The 30 Greatest Wrestlers and WWE Superstars of the 90s

The 1990s were the sport of wrestling’s golden age. Many wrestlers jumped between leagues such as the WCW, ECW, and WWF/WWE, but throughout, their talent shined. Here are the 30 greatest wrestlers of the 90s.

30. Mark Henry

After completing the 1996 Olympics, Mark Henry made his WWF debut in the mid-90s. He was marketed as the “World’s Strongest Man.” Later, his image morphed into that of a ladies’ man, earning him the nickname “Sexual Chocolate.” His theme song and “relations” with Mae Yong were some of the funniest highlights of WWF programming. Finishing move: Bear hug.

29. Gangrel

Gangrel, a vampire character, entered rising from a ring of fire, walking to the ring amid sinister music, carrying a goblet of blood from which he would drink, then spit into the air. He was also known for drenching opponents in “blood baths.” Gangrel formed a faction with Edge and Christian called The Brood. Finishing move: The Impaler.

28. Jushin Thunder Liger

Wearing an anime superhero costume based on Jushin Liger and buoyed by an extremely catchy theme song, Jushin Thunder Liger might be one of the flashiest wrestlers ever. He is considered the Japanese junior heavyweight GOAT and has dominated his division for years. He has three signature finishing moves: Brainbuster, Shooting Star Press, and Ligerbomb.

27. Sean Waltman

Sean Waltman wrestled in five leagues and had four major aliases: X-Pac, Syxx, Syxx-Pac, and the 1-2-3 Kid. He has won at least a dozen championships. Waltman is in the WWE Hall of Fame twice as part of tag teams D-Generation X and the New World Order, the only wrestler ever inducted two years in a row. Finishing move: X-Factor.

26. Yokozuna

Managed by Mr. Fuji, Yokozuna represented the art of sumo wrestling, a style that originated in Japan. The six-foot-four wrestler was built at a weight of 589 pounds. Even the best heavyweight struggled against him. Yokozuna held the WWF championship title twice. He also had a tag team championship with Owen Hart. Finishing move: Banzai Drop.

25. Tazz

Tazz, or Taz, also known as The Tazmaniac, joined Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) in 1993. He was a shoot fighter who decimated opponents with an array of suplexes, earning him the nickname “The Human Suplex Machine” due to his versatility with the technique. This was before Brock Lesnar’s “Suplex City.” Finishing move: Tazzmission/Tazmission.

24. Christian

Christian, or Christian Cage, made his WWE debut as a member of The Brood. He went on to win the Light Heavyweight Championship. Christian became a fan favorite with his innovative, high-impact maneuvers. Along with Edge, Christian made history as part of one of the first teams to compete in Tables, Ladders, and Chairs Matches. Finishing move: The Unprettier.

23. Edge

Edge became the most popular member of The Brood stable, a goth-themed trio that included the vampirish Gangrel and Christian. His ring personality and skills led to a huge fan following. As a duo with Christian, Edge revolutionized tag team wrestling. In total, Edge won 31 WWE championships. Finishing move: Downward Spiral.

22. Chyna

One of the biggest stars of WWF’s Attitude Era, Chyna is the only female to have held the WWE Intercontinental Championship. She brought intensity and charisma to the sport, raising the bar and the profile of women as a whole. Chyna was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame as a founding member of D-Generation X. Finishing move: The Pedigree.

21. Rob Van Dam

Rob Van Dam, or RVD, was among the greatest of talents who emerged from ECW. He headlined many pay-per-view events over three decades. Like Jean-Claude Van Dam, he could do a full split and exhibited a wealth of athletic talent. RVD became the only wrestler to hold the WWE and ECW championship titles simultaneously. Finishing move: Five Star Frog Splash.

20. Matt Hardy

Matt Hardy wrestled in at least six leagues and signed full-time with WWF in 1998 along with his brother Jeff, forming the 14x championship tag team, The Hardy Boyz. Matt was the more technical member. They gained notoriety for their Tables, Ladders, and Chairs matches. Matt won awards for his “broken” gimmick. Finishing move: Twist of Fate.

19. Rey Mysterio

Rey Mysterio is one of the most revolutionary luchadors and cruiserweight wrestlers ever. He helped popularize lucha libre in the US with his high-flying style, which became his trademark. His performance wowed every audience that witnessed them. Rey Mysterio was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2023. Finishing move: West Coast Pop.

18. Kane

Undoubtedly one of the most terrifying wrestling characters ever, Kane made his WWF debut as the thought-dead, scarred in fire, half-brother of The Undertaker, returning for vengeance. The seven-foot, 323-pound Kane became a living nightmare for all opponents and won numerous championships. Kane was inducted into the WW Hall of Fame in 2021. Finishing move: Tombstone Piledriver.

17. Mick Foley (Cactus Jack / Mankind / Dude Love)

By Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from Washington D.C, United States CC BY 2.0

Mick Foley’s three personalities are all frightening. The 4x World and 11x Tag Team Champion is best remembered for competing in deathmatches and suffering considerable damage while laughing in the face of pain. Just watch the documentary Beyond the Mat (1999). Foley’s 1998 Hell in a Cell Match with The Undertaker is one for the ages. Finishing move: Mandible Claw.

16. Owen Hart

Considered by many to be one of the most underrated wrestlers ever, Owen Hart came from a Canadian wrestling family. Hart headlined multiple pay-per-view events. He won multiple championships and was a 4x WWF Tag Team Champion. Tragically, Owen Hart died from a fall while being lowered into the ring in 1999. Finishing move: Sharpshooter.

15. Jeff Hardy

Jeff Hardy and his brother Matt comprised one of the most entertaining tag teams in WWF history, The Hardy Boyz. The duo was renowned for their high-flying, high-risk moves, and especially for their Tables, Ladders, and Chairs matches. Jeff is remembered for his entrance dance, fashion choices, and top-rope maneuvers. Finishing moves: Swanton Bomb and Twist of Fate.

14. Razor Ramon/Scott Hall

Scott Hall is most known as the Scarface-inspired Razor Ramon. His colorful gear and flashy finisher made him stand out. He was “The Bad Guy” fans couldn’t help but love. Hall won the WWF Intercontinental Championship four times. Hall was part of the New World Order (nWo) faction with Hulk Hogan and Kevin Nash. Finishing move: Razor’s Edge/Outsider’s Edge.

13. Chris Jericho

Chris Jericho is regarded as one of the most highly skilled and technical wrestlers ever. This future Hall of Famer remains active today as the leader of The Learning Tree stable. Since arriving as the “Millennium Man” in the WWF/WWE alone, Jericho has won 19 Championships and 7 Tag Team Championships. Finishing moves: Liontamer and Walls of Jericho.

12. The Giant / Big Show

Billed at seven feet and 383 pounds, Big Show stands out among other big men with his array of powerful moves. He debuted as The Giant in WCW, then became Big Show with the WWF. He emerged as a seven-time World Champion and was the only wrestler to hold four of those particular titles. Finishing moves: Chokeslam and Show Stopper.

11. Diesel/Kevin Nash

Six-foot-eleven and 328-pound Kevin Nash arrived as Shawn Michaels’ bodyguard and emerged as Diesel. The smooth, big man struck fear into hearts, using his big boot and signature move to put them down. Nash was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame individually and with the New World Order. Finishing move: Jackknife Powerbomb.

10. Triple H

During the Attitude Era, Triple H became one of the best-known names in the sport and is regarded as one of the greatest wrestlers ever. In the WWF/WWE, he’s won 20 Championships and three Tag Team Championships. Triple H was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2019 as a member of D-Generation X. Finishing move: The Pedigree.

9. Diamond Dallas Page

The original people’s champion was Diamond Dallas Page. Over time, he evolved into a massive babyface. He locked up with some of the biggest superstars of the 90s. Over a decade in WCW, Page won six singles Championships and four World Tag Team Championships. Page was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2017. Finishing move: Diamond Cutter.

8. The Undertaker

Six-foot-ten-inches and 309 pounds of pure fright, The Undertaker epitomized the horror theme in professional wrestling. Whenever his infamous gong sounded over arena loudspeakers, audiences felt the fear in the air. He’s known for “the streak” of 21 consecutive victories. The Undertaker was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2022. Finishing move: Tombstone Piledriver.

7. Sting

Sting is a brooding character inspired by The Crow, who displayed a collection of face paint designs. Dubbed “The Franchise of WCW,” Sting held 15 championships and appeared in more pay-per-view events than any other wrestler. Sting was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2016. Finishing moves: Scorpion Death Lock and Scorpion Death Drop.

6. Shawn Michaels

Shawn Michaels, also known as “The Heartbreak Kid,” is considered one of the greatest wrestlers ever. He faced many of his biggest superstars of the decade at WrestleMania. Shawn’s charisma enraptured the ladies. Michaels was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame twice, individually and as a member of D-Generation X. Finishing move: Sweet Chin Music.

5. Bret Hart

Bret Hart headlined some of the biggest wrestling events of the 90s. From the 1970s through the 2010s, Hart held 32 championship titles over five decades. With brother-in-law Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart, they won the world tag team title twice as The Hart Foundation. Hart is a two-time inductee of the WWE Hall of Fame. Finishing move: Finishing Move: Sharpshooter.

4. The Rock

The Rock became one of the most famous wrestlers of all time worldwide. He had championship runs as both a babyface and a heel. That ability would later make him one of the highest-grossing and highest-paid actors. In the WWF/WWE, he held 12 singles championships and five tag team championships. Finishing moves: The Rock Bottom and The People’s Elbow.

3. “Hollywood” Hulk Hogan

No other wrestler popularized the sport worldwide more than Hulk Hogan, ushering in the 1980s boom. Fans eventually turned on his All-American, babyface persona. In the 90s, Hogan transformed into a heel and wreaked havoc with the nWo. Hogan is a two-time inductee to the WWE Hall of Fame. Signature moves: Atomic Leg Drop and Axe Bomber.

2. Goldberg

Goldberg cemented his reputation as the most intense in-ring competitor during the 1990s. He rose to WCW fame with an undefeated streak from 1997 to 1998. Goldberg won three WCW singles championships and three WWE championships. Goldberg was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2018. Signature moves: Spear and Jackhammer.

1. “Stone Cold” Steve Austin

Steve Austin came to prominence during the 90s boom and Attitude Era, packaged as the anti-establishment antihero and raging badass “Stone Cold.” His epic feud with Mr. McMahon defined the era. In WWF/WWE, Austin won 10 singles Championships and four tag team championships. Austin was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2009. Signature move: Stone Cold Stunner.