WWE Wrestling has been a mainstream favourite for as long as most people can remember, throwing up plenty of iconic characters and legendary matches and events that live long in the memory. While this list could have been 20 players long, we have whittled down to five who, in this writer’s opinion are the five truest WWE legends. Enjoy.
Hulk Hogan
With everything that has gone on recently, the stacking controversies, the Hulkster has seen his hall of fame status stripped from him. There was, however, a time when he was possibly the biggest name in the game, with some arguing to this day that that is still the case and even Vince McMahon admitted there would be no WEE without him. His fame transcended the ring, so makes the list. The Real American (that was the name of his song), Terry Gene Bollea, was the first wrestler to win consecutive Royal Rumbles, in 1990 and 1991 respectively, largely thanks to his crazed mental state known as Hulkamania which defeated all comers. In later life, he starred in his own reality TV show, where cameras shadowed hi family’s exploits, often with comic results.
The Undertaker
For a guy whose theme is death, The Undertaker sure has lasted a long time. For the best part of 30 years, the Deadman has been a has cast a shadow over of dread over WWE wrestling and, with very hushed rumours of a return, he may not even be done yet. In his long career, he has broken a winning streak record, taken down multiple WWE and World Heavyweight Championships, and is a six-time tag team titleholder as well as the 2007 Royal Rumble winner. First introduced at 1990’s Survivor Series as a member of Ted DiBiase’s Million Dollar Team, he quickly rose through the rankings to become top of the pile and pioneered the earliest editions of WWE firsts, Hell in a Cell, Casket Match and Buried Alive.
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Bret The Hitman Hart
Known as the “Excellence of Execution”, Canadian Hart, much like his tragic brother, was trained at home by his dad in the famed Hart Family Dungeon. Largely because of his upbringing, he is possibly the best technical wrestler in the history of the sport. Dressed in his iconic pink and black tights and shiny shades, Hart’s entrance was always backed to the sounds of the electric guitar before he set about beating all challengers. He began life south of the border as a member of the Hart foundation tag team with his brother-in-law, Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart became one of the most popular pairings in WWE. In 1999, Hart suffered the tragic loss of his brother Owen who died at Wrestling event live on TV following an equipment malfunction. It was highly likely, and indeed predicted that Owen Hart may well have established himself as a legend also.
Rowdy Roddy Piper
Roderick George “Roddy” Toombs wore a kilt and fought under the name Rowdy Roddy Piper. Another from the game’s golden age, Canadian Hot Rod came to WWE in 1984, originally as a villain but quickly became a much-loved fans’ favourite. So much so in fact that Piper headlined the first WrestleMania at Madison Square Garden. His fame saw him star in the Cindy Lauper video that accompanies the Film, The Goonies, as well as his own starring role in ‘so bad its good’ movie, They Live and several late in life appearances in long running US sitcom It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. He died in his sleep from a heart attack at his home in Hollywood California in January 2015.
The Rock
Hawaii’s own Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson is often referred to as The Great One, The People’s Champion and The Most Electrifying Man in All of Entertainment. Son of WWE Hall of Famer Rocky Johnson, Dwayne was born from a regal line of fighters, and has collected no fewer than eight WWE Championships and headlined WrestleMania. Hollywood came calling when he left the ring, and has gone on to become perhaps the most successful wrestler to turn to films after retirement. Currently starring in popular HBO series Ballers, past credits include Race to Witch Mountain, The Scorpion King and Tooth Fairy.