US Senior Rankings. By MI Grappler, 04/16/20, 10:00AM EDT. The only negative for Wyatt is that he was badly misused in the WWE. Sanderson was the best of all time at the collegiate level. The rules and style of collegiate or folkstyle wrestling differs from other styles of . The Hawkeye star won 149-pound NCAA titles in 2008 and 2010, with a runner-up finish in 2009. As the high school wrestling season comes to a close, SBLive put together a fictitious tournament lets call it the SBLive Mock Wrestling Invitational featuring eight of the top wrestlers from across the United States in each weight class. If SBLive put on its own wrestling tournament, who would top the podium in each weight class? Shawn Michaels Posing In The Costume (Source: IMDb). Some celebs like those in the gallery below might have been considering a career in professional wrestling long before they became top names in Hollywood and the entertainment industry. Klicken Sie auf Einstellungen verwalten um weitere Informationen zu erhalten und Ihre Einstellungen zu verwalten. 1 - Cael Sanderson, Iowa State It's been eight years since Cael Sanderson completed the greatest collegiate wrestling career of all time. First, he was never THE guy. Thats in addition to nine medals at the World Championships, including gold in 1986, 1993, and 1995. His win over Russias Igor Kanygin in the gold medal finals broke new ground for Greco-Roman wrestling in the United States. Likewise, it was complemented by his finisher Mandible Claw who was undoubtedly trivial to his eight-time tag team championship. Kids National Team Rankings. Hogan also played roles in several movies beginning with his cameo role in 1982 Rocky III. Net Worth: $10 Million. Hogan was one of the stars who made entry music as important as modern wrestling. Kayleigh Heckel among those in the running for top honor. Instead Im going to salute your list as of all the ones Ive looked at it is clearly the best one Ive seen. In the class of 2012, he was inducted as a member of The Four Horsemen. 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. 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. We tallied stats. Bro how could you leave out Rob Van Dam?? Get the most important Wrestling stories delivered straight to your inbox. The advantage that Bray Wyatt has in terms of creativity and evolution of character is substantial. This led to the NCAA implementing a slam rule to go into effect. Once he returned to college after the war, the 23-year-old wrestling phenom dominated everyone who stood in his way. 100-9190-8180-7170-6160-5150-4140-3130-2120-11. Lee never "redshirted". She won 75 kg gold in 2014 and 2015, and 76 kg gold in 2018, 2019, and 2021. The winningest wrestlers in North Jersey history all have one thing in common - a graduation year in the 21st century. How did you decide to put Bray Wyatt over Batista? He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame by Ric Flair in 2005. He made World teams in 2010, 2013, 2014, and 2015. Davino, a junior, also picked up a gold medal at the 16U National Championships last summer. He went on to win two more becoming a three-time NCAA champion and a four-time finalist. You are wrong. 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. He would send Macho Man into retirement the following year in the first and only career vs. career match in Wrestlemania history. Sanderson retired from active competition after the Olympics but returned to the mats in 2010 and made the 2011 World Championships where he placed fifth. We analyzed input from droves of reporters and historians. He made Olympic teams in 2004 and 2008 along with four consecutive World teams from 2003-07, including a bronze medal in 2007. 2006-Present FloSports, Inc. All rights reserved. Mick Foley Showing Off his Badge For The New Assignment (Source: Instagram). Round 1 - Shamari Thompson, South View vs Kyle Snyder, Piedmont, 4A 120 lbs Champ. Trig Tennant, Arkansas City senior. Natick High wrestling. However, he returned for a one-off match against Kevin Owens at Wrestlemania 38 in April 2022. That didnt mean wrestling outfits werent trying. I currently have Vader, The Big Show, and Kane ahead of Nash. Lauridsen will stay home to wrestle for the Cornhuskers in college. It took him a while to get here but hes a superstar and has made enough of a mark to crack the list. So, it would make sense if his legacy was mistaken for more than what it was. Like a lightning bolt, he was flashy, electric, powerful, and memorable. What Does It Take To Become A Four-time D1 NCAA Champion? WWEs Most Wanted Treasures and the Stone Cold Takes On America will premier on Sunday, April 30, 2023. Smith took a redshirt year in 1986 and American wrestling would never be the same. Sports Illustrated named his feat the second-most impressive in college sports history behind Jesse Owens. WWE signed him as the Senior Vice President of Talent Development Creative. In addition, the legendary wrestler is well known for his mustache among fans. As the University of Iowa's all-time winning-est coach from 1976 to 1997, Gable won 15 NCAA National Wrestling Team Titles while compiling a career record of 355-21-5, He coached 152 All-Americans, 45 National Champions, 106 Big Ten Champions and 12 Olympians, including four gold . His rambles on the mic are embedded in his interest to see the action in the ring. Foley is highly regarded as one of the biggest stars of the Attitude Era, and in the history of WWE, he is also one of the greatest wrestlers. MI Grappler Top 50 Wrestlers of All Time - FULL LIST. Dies geschieht in Ihren Datenschutzeinstellungen. Burroughs was favored to win a gold medal at the 2016 Olympics but failed to medal after going 1-2. In the 2019 film, The Peanut Butter Falcon, he played a small wrestling referee role. All of his losses at the World/Olympic team trials and Worlds/Olympics have been to Olympic champions. - A global tool that supports all popular languages. '. He was a candidate for the back half of the top 100 for sure. There are compelling arguments he should be rated behind all three and, frankly, equally compelling arguments he should be rated ahead of all three. Fr nhere Informationen zur Nutzung Ihrer Daten lesen Sie bitte unsere Datenschutzerklrung und Cookie-Richtlinie. Giant Haystacks - 690 pounds. Gallagher is the Division II defending state champion at 126 pounds. His showmanship was like a badass man himself. No matter what happens in wrestling from this point going forward, Helen Maroulis will always be known as the first. However, his showmanship was unmatched. But didnt do anything after in college. But that was just the beginning of what Kemp would accomplish. He was undoubtedly the strongest wrestler in the ring. Your email address will not be published. She also has a pair of Junior World bronze medals (2011 and 2012) and a silver medal finish at the 2013 World University Games. product posted a 228-0 high school record with four state titles and signed with Virginia Tech . You have entered an incorrect email address! Although freshmen were ineligible to compete at the NCAA Championships at the time, the 18-year-old Gable won the 1966 Midlands by defeating an Olympic silver medalist and a 28-year-old NCAA champion. He became the most bought professional wrestling pay-per-view (WrestleMania XXVIII), which led to being featured among the most-watched episodes of WWEs flagship television series. 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. Comparing these two is like comparing Apples to Pepperoni. WWE 2K14. else at the top of . Lashley laid the blueprint for a massive talent to find his groove late in his career so hopefully, well be seeing the same from Braun. The dark and scary, Undertaker is said to be connected with the underworld. She is one of just three to qualify twice, joining . His fifth-place finish included a 5-1 win over Iowas Jeff McGinness an eventual two-time NCAA champion during the consolation round. Share. You do something no other American has ever done before. . He picked up his fifth World medal when he secured a bronze at the 2019 Worlds then followed that up with silver medals at the 202One Olympics and the 2021 World Championships. Today, the two most common forms of competitive wrestling are the Greco-Roman style and modern freestyle wrestling. 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. This what I wrote when describing the methodology for this list: The Ultimate Warrior was a pop culture icon. Burroughs won his third consecutive World and Olympic title through extreme adversity. Sanderson was featured on a Wheaties box. And thats not all. He has won the WWE Championship five times and holds the record for the second-longest holder of the title. Many celebrities, including the actors, musicians, and even politicians below, wrestled while in school. John Felix Anthony Cena, known as John Cena, is an American professional wrestler, actor, and former rapper. Then it comes down to what other big men rate ahead of Nash. School: Immaculate Heart . The challenge was to determine the Top 50 Michigan wrestlers (Michigan natives) of the last 50 years, and it was a tall task . 2K Games haven't exactly garnered the best reputation for themselves . He also made the Olympic team and, at the age of 20, became the youngest American wrestler to win a gold medal. She won a title for Missouri Baptist in 2010 then picked up titles for Simon Fraser in 2011, 2013, and 2014. Flipboard. Steve Austin . Smiths legendary career remains unmatched in the annals of U.S. wrestling history. If you were around in 95 when it debuted, you know how cutting edge it was. Louis Russo Cleveland John Hay 1942, 1943 6. He was outstanding all season as the Golden Hawks' 106-pounder until . One of the most feared female professional wrestlers of all time, Bull Nakano's in-ring presence, sheer strengths, and ability to dominate matches saw her become one of the greatest Japanese wrestlers of all time. Rowdy Roddy Piper At The WWE Stage (Source: NBC News). Well, WWE is not just about wrestling; there is more to it than you can imagine. Snyder compiled a 179-0 high school record and won three prep national titles before spending his senior season at the Olympic Training Center in the Elite Accelerator Program. Required fields are marked *. "The thing I like the most is we have a strong locker room," says Wawasee head coach Jon Everingham. If a person can make it in the WWE, you bet he has reached the top of his profession. Dusty, Bruno, Gange, Harley, how about Andre, Anoki and Sting? If you stare at Cael Sandersons collegiate record long enough, you might wonder how any human can achieve such a feat. Id be happy to go on about Martel, Tully, Pillman, and The Crusher but Ill leave it at that for now. I would love to hear who belongs in the place of the seven you mentioned. Gray made Olympic teams in 2016 and 202One where she picked up a silver medal in the latter. Bruce Kesselring Akron East 1939, 1940 4. That leaves Burroughs with a jaw-dropping international wrestling career that includes six World/Olympic golds, three bronzes, and two Olympic teams. Davino, a junior, also picked up a gold medal at the 16U National Championships last summer. That means Retherford won by a major decision or better in over 87 percent of his matches during his final three seasons. Fans may disagree that he is WWEs greatest wrestler. The Alger-Jackson rivalry through college and international competition is one of the fiercest in American history. His weight included three former World champions, so the odds of making history were slim. 7) Jordan Burroughs. A third-generation wrestler, Dwayne Johnson is one of the best and greatest wrestlers. Her first World medal was bronze at the 2011 Worlds when she competed at the 67 kg weight class. The senior has faced tough competition all season and is looking to defend his title. He beat Tsargush again the following year on his way to a gold medal at the 2012 Olympic gold medal. And, at the age of 33, hes not done competing. . Her title as a senior was part of a WCWA team championship that saw King outlast Oklahoma City 229-227. Tenoroc's Kris Hunter celebrates after becoming a regional champion Saturday, Feb. 26 at Palm Bay High School. Then he won againand againand againand again. Ill definitely get him properly rated for the next update (whether he ends up in the top 100 or HM will depend on a few factors). Attendance at Iowa State doubled when he was there. No. ' It's the Veteran, not the poet, who has given us the freedom of speech. Hawk edges Animal for a few reasons. He was a consummate professional with a good nickname. Snyder won his second NCAA title in 2017 and made his third straight World and Olympic team. He is a member of the NWA Hall of Fame and the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame. Batista is ranked 75 out of 100??? However, hes just not in the same category as the rest of the wrestlers in the top 100. He has won three World Championships and an Olympic bronze medal in two different weight classes. I was hoping hed land with AEW where he could realize his potential as the top heel in a company. The first four-time state champion in Airline history, Perry III could face McGowan in the Ivy League while wrestling for Cornell. He won 34 titles throughout his wrestling career. But Roddy Piper, no doubt, was one of the best stars to ever fight in the WWE. Diamond Dallas Page is one of the most iconic professional wrestlers of all time. Besides his work, Cena is also known for his involvement in numerous charitable causes, namely with the Make-A-Wish Foundation, where he has granted the most wishes at over 650. Worse yet, he was notoriously unreliable. Both have vastly different career resumes and character types. 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. That, indeed, is an epic entry. Kenny Monday 36. Wawasee has had its share of bumps in the road in 2022-23. In addition, his finishing moves, such as attitude adjustment, stepover toehold facelock, better known as STF, tapout finisher, and the brutal five-knuckle shuffle, that many will call the rebranded form of the people elbow. One word should come to mind when you take a glance at Ragans international career: consistency. Meet the nation's top freshmen. In November, he committed to Arkansas-Little Rock. . Who is your opinion the best wrestler from each High School of all-time? However, its important to recognize his talent and contributions to the industry. Lewis had beat out Johns brother, Lee Roy, during a contentious 1984 Olympic Trials. 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. Metcalf had a nice run in freestyle, although he did not garner a World medal. And that he did. Benoit is a top-100 wrestler of all-time by any standard that doesn't include personal transgressions. Up first is the state of Ohio. Smith retired from active competition the day before his 27th birthday after winning his second gold medal at the 1992 Olympic Games. FWIW, Animal would likely rate in the first 10-15 spots outside the top 100. via pwa.wrestlingx.net. The greatest wrestler to ever come out of New Jersey is almost unquestionably gold medalist Jordan Burroughs of Winslow. He has spent more than five decades in wrestling. Snyder faced three-time World and Olympic champion Abdulrasheed Sadulaev in the finals. Dake has defeated Jordan Burroughs (#2), David Taylor (#15), and Jden Cox (#19). Its hard to come up with a defining angle that Sheik was a major player in. If one wrestler personified the word intimidation, it is the top high school heavyweight of all time Steve Mocco. 9. Below are biographies of the final 10 wrestlers in the countdown with information about their careers and why they made the list. To drive fans crazy, Hogan used a little music to get into the rings, like Real American and Eye of the Tiger. I just have one question.How in the hell is Abdullah the Butcher on this list? Over the Olympic Trials and the Olympic Games, Gable surrendered one point. John Cena. His silver medal effort was part of the first team championship for the United States in mens freestyle since 1995. The Oklahoma State star won NCAA titles in 1997, 1998, and 1999 in one of the toughest weight classes in the country. Sheik held the belt once for less than a month and then was quickly tossed into the tag team ranks with Volkoff. He was a consummate professional with a good nickname. Although he did not wrestle for the WWE alone, Piper collected much more fame with the WWE. Kemp was close to becoming the first. Keep in mind. Making the 1988 Olympic team was particularly memorable. Using his trademark low single and his ferocious turns on top, John Smith reimagined what is possible in wrestling. Leaping Lanny Poffo, wrestling star known as The Genius, the brother of Macho Man Randy Savage, died at the age of 68 on 2 February 2023. 1. Anybody? Wrestling is one of the most popular combat sports in the world. Alger is among the few who have won NCAA titles at two different weights. The documentary chronicles his rise to fame, as well as . Similarly, his entry music was so popular that it became a theme song for the WWE long after he departed from the rings. 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. Cena is just fantastic! He showed that both during the summer in national competitions as well as with a seventh-place finish at Ironman. The Rock During The Match (Source: People.com). 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. Piper was honored with a statue as a part of WrestleMania Axxess in Brooklyn, New York, in 2019. Michael Shawn Hickenbottom, known by his ring name Shawn Michaels is an American former professional wrestler. His powerful entry-level music was visible, classic, and mixed with his good looks. His true freshman season was too shabby, either. Altogether, we have summed up our list of the top ten wrestlers of all time per their popularity rate. 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. Some thought Burroughs was finished and would not return to his winning ways. Benoit is a top-100 wrestler of all-time by any standard that doesnt include personal transgressions. Kemp won a bronze medal at the 1981 World Championships then struck gold again at the 1982 World Championships becoming the first American to win three World titles. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Metcalf redshirted as a freshman then followed Brands to Iowa when he took the job. Jannetty had some moments but hes a touch behind, IMO. He will be featured on the cover of each game edition, striking three of his signature poses in the WWE 2K23 game franchise developed by Visual Concepts. When Smith won a gold medal in the 72 kg division at the 2005 World Championships it was still uncharted territory for womens wrestling. I would say that Goldberg should replace Nick Foley. Your email address will not be published. Kemp went undefeated for Chardon High School in Ohio before signing to wrestle for Wisconsin. 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. If there was ever a doubt that Bruce Baumgartner is the greatest heavyweight in American history, just take a look at the numbers. It's the Veteran, not the reporter, who has given us the freedom of the press. Finally, in 2003, Sanderson got his chance. Which notable celebrities were on the school wrestling team? Thanks, Garry! High School Football Aug 12, 2022 0. . He won a silver medal at the World Championships in New York losing a tight match in the finals to Sazhid Sazhidov of Russia. Randys brother was a decorated WWF wrestler in the 1980s. Cena and Flir are the bookends, and careers were at different stages but nobody from the 70s (Flair), 60s 50s? Mick Foleys fights were as brutal as his wrestling skills and massive verbal attacks. Randy Mario Poffo, better known as Macho Man Randy Savage, was an American professional wrestler best known for his time in the WWF and World Championship Wrestling (WCW). College Rankings. Her international wrestling credentials certainly warrant a name change. Your list is pretty good and I cant argue with it too much. But the wrestling thespian of wrestling is just a well-known actor who has mastered the art that has stuck and made him different from others. Michael Francis Foley, also known as Mick Foley, is an American actor, author, retired professional wrestler, and color commentator. He thrived both as a singles and a tag team performer. That includes four Midlands titles, four Big 12 titles, and four NCAA titles. Round 2 - Kyle Snyder, Piedmont vs Christopher Bonner, DH Conley, 1 - 157 lbs Champ. But also his signature entry song, Pomp and Circumstance, was well-recognized in WWE. Longevity plays a big part, too. The first edition of our Class of 2022 Rankings is out. Braden Welch, Ashland, sr., 175. We took an argument that can't be won and boiled it down to a single list. 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. 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. Green was a four-time All-American for Nebraska from 2012-15, placing seventh at the NCAA Championships his first two seasons and third as a junior and senior. Burroughs used the time to solely focus on improvement and improve he did. You dont have to be a math wizard to understand what that means. Hey man. Atik won the gold medal and Koll settled for fifth. The Iowa star made hand fighting and superior conditioning his calling card as he brutalized his opponents especially during his final two college seasons. Not only do I agree with your comment, but Michael Hayes is also actually in the top-100 (#94) and Jesse, Mad Dog, Tommy Rich, and the Ax are on my honorable mention linked below, https://www.the100greatest.com/2021/02/17/the-greatest-professional-wrestlers-of-all-time/. It was part of a team performance that saw the United States knock off Russia by one point. The famous wrestler won the WWE Championsip four times, the WWE Heavyweight champion three times, and the World Tag Team Championship six times. At Wrestlemania 7, he became the first person to cleanly pin Hulk Hogan in nine years. Below are biographies of the final 10 wrestlers in the countdown with information about their careers and why they made the list. John lockhart! He followed that up with his fourth World or Olympic title during the 2015 World Championships that were held in Las Vegas. Stone Cold has won the WWE World Heavyweight Championship six times and the Tag team championship four times and is the fifth wrestler to emerge as a Triple Crown Champion. In 2008, he was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. Please explain. His freshman campaign didn't start out with a bang, either. Great questions, specifically on the difference in ranking between Hawk and Animal. Hulk Hogan was simply the best wrestler, from his looks to his wrestling moves. U.S. women entered the World Championships for the first time in 1989, and only four American women had won World titles up to that point. It's that time of the year again for Polk County student-athletes and wrestling fanatics to gear up for a brand-new season. These top ten wrestlers have made their name on the list because of their exclusive contribution to wrestling. 5. 13. Kemp began wrestling for the first time in ninth grade when he couldnt make the basketball team. Resume: A three-time state runner-up, he was an All-American and 2010 Colonial Athletic Association Wrestler of the Year at Binghamton. Am I misremembering Big Sexy? Wherever he goes, Heartbreak Kid leaves a mark. Piper also acted in dozens of movies and TV shows, of which the famous was one lead role of John Nada in the 1998 cult classic They Live and as a Da Maniac on the FX comedy series, Its Always Sunny in Philadelphia. But the spirits are high as the Warriors turn their sites on the postseason. The Del City native won the 1986 Goodwill Games with an impressive win over that years World champion from Russia. Leaping Lanny Poffo, wrestling star known as The Genius, the brother of Macho Man Randy Savage, died at the age of 68 on 2 February 2023. Michaels has mastered the art of using his heels to bring a special step to the end of Sweet Chin music. Given all Jordan Burroughs has accomplished, its hard to believe he was only a one-time New Jersey state champion. 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. 8. Cael-mania gripped the nation during and after his incredible run. Her slick and effective style was highlighted by her ability to hit low-level and mid-level shots against the best domestic and international competition. 22. . The Nature Boy, Flair, is known for his wrestling days. Burroughs had other plans. I just think there is a bit of a difference between their resumes. The 100 Greatest Professional Wrestlers of All-Time. The senior will wrestle in college for Princeton. Bull Nakano. Iowa coach Dan Gable calls Alger the toughest wrestler he ever coached. HUSAM MUSTAFA (138), Lake Wales: Mustafa over the summer . Is it Adeline Gray or is it Adeline Gold? Richard Morgan Fliehr, known as Ric Flair, is an American professional wrestler.