The WWE has been home to many of the most outlandish athletes in the history of sports. They’re loud, they’re athletic, and they know how to work a crowd. From household names like Hulk Hogan to fan favorites like Ric Flair, these are the ten most iconic wrestlers in the history of the WWE.
Ric Flair
Woo! Nature Boy is one of the most recognizable wrestlers in the history of the sport due to his high-energy performances and superb athleticism. He was always one of the best wrestlers to get in front of a microphone as he really knew how to cut a promo. Just reading his name can bring a smile to fans’ faces.
Cody Rhodes
Cody Rhodes came back to the WWE in 2022 after spending years away working on his own image—and athleticism. He’s back in a big way and has become one of the largest draws to the league. He’s very easy to root for and has been at the center of a lot of storylines lately!
Andre the Giant
A legend in his own time, Andre the Giant was truly gargantuan and a sight to behold in the ring. He even made towering figures like Macho Man and Hulk Hogan look dimunitive by comparison. When Hogan bodyslammed the Giant in WrestleMania III, it was a defining moment for both the sport and Andre’s career.
Chris Jericho
Jericho is a consummate professional who’s been wrestling professionally for over 35 years. He’s exceptionally good at rebranding himself to stay interesting to fans, marketing himself as the Painmaker, Le Champion, the Lionheart, and numerous other monikers throughout his iconic appearances.
Randy Savage
The giant sunglasses, absurd cowboy hats, sparkly jackets, and booming voice of “Macho Man” Randy Savage made him instantly recognizable to fans. He adopted a high-flying aerial style, including the Flying Elbow Drop, that made him a fan favorite. His relationship with Miss Elizabeth, his demure and soft-spoken manager, added some much-needed sympathy and pathos to this larger-than-life character.
Hulk Hogan
Hulk Hogan was the other half of the Mega Powers with Randy Savage and was the ultimate WWE “protagonist” throughout the 80s. A complete career reinvention saw him becoming the biggest heel of the 90s. His complicated personal life has become a controversial element of his legacy, but his impact on the world of wrestling is undeniable.
Triple H
Triple H is a veteran wrestler who appeared under multiple promotions before using his current moniker. And, great as he always was as a performer, his new role at the head of the WWE is perhaps his biggest yet. He led NXT to success in the 2010s, and now he’s aiming to do the same thing to reinvigorate the WWE.
John Cena
The golden poster child of an entire era of wrestling, John Cena worked to be an inspirational role model and a straight-laced good guy his entire career. He was also an unparalleled performer who wrestled his way to the top the honest way. His recent turn in Hollywood has finally shown non-wrestling fans just how funny he is, too.
The Rock
Dwayne Johnson is certainly better known for his Hollywood career these days than his time in the ring, but he was one of the best wrestlers to ever do it back in the day. He still makes sporadic appearances, reminding everyone why he’s so well-regarded as a wrestler: he’s incredibly charming behind the mic when he addresses the crowd. He’s got some good moves, but he’s always been the best when he’s getting the audience hyped up.
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“Stone Cold” Steve Austin
The Texas Rattlesnake didn’t let a little neck injury in 1997 get him down. His iconic stretch in the WWE included a high-profile rivalry with his boss, Vince McMahon himself, turning Austin into a people’s champion who fought for the little guy. He didn’t have the longest career, but he made a huge impression on fans and became an immediate favorite. People actually cheered for him over Bret Hart when Austin was still marketed as a heel, creating a huge hero turn for Stone Cold.
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