Professional wrestling has evolved from regional circuits to a billion-dollar global entertainment powerhouse, with millions of people following the product on a weekly basis.
Over the years, the wrestling industry has seen a number of iconic individuals who have sold out stadiums, broke records and helped build the industry we have today.
From technical savants to larger-than-life personalities, the wrestling business has seen all kinds of superstars come through the door.
In this article, we attempt to rank the top 21 wrestlers of all time, taking into account every aspect of the industry – from in-ring work and mic skills to their cultural impact and global fame.
1 – Hulk Hogan
In the last few years of his life, Hulk Hogan experienced a significant dip in popularity among wrestling fans following a string of controversies, outlandish statements and his political allegiances.
However, even his biggest critics cannot deny there are few names as synonymous with professional wrestling as ‘The Hulkster’.
After bursting onto the scene in the 1980s, Hogan quickly became the face of WWF and catapulted the sport into the mainstream. In fact, you could very well argue that wrestling would not be in the place it is today if not for ‘Hulkamania’.
Yes, Hogan was not exactly known for his in-ring abilities – far from it. But the truth is, Hogan didn’t need to throw himself off the top turnbuckle in order to get a reaction out of the fans. His charisma, timing and storytelling abilities sold out arenas and stadiums across the globe, with crowds going wild for his every move.
Hogan had some of the most iconic feuds and moments in the history of the business, from slamming Andre the Giant at the Silverdome to facing off with The Rock at WrestleMania 18.
What’s more, Hogan also had the ability to reinvent himself and his character throughout his many decades in the sport – something underlined by his immense role in arguably the greatest faction in the history of wrestling, the nWo.
As the business evolved, Hogan was able to keep pace and remained a main event draw throughout his in-ring career.
2 – Ric Flair
When talking about charisma, style and pure wrestling talent, few come close to matching the abilities of Ric Flair.
The ‘Nature Boy’ was not only an elite technician between the ropes, but he was also a master psychologist, with an uncanny ability to hold the audience in the palm of his hand.
Over his four-decade career, Flair won 16 world titles across a range of wrestling companies and had legendary feuds with the likes of Dusty Rhodes, Ricky Steamboat and Mr McMahon.
Known for his unmatched mic skills, Flair was able to inspire generations of wrestlers with his over-the-top personality, immense energy and unforgettable promos.
Flair was also authentic. From his wild parties to plane crashes, everything about the ‘Nature Boy’ was real. Flair did not play a character, which is predominantly why the fans gravitated to him from the very beginning.
3 – Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson
Through his electrifying personality, natural presence and unmatched charisma, Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson not only thrived as a professional wrestler, but he transcended the entire business.
Johnson got off to a rocky start – no pun intended – to his wrestling career, starting as a fresh-faced smiling babyface which everyone hated. However, with one short promo, he was able to reinvent himself into the cultural icon we know today.
The Rock was one of the cornerstones of the Attitude Era, which redefined professional wrestling. His feuds with Stone Cold Steve Austin, Triple H and Mick Foley provided some of the most famous moments in WWE history.
Johnson famously jumped from the ring to Hollywood in 2004 and has since become one of the biggest movie stars on the planet.
Nevertheless, the multi-time world champion still makes occasional appearances for the WWE and continues to drive fans wild.
4 – John Cena
When the Attitude Era came to an end, the WWE were in desperate need of a new superstar. The man to fill that spot was John Cena.
The record-breaking 17-time world champion made his debut in 2002 and quickly evolved from a generic rookie into the ‘Doctor of Thuganomics’.
Cena’s rise to the top of the sport was rapid and the American remained in the top spot for two decades, driving the company into the PG era and a more family-friendly presentation.
Iconic rivalries with Edge, Randy Orton, CM Punk and The Rock have produced some of the most memorable matches and moments in WWE history.
Cena has also made a tremendous impact away from the ring, working with the Make-A-Wish Foundation and entering the movie industry.
5 – Stone Cold Steve Austin
Stone Cold Steve Austin was a revolutionary in the wrestling industry, becoming the first, true anti-hero and ushering in the Attitude Era in the late 1990s.
When the WWF endured a period of decline, Stone Cold was the man to inject fresh life into the product, starting with his historic ‘Austin 3:16’ promo at the 1996 King of the Ring.
His beer-drinking, authority-defying and no-nonsense attitude resonated with audiences around the world, leading to Stone Cold becoming the hottest name in the business.
His rebellious persona and an unforgettable rivalry with Mr McMahon helped the WWE claim victory over WCW in the Monday Night Wars, while also becoming a cultural icon.
As a multi-time world champion and a three-time Royal Rumble winner, Stone Cold Steve Austin will undoubtedly go down as a generational great in the wrestling industry.
6 – Andre the Giant
Standing at over seven feet tall and weighing more than 500 pounds, Andre the Giant was one of wrestling’s first global attractions, long before the sport’s modern boom.
Crowds would flock throughout the 1970s and 80s just to catch a glimpse of the Giant, making Andre one of the biggest wrestling draws of all time.
As well as his size, Andre could wrestle. For a man of his stature, he was tremendously agile – something that added to his incredible aura.
Andre the Giant was predominantly a beloved babyface, but it was his heel turn in 1987 that paved the way for a showdown with Hulk Hogan at WrestleMania III – arguably the most famous match in wrestling history.
Battling the effects of acromegaly, Andre continued wrestling into the early 90s and went on to become the first inductee into the WWE Hall of Fame.
7 – The Undertaker
Many would argue that the wrestling industry has never seen a character of the reverence and mystique of The Undertaker.
Debuting at the Survivor Series in 1990, Mark Calaway’s character went on to become one of the most enduring and respected personas of all time.
Through a mixture of chilling entrances, fearsome presence and unprecedented longevity, The Undertaker was a cornerstone of the WWE for three solid decades.
Despite his immense size, Calaway impressed audiences with his tremendous athleticism – something he showcased during his iconic feuds with the likes of Shawn Michaels, Triple H, Mankind and Brock Lesnar.
The Undertaker’s greatest storyline concerned his 21-0 WrestleMania winning streak, which was ultimately broken by Lesnar at WrestleMania 30 in one of the most shocking moments in wrestling history.
8 – Shawn Michaels
Shawn Michaels is rightfully regarded as one of the greatest in-ring performers of all time, with ‘The Heartbreak Kid’ producing some of the most memorable matches in wrestling history.
Michaels not only set a new standard for wrestling, but he also captivated audiences with his charisma, cocky personality and world-class storytelling ability.
HBK underlined his main event credentials with iconic matches against the likes of Chris Jericho, Triple H, Kurt Angle and The Undertaker. He was also involved in one of the biggest controversies in the sport during a feud with Bret Hart – the Montreal Screwjob.
Michaels is a two-time WWE Hall of Famer, going in as a solo performer and also as a founding member of D-Generation X – a faction which helped to revolutionise the wrestling industry.
9 – Kurt Angle
Unlike the majority of names on this list, Kurt Angle was a legitimate Olympian, claiming a gold medal in 1996 despite competing with a broken freakin’ neck.
Angle made the transition to WWF in 1999, and through a combination of his technical mastery, explosive intensity and surprising comedic talent, he was able to become one of the biggest names in the business.
Despite not coming from a professional wrestling background, Angle was able to master every aspect of the game and went on to capture world titles in WWE and TNA.
10 – Randy Orton
Randy Orton arrived in the WWE as a third-generation talent, yet he has been able to forge a legacy of his own by enjoying one of the most consistent careers of all time.
Since bursting onto the scene in the early 2000s, Orton has been involved in some of the biggest angles, matches and factions in the business.
The American became the youngest world champion in history when claiming the title against Chris Benoit at SummerSlam 2004 – all at the age of 24.
Over the years, Orton had unforgettable feuds with the likes of John Cena, Triple H, Edge and The Undertaker, thriving as a sadistic heel and an anti-hero.
Orton is also synonymous with his RKO finisher, which is arguably one of the most popular moves of all time.
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11 – Triple H
Triple H is known today as the Chief Content Officer for WWE, but at his peak, ‘The Game’ was one of the most enduring main event stars in the company’s history.
As a performer, Triple H brought a lot of physicality to the ring, with his matches often bringing a certain level of brutality.
His storytelling ability and methodical pacing led to some of the greatest matches of all time. He also had memorable feuds with the likes of The Rock, Stone Cold Steve Austin, The Undertaker and Shawn Michaels.
Triple H was also a born entertainer, which he showcased during his time with revolutionary faction D-Generation X.
Over the years, Paul Levesque not only mastered every aspect of being a wrestler, but he also became an expert in the business of wrestling – something which has led to his current role with the company.
12 – CM Punk
Rising from the independent scene to wrestling superstardom, CM Punk is one of the biggest stars in the modern era.
Through a combination of his sharp tongue and rebellious attitude, Punk was able to capture the voice of a somewhat disillusioned fanbase and offered a sense of authenticity during a very animated time for the WWE.
From his legendary 434-day WWE Championship reign, his infamous ‘Pipebomb’ promo, and his eventual departure to AEW, Punk has certainly delivered plenty of drama and entertainment over the years.
One of his greatest moments came at Survivor Series in 2023 when he made his return to the WWE after nearly a decade away from the company.
13 – Roman Reigns
From the time of his 2012 debut as part of The Shield, Roman Reigns has always commanded presence, impressed with his athleticism and showcased his main event aura.
Reigns, who is a member of the famed Anoa’i wrestling dynasty, thrived during his time with the Shield but was met with mixed reactions in the early days of his solo run.
The biggest turning point of his career took place in 2020, with Reigns transitioning into the Tribal Chief – one of the most successful wrestling characters of the modern era.
Reigns embarked on one of the most dominant world title runs in WWE history and has enjoyed epic rivalries with the likes of Brock Lesnar, Cody Rhodes and Sami Zayn.
14 – Mick Foley
Mick Foley, Mankind, Cactus Jack, Dude Love – it is fair to say that every Foley incarnation has left a big mark on the wrestling business.
Few individuals in the industry have sacrificed more for the sport than Mick Foley, who put his body on the line in numerous outlandish stunts.
While Foley was far from a polished athlete, his blend of brutality, heart and creativity allowed him to become one of the most legendary wrestlers in the business.
His 1998 Hell in a Cell match with The Undertaker led to one of the most shocking moments in wrestling history, as Foley was thrown off the top of the cell and into the commentators table.
Beyond the blood and guts, Foley was also a masterful storyteller, who utilised his incredible mic skills to create some of the most memorable moments in wrestling.
15 – Brock Lesnar
Brock Lesnar is undoubtedly one of the most physically intimidating people in the history of the wrestling business.
Coming from an NCAA wrestling background, Lesnar went on to claim world championship gold in the UFC – something that gave him an unprecedented amount of legitimacy in the pro wrestling world.
Even before his foray into the mixed martial arts world, Lesnar was a force of nature. His real-world pedigree and physical attributes turned him into a major wrestling draw for over two decades.
The heavyweight has been involved in some of the biggest angles in wrestling history, including his victory over The Undertaker at WrestleMania 30, which ended the Deadman’s infamous 21-0 winning streak.
16 – Rey Mysterio
Wrestling was always synonymous with giant, physically imposing men – that was until Rey Mysterio made his mark on the industry.
With his lightning-fast offence and an array of innovative moves, Rey Mysterio took lucha libre global and forced the industry to take cruiserweights seriously.
During his time in ECW and WCW, Mysterio built his relationship with the fans – something he continued to do upon entry into the WWE.
Mysterio’s small frame and giant heart made him an ideal individual to tell underdog stories against his larger rivals.
Mysterio is arguably the most iconic masked wrestler of all time, with his longevity and his legendary 619 finishing move making him one of the most beloved individuals in the sport.
17 – Chris Jericho
When it comes to reinvention, nobody comes close to Chris Jericho.
Following decades of service across various promotions, Jericho has consistently evolved and remained at the forefront of professional wrestling.
From his early days in WCW to his WWE debut in 1999, Jericho made a giant impact and rubbed shoulders with some of the biggest names in the business, such as The Rock and Stone Cold Steve Austin.
Jericho became the first-ever undisputed WWE Champion and went on to have legendary rivalries with the likes of Shawn Michaels, John Cena and Kevin Owens.
The Canadian wrestler made a bold career move by joining AEW in the early days of the company, but went on to have a big impact by becoming the inaugural AEW world champion.
With over three decades of experience and countless reinventions under his belt, there is no doubt that Jericho is a timeless great.
18 – Bret Hart
Never the loudest or the flashiest, Bret ‘The Hitman’ Hart is widely considered to be one of the best ever wrestlers to lace up a pair of boots.
As a master technician and a ring general, Hart built his reputation on in-ring excellence, producing pro wrestling matches which elevated the credibility of the sport.
Hart came from a wrestling family but built his own legacy through iconic feuds with Mr Perfect, Stone Cold Steve Austin and, of course, Shawn Michaels.
His match against Steve Austin at WrestleMania 13 remains a storytelling masterpiece, while his role in the infamous Montreal Screwjob only cemented his place in wrestling folklore.
19 – Randy Savage
Macho Man Randy Savage was intensity personified. Through a combination of his raspy voice, iconic promos, flamboyant outfits and his explosive wrestling style, Savage is without doubt one of the greats.
The Macho Man was able to blend his showmanship with excellent athleticism, and he quickly became one of the leading names in the wrestling industry.
Throughout his time in WWE and WCW, Savage had legendary feuds with Ricky Steamboat, Hulk Hogan and the Ultimate Warrior, going on to inspire future generations of wrestlers.
20 – Eddie Guerrero
Eddie Guerrero was a one-of-a-kind performer who could make the audience laugh, cry, cheer or boo – sometimes all in the same match.
His ‘lie, cheat and steal’ mantra turned him into one of the most popular wrestlers with the WWE audience, though he was also a master of his craft in between the ropes.
Whether playing a hero or a villain, Guerrero had a rare ability to connect with fans on a deeper level, and he did that across the globe with ECW, WCW and WWE.
Guerrero had a number of epic rivalries with Rey Mysterio, Big Show, Kurt Angle and JBL, though winning the world title against Brock Lesnar in 2004 was arguably his finest moment.
Tragically taken too soon in 2005, Guerrero’s legacy lives on.
21 – Sting
As one of the most enduring characters in the wrestling business, Sting was an active competitor from the late 1980s all the way to 2024.
With his eye-catching face paint, spiked blonde hair and endless energy, it did not take long for Sting to become a WCW regular, garnering a loyal fanbase and becoming a hero to many.
In the mid-90s, Sting reinvented himself into his ‘Crow’ persona, which quickly elevated him to main event status, eventually leading to one of the most anticipated matches in WCW history – a clash with Hollywood Hogan at Starrcade 1997.
After the collapse of WCW, Sting became a pillar of TNA Wrestling during their most successful period and took part in some of the biggest angles in the company’s history.
His long-awaited WWE arrival finally came in 2014, leading to a number of memorable moments – including a WrestleMania match.
Sting also enjoyed a remarkable spell in AEW during the last years of his professional in-ring career, which underlined his incredible ability to remain relevant and still captivate the audience after so many years in the sport.
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