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FIVE WRESTLERS WHO HELPED SHAPE WWE

The home of World Wrestling Entertainment has gone from strength to strength over the years with plenty of the groundwork put in long before the switch to WWE. 

Here we look at the wrestlers who have helped make the sport what it is today.

Photo: WWE.com

Number 5. Andre the Giant

You can't talk about the greatest wrestlers of time and not mention André the Giant. The Frenchman stood well over seven foot tall and weighed in at a staggering 520lb. He was larger than life in every single way. His size was caused by the medical condition acromegaly and despite the pain it caused to his joints it didn't stop him reaching the top. 

He was prominent throughout the seventies and eighties and was arguably the first wrestler to truly draw a widespread crowd. He was a huge fan favourite and only turned heel during his feud with Hulk Hogan as to handover the torch when his body couldn't cope any longer; even then he risked his long term health to give the crowd one last memorable moment as Hogan slammed his monstrous frame.

Number 4. Ric Flair

Flair by name, flair by nature. Ric Flair spent near on 40 years in the wrestling ring from his days in AWA, WCW and on to the WWE - with plenty of other stops along the way too. He was regularly depicted as the bad guy and, as such, formed part of numerous memorable feuds over the years with the late eighties against Lex Luger and Terry Funk particularly memorable. 

During his time in the ring he held a total of 42 belts covering off various heavyweight and tag team titles. On top of that, he's a double Hall of Famer and a true icon of the sport.

Number 3. Hulk Hogan

We've already touched on Hogan. He took on the mantle from André the Giant. His task was to maintain it but his character and ability to build rapport with the crowd took the industry to new heights. His acting skills know no bounds with his persona switching between face and heel with such regularity that he's been voted the most and least popular wrestler on multiple occasions. 

Despite his advancing years - he's 67 - he is enjoying a fifth spell in the WWE and will join the other members of the nWo in 2020's Hall of Fame announcement, which will be his second induction after already featuring as an individual. 

There is also a movie in the cards about Hogan’s life, starring Chris Hemsworth.

Number 2. Steve Austin

Seeing Stone Cold at just number two might have plenty of wrestling fans shouting 'what?' at their device. It's where we rank him though. 

Austin had already enjoyed success in the ring under a different name - Stunning Steve Austin - but it was his birth as the wrestler with attitude who stuck two fingers – or more precisely, two middle fingers – up at Vince McMahon that really endeared himself to fans as one of the greatest of all time. 

During his career, he became known for booze drinking and brawling. Most of all though, he was a lovable winner and a legend. He’s now on our screens as the man behind Broken Skull Ranch.

Number 1. The Undertaker

The chime of Undertaker's theme song is possibly the most spine-tingling noise associated with the circus that goes along with professional wrestling. That's the aura The Undertaker brings. 

His love-hate relationship with his fearsome brother Kane has been a key theme in the storylines over the years whilst he played a central role in the creation of the 'last man standing' match. 

On top of that, a career that has spanned over 30 years, seven world titles and the longest WrestleMania unbeaten runs of 21 fights. Even if one time MMA Betting Odds fighter Brock Lesnar did eventually end 'the streak' - is a tidy legacy.

There you have it, five names that have put wrestling on the sporting map. Who else would you include in this list?

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