“The revolutionary force for over 50 years in sports entertainment” was a clever tag line used in the mid 90s before every WWF show. For most United States wrestling fans that are still alive, it is a way of life. Greater by the day is the lack of variance in the answer of what wrestling an individual grew up on. For better or worse, WWE has been the standard bearer. Throughout that rich history, performers ranging from Nature Boys to Undertakers have graced the squared circle. Foreign legends have had extended runs and some of the most iconic figures in pro wrestling history have been aces of the promotion reaching unequivocal mainstream pop culture heights in the world of wrestling.
With such a large history to play with, discovering the beauty of Bob Backlund’s charisma or the connection of Bruno Sammartino to the MSG crowd was a new development throughout this project similar to rewatching The Godfather and On the Waterfront to rediscover the genius of Marlon Brando. WWE may not have always been YOUR promotion but for the better part of 50 years, it was THE promotion in the United States and transformed the pro wrestling landscape. This project serves to praise the individuals that best helped shape the vision of Vince McMahon Sr. and Jr. Place to be Nation is proud to present to you a ranking of the Greatest WWE Wrestlers Ever.
– Chad Campbell
Note: Results of this list are based on 118 ballots received between May and December 2017. Voters were asked to submit their list of the 100 Greatest WWE Wrestlers of all time and consider only their WWWF/WWF/WWE career. Ties were broken based on 1) number of ballots a wrestler appeared on and 2) high vote.
Every wrestler who received at least one vote will be recognized in the coming weeks. Please stay tuned to Place to Be Nation as we reveal all of the honorable mentions right through the cream of the crop. Read the other installments, both written and audio, of this project here.
224. Waldo Von Erich
Total Points: 118
Total Ballots: 4
Average Rank: 71.5
High Vote: 51
Low Vote: 93
High Voter: Steve Gennarelli
Key Matches & Moments: The kayfabe brother of Fritz Von Erich battled Bruno Sammartino for the WWWF title in the 1960s and 1970s; Held the U.S. Tag Team Championship with Gene Kiniski
Staff Thoughts: Challenged Bruno Sammartino eight times and wrestled him 144 times, according to voter comments on the Facebook page.
From the Voters: “If you can find the May, June or October MSGs from 1975 (which aired on HBO) there are Waldo Von Erich matches on there, including two I believe vs Bruno. And if anyone has them, please link (the Putski vs Valiant match from 6/75 is out there, so the Von Erich match must be)” – Lee Wes, September 19, 2017 (link to the June match is included and also in Facebook comments)
223. Mabel
Total Points: 118
Total Ballots: 9
Average Rank: 87.9
High Vote: 54
Low Vote: 100
High Voter: El Groino
Key Matches & Moments: Danced his way into our hearts as one half of Men on a Mission; Turned heel and became the most purple King Of The Ring in company history; Battled Diesel for the WWF Title at SummerSlam 1995 and then feuded with Undertaker; Was the first human sacrifice in Royal Rumble history; Broke Lilian Garcia’s heart; Had fun squash matches in WWECW as Big Daddy V
Staff Thoughts: Mabel was as physically imposing as a giant grape could be. He was probably the worst choice for King Of The Ring in 1995 but you can’t say he didn’t give it his all out there. Also far and away the best wrestler named after intestines. His continuous re-invention was solid, however his outfit as Big Daddy V needs to be stricken from the record immediately.
From the Voters: “I have to admit, I ordered Summer Slam ’95 for one reason, to see Diesel jackknife Mabel. I was so convinced as a youngin that would be the ending of that match. It would be bigger than Hulk slamming Andre. Yeah, I never had much use for Mabel. Who would have predicted how long he would be with the company?” – Michael DeDamos, July 12, 2017
“He received a top 100 push, that’s for sure. I think his peak was probably as Big Vis, that was the most over he ever caught. But Mabel, Viscera or Big Daddy V, he never really showed me much.” – Ben Morse, June 1, 2017
222. Johnny Valiant
Total Points: 120
Total Ballots: 4
Average Rank: 71
High Vote: 54
Low Vote: 82
High Voter: Timothy Drake
Key Matches & Moments: With Jimmy Valiant won both the WWWF and WWWF International Tag Team Titles; Worked some six man matches with The Dream Team against The British Bulldogs and Captain Lou Albano; Never recovered from the “Nightmare at the Rosemont Horizon”
Staff Thoughts: A solid tag team wrestler and champion who would go on to greater success as a manager in the 1980s. Not to harp on this but his LJN figure was awesome, leading me to questions like, “Why isn’t this guy on TV more?’ and “how many times can Hulk Hogan piledrive this guy into oblivion before my third ring this year breaks.”
From the Voters: “I’ll third Johnny Valiant to push him through” – Kelly Nelson, December 2, 2017
221. Bad News Brown
Total Points: 120
Total Ballots: 7
Average Rank: 83.9
High Vote: 56
Low Vote: 93
High Voter: Taylor Keahey
Key Matches & Moments: Won the biggest trophy ever created at WrestleMania IV; Fought Hulk Hogan on an episode of Saturday Night’s Main Event; Some were CONVINCED he was going to win the World Title from Randy Savage when the match was announced; Successfully walked out on every Survivor Series team he was ever on; Countered a snake with a rat
Staff Thoughts: The scariest motherfucker of the 80s. Did the constant yelling and grunting hurt his persona in any way? Nope! Still terrifying. In the end Stone Cold Brown was probably about ten years ahead of his time. He was a great brawler with an attitude that would have won him fans in the… ahem… Attitude Era. Sadly was rarely given much time in matches to show what he could do. Should probably be put in the Hall of Fame for tolerating Roddy Piper’s “antics” at WrestleMania VI.
From the Voters: “He was stuck on a team with a crooked CO and a guy named Honky. It was doomed from the start” – Steve Williams, May 28, 2017
“I am a huge Bad News Brown fan till this very day I love how he never finished a tag match. Great heel who is borderline for me” – Matt Rotella, May 29, 2017
220. Scott Steiner
Total Points: 123
Total Ballots: 6
Average Rank: 80.5
High Vote: 69
Low Vote: 96
High Voter: JF Vallee
Key Matches & Moments: Two-time WWF Tag Team Champion with his brother Rick in the early 1990s, feuding with Money, Inc.; Had a really good match with the Heavenly Bodies at SummerSlam 1993; Nearly murdered various competitors with Frankenstiners and Screwdrivers; Lost titles to the Quebecers under “Province of Quebec Rules” match; Returned as his Big Poppa Pump persona in late 2002 and received a massive pop, leading to him being programmed in the main event of Royal Rumble and No Way Out 2003 against Triple H in dreadful matches; Mastur(de)baiter Steiner is, he debated the Iraq War with Harvard grad Chris Nowinski before eventually forming a tag team with Test that was managed by Stacey Kiebler
Staff Thoughts: A tale of his two stints, as the Steiner Brothers tag team had good matches with any capable tag teams they faced and the Heavenly Bodies match from SummerSlam is really good. Their match against the Headshrinkers at WrestleMania IX was also a rare highlight on that card. But… HOLLA IF YA HEAR ME… Big Poppa Pump sucked. His matches with Triple H are legendarily bad (and I think Steiner just threw another suplex after receiving oxygen.) The tag team with Test was more in-line with his “talents” at the time, but mostly forgettable.
From the Voters: “Him and Rick have some of the best squash matches ever. There’s a list of enhancement talent guys who almost died from Scott working stiff. His 2002-03 run was a tall glass of hot diarrhea. No dice for Scott on this list.” – Jason Greenhouse, June 20, 2017
219. Tony Atlas
Total Points: 124
Total Ballots: 7
Average Rank: 83.3
High Vote: 51
Low Vote: 99
High Voter: Scott Herrin
Key Matches & Moments: Teamed with Rocky Johnson to win the WWWF Tag Team Titles from the Wild Samoans becoming the first African-American to hold the belts; Painting lovely portraits on TNT; Went crazy cheering for his partner’s son Rocky Maivia at WrestleMania 13 and yet refused to help when three men started kicking the crap out of him; Returned to manage Mark Henry and won us all over with his laugh
Staff Thoughts: Mr. USA was a staple of the WWWF mid-card and tag ranks for all of the late 70s and early 80’s. He had a fun outing in the WrestleMania 2 battle royale and many humiliating outings as Saba Simba. His laugh makes me uncomfortable.
From the Voters: “That’s TONY ATLAS!” – Roddy Piper, September 15, 1990.
“His singles glory came mostly in other territories, his tag run isn’t enough to carry him through.” – Ben Morse, June 5, 2017
218. Drew McIntyre
Total Points: 125
Total Ballots: 7
Average Rank: 83.1
High Vote: 54
Low Vote: 98
High Voter: Stacey O’Loughlin
Key Matches & Moments: Defeated John Morrison for the IC Title at TLC 2009; Excellent match with Christian in mid 2010 on Smackdown; Was GREAT in the 2011 Elimination Chamber match for Edge’s World Heavyweight title; Workhorse of the illustrious 3MB stable; Upon return won the NXT title from Bobby Roode; Followed up with an excellent match with Andrade Almas at NXT Takeover War Games; In mid-2010 got his entrance down to under two and a half minutes.
Staff Thoughts: Has there ever been a guy who’s release helped more than Drew McIntyre? While always a consistent and solid performer he left the company and reinvented himself into a major player on the wrestling scene. He is a STAR on NXT and you’ve got to believe that before he got injured the plan was to move him to the main roster and possibly let him flounder on Smackdown. Great look, fantastic presence and an even stronger worker now than when he was wished the best in his future endeavors. When treated as a credible threat his potential is sky high, however now that Jinder Mahal and Heath Slater are free…
You can hear Stacey and Elliot talk more about McIntyre here
From the Voters: “I love Drew Mac. Great wrestler, who pretty much from the get-go was one of the best guys in the company. Great matches with Christian, Hardy, Finlay, Masters, the jaw-droppingly great Elimination Chamer 2011 performance, interlocking feuds with Kofi, Hardy and Teddy Long, all of which were over. Then his wife screwed up, and he never recovered. Still don’t really get how that all went down. Punishment didn’t seem to fit the crime at all. Short run of greatness + me being personally invested in him, means he has a chance.” – Adam Russell, July 9, 2017
“Honestly, he fails the J test hard. His jump up factor felt more like a thud to me.” – Ronnie Vod, May 29, 2017
217. Hornswoggle
Total Points: 130
Total Ballots: 3
Average Rank: 57.7
High Vote: 35
Low Vote: 87
High Voter: Glenn Butler
Key Matches & Moments: Was used repeatedly as a weapon by a much larger, sadder Irishman; Was falsely revealed to be the illegitimate son of Vince McMahon only to be revealed as the illegitimate son of Finlay (what a month!); Was granted a voice by Santa Claus; Revealed as the anonymous Raw General Manager; Incredible WeeLC match with El Torito
Staff Thoughts: Look I’m sure plenty will hate on him for the John Cena comedy hour during the 2011 Royal Rumble, but instead let’s celebrate the fact that he was the absolute best part of the DX revival. He probably peaked when he was being used as a battering ram by Finlay but despite any deficiencies that you could list is potentially the best little person wrestler they ever had. Is it shameful he was the final cruiserweight champion? Not when Chavo Guerrero is part of that lineage.
From the Voters: “Despicable creature who represents the worst of WWE comedy.” – Adam Russell, July 9, 2017
“No, he was alright at times early on but i got burned out on him by the end of his run.” – Jay Hinchey, May 30, 2017
216. Dino Bravo
Total Points: 130
Total Ballots: 5
Average Rank: 75
High Vote: 17
Low Vote: 100
High Voter: Andrew Lacelle
Key Matches & Moments: Won the WWF Tag Team Titles with Dominic DeNucci in 1978; Returned to the company in 1986 more jacked and with blond hair and joined forces with “Luscious” Johnny Valiant and the Dream Team, eventually taking Beefcake’s spot when he was turfed at WrestleMania III; Bench pressed 715, as witnessed by Jesse Ventura to take the mantle of “The World’s Strongest Man”; Had a revolving door of managers going from Valiant to Frenchy Martin to Jimmy Hart; Had feuds with Don Muraco, Hacksaw Jim Duggan, Ron Garvin and Ken Patera as the Canadian Strongman
Staff Thoughts: Maybe that tag run in the late 1970s produced some good matches, but his run in the late 1980s and early 1990s sure sucked. He was involved in some big angles, forming the new Dream Team. “New” teams always suck and this one was a downgrade from Brutus Beefcake. His subsequent feuds with the likes of Don Muraco were hard to watch, but I guess he had that “World’s Strongest Man” gig until Mark Henry took it over.
From the Voters: “Most people only remember Bravo as a big lumbering heel from his late 80s/early 90s run. Most fail to realize that he was a tag team champion in the late-70s, much less bulk and a much better worker.” – Sean Fluharty, July 27, 2017
“He was killed 10 minutes from my house!” – Aaron George, Far too many times to count
215. Jimmy Valiant
Total Points: 131
Total Ballots: 4
Average Rank: 68.3
High Vote: 53
Low Vote: 80
High Voter: Timothy Drake
Key Matches & Moments: Take it away Lee Wes: “Former World Tag champ, and 1996 class of the WWE Hall of Fame. Showed up as a face but turned heel on Strongbow. Faced Pedro Morales for the WWWF title in Philly and other secondary cities. Headlined MSG with Johnny defending the tag belts against Bruno Sammartino & Strongbow.”
Staff Thoughts: Solid tag team performer with partner Johnny Valiant but sadly is lacking Johnny’s “stellar” managerial pedigree. Has an amazing career, only most of it is outside the WWE for the Handsome one.
From the Voters: “Can this please be the last Valiant guy I have to write an entry for?” – Aaron George, January 10, 2017
214. Johnny Gargano
Total Points: 132
Total Ballots: 5
Average Rank: 74.6
High Vote: 39
Low Vote: 99
High Voter: Henry Rivers
Key Matches & Moments: Had an excellent showing in the 2016 Cruiserweight Classic; With partner Tommaso Ciampa had two of the best tag team matches in company history versus the Revival at Takeover Brooklyn 2 and Takeover Toronto
Staff Thoughts: If Johnny Gargano were a foot taller we’d be complaining that Vince McMahon was shoving him down our throats. A wonderful worker whose best feud unfortunately was cut short by that no good Tomasso Ciampa’s injury. He floundered a bit since then but is turning the corner and make no mistake, he is one of the best workers in the company today. A fantastic underdog face who has incredible potential if they have the courage to go with a smaller guy.
From the Voters: “He’s been in too much high end stuff this year and last as part of #DIY, his match in the cwc, and his singles NXT stuff that I couldn’t keep him off” – Sam Symonds, December 8, 2017
“He’s still a possibility for my final ten spots. The best true babyface the company has today. Has had himself an excellent 2017” – Brian Cullinane, December 29, 2017
213. Bobby Lashley
Total Points: 142
Total Ballots: 7
Average Rank: 80.7
High Vote: 65
Low Vote: 100
High Voter: Nate Milton
Key Matches & Moments: Was competent in the WrestleMania 22 MITB ladder match; Won the WWE US Title from JBL; Much to the chagrin of Paul Heyman won the ECW Heavyweight Title in the main event of December to Dismember; Was Donald Trump’s surrogate during his feud with Vince McMahon, a feud that at the time drew the biggest WrestleMania buyrate of all time; Excelled in a match with John Cena at the 2007 Great American Bash
Staff Thoughts: Bobby Lashley seemed destined for greatness before being injured by Ken Kennedy of all people. He sat six months on the shelf before ultimately being released. Had he remained on the roster chances are we’d be speaking of multiple time WWE champion Robert Lashley. Or Bobby Lindsey. He had the size and the intensity of a champion. Was his voice a little too high? Sure. Could he have been the body double for the Michelin Man? Absolutely. If Bobby Lindsey were to come back today would he job to Roman Reigns? You betcha.
From the Voters: “Hard no. Apparently he has improved recently (better late than never I guess) but during his WWE run he was abysmal and really horrifically disappointing given his physical tools. The GAB match is Cena’s greatest carryjob.” – Stacey O’Loughlin, May 31, 2017
“I might be the high man here for Bobby Lashley. He was solid throughout his run. He has a few very big moments (Wrestlemainia 23, winning the Chamber, and him becoming Mr. Brightside on top of Umaga). He has also been a part of some very good/very fun matches as well (Vengeance Night of Champion Scramble, Money in The Bank Wrestlemainia 22, The One Night Stand 2007 3 on 1 match, and The Great American Bash 2007 match with John Cena). What I would say are the biggest detractions for Bobby Lashley is he basically was the same throughout his run, a lack memorable promos, and how his short his run was. I imagine I am probably going to rank Lashley in the lower quarter of my 💯.” – Henry Rivers, October 2, 2017
212. Zack Ryder
Total Points: 142
Total Ballots: 7
Average Rank: 80.7
High Vote: 47
Low Vote: 100
High Voter: Ash
Key Matches & Moments: Along with Curt Hawkins played lackeys to both Edge and Chavo Guerrero and won a WWE Tag Team Championship; Reinvented himself on ECW with the one-legged tights, headbands and catchprases challenging Christian for the ECW title and “retiring” Tommy Dreamer; Well-known for his Z! True Long Island Story YouTube show declaring himself Internet Champion; Defeated Dolph Ziggler for the United States championship before losing it to Jack Swagger, being killed by Kane and cuckolded by John Cena in short order; Teamed with Santino Marella as Team Co-Bro and later with Mojo Rawley as the Hype Bros; Won the Intercontinental Title in the ladder match at WrestleMania 32 in a feel good moment, but lost it to Miz the next night on Raw
Staff Thoughts: Woo-woo-woo! You know it! The epitome of a guy who got himself over and WWE either didn’t know what to do with him or actively punished him for getting over when he wasn’t supposed to because… reasons. Always knew how to connect with fans and was one of the most over faces in the company despite rarely appearing on TV. Not a ton of memorable matches but the IC title win at WrestleMania 32 was a nice moment. For almost a day, but still.
From the Voters: “Longevity. Solid worker. Few memorable moments. Got HIMSELF over in spite of the company never really giving him a shot. He makes my list.” – Jason Sherman, June 3, 2017
“He outshot his talent level, but is not a serious contender for my list.” – Michael Waldrop, June 3, 2017
211. Buddy Rose
Total Points: 142
Total Ballots: 8
Average Rank: 83.3
High Vote: 71
Low Vote: 94
High Voter: Michael Schoen
Key Matches & Moments: An excellent feud with Bob Backlund that Good Ol’ Will from Texas may have mentioned once on “For Your Consideration”; Went after Tito Santana’s LEG at WrestleMania; Pioneered the Blow Away diet which swept the nation, only injuring eight people
Staff Thoughts: What a shame that Shark Tank wasn’t around when Rose was pimping that diet, he’d be a bajillionaire! The feud with Bob Backlund is probably what gets him on most people’s lists as the bulk of his excellent career was elsewhere. Rose was a wonderful heel and a tremendous bumper when he had his working boots on. Which is always. Until they were blown away.
From the Voters: “251 matches with WWF per cagematch – unfortunately most are jobbing to Paul Roma, but still – that is way more than I had first thought.” – Brad Warren, May 28, 2017
“He had more of a chance of losing weight from blow away than he does of making my list” – Matt Rotella, May 29, 2017
210. Raymond Rougeau
Total Points: 153
Total Ballots: 5
Average Rank: 70.4
High Vote: 53
Low Vote: 100
High Voter: Andrew Lacelle
Key Matches & Moments: Teamed with brother Jacques as the Fabulous Rougeau Brothers losing to the Dream Team at WrestleMania III; Defeated the Hart Foundation in Montreal, appearing to win the Tag Team Titles though the victory was overturned and not recognized; Turned heel, aligned with Jimmy Hart and became “All American Boys” and feuded with the Killer Bees, Hart Foundation, Bushwhackers and Rockers
Staff Thoughts: Wonderful theme song in “All American Boys” and (tiny) flag waving act. Superb mustache. Rougeaus were bland as babyfaces and perfectly serviceable as a heel team.
From the Voters: “His brother had the charisma, he just had a great mustache.”- Ben Morse, June 10, 2017
209. Bill Watts
Total Points: 159
Total Ballots: 4
Average Rank: 61.3
High Vote: 39
Low Vote: 79
High Voter: Scott Herrin
Key Matches & Moments: Let’s hear from Kelly Nelson for this shall we: “He came in as a babyface in 1964 and was pretty over in the territory. He turned on Bruno during a tag match on TV, basically the prototype of the champion being betrayed by partner/friend angle that would be used for decades after. Bruno vs Watts was a huge success at the box office, one of the biggest draws in Vince Sr’s time as a promoter, and made Watts a national name. Unfortunately only very minimal footage of his time in the WWWF exists.”
Staff Thoughts: From his time in the office with WCW, I know he would NOT come off the top rope during his time in WWWF, even in the feud against Bruno Sammartino. There’s little footage available from his time in the company, but Kelly shared one match on the Facebook group.
From the Voters: “His run in WWWF was very successful. Will be in my 90-100.” – Alexis Beaudit, May 31, 2017
208. R-Truth
Total Points: 163
Total Ballots: 7
Average Rank: 77.7
High Vote: 32
Low Vote: 99
High Voter: TheBestThereNeverWillBe
Key Matches & Moments: Rapped to the ring and teamed with Road Dogg as K-Kwik and was a two-time Hardcore Champion; Teamed with John Morrison to challenge ShowMiz at WrestleMania XXVI; Won the United States Championship defeating The Miz for the vacant belt before losing it to Miz; Part of team WWE that defeated Nexxus at SummerSlam 2010; Sang a song about Little Jimmy while wearing a Confederate soldier uniform; Faced John Cena for the WWE Championship at Capitol Punishment; Teamed with The Miz as Awesome Truth; Won the WWE Championship with Kofi Kingston and lost them to Team Hell No; Brought ladder into 2016 Royal Rumble; Teamed with Goldust as Golden Truth
Staff Thoughts: He’s getting Rowdy! Also asks one of life’s eternal questions What’s Up? Known for doing goofy things like talking about Little Johnny and bringing a ladder into the Royal Rumble. The next great R-Truth match we see will be the first great R-Truth match we’ve seen. But the 2011 heel turn is fondly remembered by some.
From the Voters: “The 2011 heel turn was legendarily awesome in terms of promos, character work, and interaction with the crowd. He was THE reason to watch Raw (before the pipebomb). Sadly he didn’t put it all together that well before or since, and the wrestling aspect of it never quite lived up. Still, the summer of 2011 will always live in my heart and he’ll get a look for a sentimental placing in the upper range.” – Glenn Butler, June 2, 2017
207. Hercules
Total Points: 176
Total Ballots: 14
Average Rank: 88.4
High Vote: 37
Low Vote: 99
High Voter: Bret Hart
Key Matches & Moments: Lost to Ricky Steamboat at WrestleMania 2; Challenged Hulk Hogan on a November 1986 Saturday Night’s Main Event; Feuded with Billy Jack (or Jerk) Haynes culminating in a match at WrestleMania III resulting in a double-countout; Faced Ultimate Warrior in a dreadful match at WrestleMania IV; Bobby Heenan sold his contract to The Million Dollar Man leading to Hercules proclaiming he was a man not a slave and winning his freedom from Virgil in a Saturday Night’s Main Event in 1988; Defeated Haku at WrestleMania V; Teamed with Paul Roma to form the super fun Power & Glory
Staff Thoughts: He’s not a slave, he’s a man. But he was simply just a passable wrestler. Most of his high-profile matches were disappointing and ended in defeat, but he was a key part of the mid-card in a hot time for the company and was part of the Heenan Family. He also has some fun house show matches where he carried some lesser workers (ahem, Billy Jerk). Power & Glory had a cool finisher in the PowerPlex.
From the Voters: “Thoroughly unspectacular. He never really stood out from the midcard. Should have been much more over as a face with the great turn on Heenan and DiBiase, but didn’t have the charisma to carry the ball and sunk like a stone.” – Ben Morse, May 29, 2017
206. Victoria
Total Points: 182
Total Ballots: 6
Average Rank: 70.5
High Vote: 49
Low Vote: 96
High Voter: Ash
Key Matches & Moments: Debuted as one of the Godfather’s Hos before being powerbombed through a table by The Goodfather after he joined the RTC; Played a psychotic heel who believed Trish Stratus betrayed her when both were fitness models; Won the Women’s Championship from Trish in a hardcore match at Survivor Series 2002; Steven Richards served as her valet/manager; Lost the Women’s Championship to Trish at Wrestlemania XIX in a three-way match also involving Jazz; Faced Lita in the first women’s cage match in WWE history; Defeated Molly Holly in a hair vs. title match at WrestleMania XX, Two-time Women’s Champion
Staff Thoughts: Known for her entrance music by TaTu, her pshychotic character and Widow’s Peak finisher. Was involved in some significant women’s matches like hardcore and cage matches and shaving Molly’s head. Read Stacey’s Making the Case for more lovingly crafted details on Victoria’s career.
From the Voters: “One of my all-time favorites! Really solid in-ring performer, great character work, but unfortunately she got stuck in that “rebuilding” era of WWE women’s wrestling. She came in during the rebirth of the division, but a lot of her later time was spent in the Diva era propping up people like Christi Hemme, Torrie Wilson, & a young Michelle McCool. So unfortunately she doesn’t join Sherri, Trish, & Chyna on my list. If we were going 150-200, she’d definitely be in though!” – Nate Milton, August 27, 2017
205. Rocky Johnson
Total Points: 186
Total Ballots: 7
Average Rank: 74.4
High Vote: 51
Low Vote: 98
High Voter: Lou Spadone
Key Matches & Moments: Was one half of the first black tag team to win the Tag Team Titles with Tony Atlas, defeating the Wild Samoans; Challenged both Greg Valentine and Don Muraco for the IC title; Won numerous house show battle royals; Is the father of one of the most celebrated and famous wrestlers and entertainers of all time: The Rock; Was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2008.
Staff Thoughts: Rocky Johnson had a lot of charisma and speed in the ring and a body that set the template for what a wrestler should look like in the 80s, but he wasn’t a tremendous wrestler. Rocky will be best known as The Rock’s father, and a tag team champion, but he could also be known as someone who was just a little bit before his time. The pop he receives on March 5th, 1983 when the crowd thinks he has won the IC title from Don Muraco is one of biggest you’ll ever hear. The WWF should have tried it out.
From the Voters: “It’s not objectively fair, but I won’t be ranking him since he was an asshole to my wife at a comic con a few years back.” – Stephen Brogee, September 30, 2017
204. Bull Nakano
Total Points: 186
Total Ballots: 7
Average Rank: 74.4
High Vote: 32
Low Vote: 99
High Voter: Bret Hart
Key Matches & Moments: First taste of WWF action came on MSG shows in 1986; Arrived back in the WWF in 1994 to feud with Alundra Blayze on behalf of Luna Vachon; Though the two fought all across the country on house show tours, Bull was only featured on television a whopping four times during this run; Her match with Blayze at Summerslam 1994 was one of the better women’s matches of the 90s, and though she didn’t win the title, she did later at the Tokyo Big Egg Universe show in November
Staff Thoughts: Bull Nakano is legitimately one of the best wrestlers in the history of the business, but we didn’t get a ton of her in WWF. One of the best looks ever and someone who could have really boosted and carried the women’s division in the 90s. Seek out her six televised matches and then realize she has dozens and dozens more great ones over in Japan.
From the Voters: “So damn good, but literally for only a few matches.” – Jeremy Ray, May 28, 2017
“I think if she had a longer career she would definitely be in.” – Matt Rotella, May 29, 2017
203. Tama
Total Points: 188
Total Ballots: 6
Average Rank: 69.7
High Vote: 54
Low Vote: 82
High Voter: Dean Coles
Key Matches & Moments: Debuted as the Tonga Kid and joined in the red hot Jimmy Snuka/Roddy Piper feud in 1984 before changing his name to Tama and teaming up with Haku as The Islanders; Gained traction when they turned heel on the Can-Am Connection and joined forces with Bobby Heenan; Had really good singles match with Rick Martel as part of the feud with Can-Ams after Tom Zenk left; Transitioned to a feud with Strike Force featuring strong matches; Kidnapped Matilda as part of feud with the British Bulldogs, leading to the suspension of the Islanders; Along with Heenan defeated the British Bulldogs and Koko B. Ware at WrestleMania IV; Defeated the Killer Bees on Saturday Night’s Main Event in 1987
Staff Thoughts: Once the Islanders turned heel they were off to the races. Tom Zenk leaving derailed the Can-Am feud, which was off to a strong start. Transitioning the feud to Strike Force led to some great matches between the two teams. Rewatching the Islanders for this project was a nice revelation as they were awesome in everything, better than you may remember. Too bad their run was so short. JT and Scott recently reviewed a singles match Tama had with Martel on a MSG house show on one of the recent podcasts.
From the Voters: “His heel work as part of the Islanders was very underrated. Too bad he couldn’t handle the pressure of his first run with Snuka in 1984. He could have been a major star, IMO. Probably not on my list.” – Brian Cullinane, June 3, 2017
202. Evan Bourne
Total Points: 188
Total Ballots: 9
Average Rank: 80.1
High Vote: 49
Low Vote: 99
High Voter: Jesse
Key Matches & Moments: “Air” Bourne debuted on the ECW and was well known for his shooting-star press finisher; Participated in Money in Bank matches at WrestleMania XXVI and Money in the Bank 2010; Defeated Chris Jericho at Fatal 4-Way in 2010 in a match praised on this FYC podcast; Teamed with Kofi Kingston as Air Boom where the won the WWE Tag Team titles; Took a memorable RKO counter to his shooting star press
Staff Thoughts: That sweet-ass shooting star press was a thing of beauty. Evan Bourne had really good matches across the board and filled the role of someone who could fill time with high quality TV matches. Always came across as something different and crowds loved his aerial offense and selling. Too bad injuries and wellness violations derailed him. He’s got a ton of great matches but most of them are outside the WWE.
From the Voters: “He was going to be one of the best ever… but then he got hiiiiigh.” – Steve Williams, May 29, 2017
“Kind of a test of my personal biases and rules for projects like this. I thought he was the best wrestler in the company in 2008 and I typically want to include anyone who was the best worker in the company in a given year. But I don’t think Bourne really deserves to make a top 100 for any reason other than that informal rule I have.” – Dylan Hales, July 6, 2017
201. Paul London
Total Points: 188
Total Ballots: 10
Average Rank: 82.2
High Vote: 66
Low Vote: 98
High Voter: El Groino
Key Matches & Moments: Teamed with Brian Kendrick on Velocity upon his debut in 2003; Moved on to a team with Billy Kidman that won the WWE Tag Team titles before Kidman turned on London causing them to lose to super-team Rene Dupree and Kenzo Suzuki; Feuded with Kidman including a match at No Mercy ending when Kidman gave London multiple shooting star presses; Won Cruiserweight title from Chavo Guerrrero, Jr.; Had a well regarded Velocity run in 2005, including a good feud with Akio; Teamed with returning Kendrick and won the WWE Tag Team championship from MNM; Retained title in four-way ladder match known for Joey Mercury suffering face explosion; Held the belts for 331 days before losing to juggernaut team Deuce and Domino (I see a pattern); That run stood as a record for the WWE Tag Team belts until New Day surpassed it; Drafted to Raw where he and Kendrick won the World Tag Team Championships from Lance Cade and Trevor Murdoch before losing it back to the same team
Staff Thoughts: Paul London’s work in both cruiserweight singles and especially the team with Brian Kendrick were both really great. They definitely had some great matches when they were in there with capable teams, but that was rare for such a lengthy run (seriously Deuce & Domino, Dupree & Suzuki and Cade & Murdoch?) London had great stuff but certainly could’ve been a much bigger deal and looked like a much bigger star elsewhere.
From the Voters: “Remember when everyone thought he blew up Vince’s limo? They really should have ran with that but I understand why they didn’t. They really missed the boat on this guy in a period of time when they needed someone who could have great matches with anyone.” – Michael DeDamos, July 8, 2017
How the damn hell did anyone put Dino Bravo number 17?