The "overall" best wrestler that ever lived isn't something that I could answer that well. I don't watch wrestling any more but I have so many favorite wrestlers that could range from the Brisco Brothers to Nailz to Jeff Hardy so there is a wide variety there. Shawn Michaels definitely holds that special charisma and up lift to him to light up the show whenever he is around but as far as in ring performance (professional wrestling mat skills and psychology), I would probably say someone like Bret Hart, Kurt Angle, or Chris Jericho but there is an endless list really. The highflyers from back in the ECW/WCW day (Rey Mysterio Jr, Psicosis, the Guerrero's, RVD, and many more) were very entertaining as well. Then came the whole Attitude era and the Hardy Brothers / Edge and Christain / Dudley Brothers which took me by storm. I can't really just choose one person. Legends: Shawn Micheals, Jimmy Snuka, the Undertaker, Ric Flair Hardcore/High Flyers: RVD, Sabu, Jerry Lynn, Jeff Hardy, Edge, Rey Mysterio Jr, Psicosis Entertaining: The Rock, Austin, Goldust, Eddie Guerrero, Kurt Angle Today's Superstars: AJ Styles, Santino Marella, Bryan Danielson, Shawn Michaels Every single time that I am asked this question, I will have a different answer. Due to the fact that I have absorbed so many different superstars, I usually forget a few when I get asked this question but I can tell you that a few of the listed ones are in my top 10 for sure. (Sorry for long post)
Nice to see a pro wrestling mark. The term 'best wrestler' is a bit vague. My choices are as follows. In terms of mat wrestling skills 1. Kurt Angle 2. Bret Hart 3. Shawn Michaels In terms of awe-inspiring ring presence and ring psychology 1. The Undertaker 2. Ric Flair 3. Triple H Hugely popular, extremely entertaining, and made the most money for the business 1. Stone Cold 2. Hulk Hogan 3. The Rock As someone who grew up watching the Attitude Era, I'd have to say that the current product from WWE sucks big time. I watch WWE for just a handful of people these days including Edge, HBK, Randy Orton, Taker, MVP, and CM Punk. PS: Had the question been about the most popular wrestler ever, there would be just two names - Stone Cold and Hulk Hogan - in that order.
I was a big fan a while ago, right around the start of the golden era. I started watching when I was pretty young, and that was around 1983 or 1984 cause my dad loved it so much. I used to watch tapes from the 60's and stuff, I thought it was pretty cool. I kept watching it up until about 2002 (heavily) and then I knew it was going on a crash dive. For a few years (probably till 2005), they still did alright but they were just feeding off of the Attitude Era and the superstars Vince attained from buying WCW/ECW. Whenever I am asked the question, I try to have an answer that most people won't. I will admit that Kurt Angle is great in the ring. Not only that, but he is awesome on the mic. Back when he had hair (lol) and when he was on Smackdown, he made things happen. The Hart family were very talented but I never got into his persona really. I was more of a Shawn Michaels guy. The "Montreal screw job" well Montreal wants out of Canada anyways, go Shawn! As far as ring presence goes, Undertaker was definitely one of those guys but he looks weak and fragile now - no wonder! Even Kane, in the Attitude Era, it was like "UH OH!" when his music hit. HHH is one of the most hated and over-pushed but still underrated talents the WWE has. He really does the job, plays a great heel (and face) but he's just not 'the guy' for me. Nowadays, the roster is obviously not that great. I watched the Attitude Era heavy too, not so much for Austin, but for the TLC matches!!! Hardyz, E&C, and the Dudleyz...not to mention the rest of the AWESOME tag team division that the roster had. With today's roster though, Edge is doing amazing and I'm the kind of a guy to cheer for a heel (Canadian, eh?) but his character/persona is even getting under my skin a bit. I find Randy Orton to be blah and really overrated but still very talented as a heel. MVP and CM Punk definitely have potential. The only reason I really watch WWE at all anymore is because of Jeff Hardy. I'm not a huge fan of his character right now but he is getting the push. He was my favorite wrestler of that era and with any of your favorites, you want to see them at the top. The summer of '02 - he had the match, an awesome one too! Now, he is at the top - I got to watch. The main things I watch WWE for now when I do would be: - Jeff Hardy, Edge, the divas division (If I may add, the Bella twins look good) - John Cena/Randy Orton/HHH promos - The king's commentary (lol - PUPPIES!) - Hoping that they fix everything and give Kane a scarier character I will admit that if Trish Stratus comes back, I will be watching every week. Wow...rambling! (Over 500 words of ramble...LOL!)
Edge is definitely the best heel in the business now. IMO, he is even better than Triple H when it comes to playing the role of a heel perfectly. In the current roster, Randy Orton and MVP are good - good wresting skills, good mic skills, and good ring persona. One guy I forgot to mention in my previous post was Ted DiBiase Jr. Being a pro wrestling mark, I can definitely say that the kid has got "it".
Wow, you quoted my whole thing for that!? Edge is yeah, he is the kind of guy that can actually get on peoples nerves (in a terrific heel kind of way) but HHH is just a guy that can get really hated. I kind of like Cody Rhodes, I know he is a little blank, but he has a good physique. Santino Marella also has quite a bit of potential...not going to rant on, cya!