Lessons Learned
- 3 April 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.
One of the most polarizing figures in the history of the sport of professional wrestling, John Cena is on this list less for his wrestling ability (the "five moves of doom?") and more for what he has done for the sport as a whole. Cena has been going in the WWE longer than practically any other major player during their height, debuting in 2002 and continuing to make sporadic appearances 17 years later.
Cena has done it all in the WWE and has moved on to Hollywood. His work with the Make a Wish foundation alone is worth entry onto our list. John Cena was nominated by Brian and Georges.
Career Highlights: OVW Heavyweight Champion, OVW Southern Tag Team Champion, PWI Wrestler of the Year (2006, 2007), Sports Illustrated Muhammad Ali Legacy Award (2018), UPW Heavyweight Champion, WWE World Heavyweight Champion (3x), WWE Tag Team Champion (4x), WWE Champion (13x), WWE United States Champion (5x), Money in the Bank (2012), Royal Rumble Winner (2008, 2013), Wrestling Observer Wrestler of the Year (2007, 2010), Wrestling Observer Hall of Fame (2012)
Cena has done it all in the WWE and has moved on to Hollywood. His work with the Make a Wish foundation alone is worth entry onto our list. John Cena was nominated by Brian and Georges.
Career Highlights: OVW Heavyweight Champion, OVW Southern Tag Team Champion, PWI Wrestler of the Year (2006, 2007), Sports Illustrated Muhammad Ali Legacy Award (2018), UPW Heavyweight Champion, WWE World Heavyweight Champion (3x), WWE Tag Team Champion (4x), WWE Champion (13x), WWE United States Champion (5x), Money in the Bank (2012), Royal Rumble Winner (2008, 2013), Wrestling Observer Wrestler of the Year (2007, 2010), Wrestling Observer Hall of Fame (2012)
Nick Mondo was known throughout his career for his willingness to take extremely dangerous bumps, such as being hit with a weed wacker, getting thrown into a table covered with barbed wire, slammed from a distance of 40 feet onto lightubes and concrete and other ultraviolent spots.
Mondo competed for companies such as ECW, CZW and Pennsylvania Championship Wrestling, feuding with both of the latter companies' top stars. For years, the world of extreme wrestling was almost synonymus with "Sick" Nick Mondo.
Willing to do anything to entertain fans, Nick Mondo was nominated for our list by Brian Perius.
Career Highlights: CZW Iron Man Champion (3x), CZW World Tag Team Champion, CZW Tournament of Death II, CZW Hall of Fame (2004)
Mondo competed for companies such as ECW, CZW and Pennsylvania Championship Wrestling, feuding with both of the latter companies' top stars. For years, the world of extreme wrestling was almost synonymus with "Sick" Nick Mondo.
Willing to do anything to entertain fans, Nick Mondo was nominated for our list by Brian Perius.
Career Highlights: CZW Iron Man Champion (3x), CZW World Tag Team Champion, CZW Tournament of Death II, CZW Hall of Fame (2004)
Boasting perhaps the greatest kayfabe undefeated streak in modern history, 173 - 0, Bill Goldberg was one of WCW's cornerstones during the Monday Night Wars. Although never the best in ring competitor, Goldberg was able to command the crowd with his charisma and his roughneck, in your face style.
After WCW folded in 2001, Goldberg would join All Japan Pro Wrestling from August 2002 until early 2003. Jumping ship to the WWE the night after WrestleMania XIX, Goldberg was grossly misused. He stayed in the WWe until WrestleMania 20 when he would leave the company, and wrestling in general, for the next 12 years, returning for a second run in 2016. During this run, Goldberg would return to his massively dominant ways and would capture the WWE Universal Championship.
Career Highlights: PWI Rookie of the Year (1998), WCW World Heavyweight Champion, WCW United States Champion (2x), WC World Tag Team Champion, WWE World Heavyweight Champion, WWE Universal Champion, WWE Hall of Fame (2018), Wrestling Observer Rookie of the Year (1998)
After WCW folded in 2001, Goldberg would join All Japan Pro Wrestling from August 2002 until early 2003. Jumping ship to the WWE the night after WrestleMania XIX, Goldberg was grossly misused. He stayed in the WWe until WrestleMania 20 when he would leave the company, and wrestling in general, for the next 12 years, returning for a second run in 2016. During this run, Goldberg would return to his massively dominant ways and would capture the WWE Universal Championship.
Career Highlights: PWI Rookie of the Year (1998), WCW World Heavyweight Champion, WCW United States Champion (2x), WC World Tag Team Champion, WWE World Heavyweight Champion, WWE Universal Champion, WWE Hall of Fame (2018), Wrestling Observer Rookie of the Year (1998)
Do you smell what the Rock is cooking? Every child of the 90s who grew up watching the Attitude Era was, at one point or another, a fan of the Rock. Rocky could -- and would -- eviscerate his opponents on the microphone. He was a part of some of the most memorable storylines and angles during the late 90s, early 2000s.
Rocky is a multiple time World champion, and has captured virtually every title there was to capture in the WWE. He was a member of some of the most recognizable teams and factions in the history of the company including: The Nation of Domination, The Corporation, and the Rock n Sock Connection.
Since retiring from professional wrestling, Rock has transititioned into one of the most successful Hollywood superstars in the world today. Rock was nominated for this list by Brian, Georges, and D Dizzy Druck.
Career Highlights: PWI Wrestler of the Year (2000), USWA World Tag Team Champion (2x), WCW World Champion (2x), WWE Champion (8x), WWE Intercontinental Champion (2x), WWE Tag Team Champion (5x), Royal Rumble Winner (2000), Wrestling Observer Hall of Fame (2007), People Magazine Sexiest Man Alive (2016), Mr. Olympia ICON Award (2016), Hollywood Walk of Fame (2017)
Rocky is a multiple time World champion, and has captured virtually every title there was to capture in the WWE. He was a member of some of the most recognizable teams and factions in the history of the company including: The Nation of Domination, The Corporation, and the Rock n Sock Connection.
Since retiring from professional wrestling, Rock has transititioned into one of the most successful Hollywood superstars in the world today. Rock was nominated for this list by Brian, Georges, and D Dizzy Druck.
Career Highlights: PWI Wrestler of the Year (2000), USWA World Tag Team Champion (2x), WCW World Champion (2x), WWE Champion (8x), WWE Intercontinental Champion (2x), WWE Tag Team Champion (5x), Royal Rumble Winner (2000), Wrestling Observer Hall of Fame (2007), People Magazine Sexiest Man Alive (2016), Mr. Olympia ICON Award (2016), Hollywood Walk of Fame (2017)
Bobo Brazil is credited with breaking down barriers of racial segregation in professional wrestling. He is also considered one of the first successful African-American professional wrestlers.
Unofficially becoming the first African American to win a World Championship, Brazil quickly became a nationally recognized name throughout the 1950s and 60s.
Debuting in 1951, Brazil would remain a fixture in the sport of professional wrestling for over forty years, retiring in 1993. Brazil broke down barriers and worked tirelessly to breakdown the walls for African American professional wrestlers.
Career Highlights: NWA United States Heavyweight Champion (Detroit version) (9x), NWA World Tag Team Champion (Detroit version) (8x), NWA United States Heavyweight Champion (San Francisco version), NWA Florida Tag Team Champion (2x), ESA North American Heavyweight Champion, NWA International Heavyweight Champion (2x), NWA Canadian Open Tag Team Champion, NWA United States Heavyweight Champion (Toronto version), NWA United States Heavyweight Champion (Mid-Atlantic version), MWA Ohio Heavyweight Champion, MWA Ohio Tag Team Champion (3x), NWA Hall of Fame (2013), NWA Americas Heavyweight Champion (3x), NWA "Beat the Champ" Television Champion, NWA International Tag Team Champion (4x), NWA Pacific Coast Heavyweight Champion (Los Angeles version), WWA World Heavyweight Champion (2x), Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum (2008), SoW United States Heayweight Champion, WWA World Champion (2x), WWA World Tag Team Champion, WWWF United States Heavyweight Champion (7x), WWE Hall of Fame (1994), Wrestling Observer Hall of Fame (1996), World Negro Heavyweight Champion (2x)
Unofficially becoming the first African American to win a World Championship, Brazil quickly became a nationally recognized name throughout the 1950s and 60s.
Debuting in 1951, Brazil would remain a fixture in the sport of professional wrestling for over forty years, retiring in 1993. Brazil broke down barriers and worked tirelessly to breakdown the walls for African American professional wrestlers.
Career Highlights: NWA United States Heavyweight Champion (Detroit version) (9x), NWA World Tag Team Champion (Detroit version) (8x), NWA United States Heavyweight Champion (San Francisco version), NWA Florida Tag Team Champion (2x), ESA North American Heavyweight Champion, NWA International Heavyweight Champion (2x), NWA Canadian Open Tag Team Champion, NWA United States Heavyweight Champion (Toronto version), NWA United States Heavyweight Champion (Mid-Atlantic version), MWA Ohio Heavyweight Champion, MWA Ohio Tag Team Champion (3x), NWA Hall of Fame (2013), NWA Americas Heavyweight Champion (3x), NWA "Beat the Champ" Television Champion, NWA International Tag Team Champion (4x), NWA Pacific Coast Heavyweight Champion (Los Angeles version), WWA World Heavyweight Champion (2x), Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum (2008), SoW United States Heayweight Champion, WWA World Champion (2x), WWA World Tag Team Champion, WWWF United States Heavyweight Champion (7x), WWE Hall of Fame (1994), Wrestling Observer Hall of Fame (1996), World Negro Heavyweight Champion (2x)
The Son of a Plumber, the Common Man, the American Dream Dusty Rhodes was a staple of the NWA in the 70s and 80s. When he jumped to WWE, he was mistreated at first, but in recent years he has become one of its most respected backstage personalities.
Great on the mic, good in the ring, and unique in his booking ability, Rhodes worked for all the major companies and territories. A self-taught wrestler, the late great Dusty Rhodes had a charisma that could not, and will never, be matched.
Career Highlights: NWA North American Heavyweight Champion (Hawaii version), NWA World Tag Team Champion (Detroit version), NWA Central States Heavyweight Champion, NWA North American Tag Team Champion (Central States version), NWA Brass Knuckles Champion (Florida version)(2x), NWA Florida Bahamian Champion, NWA Florida Global Tag Team Champion, NWA Florida Heavyweight Champion (12x) NWA Florida Tag Team Champion (4x), NWA Florida Television Champion (2x), NWA Southern Heavyweight Champion (Florida version) (10x), NWA United States Tag Team Champion (Florida version) (2x), NWA World Heavyweight Champion (3x), Tragos/Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame (2017), NWA Georgia Heavyweight Champion, NWA National Heavyweight Champion, NWA World Heavyweight Champion, IWA World Tag Team Champion, NWA Mid-Atlantic Tag Team Champion, NWA World Heavyweigt Champion (3x), NWA United States Champion, NWA World Television Champion (3x), NWA World Tag Team Champion (Mid-Atlantic version) (2x), NWA World SIx-Man Tag Team Champion (2x), WCW Hall of Fme (1995), PWF World Heavyweight Champion, NWA Hall of Fame (2011), NWA Legends Hall of Heroes (2016), NWA American Tag Team Champion (2x), NWA Brass Knuckles Champion (Texas version) (3x), NWA United States Heavyweight Champion (San Francisco version), NWA North American Heavyweight Champion (Tri-State version), NWA United States Tag Team Champion (Tri-State version), NWF World Tag Team Champion, PWI Wrestler of the Year (1977, 1978), Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame & Museum (2010), IWA World Tag Team Champion, WWE Hall of Fame (2007), WWE Bronze Statue (2016), Wrestling Observer Hall of Fame (1996)
Great on the mic, good in the ring, and unique in his booking ability, Rhodes worked for all the major companies and territories. A self-taught wrestler, the late great Dusty Rhodes had a charisma that could not, and will never, be matched.
Career Highlights: NWA North American Heavyweight Champion (Hawaii version), NWA World Tag Team Champion (Detroit version), NWA Central States Heavyweight Champion, NWA North American Tag Team Champion (Central States version), NWA Brass Knuckles Champion (Florida version)(2x), NWA Florida Bahamian Champion, NWA Florida Global Tag Team Champion, NWA Florida Heavyweight Champion (12x) NWA Florida Tag Team Champion (4x), NWA Florida Television Champion (2x), NWA Southern Heavyweight Champion (Florida version) (10x), NWA United States Tag Team Champion (Florida version) (2x), NWA World Heavyweight Champion (3x), Tragos/Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame (2017), NWA Georgia Heavyweight Champion, NWA National Heavyweight Champion, NWA World Heavyweight Champion, IWA World Tag Team Champion, NWA Mid-Atlantic Tag Team Champion, NWA World Heavyweigt Champion (3x), NWA United States Champion, NWA World Television Champion (3x), NWA World Tag Team Champion (Mid-Atlantic version) (2x), NWA World SIx-Man Tag Team Champion (2x), WCW Hall of Fme (1995), PWF World Heavyweight Champion, NWA Hall of Fame (2011), NWA Legends Hall of Heroes (2016), NWA American Tag Team Champion (2x), NWA Brass Knuckles Champion (Texas version) (3x), NWA United States Heavyweight Champion (San Francisco version), NWA North American Heavyweight Champion (Tri-State version), NWA United States Tag Team Champion (Tri-State version), NWF World Tag Team Champion, PWI Wrestler of the Year (1977, 1978), Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame & Museum (2010), IWA World Tag Team Champion, WWE Hall of Fame (2007), WWE Bronze Statue (2016), Wrestling Observer Hall of Fame (1996)
What? Hear me out with this one.
R-Truth has been with the WWE since 2008, and he was there for a spell in the early 2000s as well. Truth -- under his real name of Ron Killings -- was influential in the early days of Impact (TNA) Wrestling. He's won titles everywhere he's gone inluding two runs with the NWA World title (becoming the first African American to capture the 10 lbs of gold). Truth is talented in the ring and always entertaining on the mic. A definite Hall of Famer, I wish WWE would acknowledge his NWA title run. Thanks to Brian for nominating Truth.
Career Highlights: CSWF Heavyweight Champion, MCW Southern Heavyweight Champion (2x), NWA Wildside Television Champion, NWA World Heavyweight Champion (2x), NWA World Tag Team Champion (2x), TNA World Tag Team Champion, WWE Tag Team Champion, WWE United States Champion (2x), WWE Hardcore Champon (2x), WWE Mixed Match Challenge 2
R-Truth has been with the WWE since 2008, and he was there for a spell in the early 2000s as well. Truth -- under his real name of Ron Killings -- was influential in the early days of Impact (TNA) Wrestling. He's won titles everywhere he's gone inluding two runs with the NWA World title (becoming the first African American to capture the 10 lbs of gold). Truth is talented in the ring and always entertaining on the mic. A definite Hall of Famer, I wish WWE would acknowledge his NWA title run. Thanks to Brian for nominating Truth.
Career Highlights: CSWF Heavyweight Champion, MCW Southern Heavyweight Champion (2x), NWA Wildside Television Champion, NWA World Heavyweight Champion (2x), NWA World Tag Team Champion (2x), TNA World Tag Team Champion, WWE Tag Team Champion, WWE United States Champion (2x), WWE Hardcore Champon (2x), WWE Mixed Match Challenge 2
WWE fans never got to see Andre in his prime but when he was able to move about, his in ring style resembled that of a much MUCH smaller man. Throwing dropkicks and suplexes and even using the Tombstone piledriver, Andre is the one name just as synonymous with the Hulkamania era of wrestling as the epnymous Hulk Hogan.
An accomplished wrestler, Andre used his charisma to transition to movies, starring in one of the all time great adventure/fantasty movies ever The Princess Bride. Andre was so influential and important to the sport, he became the first inductee into the WWE Hall of Fame. Thanks to Brian and Georges for nominating Andre.
Career Highlights: World's Strongest Tag Determination League East Sports Special Award (1991), NWA Florida Tag Team Chammpion, IWA World Tag Team Champion, Los Angeles Battle Royal (1975, 1980), Cow Palace Battle Royal (1977), International Wrestling Gradn Prix (1985), NA United States Tag Team Champion (Tri-State version), Professional Wrestlng Hall of Fame and Museum (2002), Stampede Wrestling Hall of Fame, NWA Austra-Asian Tag Team Champion, WWE Tag Team Champion, WWE Champion, WWE Bronze Statue (2013), WWE Hall of Fame (1993), Wrestling Observer Hall of Fame (1996), Canadian Wrestling Hall of Fame (2016)
An accomplished wrestler, Andre used his charisma to transition to movies, starring in one of the all time great adventure/fantasty movies ever The Princess Bride. Andre was so influential and important to the sport, he became the first inductee into the WWE Hall of Fame. Thanks to Brian and Georges for nominating Andre.
Career Highlights: World's Strongest Tag Determination League East Sports Special Award (1991), NWA Florida Tag Team Chammpion, IWA World Tag Team Champion, Los Angeles Battle Royal (1975, 1980), Cow Palace Battle Royal (1977), International Wrestling Gradn Prix (1985), NA United States Tag Team Champion (Tri-State version), Professional Wrestlng Hall of Fame and Museum (2002), Stampede Wrestling Hall of Fame, NWA Austra-Asian Tag Team Champion, WWE Tag Team Champion, WWE Champion, WWE Bronze Statue (2013), WWE Hall of Fame (1993), Wrestling Observer Hall of Fame (1996), Canadian Wrestling Hall of Fame (2016)
Debuting in the WWE as a member of the Shield, Dean Ambrose has quickly become a fan favorite. His promos on the indies are the stuff of legends, and while he has been held back in the WWE, his in ring ability is superior to many up and comers today.
Ambrose -- whose real name is Jon Good and who competed on the indies under Jon Moxley -- is one of the most unique performers in the sport today.
Career Highlights: CZW World Heavyweight Champion (2x), FIP World Heavyweight Champion, HWA Heavyweight Champion (3x), HWA Tag Team Champion (5x), MPW Heavyweight Champion, MPW Tag Team Champion, IPW World Heavyweight Champion (2x), IPW Mid-Atlantic Champion, IWA Tag Team Champion, PWI Most Popular Wrestler (2014, 2015), wXw World Tag Team Champion, WWE Champion, WWE Intercontinental Champion (3x), WWE Tag Team Champion (2x), WWE United States Champion, Money in the Bank (2016),
Ambrose -- whose real name is Jon Good and who competed on the indies under Jon Moxley -- is one of the most unique performers in the sport today.
Career Highlights: CZW World Heavyweight Champion (2x), FIP World Heavyweight Champion, HWA Heavyweight Champion (3x), HWA Tag Team Champion (5x), MPW Heavyweight Champion, MPW Tag Team Champion, IPW World Heavyweight Champion (2x), IPW Mid-Atlantic Champion, IWA Tag Team Champion, PWI Most Popular Wrestler (2014, 2015), wXw World Tag Team Champion, WWE Champion, WWE Intercontinental Champion (3x), WWE Tag Team Champion (2x), WWE United States Champion, Money in the Bank (2016),
The first female on this list, AJ Lee is partly responsible for the "revolution" in women's wrestling today, primarily in the WWE. Without AJ, you don't have the likes of Ronda Rousey, Charlotte Flair, and Becky Lynch headlining Wrestlemania.
AJ went from a fan to one of the top female performers in the WWE in such a short time. She was the runner-up on the third season of NXT when it was a reality based competition, AJ is a three time Divas' champion, three time Diva of the year, three time PWI Woman of the Year, and a published author.
Career Highlights: FCW Divas' Champion, Queen of FCW, PWI Woman of the Year (2012, 2013, 2014), WSU Tag Team Champion, WSU/NWS King and Queen of the Ring (2009), WWE Divas' Champion (3x), WWE Diva of the Year (2012, 2014)
AJ went from a fan to one of the top female performers in the WWE in such a short time. She was the runner-up on the third season of NXT when it was a reality based competition, AJ is a three time Divas' champion, three time Diva of the year, three time PWI Woman of the Year, and a published author.
Career Highlights: FCW Divas' Champion, Queen of FCW, PWI Woman of the Year (2012, 2013, 2014), WSU Tag Team Champion, WSU/NWS King and Queen of the Ring (2009), WWE Divas' Champion (3x), WWE Diva of the Year (2012, 2014)
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 80 - 1? Let me know in the comments below and hey, thanks for reading!