Professional Wrestling’s Mount Rushmore

By Sean Hubbard Last updated Feb 11, 2019

Over the years, professional wrestling has given us so many larger than life, colorful, and charismatic superstars, it is basically impossible to narrow it down to a legitimate top 10, much less create a Mount Rushmore of 4. Nonetheless, this writer will give you his opinion of the top four professional wrestlers in history. Let the debate begin!

#4 – Steve Austin

Arguably the most popular professional wrestler in history, ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin was known to the public initially as ‘Stunning’ Steve. In WCW Austin won World Television, World Tag Team, and United States gold. When Austin arrived in WWE in 1996 and survived his initial ‘Ring Master’ persona, Steve became Stone Cold, winning The 1996 King of the Ring, 3 Royal Rumble Matches, and numerous Intercontinental, Tag Team, and WWE World championships on his way to becoming one of pro wrestling’s brightest stars ever.

#3 – The Rock

Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson not only honored the legacy of his father Rocky Johnson and grandfather High Chief Peter Maivia, but also created a legacy for himself that has made him one of the greatest wrestlers ever, and now hollywood’s #1 movie star. The Rock’s amazing career includes 5 Tag Team titles, 2 Intercontinental championships, 2 WCW titles, 8 WWE World Heavyweight titles, and a 2000 Royal Rumble victory. The Rock changed the game with his charisma, magnetic personality, and historically entertaining catch phrases. For this and more he makes this writer’s Mount Rushmore of wrestling in the number three slot.

#2 – Ric Flair

‘The Nature Boy’ Ric Flair. 16 time world heavyweight champion, Royal Rumble winner, numerous WCW Starrcade and WWE WrestleMania Main Events, and more make this icon and legend of pro wrestling MORE THAN DESERVING of a spot on this list. The founder of the 4-horsemen, backbone of Evolution, and legendary figure is the pure definition of professional wrestling.

Honorable Mention:

Hulk Hogan – Main Event of WWE WrestleMania eight times, Main Event of WCW Starrcade three times, 12-time World Champion, Tag Team Champion, Focal point of WWE’s pop culture explosion in the 1980’s, Won back to back Royal Rumble’s in 1990 and 1991

The Undertaker – 7-Time World Champion, 24-2 record at WrestleMania, Tag Team Champion, Royal Rumble winner

AJ Styles – TNA Champion, WWE Champion, US Champion, X-Division Champion

Bret Hart – WWE Champion, WCW Champion, Tag Champion, Intercontinental Champion, US Champion

Andre the Giant – WWE Champion, Undefeated for 15 years, Ended Hulk Hogan’s 3 year title reign in 1988, best battle royal record in history

Chris Jericho – WWE Champion, WCW Champion, World TV Champion, Cruiserweight Champion, 9-time Intercontinental Champion, The first EVER Undisputed Champion.

Triple H – 2nd ever grand slam winner, WWE Champion, Intercontinental Champion, Tag Champion, European Champion, 2-time Royal Rumble Winner, King of the Ring

John Cena – 16 time WWE World Champion, US Champion, Tag Team Champion, Royal Rumble Winner

Sting – WCW Champion, United States Champion, Tag Team Champion, TNA Impact World Champion

Randy Savage – WWE Champion, WCW World Champion, Intercontinental Champion, Won WrestleMania IV World Title Tournament, Winner of 1995 WCW World War 3, Wrestled Ricky Steamboat at WrestleMania III in a match many consider the best ever

#1 – Shawn Michaels

When you think about having it all, you think about Shawn Michaels. Charisma, athleticism, heart, controversy… HBK had is all and is undisputedly one of the best ever and number one on this list as the greatest wrestlers to ever live. He is the 1st ever grand slam champion which includes the WWE World, IC, European, and Tag Team Championships. He won back to back Royal Rumbles in 1995 and 1996, was a founding member of D-Generation X, and is simply put… THE BEST IN-RING PERFORMER OF ALL TIME.

Check out the #HubbardWrestlingWeekly podcast featuring exclusive interviews with wrestling stars from MLW, House of Glory, All Elite Wrestling and more… on HubbardWrestlingWeekly.com , iTunes, Stitcher, and Google Play. Follow Sean Hubbard on Twitter @Hubb_Wrestling