The fabulous fifty: based on athletic ability, showmanship, and just sheer charisma, we pick the 50 greatest wrestlers of the last 50 years

Kevin Eck

THE DEMISE OF BOTH WORLD Championship Wrestling and Extreme Championship Wrestling this past year ushered in a new era for the professional wrestling industry. For the first time in the history of the business, there is a monopoly on the product in this country. Although there are plans for several new promotions, there appears to be no viable competition for Vince McMahon's WWF in the foreseeable future.

With that in mind, we figured it was the right time for reflection. Although wrestling has spanned centuries, the modern age of wrestling as a unique form of entertainment began during the early days of television. Using that time frame as a starting point, we have compiled a list of the top 50 wrestlers from the past 50 years. The list is intended to reflect the top performers in the U.S. and does not consider international achievements.

The selections were made using the following criteria:

* Success as a main-event performer. Of course, this is measured in different ways, depending upon the decade. Wrestlers on top in the '50s and '60s were considered successful if their presence on a card sold rickets. Today, main-eventers also are judged by their ability to sell merchandise and deliver strong pay-per-view buy rates, among other things.

* Individual achievements in the ring. We all know wrestling isn't actual competition, but we did take wins and losses into consideration. For this list, how good of a worker a wrestler may be is not as important as his record and his position on the card. That's why someone with a near unblemished record who is a poor worker will be ranked much higher than a good worker who loses his share of matches and isn't a consistent main-eventer.

As far as winning titles, again, the standard for success is dependent upon the era. Thirty years ago, wrestlers held on to world titles for years at a time. Now titles change hands every few months.

* Longevity and overall impact. Those who remained on top for a long period and left their mark will score the highest here, followed by those who impacted the industry in the short term but lacked staying power. Wrestlers who had long careers but made less of an impact were not given as much consideration.

It's not easy comparing athletes from different eras in legitimate sports, much less a worked sport like wrestling. Therefore, like any list of this type, it is not to be taken as absolute. We welcome and encourage your opinions and comments.

Here, then, are WRESTLING DIGEST'S top 50 wrestlers of the last 50 years:

1. Hulk Hogan

Unquestionably the biggest star in the history of the business, his name almost has become synonymous with professional wrestling.

Hogan reigned as WCW world champion six times and held the WWF world title on five occasions. He never was regarded as a good or even mediocre worker in the ring, but he didn't have to be. With his over-the-top interviews, blond hair, and chiseled, bronzed physique, Hogan's charisma was so abundant that he could electrify the crowd with the most basic of wrestling maneuvers.

When WWF chairman Vince McMahon decided to take his Northeast-based promotion national in 1983, he knew tie needed a dazzling babyface champion to build around. Hogan, who was working for the American Wrestling Association at the time, was the logical choice. He already was the top box-office draw in the country, thanks in part to his appearance in Rocky III in 1982, but Hogan's popularity--and wrestling's--soared to an unprecedented level after he left the AWA for the WWF.

Portrayed as a superhero who encouraged children to "train, say your prayers, and take your vitamins," Hogan's appeal transcended wrestling. His likeness appeared on everything from lunch boxes to pajamas to ice cream bars. On March 31, 1985, Hogan teamed with Mr. T to defeat Roddy Piper and Paul Orndorff in the historic main event of the inaugural WrestleMania, wrestling's Super Bowl. Hogan wrestled in the main event or was a prominent figure in the first nine WrestleManias.

With Hogan as the star attraction, wrestling returned to network television after a 30-year absence, as "Saturday Night's Main Event" debuted on NBC in 1985. Hogan's status as an icon was cemented at WrestleMania III in 1987 when he pinned Andre the Giant (who had never been pinned before in a U.S. match) before 93,173 fans--the largest indoor crowd for an event of any kind--at the Silverdome. Andre, however, avenged that loss by ending Hogan's four-year title reign in 1988 in a match televised live in prime-time by NBC. With an estimated audience of 33 million, it was the most viewed wrestling match in history.

Hogan left the WWF in 1993 due to creative differences and signed with WCW. Just as he did 10 years earlier in the WWF, Hogan won the world title in his first match, defeating Ric Flair.

Hogan again was at the forefront when wrestling became chic again in 1996. After a 12-year run as the top babyface in the business, Hogan turned heel and reinvented himself as "Hollywood" Hogan, the leader of the New World Order, a rogue group of wrestlers attempting to take over WCW. In his new role, Hogan helped WCW unseat the WWF as the No. 1 wrestling organization in the country and begin a two-year run on top. His showdown with Sting at Starrcade '97 was among the most anticipated matches of all time and delivered the highest pay-per-view buy rate in WCW history.

Hogan has kept a low profile since walking away from WCW under controversial circumstances in July 2000, although most in the industry believe we haven't seen the last of him.

2. Lou Thesz

For several decades, Thesz was considered the greatest wrestler and most respected champion in the industry. Although he won the first of his six National Wrestling Alliance world titles in 1937, Thesz remained an elite performer throughout the '50s and '60s.

He won his fourth NWA world title by defeating Bill Longson in July 1948 and held the belt until losing to "Whipper" Billy Watson in March 1956. Thesz regained the title from Watson eight months later and defended it for a year. Thesz's final run as NWA world champion began in January 1963 with a victory over Buddy Rogers and ended in January 1966 with a loss to Gene Kiniski.

Throughout his title reigns, Thesz was generally regarded as the undisputed world champion. A master technician and an innovator in the ring, his phenomenal skills brought a sense of legitimacy to wrestling during an era in which that was considered important. Moreover, his knowledge of submission holds came in handy if opponents tried to double-cross him in the ring. His finisher, the body press, has come to be known as "the Thesz Press" and is still used by many wrestlers today, including Steve Austin.

At 6'1" and 225 pounds, Thesz was considered quite a physical specimen in his day, and he kept himself in fighting shape even as a senior citizen. Thesz continued to win regional championships into his 60s, and he didn't wrestle his last match until 1990, when he lost to Japanese star Masa Chono in Japan at the age of 74.

3. Ric Flair

"To be the man, you gotta beat the man," is Flair's mantra, and he was the man throughout the '80s and '90s. "The Nature Boy" has won more world championships than anyone, holding the NWA/WCW world title 13 times and the WWF world title on two occasions.

With his custom-made suits and perfectly coiffured blond locks, he certainly looked the part of a champion. He wrestled like one, too. Flair was perhaps the industry's most complete performer, combining showmanship and unparalleled microphone skills with superb wrestling ability. He was such an excellent worker that he was able to have good matches with wrestlers of all styles.

He had staying power, as well. Flair, whose career nearly was cut short after suffering a broken back in a 1975 plane crash, won his first NWA world title in 1981, and still was a top-level competitor in 2001. He bridged the gap between pro wrestling and "sports-entertainment," having had classic matches with old-school legends as well as '90s stars.

Starting in 1990, management tried to replace him as champion, feeling he was too old. But no matter how much the company brass attempted to bury him, fans demanded to see Flair on top. He went on to win eight more world titles after 1990, including a victory over Jeff Jarrett for the WCW belt in 2000 at the age of 51.

Flair preferred to wrestle as a heel, but it became difficult to stay a bad guy as he aged because the fans loved him so much. Although he plans to wrestle only on occasion now, Flair, currently playing the co-owner of the WWF, is still a valuable commodity in the business.

4. Bruno Sammartino

"The Living Legend," was one of the most beloved wrestlers ever. A native of Abruzzi, Italy, Sammartino was a legitimate strongman in an era before steroids were prevalent. For nearly 20 years, Sammartino was one of wrestling's top draws, especially at Madison Square Garden and throughout the Northeast. He spent his entire career trying to bring respect to an often sleazy business. He helped bring credibility to the fledgling World Wide Wrestling Federation (now the WWF) when he defeated Buddy Rogers in 1963 to become the second WWWF world champion. He held the title for seven years and eight months, the longest world-title reign in history.

Sammartino became the first man to regain the WWWF world title, winning it again in 1973 and successfully defending it for nearly three years. In total, Sammartino held the world title for 11 of the federation's first 14 years of existence.

During his first reign, the notion that Sammartino could actually lose was unfathomable. The unthinkable finally happened in 1971, when Ivan Koloff stunned a sold-out crowd at the Garden by pinning the champ. In 1972, Sammartino returned to the federation and wrestled current champ Pedro Morales to a 75-minute curfew draw in a rare babyface vs. babyface contest billed as "the Match of the Century" at New York's Shea Stadium.

During his second reign, Sammartino suffered a broken neck at the hands of Stan Hansen in a 1976 bout, but he came back a few months later and defeated Hansen in a rematch at Shea. After losing the title to "Superstar" Billy Graham in 1977, a semi-retired Sammartino remained a big box-office draw. His final big angle occurred in 1980, when his long-time protege, Larry Zbyszko, turned. The feud built to a stunning climax, as Sammartino defeated Zbyszko in a cage match before 36,295 at Shea.

5. Verne Gagne

With his receding hairline, soft voice, and reliance on substance over style, Gagne would not cut it today as a "sports-entertainer." But in his day, Gagne was regarded as a wrestler's wrestler and one of the industry's greatest champions.

Gagne parlayed his considerable skills as an amateur wrestler into a pro career that spanned four decades. During the '60s and '70s, Gagne was to the Midwest-based AWA what Sammartino was to the Northeast's WWWF. He held the AWA world title 10 times, including one reign that began in August 1968 and ended in November 1975. Overall, Gagne wore the AWA world belt for more than 13 of the organization's first 21 years of existence.

Gagne won his final AWA world title at the age of 57 in July 1980, defeating archrival Nick Bockwinkel (who had beaten Gagne for the title in '75) at Comiskey Park in Chicago. That reign lasted 10 months before Gagne, who still was in outstanding physical condition, did what no other world champion has done before or since--he retired as the champion.

After his career as an active wrestler ended, Gagne continued to be one of the most influential figures in the business. Not only was he the AWA promoter, but he also trained a number of wrestlers who went on to become stars.

6. Andre the Giant

Known as the "Eighth Wonder of the World," Andre was one of the most famous wrestlers and top gate attractions of all time. Standing 7'4" and weighing anywhere from 400 to 500-plus pounds, Andre truly was a larger-than-life figure.

Before the "Hulkamania" era, Andre, depicted as a smiling, friendly giant, was wrestling's most recognizable star. Although he had wrestled under the names Andre "the Butcher" Rousimoff and Jean Ferre for nearly a decade in France, Canada, and Japan, he didn't make an impact in the U.S. until 1973.

Shortly after debuting in the U.S., he was given the name Andre the Giant by WWWF promoter Vince McMahon Sr., and a legend was born. Andre was a regular in the WWWF, but he also broke attendance records in all the major U.S. territories during the days when promoters cooperated with each other.

Although Andre did not suffer a pinfall loss in the U.S. until his 1987 bout against Hogan at WrestleMania III, he rarely received shots at the world titles. Instead, Andre was regarded by promoters as a special attraction, usually wrestling handicap matches against two or three opponents or facing the larger heels of the day.

Andre's first feud with Hogan, then a heel, in 1980, helped elevate Hogan to main-event status. Seven years before their classic WrestleMania III match, Andre and Hogan wrestled all over the country in front of packed houses, including a bout at Shea Stadium underneath the Sammartino-Zbyszko cage match.

In one of the biggest angles ever, Andre turned heel in 1987 and challenged Hogan for the world title. A year later, he defeated Hogan to win the title, but he immediately sold the belt to "the Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase, so Andre's lone world-title reign lasted about a minute.

7. Gorgeous George

Cocky, cowardly heels with long, blond hair and flamboyant robes have been a pro wrestling staple for the last half-century, and it all began with the inimitable Gorgeous George.

Although he never won a major world title, George revolutionized the industry with his showmanship. In the process, George not only became a wrestling sensation, but he also was one of the early stars of television. When network TV was in its infancy, wrestling was among the first hit shows, largely because people tuned in to see George's outlandish antics. He became the first wrestler to rub elbows with mainstream celebs, as Bob Hope often sat ringside for his matches.

Before George came along, heels always had been intimidating, nasty brutes, but he changed the perception of what a heel is. A journeyman grappler the first 10 years of his career, he hit it big by wearing sequined robes, growing out his curly hair, dying it blond, and holding it in place with gold-plated bobby pins. A true pioneer, George may have been the first wrestler to have entrance music, as he came to the ring to "Pomp and Circumstance" (the same tune used over three decades later by Randy Savage). He was accompanied to the ring by a male valet, who would spray the ring with perfume and help George primp before the match. Once the action got under way, George would infuriate the crowd by prancing effeminately around the ring, cowering to his opponents and using stalling tactics.

George's prime years were the early '50s, although he remained one of the top attractions through the end of the decade.

8. Buddy Rogers

Decades before Flair gained notoriety, Rogers paved the way as the original "Nature Boy." Taking his cue from Gorgeous George, Rogers dyed his hair blond, wore flashy robes, and adopted an arrogant, strutting heel persona. Unlike Gorgeous George, however, Rogers was a serious wrestler, and is regarded as one of the best workers of all time.

Rogers held the NWA world title from June 1961 to January 1963, and was the first WWWF world champion. He became the first wrestler to have held both the NWA and WWWF world titles, and he remained the only one to do so until Flair equaled the feat in 1992.

Rogers was the top draw in wrestling during the '50s and early '60s, and perhaps the best-drawing heel ever. Basking in his role as the guy fans loved to hate, Rogers was one of the first wrestlers to get serious heel heat for his promos.

He defeated Pat O'Connor to win the NWA world title before 38,622 fans at Chicago's Comiskey Park, and then successfully defended the title against O'Connor several months later at the same venue before 30,000 fans. During his reign as NWA world champ, Rogers defended the title all over the country against the top babyfaces, as fans gobbled up tickets in hopes of seeing someone dethrone him. They finally got their wish when the popular Thesz defeated Rogers for the belt. The result of that match forever changed the wrestling landscape.

Northeastern promoters were not in favor of Rogers dropping the title, so they pulled out of the NWA and formed a new organization, the WWWF, recognizing Rogers as its first champion. Rogers suffered a heart attack a few months later, and retired shortly thereafter. He returned to the ring on rare occasions in subsequent years, most notably for a few matches against Flair in the "Battle of the Nature Boys" series in 1979.

9. Harley Race

Although he once had bleached-blond hair and went under the moniker of "Handsome Harley," Race proved throughout his distinguished career that he didn't need to rely on a nickname or a gimmick. With his gravelly voice, rugged looks, and no-nonsense approach, Race gained a reputation as one of the toughest guys in wrestling. He also was one of the most accomplished.

Race won the NWA world title eight times and was perhaps the No. 1 wrestler in the business during a four-year period in the late '70s and early '80s. Over that span, Race defended the NWA world title over 300 times a year.

After capturing the AWA world tag-team title three times with Larry Hennig and winning numerous regional titles during the '60s and early '70s, Race broke through to the upper echelon when he defeated Dory Funk Jr. for the NWA world title in May 1973, ending Funk Jr.'s reign of more than four years.

He lost the title two months later to Jack Brisco, and it would be three years before Race got his hands on the NWA world title again. Race's second reign began in February 1977, when he dethroned Terry Funk. This time, Race held the title for two years before losing it to Dusty Rhodes. Five days later, Race won the belt back from Rhodes, beginning a trend of Race losing the title and then regaining it within days.

It seemed as if the Race era had come to an end in June 1981, when he lost the belt to Rhodes a second time and did not win it right back. Race, however, wasn't through. He went on to defeat Ric Flair for the championship in June 1983 and defended it for five months before dropping it back to Flair in the main event of the inaugural Starrcade. During a March 1984 tour, Race held the title one last time, beating Flak in New Zealand and losing to him two days later in Singapore.

10. Steve Austin

For the first seven years of his career, Austin was a successful and respected wrestler, but main-event status was elusive. Persistence, however, would pay off in a huge way for Austin, who has been wrestling's biggest star during the industry's boom period of the last five years.

A six-time WWF world champion, "Stone Cold" is one of the top drawing cards of all time and has sold more merchandise over a two-year period than anyone, including Hogan at his peak. A foul-mouthed, beer-drinking brawler, Austin became the poster boy for the era of "WWF Attitude." Austin, who had played a cocky, blond-haired heel early in his career, shaved his head and unleashed the sadistic side of his personality in 1996.

The 1996 King of the Ring pay-per-view was Austin's launching pad to stardom. After defeating Jake Roberts--whose character was portrayed as a born-again Christian--to win the King of the Ring tournament, Austin delivered a defining promo in which he said, "You talk about John 3:16. Well, Austin 3:16 says I just whipped your ass!" Fans picked up on the line and began bringing "AUSTIN 3:16" signs to the shows. Seeing how much Austin was getting over, the WWF marketing machine slapped "AUSTIN 3:16" on every conceivable piece of merchandise.

Although Austin was a heel, the fans--having grown tired of cookie-cutter babyfaces--began cheering for him. Austin eventually turned babyface and defeated Shawn Michaels at WrestleMania XIV to win his first WWF world title.

Right after Austin's title win, he began feuding with heel WWF owner Mr. McMahon, and interest in their conflict catapulted the WWF's TV ratings past WCW for the first time in 83 weeks. With Austin-McMahon as the federation's main story line for over a year, the WWF regained the upperhand in the ratings and did record business.

When Austin won his third WWF world title by defeating the Rock at WrestleMania XV, it drew the largest pay-per-view audience in history. Austin was sidelined for most of 2000 after having spinal surgery, and doctors advised him to retire. He returned at the end of the year, however, and quickly picked up where he'd left off. In March 2001 at WrestleMania X-Seven, Austin again beat the Rock before 67,925 fans at the Houston Astrodome to capture his fifth WWF world title in the highest-grossing gate ($3.5 million) in wrestling history.

11. Dory Funk Jr.

He was the most successful member of the famous Funk family of wrestlers, which included his father, Dory Sr., and brother Terry. Funk Jr. made his pro debut in 1963, quickly establishing himself as one of the top workers in the business. He defeated Gene Kiniski for the NWA world title in February 1969 and held it until May 1973. Funk Jr.'s title reign of four years and three months was the second-longest in the history of the NWA, which was formed in 1948. During his run, Funk Jr. engaged in a series of classic matches against Jack Brisco, including a number of 60-minute draws.

After losing the title, Funk Jr. remained a top contender through the early '80s and won a number of regional titles.

12. Gene Kiniski

It may have been a stretch when Kiniski would refer to himself as "Canada's Greatest Athlete," but he is certainly one of Canada's greatest wrestlers. Kiniski is one of only two men to have held the NWA and AWA world titles, and he defeated two of wrestling's greatest champions to win the belts.

He beat Verne Gagne for the AWA world title in July 1961, losing it back to Gagne a month later. Kiniski enjoyed a much more successful run as NWA world champion, defeating Lou Thesz in January 1966 and retaining the title until losing to Dory Funk Jr. in February 1969.

"Big Thunder" wasn't a fan-favorite, but he was undeniably one of the most respected grapplers of the '60s.

13. Dusty Rhodes

"The American Dream" was one of the most charismatic, popular wrestlers of all time. He was similar to Hulk Hogan in that he never was regarded as a great worker, but he knew how to entertain both in the ring and on the microphone.

Although the fast-talking Rhodes had a flamboyant, over-the-top persona, fans looked at the portly son of a plumber as something of a common man and an underdog. After gaining notoriety with Dick Murdoch as the Texas Outlaws, a hated tag team in the '60s, Rhodes went on to become one of the leading babyfaces of the '70s and '80s.

Rhodes was a huge draw all over the U.S., and at one point he was a top star in the WWWF and the NWA simultaneously. Rhodes had big-money feuds with many of the top heels of his era, including Harley Race, Ric Flair, the Funks, and "Superstar" Billy Graham. He won the NWA world title three times, although his three reigns lasted less than four months total.

14. The Rock

Only a handful of wrestlers have achieved as much mainstream recognition as the Rock, and none have done it in such a short amount of time in the business. Beyond living up to his billing as the most electrifying man in sports-entertainment," the Rock has become one of the most prominent celebrities in any form of entertainment.

A third-generation wrestler, the Rock made his debut in 1996. He won the WWF intercontinental title in February 1997, and in November 1998, he won the first of his six WWF world titles (he also has held the WCW world title twice).

When he first came on the scene as Rocky Maivia, a humble, smiling babyface, the jaded audience vehemently rejected him. But they all wanted to get a piece of the Rock, a trash-talking, catch-phrase-spewing character who always refers to himself in the third person.

With or without a belt, the Rock is unquestionably the "People's Champion." Only 29, the Rock figures to have a lot of years on top in wrestling ahead of him--that is, unless he leaves the business to pursue a career in Hollywood.

15. Bob Backlund

Known as the "All-American Boy," Backlund held the WWF world title longer than anyone except Bruno Sammartino and Hulk Hogan. He won the belt from "Superstar" Billy Graham in February 1978 and--except for a week in 1979--held it for nearly six years.

With his boyish looks and wholesome image, the soft-spoken Backlund certainly wasn't charismatic, but he was incredibly popular with the fans and a big draw at Madison Square Garden during his title reign. Backlund's act grew stale in his last year as champion, however, and when WWF chairman Vince McMahon decided to launch the WWF as a national promotion, Backlund wasn't in his plans.

Backlund lost the title to the Iron Sheik in December 1983 and quietly faded from the scene as the "Hulkamania" era began. He resurfaced in 1994, returning to the WWF as an old-school babyface. He eventually turned heel, portraying a fanatic bent on cleaning up wrestling. Backlund regained the world title by defeating Bret Hart in November 1994, but he lost it three days later to Diesel (Kevin Nash) in a match that lasted only a few seconds.

16. Nick Bockwinkel

Only Verne Gagne held the AWA world title longer or more times than Bockwinkel. Unlike the popular Gagne, however, Bockwinkel was despised by the fans. Bockwinkel was articulate and eloquent, but he also was arrogant and condescending, referring to himself as "the smartest wrestler alive." Prior to becoming AWA world champion, he formed a highly successful tag team with Ray Stevens, and the duo enjoyed three lengthy reigns as AWA world tag-team champions between 1971-75.

Bockwinkel ended Gagne's seven-year reign as AWA world champion in November 1975. With cunning manager Bobby Heenan by his side, Bockwinkel used every dirty trick imaginable to hold onto the title. Bockwinkel retained the championship until July 1980, when Gagne regained it. After Gagne retired as the champion in May 1981, Bockwinkel was awarded the title by virtue of being the No. 1 contender. He ended up being a four-time champ. After wrestling as a heel for two decades, Bockwinkel's final reign, from June 1986 until May 1987, was as a babyface.

17. Randy Savage

A frequent rival and sometimes ally of Hulk Hogan, the colorful "Macho Man" was one of wrestling's top stars from the mid-'80s to the late '90s. The raspy-voiced Savage was an intense performer both in the ring and on his interviews. He frequently switched back and forth between babyface and heel throughout his career and was compelling in both roles.

Savage had heated feuds with the likes of Hogan and Ric Flair, often in soap-opera style story lines with his manager, Elizabeth (his wife then, now his ex), as a focal point. He won the WCW world title four times and the WWF world title twice. On the undercard of WrestleMania III, Savage lost the WWF intercontinental title to Rick Steamboat in a match considered by many as one of the greatest ever.

Savage has also become a recognizable figure outside of wrestling, due in large part to his Slim Jim TV commercials.

18. Jack Brisco

A national amateur wrestling champion at Oklahoma, Brisco went on to become one of the most popular and accomplished pro wrestlers of the '70s. Brisco, a tremendous worker in the ring, won the NWA world title twice and was capable of having good matches with just about anyone. His first reign began when he defeated Harley Race in July 1973 and lasted until December 1974, when he lost to Shoehei "Giant" Baba in Japan. Brisco regained the belt a week later and retained it until losing to Terry Funk in December 1975.

He went on to win numerous regional titles and form a successful tag team with his brother, Jerry. After wrestling as fan-favorites for over a decade, the Briscos turned heel in the early '80s. They won the NWA tag-team title twice and engaged in a hot feud with the popular team of Rick Steamboat and Jay Youngblood.

19. "Superstar" Billy Graham

Just how much of an influential figure was Graham? To answer that, just take a look at the man who's No.1 on this list. Hulk Hogan freely admits that he based much of his gimmick on Graham's persona. "The Hulkster" isn't alone in that regard, as others such as Jesse "the Body" Ventura and Scott Steiner developed characters reminiscent of Graham.

With his colorful ring attire, blond hair, and tanned, sculpted physique, the charismatic Graham was the first muscleman relying almost exclusively on power moves to make it big. One of the leading heels of the '70s, Graham defeated Bruno Sammartino in April 1977 to win the WWWF world title and held it until losing to Bob Backlund in February 1978.

Graham's reign was the longest by a heel in WWWF history to that point. He was a big draw wherever he went, especially at Madison Square Garden, during his run as champion.

20. Bret Hart

"The best there is, the best there was, and the best there ever will be," is how Hart always hoped to be regarded. Unfortunately, despite being a five-time WWF world champion, two-time WCW world champion, and one of the most technically sound wrestlers ever, "the Hitman" probably will best be remembered for his infamous 1997 Survivor Series match in Montreal.

In that bout, Hart lost the WWF world title to archrival Shawn Michaels when WWF chairman Vince McMahon apparently double-crossed him. As Michaels locked on the Sharpshooter, Hart's own finisher, McMahon ordered the referee to call for the bell, claiming Hart submitted.

Hart was a consistent main-eventer between 1992-2000 and one of the top workers in wrestling in that span. His career of more than 20 years came to an abrupt halt early in 2000 when a series of concussions forced him to retire.

21. Sting

Before March 27, 1988, Sting was considered an up-and-coming wrestler, but not a main-eventer. On that day, however, Sting wrestled NWA world champion Ric Flair to a time-limit draw in the first Clash of the Champions, broadcast live on TBS, and a star was born.

Sting went on to have a number of classic matches with Flair throughout his career, and was one of the top babyfaces in the NWA/WCW for more than 12 years. While virtually every big-name wrestler had jumped back and forth between the WWF and WCW in that span--especially WCW stars seeking greener pastures in the WWF--Sting was the one constant for WCW, and thus was known as the company's franchise player.

Sting won the NWA/WCW world titles six times. For years, Sting wore colorful face paint and had a blond flattop, but when wrestling became edgier in the late '90s, Sting transformed into a brooding character with long black hair, black ring attire, and makeup resembling "the Crow" of comic-book and movie fame. If anything, the new-look Sting was even more popular, and he engaged in a year-long feud with Hulk Hogan during WCW's most profitable period.

22. Ray Stevens

In the same vein as Buddy Rogers and Ric Flair, Stevens established himself as one of the best all-around performers in the business. In particular, he was among the top workers and bump-takers of the '60s. Nicknamed "the Crippler," Stevens was one of the West Coast's greatest drawing cards ever, first as a heel and later as a babyface. He never won a major world title, but he was consistently a top challenger and had memorable title matches with champions ranging from Bruno Sammartino to Ric Flair.

Stevens, whose 42-year career in wrestling began at age 15, worked his first main-event program in 1952 against Gorgeous George; his last was in 1982 against Jimmy Snuka. In addition to his singles success, Stevens was a partner in two of the all-time great tag teams with Nick Bockwinkel and Pat Patterson.

23. Roddy Piper

One of the keys to wrestling's resurgence in the mid-'80s was finding an entertaining heel to feud with the enormously popular Hulk Hogan. "Rowdy" Roddy Piper, already one of the top heels in the business at the time, was the perfect man for the job. A tremendous talker, Piper was at his obnoxious best during his "Pipers Pit" interview segments. In one of the most infamous acts in wrestling history, Piper smashed a coconut over Jimmy Snuka's head during "Piper's Pit," touching off a heated feud.

Piper held numerous regional titles, as well as the prestigious WWF intercontinental and NWA U.S. championships. After turning babyface in 1986, the fans loved Piper as intensely as they once hated him.

24. Pat O'Connor

Known for his superb wrestling skills and the classy manner in which he carried himself, O'Connor was a top star in the '50s and '60s. The New Zealand native won the NWA world title from Dick Hutton in January 1959 and held it until June 1961, when he lost to Buddy Rogers.

As champion, O'Connor met and defeated some of the biggest names. Technically, O'Connor is the only man to have held the NWA and AWA world titles simultaneously. He was named the first AWA world champion in May 1960, but he never defended the belt due to an injury, and the AWA stripped him of the title after 90 days and awarded it to Verne Gagne.

25. Antonino Rocca

By introducing high-flying maneuvers to wrestling, Rocca was one of the industry's most influential performers. With a unique style in which his bare feet often were used as weapons, he was one of the key figures in wrestling's popularity surge during the early days of TV.

Like many stars of that era, his fame went beyond wrestling and into the mainstream. Particularly popular in the Northeast, Rocca was a top draw all over the country in the '50s. Rocca wrestled world champions such as Lou Thesz and Buddy Rogers before sellout crowds, but the world title eluded him.

26. Terry Funk

Perhaps more than any wrestler in history, Funk has exhibited an ability to adapt to the industry's ever-changing landscape and remain a vital part of it He made his debut in 1965 and was one of wrestling's elite performers when he announced his retirement in 1983. It' would be the first of many "retirements" for Funk, who was still competing--and winning titles--into 2000 at age 56.

Funk scored the biggest victory of his career when he defeated Jack Brisco for the NWA world title in December 1975. He retained it until February 1977. In the '80s, he challenged Hulk Hogan for the WWF world title and Ric Flair for the NWA world title. In the '90s, the ageless Funk updated his vast repertoire with modern moves like the moonsault and continued to absorb--and dish out--punishment in hardcore matches.

27. Johnny Valentine

A main-event performer from the '50s to the mid'-70s, Valentine was among the most hated wrestlers of his era. Employing a methodical style, he understood ring psychology as well as anyone.

Valentine wrestled in a number of territories and was a big draw wherever he went. He held many regional titles, including the NWA U.S. championship, and was a frequent challenger to the world titles. Valentine's career ended prematurely after a plane crash in 1975 (the same one in which Ric Flair suffered a broken back) left him partially paralyzed.

28. The Crusher

Four decades before Steve Austin, the Crusher achieved stardom with a similar formula. Short on technique and long on barroom-style brawling, the beer-guzzling, cigar-smoking Crusher began as a heel, but eventually became a hero to working-class fans because of his entertaining promos and no-nonsense approach.

Known as "the Man Who Made Milwaukee Famous," he became a legend in the Midwest, winning the AWA world title three times between 1963-65. He also was an accomplished tag-team wrestler, capturing the AWA world tag-team belts eight times with four different partners, including five reigns with beer-drinking partner Dick the Bruiser.

29. Dick the Bruiser

Like his partner, the Crusher, Bruiser's brawling style and tough-guy persona influenced generations of wrestlers to come. Also like Crusher, Bruiser--who was a starting offensive lineman with the Green Bay Packers before he entered wrestling--became incredibly popular after initially making his mark as a heel.

In a career that began in the '50s and spanned four decades, Bruiser was a top draw in the AWA and several NWA territoties. He held the AWA world title for one week in November 1966 and won many regional titles and tag-team titles.

30. Bobo Brazil

Brazil is credited with breaking the color barrier in wrestling and was the `industry's first black superstar. Known for his dreaded head butts, which were referred to as "Coco Butts," Brazil began his career in the '50s and was active into the '80s. In the '60s and '70s, he was one of the leading babyfaces in the business.

During Bruno Sammartino's two reigns as WWWF world champion, Brazil often was positioned as the company's No. 2 babyface. He also was a headliner in his own right, engaging in big-money feuds with the likes of the Sheik (a conflict that went on for decades) and Fred Blassie.

31. The Undertaker

He's been at the top of the WWF card since making his impressive debut at the 1990 Survivor Series. During his 11-year run in the federation, the Undertaker has won the WWF world title three times and defeated nearly every big-name wrestler.

Originally cast as a ghoulish heel who rarely spoke, the Undertaker managed to take a somewhat limited character and keep it flesh by reinventing himself every so often. Effective as a heel or a babyface, he has been involved in several big-money programs, including a recurring feud with Steve Austin.

32. Shawn Michaels

"The Heartbreak Kid" was arguably the most spectacular in-ring performer of the '90s and one of the best workers ever. Unfortunately, a back injury forced him into retirement at age 33.

After spending the first seven years of his career primarily as a tag-team wrestler, Michaels went solo in 1992. He was a main-event wrestler in the WWF--both as a babyface and as a heel--between 1995-98, winning the world title three times and headlining three WrestleManias. His high-flying, risk-taking style influenced many of today's wrestlers.

33. Pedro Morales

After establishing himself as an up-and-coming wrestler on the West Coast in the '60s, Morales entered the WWWF in the early '70s and realized his potential. He won the WWWF world title in February 1971 by defeating Ivan Koloff, who a month earlier had ended Bruno Sammartino's legendary reign.

Replacing Sammartino as the federation's top babyface, Morales was a huge draw at Madison Square Garden during his reign of almost three years. Morales kept a rather low profile after losing the title, then returned to the WWF in 1980 and became the first two-rime WWF intercontinental champion.

34. Fritz Von Erich

The patriarch of the Von Erich family (five of his sons became wrestlers), he was one of the leading heels of the '50s and '60s. The master of the Iron Claw, one of the most famous finishing holds of all time, Von Erich first gained notoriety portraying a Nazi heel. He defeated Verne Gagne for the AWA world title in July 1963 and held numerous regional titles throughout the NWA territories.

After a lengthy and successful run as a heel, Von Erich became the top babyface in Texas, winning the World Class Texas American title 15 times.

35. "Killer" Kowalski

Among the most feared and hated men in wrestling for three decades, Kowalski's reputation as a sadistic heel was established in the early '50s when he ripped off a portion of Yukon Eric's ear.

Kowalski won regional championships all over the U.S. and numerous matches against the likes of Verne Gagne, Buddy Rogers, and Pat O'Connor. Kowalski also engaged in a legendary feud with Bruno Sammartino over the WWWF world title, which he came close to winning several times in the '60s and '70s.

36. Rick Steamboat

`The Dragon' was the last of the truly good guys. During his 18-year career, Steamboat never wrestled as a heel, making him the only main-event level wrestler not to turn at least once since the days of Bruno Sammartino and Verne Gagne.

Steamboat began winning regional titles shortly after his debut in 1976 and was one of the top wrestlers in the business by 1978. He had a tremendous rivalry with Ric Flair that began during the first years of his career and heated up at various times until his retirement in 1994. A star in both the NWA/WCW and the WWF, Steamboat defeated Flair for the NWA world title in February 1989 and held it for three months.

37. Fred Blassie

The man who coined the term "pencil-neck geek" was among the vilest villains ever and one of wrestling's biggest names from the '50s to the '70s.

Nicknamed "the Vampire" because of his bloodlust, Blassie actually filed down his teeth so he could draw blood by gnawing on his opponents' foreheads. He was a champion in many of the NWA territories before heading to the West Coast in the early '60s and becoming one of the region's top draws. Blassie later went to the WWWF and challenged both Bruno Sammartino and Pedro Morales for the world title in front of packed houses.

38. Shoehei "Giant" Baba

A legendary figure in Japan, Baba also made an impact in the United States. At 7'3" and over 300 pounds, Baba was a big draw as a heel in the U.S. in the early '60s. He challenged Buddy Rogers and Lou Thesz for the NWA world title and Bruno Sammartino for the WWWF world title. Eighteen months before Sammartino won the championship, Baba handed him his first defeat at Madison Square Garden. Baba went on to capture the NWA world title three times between 1974-80 in Japan, but each reign lasted just a week.

39. The Sheik

Long before the word "hardcore" entered the wrestling vernacular, he specialized in violent matches with plenty of bloodshed and foreign objects.

An uncontrollable wild man, one of the Sheik's specialties was throwing fireballs at his opponents. Portraying an Arabian heel, he became one of the most famous villains during the early days of television and remained a big box-office draw through the '70s. The Sheik won a significant amount of regional championships, with his greatest success coming in the Michigan-based territory of the NWA and on the West Coast.

40. "Mad Dog" Vachon

An outstanding amateur wrestler, Maurice Vachon represented Canada in the 1948 Olympics before turning pro. Vachon didn't make much of an impact until he shaved his head and adopted the "Mad Dog" persona. At 5'7" and 225 pounds, he was like a rabid pit bull in the ring, scratching, clawing, biting, and stomping his opponents--a far cry from his days as an amateur. The hated Vachon--who became a fan-favorite late in his career--captured the AWA world title five times between 1964-66 and remained one of the organization's top stars into the early '80s.

41. Mil Mascaras

Perhaps the most famous masked wrestler of all time, the legendary Mascaras, a movie star in his native Mexico and a superstar in Japan, also was a popular attraction in the U.S. in the '70s. Mascaras wrestled all over the country and was an especially big draw in territories with a large Hispanic audiences. Mascaras, who was never unmasked during his 30-year career, dazzled fans with his impressive physique, colorful attire, and high-flying style.

42. Triple H

For the first four years of his WWF tenure, Triple H--or Hunter Hearst Helmsley as he was originally known--portrayed a snob from Greenwich, Conn., Shawn Michaels' sidekick, and the wise-cracking leader of D-Generation X. The one thing he wasn't was a main-eventer. That all changed toward the latter half of 1999. Triple H won the WWF world title from Mankind that August, and his subsequent in-ring performances cemented his arrival as one of the best in the business.

"The Game" went on to win the WWF world title on three other occasions. He rarely has suffered a pinfall loss over the last two years and holds several victories over Steve Austin and the Rock.

43. Mick Foley

Told early in his career that he would never be a main-eventer, Foley went on to become one of the most famous wrestlers of the last five years. Showing little regard for his body, Foley took more big bumps and absorbed more punishment than any wrestler in history. A cult hero for years to hardcore fails, Foley made his mark on a larger stage when he signed with the WWF in 1996. Foley, who also wrestled under the names "Cactus Jack," "Mankind," and "Dude Love," won the WWF world title three times and drew big money in feuds with the Rock, Austin, and Triple H before retiring in 2000. He has since become a celebrity outside of the ring, penning several best-selling books.

44. Kevin Nash

After a year-long WWF world title reign as "Diesel" in 1994-95, he defected to WCW and became one of the key figures in WCW's dominance over the WWF between 1996-98. In one of the most memorable and profitable angles in recent years, Nash formed the New World Order with Hulk Hogan and Scott Hall and attempted to take over WCW. Popular with fans whether he wrestled as a heel or a babyface, the nearly seven-foot "Big Sexy" won the WCW world title four times. He made history when he ended Goldberg's undefeated streak to win the championship at Starrcade '98.

45. Goldberg

No one in the history of wrestling ever had as impressive a rookie year. The former NFL player simply steam-rolled the competition, winning many of his matches in just a few minutes (and sometimes seconds) with the spear-and-jackhammer combination. Goldberg won his first 176 matches, a streak that began in September 1997 and lasted to December 1998. His biggest triumph took place on July 6, 1998, when he pinned Hulk Hogan to win the WCW world title before nearly 40,000 fans at the Georgia Dome.

Goldberg's meteoric rise, however, came crashing down to earth shortly thereafter. Injuries and bad booking stalled his momentum, and the demise of WCW took him out of the spotlight altogether. Still under contract with AOL-Time Warner, the wrestling career of the 35-year-old Goldberg currently is in limbo.

46. Jerry Lawler

Some fans may know "the King" only as a witty color commentator in the WWF or for his famous feud with comedian Andy Kaufman in the early '80s. Lawler's accomplishments in wrestling, however, go well beyond those things. He was a legend in Memphis, one of industry's hotbeds in the '70s and '80s, and his popularity there transcended wrestling. In his prime, Lawler scored victories over wrestlers such as Hulk Hogan, Randy Savage, Billy Graham, and Terry Funk, and was one of the best talkers around.

47. Lex Luger

In the era of the muscleman, the perfectly chiseled Luger was a main-event star from his first day in the business. Once projected as the heir to Hulk Hogan's throne, Luger fell short of that expectation, but still was a top attraction for over a decade. "The Total Package" switched from babyface to heel numerous times throughout his career and always was programmed with the top stars of the day. A two-time WCW world champion, Luger has beaten some of the biggest names in the business.

48. The Ultimate Warrior

Much like his energetic character--who would sprint to the ring, bounce off the ropes a few times, and then quickly demolish his foe--the Warrior would burst onto the wrestling scene, made a big impact and then, suddenly, disappear.

The enigmatic Warrior, with his freakish physique and painted face, notched many impressive wins and suffered very few losses in his on-again, off-again career. He sent shockwaves through the wrestling world when he defeated Hulk Hogan for the WWF world title at WrestleMania VI--the first clean pinfall loss Hogan had suffered in eight years. The Warrior also scored numerous, quick pinfall wins over the once-unbeatable Andre the Giant. He held the WWF world title for nine months, then abruptly left the business several months after losing the belt to Sgt. Slaughter. The Warrior returned to the WWF in 1992 and '96 and appeared in WCW in '98, arriving each time to much fanfare and then leaving after just a few months.

49. Jimmy Snuka

In the two years prior to Hulk Hogan's WWF debut, Snuka was the most popular wrestler in the business. He probably is best known for performing his Superfly Leap off the top of the steel cage in two classic matches at Madison Square Garden (against WWF world champion Bob Backlund in '82 and intercontinental champion Magnificent Muraco in '83).

Snuka's high-flying style was revolutionary at the time. Although his WWF run was the high point of his career, Snuka, who made his debut in 1969, also enjoyed significant success in other territories, most notably the NWA's Mid-Atlantic and Pacific Northwest regions.

50. Bruiser Brody

With his wild hair, scarred forehead, and fur-covered boots, Brody looked like a madman--and he wrestled like one, too. Arguably the best brawler ever, Brody's look and mannerisms have often been imitated. Throughout the '70s and '80s, the nomadic Brody moved from territory to territory, drawing big gates wherever he went. He was especially successful in Texas and Missouri. Unfortunately, all of Brody's accomplishments in the industry are overshadowed by the sensational nature surrounding his death in 1988, when he was fatally stabbed before an event in Puerto Rico.

WRESTLING DIGEST'S Top 50 Wrestlers of the Last 50 Years

 1. Hulk Hogan
 2. Lou Thesz
 3. Ric Flair
 4. Bruno Sammartino
 5. Verne Gagne
 6. Andre the Giant
 7. Gorgeous George
 8. Buddy Rogers
 9. Harley Race
10. Steve Austin
11. Dory Funk Jr.
12. Gene Kiniski
13. Dusty Rhodes
14. The Rock
15. Bob Backlund
16. Nick Bockwinkel
17. Randy Savage
18. Jack Brisco
19. "Superstar" Billy Graham
20. Bret Hart
21. Sting
22. Ray Stevens
23. Roddy Piper
24. Pat O'Connor
25. Antonino Rocca
26. Terry Funk
27. Johnny Valentine
28. The Crusher
29. Dick the Bruiser
30. Bobo Brazil
31. The Undertaker
32. Shawn Michaels
33. Pedro Morales
34. Fritz Von Erich
35. Killer Kowalski
36. Rick Steamboat
37. Fred Blassie
38. Shoehei "Giant" Baba
39. The Sheik
40. "Mad Dog" Vachon
41. Mil Mascaras
42. Triple H
43. Mick Foley
44. Kevin Nash
45. Goldberg
46. Jerry Lawler
47. Lex Luger
48. Ultimate Warrior
49. Jimmy Snuka
50. Bruiser Brody

COPYRIGHT 2002 Century Publishing
COPYRIGHT 2002 Gale Group