United States freestyle wrestler John SMITH (USA) dominated the world for six straight years. Our countdown includes Randy Savage. Although Austin showed glimpses of hope during his early days, he was still a shadow of the wrestler he later turned out to be. He followed it up by winning medals (two silver, one bronze) in each the next three world championships before claiming a silver medal at the 1996 Olympics. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. Dec 1, 2021. Again, we are treated with some unbelievable names from 30 down to 11, with The Ultimate Warrior the man just missing out on a top-10 spot. He came back in 1996, for a few months run only since he and McMahon could not find a way to put aside their differences. Apart from his mic skills, The Rock is also a solid wrestler, whose technical skills saw him become a 10-time world champion. His mother, Beverly Jane (Harrison), remarried to Kenneth Williams, and he took his stepfather's surname. Two years later, Yerlikaya added a second world title to his resume by winning gold in Prague, Czechoslovakia. In 1997, Billy Gunn and Jesse James joined forces together to become The New Age Outlaws. One of the most electrifying stars of the 1990s, Bret Hart was a household name during his peak. Yokozuna (upvotes: 545; downvotes: 505), 33. Moreover, fans had quickly begun to warm up to this dominant wrestler with a monstrous yet charming charisma. The same was the case with the Intercontinental title, which had been lifted by seven different wrestlers as well. Rob Van Dam 44. Smash (upvotes: 949; downvotes: 1,159), 20. There were so many hugely important people in wrestling at the time, up and down the card, and many behind the scenes too. Sid left the company in 1997, a few months after his loss against The Undertaker at WrestleMania 13. It was the golden era of the sport, and every Monday night we all tuned in to see who was jumping from the WWF to WCW, or what Degeneration X was going to pull off that night. 1. In his second appearance for ECW, Austin would take part in a teacher vs student storyline with Adams, one of the biggest stars from Texas. To have so many memories engraved in our heads, even after 10, 15 or 20 years, means legendary moments and astonishing spectacles given by the artists of the ring. Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson (upvotes: 1,912; downvotes: 670), 5. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. From 1995 to 1999, The Bizarre One roamed in the WWE rings with his unique style. WWE Power Rankings: The 25 Greatest Superstars of the '90s Dan Power June 16, 2011 The 1990s was a decade of huge transition in WWE history. Classic: Type in answers that appear in a list Mankind, Cactus Jack, Dude Love, no matter what you call him, Foley is one of the most popular wrestlers from the '90s. The 100 Best Movies of the '90s. The fans witnessed the end of The Golden Era followed by many highs and lows and the emergence of the new generation. At his singles pay per view match, Shawn Michaels ended up defeating one of the greatest wrestlers of all time, Tito Santana. The sledgehammer wielding powerhouses signature move known as the pedigree spelled doom for his opponents and a win for him. Moreover, his diversity and plethora of gimmicks made him a staple for the WWE. Bill Goldberg (upvotes: 812; downvotes: 428), 13. Back in the early 1990s, Glen Jacobs was a little-known wrestler who traversed through the indie scenes. . After a brief stint in WCW, Triple H joined the WWE in 1996 going with the name Hunter Hearst Helmsley. Following the breakup of the Hart Foundation and his two Tag Team Championships with Jim Neidhart, Bret Hart was designated to carry the company on his shoulders in a time of darkness following the end of the Golden Age Era. 7 1993: Hollywood Blonds In 1993, WCW had tag team champions who would become two of the biggest stars in professional wrestling after leaving the company. 2. In WWE history managed to become an icon in only five years. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Stone Cold Steve Austin Featureflash Photo Agency The man who ushered in the Attitude Era, Stone Cold Steve Austin was the embodiment of rebellion against authority. Either way, were it not for Gangrel feuding with Edge, the tag team of Edge and Christian would not have happened. Regardless of theera, WWE hasmanaged to showcase iconic personalities for their fans. Freestyle super heavyweight Bruce BAUMGARTNER (USA) is the most decorated American wrestler ever. After just a few months, Rocky Mavia won the Intercontinental Championship title. The fans witnessed the end of The Golden Era followed. Paul 'Big Show' Wight (upvotes: 606; downvotes: 386), 26. Lex Luger (upvotes: 475; downvotes: 485), 36. It's worth noting that certain entries were omitted due to the tag team and superstars from factions making the rankings. Part Islander, part Trinity Killer, Joe has been in classics with the likes of AJ Styles, CM Punk, Christopher Daniels, Kurt Angle and Kenta Kobashi. Also known as The Heartbreak Kid, had his best moments in the 90s and many of them at Wrestlemania. He definitely had the potential to become a WWF Champion and he was one of the biggest draws from 1992 to 1996. Voting Rules Vote up all the '90s wrestling favorites that are having a fitting retirement. The 90s birthed and featured so many all-time greats and future Hall of Famers. 2,050 views made by Y2kpirates23 avg. Big Van Vader (upvotes: 693; downvotes: 639), 28. However, the honeymoon didn't last long and backstage issues between him and Vince McMahon put a stop to The Ultimate Warrior's presence on the top of the mountain. Despite his lack of wrestling experience, the promotion pushed Rocky Mavia heavily. They really did have fruitful '90s, but not as much as the next 10! But like many of the big personalities to be featured for the brand, you had plenty of times where Ramon was a face for the company as well, having roaring audiences applaud and . As Blayze, she scored the WWF championship . However, beyond his Championships, Foley has put his body on the line for the sake of entertainment like no others. These are the wrestlers that defined a decade. Just like Shawn Michaels, Triple H, The Rock and Stone Cold, Kane is also another wrestler who should also make it into the all-time wrestling greats list. At the end of the decade, a new icon was born and the rest is history. The 90s had big boots to fill, here is a list of the top 50 in that decade. Perfect was one of those wrestlers who deserved way more from the WWF than what he got. While the Heartbreak nickname is the one he is mostly known for, his Wrestlemania appearances also earned him the title of Mr. And he raised it every year since." If The Undertaker was not always the center of attention, he was without a doubt the glue that kept the WWE together for the whole '90s. Owen Hart will always be remembered as Bret Hart's young brother by many, but he was more than just the "other guy's brother". The shock of her departure from WWE caused another deactivation of the Women's Championship, as well as the whole division, until 1998. Few years down the line, Austin had grown into one of the most promising young prospects in WCW. Chyna was unique in that she wasn't just another pretty face that happened to have a few matches, she brought a lot of wrestling talent and intensity to help raise the bar and profile of women in wrestling. With his unreal weight and his 6'4" height, he squashed countless wrestlers and sent many to the hospital, including Hulk Hogan who eventually left for WCW. Let's examine some of the top wrestlers of the 1990's.Aleksander KARELIN (URS/RUS) The Diesel engine, that rolled over the WWE from his modest debut as Shawn Michaels bodyguard in 1993 until he left in 1996, accomplished more in three years than many others in then years. Harts story is unique, not only because he was a fantastic wrestler that came from a pedigree wrestling family. The wrestling legend, real name Randall Mario Poffo, was an in-ring competitor with WWE in the 1980s until the early 1990s. For the first time in his wrestling career, Hulk Hogan was clearly pinned at the centre of the ring during Wrestlemania 6 by the second most popular wrestler in the company. He had the American flag designed on everything surrounding him, from his trunks to his bus. One of the smoothest performers in history, he won four WWE championships and two WCW championships over a career that spanned from 1985 to 2010. From. Under the guidance of Dutch Mantel, Austin changed his ring name to Steve Austin, as the name Steve Williams was not available. Big Boss Man (upvotes: 525; downvotes: 371), 40. Although The Undertaker made his WWE debut as a member of the Million Dollar Team headed by Ted Dibiase, he slowly learned the ropes on his own, ultimately becoming a breakout star. Dec 2, 2021. Hulk Hogan (upvotes: 1,477; downvotes: 610), 6. Jeff along with brother Matt Hardy was a part of one of the most entertaining tag teams in WWE history. The two worked well as a team, winning the tag title multiple times and Christian on his own would win the light heavyweight championship. So here it is, starting from 50 and working our way up to the illustrious number one spot. Mr Wrestlemania aka The Heartbreak Kids role and contribution to sports entertainment will forever remain in the annals of history. He wasn't a main event player until he won his first two WWF Championships in 1999. score: 39 of 100 (39%) required scores: 1, 2, 20, 53, 69 At WrestleMania XIV, he won the match for the Intercontinental Title against Rocky Maivia, but the decision was reversed when he refused to release the ankle lock after the bell. For some reason and despite his uncommon popularity, he never won the WWF Championship and the best he could do was to become the 1994 Royal Rumble co-winner. Many wrestling pundits and fans consider this encounter with Edge to be one of the best wrestling matches of all time. He was World Championship material without a doubt, but for some reason, he was stuck in the mid-card. Apart from taking professional wrestling mainstream, the Attitude Era also helped WWF regain a bigger chunk of the pro wrestling market. In no time, the "Luger-Mania" ran over the country in the "Lex-Express" Touring bus. These are the greatest stars of the '90s and they're about to see passing before your eyes. The 1994 King of the Ring won the Intercontinental Championship twice and he was a four-time Tag Team Champion. Although Wrestlers like Hulk Hogan, Andre the Giant, Superstar Billy Graham, and Bruno Sammartino took the company to new heights, wrestlers who came in the 90s introduced a totally new approach to professional wrestling.Technically speaking, the Attitude era helped set the precedent for the eras that would follow. But who was the most influential? FMW. The 'Macho Man' Randy Savage has been voted the best wrestler of the 1990s ahead of the legendary Bret Hart. Before an injury forced Austin to change into more of a brawler . Hardy Boys 42. The 1990's saw legends Aleksander KARELIN and Bruce BAUMGARTNER cement their legacies in wrestling, and all-time great Buvaisar SAITIEV begin his rise to greatness. He won 13 world or Olympic medals during his career, with six coming during the 1990's. #123 of 183 The All-Time Greatest Action Stars #111 of 125 The Toughest Professional Fighters in History 2 The Undertaker 5,519 votes #623 of 787 The Greatest Entertainers Of All Time #18 of 20 The Worst Pro-Wrestling Promos Ever Cut, Ranked #5 of 25 Manage Settings He also won three European titles during the 1990's.Hamza YERLIKAYA (TUR) By 1992, three different wrestlers including Randy Savage, Ric Flair and Bret Hart had lifted the title. Razor Ramon was one of the greatest Intercontinental Champions ever. In the early '90s, the old guard slowly vanished to let the place to the rising stars. Rick Rude (upvotes: 500; downvotes: 395), 29. "The Main Event", "The Showstopper" and "Mr. WrestleMania". 40-31. However, he was not very over with the fans and he had to come through a major gimmick transformation, becoming The Rock in May 1997 and joining the Nation Of Domination. Mark Henry was a lot of things. Rob Van Dam (upvotes: 353; downvotes: 153), 42. Big Show was seven feet tall, and someone that big doesnt necessarily need to be a very good or skilled wrestler. 5. He began his career in 1994. From WWE stars The Rock and Shawn Michaels to WCW icons Sting and Goldberg, these are 10 Wrestlers Who Defined The 90s.JOIN US and hit SUBSCRIBE!Support Cult. There were also those that had been in the business for a long time and ground through the changes that came with industry to finally make their mark. Owen Hart (upvotes: 930; downvotes: 655), 15. With larger-than-life personalities, memorable promos, and impressive gimmicks, the 90s helped redefine pro wrestling into what it is today. A two-time WWE champion, Yokozuna was a main event wrestler who went head to head against some of the biggest names at the time. He had a slow rise to the top if we compare to Steve Austin, but his push was slown due to the Madison Square Garden Incident. In 1997, Ken Shamrock introduced the ankle lock and the mixed martial art style in WWE. Punk cuts promo supporting LBGTQ+ kids after AEW Collision goes off air AEW News [ June 18, 2023 ] Young Bucks respond to C.M. An iconic figure, The Deadmans mystic aura and supernatural skills were more than enough to send shivers down any wrestler who dared to step into the ring with him. He then became a manager and color commentator for some time. The 1990s was a decade of huge transition in WWE history. Randy Savage Actor | Spider-Man One of the most colorful wrestlers in and out of the ring, Randy "Macho Man" Savage became a larger-than-life pop icon along with other wrestling superstars, such as "Rowdy" Roddy Piper, Hulk Hogan, Jimmy Snuka (aka "Superfly Jimmy Snuka"), Jesse Ventura and Dwayne Johnson (aka "The Rock"). He tried some comebacks in the ring, but he only wrestled a coupleof matches until he left the company in 1996. Professional wrestling-related events during the year of 1990, Overview of the events of 1990 in professional wrestling, Toggle Accomplishments and tournaments subsection, WWA Brass Knuckles Heavyweight Championship, Universal Wrestling Federation (Herb Abrams), World's Strongest Determination League 1990, NWA United States Tag Team Championship Tournament, Pat O'Connor Memorial International Tag Team Tournament, WWF Intercontinental Heavyweight Championship Tournament, List of Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards, List of FMW supercards and pay-per-view events, "NJPW Legends Show at Hamamatsu Arena wrestling results Internet Wrestling Database", "Former AWA World champion Otto Wanz dies", "14 things #MightyKacy told us after her huge victory on American Ninja Warrior", "10.13!"IWGP"AJvs""vs1.4!! He held multiple titles from ECW, which was known as the underground rival to the WWE. 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A career spanning the 1980s and 1990s, he won six WWE championships in singles competition and three World Tag Team Championships with a stint as one half of D-Generation X on top of that. Moreover, the company also operated on a shoestring budget and on many occasions failed to raise enough cash to pay video editors. Do you agree or disagree with the order. RVD is considered to be one of the most innovative pro wrestlers of his era. In the years that followed, there would be some instability with the World Heavyweight title something never witnessed in the WWF before. Randy Savage 2. Coincidentally, Matt Hardy follows his brother Jeff on this list. During the '90s his top-notch in-ring abilities won him titles in New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW), WCW, and WWE; he also brought a lot of charismatic wit with him. Andrew Hipps. Despite his legendary dominance in the ring, he ended the decade with only three WWE Championships. Owen Hart was a legendary WWE wrestler, many wrestling enthusiasts consider him one of the "best in-ring performers." @media(min-width:0px){#div-gpt-ad-sportlister_com-leader-4-0-asloaded{max-width:250px!important;max-height:250px!important}}if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'sportlister_com-leader-4','ezslot_7',122,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-sportlister_com-leader-4-0'); However, a proposal from Bret Hart would ultimately change the fortune of not only the wrestler but also most of the talents brought in from Stampede Wrestling. Bret Hart (upvotes: 2,229; downvotes: 962), 1. With the '90s being the bulk of The Attitude Era and the Monday Night Wars between WCW and the WWE, here are 25 wrestlers that stood out. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. In 1993, the WWE needed a top powerhouse after Hulk Hogan left and, on the 4th of July, he became the new great American hero. He was at the peak of his popularity and he continued to get astonishing pops from the crowd despite he was relegated out of the WWF Championship picture.