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King K Cool
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And now, Part II of....
Top 50 good guys in wrestling history
#25
Bobo Brazil
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Dubbed the “Jackie Robinson of professional wrestling” due to the racial barriers he broke while competing in the ’50s and ’60s, Benton Harbor, Mich.’s Bobo Brazil did more for equality in the ring than perhaps any other grappler. Standing at a strapping 6-foot-7”, Brazil was one of the very first African-American wrestlers to garner great success in his chosen profession, and was constantly in demand by promoters nationwide.
He never had a flamboyant in-ring style, but when rivals like Abdullah the Butcher and The Original Sheik went into battle with Brazil, big Bobo gave them everything and then some. (WATCH) Brazil’s meal ticket to victory was the Coco Butt, and once he delivered it to his opponent, victory quickly followed. Always a fan fan-favorite, Brazil reaped the ultimate accolade in 1994, when the multi-time United States Champion was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. — H.F.
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#24
Shawn Michaels
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Shawn Michaels was known to break a rule or two during his career, but that doesn’t necessarily mean he was a bad guy. Beloved early in his career as one-half of the high-flying Rockers, HBK ultimately shocked the world when he turned on his partner, Marty Jannetty.
Though he was essentially a “bad boy” at heart, the WWE Universe couldn’t help but love Michaels for his fast-paced arsenal of maneuvers, unbridled charisma and, of course, D-Generation X. However, it wasn’t until his return to WWE after a four-year hiatus following a near-career ending back injury that HBK established himself as one of the most beloved Superstars in history.
Upon his return to active competition in 2002, the WWE Hall of Famer became a humble, family-first fan-favorite. The WWE Universe remained in his corner until his final battle with The Undertaker at WrestleMania XXVI, grateful that they had the opportunity to watch the boy become a man. (WATCH FULL MATCH) — K.P.
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#23
The Crusher & The Bruiser
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Dick the Bruiser and Reggie “The Crusher” Lisowski were as blue collar as a case of Schlitz and a cheap cigar. Mainstays of Verne Gagne’s American Wrestling Association from the late ’50s until the early ’80s, the brawling cousins bashed rivals like The Blackjacks and The Valiant Brothers to win five AWA Tag Team Championships and become the Midwest’s unlikeliest heroes.
Villains apart, Da Bruiser & Da Crusher turned into idols together as they stomped to the ring to the “Beer Barrel Polka” and pounded Pabst Blue Ribbon long before “Stone Cold” cracked his first “Steveweiser.” In a territory where the majority of the good guys were “Minnesota nice” Olympians, the duo bucked the trend by smoking stogies on the way to the ring and training for matches by eating sausages and dancing with Polish barmaids. “The World’s Most Dangerous Wrestler” and “The Wrestler Who Made Milwaukee Famous” proved that being good guys didn’t mean you had to be bland. How ’bout ’dat? — R.M.
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#22
Jimmy Snuka
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Jimmy Snuka flew through the air with the greatest of ease, and landed into the hearts of wrestling fans both young and old alike. Hailing from the Fiji Islands, this talented superstar enjoyed a stellar career that definitely got validated during his WWE tenure.
Snuka started out in WWE rings as an individual who had Captain Lou Albano as his manager. But with every successive match that culminated in the fabled “Superfly” Splash from the top rope, more and more fans gravitated toward Snuka. Eventually, the cheering turned him into a crowd favorite. “Superfly” is best remembered for coming off the top of a steel cage in 1983 in Madison Square Garden on a fallen Magnificent Muraco. (WATCH) And in 1996, deserved recognition came Snuka’s way, when he was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. — H.F.
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#21
Goldberg
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For 15 months in WCW, the former NFL defensive tackle from the University of Georgia was the most dominant competitor in the history of sports-entertainment. Fans wouldn’t so much chant his name as they would sing it. Victory after victory, Goldberg demanded to know who was next on his impressively growing laundry list of victims including Curt Hennig, Raven and Bam Bam Bigelow.
On July 6, 1998, Goldberg took his undefeated record to his home state’s Georgia Dome. In front of more than 40,000 cheering Atlantans, he challenged Hollywood Hogan for the WCW World Heavyweight Championship. With a flick of his finger, Goldberg signaled to the world that he was about to finish off the champion. The roof nearly blew off as The nWo leader was lifted into the air, slammed to the canvas and pinned. With a record of 108-0, Goldberg became the first undefeated World Champion in the history of professional wrestling. (WATCH) And the crowd loved it. — Z.L.
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#20
Mankind
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We didn’t know it yet, but Mrs. Foley’s Baby Boy won our hearts before he ever sacrificed his body for our entertainment. After competing in brutal matches in Japan, WCW and ECW, he finally arrived in WWE a battered and twisted man. But when WWE fans had the opportunity to gain insight into Mick’s personality through a series of interviews with Jim Ross, it began to humanize him to the WWE Universe.
By the time Mankind began challenging The Rock for the WWE Championship, Mick’s popularity had reached an outrageous zenith. And when he finally won that title on Raw, we lived vicariously through him. And Michael Cole told us why: “Mankind has achieved his dream, and the dream of everyone else who’s been told, ‘You can’t do it.’” (WATCH)
After reigning on three occasions as one of the most beloved WWE Champions in history, The Hardcore Legend attained status as a pop culture icon known equally for his self-deprecating humor as he is for landing on a bed of thumbtacks. — Z.L.
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#19
"Macho Man" Randy Savage
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When Randy Savage debuted in WWE in 1985, he was the cocky and brash villain that shielded Miss Elizabeth from television cameras and stole Tito Santana’s coveted Intercontinental Championship. But as the WWE Universe began to witness “Macho Man’s” true greatness, it became impossible not to cheer this absolute marvel of a professional wrestler.
Before Rey Mysterio and Sin Cara dove off the top rope, Savage was one of WWE’s first true highfliers. In an era when Superstars were known for flamboyance, no one could match the irrepressible spirit of the one and only “Macho Man.” Sailing high from the turnbuckles with that signature elbow drop, Savage was our genuine superhero. And there was some part of us that believed “Macho Man” would always be part of our lives.
Savage fought for his career against Ultimate Warrior, for Elizabeth’s love against Hulk Hogan, for the WWE Championship against Ric Flair (WATCH) and for survival against Jake “The Snake” Roberts. But most of all, he fought for each and every one of us. — Z.L.
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#18
Magnum TA
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A tough-as-nails grappler out of Virginia, Magnum TA captured the hearts of wrestling fans across the country in the 1980s. While the ladies loved him for his resemblance to “Magnum, P.I.,” star Tom Selleck, men admired the mustachioed competitor for his tenacity in the ring. (WATCH FULL MATCH)
Perhaps Dusty Rhodes’ most trusted ally, Magnum stood beside “The American Dream” in his battle against The Four Horsemen. TA zeroed in on United States Champion Tully Blanchard. The two fought in a vicious Steel Cage “I Quit” Match at Starrcade 1985, with Magnum emerging victorious, jamming a splintered chair into his foe’s eye and forcing him to give up.
Unfortunately, this hero’s story doesn’t have the usual happy ending. It was a unanimous sentiment that Magnum TA was on the verge of becoming NWA World Champion before a 1986 car accident cut his career short in his prime. One of his most bitter rivals, Nikita Koloff, was so moved by Magnum’s battle to recover, that “The Russian Nightmare” ditched his Soviet compatriots and joined forces with Dusty Rhodes. The tandem known as The Super Powers went on to win the 1987 Crockett Cup, with Magnum TA in their corner. — B.M.
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#17
Ultimate Warrior
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Wherever Parts Unknown may lie, its people would appear to be a bizarre yet benevolent race. That is, of course, if you use Ultimate Warrior as your measurement.
Standing firm on the side of good in the struggle against evil voodoo doctors, maddened royalty, giants and more, Warrior consistently applied his talents — immeasurable strength, uncanny mobility, boundless stamina — toward championing WWE fans and plowing through the rogues of the squared circle. Not surprisingly, the fringed phenomenon quickly assembled a sizable collective of loyalists in the WWE Universe. And, barring his signature brilliant attire, the former WWE Champion never changed his colors throughout his career. He never turned his back on his “Warriors.” (WATCH)
A comic book–like superhero manifested in real life, Warrior is still beloved for being a loose cannon — one that was always pointed in the direction of the bad guy (including, but not limited to, Razor Ramon). — CRAIG TELLO
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#16
Jeff Hardy
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Sure, teenage girls loved Jeff Hardy, but The Charismatic Enigma’s connection with the WWE Universe went beyond the “Twilight” crowd. Part of a new death-defying breed, Hardy crashed onto the scene with his brother Matt in 1998. Together, the colorful duo shattered sports-entertainment’s status quo, redefining tag teams and pushing high-flying to a new level.
In 2002, however, Jeff took his daredevil ways solo, which irritated then–Undisputed Champion The Undertaker. Although The Deadman beat Hardy in a thrilling Ladder Match, he couldn’t “break” The Charismatic Enigma. Jeff refused to stay on the mat defeated — a display of the grit the WWE Universe loved — prompting The Phenom to raise Hardy’s hand in a shocking display respect. (WATCH FULL MATCH)
The three-time World Champ never hid behind a façade, especially during his rivalry with a pontificating CM Punk in 2009, always assuring the WWE Universe to “live for the moment.” — JEFF LABOON
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#15
Andre the Giant
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The wrestling industry has generated performers of all shapes and sizes through the years, but there was only one Andre the Giant. Known as the “Eighth Wonder of the World”, the 7-foot-4 native of Grenoble in the French Alps was immensely popular for the entirety of his career. No matter what corner of the globe he went to compete, the public followed.
Andre could be affable outside of the ring, but if rubbed the wrong way during a match, the big man would erupt into a menacing volcano, which more times than not spelled defeat for his opponent. The giant is best remembered today for the villainous stance he took against Hulk Hogan at WrestleMania III, but Andre spent most of his career as a fan-favorite, eliminating bad guys like Killer Khan, Blackjack Mulligan and Big John Studd in arenas around the world. (WATCH) Andre was immortalized in 1993 as being the very first inductee into the WWE Hall of Fame. — H.F.
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#14
The Rock 'n' Roll Express
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The ultimate good-guy tag team, The Rock ‘n’ Roll Express sent Southern wrestling crowds into a frenzy before they even got in the ring. With long, flowing mullets and bandanas adorning their tights, Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson were teen idols, to say the least. The sound of girls screaming whenever they entered arenas was deafening.
Morton’s never-say-die attitude often meant he was on the bad end of some hellacious beatdowns, just out of the reach of Gibson’s hand. Fans were on the edge of their seats as Ricky fought back from seemingly impossible odds. Arenas almost exploded as Morton snuck out of his opponents’ grasp and tumbled across the ring to tag in Gibson, who came in and gave the evildoers a little taste of their own medicine. (WATCH)
The Rock ‘n’ Roll Express warred with teams like Ole & Arn Anderson, The Midnight Express and The Heavenly Bodies while becoming one of the most decorated teams of all time. — B.M.
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#13
The Junkyard Dog
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Forget Drew Brees. No athlete in the history of New Orleans was as beloved as The Junkyard Dog. Thumping into “Cowboy” Bill Watts’ Mid-South Wrestling in the early ’80s to the bass of Queen’s “Another One Bites the Dust,” the powerfully charismatic Superstar became a hero to the people of The Crescent City as he slammed his way through villains like Butch Reed and Buck Robley during weekly cards at the Downtown Municipal Auditorium aka The Dog’s Yard.
Admired by both blacks and whites despite the prevailing racial tensions of the region, JYD drew thousands to the Louisiana Superdome as he fought blinded against The Fabulous Freebirds and battled Ted DiBiase in a Loser Leaves Town Match. By the time JYD arrived in WWE in 1984, personal problems and an expanding waistline had taken away some of his Mid-South magic, but it didn’t stop him from becoming one of the most recognizable faces of the “Rock ‘n’ Wrestling Connection.” (WATCH) — R.M.
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#12
The Undertaker
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The legend that surrounds The Undertaker is something that has allowed the mythical Superstar to transcend the typical “good guy vs. bad guy” archetype often seen in WWE. The Deadman has been on both sides of the fence, whether representing the dark evil of The Ministry or upholding his status as the quintessential WWE Superstar. However, over the course of his storied career, The Phenom has garnered more respect from the WWE Universe and his peers than any other competitor in history. (WATCH)
The Demon from Death Valley’s actions speak louder than any words spewed into a microphone. He has never demanded or asked for respect — he commands it. Since his debut at Survivor Series 1990, The Undertaker has stood apart from every other WWE Superstar and was often “reborn” with a new attitude or demeanor. Nevertheless, The Deadman’s impact on WWE history is immeasurable and his legacy is one of the few that goes beyond the traditional role of a WWE Superstar. — K.P.
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#11
The Von Erichs
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There’s something beautifully American about the Von Erich family name. Appropriated by a Texas wrestler named Jack Adkisson in the 1950s to enrage the sensitivities of post–World World II crowds, the surname would soon inspire those same fans when it was passed down to Jack’s handsome sons — Kevin, Kerry and David Von Erich.
Adorned with the monikers of “The Golden Warrior,” “The Modern Day Warrior” and “The Yellow Rose of Texas,” the stars of Fritz’s Dallas-based World Class Championship Wrestling were all-American boys who adopted a name meant to conjure up images of unspeakable evil and turned it into a symbol of Texas pride. (WATCH) Beloved in The Lone Star State for their good looks, rock 'n' roll cool and unforgettable war with The Fabulous Freebirds, the Von Erich boys are known today for the tragic end all but one of them would meet, but they’re best remembered as they lived: wild, carefree, and unmistakably Texan. — R.M.
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#10
Rey Mysterio
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Since his ECW debut in 1995, Rey Mysterio has amazed sports-entertainment fans all over the world. Though he did not join WWE until 2002, he built upon his legacy and reputation in both the Land of the Extreme and WCW. Mysterio has never wavered in his loyalty to exciting the fans and portraying himself as an unlikely hero.
Battling the likes of giants such as Kevin Nash, The Ultimate Underdog never backed down and never allowed himself to be bullied. These character traits carried over to WWE as Mysterio faced his greatest challenges battling larger-than-life Superstars like The Undertaker and Batista. (WATCH)
The smallest Superstar to ever hold the Word Title, Mysterio always takes the time to acknowledge his younger mask-wearing fans on his way to the ring. A perfect example of someone overcoming insurmountable odds, Rey Mysterio is an inspiration to all ages of the WWE Universe. — K.P.
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#9
Ricky Steamboat
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The whitest of white hats, Ricky Steamboat gave sports-entertainment fans around the world a hero they could believe in. He valiantly battled Randy Savage in late 1986 until Savage viciously injured his throat with the ring bell. After Steamboat recovered and regained the use of his voice, he challenged “Macho Man” to put his Intercontinental Championship on the line at WrestleMania III. More than 93,000 fans witnessed what was arguably the greatest match at The Show of Shows, if not sports-entertainment history. (WATCH FULL MATCH)
Steamboat wasn’t done there. After he left WWE for WCW, “The Dragon” became embroiled in a bitter rivalry with Ric Flair, who ragged on Steamboat for being a family man instead of wheeling and dealing like “The Nature Boy.” Ricky responded by tearing one of Flair’s custom suits off and ripping it to pieces. Steamboat went on to defeat Flair for the NWA World Title at Chi-Town Rumble in 1989. Their first battle and two rematches are also considered among the best matches in history. — B.M.
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#8
Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson
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At Survivor Series 1996, a third-generation competitor wearing blue trunks and a big grin named Rocky Maivia debuted in WWE. However, the WWE Universe was quick to voice their negative feeling for the do-gooder, chanting: “Die, Rocky. Die.” Shortly thereafter, The Rock sided with nefarious groups like The Nation of Domination and The Corporation, but following the merger between The Corporation and The Ministry, The Rock became The People’s Champ.
The Great One’s unrivaled charisma and in-ring abilities drew support from millions … and millions of WWE Universe members all over the world. His Rock ‘n’ Sock Connection with Mankind spawned WWE’s oddest and most beloved pairing. Teaming with Mick Foley highlighted a rarely seen side of The Rock that showed that deep down, he was still the same do-gooder that debuted in 1996. Beneath his haughty attitude, The Great One was intensely loyal to his friends and hated seeing them outmatched. Facing the combined efforts of Evolution’s Ric Flair, Randy Orton and Batista at WrestleMania XX, Foley called on The Rock and The Great One answered the call to stand by his friend. (WATCH) — K.P.
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#7
Dusty Rhodes
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No competitor in the history of sports-entertainment embodied the hard-working spirit of the American people quite like Dusty Rhodes. The son of a plumber from Austin, Texas, “The American Dream” electrified crowds across the country with pure soul, riling them up like a preacher with the rhyme and flow of a rapper. He dubbed it “gettin’ funky like a monkey.”
“The American Dream” stood tall in the face of flashy foes like “Superstar” Billy Graham and The Four Horsemen, letting them know that thousand dollar suits and huge muscles weren’t all you needed to succeed. (WATCH) That sometimes, with a little elbow grease, a heavy-set cowboy in denim can reach the top of the mountain.
The three-time World Champion fought for the working class, ensuring them that though hard times were often the norm, the impossible was possible. His 2007 induction into the WWE Hall of Fame guaranteed that generations to come will know what “The American Dream” was all about. — B.M.
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#6
Bret "Hit Man" Hart
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Bret Hart was the consummate good guy. He defeated The Nasty Boys as a young tag team competitor, and baddies including Yokozuna and Ric Flair during the prime of his career as perhaps the greatest technical wrestler of all time. (WATCH) Even when the “Hit Man” scowled at American fans late in his WWE tenure, he remained a lauded champion in his native Canada.
But most of all, Bret believed in standing up for what was right. He knew that for every terrible villain, a hero needed to save that day. And that’s exactly what Bret did. Night in and night out for nearly 15 years, the “Hit Man” was WWE’s knight in shining armor. In 1997, when non-Canadians began to tire of Bret, the five-time WWE Champion merely advocated for what was ethical, virtuous and good. Because in the end, Bret wasn’t about attitude, he was simply about being the best there is, the best there was and the best there ever will be. — Z.L
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#5
Sting
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WCW’s greatest good guy, Sting was the antithesis of Ric Flair and The Four Horsemen and remained at odds with “The Nature Boy” throughout his career. The master of the Scorpion Death Lock always played by the rules and backed up everything he said with his action in the ring. The Stinger’s colorful face paint and bright ring attire mixed with his enormous charisma helped become beloved by the fans.
In 1996, Sting adopted a darker persona, becoming a silent avenger of WCW as The New World Order’s power expanded. Sting descended from the rafters to disrupt the plans of Hollywood Hogan and the infamous faction, defending the honor of WCW. All along, the organization’s face-painted franchise never wavered from his allegiance to the fans. (WATCH)
Diamond Dallas Page once told WWE.com: “Every time I got in the ring with Sting, I always had to be the bad guy, even if I wasn’t. Sting represents everything that makes a great good guy in wrestling.” — K.P.
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#4
John Cena
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Whether you chant “Let’s go Cena!” or “Cena sucks!” one thing about John Cena remains absolutely certain: He is unwavering in his moral standing and does not let the polarized opinions of the WWE Universe prevent him from doing what he feels is right. The Cenation leader fits the mold of superhero; he believes in fighting for the greater good and often puts himself before others. The 10-time WWE Champion wears his creed of “hustle, loyalty and respect” on his sleeve and it has led him to victory over wicked rivals like Randy Orton, Kane and Batista. (WATCH)
Outside of the squared circle, the Cenation leader remains a leading example of a noble celebrity and has granted more than 300 wishes for Circle of Champions and Make-A-Wish. Love him or hate him, John Cena may not be the hero the WWE Universe needs, but he is the hero they deserve. — K.P.
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#3
"Stone Cold" Steve Austin
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“Stone Cold” Steve Austin didn’t fit the typical mold of a WWE good guy. He was everything Hulk Hogan and Ultimate Warrior weren’t, but The Texas Rattlesnake was still a hero to millions of members of the WWE Universe. Though he initially came across as a villain, “Stone Cold’s” smash-mouth attitude and refusal to back down ultimately redefined what it meant to be a fan-favorite in sports-entertainment.
The WWE Hall of Famer’s greatest conflict came against Mr. McMahon. Austin never pulled punches when it came to the boss and each time he laid out The Chairman with a Stunner, members of the WWE Universe who wished to throw down with their boss lived vicariously through The Rattlesnake. (WATCH) The multi-time WWE Champion made no apologies for his actions, whether he was spraying the ring with beer, or pouring concrete in Mr. McMahon’s convertible.
The quintessential antihero, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin changed WWE not by following trends, but by creating them. — K.P.
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#2
Hulk Hogan
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In the 1980s and ’90s, there was no individual in WWE more popular than Hulk Hogan. Leading a sports-entertainment revolution dubbed Hulkamania, The Hulkster implored his legions of loyal Hulkamaniacs to follow three simple virtues: “Train, say your prayers and eat your vitamins.”
Hulkamania began in 1984 when Hogan defeated the nefarious Iron Sheik for the WWE Championship. From there, Hogan became more than just a WWE Superstar — he became an American icon. Achieving pop culture ubiquity outside of the ring with his feature films, cartoons and even his own brand of chewable vitamins, The Immortal One stayed focused in the ring as he carried the WWE Title for more than four years in the face of seemingly indestructible rivals like Andre the Giant and King Kong Bundy. (WATCH)
Always standing up to those with villainous intent, The Hulkster was unwavering in his dedication to upholding a moral code. And there is no understating the impact of Hulkamania on WWE and sports-entertainment. — K.P.
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#1
Bruno Sammartino
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May 17, 1963, was the dawning of a new era in the wrestling industry, as an upstart Italian competitor named Bruno Sammartino did the unthinkable: defeat “Nature Boy” Buddy Rogers in a quick 48 seconds in Madison Square Garden to win the WWE Championship.
Sammartino went on to hold the title for seven years, eight months, and one day, a record that still stands as the longest continuous men’s World Title reign. He also enjoyed a second championship reign in the mid-70s for a period of nearly four years. A superhero on the east coast — particularly in cities with heavy Italian populations — Bruno was so beloved in the Big Apple that he sold out the Garden 187 times. (WATCH) Using a powerful, deliberate and to the point style, the paesan’s popularity was unrivaled during his tenure in WWE, and that support led him to one of the most successful careers in WWE history. — H.F.
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