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Hmm... I like that we are doing a "Top 5" list in the forums instead of every other blog I read. Good idea!
No particular order:
Kurt Angle - So much was made about Brock Lesnar and "legitimizing" the sport of professional wrestling. I think people like Kurt are the ones who have done this. When you see collegiate wrestlers becoming successes in the field of Pro Wrestling, it brings a bit of realism to the sport. I remember hearing about the likes of Danny Hodge who could crush your hand when they shook it and these kinds of people help to give that "realism" factor that the moves and holds they use legitimately "hurt" you when applied. Kurt being an Olympic gold medalist in the field of wrestling gives that ultimate feel of a "legit wrestler" stepping inside the "scripted" world. His personal life might be something of a lifetime movie from time to time, but when Kurt is in the ring, I always know I am in for a good match.
Chris Benoit - I don't want a discussion of his life. Chris in the ring was amazing to watch. He was intense, quick, and stiff. His chops made me cringe. His explosiveness was amazing to watch. He might not have had the ability to put on a good promo, but his inring was so amazing that it shatters the glass ceiling and he became a WHC without having to be a "bigger than life" person; all he had to be was a wrestler. And one that looked like he could do some massive damage if involved in a bar room brawl.
Sting - I grew up in the south with a LOT of JCP/WCW/NWA in my area. Sting was my Hulk/Ultimate Warrior type of character I latched onto as a kid. The bleach blonde flat top, the extravagant jackets, and the howl: all made me want to be him when we would "play" wrestling as a kid. I have followed the evolution of his character no matter where he went, and I think he has done a great job of re-inventing himself over his career; from the surfer, to the crow, to the joker. When I think of "Icons" or "Legends" in the business, he is one of the top 5 to come to my mind immediately.
Ric Flair - Obviously, if I grew up on the NWA than I saw me a LOT of Slick Ric. The Nature Boy had such a way of making you hate him and respect the hell out of him at the same time. His matches were amazing to watch. He had the ability to make anyone against him look like a credible opponent. His inring is always spot on and I can't think of a match of his that I didn't enjoy (even the later ones in his career) in some form or fashion. The guy comes to my mind when I think of "greatest wrestlers" and he is a type of wrestler who will always be remembered; good or bad.
Jushin "Thunder" Liger - I remember the first time I saw him wrestle against "Flyin" Brian Pillman. I was blown away by this mysterious man from the orient. When I became old enough to start trading tapes, his stuff was my most prized acquisitions (I still have the 95 J cup VHS) out of all my trades. Anytime I find a video with him on YouTube or Daily Motion, I will watch the match from beginning to end. He is just an amazing figure in the wrestling industry and his matches have always captivated me and kept me entranced when I watch them. He is the reason why I started watching Japanese wrestling (and the Great Muta to a lesser extent) and I credit him for opening my eyes to some of the greatest wrestling on the planet.
No particular order:
Kurt Angle - So much was made about Brock Lesnar and "legitimizing" the sport of professional wrestling. I think people like Kurt are the ones who have done this. When you see collegiate wrestlers becoming successes in the field of Pro Wrestling, it brings a bit of realism to the sport. I remember hearing about the likes of Danny Hodge who could crush your hand when they shook it and these kinds of people help to give that "realism" factor that the moves and holds they use legitimately "hurt" you when applied. Kurt being an Olympic gold medalist in the field of wrestling gives that ultimate feel of a "legit wrestler" stepping inside the "scripted" world. His personal life might be something of a lifetime movie from time to time, but when Kurt is in the ring, I always know I am in for a good match.
Chris Benoit - I don't want a discussion of his life. Chris in the ring was amazing to watch. He was intense, quick, and stiff. His chops made me cringe. His explosiveness was amazing to watch. He might not have had the ability to put on a good promo, but his inring was so amazing that it shatters the glass ceiling and he became a WHC without having to be a "bigger than life" person; all he had to be was a wrestler. And one that looked like he could do some massive damage if involved in a bar room brawl.
Sting - I grew up in the south with a LOT of JCP/WCW/NWA in my area. Sting was my Hulk/Ultimate Warrior type of character I latched onto as a kid. The bleach blonde flat top, the extravagant jackets, and the howl: all made me want to be him when we would "play" wrestling as a kid. I have followed the evolution of his character no matter where he went, and I think he has done a great job of re-inventing himself over his career; from the surfer, to the crow, to the joker. When I think of "Icons" or "Legends" in the business, he is one of the top 5 to come to my mind immediately.
Ric Flair - Obviously, if I grew up on the NWA than I saw me a LOT of Slick Ric. The Nature Boy had such a way of making you hate him and respect the hell out of him at the same time. His matches were amazing to watch. He had the ability to make anyone against him look like a credible opponent. His inring is always spot on and I can't think of a match of his that I didn't enjoy (even the later ones in his career) in some form or fashion. The guy comes to my mind when I think of "greatest wrestlers" and he is a type of wrestler who will always be remembered; good or bad.
Jushin "Thunder" Liger - I remember the first time I saw him wrestle against "Flyin" Brian Pillman. I was blown away by this mysterious man from the orient. When I became old enough to start trading tapes, his stuff was my most prized acquisitions (I still have the 95 J cup VHS) out of all my trades. Anytime I find a video with him on YouTube or Daily Motion, I will watch the match from beginning to end. He is just an amazing figure in the wrestling industry and his matches have always captivated me and kept me entranced when I watch them. He is the reason why I started watching Japanese wrestling (and the Great Muta to a lesser extent) and I credit him for opening my eyes to some of the greatest wrestling on the planet.
Originally Posted by akbar
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