As I sit here with this replica World Heavyweight title sitting on a desk next to me I have pondered what my top ten wrestlers of all time would be. So thus I have thought about it and put together a top ten list. For all who read this list I encourage you to ponder the same question and formulate your own. Enjoy this for what it’s worth.
10) Edge
No, it’s not because he retired that he’s on my list. He wasn’t the biggest or the baddest but Edge really knew how to work the crowd and his gimmick like no other. Knowing that some of the powers that be thought he would never make it any further than being a tag team champion and that he silenced them and all his other critics by taking the opportunities he had and running with them. When you are as good as he was as a character and as knowledgable as he was in the ring in terms of experience and putting your body on the line to deliver you don’t get any better in this day and age than the Rated R Superstar. He overcame the odds and in the process earned my respect as a fan and won me over as an “Edgehead.” I am glad he caught his injury in time so he could retire on top and be able to have the quality of life he deserves after an Epic career.
9) Christopher Daniels
Christopher Daniels has always been a favorite of mine mainly because of his charisma and smooth operation inside of the ring no matter who he is up against. His gimmick is not only original but it’s unique. His ability to put on a wrestling clinic in and of itself is enough for him to make my list, but the fact his excellence in the business is a constant really says a lot about what kind of performer he is and even more so what kind of man he is. It doesn’t matter how Christopher Daniels is in the ring with he lives it all in the ring and gives 110% of himself 110% of the time. The Fallen Angel will never fall out of my favor when it’s all said and done. And yes, just for the record, I DO think he’s an OVERALL better professional wrestler than AJ Styles.
8) CM Punk
I didn’t realize what a diamond in the rough CM Punk was until AFTER he had left ROH. Right before he debuted in the WWE I did some research on him and watched some matches and saw what kind of rare talent he has. I have always known of the caliber of athlete he is but lately in the WWE has FINALLY gotten the opportunity to rise and reach his full potential in the program where he won the WWE title from John Cena and threatened to take it to Ring of Honor or New Japan Pro Wrestling. As he has stated, he is the voice of the voiceless, which for those who don’t get that reference and are “casual fans” the voiceless is a name of the knowledgeable wrestling fan who the WWE hates to listen to even acknowledge because their voices mean nothing to them. As CM Punk, seemingly, has gotten through the heads of the powers that be in the WWE, there are still REAL WRESTLING FANS out there who appreciate everything CM Punk and others like him (Samoa Joe, Bryan Danielson or “Daniel Bryan”) represent. In addition, CM Punk is a shining example of what I believe in regards to drugs, alcohol, etc. In a world where drugs, alcohol, and irresponsible sex is promoted advertised, and practically shoved down your throat everywhere you turn I really find it refreshing there is a guy like CM Punk who has the inner strength to voice out against all of that. CM Punk Rules. Period. Nuff Said!
7) “The Franchise” Shane Douglas
I’ll never forget watching Shane Douglas throw down the NWA title on old school ECW television. In my opinion Douglas was to ECW what Flair was to WCW. This guy was magic on the microphone in my opinon and the foundation of the ECW movement in the 90s. He was a old school technical wrestler and was the standard for pure wrestling in the 90s despite the rise of other styles like hardcore, lucha libre, etc. He gave the ECW World title meaning and prestige but at the same time didn’t refuse to put guys over, even if he won. The same went for the ECW Television title. During the time he held that title he made it seem almost as valueable as the ECW World Heavyweight title! He could wrestler, he was awesome on the mic, and he had crazy heat as a heel and the respect of the fans as a face. In my mind, he was the total package as a wrestler and particularly as a champion.Triple H, even in his prime, could never hold this guy’s jock. There wouldn’t have been an ECW if it didn’t have a leader like Shane Douglas.
6) Samoa Joe
I didn’t know a lot about Samoa Joe in the beginning. I remember my first ROH event he got held up at the airport and they annouced that they were not sure he was going to make the show. Everyone was really pissed but at the very end of the show his music hit and the place went NUTS! He came down and was throwing bodies around left and right! It wasn’t like Brock Lesnar throwing around, it was a different kind of offensive flurry. It was, for all purpose, a controlled storm so to speak. Kicks, chops, slams, and the oh so glorious MUSCLE BUSTER! If there was ever anything as love at first sight (in a completely non-gay way) in terms of a wrestler it would have had to have been with Joe. From that day on he has been one of my top guys. Despite the fact TNA has no idea how to use him properly, just like so many other guys in that company, he has showed us some of the greatest moments in the history of that company. Whether he stays with TNA or goes back to ROH I will ALWAYS be a loyal fan of the Samoan Submission Machine. He would be higher on the list had this been based on active wrestlers and not an all time list.
5) Mr. Perfect
There is only one wrestler who is simply put, absolutely PERFECT! Mr. Perfect despite the travesity of never holding the WWF title was one of the best all around wrestlers ever to lace up a pair of boots. He could do it all in the ring and was magic on the mic. Hell, he was even magic in commentary and as a manager for none other than the legendary Nature Boy Ric Flair! When I think of the Intercontinental Championship I think of Mr. Perfect. Aside from the “Macho Man” Randy Savage and Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat he gave that championship true prestige and value beyond it’s years. Mr. Perfect was the best of the best and was damn there close to perfect where it counted…IN THE RING. I am so glad I had the privilege to have seen the greatness he achieved inside of the squared circle. RIP Mr. Perfect and thank you for the memories of Perfection in the wrestling business.
4) TAZ
Taz was one of the few guys besides Samoa Joe that I really connected with on a personal basis. His whole attitude, his demeanor, his wrestling style, his height, and more importantly his ability to instill fear into his opponent made him one of my favorites from the first day I saw him compete. The Human Suplex Machine was the personification of what kind of wrestler I loved to watch. Many fans back then loved Sabu and his style of insane, high flying, suicidal, manuevers but I was the opposite. Even to this day I love nothing more than seeing a good scientific wrestling match with lots of mat actions, reversals, and exchanges. Taz was a pioneer in the wrestling business and even though he didn’t succeed in the WWE in the manner he did in ECW he was respected regardless and still is. FTW 4 LIFE. Beat him if you can, Survive if he lets you!
3) Chris Jericho
Chris Jericho has been the savior of the WWF/WWE in more ways than one since his debut. Aside from The Rock I can’t remember anyone more unique or entertaining on the mic or inside of the ring. He could really captivate a crowd as a face and proved by returning a few years ago that he could also been a main event level heel as well. He’s got the look, the skills, the charisma, and has had it all for a long time. The only shame is that the WWF/WWE didn’t see how priceless a talent they had until Austin, Rocky, etc. were gone and they needed someone who was proven and had established themselves with the wrestling community. Whether he is a face, heel, neutral or otherwise I will always be a Jericholic and he will always be the best in the world at what he does! And if you disagree do me a favor and PLEASE SHUT THE HELL UP!
2) Sting
The man they call Sting has been a favorite of mine since I was a kid. I’ve always appreciated the charisma he brought to the table despite him not being the greatest wrestler in the world. I think out of every wrestler I know he grew older with the most grace. Sting’s best strength is the abilitiy to realize he needs to reinvent himself and doing so. So whether he’s the blonde, spiked hair Sting, the Crow Sting, the Wolfpac Sting, etc. you never can predict what the Stinger is gonna give you which is the only thing predictable about him. While I do think it is time for him to call it a career over in TNA so that other young guys can have the opportunities he’s had over the years, at the same time, I understand why he is still around because Sting is a legend in this business and as the crowd had chanted when he first decided to come back, “You’ve still got it!” Granted, he isn’t the same Sting from 1998 or even earlier than that, but he has made my experience as a wrestling fan unforgettable at best and has NEVER disappointed when it comes to delivering
1) The Rock
The Rock has FINALLY been announced as my number one favorite wrestler of all time! Aside from how entertaining he is and how hard he worked to go from being “The Blue Chipper” and having “Die, Rocky, Die!” yelled at him throughout arenas all over the world to “Rocky! Rocky! Rocky!” he is my number one pick because I proclaimed his rise to greatest from day one! My best friend can validate that claim. He also has been a great representative for young black men as well, even though he is half black and half samoan. He took the WWF/WWE to the next level in terms of outside of the company and his fueds with Austin, who for the record, is the foundation of the Attitude Era itself were nothing short of EPIC! Now recently he has come back to school John Cena on running his mouth and will be Laying the Smackdown at the next Mania on him. Who says God doesn’t answer prayers!? The People’s Champion is and most likely will be forever my number one pick if you SMELLALLALALALALALA WHAT THE PHARAOH IS COOKIN’!
The Phoenix Pharaoh's Top 10 All-Time Favorite Professional Wrestlers
No comments:
Post a Comment