#41. Buddy Rogers
Achievements/Accolades:
- 5-time AWA World Heavyweight Champion
- 2-time NWA World Heavyweight Champion
- 1-time WWE World Heavyweight Champion (Inaugural)
- WWE Hall of Fame (Class of 1994)
Opinions on final placement:
“Talk about a legend. I haven’t had the honor of watching many of his matches from start to finish, but I’ve seen plenty of clips on Buddy Rogers. The dude looked like a million bucks & was the first WWWF Heavyweight Champion; the same title that is defended today. I’m not sure he’s someone that most fans today would think about when creating a list of their Top 50 wrestlers due to the lack of knowledge they have of him. However, if you ask wrestling historians, they’ll all agree that he is one of the all time greats.” — Jay Alletto
“Legend. Period. End of story. The guy needs to be top 25 without a shadow of a doubt. Him being here is like The Beatles falling in this slot on a best of rock and roll list? Without them, there is no rock and roll. Without Rodgers, wrestling as we know it today doesn’t exist.” — Zack Heydorn
“Icon. Legend. Pioneer. There are so many words to describe the great Buddy Rogers. Obviously, being 21 years old, Buddy Rogers is a bit before my time, but thanks to YouTube and the WWE Network, I know exactly who this man is. He’s one of the very first to bring wrestling to the forefront of the mainstream audience in this country. Understanding who this man is and why he’s so great is a must for all fans my age. Honestly, I think he should be higher on this list, but I’m okay with 41 because many wrestling fans really don’t know or remember who this man is, which is a sad truth.” — Eron Ramadanov
Thanks for reading, everyone. We here at PWP Nation will be back next week with part two of this list (#40-31).
The Top 50 list will be released in several parts:
- #40-31 will be released on Monday (4/25)
- #30-21 will be released on Monday (5/2)
- #20-11 will be released on Monday (5/9)
- #1o-6 will be released on Monday (5/16)
- #5-1 will be released on Monday (5/23)
Stay tuned.
In the meantime, follow us on Twitter @PWPNation and give us a “LIKE” at Facebook.com/ProWrestlingPowerhouse.
Jones is so overrated – the guy was given the ball MULTIPLE times in TNA and did nothing for numbers – that is just fact.
Even in pre-Dixie times, that the idiot Universe CLAIM THEY worship.
Want more proof?
RAW Monday, with Allen Neal featured, got its lowest rating of the year.
The OTHER dirty little secret is that Goatface Bryan Danielson never got numbers either.
These guys only appeal to smarks.
On top of all that – AJ is botch heaven – he has SERIOUSLY injured a FEW guys in the last year.
And the look and persona he has now?
Was honed by Dixie in the end of his TNA days.
Jones is a traitor – he held up Dixie for money, when he didn’t draw flies.
Dixie isn’t a charity – you want more money? Do your job and put butts in the seats.
Jones had his chance and failed.
Peace out.
My top 5 wrestlers ever – this is based on not only skill, but the TOTAL package – what they did for wrestling, their record, interview skills – just EVERYTHING involved in making someone special.
Someone may have more skill, but the other guy above may not be as good in the ring, but was a bigger star due to interviewing, drew more attention to wrestling, etc.
This is my top 5 singles wrestlers EVER in order:
1. Hulk Hogan
2. Ric Flair
3. Roddy Piper
4. Bret Hart
5. Stone Cold Steve Austin
BONUS: My top 5 tag teams:
1. Road Warriors (always and forever)
2. Demolition ( a blatant rip-off – and somehow made it their own)
3. Tully and Arn
4. Midnight Express
5. Rock n Roll Express