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We’ve reached the third round of our tournament to crown the most iconic wrestler of all time, and things are heating up.
In the WWF bracket, we’ve continued our march toward the inevitable Mega Powers explosion. Macho Man moved past Rowdy Roddy Piper and Hulk Hogan bodyslammed Andre the Giant. That’s mirrored in the WWE bracket, where The Rock and Stone Cold Steve Austin are set to square off in an argument that will make us yell and yell until my throat is sore.
On the International side of things, the sweet 16 caused some controversy with the top Mexican star and top Japanese star being eliminated by game-changing ’90s junior heavyweights from Japan and Mexico, respectively. Jushin Thunder Liger took out El Santo, and Rey Mysterio Jr. defeated Antonio Inoki. New talking point: Could Rey Mysterio beat Muhammad Ali?
And, of course, the non-WWE North American region comes down to Ric Flair and Dusty Rhodes. Dusty topped Sting by only 100 votes, in one of the closest match-ups in the tournament so far.
Now it’s time to vote in our Elite 8, and they’re truly elite. As always, let us know who you voted for in our comments section below, and tell us why. Argue. Sell your soul to Mr. McMahon and hit each other with chairs. Do what you’ve got to do.
WWF REGION
1. Macho Man Randy Savage
From being a two-time WWF Champion to wrestling the amazing Spider-Man, Macho Man’s done it all. Everybody has a Macho Man impression. He was a Slim Jim salesman in a cowboy hat and tassels with a voice like a cement mixer who also happened to be one of the best wrestlers and coolest personas of all time.
3. Hulk Hogan
Before he was a reality star with a breastaurant, a sex-tape trial and (not) a 10-inch penis, Hogan was arguably the most popular attraction in the history of U.S. pro wrestling. He’s the guy people think of when you ask them to think of a wrestler. Defeated his opponents with his trademark “seizure of strength.”
WWE REGION
1. The Rock
Perhaps you’ve heard of Dwayne Douglas “The Rock” Johnson, a third generation star who started off so badly he got chanted death threats and ended up not only a 10-time Champion, but the observed biggest international movie star in Hollywood. He’s what people who are too young to have loved Hulk Hogan think of when they think “wrestler.” He’s also what people think of when they think “movies,” “summer movies,” “handsome” and “Instagram.”
2. Stone Cold Steve Austin
Star of Grown Ups 2 and Smosh: The Movie. Also, a 6-time WWE Champion who defied the odds to redefine what people thought of heels and faces and lead WWF into the Attitude Era. If you ever dreamed of punching your boss in the face, Stone Cold Steve Austin was your dude. If you ever dreamed of drinking so many beers that 80 percent of a case ended up on your shirt (or the floor), same dude.
INTERNATIONAL REGION
3. Rey Mysterio Jr.
A 25-year veteran, wrestling’s “biggest little man” became WWE Champion despite being a 5-foot tall luchador. Really stop and think about that for a second. Rey has done it all everywhere, redefining cruiserweight wrestling in North American during his heyday, then coming back and doing it all again. Currently doing it all again as the new face of Lucha Underground. From ECW to WCW to WWE, one of the true greats.
4. Jushin Thunder Liger
Contending for pro wrestling’s GOAT in terms of doing everything everywhere, he’s a literal superhero who defends Japan and also serves as a junior heavyweight trendsetter for four decades. Liger changed the game in WCW in the early ’90s, and has competed … well, everywhere. New Japan, CMLL, TNA, Ring of Honor, NXT, and on and on. One of the very best to ever do it.
NORTH AMERICAN NON-WWF REGION
1. Ric Flair
WOO! Flair’s blurb should just be one long, sustained WOO. The most hip-hop character in wrestling history, The Nature Boy is a legendary 16-time Champion who has walked that aisle and styled and profiled for five decades. The ultimate wrestling bad guy. The leader of the Four Horsemen, a 2-time WWE Hall of Famer, and so good he could wrestle a broomstick to a four star match. His run from Ricky Steamboat in 1989 to Sting in 1990 might be the best ever.
2. Dusty Rhodes
The opposite of Ric Flair in all the best ways. The common man, the son of a plumber, the American Dream. Proved that you didn’t have to look or act a certain way to be the most popular performer in pro wrestling. Maybe the best talker in wrestling history, which is saying something, because he talked against all the other candidates. His importance to pro wrestling carried through to the end of his life, when he worked closely with NXT talent to make sure they were better than asked.
