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201 Greatest Pro Wrestlers of All Time List: Pro Wrestling’s Greatest Ever

Compiled By: Karl Stern (Patreon) Sourcing Data from over 30 Historians, Vetted Greatest Wrestler of All Time Lists, Major Media Rankings, Cumulative Lists, and Major Vetted Halls of Fame. Sources Used.

This list is not my opinion. The only input I had into ranking this list was doing the math and averaging the results and putting it together in a readable format. This, according to multiple respected pro wrestling historians, major media rankings, published books, and vetted rankings are the 201 greatest pro wrestlers of all time, with bonus points given for major vetted Halls of Fame and Wrestler of the Year Awards.

I, myself, am a pro wrestling historian as evidenced by our Ultimate History of Pro Wrestling Zone and my When It Was Cool Wrestling Podcast. I have voted in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame balloting for over 10 years. I have worked at FigureOnline.com / WrestlingObserver.com for over 10 years. Constantly, there are discussions and debates about who are the greatest pro wrestlers of all time and I wanted as definitive a list as possible. Because pro wrestling is subjective (Do you value “work rate” (however you might define it) over popularity?) I knew that there was no more a way to statistically prove who the “best” pro wrestler in history was any more than you can definitively prove who was the greatest rock and roll act of all time: because it is subjective.

However, what could be done is create a consensus list of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time. And, if you use enough credible sources, you can average out any bias that might exist and come to as definitive a consensus conclusion as possible. That is how I came to create the When It Was Cool 201 Greatest Pro Wrestlers of All Time List: The Greatest Pro Wrestlers Ever. These are the sources, lists, and methodology I used- here.

I could have easily ranked 500 but settled on 201 because, as you get deeper and deeper into the list, it becomes less reliable due to sample size as many of those wrestlers didn’t make as many lists and the consensus becomes more murky. Anything under the 300 greatest wrestlers of all time has a pretty good consensus, and 201 has even better agreement.

The point system I used as described on the sources page does include the 2022 Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame results which came out just in time to be included in our ranking of the greatest pro wrestlers of all time. Now, without further delay, here is the consensus opinion of who the 201 greatest pro wrestlers of all time are. Please support us on Patreon.

1: “Nature Boy” Ric Flair

Many will argue, perhaps rightfully so, that any of the top 10 are interchangeable. However, Ric Flair did have a substantial point lead over almost everyone because he placed number one on so many lists. Ric Flair trended strongly among mainstream rankings and historians as well. While, Hulk Hogan and The Rock may be bigger mainstream pop culture names than Ric Flair, Ric Flair is largely considered the best in-ring worker among the group and, for those of you who may say he often wrestles the same match, need to go back to 1970s and 1980s for a more diverse Ric Flair. Ric Flair is both the highest ranked NWA World and WWF heavyweight champion on our list of the greatest pro wrestlers of all time. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: YES

2: Hulk Hogan

Probably the most famous pro wrestler of all time? I suppose one could argue The Rock as more famous now but still, ask the average person on the street to name a pro wrestler and quite often you are going to hear the name Hulk Hogan. So, it’s no surprise he was ranked very high, especially by mainstream media sources. But even the historians gave Hulk Hogan his due. The insider wrestling fans and newsletter readers may be the loudest in complaining about Hulk Hogan but even they could not argue his place as one of the most influential and marketable pro wrestlers in history. Finally, just because he settled in on a fairly simple style of wrestling during his heyday, there is plenty of video evidence from Japan that Hulk Hogan could, in fact, work a more complex style of pro wrestling if the situation and crowd called for it. Hulk Hogan is the highest ranking IWGP champion on our list of the greatest pro wrestlers ever. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: YES

3: “Stone Cold” Steve Austin

From his humble beginnings with World Class Championship Wrestling in Texas, insider wrestling fans saw potential superstardom in “Stone Cold” Steve Austin. He quickly learned his craft, had an unmistakable “something” that screamed “superstar”. Through a combination of badly timed injuries and outright lack of foresight, his time in WCW was underwhelming but after cutting a series of unforgettable promos in ECW, WWF/WWE finally came calling… but with a bit of a stumble. The Ringmaster didn’t look like he would cut it in WWE until finally finding his true calling as “Stone Cold” and the rest is history. “Stone Cold” Steve Austin became the face of WWE during a period of time where more people than ever before or since were watching pro wrestling. Steve Austin was a work horse and a charismatic promo whose character as the “take no shit” badass forever cemented his spot as one of the greatest pro wrestlers in history. Austin 3:16, as it turns out, actually says, “Stone Cold Steve Austin is one of the greatest pro wrestlers of all time.” Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: YES

4: Lou Thesz

From a previous time, Lou Thesz suffers from not being from the modern era of television wrestling. Lou Thesz time as the legendary NWA World heavyweight champion came largely before color television so modern mainstream wrestling rankings overlooked him in favor of the more TV famous, however pro wrestling historians certainly know who Lou Thesz is. Long considered the greatest NWA World heavyweight champion of all time, even before that, Lou Thesz was capturing pre-NWA World championships (many of which he would later unify with the NWA title) and beating the best in world with his traveling manager and mentor Ed “Strangler” Lewis, another name that you will see on this list. For multiple generations Lou Thesz was considered by serious pro wrestling fans as the greatest wrestler ever. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: YES

5: Andre The Giant

Andre the Giant transcended professional wrestling to also become a pop culture star. Andre the Giant was literally larger than life and, in his early days, quite a great pro wrestler. But, as his body got larger and larger (as a result of the health condition acromegaly) he got slower and slower but his fame got larger and larger landing acting roles as Bigfoot in the Six Million Dollar Man TV show among others and his most famous role as Fezzik in The Princess Bride. His most famous match, sadly, was among his worst, against Hulk Hogan at WWF Wrestle Mania III in front of one of the largest wrestling crowds ever. Andre the Giant is the highest ranked person to have never held a major recognized World heavyweight championship on our list of the greatest pro wrestlers ever. He once “won” the WWF title in storyline, but that was rescinded. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: YES

6: Bruno Sammartino

If you asked the question, “Who is the greatest pro wrestler in history?” to any average New Yorker circa 1969 the answer would have been, indisputably, Bruno Sammartino. With two WWWF (your future WWE) title reigns spanning from 1963-1977, Bruno Sammartino regularly sold out Madison Square Garden to face many other names on the Greatest Pro Wrestlers of All Time Lists… and usually beating them. While the “true” world heavyweight championship may have resided with the NWA (WWWF was a member of the NWA until the 1980s) many people, especially on the east coast, considered Bruno Sammartino as the top man in the sport and, with the record crowds he drew, who could dispute it? Bruno Sammartino ranked well with both mainstream sources and pro wrestling historians. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: YES

7: The Rock

Dewayne “The Rock” Johnson is probably the most famous pro wrestler in the world at the time this list drops in 2023, despite the fact he has only wrestled four matches in the last 10 years (subject to change in 2023). The reason is obvious, despite going from the most popular wrestler in the world to the most popular movie star in the world, Dewayne “The Rock” Johnson has maintained his anchor to his pro wrestling origins. And, his pro wrestling origins run deep, he is the son of territorial era pro wrestling star Rocky Johnson and a part of one of (if not THE) largest extended pro wrestling families ever- The Samoan/Anoa’i family. While historians were tepid, though not dismissive, in their assessment of The Rock, he either topped or was very near the top of most mainstream greatest pro wrestler ever rankings and was one of the biggest stars (along with Steve Austin) during an era where the most people in history watched pro wrestling. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: YES

8: Frank Gotch

For most of history, the answer to “Who is the greatest pro wrestler ever?” was Frank Gotch and second place wasn’t even close. But Frank Gotch is ancient history now and what he did, while technically pro wrestling, is very different from what is done today. Frank Gotch was the transition between two eras. The pioneer era with names like William Muldoon and Evan “Strangler” Lewis transitioned into more of an arena sport venture and Frank Gotch dominated. Despite the misconception that all of Frank Gotch’s matches were “real” (unscripted shoot matches) they were almost certainly not. But, Frank Gotch did have quite a few matches that were most likely legitimate, probably including his two biggest and most famous in 1908 and again in 1911 in front of a combined 40,000 or more fans. The championship which he and George Hackenschmidt contested over in those two matches (with Frank Gotch winning both, though not without controversy) is generally considered the first true pro wrestling world championship. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: YES

9: Harley Race

Harley Race was so great that it is often times understated. You probably know him as famously, the seven-time world heavyweight champion and the greatest wrestler on God’s green Earth. Well, he was actually an eight time NWA World heavyweight champion and he may well have been one of the toughest men on God’s green Earth at any given point between 1973 to 1977… maybe even beyond. By the time he came to the WWF in 1986 he was a shadow of his former self as injuries and time had taken their toll and, unfortunately, many people remember him as “The King” of the WWF which was not his best look. Still, those who really knew the pro wrestling business and respected it’s history knew of the legendary seven (well, eight) time World heavyweight champion his legendary matches around the world with many of the other names on this list from Dory Funk, Jr. to Dusty Rhodes, to Ric Flair. Harley Race did best in rankings by historians, obviously, with mainstream publications not so much. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: YES

10: Dusty Rhodes

The “American Dream” Dusty Rhodes may be the biggest over-achiever in pro wrestling history. Despite having a body that looked like anything but a pro wrestler, with a heavy dose of charisma and better than you’d expect in-ring skill, Dusty Rhodes connected with fans all over the United States for many years. Dusty Rhodes did exceptionally well among mainstream publications and “best of” lists yet struggled some with historians who may have held his later booking of Jim Crockett Promotions against him. Dusty Rhodes was a divisive personality to be sure. I’ve met about as many people who loved him as hated him but it seems that most respected him. Much like Harley Race, a less than laudable run in the WWF didn’t seem to hurt his credibility much and, in fact, the polka-dot era WWF Dusty Rhodes has gained a sort of cult following over the last few years as well. His sons Dustin Rhodes and presently Cody Rhodes continue his legacy in pro wrestling with excellent careers of their own. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: YES

11: Shawn Michaels

For a while it looked like Shawn Michaels might be a contender for the top spot. Mainstream rankings helped Shawn Michaels out a lot and so did some historians… some. It seems pro wrestling historians were very divided on Shawn Michaels with some ranking him at, or very near the top, and others were not so impressed. Over the last couple of years I have noticed a narrative developing that between Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels that Bret was the better of the two, while historically, the opposite seemed to be true with the main detraction for Bret Hart being his often repetitive use of the same moves and structure during a match. Yet, recently something has changed but not enough for Bret Hart to pass Shawn Michaels in the cumulative average of all the ratings and lists I used. (Only 116 points separated the two which is miniscule among the top 50.) Still, despite the debate, few could argue that Shawn Michaels is one of the best in-ring performers of all time with an equal measure of charisma and athleticism. With four WWE/World championships to his credit, Shawn Michaels truly does deserve a place among the best of the best in pro wrestling history. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: YES

12: “Nature Boy” Buddy Rogers

To a better man it couldn’t have happened. Indeed, “Nature Boy” Buddy Rogers is one of the best remembered and charismatic stars of the early TV era. A contemporary of Lou Thesz and Bruno Sammartino, many have the opinion that Buddy Rogers was a lot of flash with not as much substance. But I’ve been watching a lot of Buddy Rogers matches recently and let me tell you, that reputation is not really fair. Buddy Rogers was a very good in-ring wrestler. Yes, his bravado and flair were often the center of his act and his out of the ring antics (very similar in many ways to Shawn Michaels as both often turned up “injured” at key moments) rubbed many the wrong way. Still, all these years later his name still remains strong among the wrestling historians and mainstream sources. If you don’t believe me, check out Buddy Rogers verses Killer Kowalski or Buddy Rogers verses Lou Thesz to see just how great the original “Nature Boy” could be. Holding both the NWA World title (1961) and the first WWWF championship (1963), Buddy Rogers was one of the biggest drawing cards of that era. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: YES

13: Jim Londos

Often cited as the biggest draw in the history of pro wrestling. That’s an arguable statement because what is a “draw” has changed since the days of Jim Londos with the addition of pay-per-view, TV ratings, and the proliferation of live events. Still, changing criteria aside, for his era Jim Londos probably wrestled in front of more people than any of his peers and those before him. There are unverified but widely reported accounts of Jim Londos wrestling multiple times in front of crowds larger than 100,000 in Greece. Pictures survive but it’s impossible to know how many people were really there. Jim Londos also had longevity, wrestling from 1912 well into the 1950s and was recognized by multiple state athletic commissions and organizations as the World heavyweight champion during his heyday. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: YES

14: Bret “Hitman” Hart

Bret “Hitman” Hart had one of the most respected careers in modern pro wrestling history. For better or worse, his name is forever tied to that of Shawn Michaels and many have debated over the years which of the two top 1990s WWF/WWE stars was the best. In recent years the narrative seems to be favoring Bret Hart, but regardless of which side of the Montreal Screwjob fence you fall on, both Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels are inarguably among the best of all time. Bret Hart’s in-ring style may be more methodical and mat-based than the more dynamic Shawn Michaels but Bret Hart remains technically one of the best. Whatever he did inside the wrestling ring he did better than just about anyone, past or present. Coming from a large pro wrestling family, Bret Hart outshined all the rest to become one of the best of the best in pro wrestling history with 7 world championships to show for it. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: YES

15: The Undertaker

The Undertaker (Mark Callaway) has only recently retired from the wrestling ring after spending several years making sporadic appearances at the biggest WWE shows. Many call Mark Callaway the best gimmick wrestler ever with that gimmick being “The Deadman” character of The Undertaker. Usually, over the top gimmicks like The Undertaker have a short shelf life but Mark Callaway managed to evolve the gimmick from over the top pro wrestling cartoon silliness to horror movie seriousness to respected superstar. The Undertaker is a big man, and as big men go, they aren’t usually the best in-ring workers but The Undertaker excelled in the ring as well. His diving highspots were often breath taking and his character work was tremendous earning the respect of historians and the press alike. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: YES

16: Ed “Strangler” Lewis

The successor to the Frank Gotch legacy is probably Ed “Strangler” Lewis. Though the Joe Stecher / Earl Caddock era chronologically came between the two, in terms of the biggest stars of history, Ed “Strangler” Lewis was the next big thing after the unbeaten world champion Frank Gotch went into retirement. Ed “Strangler” Lewis was then the bridge from that era to that of Lou Thesz. How great a shooter was Ed “Strangler” Lewis? The jury remains out on that question but he certainly had the bluff in on most and many consider him one of the most feared men inside the ring in pro wrestling history during an era where shoot matches and double crosses were not uncommon. Not to be confused with the original Strangler Lewis (Evan Lewis) of a previous era, Ed “Strangler” Lewis is one of the most feared and influential pro wrestlers of all time. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: YES

17: Antonio Inoki

There are three names to mention when the question is, “Who is the greatest Japanese pro wrestler of all time?” They are Rikidozan, Giant Baba, and Antonio Inoki. All three ran their own promotions, Baba and Antonio Inoki were both students of Rikidozan. Rikidozan became a cultural icon in Japan attaining a status few others in world ever did. Yet, Antonio Inoki came out on top in our aggregated cumulative list of the greatest pro wrestlers of all time. Why is that? While footage of Rikidozan exists, it is sparse and there is plenty of Giant Baba. And while Giant Baba was far better than many people may remember, most I think would agree that the best in-ring worker of the three was Antonio Inoki. Antonio Inoki’s character was simply that he was the toughest and most skilled martial artist on Earth and, in the words of historian and podcaster Kris Zellner, nobody was as good at being that as Antonio Inoki. No matter if you prefer to rank Rikidozan or Giant Baba higher in your personal ranking, the truth is, Antonio Inoki is one of the best wrestlers of all time and that much is indisputable. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: YES

18: John Cena

One of the biggest stars of the modern era but with a twist. John Cena was the biggest star in professional wrestling from the post-Monday Night War era boom until the present Roman Reigns era. But how do you quantify that all time? It is fair to say that John Cena was the biggest star in an era that saw a downturn in business. There are those who, perhaps rightfully so, feel his unrelenting babyface push turned away many fans. But John Cena was a big star. He even crossed over into popular culture through movies and music. So, was John Cena one of the greatest pro wrestlers of all time? Mainstream lists, magazines, and some journalists think absolutely, but historians didn’t think much of John Cena overall. John Cena was one of the more interesting people to chronicle on this list as he was all over the place from list to list. Some rankings had him high, some not at all. In the end this is the spot he fell in and I personally feel that’s about right. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: YES

19: Triple H

Triple H… Hunter Hearst Helmsley… Paul Levesque. Whatever name you call him by he is one of the greatest pro wrestling stars of all time. Presently, he is also in charge of WWE, at least the creative end of things, since Vince McMahon fell into scandal. Triple H was a solid powerhouse worker in the ring, if perhaps somewhat unspectacular. Triple H benefited from an unrelenting push from the late 1990s into the 2000s, a push that many argue came at the expense of others. But attrition eventually took control as the Triple H train kept on rolling and while never the mega-star of the level of a Steve Austin or The Rock, Triple H certainly compiled enough great matches and accomplishments to land near the top of the greatest pro wrestlers of all-time list. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: YES

20: Verne Gagne

During the 1950s there were two men extremely qualified to be the world heavyweight champion: Lou Thesz and Verne Gagne. One, Lou Thesz, had the political machine of the NWA behind him and the other, Verne Gagne, a little less so. To attempt and satisfy the problem, the United States championship was created. Promoter Fred Kohler even ran afoul of the NWA for a short time because they felt as though he was promoting Verne Gagne as U.S. champion as more important than Lou Thesz, the world champion. Eventually, there wasn’t enough room in town for two sheriffs so Verne Gagne created and crowned himself champion of the AWA, a world championship he held at least 10 times depending on which versions of it you are counting. By the late 1980s, Verne Gagne had retired and his AWA, unwilling or unable to keep up with the times, began fading away, there was a time in the golden television era when Verne Gagne was a household name and, to many, the heavyweight champion of the world and is forever one of the greatest professional wrestlers ever. Verne Gagne is the highest ranking AWA World champion on our list of the greatest pro wrestlers of all time. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: YES

21: Randy “Macho Man” Savage

Randy “Macho Man” Savage did exceptionally well among both mainstream media list sources as well as historians, though he did slightly better with the mainstream media. Randy Savage, with his neon colors and popular Slim Jim commercials became well known in pop culture during the 1980s into the 1990s even landing a role in one of the many Spider-Man movies. Randy Savage was a multi-time World champion in both WWF / WWE and WCW. Starting out in his father’s outlaw ICW promotion, he soon gained acclaim as a charismatic and athletic star before really breaking out in Memphis in a feud with Jerry “The King” Lawler. When he arrived in the WWF, he soon became one of the most memorable WWF Intercontinental champions of the era. By this time he was a well-round star and eventually rose to being the top name in the company, especially during the absence of Hulk Hogan. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: YES

22: Shohei "Giant” Baba

Giant Baba is one of the trinity of Japanese professional wrestling along with Rikidozan and Antonio Inoki. As a student of Rikidozan he grew to be a rival of Antonio Inoki with Inoki eventually forming and running New Japan Pro Wrestling while Giant Baba formed and ran All-Japan Pro Wrestling. Giant Baba was the face of All-Japan Pro Wrestling for decades and a 3 time NWA World heavyweight champion (although all 3 reigns totaled only 19 days). By the end of his career, Giant Baba had transitioned from main event wrestler to a mid-card special attraction draw while pushing some of the greatest pro wrestlers of all time to the top of the card. If you are only familiar with Giant Baba’s later work, do yourself a service and look up some of his earlier matches and you may be surprised just how good he was. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: YES

23: Dory Funk Jr.

Developed in the style of Lou Thesz, second generation wrestler Dory Funk, Jr. was pushed to the top of the NWA and on February 11, 1969 he defeated Gene Kiniski for the NWA World heavyweight title. Though he only held the world title once, that reign lasted 1563 days and Dory Funk, Jr. dominate the early 1970s NWA. Dory Funk, Jr., along with brother Terry Funk, also became one of the greatest tag teams in both the United States and Japan. Dory Funk, Jr. also has one of the longest careers in pro wrestling history, wrestling into his 70s with matches from 1963 all the way until 2018. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: YES

24: Nick Bockwinkel

4 time AWA World heavyweight champion Nick Bockwinkel ranked very high among pro wrestling historians, as rightfully he should. Nick Bockwinkel was a complete package as a pro wrestler. Nick Bockwinkel, a second generation wrestler, was a tremendous mat wrestler, charismatic, a great showman, and one of the best interviews you will ever hear. The career rival of AWA owner and multi-time world champion Verne Gagne, Nick Bockwinkel brought a flair to matches that Gagne lacked. Nick Bockwinkel had classic matches with many stars during the 1970s and 1980s including Verne Gagne, Jerry Lawler, Billy Robinson, and many of the top stars of Japan. Nick Bockwinkel’s interview style of condescendingly using verbose language has been copied by many over the years, including Chris Jericho, who centered a whole run in WWE around the Bockwinkel promo style. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: YES

25: Terry Funk

If this were my list of personal favorites, Terry Funk might very well be at number one. I love Terry Funk. Terry Funk brought a wild and unpredictable style to his matches which kept you entertained and excited. Terry Funk’s interviews were wild. You never had any idea what he was going to say and they stood apart from the standard stare at the camera and yell promos so many heel wrestlers fell trap to. No, Terry Funk made his promos entertaining, many times hilarious, and sometimes even scary. Winning the NWA World heavyweight title in 1975 following in the footsteps of older brother Dory Funk, Jr., Terry Funk was a legend in the United States and Japan, then, he reinvented himself in the mid-1990s in the Japan hardcore promotions and ECW. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: YES

26: Mitsuharu Misawa

Mitsuharu Misawa may be one of the best pro wrestlers I have ever seen and, apparently, many historians agree. A star of All-Japan Pro Wrestling, Mitsuharu Misawa inherited the Tiger Mask persona from Satoru Sayama but it wasn’t until he unmasked and was put over All-Japan’s top star at the time, Jumbo Tsuruta, that Misawa really shined as brightly as his potential allowed. Mitsuharu Misawa was in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Match of the Year five times between 1985 and 2003 with three of those coming against Kenta Kobashi. Sadly, Mitsuharu Misawa was killed in the ring in 2009 when a suplex, which looked like nothing out of the ordinary, broke his neck. He was 46 years old. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: YES

27: Joe Stecher

Clearly, Joe Stecher ranked highly on our list of the greatest pro wrestlers ever because he did well with historians. Virtually nobody in the media remembers Joe “Scissors” Stecher which is too bad. Joe Stecher bridged the gap between the era of Frank Gotch and Ed “Strangler” Lewis. While the World heavyweight championship was fractured into many different lineages during his era, Joe Stecher is generally regarded as a three time World heavyweight champion with his first win in 1915 against Charlie Cutler with Frank Gotch himself in attendance. Joe Stecher’s 1920 Madison Square Garden world title match against Earl Caddock is one of the most famous of the pre-TV era world title matches and still exists on film. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: YES

28: El Santo

El Santo is to the history of Mexico’s Lucha Libre what Rikidozan is to the history of pro wrestling in Japan. El Santo transcended lucha libre to become a cultural figure. Not just a pop culture star, he was that too, staring in many lucha libre themed action movies, but a true cultural star. Even to this day, you can buy El Santo masks at just about any marketplace in Mexico. El Santo’s son, El Hijo del Santo, is also considered one of the best luchadores of his era. Just as Rikidozan, Antonio Inoki, and Giant Baba are considered the trinity of Japanese pro wrestling, El Santo, Blue Demon, and Mil Mascaras are considered the trinity of Mexican pro wrestling with El Santo clearly as head of the table. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: YES

29: Gorgeous George

One of the most famous pro wrestlers of all time, Gorgeous George (George Wagner) set the standard for the gimmick of the “flamboyant blonde”, a gimmick that would be used in some variation by such stars as Buddy Rogers, Ric Flair, Buddy Rose, Adrian Adonis, and a myriad of outright Gorgeous George knock-offs and “Juniors”. Some may dismiss Gorgeous George as all flash and no substance, however, even the legendary Lou Thesz said that Gorgeous George was a solid wrestler. A mega-star in the early television era, Gorgeous George became the standard of “flashy-showbiz” gimmicks that would propel pro wrestling to the top of the pop culture ladder for decades to come. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: YES

30: Rikidozan

The third of the Japanese trinity of pro wrestling along with his two most famous students: Antonio Inoki and Giant Baba. Rikidozan, much like El Santo in Mexico, became more than a famous pro wrestler, he became a cultural icon. Interestingly enough, Rikidozan was born in Korea, though he was believed by the general public to be Japanese, and lauded him as a national hero. Starting out in Sumo, Rikidozan left the Sumo world amid controversy but transitioned into being the top star of what would become the JWA. Eventually, by way of his students Antonio Inoki and Giant Baba, the two most famous and successful Japanese pro wrestling companies would emerge: All-Japan Pro Wrestling and New Japan Pro Wrestling, thus making, in the minds of many, Rikidozan as the Grandfather of pro wrestling in Japan. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: YES

31: Jack Brisco

Jack Brisco was a two time NWA World heavyweight champion during the 1970s with a title reign lasting from July 1973 until December 1975 broken in half by a seven day title reign by Giant Baba which Brisco and Baba arranged between themselves, supposedly, without the permission of the National Wrestling Alliance (though there appeared to be no problem with it and Baba did it again twice with Harley Race). Jack Brisco was an incredible real athlete with a stellar amateur career which saw him win an NCAA championship in 1965 (he almost won it in 1964 as well). Respected by peers and historians alike, Jack Brisco is certainly one of the greatest pro wrestlers of all time. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: YES

32: Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat

During the 1970s and 1980s, whenever you discussed match quality, one name that always came up was Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat. From any number of a dozen classic matches with Ric Flair, including the famous 1989 series where they traded the NWA World heavyweight title, to his classic WWF Intercontinental Championship win over Randy Savage at WWF WrestleMania 3, Ricky Steamboat was often a winner or contender for match of the year in someone’s publication. Consistency, however, became a problem with Ricky Steamboat as he had many months’ worth of inactivity in pro wrestling during both the 1970s and 1980s. Movie star good looks, great athleticism, and an incredible physique endured Ricky Steamboat to fans and wrestling promoters alike. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: YES

33: “Rowdy” Roddy Piper

Roddy Piper is an interesting inclusion on our cumulative list of the greatest pro wrestlers of all time. Roddy Piper did well with both mainstream sources and historians alike but why? Roddy Piper had some famous matches to be sure. The 1983 NWA Starrcade Dog Collar match with Greg Valentine. The 1985 WWF War to Settle the Score with Hulk Hogan. Many matches in the Pacific Northwest, Georgia, and Jim Crockett promotions. But they were mostly spectacle brawls. Famous ones, no doubt, but not the kind of matches which usually land wrestlers on the greatest of all-time list. However, Roddy Piper contributed most to pro wrestling with his influence. Numerous pro wrestlers have copied Roddy Piper’s manic interview style and tough-guy presentation. What Roddy Piper may have lacked in star ratings, he made up for in entertaining character presentation. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: YES

34: Chris Jericho

This one will be controversial but the math checks out and it really shouldn’t be. Chris Jericho was high on most of the mainstream rankings and awards but historians didn’t think much of him. I will argue that they should. Chris Jericho is one of the last of the territorial traveling acts. Doing time in one of the many Stampede renaissances, to working one of the last regional territories in Smoky Mountain Wrestling, to learning lucha libre in Mexico as Corazon de Leon, to contending with the best of the Super Juniors in Japan, Chris Jericho has, for over 30 years, honed a versatile style of wrestling along with loads of charisma and an almost unparalleled ability to reinvent himself whenever needed. Even at the time of the publication of this list at the beginning of 2023, a 52 year old Chris Jericho is still relevant in AEW and was very recently the revived Ring of Honor champion. Chris Jericho, despite his detractors and as an eight time world champion spanning WWE, WCW, AEW, and ROH, absolutely belongs on a list of the greatest pro wrestlers of all time. He also has a tremendous podcast. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: YES

35: Stan “The Lariat” Hansen

Much like fellow west-Texas native Terry Funk, if this were my own personal list of the greatest pro wrestlers of all time, then Stan “The Lariat” Hansen would be very near the top. While Stan Hansen had his share of success in the United States with many different territories, a main event run in WWWF, and a stint as AWA World heavyweight champion, Stan Hansen’s greatest success came in Japan where he was one of the biggest stars in the history of All-Japan Pro Wrestling. Stan Hansen’s wild, out of control style of brawling brought a non-stop level of excitement to any match he was in. Stan Hansen deserves a spot among the best of the best in pro wrestling history. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: YES

36: Bob Backlund

I was surprised to see Bob Backlund finish as high on this list as he did since he was a rather polarizing figure. While he was unquestionably a great wrestler, the choice to stick with him as the top champion for as many years as Vince J. McMahon did caused quite a backlash. Not to mention, by the time you got to about 1983, Bob Backlund had a weird uncool vibe to him and was winning almost as many “worst of” awards as he was winning “best of”. However the Bob Backlund story goes, part of that story was that he was a consistently good drawing card and a consistently good in ring wrestler and, for many in the late 1970s, he was the first name you thought of when you thought of pro wrestling. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: YES

37: Mil Mascaras

Along with El Santo and the Blue Demon, Mil Mascaras is one of the trinity of Mexico’s lucha libre wrestling scene. Transcending lucha libre into Mexican pop culture by way of the movies, Mil Mascaras is one of the most famous pro wrestlers ever. Mil Mascaras actually had somewhat of an advantage over El Santo and Blue Demon in that Mil Mascaras was far more of a world traveler than his fellow two lucha libre deities. Mil Mascaras was also a huge star in the United States and Japan making him, unquestionably one of the greatest pro wrestlers of all time. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: YES

38: Jumbo Tsuruta

One of the greatest superstars of All-Japan Pro Wrestling. All-Japan Pro Wrestling during the 1980s and 1990s was one of the real work horse promotions in pro wrestling. More high level matches took place in All-Japan Pro Wrestling than anywhere else in the world and one of its most productive wrestlers was Jumbo Tsuruta. Besides being the first man to unify the Triple Crown championship (PWF & International & United National titles) in 1989, Jumbo Tsuruta also had a brief run as the AWA World heavyweight champion bridging the lineage between Nick Bockwinkel and Rick Martel. Jumbo Tsuruta won so many accomplishments and titles in All-Japan that listing all of the here is too space consuming. Jumbo Tsuruta is a 3 time Tokyo Sports Wrestler of the Year (1983, 1984, 1991) and Wrestling Observer Newsletter Wrestler of the Year in 1991 as well. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: YES

39: George Hackenschmidt

The first truly internationally recognized pro wrestling heavyweight champion of the world, George Hackenschmidt was a pioneer of two sports: pro wrestling and strongman/bodybuilding. After winning multiple championship tournaments in Europe, George Hackenschmidt came to the United States seeking the American heavyweight champion, which in 1905, was Tom Jenkins. George Hackenschmidt defeated the American champion Tom Jenkins on May 4, 1905 at New York’s Madison Square Garden to become widely recognized as the World heavyweight champion. George Hackenschmidt would eventually lose the World heavyweight title to Frank Gotch on April 3, 1908 and the rematch with him on September 4, 1911. George Hackenschmidt may unfairly be mainly remembered for his two losses to Frank Gotch but should also rightly be remembered for being one of the most dominate European pro wrestlers ever and the first ever true pro wrestling World heavyweight champion. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: YES

40: Riki Choshu

Riki Choshu is to New Japan Pro Wrestling what Jumbo Tsuruta is to All-Japan Pro Wrestling in many ways. Riki Choshu has held the IWGP championship three times (he also held All-Japan’s PWF World title once) and has been in the Tokyo Sports match of the Year four times (1983, 1984, 1985, 1993) and the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Wrestler of the Year in 1987. Riki Choshu is also considered the inventor of the Sasori-Gatame (AKA: Scorpion Deathlock / Sharpshooter). In 1996 he won the New Japan G-1 Climax Tournament, winning every single match. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: YES

41: Kurt Angle

Kurt Angle was a 1996 Olympic Gold medalist and one of the most accomplished collegiate wrestlers ever. When Kurt Angle made the transition to professional wrestling it quickly became clear to insiders that he was a natural at picking up the entertainment aspect of pro wrestling as well. Kurt Angle put on some of the best matches of his era against the likes of Brock Lesnar, Chris Benoit, Edge, Samoa Joe, and many more. He is a six time World heavyweight champion (WWE, WCW, and World heavyweight) and the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Wrestler of the Year in 2004. Kurt Angle would have been a superstar in literally any era. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: YES

42: Sting

This one is going to be divisive but there are clearly two schools of thought on Sting. Dave Meltzer has never seemed very high on Sting, indicating he thinks he was a borderline Hall of Fame candidate and that turned into a self-fulfilling prophecy as it took Sting years to finally get in. Yet, outside of the Observer sphere of influence and thought, Sting ranked highly on many historians lists and even higher still on mainstream lists. Once outside of the Observer bubble, the opinion of Sting was much higher. Not saying one is right or wrong, just that those trends exist and it leads to Sting (Steve Borden) being listed where he is. There will be others on our list with similar trends. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: YES

43: AJ Styles

While John Cena was the most modern/current era wrestler to appear on our list, AJ Styles is the youngest. At the time this list was released at the beginning of 2023, AJ Styles was 45 years old and still an active wrestler with WWE. AJ Style is a two time WWE champion, as well as multiple time U.S., Intercontinental, and tag team champion. Prior to this, AJ Styles was a five time NWA/TNA World champion and prior to that a stand-out star on the independent circuit… oh, yeah, he also had that incredible run in New Japan Pro Wrestling where he was a two time IWGP champion. So, if you think for one second that AJ Styles shouldn’t be ranked this high on this list, then think again and the experts realized it. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: YES

44: Gene Kiniski

Billing himself as "Canada's Greatest Athlete", Gene Kiniski won the AWA World heavyweight title from Verne Gagne on July 11, 1961 holding it for just under a month. The apex of Gene Kiniski’s career came on January 7, 1966 when he won the NWA World title from Lou Thesz, holding it for over three years. Gene Kiniski was a gigantic drawing card in both Toronto and Montreal. While Gene Kiniski is most often rightfully mentioned for his famous feud with fellow Canadian “Whipper” Billy Watson, Gene Kiniski also had great matches and programs with Don Leo Jonathon, Yukon Eric, Edouard Carpentier, Pat O’Connor, and scores of others. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: YES

45: Bruiser Brody

Bruiser Brody was another over whom there was a difference of opinion. I had always heard Bruiser Brody mentioned as among the best of the best but I was surprised to see how many historians had him listed very high on their lists but also many had him listed very low on their lists! It seems like you really loved Bruiser Brody or you didn’t. His accomplishments are there to be sure, though his outlaw style and independence never led him to a major world championship in the United States. If Bruiser Brody would have had the same success in the U.S. that he had in Japan then he might be closer to the top of the list of greatest wrestlers of all time. Sadly, Bruiser Brody was killed by Invader I (Jose Gonzalez) in a dressing room of a WWC show in Puerto Rico on July 17, 1988 at the age of 42. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: YES

46: Antonino Argentina Rocca

One of the biggest draws of the 1950s and 1960s, Antonino “Argentina” Rocca transcended pro wrestling into the popular culture gracing the cover of magazines, appearing on television shows, and even gracing the cover of the Superman comic book! A huge draw in his own right, his tag team with Miguel Perez, became one of the biggest drawing acts in Madison Square Garden history. While he never held one of the major world championships during era (he did hold World championship versions in Montreal and Ohio) he was still a giant attraction and on January 2, 1960, Antonino Rocca set the post-World War II record for wrestling attendance at Madison Square Garden's 49th–50th Street location, drawing 21,950 fans against The Amazing Zuma. Antonino Rocca passed away at the age of 55 on March 15, 1977. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: YES (Both as a singles wrestler and as part of a tag team with Miguel Perez)

47: Keiji “Great Muta” Muto

Keiji Muto is one of my personal favorite pro wrestlers. I saw his career from start to (presumed) finish. When I first saw the “Super Black Ninja” around 1988, I thought, this person has tremendous potential if he can escape this go nowhere gimmick. Well, he did. As the Great Muta he captured the imagination of NWA-WCW wrestling fans as a sort of reincarnated but with agility Great Kabuki managed by Gary Hart. So great was the (no pun intended) Great Muta that Jim Ross even suggested an NWA World title run for him. While Jim Ross was shut down that time, Muta did eventually hold the NWA World title briefly in 1993. In the following years, Great Muta/Keiji Muto was a mega-star in Japan. During the mid-to-late 1990s, Muta/Muto regularly appeared at the top of the card in front of a sold out Tokyo Dome and won the IWGP championship four times. Late in his career he became the top star for All-Japan Pro Wrestling, though post it’s glory era, where he held the Triple Crown title three times. Oh yeah, there is a NOAH Global Honor Crown World championship to throw in there as well. Yes, clearly Keiji “Great Muta” Muto deserves a spot high up on the greatest pro wrestlers of all-time list. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: YES

48: Mick Foley

Mick Foley (AKA: Cactus Jack, Mankind, Dude Love) is a very interesting and complex character. When you think of Mick Foley, perhaps you think of the funny, kind-hearted, loveable, Santa Claus look-a-like appearing at your local comedy club. Or, maybe you think about Mick Foley, New York Times bestselling author and the man who a started a trend of a thousand wrestling books. Articulate, funny, and knowledgeable. Or, perhaps you think of a blood-letting madman, raking a barbed wire bat across the face of your favorite wrestler. Or, a three time WWE champion. All of those are true aspects of the complex character of Mick Foley. Voted Best Brawler every year from 1991 to 2000 by readers of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. It’s no surprise he also makes the list of the greatest pro wrestlers of all time. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: YES

49: Big Van Vader

Another of my favorite pro wrestlers ever. Starting out as a football player turned wrestler in the AWA, Leon White’s career really took off when he went to New Japan Pro Wrestling to take on a gimmick originally envisioned for, of all people, the Ultimate Warrior (Jim Hellwig). The gimmick of Big Van Vader, a giant monster in the style of the most fearsome kaiju, dawned a massive smoke spewing helmet and promptly destroyed the best New Japan had to offer… even Antonio Inoki. Far more agile than a big man should be, he gained the reputation of being one of the best big men in pro wrestling history. Coming to the United States, he became a top star in WCW, even winning the WCW World heavyweight championship three times. In fact, at one point, he held a world championship on three continents at once (Europe, North America, and Asia). Big Van Vader didn’t achieve as much success in WWF/WWE as he did elsewhere in the world for a variety of reasons which probably hurt his legacy some, still, the 1990s was the era of Big Van Vader for most of planet earth and I am glad I was there to witness it. Big Van Vader won the Wrestler of the Year Award for Wrestling Observer Newsletter in 1993. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: YES

50: Eddie Guerrero

Eddie Guerrero was amazing. A second generation wrestler, son of Gory Guerrero with pro wrestling brothers Armando, Chavo, and Hector. Eddie Guerrero was a standout from the day he stepped into a wrestling ring as the original Mascara Magica in CMLL then joining AAA where he teamed with El hijo del Santo as the new La Pareja Atómica. Then came Los Gringos Locos, then New Japan, then his highlight reel matches with ECW, then WCW where, despite attempts to hold him back, he excelled anyway. By the time he arrived in WWE and became the WWE champion (as well as holding almost every other title there as well) he was already one of the best pro wrestlers on the planet. While Eddie Guerrero never won the Wrestling Observer Wrestler of the Year award, he did win several others including Feud of the Year twice and Tag Team of the Year twice (with Art Barr in 1994 and Chavo Guerrero, Jr. in 2002). Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: YES

51: “Wild” Bill Longson

The three time National Wrestling Association World heavyweight champion “Wild” Bill Longson has never really gotten his just due until now. Often skipped over on these “best of” and “Greatest Ever” lists, the few people who know about Bill Longson may only know the very basic facts: he was a heel wrestler and a largely invented or popularized the piledriver. Those facts are true, but “Wild” Bill Longson was also one of the biggest drawing cards in St. Louis wrestling history, and if you know your pro wrestling history, then you know that St. Louis was long the center of the pro wrestling universe. It also hurt that Bill Longson had his greatest success during the 1940s, an era where pro wrestling’s popularity was at an ebb and not a lot was written about it. But historians remembered, and “Wild” Bill Longson lands a solid spot among the greatest pro wrestlers of all time. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: YES

52: The Destroyer

Dick “The Destroyer” Beyer (AKA: Doctor X) was one of the most decorated pro wrestlers from the mid-1950s through the late 1970s and an icon in Japan. Known for his unique mask and scowling face, The Destroyer was a top champion virtually everywhere he worked including Los Angeles, AWA (where he held the World championship once as Doctor X in 1968), All-Japan, the Pacific Northwest, and elsewhere. A highly accomplished wrestler and football player out of Syracuse University, The Destroyer first worked as a babyface in the 1950s before breaking out as the masked Destroyer in 1962. The Destroyer remained a popular cultural figure in Japan until his death in 2019 at the age of 88. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: YES

53: Fred Blassie

Freddie Blassie was a favorite among historians who voted him very high on many of their greatest wrestlers of all-time lists. While many modern era fans may have only seen him as the elderly “Hollywood Fashion Plate” during the Hulkamania era of the WWF, Fred Blassie was a big time draw and multi-time champion in a previous era. While he is probably most associated with Los Angeles pro wrestling, Fred Blassie found success wherever he went including successful stints in Georgia, Japan, and the WWWF. Fred Blassie was a five time WWA/NAWA World heavyweight champion and one time NWA World Junior champion. Fred Blassie also crossed over into popular culture with appearances on a variety of TV shows and features including the acclaimed 1982 film My Breakfast with Blassie starring Andy Kaufman. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: YES

54: Jerry “The King” Lawler

I was surprised, but happy, to see Jerry Lawler rank as highly as he did on our greatest pro wrestlers ever list. I grew up watching Jerry Lawler but I also knew he was both loved and hated among critics. There are many journalist and pro wrestling pundits who hate the so-called “Memphis style” of pro wrestling. I still don’t really understand why anyone would hate, perhaps, one of the most entertaining styles of wrestling and storytelling but what do I know? Let me tell you what I know: Jerry Lawler is easily in the top five greatest promos of all time and Jerry Lawler has had a large list of great matches (yes, heavily brawling matches but see also critic favorites Bruiser Brody and Mick Foley and then, after wiping the hypocrisy off your face, get back to me.) Jerry Lawler is a one-time AWA World heavyweight champion in 1988 and easily the most decorated pro wrestler in the long history of Memphis pro wrestling. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: YES

55: Tatsumi Fujinami

Tatsumi Fujinami is a six-time IWGP heavyweight champion and credited as the originator of the Dragon Sleeper. Tatsumi Fujinami was a top star in Japan through three decades- the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. If not for a serious back injury in 1988 it’s possible that Tatsumi Fujinami might rank even higher on the list of the greatest wrestlers ever. Tatsumi Fujinami was a six time IWGP champion, NWA World champion (not recognized in the U.S.), and Wrestling Observer Newsletter Best Technical Wrestler winner in 1985, 1986, and 1988. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: YES

56: Kenta Kobashi

Already in our look at the 201 Greatest Pro Wrestlers of All-Time List we have mentioned the work-horse era of All-Japan Pro Wrestling several times and whenever someone thinks about that era and the early era of NOAH they must think about Kenta Kobashi. Three times Kenta Kobashi was the All-Japan Triple Crown champion and he was the longest reigning NOAH Global Honor Crown champion in history. Six times he was in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Match of the Year (1992, 1998, 1999, 2003, 2004, and 2005) and he was Wrestling Observer Newsletter Wrestler of the Year four times (1996, 2003, 2004, and 2005). If anything, Kenta Kobashi should be higher on the list. I imagine what kept him down this low was his lack of wrestling in the United States thus, most of your U.S.-centric lists (which were most of them honestly) either didn’t list him or kept him low. Kenta Kobashi, in my opinion, should have ranked higher. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: YES

57: Rey Mysterio Jr.

Rey Mysterio, Jr., or Rey Mysterio (Óscar Gutiérrez) as he has simply been known as for decades now (he is the nephew, not the son, of the first Rey Mysterio) is unquestionably one of the greatest pro wrestlers ever. He first made waves on the early 1990s lucha libre scene (he actually debuted in 1989 at the age of 14) as one of the most daring and innovative highfliers ever. Rey Mysterio influenced a whole generation of luchadores in Mexico and smaller lightweight wrestlers in the United States, a movement which still influences the pro wrestling business to this day. It would have been unbelievable a generation earlier that a wrestler as small as Rey Mysterio could be WWE champion, but he was, winning the vacant title on July 25, 2011 and having two reigns as WWE World heavyweight champion besides (2006 and 2010). Rey Mysterio is an innovator and opened the door for the many lightweight wrestlers after him to excel to a higher level on the card. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: YES

58: Akira Maeda

A pioneer in ushering in the shoot or MMA style of wrestling into professional wrestling, Akira Maeda entered the New Japan dojo in 1978. It was anything but a smooth ride. In 1984, Akira Maeda, Yoshiaki Fujiwara, and other New Japan defectors formed the Japanese UWF, a shoot style pro wrestling promotion that heavily influenced the style of wrestling in Japan for many years afterward. Akira Maeda was the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Wrestler of the Year in 1988, a year that was packed with incredible pro wrestling all over the world. But Akira Maeda’s career was not without controversy. As great as he was he also appeared to have a violent side to him. He got into a shooting situation with Andre the Giant in a New Japan tag team match in 1986 but the lowest point of his sportsmanship came in another tag team match in November 1987 where, while unable to defend himself while holding wrestler Osamu Kido in a Scorpion hold, Akira Maeda stiff kicked Riki Choshu in the face, breaking facial bones. Akira Maeda lands on this list because of his greatness as a pro wrestler but probably not for his sportsmanship. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: YES

59: “Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase

I wasn’t surprised to see Ted DiBiase land somewhere on this list. Why? That’s actually a good question. I grew up watching Ted DiBiase and, no doubt, he had tons of great matches in the Mid-South (later UWF) area and in Georgia. But a well-known pro wrestler once asked me, “Why does Ted DiBiase constantly get called a great wrestler? I just don’t see it. Where are all these great Ted DiBiase matches at?” That got me to thinking, is Ted DiBiase one of those wrestlers who just got fortunate enough to be typecast as a “great” wrestler without the body of work to back it up? He may be the most famous “almost” world champion ever. He is constantly mentioned as a name on the list for consideration as NWA World champion, but he never got it. He didn’t even get the UWF World title, an area where he was a top star for years. He actually got (not won, but got handed) the WWF title but in storyline that “win” was rescinded so, he never actually held any major promotion world title nor did he ever win the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Wrestler of the Year. He was a great character to be sure. The Million Dollar Man is one of the most memorable characters in WWE history. Still, the experts have spoken and enough of them felt that Ted DiBiase was one of the greatest pro wrestlers of all time and who am I to disagree… I liked him too. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: YES

60: The Sheik

I won’t say I was surprised to see Ed “The Sheik” Farhat ranked this high among the greatest pro wrestlers ever but I suppose I assumed that since The Sheik wasn’t a “work rate” wrestler that he might not do well. However, wrestling historians consistently had The Sheik high on their list. The Sheik is unlike anything we’ve seen so far on the greatest pro wrestlers list, he was a wild blood-letting brawler who flung fireballs at opponents and often worked quick out of control matches. The Sheik is most closely associated with Detroit wrestling, a territory it just so happened that he owned, but he also had tremendous success in Japan as well. Many Sheik knock-offs and copies came in the future and The Sheik, along with Abdullah the Butcher, may be the prototypes for hardcore wrestling. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: YES

61: Curt “Mr. Perfect” Hennig

It’s amazing looking back on the career of Curt “Mr. Perfect” Hennig that he only held one world heavyweight championship- the AWA which he won in 1987 and lost in 1988. Curt Hennig never won Wrestler of the Year in either the Wrestling Observer Newsletter nor Pro Wrestling Illustrated. Yet, why does it still seem correct that Curt Hennig is this high on the list of the greatest pro wrestlers of all-time? Curt Hennig was an excellent wrestler, very athletic and a great mat wrestler. He was also deceptively bigger than one might think. Everything he did had a crispness to it, a sharpness. It’s as though every move had to be, well, pardon the pun but… perfect. His impressive bumps sometimes borderline on comedy but more often were just impressive. In a lot of ways, both Curt Hennig and Ted DiBiase are similar in that neither actually have the on-paper credentials that others on the greatest wrestlers of all-time list have, yet somehow they managed to get everyone’s respect. Sadly, Curt Hennig died of a suspected drug overdose just shy of his 45th birthday. Curt Hennig is the highest ranking wrestler on our greatest pro wrestlers of all-time list not to be in the Observer Hall of Fame. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: NO

62: Jushin “Thunder” Liger

I was a big fan of Jushin “Thunder” Liger, in fact, during the mid-1990s he might have been my favorite pro wrestler. So, I was surprised he actually didn’t rank higher on this list considering his innovative high-flying style- he took what Tiger Mask and Dynamite Kid were doing and elevated it even higher. Following an injury and, later, cancer, Jushin Liger adapted his ring style to a more grounded game and he excelled at that too. Jushin Liger spent the bulk of his career with New Japan Pro Wrestling but also wrestled and held championships in Mexico with CMLL and in the United States with WCW. He was named most outstanding wrestler by Wrestling Observer Newsletter in 1990, 1991, and 1992 among other awards. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: YES

63: Toshiaki Kawada

Another of the work-horse era All-Japan Pro Wrestling stars. It’s amazing how many are already on this list. Toshiaki Kawada was a five time Triple Crown champion and had 17 five star rated matches by Wrestling Observer Newsletter and one match rated six stars (verses Mitsuharu Misawa in 1994)! Toshiaki Kawada was also the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Wrestler of the Year in 1994. With statistics like that, it’s no wonder Toshiaki Kawada is widely regarded as one of the greatest pro wrestlers ever. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: YES

64: Gus Sonnenberg

Gus Sonnenberg was the National Wrestling Association World champion for almost two years during 1929 and 1930 and was, along with Jim Londos, one of the biggest drawing stars of that era. Gus Sonnenberg was a short, 200 pound wrestler, and a former football player on a number of early NFL teams. It was because of that background that he introduced an early entertainment move to wrestling- the flying tackle. Gus Sonnenberg’s flying tackle proved very popular with wrestling fans and Gus Sonnenberg himself quickly grew in popularity. Ed “Strangler” Lewis dropped the World championship to him and, almost two years later, Sonnenberg dropped it to Ed Don George. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: YES

65: Shinya Hashimoto

Three time IWGP champion Shinya Hashimoto appeared atop multiple capacity Tokyo Dome shows during the big era of New Japan Pro Wrestling before the business collapsed. Additionally, he held All-Japan’s Triple Crown title once and the NWA World title once during the indie era of the alliance. While he never won a Wrestling Observer award (besides being inducted into the Hall of Fame) he did win the Tokyo Sports Wrestler of the Year in 1994. Shinya Hashimoto did not look like a star. In fact, he looked a lot like a Japanese Elvis during his later years which is not a compliment. But what Shinya Hashimoto lacked in cosmetic appearance he made up for in skill, perfectly combining old school brawling (he did a stint in Memphis as Shogun) and modern mixed martial arts kicks and submissions. Sadly, Shinya Hashimoto died suddenly of a brain aneurysm on July 11, 2005 at the age of 40. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: YES

66: Ray “The Crippler” Stevens

Ray “The Crippler” Stevens had a long and successful career which started in 1950 at the age of 15 and lasted into the 1980s. Ray Stevens was so influential, that the number one man on the list of the greatest pro wrestlers of all time, Ric Flair, admits to copying part of Ray Stevens act and mentions him often as a source of inspiration. While Ray Stevens never held any of the major singles world titles (he did hold an Australian based world title twice), he was so influential through his work in San Francisco and the AWA and his critically acclaimed tag teams with both Nick Bockwinkel and Pat Patterson that no one can deny his rightful place among the greatest wrestlers ever. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: YES

67: Pat O'Connor

Recognized as the inaugural AWA World champion, Pat O’Connor held the NWA World heavyweight title from 1959 to 1961. He was named the first AWA World champion by owner (and contender) Verne Gagne knowing full well the NWA was not going to drop the world title to him so, he made up a new world title and recognized the NWA champion so when he failed to defend it against him he could rightfully claim to be world champion. But make no mistake, Pat O’Connor was one of the best of that era and a great amateur champion representing New Zealand in both the Pan Am and the Empire games. Pat O’Connor was a fixture in the Central States and was highly respected among all the great pro wrestlers of his time and historians agreed that Pat O’Connor is due a high place on the cumulative list of the all-time greatest pro wrestlers. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: YES

68: Dick the Bruiser

Depending on what championships you are counting, Dick the Bruiser may have held as many as 15 world championships (mostly WWA affiliated though once the AWA World champion) but quibbling over what is actually a true world title aside, Dick the Bruiser was one of the biggest draws and most famous pro wrestlers of the 1950s and 1960s. Dick the Bruiser, as a singles star, was a big draw and champion in such places as the AWA, Indianapolis (his own WWA promotion), St. Louis, and even Japan. Dick the Bruiser, in many ways, was exactly what you would picture if you said, “What does a pro wrestling brute look like?” Dick the Bruiser is also, of course, famous for his tag team with The Crusher with whom he held many tag team championships. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: YES

69: Pedro Morales

Pedro Morales was a two time WWA World heavyweight champion, a one-time WWWF champion, and two-time WWF/WWWF Intercontinental champion and a huge draw at Madison Square Garden. I must admit, I never got the appeal of Pedro Morales but I didn’t see him until the tail end of his career in WWF and missed the era of the rabid crowds at MSG chanting for Pedro Morales to destroy whatever heel he was programmed against. Pedro Morales ranked high among historians. Pedro Morales was the successor to Bruno Sammartino by way of transitional champion Ivan Koloff from whom he won the WWWF title on February 8, 1971 and holding it until December 1, 1973 when he lost it to transitional champion Stan Stasiak who then quickly dropped it back to Bruno Sammartino. Pedro Morales wrestled in many territories from the WWA, WWWF, AWA, WWC, Florida, and more. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: YES

70: John Pesek

John Pesek is one of the all-time great forgotten shooters in pro wrestling history… except the historians didn’t forget him. No, John Pesek ranked consistently on the best wrestlers lists of many historians. Known as “The Nebraska Tiger Man”, it’s very likely had John Pesek began his career in the 2000s rather than the early 1900s he would have been one of the greatest mixed martial artists ever as, not only was he a feared shooter, but also a trained boxer. In 1914 he defeated Wladek Zbyzsko to gain national acclaim. So tough was John Pesek that he became the policeman for another famous shooter Ed “Strangler” Lewis, keeping would-be double crossers at bay including injuring Olympic medalist Nat Pendleton who had ambitions for the championship in a shoot match. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: YES

71: Chris Benoit

It’s unfortunate that Chris Benoit has to be on this list. But this is a cumulative rating system. However, I will not praise to a child murderer and spouse killer. Chris Benoit went from being generally considered one of the best wrestlers of the era to a person whose name can’t even be mentioned. So terrible was his crimes that he erased any accomplishments achieved. The less said about Chris Benoit the better. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: YES

72: Perro Aguayo

One of the all time great characters in lucha libre history. Perro Aguayo began his career in the late 1960s and wrestled into the 2000s. His son, Perro Aguayo, Jr., also became one of the top stars of lucha libre prior to his premature death in 2015. Perro Aguayo feuded with many of the best of his era in Mexico including Konnan, Karloff Lagarde, Ringo Mendoza, El Santo, Villano III, and a host of others. Perro Aguayo won numerous championships in UWA, AAA, EMLL/CMLL, and was three time WWA (Mexico) champion. He won the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Best Babyface award in 1995, well into his career. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: YES

73: Killer Kowalski

Walter “Killer” Kowalski was one of the top stars from the late 1940s through the 1970s during which time he held multiple versions of the world heavyweight championship (AAC and IWA specifically) and even once held an off-shoot version of the NWA World championship. Killer Kowalski was a top draw during his era against such major rivals as Bruno Sammartino, Giant Baba, and Yukon Eric (against whom he infamously tore off his ear with a wayward knee drop). Following his storied pro wrestling career, Killer Kowalski became a trainer and among them was his most famous student- Paul Levesque, better known to the wrestling world as Triple H. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: YES

74: Stanislaus Zbyszko

Stanislaus Zbyszko was a three time world heavyweight champion and one of the most accomplished pro wrestlers of the 1920s. He is the older brother of another successful pro wrestler- Wladek Zbyszko. Stanislaus Zbyszko had a lengthy career beginning in 1909. Among his famous match rivals were Ed “Strangler” Lewis, Great Gama, Joe Stecher, and Wayne Munn, the latter of whom he double crossed at the age of 47 to win the world title. Following his retirement, he and brother Wladek ran a farm in Missouri that employed, during their youth, two future legends: Harley Race and Johnny Valentine. On September 23, 1967, Stanislaus Zbyszko died of a heart attack at age 88. He was cited by Ed “Strangler” Lewis as one of the best legitimate wrestlers of all-time; and as a tribute, his surname was later adopted by Larry Zbyszko, though he was of no actual relation. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: YES

75: Genichiro Tenryu

Genichiro Tenryu is a three-time All-Japan Pro Wrestling Triple Crown champion and one time New Japan Pro Wrestling IWGP champion. He is one of the most accomplished Japanese professional wrestlers of all time. He had two stints with All-Japan Pro Wrestling, where he spent the majority of his career and also promoted Super World of Sports, Wrestle Association R (WAR), and Tenryu Project. At the time of his retirement, Wrestling Observer Newsletter writer Dave Meltzer wrote that "one could make a strong case that Tenryu was between the fourth and sixth biggest native star" in the history of Japanese professional wrestling. The former Sumo entered pro wrestling in 1976 where he was trained by Terry Funk and Dory Funk, Jr. and ultimately retired in 2015. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: YES

76: Tiger Mask (Satoru Sayama)

Debuting in 1976, Satoru Sayama would travel to both England and Mexico to gain experience before he finally debuted in the role that would make him one of the most famous and influential pro wrestlers of all time: Tiger Mask. While there have been multiple Tiger Mask characters in pro wrestling (and numerous spin-off “Black Tigers”, “Black Cats”, etc.), Satoru Sayama was the first and most famous. In 1981, Satoru Sayama was chosen to take on the role of a popular anime character, Tiger Mask, come to life. Tiger Mask combined pro wrestling, lucha libre inspired high flying, English technical wrestling, and martial arts, into an innovative style that many still imitate to this very day. His series of matches with Dynamite Kid are considered the template for future junior heavyweight and highflying pro wrestlers. The fingerprints of the Tiger Mask style can still be seen to this day throughout the world of wrestling. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: YES

77: Jake “The Snake” Roberts

Jake “The Snake” Roberts was very famous as a pro wrestler during the 1980s but I seriously question his placement on this list. Jake Roberts ranked very high among the mainstream press lists who undoubtedly remember his character, his snake, and his finishing move: the DDT. Jake Roberts was a great interview. No question, in fact, maybe one of the top ten ever. However, his accomplishments don’t seem to match how in love the mainstream lists were with him. He never held a major world championship, few historians included him anywhere near the top of their lists (few even included him), he never won an Observer award of any kind, nor is he in the Wrestling Observer Hall of Fame. Yet, for whatever reason, the mainstream lists used in this cumulated list all put him very high (Sports Illustrated had him at #43, Bleacher Report had him at #21, Ainsworth had him at #150, and Larry Matysik had him at #39! Source) While this list is not my personal top 201 pro wrestlers of all time, I feel that Jake Roberts, while an excellent character and good pro wrestler is vastly overrated among the media. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: NO

78: El Hijo del Santo

The son of the legendary lucha libre icon El Santo, the son of Santo was a remarkably great pro wrestler himself. While perhaps not attaining the same level of pop culture immortality as his father, one could argue (probably rightly so) that El Hijo del Santo was the better of the two wrestlers inside the ring. El Hijo del Santo blended both the high flying lucha libre style with the technical aspects of lucha libre very well. It didn’t hurt that his career rival, Negro Casas, was one of the best workers in the pro wrestling world as well. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: YES

79: Earl Caddock

The original “Man of 1000 Holds” was Earl Caddock, one of the biggest wrestling stars from about 1915 through 1922. Earl Caddock was an accomplished amateur wrestler as well from 1914 to 1915, Earl Caddock won the AAU Light heavyweight Championship twice, and the AAU Heavyweight Championship once. Another trainee of Martin “Farmer” Burns, Earl Caddock’s most famous professional wrestling rivalry was against Joe Stecher which produced one of the greatest matches of the era, a January 30, 1920 loss at Madison Square Garden. Earl Caddock left the pro wrestling world in 1922 where he ran a Ford agency selling cars, tractors and heavy machinery to farmers in Walnut, Iowa. He would go on to become President of the United Petroleum Corporation. Earl Caddock died in 1950 after major surgery for a heart attack at the age of 62. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: YES

80: Billy Robinson

Billy Robinson is one of the most respected technical wrestlers in history. Billy Robinson was one of the most prolific world travelers on our list. Starting out in England, Billy Robinson was the British National Wrestling Champion in 1957, and in 1958 he was the European Open Wrestling Champion in the light heavyweight class, beating an Olympic bronze medal winner in the finals. Billy Robinson also attended the fabled wrestling gym of legendary trainer Billy Riley in Wigan, the Snake Pit. Billy Robinson won major championships in the United States, Europe, and Japan including All-Japan Pro Wrestling’s PWF World title, AWA World tag team championship twice (with Verne Gagne and The Crusher), Memphis’ CWA World title (3 times), and IWE World championship among a myriad host of others. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: YES

81: Edouard Carpentier

“The Flying Frenchman” Edouard Carpentier was one of the most successful pro wrestlers in the world during the 1950s and 1960s. Edouard Carpentier held numerous championships including the AAC World championship, IWA (Chicago) World championship, NAWA/WWA/NWA Hollywood World championship (twice) but the highpoint of his career was his disputed and retroactively unrecognized NWA World Heavyweight Championship reign from 1956 to 1957. He won the title in a disputed contest against Lou Thesz on June 14, 1957. Carpentier was awarded the title by disqualification when Thesz could not continue the match due to a back injury. For 71 days, the NWA recognized the title as being in dispute between Carpentier and Thesz. Some NWA territories and officials recognized the disputed win as a legitimate title change, while others did not. This led to the split of the NWA and led to the creation of other organizations, all with their own world titles. He was later recognized as the first holder of the Omaha version of the World Heavyweight Championship. He eventually dropped the belt to Verne Gagne. The Omaha title was unified with the AWA World Heavyweight Championship in 1963. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: YES

82: Yvon Robert

Yvon “The Lion” Robert was a very successful French-Canadian wrestler from 1932 to 1959. Yvon Robert was a giant star in Montreal, holding that promotion’s International championship sixteen times. In 1936, Yvon Robert won his first world heavyweight championship from Danno O’Mahoney in Paul Bowser’s AWA. Yvon Robert got the biggest victory of his career, on October 7, 1942. On that day, he beat "Wild" Bill Longson to win the National Wrestling Association World Heavyweight Championship in Montreal, Quebec, holding the title until late November. In 1948, he wrestled Gorgeous George to a draw before a Montreal-record gate of $21,000 and broke that record within a year. In 1953, he formed a successful tag team with Whipper Billy Watson and won the Canadian Tag Team Championship. Yvon Robert even ventured as far away as Memphis, TN, where on January 5, 1958, he teamed with Billy Wicks to defeat Corsica Joe and Corsica Jean for the Mid-America Tag Team Championship, which would be Robert's final title. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: YES

83: Bryan Danielson / Daniel Bryan

Bryan Danielson (AKA: Daniel Bryan in WWE) is the first pro wrestler from the current era to make our list. I think this is appropriate. Bryan Danielson has the respect of pro wrestling insiders with numerous Wrestling Observer awards including Most Outstanding Wrestler from 2006 to 2010. Bryan Danielson also ranked very well on the mainstream media lists. Bryan Danielson, wrestling as Daniel Bryan, won the WWE championship four times and World heavyweight championship once, and Ring of Honor World championship once. At the time this list of the greatest pro wrestlers of all time was released in 2023, Bryan Danielson was still active as a wrestler for the AEW promotion opening the door for the possibility that he could still climb higher before retiring. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: YES

84: “Whipper” Billy Watson

The famous Canadian pro wrestler “Whipper” Billy Watson was a two time World heavyweight champion once with the National Wrestling Association and then, beginning on March 15, 1956, he defeated Lou Thesz for the NWA World heavyweight championship and held it until November 1956. “Whipper” Billy Watson is heavily associated with the Toronto Maple Leaf Gardens where he was a star attraction. Promoter Frank Tunney once estimated that “Whipper” Billy Watson drew as many as five million people to Toronto over the course of his career. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: YES

85: William Muldoon

Arguably the Grandfather of professional wrestling in the United States, William Muldoon was largely responsible for establishing and growing pro wrestling in the New York area. “The Solid Man” William Muldoon helped establish, captured, or was promoted as champion often times during his run from around 1870 to 1890 including being widely recognized as a two time Greco-Roman champion. He competed in several widely reported matches with his career rival Clarence “The Kansas Demon” Whistler that lasted multiple hours or devolved into chaotic riots and brawls. How much William Muldoon “worked” verses how much was legitimate is a matter of debate but most historians consider him one of the founding fathers of professional wrestling in the pioneer era. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: YES

86: Randy Orton

Randy Orton is a contentious figure when it comes to his place in history. Many mainstream rankings put him very high while many historians are not impressed with him. It’s not even that they are “not impressed” it would be more correct to say underwhelmed. So far, he has lacked the votes to get into the Wrestling Observer Hall of Fame. One pro wrestling historian summed up their thoughts on Randy Orton by saying, “He did the least with the most”. Despite being a fourteen time world champion, he also has won Worst Feud or Worst Worked match Observer Award four times and Most Overrated in 2013. No one argues the skills of Randy Orton but many argue what he has done with them. Randy Orton is a third generation wrestler, the son of “Cowboy” Bob Orton, Jr. (who almost made our list), and the Grandson of Bob Orton, Sr. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: NO

87: Fritz Von Erich

Jack Adkisson, AKA: Fritz Von Erich, is the father of the ill-fated Von Erich family of wrestlers and is the highest ranked member of that family on our list of the greatest pro wrestlers ever. Tragically, probably because he lived the longest as most were dead before the age of 33. Fritz Von Erich was a top level heel and a former AWA World heavyweight champion and twice held the World title as recognized in the Omaha territory. Originally known as Big Time Wrestling, Fritz Von Erich owned and operated the famous World Class Championship Wrestling territory based out of Dallas, TX and held his promotion’s American heavyweight title thirteen times. Fritz Von Erich, as a promoter, also won the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Worst Promotional Tactic award four years in a row: 1985, 1986, 1987, and 1988. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: YES

88: “Superstar” Billy Graham

The charismatic “Superstar” Billy Graham won the WWWF championship from Bruno Sammartino on April 30, 1977 and became the template for numerous charismatic musclemen who came after him. Among those who were influenced or copied Superstar Graham include Hulk Hogan, Jesse Ventura, and Austin Idol. “Superstar” Billy Graham bridged the gap between the Bruno Sammartino era of the WWWF and the Bob Backlund era. Despite his lack of traditional technical wrestling skills, “Superstar” Billy Graham stood out due to his bodybuilder look and charismatic promos. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: YES

89: Pat Patterson

Pat Patterson should have been higher on the list of the greatest pro wrestlers ever in my honest opinion. I can only surmise that most list makers think of him more as the behind the scenes idea man and right hand man for Vince K. McMahon than for his exceptional pro wrestling career. Five-times the San Francisco based United States champion, famously the first WWF Intercontinental champion, and as partner with Ray Stevens, the combo is one of the most critically acclaimed tag teams of all time. Though past the prime of his career by the time the Wrestling Observer Newsletter came along, he did win the match of the year award in 1981 for the alley fight match with Sgt. Slaughter. Pat Patterson was a tremendous pro wrestler, as well as, a behind the scenes influencer and deserves to be mentioned among the greatest pro wrestlers of all time. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: YES

90: Johnny Valentine

Though he never held a major United States based World heavyweight championship, Johnny Valentine was still a highly decorated champion and a favorite among his peers. The legendary Terry Funk spoke highly of Johnny Valentine once stating that if he were running a territory and wanted to pop business then he would bring in Johnny Valentine. Known for his brutal toughness, Johnny Valentine (father of pro wrestler Greg Valentine) was a major star in the United States and Japan. On October 4, 1975, Johnny Valentine was in a private airplane with Ric Flair, David Crockett, Bob Bruggers, and Tim Woods when it ran out of fuel and crashed near Wilmington, North Carolina. The crash broke Flair's back, Bob Bruggers, Wisniski, and pilot Michael Farkus also broke their backs. A bone fragment became embedded in Johnny Valentine’s spinal column, paralyzing him for life and forcing him to have a clamp implanted to hold the bones in his back together. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: YES

91: Abdullah The Butcher

“The Madman from the Sudan” Abdullah the Butcher is different from anyone so far on this list. To say he isn’t a technical wrestler is an understatement, Abdullah the Butcher is a blood-letting madman in the style of The Sheik, yet a couple hundred pounds heavier. Abdullah the Butcher had a look like nobody else, instantly recognizable with his enormous size and deeply creased forehead scars he struck a terrifying image. Known for his famous battles around the world with the likes Bruiser Brody and Carlos Colon, Abduallah the Butcher was a huge star in the United States, Canada, Japan, and Puerto Rico. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: YES

92: The Ultimate Warrior

No pro wrestler on our list of the greatest pro wrestlers ever will be more divisive than the Ultimate Warrior. No historian would dare include him on their list. His peers largely loathed him. So disliked was the work of the Ultimate Warrior (Jim Hellwig before he legitimately changed his name to “Warrior”) that the WWE once produced a hit-piece DVD documentary of his career with many of his co-workers discussing their dislike of working with him, many specifically citing his lack of skill. So, how does the Ultimate Warrior end up on a list like this? Because, despite what critics and insiders think, the Ultimate Warrior was very popular with fans. Ask a random person on the street to name ten pro wrestlers and odds are high that the Ultimate Warrior will be one of them. He was memorable. Therefore, many of the mainstream media lists ranked Ultimate Warrior highly because they remember him as a pushed character and the man who defeated Hulk Hogan famously at WWF WrestleMania 6 to be both the WWF heavyweight and WWF Intercontinental champion. Don’t blame me if you hate seeing him on the list of the greatest pro wrestlers ever because enough other people disagree. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: NO

93: Edge

A standout star in the Attitude and post-Attitude era of WWF/WWE, I have always felt Edge (Adam Copeland) was more influential than he is often given credit for. However, he has struggled and failed for years to be voted into the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame. Why? Well, his current return run in WWE isn’t doing him any favors as it has been largely underwhelming. Others, while admitting he was influential in the daredevil style that gave birth to such things as Tables, Ladder, and Chairs matches also felt that style of stunt pro wrestling shouldn’t necessarily be seen as a positive. Despite having eleven World championships to his name in WWE, he never won the Wrestler of the Year Award in either the Wrestling Observer Newsletter nor the kayfabe based Pro Wrestling Illustrated magazine suggesting that he neither impressed wrestling insiders in any given year that he was the best nor did his storylines suggest it either. Many feel passionately that Edge is one of the best of the best, and by even appearing on this list of the greatest of all time he certainly is, but many will have wanted to have seen him ranked higher. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: NO

94: Brock Lesnar

I was shocked that Brock Lesnar wasn’t listed among more historians than he was. Actually, Brock Lesnar wasn’t that consistent among mainstream lists either. Why? He has been the go-to world champion in WWE anytime business starts getting shaky. He even got chosen to end the WrestleMania win streak of The Undertaker. He has a stellar amateur background and even a UFC heavyweight championship to his name. So, why isn’t this ten time WWE/Universal world champion more respected among wrestling insiders and media? Brock Lesnar has never won a Wrestling Observer Newsletter Wrestler of the Year Award (he is in the Hall of Fame however), he did, however win Wrestler of the Year twice in Pro Wrestling Illustrated magazine in 2002 and 2014. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: YES

95: CM Punk

CM Punk is another wrestler whom many are going to argue his placement on the list of the greatest pro wrestlers ever. While crunching the numbers I noticed a trend, CM Punk ranked well among mainstream lists but historians and insiders seemed to care nothing about him. CM Punk has, not yet anyway, been voted into the Wrestling Observer Hall of Fame and his reception there has been lackluster. But CM Punk does have a case for getting more respect than he does. Twice he was in the Observer Feud of the Year (2009 vs Jeff Hardy and 2011 vs John Cena) but never won Wrestler of the Year. He did win Wrestler of the Year twice in Pro Wrestling Illustrated (2011 and 2012) indicating that he was the most pushed wrestler of those two years. Those who support two time AEW World champion, two time WWE champion, three time WWE World champion, one time ECW champion, and one time Ring of Honor World champion have plenty of ammo to support the claim that CM Punk is underappreciated by the wrestling media and historians alike. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: NO

96: Road Warrior Hawk

The Fact that the Road Warriors rank back to back in the list of the greatest pro wrestlers of all time should come as no surprise since, aside from a few years in the 1990s, the careers of the two are intertwined. Road Warrior Hawk (Mike Hegstrand) did get a few more points than his Legion of Doom teammate Animal, likely due to the fact that Road Warrior Hawk was the more charismatic of the two and was the one who came off the top rope for their Doomsday Device finisher. Look, I loved the Road Warriors, they are probably the most popular tag team of all time. They were gigantically successful throughout the United States and Japan holding the AWA, NWA, and WWF World tag team titles, as well as, All-Japan Pro Wrestling’s International tag team titles. With Hawk, you can also add two reigns as New Japan Pro Wrestling’s IWGP World tag team titles with Power Warrior (Kensuke Sasaki) as well. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: YES (With Road Warrior Animal as The Road Warriors)

97: Road Warrior Animal

Coming in just behind his longtime tag team partner Hawk is Road Warrior Animal (Joe Laurinaitis). The accomplishments of Road Warrior Animal are basically the same as Road Warrior Hawk minus two IWGP tag title reigns that occurred while the two were split up in the 1990s, although Road Warrior Animal had one additional WWF World tag team title reign with Heidenreich. While Road Warrior Hawk was considered the higher flier of the two, Road Warrior Animal was considered the stronger and… the more level headed. Road Warrior Animal had two brothers who were also pro wrestlers: John Laurinaitis (AKA: Johnny Ace) and Mark Laurinaitis (AKA: The Terminator). Pro Wrestling Illustrated magazine ranked The Road Warriors as the number one tag team of the years the magazine had been published. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: YES (With Road Warrior Hawk as The Road Warriors)

98: Mad Dog Vachon

Maurice “Mad Dog” Vachon is one of the most memorable pro wrestlers ever with his scowling face and terrifying presence. He really did come across as a, well, Mad Dog! Maurice Vachon started his career as an amateur wrestler, participating in the 1948 Summer Olympics and winning a gold medal at the 1950 British Empire Games. He transitioned to professional wrestling and spent time in various promotions in the United States while occasionally teaming with his brother Paul “Butcher” Vachon. In the Pacific Northwest territory he received the name "Mad Dog" Vachon. In the early 1960s, Vachon became a main eventer in the AWA where he was one of the promotion's all-time great heels. He was a five-time AWA World Heavyweight Champion. Starting in the 1970s, Vachon became a fan favorite, particularly in his home province of Quebec. Mad Dog Vachon had a long career wrestling from 1950 to 1986. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: YES

99: Kevin Nash / Diesel

Some may dispute Kevin Nash’s placement on the list of the greatest wrestlers of all time but when one remembers just how popular pro wrestling was during the Monday Night War it shouldn’t really be surprising. Kevin Nash held the WWF championship once as Diesel but his real visibility came when he jumped to WCW with Scott Hall to form the NWO (later joined by Hulk Hogan) during a time when millions more people watched televised pro wrestling than today. During the time Kevin Nash spent in WCW (where he won the WCW World title five times and sold millions of dollars in merchandise) not only were TV ratings incredibly high but so were ticket sales including multiple dome stadium shows when WCW Nitro was a hot pop culture ticket. No, Kevin Nash didn’t get even a mention among historians or insiders and was carried almost exclusively by mainstream rankings, still, the popularity of the NWO cannot be understated and pro wrestling has not seen anything like it since. Kevin Nash was the Pro Wrestling Illustrated Wrestler of the Year in 1995. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: NO

100: Roman Reigns 

With six WWE world championships to date, Roman Reigns (at the time I am making this list at the end of 2022) is the reigning WWE and WWE Universal world champion and has held the championships for some time. His place on this list will almost certainly increase over the years as more and more future list makers will likely rank him very high. He is the face of this era of WWE. Roman Reigns, a cousin of legendary pro wrestler and movie icon Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, has headlined multiple WWE WrestleMania’s which, instead of being a plus to historians and insiders, may be working against him as there is a real sentiment that Roman Reigns was way over-pushed and essentially crammed down wrestling fans throats for years despite being underwhelming. However, Roman Reigns has begun to redeem himself in the eyes of many after laying down year after year of consistent good work and domination in storyline and he has improved in both acting and in-ring work. Roman Reigns will only rise from here. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: NO

101: Nobuhiko Takada

Nobuhiko Takada was an important player in the shoot-mixed-martial-arts era of Japanese pro wrestling. Beginning his pro wrestling career in 1981 with New Japan Pro Wrestling and by 1983 he had been sent to Canada’s Stampede wrestling to compete where he worked his way up the ranks. In April of 1984 he joined the original UWF group which played toward legitimate martial arts while maintaining a foot solidly in pro wrestling. Later, Nobuhiko Takada returned to New Japan to continue his traditional pro wrestling career. Ultimately, the evolution of the UWF and UWF style of wrestling evolved into the UWFI promotion which found great success with it’s realistic style. Nobuhiko Takada became the face of UWFI which included large stadium shows approaching or perhaps passing the 60,000 mark especially when paired against New Japan in promotion verses promotion matches. It was during this time that Nobuhiko Takada one the IWGP World championship from Keiji Muto. Nobuhiko Takada was also instrumental in the formation of Pride Fighting Championships where he famous fought and lost to Rickson Gracie. Nobuhiko Takada had other MMA fights, many of which are believed to be works. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: YES

102: Sgt. Slaughter

Sgt. Slaughter has been a borderline candidate for the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame for years and, as of 2022, still remains just under the voting threshold. Sgt. Slaughter, while a one-time WWF champion, is best known for his drill sergeant character which gained a foothold in popular culture and was even licensed by the Hasbro toy corporation for use in its G.I. Joe universe of toys, comic books, and cartoons. Sgt. Slaughter had a run of great matches in the NWA Jim Crockett Promotions with tag team partner Don Kernodle, especially when paired off against Ricky Steamboat and Jay Youngblood. Two of his WWF matches are considered all time classics: the Alley Fight with Pat Patterson and the Boot Camp match with the Iron Sheik. There is some controversy surrounding Sgt. Slaughter as many times in shoot interviews or non-in-character media interviews he has represented himself as a legitimate former Armed Forces member, which he was not, as detailed in this article. It would serve goodwill between Sgt. Slaughter and the wrestling community if he would clarify the issue which may be holding him back for inclusion in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: YES

103: Martin “Farmer” Burns

Martin “Farmer” Burns may be most famous as being the man who “discovered” Frank Gotch and gave pro wrestling one of its greatest ever wrestlers. Yet, Farmer Burns was a tremendous and successful pro wrestler himself. Debuting around 1879, Farmer Burns quickly developed a reputation as being one of the toughest wrestlers in America. In addition to being a great wrestler, Farmer Burns was quiet the carney. He allegedly developed his neck so strongly that he would demonstrate taking a six-foot hangman’s drop while whistling a song after being beaten by strangle hold by Evan “Strangler” Lewis. Later, Farmer Burns developed his famous physical culture fitness course which he sold by mail order which is still considered by many today to be groundbreaking. Martin “Farmer” Burns was an American heavyweight champion, as well as, holding various style specific championships such as the Catch-As-Catch-Can championship. Besides Frank Gotch, Farmer Burns was responsible for training many other wrestlers of that era. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: YES

104: Kazuchika Okada

Kazuchika Okada is a five time IWGP heavyweight champion with his fourth reign being the longest in history. He was a first ballot Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame inductee. He is a one-time IWGP World heavyweight champion (different championship from the IWGP title) and the only reason he ranked this low on the list of the greatest pro wrestlers ever is because there weren’t enough recent “Greatest of” lists yet to push him higher. In other words, if this list is redone in a few years, Kazuchika Okada will likely be significantly higher. He was he Wrestling Observer Newsletter Wrestler of the Year in 2017 and placed first in the Pro Wrestling Illustrated Top 500 in 2017. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: YES

105: Kenny Omega

Kenny Omega may be one of the most divisive pro wrestlers of our era. Dave Meltzer has raved about Kenny Omega for years in the pages of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter where he has won numerous awards including match of the year three times (2017 vs Kazuchika Okada, 2018 vs Kazuchika Okada, and 2020 with Adam Page vs The Young Bucks), plus Wrestler of the Year in 2018 and 2021. Pro Wrestling Illustrated has him number one in the top 500 in 2018 and 2021 plus Wrestler of the Year in 2021. He is a one-time IWGP and AEW World champion, he’s a sure fire member of the greatest pro wrestlers of all-time list right? Well, yes, obviously he is, however, he was seldom ever rated on historians all time lists, Jim Cornette hates him and rips on him constantly on his podcast. It seems you either love him or hate him. His video game inspired high-spot oriented wrestling style is either something you love or hate and there doesn't seem to be much middle ground. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: YES

106: Jimmy “Superfly” Snuka

It is no surprise to see Jimmy “Superfly” Snuka on our list of the greatest wrestlers ever, however, like Chris Benoit, we will not sing his praises nor list his achievements. Shortly before his death in 2017 Jimmy Snuka was indicted for involuntary manslaughter for the 1983 death of his girlfriend Nancy Argentino. The death of Nancy Argentino, combined with prior violent arrests leading up to her death and a history of drug related run-ins with authorities cast a tall shadow over any of his in-ring accomplishments. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: NO

107: El Canek

El Canek is one of the most consistently pushed luchadores in Mexican wrestling history. He is a fifteen time UWA (Mexico) World heavyweight champion among other achievements such as the 2002 Rey de Reys champion and Mexican National Lightweight champion. El Canek is culturally just below luchadores like El Santo, Blue Demon, and Mil Mascaras in the hierarchy of Mexican wrestling history. El Canek famously holds wins over Andre the Giant, Lou Thesz, and went to a time limit draw against Hulk Hogan. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: YES

108: Ed Don George

Ed Don George placed fourth in the 1928 Olympics just missing out on the bronze medal. Shortly after the Olympics, Ed Don George became a pro wrestler and won Paul Bower’s AWA World championship from Gus Sonnenberg in December 1930. Just a few months later in April 1931 Ed Don George lost the title to Ed “Strangler” Lewis in a double cross, though eventually the championship came back around to him and Ed Don George would then hold the world championship for about four years before losing it to the sensation of the time Danno O’Mahoney. Ed Don George was one of the biggest drawing cards of the 1930s and a legitimate wrestler to boot. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: YES

109: The Crusher

Reggie “The Crusher” Lisowski was known as "The Wrestler Who Made Milwaukee Famous" and, along with Dick the Bruiser, was part of one of the most famous tag teams in pro wrestling history, as well as, finding considerable singles success including holding the AWA World championship three times. As the stereotype of the brutish heel pro wrestler, The Crusher was well known in pop culture as well with songs and numerous pop culture references to the Mid-West powerhouse. On June 8, 2019, a bronze statue of The Crusher was unveiled in South Milwaukee at 1101 Milwaukee Avenue. South Milwaukee Mayor Erik Brooks declared the day "Reggie 'Da Crusher' Lisowski Day" in his memory. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: YES

110: Ultimo Dragon

Ultimo Dragon is another of my personal favorite pro wrestlers. Besides having tremendous international success from Japan, to Mexico, to the United States, Ultimo Dragon’s greatest legacy may be in the numerous top stars he has trained over the years. Ultimo Dragon even found himself immortalized in pop culture with his photo holding the eight belt J-Crown of championships as a meme of over-achievement. Ultimo Dragon (Yoshihiro Asai), who developed the Asai Moonsault, may have achieved even more in pro wrestling had a botched elbow operation during his time in WCW not have resulted in serious nerve damage. That, followed by an underwhelming stint in WWE, hurt his legacy, but make no mistake, peak Ultimo Dragon was one of the best pro wrestlers of all-time. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: YES

111: Kensuke Sasaki

Kensuke Sasaki has held all three of Japan’s top world championships: New Japan Pro Wrestling’s IWGP, All-Japan Pro Wrestling’s Triple Crown, and NOAH’s Global Honor Crown World title. Kensuke Sasaki twice won the New Japan G-1 Climax Tournament in 1997 and 2000. During a stint in the United States he was the WCW United States champion. He was one time winner of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter match of the year (1991) where he and Hiroshi Hase fought the Steiner Brothers at the WCW/New Japan Supershow. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: YES

112: Bill Goldberg

Bill Goldberg is another pro wrestling star that gets little attention from wrestling historians. Despite a red hot run in WCW during the Monday Night War and being probably the hottest star in pro wrestling in 1998 (conspicuously, he never won Wrestler of the Year in Pro Wrestling Illustrated, losing in 1998 to “Stone Cold” Steve Austin. Despite being a one-time WCW World champion, one-time WWE champion, and one-time WWE Universal champion, Bill Goldberg has never yet been voted into the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame and has, thus far, received only a mild reception among voters. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: NO

113: Dynamite Kid

I was shocked that Tom “Dynamite Kid” Billington didn’t rank higher on the list of greatest pro wrestlers ever as it seemed every hardcore fan and insider publication was in love the guy. Not to say Dynamite Kid was overrated, he and Tiger Mask (Satoru Sayama) forged a high impact, fast paced style of pro wrestling that is still the template for a high star rating today. So, I found it interesting that the very people whom I expected to rank him highly, the wrestling historians, were rather mild on their placement of Dynamite Kid. Could it be that he suffered a serious injury at a rather young age (28 years old) that seriously curtailed what he could do in the ring? Or, was it his reputation as a behind the scenes bully and allegations of domestic abuse? Or, was it that the most famous copycat of his style ended up a double murder? Or, was it simply that as a lighter weight wrestler he was never pushed anywhere as a world singles champion? To read the flowering praise heaped upon Dynamite Kid during his heyday, I would have thought he’d end up higher, but not so. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: YES

114: Rob Van Dam

Mixing martial arts with high-spot heavy pro wrestling, Rob Van Dam was an exciting star during the mid-1990s, especially in ECW where his Television championship reign was the longest in history. Eventually showing up in WWE, Rob Van Dam won a number of championships including WWE and ECW (WWE owned by then) World championships. He later also held the TNA World title. Rob Van Dam had his critics, particularly of his sometimes sloppiness and highspot focused “get all your moves in” style. While he never won a major Wrestling Observer Newsletter or Pro Wrestling Illustrated Year End Award, he was number one in the PWI Top 500 in 2002. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: NO

115: “Ravishing” Rick Rude

“Ravishing” Rick Rude was one of the many Robbinsdale, MN High Schoolers turned pro wrestler. Rick Rude was well liked among hardcore wrestling fans but his accomplishments inside the ring were a little lacking to justify this high of a ranking in my opinion. Unfortunately, that may have been due to injury as Rick Rude was about to become NWA World heavyweight champion until, suddenly, WCW pulled out of the NWA and he, instead, got a generic “International” World heavyweight championship. However, had he not injured his back in a match against Sting in Japan, Rick Rude may have obtained more championships than he did. As it turned out, his highest profile run was as WWF Intercontinental champion winning it from the Ultimate Warrior in 1988 and losing it back to him a year later in 1989. The biggest Wrestling Observer Newsletter award he ever won was as Best Heel in 1992, though the following year, 1993, he “won” Most Unimproved Wrestler. In 1992 he ranked number four in the Pro Wrestling Illustrated Top 500. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: NO

116: Junkyard Dog

There has been much conversation about Junkyard Dog and the fact he has never gotten into the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame. Why? He is a famous name, yes. He was a mega-star in New Orleans, yes. However, with all the charisma that Junkyard Dog had and as popular as he was in Mid-South, Sylvester Ritter could not maintain that same popularity elsewhere. Brought into the WWF during the national expansion, Junkyard Dog was popular but his limited in-ring skills were often exposed including in a terrible match against Harley Race at WWF WrestleMania III. His popularity soon waned and he never gained any traction in WCW despite being programmed for a period of time against Ric Flair. Junkyard Dog was killed in a car accident at age 45 but had long since been largely forgotten in the wrestling world. Still, the popularity of Junkyard Dog in New Orleans can’t be overstated and many, despite his subpar in-ring skills, remember him fondly for the special connection he had to that city. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: NO

117: Blue Demon

Blue Demon is a legend of lucha libre and starred in a series of Lucha films between 1961 and 1979, alongside in-ring rival El Santo. His career began in 1948 and lasted for 41 years until his retirement in 1989. During his career, Blue Demon never lost a Lucha de Apuestas match and retired without ever losing his mask; he would later be buried in his signature blue and silver mask. In his 41-year career he won the NWA World Welterweight Championship twice, the Mexican National Welterweight Championship three times and the Mexican National Tag Team Championship with long time tag team partner Black Shadow. He also won the hair of Cavernario Galindo and the masks of Espectro II, Matemático, and most notably, the mask of Rayo de Jalisco. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: YES

118: Frank Sexton

Largely forgotten by modern era fans and media, Frank Sexton was remembered by historians. Frank Sexton was one of the top stars of the 1940s. A multiple-time world champion, his most significant run as champion was as the Boston (Paul Bowser) American Wrestling Association (AWA) World Heavyweight Champion from June 27, 1945 until May 23, 1950, when he lost the championship to Don Eagle in Cleveland, Ohio. Frank Sexton also held a version of the world title in Montreal and was a top star in Toronto as well. The 1940s era of pro wrestling is, perhaps, one of the least researched and remembered eras and if more were done, Frank Sexton would likely be better remembered. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: YES

119: Masahiro Chono

Masahiro Chono spent 26 years with New Japan Pro-Wrestling, as well as, significant stints in the United States with, among others, Central States, Continental, and WCW. As the leader of NWO Japan, Team 2000, and Black New Japan, he was the promotion's top heel for much of his career, beginning in 1994 when he adopted his Yakuza inspired gimmick. Aside from his work in NJPW, Chono has also made appearances for All Japan Pro Wrestling, Pro Wrestling Noah, and Pro Wrestling Zero 1. Masahiro Chono holds the record for most wins of the New Japan G1 Climax at five, which has earned him the nicknames "Mr. August" and "Mr. G1". Overall, he is a two-time world champion, with one reign as IWGP Heavyweight Champion and NWA Worlds Heavyweight Champion each. He is also a seven-time IWGP Tag Team Champion. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: YES

120: Danny Hodge

Highly respected Junior heavyweight wrestler who many feel may be one of the greatest shooters ever. A three-time NCAA champion, a middleweight Olympic silver medalist and a seven-time NWA World Junior Heavyweight Champion, Danny Hodge is an easy choice to be among he greatest wrestlers of all time. The Dan Hodge Trophy, named after him, is the college wrestling equivalent of the Heisman Trophy. Danny Hodge was famous for the ability to crush apples with one hand, a stunt which he demonstrated live on ESPN during the 2006 NCAA Wrestling Championships. He said his strength was due to having double tendons in his hands. Danny Hodge’s career ended in 1976 from a broken neck suffered during a car accident. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: YES

121: Ray Steele (Pete Sauer)

Peter Sauer was better known by the ring name Ray Steele. Ray Steele was considered a highly skilled and dangerous catch wrestler and was known for his extensive knowledge of submission holds. Following a successful amateur wrestling career, Ray Steele started wrestling in the carnivals, where he honed his catch wrestling skills. After turning pro, Ray Steele relocated to California and became a regular workout partner of fellow wrestler Ad Santel. In 1936 he faced heavyweight boxing contender Kingfish Levinsky in what is considered an early mixed martial arts fight which Steele won in 35 seconds. Ray Steele's biggest success was winning the National Wrestling Association's World Heavyweight Championship from Bronko Nagurski in St. Louis, Missouri on March 7, 1940. Steele would hold the belt for over a year before losing it back to Bronko Nagurski on March 11, 1941 in Houston, Texas. Ray Stele was a mentor and coach to many young stars, including Lou Thesz. Lou Thesz was quoted as saying that Ray Steele was one of the finest wrestlers he ever knew. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: YES

122: Hiroshi Tanahashi

Hiroshi Tanahashi is probably my favorite wrestler of the modern New Japan era. Hiroshi Tanahashi is not only a phenomenal in-ring wrestler and highflyer but a hugely charismatic star as well. His accomplishments in NJPW include a record setting eight reigns as IWGP Heavyweight Champion, a record three reigns as IWGP United States Heavyweight Champion, two reigns as IWGP Intercontinental Champion, three reigns as IWGP Tag Team Champion, one reign as NEVER Openweight Champion and three reigns as NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Champion. All totaled, Tanahashi has won 22 championships in NJPW. He has also won NJPW's premier tournament, the G1 Climax, on three occasions (2007, 2015 and 2018) and won the New Japan Cup twice, in 2005 and 2008, and is recognized as the fourth wrestler to accomplish NJPW's Triple Crown and the second to accomplish its Grand Slam, making him one of the most decorated wrestlers in NJPW. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: YES

123: Rick Martel / The Model

Rick Martel’s biggest acclaim in pro wrestling was his stint as AWA World champion but in addition to that he also held the WCW World Television Championship, and WWF World Tag Team Championship. Rick Martel had his greatest exposure internationally as The Model character in the WWF. An excellent babyface who, despite doubts, also ended up being a tremendous heel. It is actually surprising that Rick Martel’s career didn’t go farther than it did as he was an excellent in-ring worker with movie star good looks and a reputation for being easy to work with. Rick Martel won the AWA World championship from Jumbo Tsuruta on May 13, 1984 and held it until December 29, 1985 when he lost it to Stan Hansen. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: NO

124: "Big Show" Paul Wight

As a seven time world heavyweight champion spread over WWE, ECW (WWE era), and WCW, and one of the most agile seven-foot plus wrestlers in history, I was surprised at how little support Paul “Big Show” Wight in the various rankings used to make this composite list of the all-time greatest pro wrestlers. Paul Wight, under the name The Giant quickly caught onto the fundamentals of wrestling when brought out by Hulk Hogan as the supposed (storyline) son of Andre the Giant. The future looked very bright for The Giant and when he went to WWE it seemed elementary that he would be a mega-star but… WWE had him lose immediately. His inconsistent booking over the years in WWE really hurt his legacy. At the time of making this list he is currently working for AEW in a non-wrestling role. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: NO

125: Terry “Bam Bam” Gordy

Terry “Bam Bam” Gordy is one of the all-time great big men in pro wrestling. Had serious health issues not derailed his career at a young age it’s probable he’d even be higher as he twice nearly died, once while the reigning All-Japan Pro Wrestling Triple Crown champion. Terry Gordy started at a very young age and gained fame as one-third of the Fabulous Freebirds (with Michael Hayes and Buddy Roberts) and ended up popping the World Class territory huge in a feud with the Von Erichs. After successful runs in several territories including a stint as UWF World champion, Terry Gordy became a regular top star for All-Japan Pro Wrestling until a reported drug overdose almost killed him and seriously stunted his wrestling work. Terry Gordy was truly amazing as a pro wrestler. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: YES (As part of the Fabulous Freebirds with Michael Hayes and Buddy Roberts)

126: Wahoo McDaniel

While Wahoo McDaniel never held a major promotion world championship he held the NWA United States Heavyweight Championship five times. McDaniel was a major star in the American Wrestling Association and National Wrestling Alliance territories such as Championship Wrestling from Florida, Georgia Championship Wrestling, NWA Big Time Wrestling and, most notably, Jim Crockett Promotions. Many historians ranked Wahoo McDaniel quite high, some very high. Stories of his toughness are legendary and he was a top draw almost everywhere he wrestled. He was the Pro Wrestling Illustrated Most Popular Wrestler of the Year for 1976. He was a particular favorite of our number one spot holder Ric Flair and a famous NFL football player as well. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: YES

127: Scott Hall / Razor Ramon

Scott Hall (AKA: Razor Ramon) is another one of the greatest pro wrestlers of all-time that never held a major promotion world championship (the closest he came was the WWC Universal Championship). Scott Hall was best known for his tenures with World Championship Wrestling under his real name and under the ring name the Diamond Studd and with the World Wrestling Federation under the name Razor Ramon. After co-holding the AWA World tag team title with Curt Hennig, Scott Hall struggled for a few years in the small territories and a forgettable stint in WCW. In WCW he was repackaged as the Diamond Studd which totally changed his look and he soon jumped to the WWF where he rose to prominence starting in May 1992 using the name Razor Ramon. While with the WWF he won the WWF Intercontinental Championship four times. He left WWF in May 1996, and signed again with WCW, where he became a founding member of the New World Order. During this stint in WCW he became a two-time WCW United States Heavyweight Champion, a one-time WCW World Television Champion, and a seven-time WCW World Tag Team Champion. He left WCW in February 2000, returning to the WWF for a brief stint in 2002. He spent the rest of his career wrestling for various promotions, such as ECW, New Japan Pro Wrestling, and TNA. He wrestled his final match in June 2016 and passed away at the age of 63 in 2022. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: NO

128: Carlos Colon

Carlos Colon is the king of Puerto Rican pro wrestling and the promoter of the World Wrestling Council (WWC) along with Victor Jovica. Carlos Colon has held the WWC Universal Heavyweight Championship a record twenty-six times. He also holds a win over NWA World heavyweight champion Ric Flair which lead to the creation of the Universal title on January 6, 1983. Carlos Colon has received some criticism for his role in handling the killing of Bruiser Brody in 1988 by his booker and staff member Jose “Invader I” Gonzalez which has tarnished his legacy to some degree. He still was voted into the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame in 2015. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: YES

129: Dos Caras

Dos Caras is the brother of lucha libre legend Mil Mascaras and Sicodelico. Dos Caras achieved his greatest success in Mexico's UWA, where he won the UWA World Heavyweight Championship three times. Dos Caras, along with his brother Mil Mascaras were also a very successful tag team in Japan. He is the father of former WWE champion Alberto del Rio (AKA: Dos Caras, Jr.). In addition to the UWA World title, Dos Caras has also held the EMLL/CMLL World Trios Championship with Héctor Garza and La Fiera, the Mexican National Trios Championship with Villano III and Villano V, Japan’s Michinoku Pro Wrestling Fukumen World League winner in 1995, Tokyo Gurentai Tokyo World Tag Team Championship with Mil Máscaras, Mexican National Light Heavyweight Championship, and WWA (Mexico) World Heavyweight Championship. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: YES

130: Lex Luger 

Lex Luger is another name that some insiders will blow a gasket when they see his name on the greatest pro wrestlers of all-time list but I will not apologize for this one. Lex Luger was not nearly as bad as he was made out to be. What Lex Luger was, I’m sorry to say, was abrasive and a lot of his peers did not like him. They then dissed him to newsletter writers, exaggerated his flaws, and diminished his positives. Lex Luger was rushed, as in immediately, into the main events in Florida wrestling and soon there-after into a top spot with the Four Horsemen in the NWA. This created a two-fold problem for Lex Luger- he was green and it made others jealous. It also probably made him cocky which didn’t help. But Lex Luger improved more than he is every given credit for and there are many matches, not just with Ric Flair, but others like Dan Spivey, that were really good even for that time period. People forget he was Wrestling Observer Newsletters Most Improved Wrestler for 1989. Though he famously failed to capture the WWF title despite a massive Lex Express push, he did win two World championships in WCW. It’s time Lex Luger got his due and a few sources gave it to him while many of the insider and historians list would never consider mentioning him. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: NO

131: Larry Zbyszko

Larry Zbyszko is perhaps best known for his feud with his mentor, Bruno Sammartino in the WWF where the two had a famous program that culminated in a steel cage match at New York’s Shea Stadium on August 9, 1980 where Sammartino defeated Zbyszko in front of a crowd of 36,295. Larry Zbyszko had a lengthy run in the AWA where he became a two-time AWA world champion. Larry Zbyszko also co-held the WWWF World tag team championship with Tony Garea and the NWA National title twice. He was both the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Heel of the Year in 1980 and won feud of the year that same year for his program against Bruno Sammartino. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: NO

132: Steve “Dr. Death” Williams

I was a big fan of Steve “Dr. Death” Williams. That tough, bad ass, powerhouse style was right up my alley. Admittedly, Steve Williams lacked a little in the charisma department and was over-shown in the United States by more colorful wrestlers, his no-nonsense style worked perfectly in Japan where he was a top star of that All-Japan Pro Wrestling workhorse era of the 1990s which included him winning the Triple Crown World championship and the PWF and International tag team championship eight times: five times with Miracle Violence Combo partner Terry Gordy, once with Johnny Ace, once with Gary Albright, and once with Big Van Vader. In addition, he held the UWF World title for Bill Watts, the territory he debuted in (formerly Mid-South). He was the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Rookie of the Year in 1982 and in 1992 he and Terry Gordy were tag team of the year. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: YES

133: Scott Steiner 

“Big Poppa Pump” Scott Steiner is another of my favorite pro wrestlers. I loved the Steiner Brothers as a tag team (and I vote for them in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame each year) but as a singles star I think Scott Steiner was great. By the time he finally became WCW World champion on November 26, 2000 he had lost a lot of his earlier technical skill and mobility due to getting so gigantically muscular. However, Scott Steiner, from the late 1980s through the 1990s was a great wrestler using his amateur background combined with his tremendous strength and innovation to be a very interesting in-ring performer. After his transformation from the dark haired Scott Steiner into the bleach-blonde “Superstar” Billy Graham inspired “Big Poppa Pump” his all around presence became that of a superstar. Aside from perhaps Brock Lesnar, Scott Steiner is the last pro wrestler to seem legitimately dangerous. You never knew what he was going to do (and he could legitimately back it up) or say. Just don’t ask him to do any math. Scott Steiner’s Frankensteiner (a modified Huracanrana) won the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Move of the Year in 1989 and 1990. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: NO

134: Owen Hart

We all know of the tragedy of Owen Hart: dead at age 34 from a WWF stunt gone wrong. But let’s not forget Owen Hart the wrestler who was an extremely talented performer. He began wrestling at a young age and early on was a highly praised highflier. Over the years he cut back on the riskier flying but developed an outstanding mat game. The brother of Bret Hart and son of Stu Hart, Owen Hart was a New Japan Junior heavyweight champion, two time Stampede North American champion (among many other titles there), USWA Unified World champion once, and he held every title in WWF except for the heavyweight championship itself including twice the WWF Intercontinental championship. Owen Hart was well respected among the mainstream, insiders, and historians alike. Wrestling Observer Newsletter readers voted him the Best Highflier in both 1987 and 1988. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: NO

135: Masanori Mr. Saito

Masanori “Mr.” Saito wrestled for thirty-three years around the world. I first saw him myself in Ron Fuller’s Southeastern Championship Wrestling in the early 1980s. He won the AWA World Heavyweight Championship in 1990 in Japan from Larry Zbyszko. Mr. Saito joined the WWF in 1981, where he teamed with Mr. Fuji to hold the WWF World Tag Team Championship twice. In Japan, he wrestled for both top groups of the era, All-Japan Pro Wrestling and New Japan Pro Wrestling where he famously wrestled Antonio Inoki across Ganryujima island for over two hours in the infamous Ganryujima Island Death match. Mr. Saito was a great mat wrestler, very skilled and very strong. Mr. Saito placed seventh in the 1964 Olympics in free-style wrestling. He won the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Best Technical Wrestler Award in 1984. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: YES

136: Bronko Nagurski

Bronislau "Bronko" Nagurski was a NFL football player and also a successful professional wrestler, recognized as a multiple-time World Heavyweight Champion. Bronko Nagurski became a standout playing both tackle on defense and fullback on offense at the University of Minnesota from 1927 to 1929, selected a consensus All-American in 1929 and inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in its inaugural year of 1951. His professional career with the Chicago Bears, which began in 1930 and ended on two occasions in 1937 and 1943, also made him an inaugural inductee into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1963. During his pro wrestling career Bronko Nagurski became a major box-office attraction. Tony Stecher, brother of former world champion Joe Stecher, introduced Bronko Nagurski to wrestling in 1933 and became his manager. Hitting his peak in the late 1930s, Nagurski won a version of the world championship by defeating Dean Detton on June 29, 1937. Bronko Nagurski won his first National Wrestling Association world title by defeating Lou Thesz on June 23, 1939. Losing the title to Ray Steele on March 7, 1940, he regained it from Steele one year later on March 11, 1941, but lost it three months later to Sandor Szabo on June 5, 1941. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: YES

137: Dustin Rhodes / Goldust

Dustin Rhodes is the oldest son of the “American Dream” Dusty Rhodes and older brother of Cody Rhodes. He has had a long and solid career starting in 1988 and running through the current day. He is probably best known for his multiple tenures with WWE from 1995 to 2019 under ring name Goldust but he also worked for WCW, TNA, USWA, and tours of Japan as well. Between WWF/WWE and WCW, Dustin Rhodes has won at least twenty-three championships. In WCW, he was a two-time United States Heavyweight Champion, a one-time Six-Man Tag Team Champion, and a two-time World Tag Team Champion. In WWF/WWE, he is a three-time Intercontinental Champion, nine-time Hardcore Champion, one-time World Tag Team Champion, and two-time WWE Tag Team Champion. Dustin Rhodes has also appeared in the fourth most Royal Rumble matches, at thirteen. At the time of the release of the 201 Greatest Pro Wrestlers of All-Time List he was still semi-active wrestling for AEW. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: NO

138: Ivan Koloff

Ivan Koloff shocked the world and stunned Madison Square Garden into silence when he became the third man to win the WWWF championship on January 18, 1971 defeating Bruno Sammartino. Ivan Koloff did not hold the WWWF title long, he was a transitional champion between Bruno Sammartino and Pedro Morales, but his shocking upset made him a name in pro wrestling. Periodically reappearing in WWWF/WWF, Ivan Koloff also traveled the NWA territories being a pushed star everywhere he went including Florida, Georgia, and Mid-Atlantic. He had a career resurgence in the mid-1980s with his Russian faction in the NWA Jim Crockett Promotions along with his “nephew” Nikita Koloff. Ivan Koloff was wrestling as late as 2013 and passed away 2017 at the age of 74. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: YES

139: Ricky Morton

Ricky Morton is best known as one half of the Rock & Roll Express tag team with Robert Gibson, but Ricky Morton ranks high on this list of the greatest pro wrestlers ever because of his tremendous skill set as a wrestler. The only negative to a Ricky Morton singles career would have been his size, he was a small guy in the age of giants. However, Ricky Morton was quick, skilled, energetic, and is generally considered one of the best sellers in the history of wrestling. The son of former wrestler and referee Paul Morton, Ricky Morton was placed with tag team partner Robert Gibson while wrestling in Memphis and the duo became one of the best and most respected tag teams in wrestling history, well known for their famous matches with multiple versions of the Midnight Express. Ricky Morton’s son Kerry is now a pro wrestler as well. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: YES (As one half of the Rock & Roll Express with Robert Gibson)

140: Dr. Wagner Jr.

Dr. Wagner Jr. is the son of Manuel González Rivera, better known as Dr. Wagner and the brother of the late Silver King. Dr. Wagner, Jr. has worked all over the world but has primarily worked in Mexico with both CMLL and AAA. He also worked on the U.S. television show Lucha Underground debuting at the end of season two. Dr. Wagner, Jr. also has notably worked for New Japan Pro Wrestling. During his career Dr. Wagner, Jr. has won such notable championships as the AAA Mega Championship (three times), been the inaugural AAA Latin American Champion, held the CMLL World Light Heavyweight Championship twice, the CMLL World Tag Team Championship on four occasions, the CMLL World Trios Championship four times, the NWA World Light Heavyweight Championship, and the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship with Kendo Kashin. Dr. Wagner, Jr. was a masked wrestler from his debut in 1985 until August 2017, when he was forced to unmask after losing to Psycho Clown in a Lucha de Apuestas at Triplemanía XXV. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: YES

141: Hiroshi Hase

Hiroshi Hase was not only a great pro wrestling star in Japan but is also a Japanese politician who is currently (2023) the governor of Ishikawa Prefecture in Japan. He served as the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology and also served as a member of the House of Representatives of the National Diet, representing the 1st district of Ishikawa Prefecture. Hiro Hase most famously worked for New Japan Pro Wrestling and All-Japan Pro Wrestling, Stampede Wrestling in Canada, and WCW in the United States. Hiroshi Hase has held the IWGP Junior championship (twice), IWGP tag team championship four times with both Kensuke Sasaki and Keiji Muto as partners. He also held the WCW International World championship which had, prior to WCW leaving the NWA, been the NWA World title. Hiro Hase won the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Match of the Year in 1991 with Kensuke Sasaki verses Rick and Scott Steiner at the WCW/New Japan Supershow on March 21, Tokyo, Japan. He was also voted the Most Technical Wrestler in 1993. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: YES

142: Jun Akiyama

Jun Akiyama is a prolific Japanese professional wrestler who currently (2023) works for DDT Pro-Wrestling, where he is a former KO-D Openweight Champion. He is best known, however, for his time working for All-Japan Pro Wrestling, where he was also the president, representative director, co-head booker, and an in-ring performer. When he was in All-Japan Pro Wrestling during its famous 1990s work horse era, he was a two-time Triple Crown Heavyweight Champion and later after the split with All-Japan, the three time NOAH Global Honor Crown champion Jun Akiyama is noted for his stoic in-ring style and demeanor, innovating the Blue Thunder Driver and the wrist–clutch exploder suplex moves. Jun Akiyama is a three-time winner of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Tag Team of the Year award (1996, 1997, 1999). He was in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Match of the Year twice: 1996 with Mitsuharu Misawa verses Steve Williams and Johnny Ace and 2004 verses Kenta Kobashi in NOAH. With the accomplishments Jun Akiyama has he should have ranked higher on the list in my opinion. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: YES

143: “Beautiful” Bobby Eaton

Bobby Eaton is likely the greatest tag team wrestler of all time. Most associate him with the Midnight Express but let me give you a real glimpse at the tag team history of Bobby Eaton: His tag team with George Gulas was the best thing George Gulas ever did, his tag team with Koko Ware in Memphis was a great team and vastly underappreciated in wrestling history. The two incarnations of the Midnight Express (with Dennis Condrey and later with Stan Lane, both managed by Jim Cornette) is what Bobby Eaton is usually praised for (and rightly so) but even after that he was in two more great tag teams with Arn Anderson and Steven (William) Regal. Yes, I’ll hang my hat on Bobby Eaton being the greatest tag team wrestler of all time. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: YES (As part of the Midnight Express with Stan Lane and Dennis Condrey)

144: Arn Anderson 

Arn Anderson is another name that often comes up in the conversation of the best tag team wrestler ever. Arn Anderson, famously teamed with Tully Blanchard and the two held the World tag team titles in both the NWA and WWF. Arn Anderson is best known for his role as The Enforcer in the Four Horsemen stable with Ric Flair, Tully Blanchard, and a rotating list of other members including Lex Luger, Barry Windham, and Sid Vicious, among others. Personally, I watched Arn Anderson early in his career when he came into Southeastern wrestling as Super Olympia and later formed a very good tag team with Jerry Stubbs (AKA: Mr. Olympia). Arn Anderson may not be a spectacular highflier, but he is one of the best fundamental mat wrestlers in wrestling and a tremendous promo. At the time of this list (2023) he is employed by AEW in a manager role. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: NO

145: Kane (Glen Jacobs)

Kane (Glen Jacobs) is a big powerhouse monster wrestler best known for his time spent in WWF/WWE. Many insiders will bristle when they see Kane ranked one spot above the far more technically accomplished Dean Malenko but that can be easily explained. This list of the 201 Greatest Pro Wrestlers of All Time takes not only in-ring technical skill into account but also their mainstream fame and popularity and accomplishments as ranked by mainstream media sources and Kane is far more accomplished than Dean Malenko even if he isn’t in the same realm as him in technical skill. Glen Jacobs began his professional wrestling career on the independent circuit in 1992, wrestling in promotions such as Smoky Mountain Wrestling and the USWA, before joining the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE) in 1995. Jacobs played various characters until 1997, when he was repackaged as Kane the storyline younger half-brother of The Undertaker and son of Paul Bearer. Kane defeated “Stone Cold” Steve Austin for the WWF Championship in his first pay-per-view main event at King of the Ring in June 1998. In WWE, Kane is a three-time world champion and a 12-time world tag team champion with a variety of partners. He is also a two-time Intercontinental Champion. Kane holds the record for the most appearances in a Royal Rumble match at twenty, as well as the most eliminations at 46. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: NO

146: Dean Malenko

Dean Malenko is a second generation pro wrestler, son of Boris “The Great” Malenko and brother of Joe Malenko. Dean Malenko is best known for his time with ECW, WCW, and WWF/WWE and has extensive experience in Japan as well with New Japan Pro Wrestling. He is considered one of the best technical wrestlers of the 1990s. Dean Malenko won assorted secondary, tag team, and lightweight championship in ECW, WCW, and the WWF though he never held a major promotion’s world championship. Pro Wrestling Illustrated magazine famously named Dean Malenko the number one wrestler in the world in 1997 which significantly increased his placement on our list of the greatest pro wrestlers ever though he is recognized by many as one of the most underrated wrestlers of all time. Bryan Danielson (AKA: Daniel Bryan) is quoted as saying that his "number one guy, growing up, was Dean Malenko". Dean Malenko win the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Best Technical Wrestler of the Year Award in 1996 and 1997. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: NO

147: Michael Hayes

Maybe Michael Hayes didn’t check every box as a “great wrestler”. He was never a great technical wrestler nor exactly graceful or smooth but he did check the boxes for “entertaining”, “great promo”, and throws one of the best punches in the wrestling business. As one third and a founding member of the very successful Fabulous Freebirds, Michael Hayes is partly responsible for the explosion in business of the World Class promotion in the early 1980s. The Freebirds would find success in Georgia, Memphis, World Class, the AWA, and WCW. After his in-ring wrestling career had come to an end, Michael Hayes would be an influential member behind the scenes for many years in WWE. Historians and insiders seldom every mentioned Michael Hayes in their lists of the greatest pro wrestlers ever, but mainstream rankings did, usually for his contributions alongside the Fabulous Freebirds. Michaels Hayes won the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Match of the Year in 1984: with Buddy Roberts and Terry Gordy verses the Von Erichs (Kerry, Kevin, and Mike) in an Anything Goes match on July 4. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: YES (As part of the Fabulous Freebirds with Terry Gordy and Buddy Roberts)

148: Atsushi Onita

Atsushi Onita worked for numerous organizations throughout his career but is probably best known for his work in Frontier Martial-Arts Wrestling (FMW) and is credited with introducing Japan to the deathmatch style of professional wrestling. Atsushi Onita founded FMW in 1989 and his deathmatch style became popular with the Japanese fans. Atsushi Onita held the FMW Brass Knuckles Heavyweight Championship a record seven times and headlined the first six editions of the company's premier event Anniversary Show from 1989 to 1995. Atsushi Onita won the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Most Popular Wrestler of the Year in 1993 and 1994. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: YES

149: Akira Taue

Akira Taue may be the most underrated wrestler on the entire Greatest Pro Wrestlers of All-Time List, primarily because of his lack of exposure in the United States and being ignored by most all of the mainstream rankings. Actually, it’s more complicated than that. Despite having a fourteen five star matches as rated by the Wrestling Observer Newsletter he didn’t even get into their Hall of Fame until 2022 and that was only as a tag team with Toshiaki Kawada. He never won Wrestler of the Year nor any other Wrestling Observer Award. He did once hold the All-Japan Pro Wrestling Triple Crown. Akira Taue may hold the distinction of being the best pro wrestler than won the least accolades out of it. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: YES (As part of the Holy Demon Army with Toshiaki Kawada)

150: Bobo Brazil

Bobo Brazil wasn’t the first African-American pro wrestler, he was almost a hundred years too late for that. But he was a ground breaking African-American star who broke the color barrier in many places in the United States during a very difficult time for race relations. Bobo Brazil, real name Houstin Harris, was trained by Joe Savoldi after meeting him at matches at the Naval Armory and debuted in 1948. Joe Savoldi originally named Harris, BuBu Brasil, "The South American Giant," where he wrestled using a sequined satin cape stitched together by his wife, but a promoter misprinted his first name as "Bobo" in an advertisement. During the time, segregation in the South normally limited African-American wrestlers to only wrestling other African-American wrestlers but Bobo Brazil proved so popular that promoters put aside their prejudices in order to make money. Though most famous for his long tenure in Detroit, Bobo Brazil actually had success all over the county, holding titles in San Francisco, Florida, the Mid-Atlantic, Mid-West, and even outside the U.S. in Japan and Canada. Bobo Brazil held version of the WWA World at least four times and even had a disputed win of the NWA World title over Buddy Rogers that wasn’t retroactively recognized. Bobo Brazil’s career rival was The Sheik, with whom he feuded for decades. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: YES

151: Paul “Mr. Wonderful” Orndorff

“Mr. Wonderful” Paul Orndorff never won a major organizations world’s championship but he had something that nobody else had (besides the best piledriver ever)- he had the best house show run with Hulk Hogan in WWF history. That means he made a lot of money. Paul Orndorff was a great pro wrestler. Paul Orndorff had one of the best bodies of the era and was a solid wrestler and great brawler. Prior to his days in the WWF, Paul Orndorff also had great runs in Southeastern, Georgia, Florida, and Mid-South. An injury during his WWF peak changed the course of his career. Paul Orndorff put off surgery during his record breaking run against Hulk Hogan that ultimately resulted in nerve damage to his arm causing him to have a seriously atrophied arm. Paul Orndorff took a few years off from wrestling but did return to WCW where he had a solid run there and eventually became an agent for the company. Considered one of the toughest wrestlers inside or outside the ring. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: NO

152: The Iron Sheik

There is much mythology surrounding the amateur credentials of Khosrow Vaziri- The Iron Sheik. The truth is, beyond the hype of Olympic medals that he never won, he was an AAU champion in 1971 and was trained by Verne Gagne in pro wrestling. The Iron Sheik had the reputation as a shooter and with his colorful personality and Iranian background he made for a great character. The Iron Sheik wrestled in a number of areas including the AWA, Mid-South, Georgia, and Jim Crockett Promotions but his biggest impact was, by far, in the WWF where he won, briefly, the WWF championship. The Iron Sheik returned to the WWF in 1983 and challenged Bob Backlund for WWF Championship. Bob Backlund accepted, and on the December 24, 1983 episode of WWF All-American Wrestling, also accepted Sheik's weekly Persian club challenge. He was successful in his third attempt to swing the clubs, and the Sheik immediately attacked him from behind, injuring his neck. In the December 26, 1983 title bout at Madison Square Garden, Bob Backlund attempted to roll Sheik into a bridge pin, but this aggravated his weakened neck. The Iron Sheik capitalized by applying his Camel Clutch. Bob Backlund wouldn’t submit, but his concerned manager Arnold Skaaland threw in the towel and forfeited the championship. The Iron Sheik rematched Backlund indecisively at house shows and primarily defended the title against Chief Jay Strongbow, as well as Pat Patterson and Salvatore Bellomo. The Iron Sheik was scheduled to rematch Bob Backlund on January 23, 1984 but he was replaced by Hulk Hogan. Five minutes in, the Iron Sheik had Hulk Hogan locked in the Camel Clutch. Hulk Hogan powered to his feet with Sheik still on his back, rammed him backward into the turnbuckles and hit his Atomic Legdrop for the pin and the WWF championship. The Iron Sheik also had a highly acclaimed Boot Camp match against Sgt. Slaughter at Madison Square Garden and a run as WWF World tag team champions with Nikolai Volkoff. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: NO

153: Kerry Von Erich

It is purely coincidental that Kerry Von Erich only ranked one spot above his brother Kevin Von Erich. That’s just how the points totaled up. Kerry Von Erich was generally considered the Von Erich with the most upward potential due in large part to his Greek god body. The career of Kerry Von Erich peaked on May 5, 1984 at Texas Stadium in front of 32,123 fans to win the NWA World heavyweight championship. Though that title reign would last only eighteen days, it was still an iconic moment in pro wrestling history. On June 4, 1986 the career of Kerry Von Erich would change forever as he had a motorcycle accident that would ultimately result in the amputation of his foot, an injury he kept largely hidden from the public until his death. Kerry Von Erich did have a run in the WWF where he won the WWF Intercontinental championship but heavy drug use took its toll. Kerry Von Erich died by suicide on February 18, 1993 at the age of 33. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: NO

154: Kevin Von Erich

The only surviving brother of the Von Erich family is Kevin Von Erich. Kevin never won the AWA World title like his father, nor the NWA World title like his brother Kerry. Kevin did hold his father’s World Class promotions World championship after it pulled out of the NWA but nobody really considered that a real world title. So, why did Kevin Von Erich rate a place on the greatest pro wrestlers of all-time list? Because during his relatively short career (none of the Von Erich brothers wrestled regularly past their early 30s) he was a standout, a rock star in Texas, and an impressive athlete. Though often criticized for being too stiff, Kevin Von Erich had a wealth of athleticism. Kevin Von Erich was part of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Match of the Year in 1984 with Mike and Kerry Von Erich against the Fabulous Freebirds (Buddy Roberts and Michael Hayes and Terry Gordy) in an Anything Goes match on July 4, 1984. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: NO

155: Konnan

Konnan is one of the most famous Mexican pro wrestlers to come to the United States. He was often called “The Hulk Hogan of Mexico” for his tremendous popularity in Mexico during the early to mid-1990s. Konnan is one of the most famous luchadores post El Santo, Blue Demon, and Mil Mascaras. Though actually Cuba by birth, he is most associated with lucha libre in Mexico. Charles Ashenoff (born Carlos Santiago Espada Moises) has wrestled for a multitude of independent and national promotions in the United States and Mexico, and held fifteen title belts in nine promotions. He has also worked as a manager, color commentator, booker, and creative consultant, primarily for Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide (AAA) and was involved in the creation of Lucha Underground, where he was supposed to serve as a writer and producer, but ended up in an on-camera role as manager to Prince Puma throughout the first season. Konnan is best known to United States audiences for his run in World Championship Wrestling as part of the NWO stable and as part of The Filthy Animals. He also formed the 3 Live Kru for TNA in the early 2000s and later the Latin American Xchange (LAX) stable. In Mexico, Konnan was the first-ever CMLL World Heavyweight Champion, and the leader of the Foreign Legion in AAA when they were the top stable. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: YES

156: “Magnificent’ Don Muraco

Don Muraco was a tremendous pro wrestler when motivated. Don Muraco is best remembered for his appearances with the WWF from 1981 to 1988, where he held the WWF Intercontinental Heavyweight Championship on two occasions and was crowned the inaugural winner of the King of the Ring tournament in 1985. He was voted the Best Heel by Wrestling Observer Newsletter in 1981 and Pro Wrestling Illustrated Magazine ranked him number 50 of the top 500 singles wrestlers of the "PWI Years" in 2003. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: NO

157: Barry Windham

Barry Windham was one of the best pro wrestlers during the 1980s and had an especially memorable run against Ric Flair for the NWA World championship. However, Barry Windham never really lived up to his expectations. Barry Windham was pushed heavily early in his career in Florida. As the son of Blackjack Mulligan, Barry Windham seemed to have all the tools and athleticism to be a world champion wrestler. Barry Windham, along with his Florida tag team partner Mike Rotundo went to the WWF in late 1984 where they won the WWF World tag team championship. After quitting the WWF, Barry Windham returned to the NWA where he then had his career highlight run against Ric Flair and later joined Ric Flair as a member of the Four Horsemen. Barry Windham’s career became very inconsistent. Barry Windham did eventually win the NWA World heavyweight title, though it was after the heyday of the championship and after it had been surpassed by the WCW World title as the top belt of World Championship Wrestling. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: NO

158: “British Bulldog” Davey Boy Smith

Davey Boy Smith (AKA: The British Bulldog) is best known for his time with the WWF under the ring names Davey Boy Smith and later The British Bulldog, though he did have an exceptional run in Japan and the U.S. as a tag team with the Dynamite Kid. He was trained by Ted Betley in Winwick, England before relocating to Calgary, Alberta, Canada to further his training under Stu Hart. Davey Boy Smith won titles in the WWE in three decades, from the 1980s into the 2000s. One of Davey Boy Smith’s biggest victories was over his real-life brother-in-law Bret Hart for the WWF Intercontinental Championship in the main event of SummerSlam 1992 at London's Wembley Stadium, in front of 80,355 fans. Davey Boy Smith was the inaugural WWF European Champion and holds the records for longest single reign (206 days). While many associate Davey Boy Smith with his British Bulldogs tag team partner Dynamite Kid, Davey Boy Smith’s singles career was also very strong. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: NO

159: Rick Steiner

The older brother of Scott Steiner, Rick Steiner first gained notoriety in Bill Watts’ UWF promotion as part of a stable managed by Eddie Gilbert along with Sting. After the UWF was purchased by Jim Crockett and assimilated into NWA-WCW, Rick Steiner, playing a dumb jock character, started gaining a lot of popularity. He was once almost chosen to defeated Ric Flair for the NWA World title at Starrcade in an idea that was ultimately nixed. Rick Steiner is an eight time WCW World Tag Team Champion (seven times with his brother Scott Steiner as half of the Steiner Brothers, and once with Kenny Kaos). In addition to tag team success, he was also a one-time United States Heavyweight Champion and a three time World Television Champion. Beyond WCW, Steiner found success in New Japan Pro-Wrestling, where he and Scott held the IWGP Tag Team Championship twice, and the World Wrestling Federation, where they won the WWF World Tag Team Championship twice. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: NO

160: Yuji Nagata

Yuji Nagata is best known for his lengthy career with New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW). Yuji Nagata is a two-time IWGP Heavyweight Champion, World Heavyweight Champion, and a NOAH GHC Heavyweight Champion, making him a four-time world champion in major professional wrestling promotions in Japan. Yuji Nagata is the fifth longest-reigning IWGP Heavyweight Champion with a reign of 392 days. He held the record for most successful title defenses with 10, until Hiroshi Tanahashi broke the record at Wrestle Kingdom VI. He is the only wrestler to have won Japanese professional wrestling's three biggest singles tournaments; New Japan Pro-Wrestling's G1 Climax (in 2001), All-Japan Pro Wrestling's Champion Carnival (in 2011), and Pro Wrestling Noah's Global League (in 2013). Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: YES

161: Booker T

Booker T had a very successful career with his biggest accomplishments coming in WCW, WWF/WWE, and TNA, holding 35 championships between those organizations. He is the most decorated wrestler in WCW history, having held 21 titles, including a record six WCW World Television Championships, and a record eleven WCW World Tag Team Championships: 10 as one half of Harlem Heat with his brother Stevie Ray, and one in the WWF with Test. Booker T was the final WCW World Heavyweight Champion and WCW United States Heavyweight Champion under the WCW banner. Booker T is an overall six-time world champion in professional wrestling, having won the WCW World Heavyweight Championship five times, and WWE's World Heavyweight Championship once. Booker T was also the winner of the 2006 King of the Ring tournament. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: NO

162: Negro Casas

Negro Casas is the son of former wrestler turned referee Pepe Casas, and part of the large Casas wrestling family; brother of professional wrestlers El Felino and Heavy Metal and uncle of Puma, Tiger, Canelo Casas, Rocky Casas, Danny Casas and many more. Besides being one of the standout luchadores of the last forty-years, Negro Casas has trained several wrestlers, including Mephisto, Kazushige Nosawa, T. J. Perkins, Rocky Romero, and Ricky Marvin. Negro Casas has also worked all over the world, he made appearances for the WWF in the United States of America as well as touring with New Japan Pro Wrestling. In Mexico, Negro Casas has worked for CMLL since the 1990s but has also wrestled for the Universal Wrestling Association, World Wrestling Association, and International Wrestling Revolution Group. Negro Casas was the greatest career rival of El Hijo del Santo. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: YES

163: Tully Blanchard

Tully Blanchard is a second generation pro wrestler, the son of wrestler turned promoter Joe Blanchard and Tully started off as a star of his father’s Southwest Championship Wrestling. But Tully Blanchard’s greatest claim to fame came with Jim Crockett Promotions where he and Magnum T.A. (Terry Allen) had one of the most famous feuds in the history of that area culminating in the famous “I Quit” match where Magnum T.A. threatened to take out Tully’s eye with a chair leg. Tully Blanchard became part of the original Four Horsemen with Arn Anderson, Ole Anderson, and Ric Flair. Arn Anderson and Tully Blanchard, together as a tag team, become one of the best ever winning the World tag team titles in both the NWA and WWF. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: NO

164: Tom Jenkins

Tom Jenkins was a post-pioneer, Frank Gotch era wrestling champion. Tom Jenkins held the American Heavyweight Championship three times around the turn of the 20th century. On May 4, 1905 at Madison Square Garden he wrestled for the newly created World Heavyweight Championship, but lost to George Hackenschmidt. He later taught at the United States Military Academy at West Point (1905–1942) and from 1912 to 1943 he also taught wrestling and boxing at the New York Military Academy at Cornwall-on-Hudson, New York. Overshadowed by Frank Gotch, Tom Jenkins has long been underrated when discussing the wrestlers of that era. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: YES

165: David Von Erich

David Von Erich (David Adkisson) only lived to be 25 years old yet, somehow, made it onto the Greatest Pro Wrestlers of All-Time List. That should tell you something about the potential that David Von Erich had. The son of Fritz Von Erich and one of the ill-fated Von Erich brothers, David Von Erich was already being groomed at that young age for the NWA World heavyweight championship even holding wins of Harley Race and prepping for it with a heel run in Florida. The death of David Von Erich remains mysterious and controversial. We ourselves at When It Was Cool Wrestling have done a deep dive into his final days. David Von Erich died during a tour with All Japan Pro Wrestling on February 10, 1984, before he was going to, among other matches, defend the United National championship belt he had won in Texas seven days earlier. One theory of his death is that it was a painkiller overdose, perhaps hydrocodone. Ric Flair mentions in his autobiography that Bruiser Brody (David Von Erich's long-time friend) removed the evidence. The Von Erich family, however, claimed it was caused by ruptured intestines resulting from acute enteritis, which is the documented cause of death listed on the Consular Report of Death provided by the U.S. embassy in Japan. In the documentary Heroes of World Class: The Story of the Von Erichs and The Triumph and Tragedy of World Class Championship Wrestling, Kevin Von Erich and former referee David Manning both attested to a heart attack theory. According to friend and former promoter “Wild” Bill Irwin, David is believed to have suffered from bulimia, which Irwin alludes to in a 2017 Wrestling Shoot Podcast on the "Booking The Territory" YouTube channel. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: NO

166: Karl Gotch

Karl Gotch was a Belgian-born German-American professional wrestler and trainer. In Japan, Karl Gotch was known as the "God of Wrestling". He was no relation to earlier wrestler Frank Gotch. While Karl Gotch did wrestle throughout the United States it was Japan where he was most revered. His Catch wrestling ability was highly respected among the wrestlers there with many yearning to train under him. Karl Gotch's professional wrestling career began after training in the "Snake Pit", run by the renowned catch wrestler Billy Riley. He debuted in the 1950s, wrestling throughout Europe under the ring name Karl Krauser, and winning various titles including the German Heavyweight Championship and the European Championship. In the late 1950s, Karl Gotch moved to the United States, and began wrestling as under that name (his real name was Charles Istaz). In 1961, he won the American Wrestling Alliance (Ohio) World Heavyweight Championship. Karl Gotch held the belt for two years before dropping the title to Lou Thesz, one of the few American wrestlers he respected because of the similarities of their styles (the two also share a common German/Hungarian heritage). In 1962, Karl Gotch was involved in a backstage altercation with the then-NWA World Heavyweight Champion Buddy Rogers, in which Rogers was injured. Karl Gotch had a stint in the World Wide Wrestling Federation from August 1971 to February 1972. On December 6, 1971, he teamed with Rene Goulet to win the WWWF World Tag Team Championship. During the 1960s, Karl Gotch began wrestling in other countries including Australia and Japan, where he became very popular. He wrestled in the main event of the very first show held by New Japan Pro Wrestling on March 6, 1972, defeating Antonio Inoki. His final match occurred on January 1, 1982, when he pinned Yoshiaki Fujiwara. He trained several wrestlers in Japan, including Hideki Suzuki, Hiro Matsuda, Satoru Sayama, Osamu Kido, Barry Darsow, Minoru Suzuki, Tatsumi Fujinami, Akira Maeda and Yoshiaki Fujiwara. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: YES

167: Villano III

Arturo Díaz Mendoza was a tremendous luchador who performed under the ring name Villano III . Villano III was a second-generation wrestler, son of luchador Ray Mendoza and the father of professional wrestlers Villano III, Jr. and El Hijo del Villano III. All five of the Díaz brothers used the Villano name; José de Jesús (Villano I), José Alfredo (Villano II), Tomás (Villano IV) and Raymundo (Villano V). Of the five Villanos, Arturo was considered the most successful in terms of championship and Lucha de Apuesta wins as well as the most talented luchador in the family. He retired from wrestling in 2015 due to health issues. During his 35 year career, Villano III was one of the featured performers for the UWA (Mexico), and for all the all major Mexican wrestling promotions such as EMLL/CMLL and AAA as well as numerous notable smaller Mexican promotions like International Wrestling Revolution Group. Villano III finally lost his mask against Atlantis in a match that was voted Match of the Year in 2000 in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter year-end awards. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: YES

168: Jeff Jarrett

Jeff Jarrett made his pro wrestling debut in 1986. As the son of wrestler and promoter Jerry Jarrett, Jeff’s first several years in wrestling was spent in his father’s Memphis promotion. After the change-over to USWA, Jeff Jarrett also wrestled in Texas and the AWA before his big career break in 1993 when he came into the WWF as the country music crossover star “Double J” Jeff Jarrett which included a run as the WWF Intercontinental champion. From 1996-1997 Jeff Jarrett joined WCW where he was part of an angle with the Four Horsemen. He returned to the WWF where he would wrestle for two more years and be part of a World tag team title winning combination with Owen Hart. In 1999, Jeff Jarrett returned to WCW where he would get his biggest run and become a four time WCW World champion as the “Chosen One”. After the implosion of WCW, Jeff Jarrett and his father Jerry Jarrett launched the start-up NWA-TNA promotion which they ultimately sold. While in TNA, Jeff Jarrett held NWA World title six times. In the TNA to post-TNA years, Jeff Jarrett became a very big heel star in Mexico as well, holding AAA Mega Heavyweight championship twice. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: NO

169: Adrian Adonis

Despite being a heel, insiders always liked Keith “Adrian Adonis” Franke and considered him one of the best workers of his era until his weight spiraled out of control. Adrian Adonis debuted in 1974 under his real name, until he adopted the Adrian Adonis name in the late 1970s. He later began working for the AWA, forming a tag team with Jesse Ventura called the “East-West Connection,” winning the AWA World Tag Team Championship. They debuted for the World Wrestling Federation in late 1981, but Ventura stopped wrestling regularly due to injuries. After this, Adrian Adonis began teaming with Dick Murdoch as the “North-South Connection,” winning the WWF World Tag Team Championship. In 1986, Adrian Adonis underwent a controversial gimmick change as an effeminate, flamboyant wrestler who wore pink clothing and garish makeup, adopting the “Adorable” Adrian Adonis name. He would be involved in a feud with Roddy Piper, which culminated in a hair vs. hair match at WWF WrestleMania III. After leaving the WWF in mid-1987, he made a brief return to the AWA and would make appearances in small promotions and Japan until his death in a car accident in 1988 at the age of 34. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: NO

170: Diamond Dallas Page

Though he played both a good guy and bad guy inside the ring, Diamond Dallas Page has shown himself as one of the best human beings in the wrestling business by helping multiple wrestlers regain their lives after various struggles including Jake Roberts, Scott Hall, and Buff Bagwell. Dallas Page has worked for the AWA (he was a manager there), WCW), WWF, TNA, and AEW. Diamond Dallas Page broke into the wrestling business in 1988, as a manager in the AWA where he worked for nine months before signing with WCW in 1991. In WCW he became a three-time WCW World Heavyweight Champion, two-time WCW United States Heavyweight Champion, four-time WCW World Tag Team Champion, and one-time WCW World Television Champion. After WCW was sold in 2001, Diamond Dallas Page signed with the WWF and went on to become a one-time WWF European Champion and one-time WWF World Tag Team Champion. Diamond Dallas Page worked for TNA from 2004 to 2005, challenging for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: NO

171: Bam Bam Bigelow

I was fortunate enough to see the entire career of Scott “Bam” Bigelow from his days with Paul E. Dangerously (Paul Heyman) hyping him up straight out of Larry Sharpe’s wrestling school to his early runs in Memphis, World Class (as the regrettable Crusher Yurkoff), and ultimately to the WWF, WCW, ECW, and Japan. He was a charismatic big man with tremendous agility. Unfortunately, a knee injury just before WWF WrestleMania IV slowed him down some but his career afterward was still impressive including headlining WWF WrestleMania XI in a great match with NFL star Lawrence Taylor. Whether or not Bam Bam Bigelow ultimately lived up to his potential is a matter of debate but what is not debatable is that he was one of the best big men ever in wrestling. He was the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Rookie of the Year in 1986. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: NO

172: La Parka / L.A. Park

Adolfo Margarito Tapia Ibarra AKA: (La Parka (original) and L. A. Park) has worked for every major and multiple minor wrestling promotions in Mexico, as well as participating on multiple wrestling tours in Japan. He also had a lengthy stint in WCW during the Monday Night War era. He had held the IWC World Heavyweight, IWC World Hardcore, and IWL World Heavyweight championships all once, a multi-time tag team champion, and a host of other minor and major championships throughout Mexico. Tapia was forced to change his ring name from "La Parka" to "L.A. Park" (short for La Auténtica Park; "The Original Park") in early 2003 when AAA owner Antonio Peña asserted his copyright claims to the La Parka character, barring Tapia from using the name as he promoted his own version of the gimmick with this new wrestler being known as La Parka. Several of Tapia's other family members are or have been professional wrestlers, including his sons El Hijo de L.A. Park and L.A. Park Jr., brother El Hijo de Cien Caras, nephew Volador Jr., and great nephew Flyer, among others. L.A. Park's family is referred to in Mexico as La Familia Real. He was the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Mexican MVP in 2018 and was ranked number 19 in the world in the Pro Wrestling Illustrated Top 500 in 2012, his highest ever ranking. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: YES

173: El Satanico

El Satánico was originally an enmascarado but lost the mask early in his career and has performed unmasked ever since. The majority of his in-ring career was spent in CMLL, where he worked as a rudo. El Satánico was one of the main members of the Los Infernales stable from its creation in the early 1980s through 2008 and was a member of every single incarnation of the group. Los Infernales won the CMLL World Trios Championship three times and the Mexican National Trios Championship three times. He's also won the CMLL World Middleweight Championship, CMLL World Welterweight Championship once, the Mexican National Middleweight Championship three times, the NWA World Light Heavyweight Championship four times, and the NWA World Middleweight Championship five times in his career. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: YES

174: Magnum TA

When I think of Magnum TA (Terry Allen), I think of what could have been. Magnum TA would have likely ranked much higher on our list were it not for October 14, 1986 when Magnum TA was in a serious car accident that ended his career at the age of 27. At the time of his car accident, Magnum TA was one of the hottest stars in the National Wrestling Alliance and was getting a push toward the NWA World heavyweight championship, which just before his death, promoter Jim Crockett said in an interview that Magnum TA was to have beaten Ric Flair for the NWA World title at Starrcade that year. (Ric Flair ended up wrestling Nikita Koloff to a double DQ). Magnum TA had already worked his way through the Pacific Northwest, Mid-South, and Florida territories where he became friends with Dusty Rhodes who was, not only one of the most popular wrestlers in the world at that point, but also one of the most powerful. There is little question that the well liked Magnum TA was going to be an even bigger star than he already was. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: NO

175: Ole Anderson

Ole Anderson (Alan Robert Rogowski) was a great pro wrestler and tremendous tag team wrestlers with his “brother” Gene Anderson. He is the kayfabe uncle of Arn Anderson (Marty Lunde). Ole Anderson debuted in 1967 in the AWA as Rock Rogowski and did not become an “Anderson” about a year later when he was teamed up with Gene in the Mid-Atlantic area as the infamous “Minnesota Wrecking Crew”. Ole Anderson ended up being a power-player himself in pro wrestling, owning a portion of the Georgia territory and having power roles later in WCW. Ole Anderson and partner Stan Hansen won the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Tag Team of the Year Award in 1982. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: NO

176: Lizmark

Lizmark was a Mexican luchador enmascarado. The unique name was taken from the German battleship Bismarck though he was nicknamed El Geniecillo Azul, which is Spanish for "The Little Blue Genius". He was a multiple-time champion, having held singles and tag team championships in both Empresa Mexicana de Lucha Libre / Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (EMLL/CMLL) and Asistencia Asesoría y Administración (AAA). He has two sons who are also professional wrestlers, Lizmark, Jr. and El Hijo de Lizmark. Lizmark grew up in Acapulco and was also into bodybuilding, winning the 1971 Mr. Acapulco and 1972 Mr. Guerrero competitions. He was trained to be a boxer by his uncle, and made his professional wrestling debut on March 14, 1976. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: YES

177: Orville Brown

Orville Brown is more than the answer to the trivia question: Who was the first National Wrestling Alliance World champion? Orville Brown was noticed by Ernest Brown, a former manager of amateur and professional wrestlers, in the late 1920s, who was convinced that he might have a future as a wrestler and agreed to work with Brown. After training, Brown was undefeated for seventy-one matches. He gained enough notoriety in western Kansas that the promoter in Wichita put him on the preliminary of the weekly matches there. A well-known wrestler named Abe Coleman saw Brown wrestle and recommended him to the promoter in St. Louis, Tom Packs. Orville Brown impressed many people with his wrestling skills in matches against former world heavyweight champions Jim Londos and Ed "Strangler" Lewis and he quickly won the Kansas Heavyweight Championship. Orville Brown went on to become the Kansas-based Midwest Wrestling Association (MWA) World Heavyweight Champion for a record of eleven times from 1940 to 1948. In 1948, promoters recognized Orville Brown as the World Heavyweight Champion in the newly formed National Wrestling Alliance (NWA). Brown began the NWA's project of unifying the various world heavyweight championships. A significant unification match took place against Frank Sexton on March 15, 1949. Frank Sexton held the AWA (Paul Bowser) Heavyweight Championship, the second most important championship in the country at that time, which he had previously unified with the Maryland version of the World Heavyweight Championship. Orville Brown held the NWA World Heavyweight Championship until he was forced to retire in November 1949 due to injuries he suffered on November 1st in a car accident. He was scheduled to participate in a unification match against Lou Thesz on November 25, 1949. Lou Thesz was awarded the title. After retiring, Orville Brown became a promoter in Kansas City, Missouri. He promoted the Midwest Wrestling Association (MWA) from the founding of the NWA in 1948 until 1958, when the promotion was taken over by Bob Geigel. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: NO

178: Chavo Guerrero

Salvador Guerrero Llanes is better known as Chavo Guerrero or Chavo Guerrero Sr., and also known during his last stint in WWE as "Chavo Classic". He was best known for his work in Los Angeles, the Universal Wrestling Federation (UWF), American Wrestling Association (AWA), and World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) and for being the father of third-generation wrestler Chavo Guerrero Jr. He was the oldest son of Salvador "Gory" Guerrero, and part of the Guerrero wrestling family. He was one the first wrestler in the United States to popularize what would later be called the Moonsault. In NWA Hollywood, he feuded with Roddy Piper for the NWA Americas Heavyweight Championship and between 1979 and 1980, he held the title 15 times. Chavo Guerrero held championships in the United States, Japan, and Mexico. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: NO

179: Brian Pillman

Brian Pillman is another wrestler on our list that, had he not been injured at a young age, battled substance abuse problems, and died at a young age (35) he would likely have ended up ranking much higher. Brian Pillman is best known as an NFL football player with the Cincinatti Bengals, and as a pro wrestler and in Stampede Wrestling in the 1980s and World Championship Wrestling (WCW), Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW), and World Wrestling Federation (WWF) in the 1990s. Brian Pillman was a great athletic highflier who was often shoehorned into the “Junior” or “Cruiserweight” division until a sucessful tag team, The Hollywood Blondes” was formed with Steve Austin. However, he broke out of that mold when he created "The Loose Cannon" character, a gimmick that would see him do a series of worked shoots that would gain him a degree of infamy for his unpredictable character. He was also known for being extremely agile in the ring, although a car accident in April 1996 from which he received extensive ankle injuries limited his in-ring ability. By the end of his career, he worked with his long-time friend and former teammate “Stone Cold” Steve Austin in a storyline involving a firearm and with The Hart Foundation during the first instances of the developing Attitude Era. In 1997, he died unexpectedly due to an undetected heart disease. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: NO

180: Jon Moxley / Dean Ambrose

Jon Moxley is currently signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW) where he is one of the top stars so, he will likely have a lot of upward momentum in the coming years. In fact, though this list of the greatest wrestlers ever is being released prior to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Wrestler of the Year Award for 2022, Jon Moxley is one of the favorites to win the award and was the Pro Wrestling Illustrated number one wrestler in the Top 500 in 2022 and number six in 2021. Jon Moxley made his professional wrestling debut in 2004, and competed under the Jon Moxley name in several independent promotions such as Heartland Wrestling Association, Westside Xtreme Wrestling, Full Impact Pro, Combat Zone Wrestling, and Dragon Gate USA. Upon signing with WWE in 2011, he was given the Dean Ambrose name and began competing in the company's developmental territories of Florida Championship Wrestling and NXT, before joining the main roster in November 2012 as a member of The Shield alongside Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins. Ambrose won the WWE United States Championship, his first championship in WWE, in May 2013; his 351-day reign became the longest United States Championship reign since the title came under WWE's ownership. Dean Ambrose went on to win the WWE Championship once, the WWE Intercontinental Championship three times, and the WWE Raw Tag Team Championship twice (both times with Seth Rollins). He left WWE after his contract expired in April 2019, and returned to his Jon Moxley name debuting for AEW the following month at their inaugural event, Double or Nothing. He also started working in NJPW and won the IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship in his NJPW debut match in January 2020, becoming the only person thus far to have held WWE's and IWGP's United States championships. He also won the AEW World Championship making him the first person to hold championships in AEW and NJPW simultaneously. He would go on to win the AEW World Championship twice more in 2022, setting records for the most world championship wins and longest cumulative reigns in AEW history. All totaled between WWE, AEW, and NJPW, he has held 12 total championships (including four world titles and three U.S. titles). Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: NO

181: Seth Rollins

WWE star Seth Rollins is a tremendous athlete and destined to move up this list in the future. Real name Colby Daniel Lopez, Seth Rollins, prior to signing with WWE wrestled under the ring name Tyler Black for Ring of Honor (ROH). During his time in ROH he held the ROH World Championship once and the ROH World Tag Team Championship twice with Jacobs, and won the 2009 Survival of the Fittest tournament. Lopez also wrestled for various independent promotions including Full Impact Pro, where he was a one-time FIP World Heavyweight Champion, as well as Pro Wrestling Guerrilla, where he was a one-time PWG World Tag Team Champion, with Jimmy Jacobs. Seth Rollins signed with WWE in 2010 and was sent to its developmental territory Florida Championship Wrestling and became the inaugural FCW Grand Slam Champion. After WWE rebranded FCW into NXT, he became the inaugural NXT Champion. Seth Rollins debuted on WWE's main roster at the 2012 Survivor Series as part of a faction called The Shield, alongside Dean Ambrose and Roman Reigns. Seth Rollins won his first main roster championship, the WWE (now Raw) Tag Team Championship - which he has since held a record six times - with Roman Reigns. Seth Rollins then went on to win the WWE World Heavyweight Championship, WWE Universal Championship, WWE Intercontinental Championship and the WWE United States Championship all twice each. Seth Rollins has headlined numerous major pay-per-view events for WWE, including WrestleMania 31. Seth Rollins was named the number one wrestler in the world by Pro Wrestling Illustrated's PWI 500 list in both 2015 and 2019. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: NO

182: Sabu

Sabu is known for his trademark style of hardcore wrestling and wild highflying, which he pioneered in his time with Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) from 1995 to 2000. He is a three-time World Heavyweight Champion having held the ECW World Heavyweight Championship twice and the NWA World Heavyweight Championship once. Under the tutelage of his uncle Ed "The Sheik" Farhat, Brunk began his career in 1985 and later traveled to Japan, competing in Frontier Martial-Arts Wrestling (FMW) and New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), winning several championships, including the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship. He returned to the United States in 1995, briefly working for World Championship Wrestling (WCW), before beginning his most well-known stint in ECW, where he quickly became a fixture of the promotion. During his time in ECW, he became a two-time ECW World Heavyweight Champion and a one-time ECW World Television Champion. He would have both a feud and an alliance with The Tazmaniac, defeated him for the ECW FTW Championship and winning the ECW World Tag Team Championship with him. In 1997, Sabu began a tag team with Rob Van Dam, winning the ECW Tag Team Championship twice. After leaving ECW, Sabu wrestled in several national promotions, winning the NWA World Heavyweight Championship in 2000. In 2006, he was hired by WWE as part of their new third brand, a rebooted version of ECW. Sabu would wrestle for WWE until he was fired in 2007. He considered an innovator of a variety highflying moves and hardcore stunts and his style was highly imitated during the 1990s in both the United States and Japan. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: NO

183: Gran Hamada

Hiroaki Hamada better known by his ring name Gran Hamada is a Japanese professional wrestler, the one of the first to adopt the high-flying Mexican lucha libre style. He has wrestled for New Japan Pro Wrestling, the Universal Wrestling Federation, Michinoku Pro and All-Japan Pro Wrestling and was the founder of Universal Lucha Libre. He has also had wrestled for the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) and Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) in the United States. His daughters Xóchitl Hamada and Ayako Hamada are professional wrestlers. He held multiple championships in Mexico’s UWA. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: NO

184: Joe Savoldi

Joe Savoldi was an exceptional football player in both college and the NFL where he played for several teams. It was during one of these games that he caught the eye of two famous spectators: wrestling promoter Billy Sandow and former world champion Ed "Strangler" Lewis. Joe Savoldi agreed to meet Strangler Lewis and Billy Sandow the following day at a local gym, and after an informal tryout in which Strangler Lewis proclaimed Savoldi the strongest man he had ever wrestled, Sandow eventually signed Savoldi to a contract in May 1931. Joe Savoldi's debut match took place in February 1931. As a wrestler, Joe Savoldi became known for his finishing move, the flying dropkick. Interpromotional wrestling wars were raging at the time, and on April 7, 1933 at Chicago Stadium, Joe Savoldi was involved in a double cross on heavyweight champion Jim Londos. After a tangle by the ropes, referee Bob Managoff declared Savoldi the winner by pinfall and awarded him the title. Vigorous arguments were waged over whether Joe Savoldi had truly won the match, and whether Jim Londos' title had even been on the line. As a result, Joe Savoldi and Bob Managoff were suspended in some territories and the title change was not universally recognized. Jim Londos continued to bill himself as world champion, while Joe Savoldi went to the New York area claiming the same, until he was defeated by Jim Browning on June 12 at Yankee Stadium. After peace was made between rival promotions, a Londos/Savoldi rematch was held at Chicago Stadium on January 31, 1934. Jim Londos won the contest. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: NO

185: Ron Simmons

Another famous football player on our list of the greatest pro wrestlers of all time is Ron Simmons (AKA: Faarooq). Ron Simmons wrestled for Florida Championship Wrestling, World Championship Wrestling (WCW), and Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW), and in the World Wrestling Federation / World Wrestling Entertainment (WWF/E). In WCW, Simmons was a one-time WCW World Heavyweight Champion. He was also a one-time WCW World Tag Team Champion with Butch Reed and a one-time WCW United States Tag Team Champion with Big Josh (Matt Borne). He was one of the most prominent stars in the WWF in the early Attitude Era. In the WWF, he was a three-time WWF World Tag Team Champion with Bradshaw (John Bradshaw Leyfield) as one half of the Acolytes Protection Agency. Prior to becoming a pro wrestler, Ron Simmons was a college and pro football player who was a defensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL), Canadian Football League (CFL) and United States Football League (USFL) for four seasons during the 1980s. He played college football for Florida State University and was recognized as an All-American. He played professionally for the NFL's Cleveland Browns, the CFL's Ottawa Rough Riders and the USFL's Tampa Bay Bandits. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: NO

186: Great Sasuke

Great Sasuke is one of the most decorated Junior and Lightweight wrestlers of all time. The list of accomplishments and championships for Great Sasuke is huge but here are just a few of them: FMW Independent World Junior Heavyweight Championship, Michinoku Pro Wrestling British Commonwealth Junior Heavyweight Championship (twice), Tohoku Junior Heavyweight Championship (3 times), UWA World Tag Team Championship once) with Jinsei Shinzaki, Michinoku Trios League (2005) with Jinsei Shinzaki and Kesen Numajiro, IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship (once), IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship (once) with Jushin “Thunder” Liger, J-Crown (once), NWA World Junior Heavyweight Championship (once), NWA World Middleweight Championship (once), NWA World Welterweight Championship (once), UWA World Junior Light Heavyweight Championship (once), WWA World Junior Light Heavyweight Championship (once), WAR International Junior Heavyweight Championship (once), Junior Heavyweight Super Grade Tag League (1996) with Black Tiger II (Eddie Guerrero), WWF Light Heavyweight Championship (twice), WWA World Middleweight Championship (once), Wrestling Observer Newsletter Best Flying Wrestler (1994), Wrestling Observer Newsletter Best Wrestling Maneuver (1994) The Sasuke Special. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: NO

187: Bert Asserati

One of the most feared British pro wrestlers in history. Bert Assirati began weight-training at the age of twelve. At the age of twenty, Bert Assirati began his career as a professional wrestler. At times, he was one of the strongest men in the world, and could still perform such acrobatic maneuvers as the iron cross and a one-arm hand stand. In 1938, Assirati deadlifted 800 pounds. Many promoters were reluctant to book Assirati, because of his reputation for double-crossing his opponents, and many wrestlers were said to be afraid to wrestle him. Bert Assirati claimed that Lou Thesz was one of the wrestlers afraid to face him. In one version of the story, Assirati challenged Thesz to a match, but Thesz refused. According to Lou Thesz's account in his autobiography, he challenged Bert Assirati for a series of wrestling matches, but Assirati did not respond to his request. Wrestler Les Thornton stated that Bert Assirati's eagerness to hurt people in the ring helped establish credibility for competitors who were willing to face him. Bert Assirati won his first major championship while competing in the British Wrestling Association. He had claimed to be the British Heavyweight Champion but did not win the title officially until January 27, 1945. Two years later, he also won the European version of the World Heavyweight Championship by defeating Paul Yvar Martinsen in the final round of a tournament on February 18, 1947. He added the European Heavyweight Championship in 1949 by defeating Felix Miquet. In 1950, Bert Assirati left the British Wrestling Association to wrestle in India. As a result, he was stripped of the British Heavyweight Championship. He returned to Europe and won back the European Heavyweight Championship in 1952. In 1955, Bert Assirati won his final championship by defeating Ernie Baldwin for the vacant British Heavyweight Championship. He was stripped of the title in 1958 by Joint Promotions, the governing body, although the British Wrestling Federation (BWF) continued to recognize him as their champion. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: YES

188: Dick Murdoch

Dick Murdoch started his wrestling career in 1965, and three years later, he began teaming with longtime partner Dusty Rhodes as the Texas Outlaws. After they split up, Murdoch wrestled for several territories including Florida Championship Wrestling, and Mid-South Wrestling, also touring overseas. He would join the World Wrestling Federation in 1984 and teamed with Adrian Adonis to form the North-South Connection, winning the WWF World Tag Team Championship. In 1981, Dick Murdoch gained international exposure by joining New Japan Pro Wrestling and stayed there until 1989. He later wrestled for Jim Crockett Promotions, engaging in feuds with the likes of Ric Flair, Nikita Koloff, and Dusty Rhodes. He also worked for World Championship Wrestling in 1991 in a tag team with Dick Slater until going into semi-retirement, while making appearances at the 1995 Royal Rumble and Slamboree 1993: A Legends' Reunion. Dick Murdoch has long been a borderline candidate for the Wrestling Observer Hall of Fame and became known somewhat as the level of determination for who is in and who is out. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: NO

189: Kiyoshi Tamura

Kiyoshi Tamura is a Japanese professional wrestler and mixed martial artist. Once a student of legendary professional wrestlers Billy Robinson, Lou Thesz and Akira Maeda, Kiyoshi Tamura is known for his skills in catch wrestling and is considered to be one of the greatest shoot wrestlers of all time. Competing exclusively in shoot style wrestling, Kiyoshi Tamura began his career with UWF and later joined its successor group UWF International before transitioning to mixed martial arts. In pro wrestling, Pro Wrestling Illustrated Magazine ranked him as the number 98 wrestler in their PWI Top 500 of the PWI Years and he won the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Best Technical Wrestler Award in 1998. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: NO

190: Shane Douglas

Shane Douglas (Troy Martin) is another pro wrestler who I was able to see their entire career as I was watching Mid-South/UWF when Shane Douglas first came along and then, Continental where he first hooked up with Paul E. Dangerously (Paul Heyman) who would later use him as his heel World champion for ECW. Shane Douglas wrestled for a period of time in WCW where he and Ricky Steamboat were the NWA & WCW World tag team champions and, aside for two short stints in the WWF, Shane Douglas is best known for his role as the foul mouth, Ric Flair hating, “Franchise” of ECW. I have to admit, I’ve long been a Shane Douglas fan and was glad to see him make the list of the greatest pro wrestlers ever. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: NO

191: Koji Kanemoto

Koji Kanemoto is a stand-out junior heavyweight wrestler from Japan. He won the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Most Outstanding Wrestler award in 1998. Koji Kanemoto was the first New Japan Pro Wrestling IWGP World Junior heavyweight champion to defend the title in the United States at WCW Starrcade 1995 against Alex Wright. Koji Kanemoto has wrestled for most of the major Japanese promotions of his era including New Japan Pro Wrestling, All-Japan Pro Wrestling, NOAH, and Zero One. He was also the third wrestler (after Saturo Sayama and Mitsuharu Misawa) to wear the Tiger Mask gimmick. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: NO

192: Ernie “Big Cat” Ladd

Ernie "The Big Cat" Ladd, was a standout pro football player and pro wrestler. Ernie Ladd attended Grambling State University on a basketball scholarship before being drafted in 1961 by the San Diego Chargers of the American Football League (AFL). Ernie Ladd found success in the AFL as one of the largest players in professional football history at 6′9″ and 290 pounds. He helped the Chargers to four AFL championship games in five years, winning the championship with the team in 1963. He also had stints with the Kansas City Chiefs and Houston Oilers. Ladd took up professional wrestling during the AFL offseason, and after a knee injury ended his football career turned to it full-time in 1969. As a pro wrestler, Ernie Ladd became one of the top heels in the business. Ernie Ladd feuded with many popular wrestlers of the time, including Wahoo McDaniel, André the Giant, Bobo Brazil, Dusty Rhodes, and Mr. Wrestling, before retiring from the ring in 1986. Ernie Ladd was inducted into the Chargers Hall of Fame in 1981, the Grambling State University Hall of Fame in 1989, and the WWF Hall of Fame in 1995. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: YES

193: Kevin Sullivan

Kevin Sullivan wrestled throughout many of the territories during the 1970s-1980s with standout stints in Southeastern Wrestling (Knoxville), Georgia, Florida, and Continental. His controversial “evil/devil” character gained him notoriety throughout wrestling along with his brawling style. It was in WCW where he had his most widely viewed run during a feud with Hulk Hogan and Sullivan’s Dungeon of Doom stable. Kevin Sullivan also worked extensively behind the scenes in creative. He was Pro Wrestling Illustrated's Most Improved Wrestler of the Year in 1981. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: NO

194: Tito Santana

Tito Santana is another pro wrestler who I don’t believe gets the credit he deserves. No, Tito Santana never won a major world heavyweight championship but he was a solid wrestler and a positive to any roster he was on. Tito Santana worked for several territories including the AWA and Georgia but his greatest claim to fame, by far, was in the WWF where he won the WWF Intercontinental title twice and the WWF World tag team title twice (once with Ivan Putski and once with Rick Martel). His feud with “Macho Man” Randy Savage early in his WWF tenure helped establish Savage as a big star, especially after losing the WWF Intercontinental Championship to him. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: NO

195: Bill “Masked Superstar” “Demolition Ax” Eadie

Debuting in 1972, Bill Eadie worked under a few different names until finding his true calling as the Masked Superstar. The Masked Superstar was a major heel in Georgia, Mid-South, Florida, WWF, and Japan. In fact, he was under consideration for the transitional WWF championship reign that the Iron Sheik got between Bob Backlund and Hulk Hogan. In fact, Bill Eadie as the Masked Superstar held just about every regional championship in the NWA and would have made a great world champion had the NWA not had a prohibition against masked wrestlers as world champion. Bill Eadie did trade the famous mask in for facepaint in the 1980s WWF to win the WWF World tag team titles three times with partner Barry Darsaw as Ax and Smash of Demolition. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: NO

196: Ken Patera 

Ken Patrea was one of the strongest men in pro wrestling history. He also is another entry on the list that could very well have done good with a world title run should he have ever gotten one. There were many people by 1980 who probably hoped Ken Patrea would end the seemingly never-ending WWF title reign of Bob Backlund. Ken Patera famously held both the WWF Intercontinental title and the NWA Missouri title at the same time. He twice held the AWA World tag team championship, once with Jerry Blackwell and once with Brad Rheingans. Ken Patera famously was the first American to press 500 pounds over his head in competition. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: NO

197: Don Leo Jonathan 

Don Leo Jonathan, nicknamed "The Mormon Giant" was a second generation star, his father was wrestler Brother Jonathan. Over the course of his career, he competed around the world in Europe, South Africa, Australia and Japan; he wrestled more often, however, in the United States and Canada. His first championship wins occurred in Montreal with Canadian Athletic Promotions, where he twice captured their World Heavyweight title in 1955. In Canada, Jonathan also found success competing in Toronto's National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) affiliate Maple Leaf Wrestling where he first teamed with Gene Kiniski to win the Canadian Open Tag Team title, in 1959, and in Winnipeg, where he wrestled for NWA member Alex Turk Promotions (twice winning their International Tag Team title) and for the American Wrestling Association. Don Leo Jonathan held the AWA-affiliated Omaha territory's version of the World title three times in 1961. In the early 1960s Don Leo Jonathan settled in the Vancouver suburb of Langley. Making Vancouver his home base, he competed frequently for NWA All Star Wrestling, winning five Pacific Coast Heavyweight titles between 1970 and 1977, the NWA World Tag Team title (with Dominic Denucci) in 1966, and a record 18 Canadian Tag Team titles between 1964 and 1978, as well as challenging for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship against such titleholders as Kiniski, Dory Funk, Jr. and Jack Brisco; he also engaged in feuds with Kiniski and Dutch Savage in All Star, as well as teaming with them. On May 31, 1972, in what was billed as the "match of the century," Jonathan defeated Le Géant Jean Ferré (André the Giant) by disqualification. On September 7, 1972, in a match which was billed as the "Battle of the Giants" Jonathan had a rematch against André, this time losing by disqualification. In 1973 he wrestled in the WWWF and fought Pedro Morales for the championship as a heel. Late in his career, he appeared as one of the wrestlers in the 1978 Sylvester Stallone movie Paradise Alley. Don Leo Jonathan wrestled his final match, teaming with André the Giant and Roddy Piper to defeat The Sheepherders and Buddy Rose in Vancouver on March 10, 1980. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: YES

198: Art Barr

During his short life, Art Barr, who died at the age of 28 in 1994, made a huge impact on the pro wrestling business and made it onto the list of the 201 Greatest Pro Wrestlers of All-Time. Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter wrote that Art Barr and his tag team partner Eddie Guerrero changed Lucha Libre forever. Chris Jericho said of Art Barr in his book, A Lion's Tale: Around the World in Spandex, "I think if Art Barr was still alive today he would be one of the top guys in the business, He had such good personality and the ability to piss people off. He drew such big houses for AAA it was scary how good he could been." Eddie Guerrero himself also paid tribute Barr in his Cheating Death, Stealing Life DVD produced by WWE: "I learned so much from Art, he could make the fans laugh, he could make them cry and he could make them pissed off. He made me realize there's more to wrestling than just wrestling. He helped me change my personality in the ring. He had a big effect on me... I cried three months straight when he passed away. He changed everything." He was the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Best Heel winner in 1994 and Best Tag Team with Eddie Guerrero. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: NO

199: Psicosis

Dionicio Castellanos Torres AKA: Psicosis, is a Mexican luchador and he is also known by the name Nicho el Millonario. He is best remembered for his appearances with the promotions Lucha Libre AAA World Wide, Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre, and the World Wrestling Association, as well as his appearances in the United States with Extreme Championship Wrestling, Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, World Championship Wrestling, and World Wrestling Entertainment. Championships held by Psicosis include the AAA World Tag Team Championship, WWA World Junior Light Heavyweight Championship, WWA World Welterweight Championship, and WWA World Trios Championship. He, along with Rey Misterio, Jr. helped popularize the lucha libre style in the United States in the 1990s contributing to the success of WCW during the Monday Night War era. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: NO

200: “Cowboy” Bob Orton, Jr.

A second generation pro wrestler and father of fellow Greatest Pro Wrestlers of All-Time List member Randy Orton. “Cowboy” Bob Orton, Jr. had a great deal of success during the territorial era of wrestling both in the United States and in Japan where he held numerous regional championships. His biggest claim to fame, however, likely was his role as an outside interferer in the main event of WWF WrestleMania 1 where he cost Roddy Piper and Paul Orndorff the match against Hulk Hogan and Mr. T. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: NO

201: Hiroyoshi Tenzan

Hiroyoshi Tenzan currently works for New Japan Pro-Wrestling. With Satoshi Kojima, in 2008, they won the World's Strongest Tag Determination League in All Japan Pro Wrestling and the G1 Tag League in NJPW, becoming the only tag team which has done both. He is a four-time IWGP Heavyweight Champion and a record twelve-time IWGP Tag Team Champion. He is also a former National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) World Heavyweight Champion. In 2005 he placed number 10 in the Pro Wrestling Illustrated Top 500, his highest finish ever. Are they in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame: NO

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