One of the best things about wrestling is that it crosses boundaries and can be enjoyed by people of all ages, and from all walks of life. The best wrestlers of the 90s were a diverse group, with accolades outside the ring ranging from starring in animated series to winning NBA titles, and just about everything in between. Who was YOUR favorite grappler of the 90s?
Bret “Hitman” Hart
Maybe the best wrestler of the 90s. One of the smoothest performers in history, he won four WWE championships and two WCW championships over a career that spanned from 1985 to 2010. He also starred alongside his brother Owen for many years as one half of The Hart Foundation tag team before branching out on his own.
Shawn Michaels
A career spanning the 1980s and 1990s, he won six WWE championships in singles competition and three World Tag Team Championships with a stint as one half of D-Generation X on top of that. He had a knack for making things dramatic… even if it meant kicking out just before the count of three.
The Rock
One of the most charismatic wrestlers in history, he started his career as a rapper and eventually went into wrestling because it was more lucrative (and less likely to get him shot). He won six WWE championships, two Royal Rumble winners, one World Heavyweight Championship title win at WrestleMania XIX over Stone Cold Steve Austin, and a tag team championship.
Triple H
One of the most recognizable wrestlers of the 90s — or any era, for that matter. His in-ring persona was a wealthy, corporate villain with an obsession for power and respect. He won six WWE championships as one half of D-Generation X.
The Undertaker
Definitely unmistakable for any other wrestler, The Undertaker cultivated a very unique in-ring persona. His gimmick was that he never spoke whatsoever, but his mere presence couldn’t be ignored (and often scared opponents). He won six WWE championships as well; two Royal Rumble winners, four World Heavyweight Championship titles wins at WrestleMania events, and three tag team championships with Kane.
Macho Man Randy Savage
After rising to fame in the WWF during the 1980s, Macho Man was already a ring legend by the time the 90s began. Savage’s persona was a selfish and conceited character that often used dirty tricks to win matches (although he could fight clean as well). His wrestling style was very fast-paced and his signature move was the flying elbow drop from either turnbuckles or ladders; one of the best moves in wrestling history. One little-remembered aspect of Savage’s professional athletic career is that he actually began baseball catcher for in the Cincinnati Reds’ minor league system. Back then, he was named as Randy Poffo.
Hulk Hogan
A WWE icon and one of the best wrestlers to ever step into a ring, Hogan’s most famous matches pitted him against “Rowdy” Roddy Piper at WrestleMania I in 1985 and Andre The Giant at Wrestlemania III. Of course, Hogan wasn’t just one of the greatest wrestlers of the 80s, he was also a best-selling author, actor and philanthropist, with a grappling career spanning many, many decades.
Mick Foley
A true innovator in the business, Foley was never afraid to put his body on the line for entertainment’s sake. His most famous match came at WrestleMania XX against The Rock when he took 22 chair shots before eventually being pinned by one of The Rock’s best friends, Stone Cold Steve Austin.
(Like Wrestlers of the 90s? Then you might like our article on Wrestlers of the 80s, click here.)
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