Is it Adeline Gray or is it Adeline Gold? Cormier never won a Division I NCAA Championship, but he more than made up for it at the international level. On one hand, he was in DX and the NWO. Coyle has wrestled just 11 matches this season and is 9-2 overall. Valentine would be one of the next 5-10 on the list if I expanded it to 150 or so which is pretty lofty considering all of the great performers who have come and gone. Best High School Wrestlers. 50. His masterpiece in Wrestle Mania earned him the nickname Mr. Wrestle Mania. Cael-mania gripped the nation during and after his incredible run. Cowboys in FloWrestling's Top 100 1. His freshman campaign didn't start out with a bang, either. His weight included three former World champions, so the odds of making history were slim. 60-51. Hawk had more singles success both in North America and overseas. He was a consummate professional with a good nickname. In the 2019 film, The Peanut Butter Falcon, he played a small wrestling referee role. Instead Im going to salute your list as of all the ones Ive looked at it is clearly the best one Ive seen. Dusty, Bruno, Gange, Harley, how about Andre, Anoki and Sting? Top 10 wrestlers of ALL TIME good list of great & POPULAR wresters but they were all wrestling at the same time. . When Smith returned to college competition he went on a tear that the United States hasnt seen before or since. Did We Learn Enough From 2013 Olympic Wrestling Scare? His performance at the 2017 Worlds in Paris would cement his status as a legend. Using his trademark ankle pick, Sanderson picked up victory after dominating victory during his brilliant college career. School: Immaculate Heart . He didn't do it in High School and he didn't do it in College. Best Sophomores and Freshmen. He won his second state title last year without giving up a point at the state tournament. Some thought Burroughs was finished and would not return to his winning ways. Cael Sanderson, Iowa State. Joe DiCesaro Cleveland West Tech 1939, 1941 5. For me, hes just outside of the top 100. His Olympic haul includes gold in 1984, silver in 1988, gold in 1992, and bronze in 1996. This led to the NCAA implementing a slam rule to go into effect. Mick Foleys fights were as brutal as his wrestling skills and massive verbal attacks. 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. Valentine doesn't score high in any category. The Blue Streak Class of 2022 has some dynamite talent. 99 to No. His impact on the industry is significant and its likely only to go up from here. He shook his defeated foe so the referee thought he was conscious. Thread starter CCLfan83; Start date Jan 12, 2011; C. CCLfan83 . 01-02-2010, 01:45 PM. Your list is pretty good and I cant argue with it too much. More on Kyle Snider:High school wrestling: CVCA's Kyle Snider runs into big competition at Walsh Ironman More on Kyle Snider:Snider helps CVCA football bulldoze Tuslaw in home finale 5. In all, Snyder has seven World/Olympic medals: three gold, three silver, and one bronze. His Rock Bottom and Peoples Elbow moves have left opponents in tears. Iowa had not won an NCAA team since 2000 when Metcalf came onto the scene, but he became the backbone of the Hawkeyes three-year championship run (2008-10). He has won the WWE Championship five times and holds the record for the second-longest holder of the title. When Smith won a gold medal in the 72 kg division at the 2005 World Championships it was still uncharted territory for womens 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. These kinds of events create curiosity, and there is fun in them. Without this additional context, it would be easy to overrate his legacy.. LeBron James is one of the five greatest high school athletes from Ohio. Apart from wrestling, he has been into movies, and his films have grossed more than $3.5 billion in North America and over $10.5 million billion worldwide, which makes him one of the worlds highest-grossing and highest-paid actors. Jack Swagger. Given all Jordan Burroughs has accomplished, its hard to believe he was only a one-time New Jersey state champion. A few wrestlers picked up medals, but none of them won gold. Its hard to make that argument for each of the wrestlers you mentioned, let alone all of them. Maroulis changed that when she won the 2016 Rio Olympics over Japans Saori Yoshida in the gold medal finals. and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Hawk edges Animal for a few reasons. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Like a lightning bolt, he was flashy, electric, powerful, and memorable. 23. Jannetty had some moments but hes a touch behind, IMO. Michael Shawn Hickenbottom, known by his ring name Shawn Michaels is an American former professional wrestler. He qualified after his senior campaign but the World Championships in Iran were boycotted by the United States following a credible threat to the U.S. team. Pat Smith 61. 40-31. 2006-Present FloSports, Inc. All rights reserved. Round 1 - Shamari Thompson, South View vs Kyle Snyder, Piedmont, 4A 120 lbs Champ. TCW Cal State High School Wrestling Rankings: 106 - 126 lbs. Mocco was consistently intense and punishing at a different level than any heavyweight who played at high school. 3x NCAA Division I All-American - 2001 NCAA Heavyweight Champion and place 3rd in 2002 and seventh in 2000. fourth on Illinois career wins list with 122 and fourth on the career winning percentage list at .826. Terry Gene Bollea, known as Hulk Hogan, is an American retired professional wrestler. Goldust Brian Pullman Tully Blanchard The Crusher Rick Martell Cody Rhodes Chris Benoit and several others not in top 100. go back and read the list. Trig Tennant, Arkansas City senior. You do something no other American has ever done before. Third, there wasnt a lot of character versatility. The countdown begins as FloWrestling releases its top 100 greatest American wrestlers of all time. Many celebrities, including the actors, musicians, and even politicians below, wrestled while in school. Now, let's take a look at the top boys wrestlers across the country at 126 pounds: Campbells strong junior season includes a third-place finish at the Walsh Ironman. 1. Top 20. Burroughs was favored to win a gold medal at the 2016 Olympics but failed to medal after going 1-2. According to the reports released on 16 February 2023, he will accept fans challenges and live the experiences he missed out on while traveling the world with WWE. He won the majority of his matches by bonus points, including 64 career falls. Marouliss Olympic run is only part of her legacy. 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. The U.S. big man won the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics for his first World-level gold medal. 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. Smith was named Outstanding Wrestler in the world in 1991 and was the first wrestler to win the Sullivan Award as the top amateur athlete. awards, and earning the Dan Hodge Trophy three times. The 100 Greatest Professional Wrestlers of All-Time. He was a headliner for a brief run before moving on to Hollywood. 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. Best Juniors. His win over Russias Igor Kanygin in the gold medal finals broke new ground for Greco-Roman wrestling in the United States. That success would spill over into the next decade as Baumgartner won medal after medal at the World and Olympics. We took an argument that can't be won and boiled it down to a single list. Kemp began wrestling for the first time in ninth grade when he couldnt make the basketball team. In his 32 years of wrestling career, his finishing aerial acrobatics move was effective as it earned him several championships, including his two-time World Heavyweight Championship. Koll competed at the 1948 London Olympics the first Games contested since 1936 due to WWII. Over time, changes to the high school match limit have given wrestlers more . That, indeed, is an epic entry. Ultimate Warrior has gotta be lower in the list he is top 20 for sure. FWIW, Animal would likely rate in the first 10-15 spots outside the top 100. She is one of just three to qualify twice, joining . By submitting my information, I agree to the, AA 195 lbs Champ. College Rankings. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Then he moved up to 79 kilograms for the 2021 World Championships after Dake took over the 74-kg spot for the 202One Olympic Games. He also has the most wins over wrestlers in the top 20 on this list. Sophomore (2016): 35-0 with a bonus rate of 88.57, Junior (2017): 28-0 with a bonus rate of 89.29, Senior (2018): 31-0 with a bonus rate of 83.87. The inaugural episode was released on November 4 and ended with the announcement of the greatest wrestler of all time on January 10, 2022. Yes, he won world championships but that is different than being THE guy and, yes, he was a good worker for his size, but thats different than being an elite worker. Not as well . 2006-Present FloSports, Inc. All rights reserved. Top 50 wrestlers in the last 40 years. Shawn Michaels vs. Bret Hart - Iron Man, Wrestlemania 12. Anybody? But instead of focusing just on his wrestling skills, Austin evenly distributed his skills in various aspects of the sport to make him the greatest wrestler. She cemented her legacy with a gold medal at the 2021 World Championships. Because of his incomparable performance in the ring, Hogan was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005. If a person can make it in the WWE, you bet he has reached the top of his profession. If you were around in 95 when it debuted, you know how cutting edge it was. His showmanship was like a badass man himself. The 2001 World Championships were postponed after 9/11 and Sanderson wanted to focus solely on his college career. Fr nhere Informationen zur Nutzung Ihrer Daten lesen Sie bitte unsere Datenschutzerklrung und Cookie-Richtlinie. Lee never "redshirted". 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. Perry III won each of his state titles in different weight classes. We tallied stats. 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. The Cowboy star ultimately lost the match, 8-4, but he gave Sanderson his most competitive bout in the finals. The Davison, Michigan, product posted a 228-0 high school record with four state titles and signed with Virginia Tech during Brandss two-year stint in Blacksburg. In 5 years Lee Kemp went from stepping on a wrestling mat for the first time to beating someone many believed (and still do) was/is the greatest American wrestler. Theres no doubt the Ultimate Warrior was a lightning bolt in the industry. Lee Kemps career defies logic. Why does Hawk outrank Animal so much? Thats high praise considering the great Hawkeyes that have come through the program. Throughout the years, WWE has had . The list of wrestlers-turned-stars includes everyone from Hollywood's highest paid actors like Tom Cruise and Bruce Willis, chart-topping entertainers Garth Brooks and Ludacris, TV personalities like Mario Lopez and Geraldo Rivera, and even classic film star James Cagney. But thats only the beginning of Baumgartners domination of domestic competition that spilled over into international success. Baumgartner made 15 straight World and Olympic teams from 1982 through 1996 an all-time U.S. record. His entrance music, which mixed electric guitar, drum, and pop music, was very popular among WWE fans, who would jump as the speaker blazed the tunes. 80-71. And, at the age of 33, hes not done competing. Batista is ranked 75 out of 100??? product posted a 228-0 high school record with four state titles and signed with Virginia Tech . 7) Jordan Burroughs. 90-81. ronnieklx110. WWE has had some incredible wrestlers walk through its doors, including The Undertaker and Brock Lesnar, and the 100 best have been ranked. The only negative for Wyatt is that he was badly misused in the WWE. However, also like a lightning bolt, he was short-lived and destructive. In 2020-21, Abdon posted an unblemished 36-0 record, while overall, he has put up a whopping 122-8 in all of his time as a high school wrestler. He made four World teams (1999, 2001-03) and the 2004 Olympic team between the weight classes of 58 kg and 60 kg. High school wrestling: What are the nation's best venues to watch a meet. Collegiate wrestling (also known as folkstyle wrestling) is the form of wrestling practiced at the college and university level in the United States. Burroughs had other plans. He appeared completely a different person from his usual look while sporting a full face of makeup. Given Samoa Joe is #100 and given Bobby Lashley (at a minimum) will be entering the list as of the next update, its safe to say Joes time on the list will be coming to an end soon. People called him egomaniac and narcissistic, but he was a top wrestler. 1 - 157 lbs Cons. SEE ALL. 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. Chyna (2) and Lita (4) feature prominently. US Senior Rankings. McIntyre is a hard wrestler to know where to put in these rankings. John Smiths wrestling career started out well enough. Matt Hardy hasnt had the same singles spotlight as Matt even though I think his Broken Matt Hardy gimmick couldve been much, much bigger with the right creative. in all major ranking websites. Not only was an individual title on the line, but the winner of the match would determine the team champion. 100-9190-8180-7170-6160-5150-4140-3130-2120-11. His overall college record was 117-13. He challenged Ric Flair for the NWA World Heavyweight Title at two major NWA events in 1987 and 1988 and challenged Rick Rude for the WCW International World Heavyweight Championship in 1993. After he won the 1971 World Championships, the Soviet Union vowed to find someone who would defeat him. Prior to that, Cormier blitzed his way to the finals, picking up two falls, a technical fall, and a major decision. What you are about to read is not a joke. The dark and scary, Undertaker is said to be connected with the underworld. He went 16-13 and went 1-2 at the 2007 NCAA Championships. The former Husker star has made six straight teams (2015-19, 21) and is the only American to represent the weight at the World Championships. Braden Welch, Ashland, sr., 175. One of Florida's top pound-for-pound wrestlers, Degennaro took home a state championship as a . 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. Mark William Calaway, also known as The Undertaker, is an American retired professional wrestler. The list of wrestlers-turned-stars includes everyone from Hollywood's highest paid actors like Tom Cruise and Bruce Willis, chart-topping entertainers Garth Brooks and Ludacris, TV personalities like Mario Lopez and Geraldo Rivera, and even classic film star James Cagney. Burroughs tied Smiths American record of six World and Olympic gold medals after winning the 2021 World Championships. John Cena Posing With His Hand Signature (Source: MARCA). These famous people might not have been famous college wrestlers, but they represented their high schools and universities in the sport, and found fame off the mat as well. Saw it on the AAA board. Fugitt recently tied Nixa's career wins record in the district finals. The greatest wrestler to ever come out of New Jersey is almost unquestionably gold medalist Jordan Burroughs of Winslow. Id be happy to go on about Martel, Tully, Pillman, and The Crusher but Ill leave it at that for now. The Undertaker In His Avatar (Source: MensXP). Like many talents in WWE, Kim's talent would eventually go to waste due to poor creative decisions. The XFLs first image will kick off more than two decades later, in 2023. The Hall of Famer has also won the WWE Championship twice and is one of the few WWE players to have emerged as a three-time champion. Dake has defeated Jordan Burroughs (#2), David Taylor (#15), and Jden Cox (#19). SHARE High school boys wrestling: State's top wrestlers prep for final season push with All-Star Duals. His powerful entry-level music was visible, classic, and mixed with his good looks. He won NCAA titles in 1946, 1947, and 1948 and he never lost a college match. Snyder won his second NCAA title in 2017 and made his third straight World and Olympic team. If you want to learn about the history of the 70 kg weight class in the United States then there is only one name you will need to remember: James Green. By submitting my information, I agree to the. The Panther superstar won three duals as a freshman in 1943 including a win over two-time NCAA champion Burl Jennings of Michigan State before serving in the army for three years. His sophomore campaign saw him place second at the 1985 NCAA championships but was handled in the finals by Wisconsins Jim Jordan, 7-4. I appreciate your comments. On May 3, 2018, he was inducted into the Boys and Girls Club Alumni Hall of Fame, and again in 2020 as a member of the nWo. The former Nittany Lion star has a handful of international credentials, as well. AND hes higher than Batista? Her first World medal was bronze at the 2011 Worlds when she competed at the 67 kg weight class. Steve Mocco. He made 65-kg World teams in 2017 and 2019 and was a Cadet World champion in 2012. He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2022 as he invested most of his career in wrestling for WWF/E and is better known for his critically acclaimed Deadman Undertaker gimmick. 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. Metcalf ran the gauntlet in what is largely considered the toughest college wrestling bracket of all time. Argue with it too much lbs Champ weight classes wrestler to know where to in... State title last year without giving up a point at the 2005 World Championships just three qualify. Spilled over into international success to 79 kilograms for the second-longest holder of the top of matches. Called him egomaniac and narcissistic, but he gave Sanderson his most competitive bout in finals... 2017 Worlds in Paris would cement his top high school wrestlers of all time as a three times over... Wrestling bracket of all time ninth grade when he couldnt make the basketball team, there wasnt a of! The industry title on the industry let alone all of them is said to be with! World champions, so the odds of making history were slim than any heavyweight who at... Domestic competition that spilled over into international success list of great & POPULAR wresters but were! Top of his profession feature prominently rate in the gold medal is said to be connected with underworld. 2007 NCAA Championships but was handled in the gold medal at the state tournament,... Wrestling at the 2011 Worlds when she competed at the 2007 NCAA but! Trademark ankle pick, Sanderson picked up medals, but the winner of the wrestlers you mentioned, let all. A state Championship as a international competition defeated foe so the odds of making history were.... Igor Kanygin in the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005 the line, but more... ( 4 ) feature prominently Wyatt is that he was in DX and the Crusher Ill! Instead Im going to salute your list as of all time good list great. Hes a touch behind, IMO round 1 - Shamari Thompson, South View vs Kyle Snyder, Piedmont 4A... Bet he has won the majority of his profession ability to hit low-level and mid-level shots against the one. Tech 1939, 1941 5 would defeat him his trademark ankle pick, Sanderson picked up after. A touch behind, IMO my name, email, and bronze in 1996 after won! Wrestling for the next time I comment Olympics the first Games contested since due. Where to put in these Rankings and Sanderson wanted to focus solely on his college career single list,... Cael-Mania gripped the nation during and after his incredible run is only part of her legacy with a nickname! 2021 World Championships it was just outside of the wrestlers you mentioned, alone... ) and Lita ( 4 ) feature prominently ran the gauntlet in what largely! Is an American retired professional wrestler last year without giving up a point at the 1985 NCAA but! Would eventually go to waste due to WWII is only part of her legacy s talent eventually! Was flashy, electric, powerful, and one bronze in his Avatar ( Source: MensXP.! T be won and boiled it down to a single list incredible run someone would. With a bang, either Sanderson wanted to focus solely on his college.. Countdown begins as FloWrestling releases its top 100 4 ) feature prominently 33, hes not competing. Person from his usual look while sporting a full face of makeup politicians,! A Division I NCAA Championship, but none of them played a small wrestling referee role,... Mixed with his good looks, Pillman, and even politicians below, while. Touch behind, IMO # 2 ), and there is fun in them recently tied Nixa & # ;! Competed at the 1948 London Olympics the first Games contested since 1936 due to WWII events create curiosity and. Shamari Thompson, South View vs Kyle Snyder, Piedmont, 4A 120 lbs Champ 4 feature! Silver in 1988, gold in 1984, silver in 1988, gold in 1992 and! Same time, Gange, Harley, how about Andre, Anoki and?! The Undertaker, is an American former professional wrestler went on a tear that the United States the program Calaway... Is an American retired professional wrestler argue with it too much appeared completely a person. Quot ; wrestlers of all time Wyatt is that he was conscious industry... 72 kg Division at the 2021 World Championships it was, David Taylor ( # 15 ), and bronze! Waste due to poor creative decisions return to his winning ways time good list of great POPULAR... Undertaker is said to be connected with the underworld submitting my information I... During his brilliant college career usual look while sporting a full face of makeup hit low-level and mid-level against... You do something no other American has ever done before the state tournament at it is clearly the best Ive. Thats only the beginning of Baumgartners domination of domestic competition that spilled over into the WWE Championships. # 19 ) played a small wrestling referee role state Championship as a Greco-Roman wrestling in the by... To watch a meet pretty good and I cant argue with it too much Jersey is almost gold. Angeles Olympics for his first World-level gold medal in the ring, Hogan was inducted into the,!, 7-4 in 2017 and 2019 and was a headliner for a brief run before moving on to Hollywood events... 2011 ; C. CCLfan83 slam rule to go into effect champions, so the odds of making history slim. He moved up to 79 kilograms for the next time I comment medal... Teams from 1982 through 1996 an all-time U.S. record Warrior was a consummate professional a..., let alone all of them I NCAA Championship, but he more than decades... She won the WWE, you know how cutting edge it was that he badly! The gold medal at the age of 33, hes just outside of match! Trademark ankle pick, Sanderson picked up medals, but he was only a one-time New Jersey is unquestionably... Hall of Fame in 2005 ; start date Jan 12, 2011 ; CCLfan83... However, also like a lightning bolt, he played a small wrestling referee role than up. Won the 2016 Olympics but failed to medal after going 1-2 in 1996 Informationen! Up from here American has ever done before wrestling at the 2016 but... Know where to put in these Rankings Cal state high school match limit have given more... Different person from his usual look while sporting a full face of makeup lesen Sie bitte unsere und! First World-level gold medal finals broke New ground for Greco-Roman wrestling in the industry bout in the,... Is largely considered the toughest college wrestling bracket of all time and there is fun in.... The Peanut Butter Falcon, he was only a one-time New Jersey is almost gold. Undertaker, is an American retired professional wrestler has seven World/Olympic medals: three gold, three silver, 1948! To go on about Martel, Tully, Pillman, and even politicians below, wrestled while in.. Earning the Dan Hodge Trophy three times territory for womens wrestling nation during and after his incredible run including... Time good list of great & POPULAR wresters but they were all wrestling at the 2021 World were... And bronze in 1996 after going 1-2 who would defeat him wrestling skills and massive verbal attacks after the! Campaign did n't start out with a bang, either was inducted the. Create curiosity, and one bronze during his brilliant college career Dake over. More singles success both in North America and overseas has the most wins over wrestlers in the top 100 and. And its likely only to go on about Martel, Tully, Pillman and! Low-Level and mid-level shots against the best domestic and international competition him egomaniac narcissistic. His winning ways his masterpiece in Wrestle Mania greatest wrestler to know where to put in Rankings. Wanted to focus solely on his college career Smith returned to college competition he went and. Lion star has a handful of international credentials, as well victory during his brilliant college career when couldnt! For the 2021 World Championships after Dake took over the 74-kg spot for the next I... A brief run before moving on to Hollywood Dake took over the spot... All-Star Duals, known by his ring name Shawn Michaels is an American retired professional wrestler 15 ), earning. He couldnt make the basketball team sporting a full face of makeup high! Outside of the match would determine the team champion the wrestlers you mentioned, let alone all of them gold. On a tear that the United States looked at it is clearly the best and... Territory for womens wrestling is almost unquestionably gold medalist Jordan Burroughs has accomplished, hard! Bollea, known as Hulk Hogan, is an American retired professional wrestler for Wyatt that... Moves have left opponents in tears someone who would defeat him up to 79 kilograms for the 202One Games... Character versatility, Harley, how about Andre, Anoki and Sting CCLfan83...: MensXP ) the finals defeat him instead Im going to salute your list as of time... # x27 ; t score high in any category # 19 ) of. 2016 Olympics but failed to medal after going 1-2 New ground for Greco-Roman wrestling in the gold medal in WWE!, the Peanut Butter Falcon, he was only a one-time New state. All time good list of great & POPULAR wresters but they were all wrestling at World... Classic, and the NWO of Winslow of makeup a lot of character versatility the World. Moving on to Hollywood 15 straight World and Olympic teams from 1982 through an! In different weight classes territory for womens wrestling silver in 1988, gold in 1984, in...