mind that if his career continued, he would have went on to main event & have meaningful matches for years to come. Easy Top 25…depending on your criteria, Top 10.” — Jay Alletto
“Daniel Bryan captured the hearts of fans like no other, and his “Yes” chants will live on forever as a result. An indie sensation, few would have believed he would go on to win the WWE World Heavyweight Championship in the main event of WrestleMania XXX, which is exactly why he gained the following he did. He was a true grappler, submission specialist and a one of the most technically sound wrestling storytellers ever. He connected with the fans, and his career was unfortunately cut short. However, it is great to see Daniel Bryan at number #25.” — Matt Burgess
“Game-changer. That’s the word I like to use when talking about Daniel Bryan. Someone who not only opened the door for guys that don’t have the “traditional” backing from the powers that be in the back, but kicked it down. When looking at all aspects of this list, you can argue that Daniel Bryan should be higher on this list. Above, I think pretty soon we can add WWE Hall of Famer to that list. Bank on it.” — Eron Ramadanov
#24. “Mr. Perfect” Curt Hennig
Achievements/Accolades:
- 2-time WWE Intercontinental Champion
- WWE Hall of Fame (Class of 2007)
Opinions:
“Man, I miss Mr. Perfect. He is one of the many “gone too soon” stories in the industry & had so much more to give. Not because he was obligated to, but because he undoubtedly would have wanted to. He’s one of those guys that as a child, I didn’t have much knowledge of until he made his way to the WWE. However, his matches before he made the leap earned him the name “Mr. Perfect” (even though, fun fact, Terry Taylor was supposed to be Mr. Perfect, but ended up as The Red Rooster.) and he continued to ply his craft and become one of the greatest wrestlers of all time.” — Jay Alletto
“The top guy that never was. I always thought that it was odd that Curt Hennig was never given an opportunity to show if he could make it at the top of WWE and other promotions. But the funny thing is that he was never a top guy, but he still deserves to be on this list. He’s one of the most iconic and notable stars of his era and I think he has earned this spot. On my personal list, he was number 42, but I’m totally okay with Hennig higher up on the list.” — Eron Ramadanov
#23. Harley Race
Achievements/Accolades:
- 8-time NWA World Heavyweight Champion
- 5-time AWA World Tag Team Champion
- WWE Hall of Fame (Class of 2004)
Opinions:
“My first memories of Harley Race was seeing him and Hacksaw Jim Duggan fight each other throughout The Slammy Awards in the 80s. At that point in my life, and years after, I only knew Harley as “The King” in WWE & as a member of The Heenan Family. As I grew up, I become more educated on his career as one of the greatest NWA Champions of All Time. Harley was able to make more stars than arguably anyone in the history of the industry. He continually put over wrestlers in the 1980s who are on this list & then used his knowledge, wisdom, expertise & promo ability to make stars in the 1990s. He’s without a doubt one of the all time greats.” — Jay Alletto
“An NWA veteran, Harley Race had a stellar career wrestling for promotions such as the AWA, WCW and of course WWF. A member of multiple hall of fames, and the first United States Champion, Harley Race is a true legend of the industry, and is very deserving of his #23 ranking.” — Matt Burgess
“If you don’t know, Triple H is my favorite wrestler of all time. Being 21 years old, I didn’t get to experience the great Harley Race, but I know that Paul Levesque has said multiple times that he has patterned a lot of his moveset after Harley Race. I believe if I was born 20 years earlier, Race would have been my favorite wrestler. He’s the definition of the word, “CHAMPION.” Race is definitely a deserving member of this list, and on my personal list, he was in my top 20.” — Eron Ramadanov
#22. Lou Thesz
Achievements/Accolades:
- 3-time NWA World Heavyweight Champion
- 2-time AWA World Heavyweight Champion
- WWE Hall of Fame (Class of 2016)
Opinions:
“There honestly isn’t much I can say about Lou Thesz because I’m not very familiar with his work. I can only go by what I’ve heard, but everything I’ve heard has led me to believe that he deserves to be on this list just for blazing a trail for the wrestling industry.” — Jay Alletto
“Obviously, Lou Thesz is a little before my time. But thanks to YouTube and other alternative means, I’ve seen my fair share of matches featuring Lou Thesz. Without Thesz, I don’t know if there would be a wrestling business to talk about.” — Eron Ramadanov
#21. Terry Funk
Achievements/Accolades:
- 1-time NWA World Heavyweight Champion
- 3-time WCW Hardcore Champion
- 2-time WCW United States Champion
- 2-time ECW World Heavyweight Champion
- WWE Hall of Fame (Class of 2009)
Opinions:
“Terry Funk is a true living legend. And if you are ever in the mood to hear some of the most wacky, out there promos you’ve ever heard, go listen to some old school Terry Funk. The guy could adapt to any situation in the ring & could work any style he was needed to. Whether it was a hardcore death match against Cactus Jack or a mat classic against Ric Flair, Funk was able to give you a classic battle. On a personal note once again, Terry Funk was my first ever interview in pro wrestling. I never interviewed anyone before in general & had the opportunity to ask a few questions to Terry Funk backstage at a Ring of Honor show in New York City on camera. I had no clue what I was doing, but Terry was a true professional & had been interviewed thousands of times so he was completely on point. The fanboy in me marked out like never before & it opened up a new door for me. In my eyes, Terry Funk should be Top 20 of all time, but 21 will do.” — Jay Alletto
“In a career spanning half a century, Terry Funk wrestled for nearly every major promotion on the planet. Perhaps most well known for his hardcore wrestling, Terry Funk is an ECW legend, and is without one of the greatest wrestlers of all time; more than worthy of a spot in the top #30.” — Matt Burgess
Thanks for reading!