Lessons Learned
- 6 May 2019, THE PROFESSOR
Welcome back to the Professor's look at the 100 Greatest Wrestlers of All Time! For the first part of this list (#'s 100 - 91), click here; and for the second (90 - 81) click here.
![Picture](/uploads/1/2/1/5/121517184/published/80-road-warriors.png?1557125452)
THE ROAD WARRIORS, or the Legion of Doom for WWE, was one of the perennial tag teams throughout the 1980s and 1990s. They held tag team gold literally everywhere they went and held fast to their old school, smashmouth style. Hawk and Animal were mainstays in the upper mid-card wherever they went.
The masters of the Doomsday Device, the Mad Max inspired duo are the first tag team to secure a spot on our list.
Career Highlights: NWA World Six-Man Tag Team Champions (3x), NWA International Tag Team Champions, AWA World Tag Team Champions, World Champion Tag Team Champions, NWA National Tag Team Champions (4x), IWS World Tag Team Champions, i-Generation Tag Team Champions (3x), IPW Tag Team Champions, NWA World Tag Team (Mid-Atlantic) Champions, WWE Tag Team Champions (2x), IWGP Tag Team Champions (2x), UWA World Tag Team Champions, NWA Hall of Fame (2012), NWA Legends Hall of Heroes (2016), WON Hall of Fame (1996), Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame & Museum (2011), Jim Crockett St. Memorial Cup (1986), PWI Tag Team of the Year (1983 - 1985, 1988), Quebec Wrestling Hall of Fame (2015), WWE Hall of Fame (2011), WON Tag Team of the Year (1984)
The masters of the Doomsday Device, the Mad Max inspired duo are the first tag team to secure a spot on our list.
Career Highlights: NWA World Six-Man Tag Team Champions (3x), NWA International Tag Team Champions, AWA World Tag Team Champions, World Champion Tag Team Champions, NWA National Tag Team Champions (4x), IWS World Tag Team Champions, i-Generation Tag Team Champions (3x), IPW Tag Team Champions, NWA World Tag Team (Mid-Atlantic) Champions, WWE Tag Team Champions (2x), IWGP Tag Team Champions (2x), UWA World Tag Team Champions, NWA Hall of Fame (2012), NWA Legends Hall of Heroes (2016), WON Hall of Fame (1996), Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame & Museum (2011), Jim Crockett St. Memorial Cup (1986), PWI Tag Team of the Year (1983 - 1985, 1988), Quebec Wrestling Hall of Fame (2015), WWE Hall of Fame (2011), WON Tag Team of the Year (1984)
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The innovator of Impact Wrestling's "Option C," AUSTIN ARIES has been around the game a lot longer than most give him credit for. An accomplished in ring competitor, Aries went through a period of time where he made an attempt to capture gold in every promotion into which he stepped; and he almost succeeded. A multiple time TNA/Impact World Champion, Aries proved that you don't need the WWE to succeed in this business.
Career Highlights: United World Champion, Defiant Champion, DEFY Wrestling Champion, EPW Heavyweight Champion, IPW:UK World Champion, MAW Junior Heavyweight Champion, MCW Light Heavyweight Champion, MIAW Cruiserweight Champion (2x), MIW Cruiserweight Champion (2x), NWA Midwest X Division Champion, NPW Cruiserweight Champion (2x), PWW Heavyweight Champion, ROH World Champion (2x), ROH Tag Team Champion, SDW Tag Team Champion, Impact Grand Champion, TNA/Impact World Champion (3x), TNA X Division Champion (6x), TNA World Tag Team Champion, TNA Triple Crown Champion, Impact Grand Slam Champion, WSW World Heavyweight Champion (2x)
Career Highlights: United World Champion, Defiant Champion, DEFY Wrestling Champion, EPW Heavyweight Champion, IPW:UK World Champion, MAW Junior Heavyweight Champion, MCW Light Heavyweight Champion, MIAW Cruiserweight Champion (2x), MIW Cruiserweight Champion (2x), NWA Midwest X Division Champion, NPW Cruiserweight Champion (2x), PWW Heavyweight Champion, ROH World Champion (2x), ROH Tag Team Champion, SDW Tag Team Champion, Impact Grand Champion, TNA/Impact World Champion (3x), TNA X Division Champion (6x), TNA World Tag Team Champion, TNA Triple Crown Champion, Impact Grand Slam Champion, WSW World Heavyweight Champion (2x)
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THE DUDLEY BOYZ are considered my many to be the Road Warriors of this generation. Much like their Chicago counterparts, Bubba Ray and Devon have captured Tag Team gold everywhere they've gone.
The longest lasting partnership of the Dudley Boyz faction from ECW, they led an entire genertion of fans in chants of ... "GET THE TABLES!"
Career Highlights: World's Strongest Tag Determination League (2005), ECW Tag Team Champions (8x), Hustle Super Tag Team Champions, IWGP Tag Team Champions (2x), PWI Tag Team of the Year (2001, 2009), 2CW Tag Team Champions, NWA World Tag Team Champion, TNA World Tag Team Champion (2x), TNA Hall of Fame (2014), WWE Tag Team Chamions (9x), WCW Tag Team Champions, WWE Hall of Fame (2018)
The longest lasting partnership of the Dudley Boyz faction from ECW, they led an entire genertion of fans in chants of ... "GET THE TABLES!"
Career Highlights: World's Strongest Tag Determination League (2005), ECW Tag Team Champions (8x), Hustle Super Tag Team Champions, IWGP Tag Team Champions (2x), PWI Tag Team of the Year (2001, 2009), 2CW Tag Team Champions, NWA World Tag Team Champion, TNA World Tag Team Champion (2x), TNA Hall of Fame (2014), WWE Tag Team Chamions (9x), WCW Tag Team Champions, WWE Hall of Fame (2018)
![Picture](/uploads/1/2/1/5/121517184/published/77-charlotte-flair.png?1557129170)
Perhaps the greatest second generation star of our time, CHARLOTTE FLAIR is a unique story in the world of wrestling in that, she never really wanted to be here. Ashley Fliehr joined the world of sports entertainment after the passing of her younger brother Reid. She is the only wrestler to hold four different women's championships in WWE as well as the longest-reigning SmackDown Women's Champion in WWE history. Charlotte has participated in many "firsts" for the women of the WWE including being one of three women to main event WrestleMania!
Career Highlights: PWI Woman of the Year (2016), NXT Women's Champion, WWE Divas' Champion, WWE Raw Women's Champion (4x), WWE Smackdown Women's Champion (3x)
Career Highlights: PWI Woman of the Year (2016), NXT Women's Champion, WWE Divas' Champion, WWE Raw Women's Champion (4x), WWE Smackdown Women's Champion (3x)
![Picture](/uploads/1/2/1/5/121517184/published/76-rick-martel.png?1557129779)
RICK MARTEL is perhaps one of the most underrated personalities in the world of professional wrestling. A man who constantly reinvented himself in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s, Rick Martel was criminally underused in the WWF.
"The Model" had a career that spanned over 20 years. A character in the ring, Martel had some classic feuds and matches with the likes of Tito Santana, Jake Roberts, Shawn Michaels, Booker T. Martel was a staple in the WWF throughout the mid- to late-1980s and then went on to capture the WCW Television title before retiring in 1998.
Career Highlights: NWA North American Heavyweight Champion (Hawaii version), AWA World Heavyweight Champion, NWA Georgia Tag Team Champion, Canadian International Heavyweight Champion, NWA Canadian Tag Team Champion (Vancouver version), NWA British Commonwealth Heavyweight Champion (New Zealand version) (3x), New England Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame (2011), NWA Pacific Northwest Heavyweight Champion, NWA Pacific Northwest Tag Team Champion (3x), Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame (2015), Stampede International Tag Team Champion, WCW Television Champion, NWA Austra-Asian Tag Team Champion, WWC North American Tag Team Champion, WWE Tag Team Champion (3x)
"The Model" had a career that spanned over 20 years. A character in the ring, Martel had some classic feuds and matches with the likes of Tito Santana, Jake Roberts, Shawn Michaels, Booker T. Martel was a staple in the WWF throughout the mid- to late-1980s and then went on to capture the WCW Television title before retiring in 1998.
Career Highlights: NWA North American Heavyweight Champion (Hawaii version), AWA World Heavyweight Champion, NWA Georgia Tag Team Champion, Canadian International Heavyweight Champion, NWA Canadian Tag Team Champion (Vancouver version), NWA British Commonwealth Heavyweight Champion (New Zealand version) (3x), New England Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame (2011), NWA Pacific Northwest Heavyweight Champion, NWA Pacific Northwest Tag Team Champion (3x), Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame (2015), Stampede International Tag Team Champion, WCW Television Champion, NWA Austra-Asian Tag Team Champion, WWC North American Tag Team Champion, WWE Tag Team Champion (3x)
![Picture](/uploads/1/2/1/5/121517184/published/75-trish-stratus.png?1557148563)
She was the woman every Attitude Era boy wanted. Whie at the beginning of her in-ring career, she was seen more as eye candy than anything else, TRISH STRATUS was able to rise above, train hard, and become a multiple time WWF Women's Champion.
Trish engaged in some memorable storylines and matches with Lita, Mickie James, Mr. McMahon, and many more.
Trish is proof that hardwork and determination can take anyone far in life.
Career Highlights: Cauliflower Alley Club Iron Mike Mazurki Award (2016), Ontario Sports Hall of Fame Sandy Hawley Community Service Award (2017), PWI Woman of the Year (2002 - 2003, 2005 - 2006), WWE Hardcore Champion, WWE Women's Champion (7x), WWE Hall of Fame (2013)
Trish engaged in some memorable storylines and matches with Lita, Mickie James, Mr. McMahon, and many more.
Trish is proof that hardwork and determination can take anyone far in life.
Career Highlights: Cauliflower Alley Club Iron Mike Mazurki Award (2016), Ontario Sports Hall of Fame Sandy Hawley Community Service Award (2017), PWI Woman of the Year (2002 - 2003, 2005 - 2006), WWE Hardcore Champion, WWE Women's Champion (7x), WWE Hall of Fame (2013)
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Although he was not the greatest technician in the world, MICK FOLEY made a career of having the most "Intestinal fortitude" of anyone. A hardcore icon and a major player in the Monday Night Wars of the Attitude Era, Foley is one of the few professional wrestlers to get over not one, not two, not three but four different personas within his 30+ year career.
Whether he was telling us to "Have Mercy!," wishing we'd have a nice day, or screaming "Bang! Bang!" Mrs. Foley's Baby Boy has most definitely cemented his legacy as the best of all time. A master on the microphone and a king of ring psychology, Foley's character work is second to none.
Career Highlights: CWA Tag Team Champion, ECW Tag Team Champion (2x), Extreme Mid-South North American Champion (3x), George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame Frank Gotch Award (2010), IWA Tag Team Champion, IWA King of the Deathmatch (1995), NAW Heavyweight Champion, NWL Heavyweight Champion, OMW North American Champion, Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame (2017), SCW Heavyweight Champion, SCW Tag Team Champion, TNA Legends Champion, TNA World Heavyweight Champion, WCW Tag Team Champion, USWA Tag Team Champion, WCWA Light Heavyweight Champion, WCWA Tag Team Champion (2x), WWE Champion (3x), WWE Hardcore Champion, WWE Tag Team Champion (8x), WWE Hall of Fame (2013), WON Hall of Fame (2000)
Whether he was telling us to "Have Mercy!," wishing we'd have a nice day, or screaming "Bang! Bang!" Mrs. Foley's Baby Boy has most definitely cemented his legacy as the best of all time. A master on the microphone and a king of ring psychology, Foley's character work is second to none.
Career Highlights: CWA Tag Team Champion, ECW Tag Team Champion (2x), Extreme Mid-South North American Champion (3x), George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame Frank Gotch Award (2010), IWA Tag Team Champion, IWA King of the Deathmatch (1995), NAW Heavyweight Champion, NWL Heavyweight Champion, OMW North American Champion, Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame (2017), SCW Heavyweight Champion, SCW Tag Team Champion, TNA Legends Champion, TNA World Heavyweight Champion, WCW Tag Team Champion, USWA Tag Team Champion, WCWA Light Heavyweight Champion, WCWA Tag Team Champion (2x), WWE Champion (3x), WWE Hardcore Champion, WWE Tag Team Champion (8x), WWE Hall of Fame (2013), WON Hall of Fame (2000)
![Picture](/uploads/1/2/1/5/121517184/published/73-the-miz.png?1557162172)
Love him or hate him, THE MIZ is one of the best in the WWE today. Mike Mizanin may have started his rise to the top on MTV's The Real World, but he didn't stop there. He achieved his dream of competing in the WWE and has since been one of the company's consistent stars. Rarely injured, one of the safest workers, and still willing to put on a great show for the fans, the Miz is well deserving of all of his accolades.
An accomplished actor and reality television star, Miz can seemingly do it all.
Career Highlights: DSW Heavyweight Champion, OVW Southern Tag Team Champion, WWE Champion, WWE United States Champion (2x), WWE Intercontinental Champion (8x), WWE Tag Team Champion (7x), WWE Mixed Match Challenge Winner, Money in the Bank (2010), WWE Triple Crown Champion, WWE Grand Slam Champion, WCI Best on the Mic (2018)
An accomplished actor and reality television star, Miz can seemingly do it all.
Career Highlights: DSW Heavyweight Champion, OVW Southern Tag Team Champion, WWE Champion, WWE United States Champion (2x), WWE Intercontinental Champion (8x), WWE Tag Team Champion (7x), WWE Mixed Match Challenge Winner, Money in the Bank (2010), WWE Triple Crown Champion, WWE Grand Slam Champion, WCI Best on the Mic (2018)
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KYLE O'REILLY is one of the most technically sound performers in the sport today. He is best known for his time with Ring of Honor. He also worked for New Japan Pro Wrestling and competed for several indy promotions, most notably Pro Wrestling Guerrilla. O'Reilly was a mainstay in ROH for quite a while, even managing to capture that promotion's World title.
Since signing with NXT, O'Reilly has only improved becoming one of the most charasmatic characters on the yellow brand.
Career Highlights: HRW Tag Team Champion, IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion (2x), ECCW Champion, NWA Canadian Junior Heavyweight Champion (3x), PWG World Champion, PWG Battle of Los Angeles (2013), PWP Tag Team Champion, ROH World Champion, ROH Tag Team Champion (3x), NXT Tag Team Champion (2x), Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic (2018), WCI Tag Team of the Year (2018, w/ Undisputed Era)
Since signing with NXT, O'Reilly has only improved becoming one of the most charasmatic characters on the yellow brand.
Career Highlights: HRW Tag Team Champion, IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion (2x), ECCW Champion, NWA Canadian Junior Heavyweight Champion (3x), PWG World Champion, PWG Battle of Los Angeles (2013), PWP Tag Team Champion, ROH World Champion, ROH Tag Team Champion (3x), NXT Tag Team Champion (2x), Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic (2018), WCI Tag Team of the Year (2018, w/ Undisputed Era)
![Picture](/uploads/1/2/1/5/121517184/published/71-chris-sabin.png?1557163511)
CHRIS SABIN was a name that at one point was synonymous with TNA's X Division. After being trained by Scott D'Amore, Sabin debuted in 2000 for Border City Wrestling, and quickly began competing for numerous other independent promotions. In 2003, Sabin joined TNA, and quickly won the TNA X Division Championship, which he later unified with the WWA International Cruiserweight Championship. In 2004, he also wrestled for Ring of Honor. In 2005, Sabin wrestled in the UK at International Showdown for The Wrestling Channel's first anniversary at a sold out Coventry Skydome. Throughout the next few years, Sabin competed mainly in TNA's X Division, until forming The Motor City Machine Guns with Alex Shelley in mid-2007.
Sabin won 11 total championships while with TNA. After leaving TNA, Sabin and Shelley became one-time Ring of Honor World Tag Team Champions. Sabin has also won numerous titles on the independent circuit.
Career Highlights: AAW Tag Team Champion, BWCW Cruiserweight Champion, BCW Can-Am Television Champion (2x), DW Y Division Champion, GLAPW Junior Heavyweight Champion, IWC Super Indy Champion, MCW Cruiserweight Champion (2x), MXPW Cruiserweight Champion (2x), MXPW Television Champion, MMWA Marquee Heavyweight Champion, IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion, NWA Great Lakes Heavyweight Champion, NWA Great Lakes Junior Heavyweight Champion, NWA International Lightweight Tag Team Champion, ROH Tag Team Champion, TNA World Champion, TNA Tag Team Champion, TNA X Division Champion (8x), TNA Triple Crown Champion, TCW Heavyweight Champion, UCW Lightweight Champion, WWA International Cruiserweight Champion, XICW Light Heavyweight Champion, XICW Tag Team Champion, WON Rookie of the Year (2003)
Sabin won 11 total championships while with TNA. After leaving TNA, Sabin and Shelley became one-time Ring of Honor World Tag Team Champions. Sabin has also won numerous titles on the independent circuit.
Career Highlights: AAW Tag Team Champion, BWCW Cruiserweight Champion, BCW Can-Am Television Champion (2x), DW Y Division Champion, GLAPW Junior Heavyweight Champion, IWC Super Indy Champion, MCW Cruiserweight Champion (2x), MXPW Cruiserweight Champion (2x), MXPW Television Champion, MMWA Marquee Heavyweight Champion, IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion, NWA Great Lakes Heavyweight Champion, NWA Great Lakes Junior Heavyweight Champion, NWA International Lightweight Tag Team Champion, ROH Tag Team Champion, TNA World Champion, TNA Tag Team Champion, TNA X Division Champion (8x), TNA Triple Crown Champion, TCW Heavyweight Champion, UCW Lightweight Champion, WWA International Cruiserweight Champion, XICW Light Heavyweight Champion, XICW Tag Team Champion, WON Rookie of the Year (2003)
Well, that's it. The next ten competitors on my list of the greatest wrestlers of all time. Do you agree? Disagree? Want to suggest a name for numbers 70 - 1? Let me know in the comments below and hey, thanks for reading!