It’s the bar conversation every wrestling fan has had. It’s a subject that’s been passionately debated among the Internet wrestling community over the past few weeks. Who belongs on the Mount Rushmore of wrestling?
When Ric Flair decided to post a photo depicting his Mount Rushmore of wrestling, he sent fans into a frenzy. He included “Stone Cold” Steve Austin in “the lead” alongside himself, The Rock and Hulk Hogan. Did he leave anyone out? Was there someone on his list that didn’t deserve to be there? What exactly is the true wrestling Rushmore?
We got together and tried to answer that question.
Truth be told, this isn’t a math equation that needs to be solved. It can’t be. So it shouldn’t come as a surprise that there was only a small amount of consensus, but it wouldn’t be as fun if there were. Isn’t that the beauty of this never-ending conversation?
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Everyone views wrestling in a different way; some place more importance on in-ring work while others focus more on crowd reaction and sustainability. Each fan’s list is a reflection of their own personal preferences and is shaped by the lens through which they view sports entertainment.
Let the debate begin, and continue, forever.
Robin Leacock’s Mount Rushmore
Hulk Hogan
Without any disrespect meant to my fellow contributors who may have erroneously omitted him from their list, Hulk Hogan is the only no-brainer on the wrestling Mount Rushmore. Not only is he the most recognizable star in wrestling history, Hogan is also responsible for some of its most transcendent and important moments, including his WrestleMania III slam of Andre The Giant, his Bash at the Beach heel turn and his Icon vs. Icon match with The Rock at WrestleMania X8.
Once his Hulkamania run had come to an end, he was able to reinvent his entire persona as a heel and prolong his career by remaining relevant and influential. To people not acquainted with sports entertainment, wrestling is and will always be “that thing Hulk Hogan does”. Personal problems have stained his legacy outside the ring, but his contribution to the business as a whole cannot be ignored.
Shawn Michaels
For my money, Shawn Michaels is the greatest in-ring performer of all-time. Furthermore, there’s no chance a man dubbed “Mr. WrestleMania” based on his body of work at the most important show every year will be left of this list.
More than anything, Michaels deserves his Rushmore spot based on longevity alone, his four-year break included. His greatness spans many eras and incarnations: The Rockers, the heel Heartbreak Kid, The Boyhood Dream and D-Generation-X only account for the first half of his career. The second half is arguably even better, including his comeback feud with Triple H and his WrestleMania masterpieces with Chris Jericho, Ric Flair and of course, The Undertaker. Like Hogan, Michaels’ track record speaks for itself.
Vince McMahon
It wouldn’t be hyperbole to say that many of our fondest wrestling memories – and wrestling as we’ve known it in the past and how we know it today – wouldn’t be possible without Vince McMahon. There’s a reason why, regardless of the criticism he receives online for present day storylines and booking, fans symbolically bow to Vince every single time he enters an arena.
It’s truly remarkable that McMahon has left a legacy both as a builder and a performer, as he was one of the driving forces behind the nuclear-over “Stone Cold” character during the attitude era. Vince McMahon can still put someone over like no one else can (see: Kevin Owens) and he may very well be the most important person in wrestling history.
“Stone Cold” Steve Austin
This was without a doubt the toughest spot to fill. Many performers were strongly considered (Ric Flair, “Macho Man” Randy Savage, The Undertaker, John Cena and Bobby Heenan, to name a few), but at the end of the day, the biggest star of the most successful wrestling era could not be left off the list. His classic feuds with Bret Hart, The Rock and Mr McMahon have left fans with innumerable classic matches and moments. There’s no pop like an Austin pop, a reaction he received from fans for years and years. His brand and character are iconic and his runaway train run in WWE will likely never be matched.
Tom Thomas’ Mount Rushmore
Although there are many superstars worthy of being on the Mount Rushmore of wrestling, for me personally, choosing four top stars for this list is rather easy. I believe the emphasis should rely on the superstar’s contributions as well as his loyalty to WWE. As such, here are my picks. Bear in mind that I have taken a different approach and am personally leaning more towards the present and future rather than the past alone.
Hulk Hogan
I had to convince myself to place Hogan on this list. There arguably wouldn’t have been a WWE or a WrestleMania if it wasn’t for Hogan’s popularity. However, seeing as how little he did to promote younger talent up the ladder had me going up against having him on the list. But when all is said and done, Hulk Hogan is an integral part of the WWE. He has had multiple fallouts with the company, but this list would never be complete unless you have the Hulkster’s name in it.
The Undertaker
The Undertaker complements everything that I could say about Hulk Hogan. However, the Phenom did carry the company on his shoulders longer than one would think. Above everything else lies his unrelenting loyalty towards the company and Vince McMahon. For twenty-five years, the Undertaker has put his body on the line for this business and its fans. There is no man more deserving to go on this list than the Dead Man. Moreover, unlike most other top stars, he always did what was best for business, even if it meant ending his legendary WrestleMania streak.
John Cena
The parallels between Cena and Hulk should stop at how they were both booked during their prime. Apart from that, you cannot compare Cena to the Hulkster. Much like the Undertaker, Cena has remained loyal to the WWE and has never strayed. He remained committed to the WWE for a very long time, not just in the ring but outside as well.
There will never be a better ambassador for the company in front of the general public all over the world. It doesn’t matter if it was in the UK or in Dubai, Cena was the one who attended press conferences and Make-A-Wish events and a multitude of other public events for the WWE. He worked harder than anybody else and he deserves his place among the elites of pro wrestling.
Triple H
Triple H is the future of the WWE. Normally, that title is reserved for an up and coming young star, like any of the members of the Shield for example. That is within the confines of the ring or a weekly show. Outside of it, Triple H is the future. He has shown he can do a great job (at times better than Vince himself) of running the WWE.
The only reason NXT gained a cult following was due to Hunter’s passion and his ability to understand what a fan wants to see in a WWE ring. At the same time, he knows he can’t simply give the fans what they want. Hunter has an eye to nit-pick the details and identify what is best for business in the long run. That is why he is the future of the WWE and the number one superstar on this list.
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.
Brendan Mizgala’s Mount Rushmore
Ric Flair
“The Nature Boy” was the first true “World Champion” of my lifetime. He would wrestle all over the United States, but would also perform in Japan, Mexico, Europe, Canada, etc. He had the honour of defending the NWA World Heavyweight Championship and he was up to the task. Ric is also known for having great matches with any and every opponent he ever stepped into the ring with.
Hulk Hogan
The Hulkster had the weight of the WWE on his shoulders for a majority of his time in the business. He not only carried the WWE to heights it has never seen before during the Rock ‘n’ Wrestling Connection, but then jumped to WCW and formed the NWO. Hogan will go down as a focal reason for the two major companies reaching their highest levels.
John Cena
If you asked me five years ago if I thought John Cena was one of the greatest ever, I would’ve laughed, but what Cena has done in the latter years of his career has been spectacular. His matches have been at a high level and he has done his part in getting feuds and talent over in the process. Nobody has had a run at the top as long as Cena, and he’s earned it.
“Stone Cold” Steve Austin
The Texas Rattlesnake was the hottest thing in pro wrestling during his run at the top of the mountain. He transcended the business and became a mainstream, household name. His rivalry with Vince McMahon is a big reason the WWE was able to recover and defeat WCW. If it weren’t for health issues, he would’ve been on top long into the 2000’s.
Joe Soriano’s Mount Rushmore
Ric Flair
How can you have a “Mount Rushmore” without Ric Flair? “The Nature Boy” is the most prolific heel in professional wrestling, and in between the ropes, he epitomized what it means to play the “bad guy” role. In a way, the heel is the paramount expression of unselfishness in wrestling, because a heel’s main goal is to get the baby face cheered.
For as popular as Flair was and as many titles as he won, what always stands out to me (beyond the antics and the promos, that is) is the fact that he got baby faces OVER. You wanted to see him get his ass handed to him, and very few wrestlers could “work” like Flair. He made every match and every move felt like it meant something. Go watch his match with Ricky Steamboat, WrestleMania retirement match with Shawn Michaels, and entire feud with Dusty Rhodes as examples of his brilliance.
“Stone Cold” Steve Austin
Back when he was “Stunning” Steve Austin in WCW, you were hard-pressed to find many more fluid workers than the man who would later become the “Texas Rattlesnake”. But when Austin was at his best, he only had a limited move set. But his move-set fit his no-nonsense, “Stone Cold” character perfectly, and he set the bar when it came to resonating with a crowd in an era where bad guys were cool.
Austin was originally supposed to be a heel, but he clicked with a fan base that was as pissed off with their bosses and with society as Austin was with Vince McMahon. You can argue that Austin saved the WWE in their war with the WCW, or you can argue that he was just the leading figure. But no matter which side of the coin you stand on, you have to admit that Austin’s command of the crowd and of in-ring psychology – nothing tops his WrestleMania double-turn match with Bret Hart – makes him one of the greatest ever.
Mitsuharu Misawa
These “Mount Rushmore” pieces are generally dominated by American wrestlers, specifically those who made the WWE a lot of cash. But no list or conglomeration of great names would be complete without Mitsuharu Misawa, a man who literally gave his life to the business of professional wrestling.
Misawa has the most five-star matches, as given by Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer News, in the history of the sport. And say what you want about Meltzer’s star ratings, but anyone capable of putting together that many sublime performances deserves your respect. Misawa was a certified bad-ass.
An eight-time world champion in Japan, Misawa could wrestle any style, and his move-set was filled with hard strikes, maneuvers requiring a high degree of athleticism, and moves requiring a great deal of strength. I can’t emphasize his well-roundedness as a competitor enough, and you can easily make the argument that he is the greatest in-ring competitor of all-time (OK, besides Dolph Ziggler). Misawa vs. Kenta Kobashi remains the greatest rivalry in history to this day, and that’s saying something given the magnitude of rivalries that the first two people on my Mount Rushmore had.
Undertaker
While AJ Styles is perhaps the greatest example of pure in-ring prowess we have in modern wrestling in America, the Undertaker is the most important archetype for character work. Gimmicks and stories make professional wrestling special, and nobody has been a greater attraction than the Undertaker.
One of the few wrestlers to permeate into mainstream culture despite a lack of appearances on talk shows or movies, the Undertaker’s elegance is in his simplicity. Though he’s changed his character a few times while in the “Ministry” and as the “American Badass”, the Undertaker is mostly known and respected for the iteration of his character that has breathed its geist into professional wrestling for decades.
Taker has been a part of several of the most memorable matches in history, and he’s always done right by the business, whether it’s putting over Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 33 or convincing Shawn Michaels to push Stone Cold in Austin’s crowning moment.
Next: Who Is The Greatest Superstar To Never Be World Champion?
There’s a reason why the Undertaker is so respected inside and outside the locker room, and it would be a disservice to leave him off of a “Mount Rushmore” for the sake of honoring people who have already earned enough plaudits from the mainstream press. This Mount Rushmore is about those who have given the most unique offerings to the wrestling business, and, in that respect, the Undertaker might even be the most important of them all.