It is too hard to get a consensus on who is the best wrestler in WWE history (from 1982, when it became WWF). So I decided to create seven slideshows featuring six different styles and one with the women; then, to conclude the series, I will try to determine the “Top 10 Biggest WWE Stars”.
The following wrestlers may have some other abilities, but they are specialized in street fights, using their fists as primary weapons. They also use kicks in the mid-section and big boots as secondary attacks. In addition, they all share the same “rough ‘n’ tough” character in the ring and they never hesitate to drastically put their bodies on the line to entertain the fans.
The brawling wrestling style is not elegant, but many of the most iconic wrestlers fall in that category as well as some hardcore legends.
5- The Dudley Boyz
One of the rare, if not only tag team that can be tagged as “hardcore”. The two brawlers, with their unique style, brought in WWE the Tables-Ladders-Chairs (TLC) match type.
They battled in multiple classic TLC bouts and they won nine Tag Team Championships. Bubba Rey Dudley also won the Hardcore Title eight times in his short singles run.
Their most famous signature move was a double-team superbomb through one or more tables. Their arsenal comprised many double-team brutal attacks such as the double chokeslam, the double flapjack and the “Deadly Device” (an electric chair drop / diving clothesline combination).
4- Triple H
The Game built his reputation with his aggressive and intense style. He used to shine in hardcore matches such as various steel cages or basic no disqualification bouts. He always displays that seed of violence he has in him and it takes uncommon means to keep him down.
And when he receives a beating by one or many rivals, he always come back with vengeance in mind and his dear sledgehammer. He might be considered over-rated and favored due to his link with the McMahon family, but no one can deny he always gives the best of himself every time he gets in a ring.
3- Mick Foley
As Mankind, the hardcore legend brought a revolutionary era of violence in WWE. In 1996, when he joined the WWF, he quickly became the first to really push The Undertaker to the limits and they had together one the most violent rivalry in pro-wrestling history.
Mick Foley is the greatest example of “putting his body on the line”. No matter if he was Cactus Jack, Mankind or Dude Love, Foley always found a way to mesmerize the crowds with the body punishment he accepted to receive night after night.
With the countless uncovered shots he received on the head, it’s a miracle he still can wrestle. It’s even hard to believe he is still in one piece after all those years as the hardcore king.
2- “Stone Cold” Steve Austin
There is no need for long explanations to understand why Stone Cold is so high on the greatest brawlers’ list. As one of the icons of the Attitude Era, he made his mark with his unforgettable promos and his feuds with Vince McMahon.
His in-ring style was the reflection of his “Tough S.O.B.” character. His moveset was mainly composed of elbow drops, slugfests and clotheslines. He never wasted time with submission holds and he always hit his signature kick to the mid-section before executing his famous “Stone Cold Stunner”.
1- The Undertaker
He is often referenced as the greatest pure striker in WWE history by the announcers and it happens to be true. You could count on the fingers of one hand the times he lost a slugfest in his nearly 20 years ongoing career with WWE.
It’s not even necessary to talk about all the championships he won or his legendary 18-0 streak at Wrestlemania to explain why The Undertaker is the greatest brawler in WWE history.
His epic proportion career fills a full chapter in pro-wrestling history. His feuds with Mankind, HHH, Stone Cold, Bret Hart, The Rock, Kurt Angle and HBK are just a few examples of why he is the best in his category.