WWE: Who's on your wrestling Mount Rushmore?

[Oddball]

When I was a kid we had him, Jimmy hart, Lou Albano, Fuji, etc. Paul Hayman has the crowds eating up his every word. The crowd loves to hate him. He has truly mastered the art of being manager.

And as far as talking, I have to say the first wrestler who could talk well was piper. The lines he would say were insane but also brilliant. Just when you think you have all the answers I change the questions

Both Heenan and Jesse Ventura were better mouths than Piper, who himself wasn't any slouch.

Hayman is second tier to those guys.

 

[22lcidw]

A new Shield faction with Rollins, Owens and Macintyre may be formed.

 

[sealybobo]

Both Heenan and Jesse Ventura were better mouths than Piper, who himself wasn't any slouch.

Hayman is second tier to those guys.

Paul Heyman is widely considered one of the best wrestling managers of all time due to his exceptional mic skills, ability to elevate wrestlers through his promos and storytelling, his deep understanding of the business, and his impactful role in creating the unique style of Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW), where he was known as "The Evil Genius.".

Bobby "The Brain" Heenan is widely considered one of the best wrestling managers of all time due to his exceptional ability to elevate wrestlers through his witty commentary, masterful heel persona, and unique comedic timing, making him a standout figure in the industry with a lasting impact on the business; he could seamlessly manage a wide variety of wrestlers and turn even the most mundane moments into memorable entertainment.
I personally think Paul is better but Bobby was good.
Roddy Piper is often considered one of the best wrestlers of all time because of his exceptional mic skills, his ability to generate immense heat as a villain ("heel"), his innovative interview segments like "Piper's Pit," and his significant contribution to the popularity of professional wrestling, especially during the early days of WWF, where he was a major draw.

Piper grew the sport, not Bobby Heenan.

 

[Oddball]

Paul Heyman is widely considered one of the best wrestling managers of all time due to his exceptional mic skills, ability to elevate wrestlers through his promos and storytelling, his deep understanding of the business, and his impactful role in creating the unique style of Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW), where he was known as "The Evil Genius.".

Bobby "The Brain" Heenan is widely considered one of the best wrestling managers of all time due to his exceptional ability to elevate wrestlers through his witty commentary, masterful heel persona, and unique comedic timing, making him a standout figure in the industry with a lasting impact on the business; he could seamlessly manage a wide variety of wrestlers and turn even the most mundane moments into memorable entertainment.
I personally think Paul is better but Bobby was good.
Roddy Piper is often considered one of the best wrestlers of all time because of his exceptional mic skills, his ability to generate immense heat as a villain ("heel"), his innovative interview segments like "Piper's Pit," and his significant contribution to the popularity of professional wrestling, especially during the early days of WWF, where he was a major draw.

Piper grew the sport, not Bobby Heenan.

To this day, Heenan is the gold standard.

 

[sealybobo]

To this day, Heenan is the gold standard.

I knew I was right

While both are considered legendary wrestling managers, most wrestling fans would argue that Paul Heyman is generally considered the "better" manager compared to Bobby Heenan due to his longer career, wider range of impactful storylines, and ability to adapt to different eras of wrestling across multiple promotions.

Thanks AI. Well put.

You probably don't watch WWE today do you? If you did, you wouldn't be stuck in the 80's. Paul Heyman is the Wise Man.

 

[Polishprince]

To this day, Heenan is the gold standard.

I have to disagree. Bobby Heenan bragged for years about being "the Brain" and the smartest man in pro wrestling. However, even though he has had more Weasel Suit Matches than anyone else in the game, he has never one a single match of that kind in his career.

Doesn't seem that smart to me, just saying

 

[Unkotare]

Stupid fake performance.

 

[Failzero]

Piper , Honky Tonk Man , One Man Gang

 

[lg325]

No one is mentioning Dusty Rhodes. The American Dream's Bionic Elbow was absolutely devastating.

check post 26

 

[sealybobo]

Piper , Honky Tonk Man , One Man Gang

A guy last year finally broke Honky Tonk mans record for longest reigning intercontinental champ of all time.

We used to go cheer on guys like Honkey Tonk when everyone else booed.

I love it when former wrestlers who became public school teachers make fun of millionaire sport entertainers.

 

[Mr. Friscus]

For me it's gotta be the Undertaker. The guy wasn't just over. He was over with a gimmick that nobody else could pull off. The man stayed in character for THIRTY YEARS. And during that time, he was literally the guy that world champions would have to defend against. He didn't even need a title of his own. When you became champion, then you were considered ready to face him.

Next I'd say Eddie Guerrero. I'm probably gonna take some heat for this choice, but he's just a personal favorite. Nobody had charisma like he did. I still miss him. He was taken from us way too early. Nevermind his ability to cut a promo, the guy's in-ring work was great.

I'd throw in Kurt Angle. That guy really helped elevate wrestling. Hell, he was a real wrestler. But not just that, but he was able to get anything over with the crowd. And he's widely regarded as one of, if not the best technical wrestler of all time. The man was literally able to get a sexual predator gimmick over with the crowd. Think about how ridiculous that is. Nevermind the balls needed to go through with something like that on national television.

To answer your initial question (as someone who knows a lot about the business), it’s a tough declaration with a multitude of factors.

What makes a great wrestler? Popularity? Crowd reaction? Championships? Aura? Skill? Technique?

Well, it’s all of those, some for one guy and others for another. You have to consider individual “Mount Rushmores”… for example:

If the Mount Rushmore is of “Most popular”… it’s an easy list:
1. Hogan
2. Austin
3. Rock
4. Cena

If it’s “best wrestler”, it’s guys like
1. Bret Hart
2. Kurt Angle
3. Ricky Steamboat
4. AJ Styles

If it’s “best performer”, it could be guys like
1. Shawn Michaels
2. Undertaker
3. Ric Flair
4. Randy Savage

At the end of the day for me, it’s my initial list… but not for their popularity, but because of how intrical and influential they were for the WWF/E and wrestling history.

The WWE Mount Rushmore has to be Hogan, Austin, Rock, Cena. No matter how great anyone else is, you can’t leave any of those 4 off

 

[Unkotare]

Stupid fake performance.

^^^

 

[Failzero]

Sergeant Slaughter NWO

 

[sealybobo]

To answer your initial question (as someone who knows a lot about the business), it’s a tough declaration with a multitude of factors.

What makes a great wrestler? Popularity? Crowd reaction? Championships? Aura? Skill? Technique?

Well, it’s all of those, some for one guy and others for another. You have to consider individual “Mount Rushmores”… for example:

If the Mount Rushmore is of “Most popular”… it’s an easy list:
1. Hogan
2. Austin
3. Rock
4. Cena

If it’s “best wrestler”, it’s guys like
1. Bret Hart
2. Kurt Angle
3. Ricky Steamboat
4. AJ Styles

If it’s “best performer”, it could be guys like
1. Shawn Michaels
2. Undertaker
3. Ric Flair
4. Randy Savage

At the end of the day for me, it’s my initial list… but not for their popularity, but because of how intrical and influential they were for the WWF/E and wrestling history.

The WWE Mount Rushmore has to be Hogan, Austin, Rock, Cena. No matter how great anyone else is, you can’t leave any of those 4 off

I think best talker is most important. I fast forward the matches sometimes and look for the promos. Guys who can talk a good game back stage. The Rock was great. Today in AEW MJF is amazing talker. He's also the highest paid because of this talent.

Funny you say Bret Hart for being one of the best in ring performers and some would say Owen was even better. I think he was better.

 

[Mr. Friscus]

I think best talker is most important. I fast forward the matches sometimes and look for the promos. Guys who can talk a good game back stage. The Rock was great. Today in AEW MJF is amazing talker. He's also the highest paid because of this talent.

I’d say that goes along with popularity, but there are guys I’ve seen on the stick who are clearly the best. The Rock, CM Punk, Paul Heyman, Roddy Piper, John Cena, Randy Savage, Ric Flair, Chris Jericho, and yes, MJF is awesome and belongs among them

Funny you say Bret Hart for being one of the best in ring performers and some would say Owen was even better. I think he was better.

Owen wasn’t credentialed enough IMO.. but perhaps he could be considered. We’re talking Mount Rushmore, all time.

 

[Failzero]

Funk !

 

[Polishprince]

I think best talker is most important. I fast forward the matches sometimes and look for the promos. Guys who can talk a good game back stage. The Rock was great. Today in AEW MJF is amazing talker. He's also the highest paid because of this talent.

Funny you say Bret Hart for being one of the best in ring performers and some would say Owen was even better. I think he was better.

The best talker of all time was Bruno Sammartino, without a doubt. When he spoke, the people believed him and that's the key. If he got on the mic and told Vince or whomever that he was going to give some ne'er-do-well the beating he so sorely deserves and he'll wish he never heard the name of Bruno Sammartino, you knew where you wanted to be that day.

 

[Mr. Friscus]

The best talker of all time was Bruno Sammartino, without a doubt. When he spoke, the people believed him and that's the key. If he got on the mic and told Vince or whomever that he was going to give some ne'er-do-well the beating he so sorely deserves and he'll wish he never heard the name of Bruno Sammartino, you knew where you wanted to be that day.

That’s a hell of a claim. Believability and inspiration are different than being polished and quick witted. You have to have both.

To me it’s CM Punk.. he outclasses all he comes across. He’s bested Jericho, the rock, John cena, and MJF IMO, although all of those verbal bouts were must-see

 

[TNHarley]

Hogan, stone cold, undertaker, rock

 

[Mr. Friscus]

Hogan, stone cold, undertaker, rock

How do you put taker over Cena.

I like taker more, but Cena did more for that company for an entire generation. Taker was there with Rock and Austin.. he was less influential IMO