The WWE is the most prosperous wrestling promotion to ever grace the planet, and may perhaps remain so, forever. In the company's 39 years there have been some of the most entertaining moments in wrestling history in the WWE, that countless fans will cherish forever.
Superstars like Owen Hart, Bret the Hitman Hart, Ric Flair, Hulk Hogan, the Ultimate Warrior, Bruno Sammartino, Andre the Giant and Macho Man Randy Savage are just some of the names that have starred in the competition over the years in professional wrestling.
In the 21st century, there have been a host of additional professional wrestlers that have added to the top names.
It's not easy ranking wrestlers. These are the greatest WWE wrestlers ever, ranked by popularity, championships and impact.
Don't agree with this list? Leave your opinions in the comments below!
#10 Triple H
Few wrestlers have had as big of an impact on the WWE as Triple H. Making his first appearance way back in 1995, the HHH has won a grand total of 14 world championships as well as headlining Wrestlemania 7 times.
Since retiring almost fully from WWE, HHH has since become VP of Talent, Live Events and Creative, proving he can succeed in other areas too.
Having your own walkout theme written and recorded by Motörhead is pretty badass, too.
#9 The Ultimate Warrior
One of the most intensely insane performers to ever lace up a pair of wrestling boots, Warrior was at one point the biggest star in the WWE – even managing to eclipse Hulk Hogan at the peak of his powers – thanks to his fan-friendly combination of whirlwind entrances, maniacal interviews, high octane performances and trademark neon face paint. His tragic passing in 2014 was made particularly poignant by its timing: less than 24 hours after his induction into the WWE Hall Of Fame.
#8 Brock Lesnar
Lesnar–a former UFC and NCAA Heavyweight Champion–is one of the most vicious and powerful WWE superstars to enter the ring. The four-time WWE Champion's most impressive feat is ending the Undertaker's Wrestlemania winning streak.
Although The Beast Incarnate is rarely unleashed, Lesnar elevates any event he's in.
#7 Andre the Giant
The ‘Eighth Wonder of the World’ wowed audiences in the ‘80s with his unbelievable size and strength – the result of a rare growth hormone condition that eventually led to his untimely demise at the tragically early age of 46. Larger than life in every sense, André was also famous for his love of drinking, which allegedly included being able to knock back over 100 beers in one sitting.
#6 The Undertaker
When he joined the WWE in 1990, the Undertaker's gimmick was as the uncharismatic seven-foot tall Deadman. Through the years, 'Taker transformed into one of the most revered wrestlers ever.
If you expunge the American Bad Ass era from your memory, you’re still left with the best entrance in WWE history, a multitude of classic matches and the Streak--Undertaker’s unprecedented 21-match Wrestlemania winning streak.
#5 John Cena
Love him or hate him – and for older fans, it’s often the latter – it’s impossible to deny Cena his status as one of the best fighters ever in WWE. A multi-time world champion with a comic book physique (and a squeaky clean image to boot), the ‘Cenation Leader’ is also a true gent outside of the ring. Known for his extensive charity work, he currently holds the record for most appearances with the Make-A-Wish Foundation, which helps children with life-threatening illnesses. What a guy.
#4 Shawn Michaels
Michaels--a four-time WWE world champion--was an amazing storyteller in the ring. The Heartbreak Kid was one of the finest performers from his time in the WWF for three decades. He exemplified passion, pain and anguish unlike any other in-ring wrestler could.
The 2011 WWE Hall of Fame inductee earned 11 Match of the Year honors in his illustrious career.
#3 Hulk Hogan
Where to start with this man. The most popular wrestler of the '80s, Hogan is a 12-time world champion (six with the WWE), and the first wrestler to win consecutive Royal Rumbles.
Inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005, Hogan will always be one of the faces of professional wrestling.
#2 Stone Cold Steve Austin
Austin was the WWE’s biggest star during its most successful ever period in the late-‘90s, with his hell-raising, beer-swigging, anti-authoritarian persona resonating with fans in a way that no other wrestler has managed to replicate before or since. His forced retirement in 2003 – due to a piledriver-induced broken neck suffered years before – has left a void in the company that no one has yet managed to fill.
#1 The Rock
Since quitting full-time wrestling in the early ‘00s, Dwayne Johnson has gone on to become one of the biggest stars in Hollywood, proving that wrestlers CAN cut it on the silver screen (the less said about Hulk Hogan’s Mr. Nanny, the better). Yet despite his crazy schedule, ‘The Great One’ still finds time to add to his legacy in the squared circle – which included winning his eighth world title in spectacular fashion at the Royal Rumble in 2013, the same year that Forbes named him as the world’s highest grossing male actor.
A lack of technical wrestling skills didn't stop the Rock--a third-generation WWE superstar--from becoming the jabroni beating, pie eating, eyebrow-raising People's Champion. Never before has a superstar been as a charismatic, hilarious and incisive on the mic.