This is a 3 website joint effort. Here were the contributors:
www.tblwrestling.com
www.xheadlines.com
www.saltyham.com
A while back, we sent out the call to the internet writers from these three websites and gave them instructions on sending in their list of their top 100 wrestlers. They were told that whatever criteria they wanted to use was fine. If they based their great wrestlers on in-ring ability, legacy, or entertainment value or whatever – they could decide that for themselves. We then took all the lists we got back from these writers and gave points to each wrestler based upon the rankings. We then totaled up the points and what we had was the cumulative and definitive list of the Top 100 wrestlers of all time.
So, let’s not waste any more time. This week we present to you: The Top 100 Pro Wrestlers of All Time: #40 to 31:
#40
The Big Show
Joe Balrog: No way should Big Show even be ranked 40 on this list. 80 might be a good ranking! The Big Show, I admit, is one of my favorites to watch. However, I believe that the wrestling writers of today (and the late-90’s) never understood how to use The Giant. Quite frankly, no one should have ever beaten him. That’s right. Up until TODAY, he should be the only undefeated man in professional wrestling. Much like Andre’s build-up over many, many years as an unbeatable monster, Paul Wight’s push should have been the same. Should he have won a World Championship and held onto it for a while? Well, maybe after the Attitude era. Now that Big Show is in semi-retirement and worrying more about his health (finally!) than any in-ring performances, I think his impact on professional wrestling will be quickly diminished.
Roland: Sorry, Big Show does not deserve this kind of placement due to the fact that he has never really taken his stature and made anything of it. He’s always battled his weight issues and is generally pretty un-athletic in the ring. His promo work is sub-par too. This isn’t to say I don’t like the guy – he has just never done enough to warrant me thinking of him as being one of the greatest wrestlers of all time.
Dones: Last of the true “big men.” Maybe he isn’t the most loved, but most people like the Big Show. They just never cared enough to give him the push Vince always tried to push on us. (dr-#31)
#39
Kane
Dones: What can I say? I like Kane. I just do. He is one guys who’s returns from sabbaticals I always enjoyed. I think he got screwed with the mask angle. That had the potential to be one of the best angles ever, and the WWE took a huge shit on it. Having him talk with a voice box was hilarious. Having talke in general…well, that was angle I loved. Kane’s angle should always be “Kane gets angry, kills everyone.” (dr-#24)
Joe Balrog: Kane’s biggest impact on the world of professional wrestling is simply his steadfastness. WWE celebrated the Undertaker’s “Decade of Destruction” a few years ago – well Kane is nearing in on his own decade of destruction, too. You have to respect a guy that spent the “Attitude” era underneath a mask and yet still was able to make fans say, “Oh shit! Kane’s about to mess someone up!” every time he walked down the aisle. With news of Kane’s impending retirement, he will go down as one of the best big men in contemporary wrestling.
Roland: Think for a moment what Jacobs was able to do with what he was given. He was brought in to be the “brother of the Undertaker” in what one would think would have been an angle that wasn’t going to last (anytime they give you a mask in wrestling and it’s not luchadore – it’s going to be a quick angle). But Jacobs made it work through a lot of crazy stuff to become an icon in the business. I think this is a really high placement for him, but it’s about time Kane got the respect he deserves.
#38
Chris Jericho
Roland: My criteria for ranking this list are: 1) What is the guy’s legacy; 2) What is his ability; and 3) How entertaining was he? Jericho’s legacy is being the first Undisputed Champion. His ability was incredible (remember – the guy made Goldberg look good…Goldberg!). His entertainment value was astronomical. So, why only #38? What Jericho suffered from was not being brought up by WWF/E. While phenomenally entertaining in WCW, he never got his main event shot until he jumped. His title reign came too quickly, not having been properly introduced enough to carry the company – then he was saddled with being a lame duck until Triple H came back from his (first) quad injury to reclaim the title. But there are very few wrestlers today that make me mark out – and Jericho makes me mark out. I do hope he comes back one day and shows all these scrubs what being entertaining is all about.
Dones: You know what’s SAD? I didn’t have him on my list. It’s like he faded into oblivion, which sucks. Awesome promos, awesome in the ring. I didn’t rank him. Maybe I was drunk. (dr- NOT RANKED)
Joe Balrog: Jericho is another guy who had the potential to be a major impact on the wrestling industry, but due to reasons (either true or imagined) he was not able to do everything that he was capable of doing. With the recent cancellation of his XM Radio show, can a stint in TNA be too far off?
#37
Owen Hart
Joe Balrog: Another good ranking for this list. Owen Hart never had the impact on professional wrestling that he might have attained, but his tragic death might have had a much bigger impact in the long run. What a shame – too soon to die.
Dones: This I can respect. I did not have him ranked this high because of (sadly) lack of longevity, but he was ahead of his time in his ring. (dr-#60)
Roland: Forget the controversial death – Owen was a very good wrestler. He knew how to tell a story in the ring and use ring psychology. That was likely a product of his upbringing, but at least he didn’t abandon it when he got to the big leagues. Of course, by all accounts, Owen was a great guy (although, lest we forget, he is the reason Steve Austin’s career was cut short) and loved by many. His death (and I know how this sounds, but it’s true) helped to end the Monday Night Wars. I would be interested in knowing what his ranking on this list would have been like had he not died the way he did. In my opinion, he likely would not be this high – but I suppose that just adds to his legacy.
#36
Jeff Jarrett
Dones: MAYDAY! MAYDAY! SOMEONE JUST SHOT THIS LIST IN THE CHEST! IT’S NO LIFE SUPPORT! Ok, he helped give us TNA…but let’s not get carried away. (dr-#73)
Joe Balrog: This is an interesting ranking for Jarrett only because he could be in the top ten if Total Nonstop Action really takes off with Spike TV. The founder of the wrestling alternative is a decent in-ring worker but seemed to have a bit of megalomania set in when he opened up his own wrestling company.
Roland: It is shocking to see Double J up this high – but I think that probably speaks to the fact that as much as many of us dislike the guy – we can’t deny his overall impact on the business. I think Jarrett’s overall legacy has yet to be written as it depends upon how viable a threat TNA becomes – but for now, I’ll just mention that his on air firing by Vince McMahon on the historic RAW/Nitro buyout episode stands as one of my favorite wrestling moments.
#35
Freddie Blassie
Roland: Blassie is known as one of the most hated heels of all time. People (back in those glorious kayfab days) would get so stirred up by his antics that he became a great draw. I don’t really know how well Blassie would be known now had it not been for the managerial run, the sentimental WWE moments, and the book – but all of those things add to a tremendous legacy.
Dones: I guess he counts. (dr- NOT RANKED)
Joe Balrog: Depending on your point of view, Freddie Blassie either belongs in the top ten of this list or not on this list at all. Blassie can be credited with charging up the generic interview during his days in the Goldern Era of wrestling and is also responsible for getting over many of the emerging sports entertainers in the 1970’s and 1980’s. His emotional “Get up! Stand up! And Fight!” speech from the WWF/WCW Invasion angle is one that will always pull at the fans’ heartstrings. That, however, comes in second as far as Blassie emotional moments – second only to the old Desire videos that WWE put out.
#34
The Iron Sheik
Joe Balrog: “Iran Numbah One! Iran Numbah One!” The Iron Sheik’s gimmick might have been played out over the last few years in professional wrestling (Muhammad Hassan anyone?), but the character that was The Iron Sheik was phenomenal. He’s one of my favorites to watch from yesteryear!
Roland: There have been a lot of sheiks in wrestling over the years, but none of them were able to do what The Iron Sheik did. He was a guy who came along at the right time and even after his transitional championship (what did Hogan beat him in? Like 20 seconds?), he still remained relevant with big feuds and a great duo with Volkoff. Plus, he mesmerizes the viewer whenever he’s interviewed just because no one can understand a lick of what he’s saying.
Dones: America! Haw-tewy! An absolute animal in his era. The man the stared Hulkmania. The man America loves to hate. Also a perfect 100 on the unintentional comedy meter. (dr-#49)
#33
Greg “The Hammer” Valentine
Dones: Solid in the ring. Made fats guys like me feel like we had a chance. Awesome robes and awesome entrance music. (dr-#55)
Joe Balrog: This is a good ranking for the Hammer. Greg Valentine was another solid hand where his promoters always knew that they would get a solid match out of him and could always count on him to be there when needed.
Roland: I have huge respect for a guy like Valentine who was just solid in the ring all the time – no matter what. He never had the looks and he never had the charisma a lot of other guys had – but even in the “Superstars of Wrestling” phase – he was just a throwback to old school wrestling and was a go-to guy when you needed a challenger. He also knew how to make guys look good and propel others to stardom.
#32
Scott Hall/Razor Ramon
Roland: I think we can all agree that Hall has issues and can be a very lazy in-ring performer. But when you think about what Hall has been involved in when it comes to how wrestling has been shaped in the past 10-15 years, you have to agree with Hall’s influence. From the Wrestlemania X ladder match, to the invasion of WCW, to the n.W.o – Hall has been there. He also played a great character in Ramon and if it wasn’t for his abuses – he probably could have gone down as one of the greats. This may be a bit high a placement, but considering his legacy, at least we can agree he should be on here.
Dones: Razor Ramon was awesome. I still remember his promos before he came to the WWE. His match with HBK at WM 10 was revolutionary. He was involved with one of the top 3 factions of all time with the NWO. Classis guy who didn’t need a belt to be over. (dr-#36)
Joe Balrog: My only gripe with Scott Hall (because his high ranking on this list) is that he has does more to hurt himself than most of his opponents do. Scott will best be remembered for that day in May 2006 when he “invaded” World Championship Wrestling. His work ethic in the ring – when he’s sober – is near unmatched in professional wrestling (see his Ladder Match with Shawn Michaels).
#31
Tito Santana
Joe Balrog: I’m a huge Tito Santana fan. And that’s not just because my hometown is where Tito’s hair salon is located or because he was my substitute teacher in high school! Tito was one of the first mainstream Mexican wrestling stars and laid the groundwork for today’s Konnan’s and Rey Mysterio’s to reach the level of publicity that they’ve reached.
Roland: I admit I am biased when it comes to Tito because I never liked him as a kid growing up – but even I can’t take away from his influence. He was athletic in the ring (although if you watch his WM 1 match with the horrendous “Executioner” – it can be debatable – but that really wasn’t his fault). I think he fell quite a bit when he became a matador – but that was probably more Vince than Tito.
Dones: I don’t care what anyone says-Tito Santana was cool! Ariba! (dr-#40)
