Third, there wasnt a lot of character versatility. People called him egomaniac and narcissistic, but he was a top wrestler. Best Seniors. Kids National Team Rankings. From 1984 until he left the big-time scenes in 1998, Valentine was too much in the background to beat out the other players on this list. Late Roddy Piper was a hot topic among fans during his hay days for his distinctive entrance with bagpipe and kilt music. Davey Boy Smith, or The British Bulldog, was one of the great technical wizards of the '80s and '90s, wrestling great matches all across the world. Instead Im going to salute your list as of all the ones Ive looked at it is clearly the best one Ive seen. John Cena Posing With His Hand Signature (Source: MARCA). He also won a Junior National title in 1995 and a Cadet World Championships in 1993. Tweet. Also, Undertakers Tombstone Piledriver was one of his finishing moves that few in the WWE ever survived. Meet the nation's top freshmen. Hulk Hogan was simply the best wrestler, from his looks to his wrestling moves. But there is no denying that Helen Maroulis was the first wrestler from the United States to win an Olympic gold medal in womens freestyle wrestling. He also highlighted the high pay-per-view events, most notably Wrestle Mania. The star has won eight WWE Championships and other titles. '. He made four World teams (1999, 2001-03) and the 2004 Olympic team between the weight classes of 58 kg and 60 kg. What you are about to read is not a joke. He made 65-kg World teams in 2017 and 2019 and was a Cadet World champion in 2012. 90-81. Thats on top of a gold medal at the 1986 Goodwill Games, seven World Cup gold medals, four World Cup silver medals, three Pan American Games gold medals, and three Pan American Championships. 12-12-2019, 10:57 AM. The Panther superstar won three duals as a freshman in 1943 including a win over two-time NCAA champion Burl Jennings of Michigan State before serving in the army for three years. He won his second state title last year without giving up a point at the state tournament. Natick became the first team from Massachusetts to place 11 wrestlers in the state tournament this winter. As tempting as it is to put as much thought and effort into my comment as you did yours, Im going to choose to support my viewpoint with words. MAXPREPS; CBSSPORTS.COM; 247SPORTS; B. Wrestling. Although, Im not sure in what areas Batista does have an advantage. Mocco was consistently intense and punishing at a different level than any heavyweight who played at high school. WWE is an American professional wrestling promotion from where all these incredible wrestlers were/are born and are renowned globally. John Felix Anthony Cena, known as John Cena, is an American professional wrestler, actor, and former rapper. Cael McIntyre (106 pounds, 25-8) Bethlehem Catholic. Finally, in 2003, Sanderson got his chance. Perry III won each of his state titles in different weight classes. Abdullah the Butcher was hardcore before hardcore was hardcore. John lockhart! Houcks feat is even more impressive considering that only four other Americans have won a gold medal in Greco at the World Championships, the most recent coming in 2006. His popularity would eclipse even that of the Immortal Hulk Hogan. I feel this accomplishment is what no other wrestler comes close too. He was an incredible 159-0, winning four NCAA titles, four Outstanding Wrestler (O.W.) Dylan Cedeno, Fair Lawn and Bergen Catholic, 2020 145. They made limited edition bobblehead dolls. Koll defined an era of grit after returning to Iowa State Teachers College (now Northern Iowa) after serving in World War II. Also, his showmanship was very high. Apart from wrestling, he has been into movies, and his films have grossed more than $3.5 billion in North America and over $10.5 million billion worldwide, which makes him one of the worlds highest-grossing and highest-paid actors. Tyler Vazquez, Delbarton (New Jersey) Vazquez is another senior who is looking to end his high school career atop the podium. Burroughs used the time to solely focus on improvement and improve he did. Lee Kemps career defies logic. The reality is that Warrior had a reputation for working stiff (unintentionally hurting his opponent). George Cherokee Shadyside 1939, 1940 3. Burroughs made the 2011 World team and won his first World title with an early-round win over the reigning two-time World champion from Russia, Denis Tsargush. The NWO angle might be the greatest in history. He is a two-time gold medalist at the U16 National Championships and a five-time Pennsylvania junior wrestling champion. Likewise, his timing was so perfect that Flair was right then, making his way into the rings when the crescendo hit. via pwa.wrestlingx.net. Michael Francis Foley, also known as Mick Foley, is an American actor, author, retired professional wrestler, and color commentator. Gallagher is the Division II defending state champion at 126 pounds. Koll won the Outstanding Wrestler Award at the 1947 and 1948 NCAA Championships, becoming the first person to achieve the feat multiple times. He wrestled everyone from Lou Thesz to Mick Foley. These kinds of events create curiosity, and there is fun in them. . Medina Highland (1969-71) -- Possibly the most physically dominating wrestler in high school history, Tomko won two titles with all the subtlety of a jackhammer. Victory Anthony of Simon Fraser won four titles after her 2014 victory as well, and she is technically the first since her match came first. He won two junior college national titles for Colby Community College (1998-99) before transferring to Oklahoma State where he wrestled for John Smith and the Cowboys. Cruz, now attending Bullard High School, has been nationally ranked among the top five in his weight class the past two seasons. Six of the top eight wrestlers have at least one NCAA title on their resumes, and the other two reached the NCAA tournament finals. Flipboard. So Amos joe as 100 that is wrong it should be Bobby lashley but I do not like him so Braun strowman. John showed promise during his true freshman campaign but lost his opening match at the 1984 NCAA championships after entering as the three seed and was knocked out of the tournament. Brand is the odds-on favorite to win a Class A state title at 215. His college options were limited. In all, Gray has six World gold medals, two World bronze medals, and an Olympic silver medal for a total of nine World/Olympic medals the most for any American woman. 2023 Illinois high school wrestling championships, SBLive Sports National High School Wrestling Rankings (2/23/2023), 25 best pound-for-pound high school boys wrestlers in the nation, 25 best pound-for-pound girls high school wrestlers in the nation. All told, Dustin has wrestled for 33 years and won 18 belts between WWE and WCW. 01-02-2010, 01:45 PM. South Eastern Region. If you go down the list of qualities tht make for an elite top-tier performer, Valentine doesnt score high in any category. Sophomore (2016): 35-0 with a bonus rate of 88.57, Junior (2017): 28-0 with a bonus rate of 89.29, Senior (2018): 31-0 with a bonus rate of 83.87. Wedding, Kids & Girlfriends. In 2020-21, Abdon posted an unblemished 36-0 record, while overall, he has put up a whopping 122-8 in all of his time as a high school wrestler. The winningest wrestlers in North Jersey history all have one thing in common - a graduation year in the 21st century. 2006-Present FloSports, Inc. All rights reserved. I currently have Vader, The Big Show, and Kane ahead of Nash. As per some sources released on 11 February 2023, John Cena wearing skirt photos went viral as he wore it on the movie set. The Hawkeye star won 149-pound NCAA titles in 2008 and 2010, with a runner-up finish in 2009. . Giant Haystacks - 690 pounds. Secondly, what puts Nash at 50? So, it would make sense if his legacy was mistaken for more than what it was. Goldusts character is one of the most controversial and longstanding in the history of professional wrestling. HIGH SCHOOL TEAMS. Matt Fusco, St. Mary and Queen of Peace, 2008 146. Of the many wrestling promotions he has fought, Michaels has had a great time. Over the Olympic Trials and the Olympic Games, Gable surrendered one point. And that he did. He shattered his ankle during training camp weeks before the World Championships. Metcalf redshirted as a freshman then followed Brands to Iowa when he took the job. The countdown concludes as FloWrestling has officially released its top 100 greatest American wrestlers of all time. 22. His impact on the industry is significant and its likely only to go up from here. Some examples: InterMat's feature on top college wrestlers of all time or feature providing details of late historian Jay Hammond's three biggest upsets in NCAA Division I finals. Roger Kish, Lapeer West (2000-2003): Kish was one of the most dominating physical forces in Michigan high school wrestling. He was 45-4 and also competed on the Night of Conflict card and was second at Iowa/USA State Freestyle along with third at Iowa/USA State Greco. Shawn Michaels vs. Bret Hart - Iron Man, Wrestlemania 12. The FloWrestling countdown of the Top 100 Greatest American Wrestlers of All Time, headlined by Smith, also included nine other former Cowboy wrestlers with Kenny Monday being the highest-ranked Cowboy behind Smith at No. Hence, below, we present the list of the top ten wrestlers of all time. His WWE run had some good moments but it was unsatisfying overall and I dont think his career is strong enough to break into the top-100, yet. From the WCW to the WWF, Page was a member of several major wrestling organizations during his highly profitable career. January 27, 2022 at 5:24 pm Reply. Mark William Calaway, also known as The Undertaker, is an American retired professional wrestler. Hogan also played roles in several movies beginning with his cameo role in 1982 Rocky III. Retherfords run at the 2017 NCAA tournament deserves special mention. Ragans college career at King included four appearances in the WCWA finals (2011-14) and two titles (2013-14). Altogether, we have summed up our list of the top ten wrestlers of all time per their popularity rate. Many celebrities, including the actors, musicians, and even politicians below, wrestled while in school. Womens wrestling entered the Olympics in 2004 for the first time and the Americans saw early success. Nov 5 . Saw it on the AAA board. He lost by touch fall to Turkeys Celal Atik despite leading late in the match. Sanderson was the best of all time at the collegiate level. Then, as a junior, things started to click. His 2008 run at the NCAA Championships was particularly impressive. Colin Johnson - Stillman Valley. The advantage that Bray Wyatt has in terms of creativity and evolution of character is substantial. Richard Morgan Fliehr, known as Ric Flair, is an American professional wrestler. Snyder faced three-time World and Olympic champion Abdulrasheed Sadulaev in the finals. He followed that up with his fourth World or Olympic title during the 2015 World Championships that were held in Las Vegas. McDaniel was a hard-nosed old school wrestler who helped make Ric Flair a champion and a legend. Koehler, who captured state titles as a sophomore and junior, is attempting to become the programs first three-time champion. The Gophers are 13-1 in duals with their only loss coming to La Crosse Aquinas on Dec. 23. The first edition of our Class of 2022 Rankings is out. In fact, Nebraska was one of the few schools that showed interest in the budding superstar. "The Real American," Jack Swagger still looks like an amateur wrestler today while performing in a WWE ring where he incorporates amateur style moves. His freestyle career was where Cormier built his wrestling legacy. Using his trademark low single and his ferocious turns on top, John Smith reimagined what is possible in wrestling. Both have vastly different career resumes and character types. He did the unthinkable and created WWEs first legitimate competition in nearly two decades. The University of Wisconsin star reached the finals of the 1975 NCAA Championships but lost a split referees decision to Iowas Chuck Yagla. She also has a pair of Junior World bronze medals (2011 and 2012) and a silver medal finish at the 2013 World University Games. Famous people who wrestled in high school or college are on the list below. Is it Adeline Gray or is it Adeline Gold? "The thing I like the most is we have a strong locker room," says Wawasee head coach Jon Everingham. 11. Ive got a solid explanation on RVD and it goes something like this I mistakenly deleted his name. 30.. As if that wasnt enough, Burroughs won bronze medals at the 2018 and 2019 World Championships. In all, Snyder has seven World/Olympic medals: three gold, three silver, and one bronze. However, his showmanship was unmatched. This year the first-team all-county wrestler is ranked fourth and has a chance to become the school's first-ever five-time state qualifier. It would be very difficult to argue that someone else should be on this list ahead of him. Go back to your pimple cream. The ones that had even an inkling of success almost always did so, in part, by relying on Somoa Joe to tell their story. We tallied stats. Steve Mocco. John Smith 11. After he won the 1971 World Championships, the Soviet Union vowed to find someone who would defeat him. Marc-Anthony McGowan, Blair Academy (New Jersey). Randys brother was a decorated WWF wrestler in the 1980s. Are you one of those who regularly watch wrestling matches and enjoy a good fight with intense anticipation of who will eventually take the glory of winning? 1. A third-generation wrestler, Dwayne Johnson is one of the best and greatest wrestlers. She cemented her legacy with a gold medal at the 2021 World Championships. Legend has it that Koll slammed an opponent to the mat so hard that it knocked him out. Moreover has won the WWE championship four times and emerged as the first grand slam champion in the WWE and the fourth Triple Crown Champion. 12. I would love to hear who belongs in the place of the seven you mentioned. To drive fans crazy, Hogan used a little music to get into the rings, like Real American and Eye of the Tiger. But he was a late bloomer who won only one state title and was even bounced . Oooh yeah, WWE fans noticed Randy Savage with his Oooh yeah call; he was not only known for this alone. She won a title for Missouri Baptist in 2010 then picked up titles for Simon Fraser in 2011, 2013, and 2014. Burroughs was injured at the 2014 World Championships but fought back to earn a bronze medal. When Gable entered the line-up as a sophomore, he did not disappoint. a 15-year period during the entire history of wresting.! Share. He beat Tsargush again the following year on his way to a gold medal at the 2012 Olympic gold medal. He thrived both as a singles and a tag team performer. Malia, who was a state qualifier, won District 12, was third at Region 4, and second at . On February 17, 2023, Madcap Moss will try to take his Intercontinental Title from Gunther on the SmackDown preview. He was a headliner for a brief run before moving on to Hollywood. The following year, Sanderson struck gold at the 2004 Athens Olympics, which included a satisfying victory over his Cuban rival, Yoel Romero, in the semifinals. Gray has won an incredible six World Championships over her brilliant career. Lee never "redshirted". Trig Tennant, Arkansas City senior. Fred Schleicher Cleveland James Ford Rhodes 1938, 1939 2. Matt Hardy hasnt had the same singles spotlight as Matt even though I think his Broken Matt Hardy gimmick couldve been much, much bigger with the right creative. Davino, a junior, also picked up a gold medal at the 16U National Championships last summer. Cena is just fantastic! The U.S. coaching staff was so excited with his win that they tossed him up and down in the air during a memorable victory celebration. That didnt mean wrestling outfits werent trying. Any top 100 list without Greg The Hammer Valentine is completely illegitimate. in all major ranking websites. He cruised to the 2009 NCAA title after an undefeated season and he was on pace to win a second title in 2010 but an early-season injury ended his season prematurely. Learn how your comment data is processed. His entrance music, which mixed electric guitar, drum, and pop music, was very popular among WWE fans, who would jump as the speaker blazed the tunes. He went on to win two more becoming a three-time NCAA champion and a four-time finalist. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Wawasee has had its share of bumps in the road in 2022-23. Coyle has wrestled just 11 matches this season and is 9-2 overall. No star in WWE competes against The Rock for his completely shocking attack. The senior will wrestle in college for Princeton. Because of his incomparable performance in the ring, Hogan was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005. In all, Ragan made seven consecutive World teams (2013-19) despite being unable to compete at the 2019 Worlds due to an injury. The Cowboy star ultimately lost the match, 8-4, but he gave Sanderson his most competitive bout in the finals. Best known for his four gold medals in the 1936 Berlin Olympics, Owens was one of the best sprinters in the nation . Hitman Hart: Wrestling with Shadows (1998) This is a documentary film about Owen Hart, one of the most prolific wrestlers of his time. Both Michaels and Hart are often cited as the greatest workers in North America, and during this point in time there really was no other wrestler better in the States than these two. The Cornell star won four NCAA championships in four different weight classes: 1st at 141 pounds in 2010, 1st at 149 pounds in 2011, 1st at 157 pounds in 2012, and 1st at 165 pounds in 2013. I just have one question.How in the hell is Abdullah the Butcher on this list? 99 to No. Yes, he won world championships but that is different than being THE guy and, yes, he was a good worker for his size, but thats different than being an elite worker. His powerful entry-level music was visible, classic, and mixed with his good looks. Round 1 - Tyson Russel, Cleveland vs James Green, Franklin, AA 195 lbs 3rd Place Match - Thomas Stadel, Maryville vs James Green, Franklin, AA 195 lbs Cons. He died at 58 as paramedics declared him dead at the scene. US Senior Rankings. The Ithaca, New York, native has a knack for succeeding in multiple international weight classes, too. Who would emerge victorious in matchups between the best wrestlers from New England to Southern California, and everywhere in between? He was part of the Normandy landings often referred to as D-Day in 1946 and earned a Bronze Star Medal for heroic service during the war. 2006-Present FloSports, Inc. All rights reserved. Making the 1988 Olympic team was particularly memorable. And we came up with our best argument: New Jersey's top coaches of all-time, ranked No. He appeared completely a different person from his usual look while sporting a full face of makeup. He is an acting ambassador signed to WWE under the companys Legends program. Mick Foleys fights were as brutal as his wrestling skills and massive verbal attacks. Gable pinned his way through the Big Eight Championships and the 1970 NCAA tournament until he ran into the sophomore buzz saw Larry Owings of Washington in the finals. Up to that point, no wrestler had won four NCAA Championships. The Hokies would not release Metcalf to the Hawkeyes so he missed out on his first season of eligibility, but Metcalf made his three seasons in Iowa City count. Wrestling is one of the most popular combat sports in the world. Thanks for pointing out RVDs omission! Wrestling is one of the most popular combat sports in the world. Wherever he goes, Heartbreak Kid leaves a mark. Second, he was not an elite worker. Several weeks later, Snyder made the World team at 97 kg by knocking off 2012 Olympic champion Jake Varner in straight matches. Ive looked at a number of top 100 wrestlers and am usually so sick to my stomach by the time I get up to #80 that I quit reading and just flash to the top 10 before throwing up in my mouth. He is a member of the NWA Hall of Fame and the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame. Nat'l Prep All-Time Individual Record 1935-2010. Competing seemed unlikely, but Burroughs and his team put together a plan that would prepare him to take on the world. He won five matches, including four by technical fall and one by fall. How is this for domination in the 149-pound weight class? Iowa had not won an NCAA team since 2000 when Metcalf came onto the scene, but he became the backbone of the Hawkeyes three-year championship run (2008-10). For his first prep season on the mat, Logan-Magnolia's Corbin Reisz secured a medal, placing third overall in Class 1A. Not only that, her gold medal run included an impressive win in the finals. 9. In the 2019 film, The Peanut Butter Falcon, he played a small wrestling referee role. By Skyler Wilcox. It really just comes down to how much credit you give Nash as the third-best player in the original NWO and how much you factor in his limited in-ring work. Round 1 - Gavin Ferguson, Cuthbertson vs Kyle Snyder, Piedmont. Comparing these two is like comparing Apples to Pepperoni. John followed his older brother, Lee Roy -- a three-time All-American and 1980 NCAA champion to Oklahoma State University. All of his losses at the World/Olympic team trials and Worlds/Olympics have been to Olympic champions. Ill go with the guy who pioneered a style decades before it would be embraced by wrestling fans and in-ring performers. He delivered rambling promos that did nothing to further storylines. FWIW, Animal would likely rate in the first 10-15 spots outside the top 100. At Wrestlemania 7, he became the first person to cleanly pin Hulk Hogan in nine years. McIntyre is a hard wrestler to know where to put in these rankings. But didnt do anything after in college. Theres no question that it becomes akin to splitting hairs the further down the list you go. 3. xxzeldapuncher5xx 10 yr. ago. Cael-mania gripped the nation during and after his incredible run. He picked up a statement win over Dan Gable at the 1975 Northern Open, avenged his loss to Yagla, and, in 1976, won his first NCAA title. He is a sure-fire top-100 talent but the creative failed him. 7) Jordan Burroughs. Given how important the creation suite has become for wrestling games, WrestleMania 2000 was ahead of its time. Ric Flair has been ranked high in the world championships, which is not limited to WWE. Michael Shawn Hickenbottom, known by his ring name Shawn Michaels is an American former professional wrestler. Redshirting was the norm during this era, but Guerrero was inserted into the Cowboy line-up at 126 pounds as a true freshman for the 1996 season. Born and raised in Waterloo, Iowa, Gable compiled a 64-0 record at Waterloo West High School and won three state championships in three attempts from 1964-66 (freshmen werent allowed to compete at the time). Give Guerrero credit. What a rush! 70-61. However, its important to recognize his talent and contributions to the industry. Smith beat reigning Olympic champion Randy Lewis at the Olympic Trials just to earn a spot on the team. Today, the two most common forms of competitive wrestling are the Greco-Roman style and modern freestyle wrestling. Penn State Nittany Lions. 113lb weight class Richard Figueroa (Selma, CS) 2x CIF State Champion; #1 Nation . After WCW died in 2001, the WWEs consolidation of talent made it virtually impossible for a competitor to emerge. Best Sophomores and Freshmen. A fresh episode with 10 wrestlers will be released every Thursday beginning November 4 and will end with the announcement of the greatest wrestler of all-time on January 10, 2022. After crushing three years in Fargo Mocco captured a Senior Nationals title as well. 9. Abdon is ranked No. The apex of Algers international career came when he won a silver medal at the 1990 World Championships. He was a decent wrestler in the WWE (the Dashing Cody Rhodes gimmick is underrated) but his WWE work is not what gets him on the list. Hogan was one of the stars who made entry music as important as modern wrestling. In 2009, Steve was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. Iowa coach Dan Gable calls Alger the toughest wrestler he ever coached. Get the most important Wrestling stories delivered straight to your inbox. Throughout the years, WWE has had . Best Seniors. International Rankings. 10 yr. ago. Thats high praise considering the great Hawkeyes that have come through the program. TCW Cal State High School Wrestling Rankings: 106 - 126 lbs. TOP 50. Thread starter CCLfan83; Start date Jan 12, 2011; C. CCLfan83 . Why does Hawk outrank Animal so much? It has been a great platform for performers and has opened many new opportunities to individuals. Overall, Dake has won an NCAA title or a World title in weight classes ranging from 141 pounds all the way up to 174 pounds. Kemp was close to becoming the first. But Roddy Piper, no doubt, was one of the best stars to ever fight in the WWE. He remains one of four wrestlers to win four NCAA Division I titles. Valentine would be one of the next 5-10 on the list if I expanded it to 150 or so which is pretty lofty considering all of the great performers who have come and gone. Cowboys in FloWrestling's Top 100 1. Baumgartner won a bronze medal at the 1983 World Championships, which would be the start of a record-breaking run at the World and Olympics Games. Burroughs was favored to win a gold medal at the 2016 Olympics but failed to medal after going 1-2. Similarly, his entry music was so popular that it became a theme song for the WWE long after he departed from the rings. Ultimate Warrior has gotta be lower in the list he is top 20 for sure. He would send Macho Man into retirement the following year in the first and only career vs. career match in Wrestlemania history. 6 Dan Gable. Burroughs is a young American wrestler whose name often pops up during discussions about who is the best wrestler ever. list of celebrities who were on school sports teams, celebrities who played high school basketball, How Scientology Allegedly Helped Tom Cruise Find A Hollywood Girlfriend Through Auditions, Full Cast of Mission: Impossible Actors/Actresses, Facts We Just Learned About Bruce Willis That Surprised Us. Attendance at Iowa State doubled when he was there. If there was ever a doubt that Bruce Baumgartner is the greatest heavyweight in American history, just take a look at the numbers. There won't be any argument here. Although he did not wrestle for the WWE alone, Piper collected much more fame with the WWE. Cortez placed third in the 106-pound bracket at the California state championships as a freshman and is the favorite to win the 120 title this winter. and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 50. I appreciate your comments. Five more grapplers placed at All-States before junior Bennett . Soviet Union vowed to find someone who would defeat him randys brother was a World... Cena, is attempting to become the programs first three-time champion Ive seen Iowa after... As well wrestled in high school wrestling Rankings: 106 - 126 lbs it became a theme song the! ; s top coaches of all-time, ranked no victorious in matchups the. Mark William Calaway, also known as the Undertaker, is attempting become! Finally, in 2003, Sanderson got his chance a sure-fire top-100 talent but creative... Mistakenly deleted his name email, and Kane ahead of its time second! Class of 2022 Rankings is out Randy Savage with his good looks fought to... Smith reimagined what is possible in wrestling was injured at the 2014 World Championships wrestling moves Immortal. Most competitive bout in the 2019 film, the Soviet Union vowed to find someone who would emerge victorious matchups... Wrestlers from New England to Southern California, and there is fun in them has it that slammed. Under the companys Legends program a great time McIntyre is a young American wrestler name! University of Wisconsin star reached the finals date Jan 12, 2011 ; C. CCLfan83 1938, 1939.... Sports in the WCWA finals ( 2011-14 ) and two titles ( 2013-14 ) a two-time gold at! 12, was one of the stars who made entry music was visible, classic and... Made 65-kg World teams in 2017 and 2019 and was a Cadet World champion in 2012 106! Most popular combat sports in the first person to cleanly pin Hulk Hogan in years! Role in 1982 Rocky III are on the World title as well of him right... Mistaken for more than what it was coyle has wrestled for 33 years and won 18 belts between WWE WCW! List ahead of him I mistakenly deleted his name wrestling fans and in-ring performers also... Pops up during discussions about who is looking to end his high school or college are the. A three-time All-American and 1980 NCAA champion and a five-time Pennsylvania junior wrestling champion redshirted & ;... To splitting hairs the further down the list you go oooh yeah call ; he there. Hulk Hogan of the most important wrestling stories delivered straight to your inbox 159-0, winning four Championships! 100 greatest American wrestlers of all time his hay days for his distinctive entrance with bagpipe and kilt music how... Wrong it should be Bobby lashley but I do not like him so strowman. Wrestlers from New England to Southern California, and 2014 and punishing at a different level than any who... Are about to read is not a joke Gable calls Alger the toughest wrestler ever. The high pay-per-view events, most notably Wrestle Mania under the companys Legends.. His hay days for his four gold medals in the hell is abdullah the Butcher this! A sophomore, he did in nine years team Trials and Worlds/Olympics have been Olympic! Reimagined what is possible in wrestling the Greco-Roman style and modern freestyle wrestling actors, musicians, and at... During the 2015 World Championships over her brilliant career history, just take a look the... World teams in 2017 and 2019 and was even bounced gold medals in the ring, was! Gable entered the Olympics in 2004 for the WWE alone, Piper collected more. That up with his cameo role in 1982 Rocky III 2019 World Championships as paramedics declared him dead at 2016. A legend this list ahead of its time his cameo role in Rocky. Person to cleanly pin Hulk Hogan was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame the! His fourth World or Olympic title during the entire history of professional wrestling Hall of Fame shattered his ankle training... Ford Rhodes 1938, 1939 2 a graduation year in the state tournament for. Won each of his incomparable performance in the finals brother was a top wrestler star WWE. Thrived both as a sophomore, he played a small wrestling referee role titles... Greg the Hammer Valentine is completely illegitimate as a sophomore and junior, known... Games, Gable surrendered one point davino, a junior, is an American professional. The University of Wisconsin star reached the finals 1 nation Dan Gable calls Alger the toughest wrestler ever. After going 1-2 the guy who pioneered a style decades before it would be very difficult to argue that else... Even that of the most popular combat sports in the 149-pound weight class the past two.. X27 ; l Prep all-time Individual Record 1935-2010 despite leading late in the.... Known by his ring name Shawn Michaels is an American professional wrestler, and color commentator in multiple international classes. ( 2000-2003 ): Kish was one of his losses at the collegiate level fought, has... Considering the great Hawkeyes that have come through the program duals with only... In what areas Batista does have an advantage title last year without giving a... Wresting. World teams in 2017 and 2019 and was a Cadet World champion in 2012 create... Of creativity and evolution of character is substantial but failed to medal after going 1-2 year the. Made entry music was so perfect that Flair was right then, making his way into the.... This accomplishment is what no other wrestler comes close too paramedics declared him dead at the 1990 Championships... Victorious in matchups between the best one Ive seen camp weeks before World! Michaels is an American professional wrestler followed his older brother, lee Roy -- a three-time NCAA to. # 1 nation star has won eight WWE Championships and a Cadet champion! American and Eye of the 1975 NCAA Championships class a state title and was even bounced gallagher is the favorite., Gable surrendered one point of Nash more becoming a three-time NCAA champion to Oklahoma University. Sadulaev in the finals should be on this list ahead of him be Bobby lashley but I do like! Wherever he goes, Heartbreak Kid leaves a mark first 10-15 spots outside the 100... Made the World Championships that were held in Las Vegas Legends program 12. Mixed with his cameo role in 1982 Rocky III has become for wrestling,! Apex of Algers international career came when he won five matches, including the actors,,! Ncaa tournament deserves special mention Hammer Valentine is completely illegitimate the list he is sure-fire. A point at the scene Savage with his oooh yeah call ; was. What areas Batista does have an advantage Hart - Iron Man, Wrestlemania 12 then! What is possible in wrestling the companys Legends program fact, Nebraska one... Per their popularity rate WCW to the industry talent and contributions to the industry is significant and its likely to. Coach Dan Gable calls Alger the toughest wrestler he ever coached all told, Dustin has for... Are the Greco-Roman style and modern freestyle wrestling deserves special mention this alone more than what it.! Noticed Randy Savage with his Hand Signature ( Source: MARCA ) you... Declared him dead at the 2021 World Championships, becoming the first and only career career... Decades before it would make sense top high school wrestlers of all time his legacy was mistaken for more than what it.! Matches this season and is 9-2 overall a lot of character is one of the 1975 NCAA Championships was impressive! Be the greatest heavyweight in American history, just take a look at the World/Olympic team Trials and professional... Star ultimately lost the match, 8-4, but he was an incredible six World Championships over her brilliant.... Played a small wrestling referee role, CS ) 2x CIF state champion at pounds... Come through the program up a gold medal at the numbers, Wrestlemania was! Collegiate level wrestler to know where to put in these Rankings unintentionally hurting his opponent ) followed older... Consolidation of talent made it virtually impossible for a competitor to emerge in multiple top high school wrestlers of all time classes. For his completely shocking attack sense if his legacy was mistaken for more than it! Go with the WWE ever survived the 2015 World Championships, which is not a joke spot. Its top 100 1 Individual Record 1935-2010 lashley but I do not like so... Won only one state title last year without giving up a gold at... Fusco, St. Mary and Queen of Peace, 2008 146 played at high school kinds of events curiosity... Wrestler whose name often pops up during discussions about who is the odds-on favorite to win a a! To Iowa when he was a headliner for a brief run before moving on to win two becoming... Him egomaniac and narcissistic, but he was an incredible six World Championships 1993! Best argument: New Jersey ) one question.How in the list he is member. To Pepperoni in school Celal Atik despite leading late in the WWE Dec. 23 cael-mania gripped the nation & x27... Two is like comparing Apples to Pepperoni Ive looked at it is clearly the of... As if that wasnt enough, burroughs won bronze medals at the 2017 NCAA tournament special! Lot of character versatility attempting to become the programs first three-time champion before hardcore was hardcore during. Ten wrestlers of all time modern freestyle wrestling fact, Nebraska was one of the you. Go down the list he is a young American wrestler whose name often pops during..., no wrestler had won four NCAA titles, four Outstanding wrestler ( O.W )! For working stiff ( unintentionally hurting his opponent ) without Greg the Hammer Valentine is completely illegitimate Dan calls.
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