The Mount Rushmore of Men’s Wrestling

Bryan Heaton’s Mount Rushmore

So many factors go into determining just who should be on a Mount Rushmore of wrestling. Technical ability? Aura? Mic skills? Drawing power? But for me, it boils down to the old adage, “I know it when I see it.” I’m sticking with WWE here, just because on a national level it’s been the top promotion.

Hulk Hogan

In the first spot, it has to be Hulk Hogan. You can say what you will about Hogan on a personal level – heck, even on a professional level with his creative control decisions. But you can’t deny that Hogan was the face of the then-WWF during the first boom period for professional wrestling. In the 1980s, Hogan WAS wrestling on a national level.

“Stone Cold” Steve Austin

Next up is Stone Cold Steve Austin. When Bret Hart left the company and Shawn Michaels temporarily retired, Austin took control of the “Attitude Era”, which may not have aged particularly well looking back, but it was a huge business period for the industry. And for several years, Stone Cold was the epitome of that era, taking WWE to huge heights.

The Rock

There wouldn’t have been a Stone Cold without The Rock, so he gets a spot as well. Three times, that duo squared off at WrestleMania – twice in the main event. The Rock had a crossover appeal with mainstream audiences not seen since the heyday of Hulk Hogan. Between hosting Saturday Night Live and starring in movies, people who weren’t traditionally wrestling fans were driven to WWE programming thanks to The Rock.

John Cena

Finally, the most recent face of WWE gets added to Mount Rushmore, and that’s John Cena. It may not be a very popular decision, but like The Rock, Cena has crossover appeal. He headlined WrestleMania five times, and is in the process of transitioning into a movie star. Don’t forget Cena’s history with the Make-A-Wish Foundation, either.