Kurt Angle. His matches against Benoit were the best combination of technical ability and entertainment. The crowd didn't care who was heel or face in those matches and gave both guys standing ovations when it was all said and done. Plus in the third match it was awesome seeing them reverse out of the ankle lock into the crippler crossface and back ti the ankle lock.
Who's the best professional wrestler ever?
- Thread starter DeaconKnowledge
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wow not a lot (if any ?) of quote for Anglel here.. I actually think he's objectivly one of the best in history, at being charismatic, ultra skilled, a moty maker.. He had a really good match with matt morgan, come on! Even his program with Henry was good 
Also HBK and Bret Hart obviously. The three of them are guys who know how to tell a story on the ring.
Also HBK and Bret Hart obviously. The three of them are guys who know how to tell a story on the ring.
EnVy_CaLiBeR
Member
Overall? Flair, HBK, Stone Cold, and the Rock. Period.
I'm personally a fan of HHH too. He was fantastic as a heel and a face even though he did get pushed too hard. Jericho is also extremely underrated but hard to see since nowadays the WWE has him jobbing for Fandango who is essentially a jobber now as well.
I'm personally a fan of HHH too. He was fantastic as a heel and a face even though he did get pushed too hard. Jericho is also extremely underrated but hard to see since nowadays the WWE has him jobbing for Fandango who is essentially a jobber now as well.
if a tree falls in the woods...
He looks like Frank Drebin here.
Only one of those guys had mic skill, as per the OP's definition.
Also, Bret Hart is a really underrated promo guy. People tend to consider mic skills as coked up craziness or catch phrases. Bret had that Arn Anderson promo style of a real dude talking real shit. He wasn't flashy, didn't have a ton of catch phrases, and wasn't going to have people chanting along with him. But he was going to get across what he needed to say in the way he needed to say it with no bullshit along the way.
Dioblastoise
Neo Member
+1 He could fly high with other luchas, grapple with the best and knew how to work his character from every angle.
He's also one of the most boring main eventers in the last 20-30 years. Took him 10 years before he cut a half decent one.
Pretty tough call. Can go lots of ways: Randy Savage, Kurt Angle, (late career) Eddie Guerrero, 1997 Steve Austin, hmm...
Hard to decide. Those guys were fantastic to watch, but despite lacking great mic skills, Bret Hart and Chris Benoit were equally as entertaining because they could tell such a good story in the ring, and had amazing technical ability. Owen Hart had similar abilities to me as a high flyer, but never got his proper due in the main event.
Hard to decide. Those guys were fantastic to watch, but despite lacking great mic skills, Bret Hart and Chris Benoit were equally as entertaining because they could tell such a good story in the ring, and had amazing technical ability. Owen Hart had similar abilities to me as a high flyer, but never got his proper due in the main event.
I don't think you need catch phrases to be good on the mic, the overuse of them is one of my least favorite things about revisiting the attitude era. But outside of a few promos that spring to mind in WWF, I feel like he was generally uncomfortable doing them until he got to WCW. He seemed more laid back there, it's a shame that the run there was cut short and he didn't get to do a whole lot.
Based on the criteria in the OP, I think the first reply pretty much nailed it lol.
Ric Flair should also be mentioned (I'm sure he has been already, I haven't read the thread).
My favourites are Mick Foley (never really all that good technically, but aces charisma and mic skills) Stone Cold (same) Lita (technically great, charisma and mic skills less so).
Ric Flair should also be mentioned (I'm sure he has been already, I haven't read the thread).
My favourites are Mick Foley (never really all that good technically, but aces charisma and mic skills) Stone Cold (same) Lita (technically great, charisma and mic skills less so).
I think you're being unfair to Austin. Before his neck break he was one of the best wrestlers in North America.
Uno Venova
Banned
Kurt Angle, his matches with HBK, and Chris were amazing. And he had some of the most hilarious promos on TV. This is all based on his wwf work.
British Monsoon
Member
I think Bret was competent enough on the mic and his perceived lack of personality was more to do with the wild characters surrounding him in WWF. However, I agree that he really did seem uncomfortable cutting promos. He was even worse before the Hitman character, a complete black hole of personality. I've watched old Bret & Owen matches from the 80's, in Stampede and around the world, and it always amazed me that Owen wasn't a bigger deal. He connected with the crowd so effortlessly, as a heel or a face, whereas Bret barely acknowledged the crowd's presence and got no reaction from his by-the-numbers promos.
Foffy said:
It's got to be Hiroshi Tanahashi for me - he's a big draw, hugely popular and charismatic and has put on more 4-5 star matches this year than anybody.
Arrowgigantic
Member
Competent enough for what? To not make the audience jump the guardrail and try to knock the stick out of his hand?
His stuff with Austin when they were both heels was amazing. Especially the miniature cowboy hat!
It goes without saying he is probably one of the most technically gifted too.
The Main Event
Member
Going with Bret Hart also. He's the sole reason I became a huge wrestling fan in the late 90's, especially during the Hart Foundation 2.0 era. But HBK would be a close 2nd.
Absolutely nothing will ever come close to their feud. They were the Ken & Ryu of their time.
Absolutely nothing will ever come close to their feud. They were the Ken & Ryu of their time.
revolverjgw
Member
Randy Savage, when you take into consideration the total package. He has the look, the mic skills, the strength, the athleticism, the brawling, the aerial game, the wrestling, the charisma, the character, EVERYTHING. And he excelled as a face and a heel. And he was super popular. HBK, Bret Hart, Bryan, Flair, Dynamite, Steamboat, none of these guys are elite at EVERYTHING listed above. Savage is the perfect wrestler, find a flaw, I dare you
Sir_Crocodile
Member
Sir_Crocodile
Member
When he's gone there as a face he's gotten good responses.
Host Samurai
Member
Bret & HBK. No doubt about it
On The Edge of Insanity
Member
mid-70s - early 90s: Ric Flair
mid-90s - onwards: Shawn Michaels
mid-90s - onwards: Shawn Michaels
-Pyromaniac-
Member
The Rock and HBK electrified the masses like no other.
Macho Man without a doubt.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D59Bjl3MWWs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PrlSz-Xxo50
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D59Bjl3MWWs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PrlSz-Xxo50
Megadragon15
Member
Andre the Giant. He was in the Princess Bride so that makes him the best pro wrestler.
bean breath
Member
Sure, but have you seen his pectoral muscles lately?
Uno Venova
Banned
I hope a lot of people listen to the stone cold podcast, so many great guests and insights into the business from Kurt, Xpac, Wade Keller, Colt, Nash and a lot more.
AKingNamedPaul
I am Homie
Flair was the most ass wrestler to watch I swear. This has to be between The Rock, HBK, Bret Hart, Undertaker and Austin.
Out of those guys, I think the one who had the most well rounded talent was HBK.
My favorite would be Bret hart though, because I care more about the technical wrestling side.
Out of those guys, I think the one who had the most well rounded talent was HBK.
My favorite would be Bret hart though, because I care more about the technical wrestling side.
metzger203
Junior Member
ElRenoRaven
Member
Only right answer to this question.
Spanx McFranks
Banned
Mick Foley is my personal favorite.
FallingEdge
Member
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