Plus, there's no denying the cultural impact these athletes have had, generation after generation. The most iconic wrestlers have leaped out of the ring entirely to become cultural phenomena, influencing fashion, catchphrases and pop culture at large. You know who they are even if you don’t watch wrestling.
We've compiled a list of the best pro wrestlers of all time, celebrating the performers who've defined the industry and left an indelible mark on sports entertainment. It wasn't easy to choose but these are the athletes who've changed the game, revolutionized the business, defined entire eras and proved that professional wrestling is truly an art form. Without further ado, let's jump into the ring!
The 14 Greatest Pro Wrestlers of All Time, Ranked
14. Roddy 'Rowdy' Piper
Piper earned his 'Rowdy' nickname, causing chaos as a WWF villain.Photo by J. Shearer on Getty Images
His confrontational interview segments were appointment television. He knew exactly how to command attention, whether that meant smashing a coconut over someone's head or stirring up trouble on Piper's Pit. Sometimes the best wrestlers are the ones who make you feel something, whether that's rage, laughter or pure entertainment. Love him or hate him, Piper helped make wrestling what it is today.
13. Triple H
Triple H retains the WWE Championship belt in 2009.Photo by Bob Levey on Getty Images
What really sets Triple H apart is his second act. After taking over WWE's creative direction and proving his talent for developing new stars through NXT, he's become the architect of the company's current era.
12. Andre the Giant
Outside of the ring, Andre played Fezzik in The Princess Bride.Photo by WWE on Getty Images
What's fascinating about Andre is that he became a legend without ever holding a long-term major world championship. (He famously won the title in 1988, only to immediately surrender it to the "Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase in one of wrestling’s most controversial moments.) During his 15 years in the ring, he was an unstoppable force, and that mystique made him invaluable to the business.
Andre became even more famous when he appeared in The Princess Bride—one of the first wrestlers to cross into Hollywood. But it's his larger-than-life presence in the ring that made him truly unforgettable. Andre proved that sometimes the spectacle itself is enough to achieve immortality.
11. “Macho Man” Randy Savage
Before becoming a wrestling superstar, Savage was a standout minor league baseball player.Photo by George Napolitano on Getty Images
Savage embodied everything great about professional wrestling—he could tell a story, execute incredible moves and create moments that stuck with you long after the show ended. His influence reached beyond the ring too, as his work with Slim Jim brought unprecedented mainstream corporate attention to wrestling. Decades later, his visual style and catchphrases remain instantly recognizable, cementing his status as one of the all-time greats.
10. John Cena
Cena had a cameo in 2023's Barbie.Photo by WWE on Getty Images
Critics initially dismissed Cena's technical abilities, but he evolved significantly over the years, surprising doubters with memorable performances that showcased real skill right up through his historic 2025 farewell tour. Outside of wrestling, he also proved himself as an amazing comedic actor. His success in both wrestling and Hollywood has created a legacy that's both celebrated and debated.
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9. Bruno Sammartino
Sammartino held the World Wrestling Federation Championship for more than twelve years.Photo by Focus On Sport on Getty Images
East Coast audiences worshipped Sammartino. His influence on professional wrestling can't be overstated—he was a pioneering figure who proved wrestling could be big business and set the template for the superstars who would follow. His name might not carry the same mainstream recognition as some later wrestlers, but his historical importance to the sport is massive. Without his success, the wrestling industry as we know it today just wouldn't exist.
8. Bret 'The Hitman' Hart
Hart won seven world titles.Photo by WWE on Getty Images
When Hart defeated Ric Flair for the championship in 1992, it marked a shift in the industry. Suddenly, technical skill and in-ring craftsmanship mattered just as much as size and microphone work. A career-ending injury in 1999 cut his time in the ring short, but Hart's influence endures. He proved that exceptional wrestling ability could captivate audiences just as effectively as larger-than-life personalities. His legacy as one of the best pure wrestlers ever is secure.
7. Shawn Michaels
Micheals makes an entrance during Monday Night RAW in 1996.Photo by WWE on Getty Images
During the 1990s, he helped shift wrestling away from an emphasis on sheer size and more toward technical skill and athleticism. He pioneered groundbreaking match types and became known for stealing the show at major events. After a career-threatening back injury forced him into retirement in the late 1990s, he pulled off a remarkable comeback years later without missing a beat. His combination of in-ring ability and showmanship earned him multiple world titles and a legacy that continues through his current work training the next generation of talent. Whether he's number one or number six, there's no arguing that Michaels changed what it meant to be a professional wrestler.
6. Roman Reigns
Roman Reigns makes his entrance during SummerSlam 2025.Photo by WWE on Getty Images
Roman’s stranglehold on the industry proves that he sits comfortably at the Head of the Table among the all-time greats. He'll next compete at the 39th annual WWE Royal Rumble on Saturday, January 31, 2026, in Saudi Arabia.
Related: WWE Star Roman Reigns’ Net Worth in 2026 Proves He Reigns Supreme in the Wrestling World
5. The Rock
The Rock in action against John Cena during Wrestlemania29 in 2013Photo by WWE on Getty Images
During his active years, The Rock captured 10 world championships and became a cornerstone of wrestling's late-1990s boom period alongside Stone Cold Steve Austin. His verbal skills were unmatched, delivering electrifying promos filled with quotable catchphrases that fans still recite today. His ability to connect with audiences made every match feel important. What truly sets The Rock apart is his unprecedented crossover success—he's fully transformed into a phenomenon at the Hollywood box office.
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4. The Undertaker
Paul Bearer and The Undertaker enter the ring in 1995.Photo by WWE on Getty Images
Beyond the spectacle, he delivered critically-acclaimed matches that showcased real technical skill and storytelling ability. At 6'10", The Undertaker possessed an unusual combination of size and agility, pulling off aerial moves that seemed to defy physics. His iconic winning streak elevated the importance of every match he had on that stage.
3. “Stone Cold” Steve Austin
Austin's rebellious spirit connected with fans globally.Photo by WWE on Getty Images
Austin's confrontations with Mr. McMahon and the WWE management became the stuff of legend. His rebellious spirit connected with fans who loved watching him raise hell and take names.
What made Austin truly special was his ability to flip traditional wrestling dynamics—fans cheered for him even when he went up against beloved heroes. His relatively brief run at the top created an outsized impact that changed how the wrestling business operated. Years after stepping away from regular competition, Stone Cold remains a massive draw and influence on the industry he helped revolutionize.
2. Hulk Hogan
Photo by WWE on Getty Images
Hogan helped establish the pay-per-view model and made wrestling merchandise a goldmine. Yes, he’s controversial, but his historical significance is impossible to ignore. He helped make wrestling a global industry, and that accomplishment alone earns his place near the top of any all-time list.
1. Ric Flair
Photo by Don Arnold on Getty Images
Flair adopted and refined elements from Buddy Rogers—the elaborate robes, platinum blonde hair and Figure Four Leglock—and transformed them into an iconic character—the arrogant, wealthy showman who bragged about being a "limousine-ridin', jet-flyin' son of a gun." He created a villain fans couldn't help but be entertained by.
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