I put wrestler in quotes because that's what I'm focusing on, the actual greatest in ring technician. I've been going back and forth between 3 different guys, Chris Benoit, Bret Hart, and Ric Flair. In the end I had to go with Ric Flair. The reason is because Ric Flair was still a great technician at the end of his career, but he was amazing during the beginning and middle of his career. He's famous for being known as the one hour man because of all the times he went an hour or over in the ring with his opponents. He once even said that you could put him in the ring with a broom, and he'd still thrill the fans, and I believe that. I also believe that Flair had the best opponents overall. While Bret mainly faced the best of the 90's when he became big, Flair fought the best of the 70's, 80's, 90's, and 2000's. The who's who of who Flair has faced, and defeated is nothing short of extraordinary. So that's my opinion, Ric Flair the greatest wrestler of all time. Who's your guys' pick??

I would say Flair as well. When wrestling was territorial, he would travel to every territory and face the top champ of that area. Like you mentioned and Flair often said, he's a 60 minute man. That 45 minute match against Sting at the first Clash was classic, and the 54 minute match against Ricky Steamboat a year later was awesome. I watched both matches live as it happened. The Steamboat match was better. Flair faced some legends in the sport from many generations, so that makes him the greatest wrestler of all-time. Brett Hart is a good wrestler, but nowhere near the greatest in my opinion.

I would say...a guy that you didn't consider in your top-3.

Hulk Hogan.

I would say...a guy that you didn't consider in your top-3.

Hulk Hogan.

You have got to be kidding! Like I've said many times, Hulk Hogan couldn't wrestle his way out of a paper sack. All he ever did was throw someone against the ropes, put a boot in their face and then a leg drop on the chest and 1-2-3. Hogan would never make my top 100 list as a wrestler because he was a brawler not a ring technician.

I would say...a guy that you didn't consider in your top-3.

Hulk Hogan.

I can't tell if you're joking with your answer or not, but I emphasized the word wrestler for a reason. Hulk Hogan was a great sports entertainer, but his wrestling ability was lacking to put it mildly. Hogan's wrestling was a joke, and the best wrestlers of the day usually had trouble making him look good in a match. Hogan would make my least wrestling ability list, but to put him on a level with Benoit, Hart, and Flair is a slap in the face to all three of them. Comparing Hogan to those three as far as wrestling ability goes is like comparing Michael Jordan to Muggsy Bogues. Hogan being Bogues of course.

I think another great and underrated wrestler was Curt Hennig/Mr. Perfect. That guy was a great technician, and he had a few matches with Bret Hart which stand out as my favorites of all his matches.

Flair, Benoit, Hennig & Hart are all good choices and I would also add:

Jushin "Thunder" Liger
Dory Funk Jr
Ricky Steamboat
Jack Brisco
Mr Wrestling, Tim Woods
Tiger Mask 1 & 2
Jerry Brisco
Johnny Weaver


etc.....

Flair, Benoit, Hennig & Hart are all good choice and I would also add:

Jushin "Thunder" Liger
Dory Funk Jr
Ricky Steamboat
Jack Brisco
Mr Wrestling, Tim Woods
Tiger Mask 1 & 2
Jerry Brisco
Johnny Weaver


etc.....

I agree with you about Liger, and Steamboat. From his match at Wrestlemania 3 vs the Macho Man, to his matches with Flair, to his WCW feud with a young up and coming Steve Austin, that guy always gave the fans their money's worth. He even proved that he still has it at Wrestlemania 25 earlier this year against Jericho. Obviously his skills aren't what they once were, but he could still probably out wrestler half of the WWE superstars of today.

Unfortunately my age really shows with some of the wrestlers you mentioned, as I simply haven't seen enough of them to fully acknowledge their great talents. I just thank God for the internet, and WWE Classics On Demand for introducing me to many of the greats you mentioned. I'm learning alot about the history of wrestling, and am really enjoying it.

Don't know about the importance of technician. There were many good tecnicians in the ring but soon fell by the wayside because they couldn't generate heat. Be it a heel or face, the most important aspect of longevity is the ability to get the crowd going.

In that regard I must travel back in time to the original Shiek. His real name was Ed Farhat, from Philly but no one and I mean no one could flame the crowd like him. He had the plastic fork, fire thumb, Camel trot, his female servant and his pointing to allah. The fans went wild as he approached the ring. He had legendary bouts across the country wih Bobo Brazil.

In those days of territories, a villain would come to Capital arena and wrestle for four straight thursdays in "stretcher matches', where his opponent would be carried out of the ring. On the fifth week he would wrestle at the garden against Bruno for the title. Bruno would lose because of excessive bleeding, or couldn't continue. Of course no title passed hands. 4 more weeks of stretcher matches, followed at the Garden in a rematch where Bruno would win, but a tainted win. Again 4 more easy wins for the Shiek. They would wrestle for third time, with the clause of there must be a winner. Took my wife to be to see this match. 15,000 fans went nuts. The Shiek held nothing back, as the fans were in a frenzy, foaming from the mouth. Of course Bruno won and when he did, you would have thought Japan surrended.
To me the Shiek was the best worker, closely followed by Killer Kowalski and the Crusher.

Harvey

You have got to be kidding! Like I've said many times, Hulk Hogan couldn't wrestle his way out of a paper sack. All he ever did was throw someone against the ropes, put a boot in their face and then a leg drop on the chest and 1-2-3. Hogan would never make my top 100 list as a wrestler because he was a brawler not a ring technician.

Plus, most of his matches lasted 10-15 minutes. Hogan's matches were predictable, you knew he was going give you that boot at some point.

Flair, Benoit, Hennig & Hart are all good choices and I would also add:

Jushin "Thunder" Liger
Dory Funk Jr
Ricky Steamboat
Jack Brisco
Mr Wrestling, Tim Woods
Tiger Mask 1 & 2
Jerry Brisco
Johnny Weaver


etc.....

Hmmm, seeing that you live in North Carolina, and looking at the wrestlers you mentioned, I could tell you grew up on Mid-Atlantic wrestling, right?

Hmmm, seeing that you live in North Carolina, and looking at the wrestlers you mentioned, I could tell you grew up on Mid-Atlantic wrestling, right?

That's true and I lost most interest in it after Jim Crockett sold out to Ted Turner.

I would go with Ric Flair as the greatest of all time, he's also known as the 60 minute man. I'd vote Hogan as most popular of all time, if it wasn't for Hogan the current top wrestlers wouldn't be getting paid as much as they are now.

That's true and I lost most interest in it after Jim Crockett sold out to Ted Turner.

I know, but Crockett was out of money, he did what he had to do. I myself liked it better when Crockett owned it. When Ted bought it, and it became WCW, it was getting too cartoonish like the WWF.

Speaking of great wrestlers, did anyone hear about the legendary Japanese wrestler Mitsuharu Misawa dying a few weeks ago in the middle of the ring?? I just found out about it, and saw the video of it on youtube. I guess he died of a heart attack after receiving a belly to back suplex. So sad. R.I.P. Mr. Misawa.

Speaking of great wrestlers, did anyone hear about the legendary Japanese wrestler Mitsuharu Misawa dying a few weeks ago in the middle of the ring?? I just found out about it, and saw the video of it on youtube. I guess he died of a heart attack after receiving a belly to back suplex. So sad. R.I.P. Mr. Misawa.


Misawa was the 2nd Tiger Mask I mentioned earlier.

Curt Hennig Vs Tiger Mask (Misawa)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XeAaNLkub0E

Misawa was the 2nd Tiger Mask I mentioned earlier.

Curt Hennig Vs Tiger Mask (Misawa)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XeAaNLkub0E

Oh okay, thanks for the info. I don't know much about Misawa, but have seen a few of his matches, and have enjoyed them. It's just so sad that he died that way.

I can't tell if you're joking with your answer or not, but I emphasized the word wrestler for a reason. Hulk Hogan was a great sports entertainer, but his wrestling ability was lacking to put it mildly. Hogan's wrestling was a joke, and the best wrestlers of the day usually had trouble making him look good in a match. Hogan would make my least wrestling ability list, but to put him on a level with Benoit, Hart, and Flair is a slap in the face to all three of them. Comparing Hogan to those three as far as wrestling ability goes is like comparing Michael Jordan to Muggsy Bogues. Hogan being Bogues of course.

Okay, so I'm not a wrestling nut. I just grew up on Hulk Hogan.

Is Hulk the worst wrestler ever?

Is Hulk the worst wrestler ever?


Kevin Nash is worse than Hogan.

There have been many great technicians, but if you want to see your own jaw drop, watch a Kenta Kobashi match.

Kevin Nash is worse than Hogan.


The worst wrestler has to be The Boogeyman

Okay, so I'm not a wrestling nut. I just grew up on Hulk Hogan.

Is Hulk the worst wrestler ever?

No, he's not the worst, but he's definitely up there, or down there, whichever way you want to put it. The worst wrestler I've ever seen in my life was the seven foot seven El Gigante. That guy was just a novelty, and was an embarrassment as a wrestler.

Out of the three you mentioned I'd pick Bret Hart, but my personal favorite is The Undertaker.

Out of the three you mentioned I'd pick Bret Hart, but my personal favorite is The Undertaker.

The Undertaker is a surprisingly good wrestler for such a big guy. Probably the best big guy wrestler I've ever seen. His match this year at Wrestlemania was so amazing, and was easily one of my five favorite all time matches. As far as characters go, the Undertaker and the original Mankind are my all time favorites. The Dead Man definitely kicks ass!!

No, he's not the worst, but he's definitely up there, or down there, whichever way you want to put it. The worst wrestler I've ever seen in my life was the seven foot seven El Gigante. That guy was just a novelty, and was an embarrassment as a wrestler.

Most of Hogan's flamboyance basically came from Superstar Billy Graham.

What's your opinions on The Rock, Stone Cold, and Brock Lesner? (Mine with Brock is that he's a spoiled *******. I just don't like him at all!)

Dean Malenko is another good ring technician

Most of Hogan's flamboyance basically came from Superstar Billy Graham.

What's your opinions on The Rock, Stone Cold, and Brock Lesner? (Mine with Brock is that he's a spoiled *******. I just don't like him at all!)

I think the Rock was an average wrestler at best, but he was one of the greats on the microphone. His mic work actually annoyed me, but he'll go down as one of the great talkers in pro wrestling. I love Stone Cold, and have nothing bad to say of him. He was once a really good ring technician, but after he broke his neck in 1997, he was never really the same. Still could put on a heck of a match, but wasn't the same wrestler as before. I think Stone Cold will go down as the second most popular wrestler of all time, right behind Hogan. I liked Brock Lesnar. I thought for a big guy, he put on some good matches, and took lots of high risk maneuvers. As far as Brock the person, I don't really like what I see. Read my ufc thread, and that'll give you an indication why. He just seems like a pr*ck.

Dean Malenko is another good ring technician

Yes, the man of 1000 holds. Unfortunately many people found his style to be boring, thus he never received the credit he deserved. Personally I loved watching him wrestle, and never found his style boring myself. His in ring persona was a bit robotic, but he could get away with not having much charisma by doing his talking in the ring. I have tons of respect for Malenko!!

I think Owen Hart was another good technician who put on many great matches. I always thought Owen had the ability and charisma to become a legitimate world champion, but sadly, he never got that chance. I would have loved to have seen the king of Harts as champion. On a good note though, he does go down as one of the great intercontinental, and tag team champions of all time. I hope Owen makes the WWE Hall of Fame soon. He definitely is deserving in my view. I thought he should have gotten the nod this year to pay tribute to the 10th anniversary of his passing. To me it's an outrage that they'd put Koko B Ware in before Owen. Koko was decent, but in my view he is not even close to hall of fame caliber.

Most of Hogan's flamboyance basically came from Superstar Billy Graham.

What's your opinions on The Rock, Stone Cold, and Brock Lesner? (Mine with Brock is that he's a spoiled *******. I just don't like him at all!)

They all owe there flamboyance to a wrestler from the 40's and 50's, by the name of Gorgeous George. Platinum blonde, hair in curlers, held together by Georgie pins, he was the picture of flamboyance. Called the "human orchid", he would be escorted to the ring by his valet"Jeffries", who would put rose petals on the ring apron. and with a spray, disinfect everything. When the ref would check him for foreign objects, he would scream so all would hear,"get your filthy hands of me" He brought national attention to a sport that was going nowhere.

All the future wrestlers owe the popularity to the man who started it. It's not that he doesn't get it, as all acknowledge what he did for the sport.

Harvey

Mil Mascaras was another favorite when I was growing up. He was known as the man of a 1000 masks and he was also given the nickname Man of a 1001 holds by former IWA and WWF announcer Jack Reynolds.

http://www.lafronteratx.com/pictures/1172677647-022807m.jpg

They all owe there flamboyance to a wrestler from the 40's and 50's, by the name of Gorgeous George. Platinum blonde, hair in curlers, held together by Georgie pins, he was the picture of flamboyance. Called the "human orchid", he would be escorted to the ring by his valet"Jeffries", who would put rose petals on the ring apron. and with a spray, disinfect everything. When the ref would check him for foreign objects, he would scream so all would hear,"get your filthy hands of me" He brought national attention to a sport that was going nowhere.

All the future wrestlers owe the popularity to the man who started it. It's not that he doesn't get it, as all acknowledge what he did for the sport.

Harvey

Although Gorgeous George wrestled way before I was alive, and I haven't seen many of his matches, I still have tons of respect for this man just based on what I've heard about him. I think it's sad how so many wrestling fans of my age and younger have such little knowledge of pro wrestling's past superstars. I've been watching lots of matches lately from guys such as Gorgeous George, the original Nature Boy Buddy Rogers, Gorilla Monsoon, Classy Freddie Blassy, and many others. None of today's wrestlers would be where they're at today without these legends who paved the way for them. In the words of Rowdy Roddy Piper, old school is cool!!! :cool:

I think the Rock was an average wrestler at best, but he was one of the greats on the microphone. His mic work actually annoyed me, but he'll go down as one of the great talkers in pro wrestling. I love Stone Cold, and have nothing bad to say of him. He was once a really good ring technician, but after he broke his neck in 1997, he was never really the same. Still could put on a heck of a match, but wasn't the same wrestler as before. I think Stone Cold will go down as the second most popular wrestler of all time, right behind Hogan. I liked Brock Lesnar. I thought for a big guy, he put on some good matches, and took lots of high risk maneuvers. As far as Brock the person, I don't really like what I see. Read my ufc thread, and that'll give you an indication why. He just seems like a pr*ck.


It really isn't fair to say that Hogan was the most popular of all time. Each decade had their great "good guys", and their great "bad guys", who had the fans cheering or booing at the top of their lungs. The Crusher or the Bruiser in the 50's had the fans in hysteria, as much as Hogn of the 90's. When Kowalski entereed the ring, fans threw tons of objects in after him. You must keep in mind that in those days folks thought wrestling was real, so fans got involved.

Small town U.S.A. had no major sports, so wrestling on friday nights were big events and the fans loved and hated their wrestlers as much as the fans from the big arenas.

I can remember Terry Funk from Texas and the midwest during the 50's. Wrestled 60 minutes and gave the fans their money's work.

Calgary wrestling was great and two of the best were "mad Dog, and "butcher Vachon"

Again, each decade had their superstars, who had the fans squealing for more.

I can remember Terry Funk from Texas and the midwest during the 50's. Wrestled 60 minutes and gave the fans their money's work.



You're thinking of Terry's father, Dory Funk Sr.

It really isn't fair to say that Hogan was the most popular of all time. Each decade had their great "good guys", and their great "bad guys", who had the fans cheering or booing at the top of their lungs. The Crusher or the Bruiser in the 50's had the fans in hysteria, as much as Hogn of the 90's. When Kowalski entereed the ring, fans threw tons of objects in after him. You must keep in mind that in those days folks thought wrestling was real, so fans got involved.

Small town U.S.A. had no major sports, so wrestling on friday nights were big events and the fans loved and hated their wrestlers as much as the fans from the big arenas.

I can remember Terry Funk from Texas and the midwest during the 50's. Wrestled 60 minutes and gave the fans their money's work.

Calgary wrestling was great and two of the best were "mad Dog, and "butcher Vachon"

Again, each decade had their superstars, who had the fans squealing for more.

You bring up a very good point, and I can't disagree with you, so let me just rephrase my comment and say that Hogan and Austin were the two biggest stars of my generation.

Another great wrestler who I can't believe I forgot to mention is Kurt Angle. He made such a smooth transition from amateur wrestling to pro wrestling, and I believe he is the best wrestler out there today of the two big companies. Bret Hart has even said that if he could have one last match, it would be against Kurt Angle. It's sad that Bret can't wrestle anymore, because that would have been a classic for sure!!

You're thinking of Terry's father, Dory Funk Sr.

No I'm not. I grew up with Dory Funk Jr. and his brother Terry . First they were tag team champs and when Jr. retired Terry went solo as a bad guy, with chains etc. The old man wrestled way before that.

Harvey

No I'm not. I grew up with Dory Funk Jr. and his brother Terry . First they were tag team champs and when Jr. retired Terry went solo as a bad guy, with chains etc. The old man wrestled way before that.

Harvey

Terry Funk is probably the most inspirational wrestler I've ever seen. He's been around forever, and is so diverse in his skills. He can go from putting on a great technical match, to fighting in Japanese barbed wire explosion matches. The guy is in his 60's, and to this day still wrestles from time to time. I think Funk is right up there with Flair, Hogan, Harley Race, and many of the all time greats. I don't think he gets the credit that he deserves by most of today's fans. He was hardcore before hardcore was even around.

No I'm not. I grew up with Dory Funk Jr. and his brother Terry . First they were tag team champs and when Jr. retired Terry went solo as a bad guy, with chains etc. The old man wrestled way before that.

Harvey


Ok, When you said 50's I thought you meant Dory Sr. Dory Jr. and Terry didn't make their debuts until 1963 and 1965 respectively.

I don't know much abt wrestling but anyone remember, Bruno Samartino, Bobby Backlund, Chief Jay Strongbow, Ivan Putski... I think I;m going way back.

I don't know much abt wrestling but anyone remember, Bruno Samartino, Bobby Backlund, Chief Jay Strongbow, Ivan Putski... I think I;m going way back.

Of course I do. I use to love watching "Polish Power" Ivan Putski, Chief Jay Strongbow and Bob Backlund. Bruno was before my time, but I know all about him. He was the commentator in the WWF by the time I started following it.

I don't know much abt wrestling but anyone remember, Bruno Samartino, Bobby Backlund, Chief Jay Strongbow, Ivan Putski... I think I;m going way back.

I love Ivan Putski. I always found the transformation that his body went through to be amazing. In the early and mid 70's he had the pudgy power lifter look to him, with the pot belly, but by the late 70's and 80's he looked like he came straight out of a Mr. America contest. He didn't even look like the same person. I loved how he always yelled Polish Power at the beginning and ending of his matches. He was a great wrestler.

Although Gorgeous George wrestled way before I was alive, and I haven't seen many of his matches, I still have tons of respect for this man just based on what I've heard about him. I think it's sad how so many wrestling fans of my age and younger have such little knowledge of pro wrestling's past superstars. I've been watching lots of matches lately from guys such as Gorgeous George, the original Nature Boy Buddy Rogers, Gorilla Monsoon, Classy Freddie Blassy, and many others. None of today's wrestlers would be where they're at today without these legends who paved the way for them. In the words of Rowdy Roddy Piper, old school is cool!!! :cool:

Ric Flair, previously mentioned copied to a one hundred percent degree the antics of Buddy Rogers. Flair was better on the mic. In the early days few wrestlers spoke allowing their manager, Grand Wizard, Bobby Davies, etc to speak for them. Monsoon who at the end of his career became a announcer, was first introduced as a wrestler, as coming from Manchuria and never spoke.

Blassie came from California as a good guy, known there as Hollywood Freddy Blassie and had historic bouts vs. Black Gordman and Goliath.

Keep in mind that up till the 40's, it was shoot matches. It was the innovators who changed the face of wrestling.

The best speaking manager to me was Jim Cornette. Remember when he managed the midnight express. I thought he carried them with his antics. Loved their bouts with the rock and roll express.

Another good worker was Bruiser Brody, as was Bulldog Brower.

I love Ivan Putski. I always found the transformation that his body went through to be amazing. In the early and mid 70's he had the pudgy power lifter look to him, with the pot belly, but by the late 70's and 80's he looked like he came straight out of a Mr. America contest. He didn't even look like the same person. I loved how he always yelled Polish Power at the beginning and ending of his matches. He was a great wrestler.

Yeah, I saw a clip of him like that on youtube, when he was in the AWA. He had a accent to him.

Ric Flair, previously mentioned copied to a one hundred percent degree the antics of Buddy Rogers. Flair was better on the mic. In the early days few wrestlers spoke allowing their manager, Grand Wizard, Bobby Davies, etc to speak for them. Monsoon who at the end of his career became a announcer, was first introduced as a wrestler, as coming from Manchuria and never spoke.

Blassie came from California as a good guy, known there as Hollywood Freddy Blassie and had historic bouts vs. Black Gordman and Goliath.

Keep in mind that up till the 40's, it was shoot matches. It was the innovators who changed the face of wrestling.

The best speaking manager to me was Jim Cornette. Remember when he managed the midnight express. I thought he carried them with his antics. Loved their bouts with the rock and roll express.

Another good worker was Bruiser Brody, as was Bulldog Brower.


Yeah, Cornette could talk so fast and not stumble and never seem to be out of breath. He was also very funny.

Yeah, Cornette could talk so fast and not stumble and never seem to be out of breath. He was also very funny.

The guy was a gem. When he first began he used the rich boy gimmick. Said his mother gave him millions and would appear with a tennis racket. Always hit the opposition with it. Paul E Dangerously was also pretty good as a manager. Thought Jimmy Hart shrieked to much. The Captain was great at the mic.

The guy was a gem. When he first began he used the rich boy gimmick. Said his mother gave him millions and would appear with a tennis racket. Always hit the opposition with it. Paul E Dangerously was also pretty good as a manager. Thought Jimmy Hart shrieked to much. The Captain was great at the mic.

Bobby Heenan was also excellent on the mic. He's up there with Cornette and also very humorous. Let me also add Precious Paul Ellering and JJ Dillion. They could talk, but they didn't need to say much, because the wrestlers they managed were awesome on the mic.

Bobby Heenan was also excellent on the mic. He's up there with Cornette and also very humorous. Let me also add Precious Paul Ellering and JJ Dillion. They could talk, but they didn't need to say much, because the wrestlers they managed were awesome on the mic.

Not sure about Ellering. Thought the road warriors grimaced and made faces rather then making interesting conversation. Dillion did have wonderful speaking voices to manage. Heenan was one of the best. forgot all about him. Stunk as a wrestler.

Not sure about Ellering. Thought the road warriors grimaced and made faces rather then making interesting conversation. Dillion did have wonderful speaking voices to manage. Heenan was one of the best. forgot all about him. Stunk as a wrestler.

Ellering wasn't known as a great speaking manager, but he COULD talk. Hawk and Animal (especially Hawk) carried those promos. Ellering usually concluded them, but he wasn't bad on the mic when he did it.