Voting is Open For The First Round of the Greatest Wrestler of All Time Tournament
Yesterday I unveiled the bracket and seeding for the Greatest Wrestler of All Time Tournament. The most common complaint I saw was the seeding of the Undertaker and Chris Jericho. They were seeded as a four and a three, respectively. I think it's fair because I had a hard time removing one of the higher seeds to move those guys up. Both could easily win the whole damn thing, but that's where they start. At the end of the day your voting will determine the winner, so let's not waste any more time and let's start voting in the Hogan Region.
Hogan Region Round One:
(1) Hulk Hogan v. (16) Sycho Sid:
What is there to say about Hulk Hogan. He brought the wrestling business to its greatest heights not once, but twice. He was the quintessential, white meat baby face as Hulkamania ran wild on everyone. Then he managed to flip the business on its head when he became the "third man" and formed the nWo with Scott Hall and Kevin Nash. As good as he was as a baby face, he was equally as good as the chicken-shit, cheating heel, "Hollywood" Hogan. As tough an out as there will be in this tournament.
Sycho Sid or Sid Vicious was a dominant big man for a little bit there in the 90's and early 2000's. Sid was fairly agile for a guy his size and his strength was, at times, overpowering. He had a devastating powerbomb finish that he delivered with brutal force. Unfortunately for Sid, he may best be known for a grotesque broken leg in the ring and for caring more about softball than pro wrestling.
(8) Edge v. (9) Goldberg
Edge has a great story to his career. From a kid in suburban Toronto going to Wrestlemania VI with his Mom to becoming a multiple time WWE Champion, it's just a great story. He also formed one of the best tag teams ever with Christian, and had some of the most memorable matches in Wrestlemania history against the Hardy's, and the Dudley's. Edge developed a charismatic following and though his career was cut short due to a neck injury, he has been able to resume it again this year for his second act.
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Bill Goldberg is one of the more polarizing wrestlers on this list in my opinion. He was as popular and over as anyone on here, including Hogan. When he had "The Streak" going in WCW, it was must watch television every Monday. His sheer power and dominance was something to behold. Having said that, he definitely was not the most talented in ring worker. His moves were very limited, his mic skills weren't top notch and he has the ignominious distinction of having ended Bret "Hitman" Hart's career with an errant kick to the head.
(5) Ultimate Warrior v. (12) DDP
The Ultimate Warrior was a guy who seized the moment like few before or since have done. Wrestling fans were growing tired of Hulk Hogan and his "say your prayers…" mantra. They were looking for someone new after a decade of dominance from the Hulkster. Enter the Ultimate Warrior. He had the look physically, the multi-colored face paint, his energetic sprints to the ring and rattling of the ropes. He was captivating when he came on the scene. Granted, he might not have been the best worker and his promos often straddled the line of incomprehensible, but a legend nonetheless.
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DDP or Diamond Dallas Page has one of the most inspirational stories in all of wrestling. A guy who didn't enter the business as a performer until age 35, worked his ass off, became a world champion, a Hall of Famer and one of the most revered figures in wrestling today. DDP is known for his work ethic, his refusal to join the nWo, the "Diamond Cutter", and for teaming up with Karl Malone against Hogan and Dennis Rodman.
(4) Undertaker v. (13) British Bulldog
The Dead Man. The Phenom. The American Bad Ass. The Undertaker is known for so many things, its hard to pick just one, or two to discuss. His entrance is iconic. He lived the gimmick for decades. He reinvented himself as the American Bad Ass to ensure things wouldn't get stale. He also had the most impressive streak in the business as he was 21-0 at Wrestlemania before falling to Brock Lesnar at Wrestlemania XXX. Some of his 'Mania matches are among the greatest ever (see his matches against Shawn Michaels).
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The British Bulldog was a great tag team wrestler in the 1990's. He was part of "The British Bulldogs" and then he had an excellent run teaming with Owen Hart. In between he had an amazing couple of Intercontinental Title matches with his brother in law, Bret Hart. While some newer fans may not be as familiar with his work, don't underestimate how popular Davey Boy Smith was, both at home and abroad.
(6) Eddie Guerrero v. (11) Kane
Eddie Guerrero went from being a masked wrestler in Japan, to being a featured performer in WCW, to being a heavyweight champion of the world in WWE. Guerrero could wrestle a multitude of different styles, and his persona on the microphone was incredible. He could play the hard working baby face, but excelled as the cheating heel willing to do anything to win. Eddie was always entertaining no matter his spot on the card.
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Kane was spawned from a kind of silly storyline involving him being the brother of The Undertaker and having survived a fire that 'Taker thought claimed his life. But what could have been a short lived character, turned into a career for Glen Jacobs. Kane became a successful, popular and multi-faceted big man in WWE for decades. From his runs as the demon Kane, to his tag-team runs with 'Taker, X-Pac and Daniel Bryan to his more recent "Corporate Kane", he always delivered.
(3) Chris Jericho v. (14) Sgt. Slaughter
Chris Jericho or Y2J as he was known for a while, has firmly established himself as one of the best to ever step in the squared circle. He was a guy who came up with Eddie Guerrero in Japan and the cruiserweight division of WCW. Once he left WCW and got to WWE is when he really took off. He would become the first undisputed champion, beating Stone Cold Steve Austin and The Rock in the same night. Jericho is now a founding father of AEW and the way he continues to reinvent himself is nothing short of awe inspiring.
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Sgt. Slaughter was an odd character in a lot of ways. He was a military man, but was most famously known for turning his back on America and sympathizing with Iraq during the first Gulf War. It was a highly controversial move, but it proved effective as it gave Hulk Hogan the villainous heel he needed to continue being the quintessential "real American".
(7) Pat Patterson v. (10) X-Pac
Pat Patterson was the first ever Intercontinental Champion and he helped make that title the prestigious one it was for so long. Patterson was a star at a time when the business wasn't as big as it would get in years to come, which may be the reason some fans arent as aware of him as they should be. He also went on to be one of the most influential and creative voices behind the curtain after his retirement.
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X-Pac, Syxx, 1-2-3 Kid, whatever you call him, Sean Waltman is one hell of a performer in a small package. Never the biggest guy, he could hold his own with everyone in the ring. He's a guy you could always count on for a great match and that was true no matter the size of his opponent. Waltman was a key piece in both the nWo and Degeneration X.
(2) The Rock v. (15) Vader
Over the course of the years, The Rock had his issues with Hogan, Austin, Triple H and others, but what most will remember The Rock for is his electrifying personality. The guy could command a room like no other. He was able to have the crowd eating out of his hand as a baby face and he could get them to boo and hate him when he was playing a heel. He was diverse and one of the true legends of the business.
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Vader was ahead of his time in many respects. He was a mobile, athletic big man who could perform a unique series of moves. The problem is he wasn't great on the mic and he could fall into being one dimensional at times. This is going to be a tough one for him.
Flair Region: Round One
(1) Ric Flair v. (16) Christian
The Nature Boy Ric Flair is for certain one of the faces on pro wrestling's Mount Rushmore. He could make anyone look good in the ring. He was a master at selling, and delivering those ferocious back-hand chops. He has more world titles than anyone else and he was an absolute master on the microphone. The man is a cultural icon to this day. Tough to beat.
Christian's story parallels that of Edge, except Christian didn't quite reach the same heights as Edge in his solo career. He was a great worker for a long time, and will always be remembered for those TLC matches, which were as innovative as they come. Having said that, this would be an absolute shocking upset if he were to pull it.
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(8) AJ Styles v. (9) Charlotte Flair
AJ Styles coming into WWE was a breath of fresh air for a product that felt stale for a while. Styles is this generations Shawn Michaels with the way he can fly around the ring. He can also seamlessly transition from baby face to heel without losing a step. Styles has had a long run in TNA and now WWE as one of the best in the business.
This right here is where things get tricky for me. I love AJ Styles, think he's one of the best out there right now. But Charlotte Flair…she might be the best woman to ever lace them up. Her style is a mix of power and finesse. Grace and strength. She's great on the mic and has a certain spark that can only be assumed to come from her Dad.
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(5) Sting v. (12) Matt Hardy
The Stinger. The Franchise. The WCW standard bearer. Sting was the foil for Ric Flair for many years in WCW, until he changed to the "crow Sting" and donned the black and white face paint. That may have been when Sting ascended to an all time great. His feuds with the nWo and Hogan were iconic and some of the best ever. A true legend.
Matt Hardy is oftentimes overshadowed by his brother Jeff, but Matt has had one hell of a career. He has had the longevity that Jeff lacked for a variety of issues. He has also been able to reinvent himself several times and continues to wow audiences to this day.
(4) Kurt Angle v. (13) Dustin Rhodes
Kurt Angle came into the WWE having been an Olympic gold medal winning wrestler. He took to the professional circuit like the proverbial fish to water. Angle adapted seamlessly and went on to have an unbelievable career. He eventually moved to TNA before finding his way back to WWE a few years ago. Angle is one of those guys who simply was incapable of having a bad match.
Dustin Rhodes may best be known as Goldust, but he should also be known as an incredible wrestler for over two decades. Goldust provided off the wall and bizarre moments over the years with his envelope pushing character. He was able to be simultaneously creepy, off-putting and funny. The match that sticks out in my mind, however, when I think of Dustin Rhodes is the match with his brother Cody in AEW last year.
(6) Jeff Hardy v. (11) Harley Race
Jeff Hardy made a career off of being one hell of a daredevil. The guy has attempted some bumps during his career that are simply shocking. Along with his brother Matt, he helped to invent the TLC match concept as well as revolutionize the ladder match, having some absolute classics with Edge and Christian and the Dudleys.
Harley Race is an old school wrestler who had some amazing matches with Dusty Rhodes, Ric Flair and Dory Funk, Jr, among others. Race was a guy who performed all over the globe and won titles nearly everywhere.
(3) Bret Hart v. (14) Billy Graham
The Hitman Bret Hart was one of the top guys chosen to take over when Hulk Hogan left WWE for WCW. Hart was, at the time, a white meat baby face, as Hogan was. The difference with Bret Hart and other wrestlers, for me, is that he made every move look real. He'd stagger around. Bret Hart could make you pause and wonder if wrestling was, in fact "real". His rivalry with Shawn Michaels and his Wrestlemania 13 match with Stone Cold are second to none.
Superstar Billy Graham was Hulk Hogan before Hogan was himself. Graham was one of those guys with an over the top character and his personality turned up to eleven. I like Graham a lot, but the Hitman is the Hitman.
(7) Triple H v. (10) Trish Stratus
Triple H, aka The Game, aka The Cerebral Assassin, aka Hunter Hearst Helmsley, has carved out quite the legacy for himself. He went from the guy in the Cliq who didn't drink or anything, to being in Vince's doghouse, to being one of the most decorated and dependable performers in the company. You could always count on Triple H to show up in amazing shape and put on a hell of a show.
Trish Stratus was a revolutionary in women's wrestling. She came into the WWE in the time when bra and panties matches were the norm. She was an incredible performer, she got pretty good on the mic, and was one half of one of the greatest feuds in WWE history with her rivalry with Lita. Trish set the stage for many of the women that are at the front of the stage today.
(2) John Cena v. (15) Iron Sheik
Say what you will about John Cena, he still puts asses in the seats. He is one of the best on the microphone and for all the talk about his "five moves of doom", Cena is still more than capable of putting on high quality matches with nearly any opponent. John Cena is also likely to be the guy to break Ric Flair's record for world titles held. He's one of the all timers.
The Sheik is best known for his feuds with Hulk Hogan. He was a very high level performer outside of those feuds as well, but most remember him as Hogan's anti-American foil. That's not the worst thing to be known for, but let's be honest, it'd take a hell of a camel clutch to beat Cena here.
Ok, so that is the top half of the bracket for the first round. The bottom half of the bracket will be presented tomorrow morning for your votes. Let's have some fun with this.