the wrestling fan

Late last year, Jack TV is again available for Sky Cable Subscribers after it was pulled out of its channel line-up. My initial reaction after its announcement is that I will be able to watch WWE again. My only way to keep me updated is for me to check various websites. Since WWE is back in my weekly schedule, it brought a little excitement. I am very much aware pro-wrestling being fake or scripted, but if you ask me, wrestling is not fake it’s scripted. Wrestling was introduced to me by my grandmother, at that time we were watching the “immortal one” Hulk Hogan, the Ultimate Warrior, One Man Gang, “Macho Man” Randy Savage,  Andre the Giant, just to name a few. It was so amazing that every week, my grandmother and I will be staying up late just to watch WWE Superstars and since then, I have been a fan.

I have witnessed the change; from the matches being technical with number of holds and slams to the high flying, chair swinging and wrestlers crashing to tables. 

Since I have been following wrestling almost two decades now, I have made a list of my all time favorite.

Hulk Hogan – From telling his fans to take their vitamins say your prayers, the “Immortal” Hulk Hogan is shoe in my list. His feuds with Rowdy Rowdy Piper, Ultimate Warrior, Macho Man and of course his amazing body slam of Andre the Giant. After years of wearing yellow and being icon he is, he turned heel and started to wear black and became one of the greatest heel in wrestling history. Hogan joins Outsiders Kevin Nash and Scott Hall and formed the New World Order (NWO), he became the Hollywood Hulk Hogan. After being the top heel in WCW and the purchase of WWE of WCW, his Wrestlemania match against The Rock made his status in wrestling even brighter. The WWE Hall of Class of 2005, the Immortal Hulk Hogan was inducted that cemented his iconic persona and his contribution in wrestling.

Macho Man Randy Savage- Flying Elbow, big sunglasses and his brilliant wrestling attire, what more can you ask for? Add also his deep voice that adds up to his persona. “oh yeah” his famous catch phrase which up to now when heard you’ll know that its Macho Man.

The Rock- When Dwayne Johnson became the big screen actor that he is now; The Rock was one of the best in the 90’s. His mic skills are one of best. If you can watch his segments in you tube, you will be able to get what I mean. The Rock’s achievement in wrestling is one of the best. His feud with Triple H, his time with the Nation of Domination up to his pie eating, jabroni smack-it down bashing that he is before retiring is one most excellent gimmick/persona.

Bret Hart- The best there is, the best there was, and the best there ever will be; that sums it all when it comes to Bret Hart’s career. From being a tag team champion with his brother-in-law Jim “anvil” Niedhart, the Hart Foundation already made its mark in wrestling. His singles career though was brighter as he won the King of the Ring twice, a co Royal Rumble winner with Lex Luger in 1994, a Triple Crown Champion in the WWE, Class of 2006 Hall of Fame Inductee, and real life feud with Shawn Michaels,  Triple H and of course Vince McMahon. This group of names is famously being part of the “Montreal Screwjob”, after which made Hart jump to WCW. Bret Hart’s presence in WCW made and impact as he won numerous titles. Hart’s career was cut short as he was forced to retirement after his match against Goldberg, being on the receiving end of a thrust kick to the head resulting to a severe concussion and left Hart with post-concussion syndrome. Bret Hart’s induction to WWE Hall of Fame buried the hatchet of the Montreal Screwjob and after 12 years, Bret Hart appeared in a WWE Program and even wrestled a few matches, including a match against WWE Chairman Vince McMahaon.

Stone Cold Steve Austin- First time I saw him he was with the Million Dollar Man and known as the Ringmaster, and after 1996 King of the Ring, Austin’s career rocketed to a whole new level. Austin 3:16 was born. The Toughest SOB was removed from his leash and raised hell. Facing Bret Hart at Wrestlemania in submission match paved way to his greatness. A 6 time WWF/E champion, 2 time Intercontinental Champion, 9 time WWE/F Tag team Champion, 3 time Royal Rumble winner and part of the Class of 2009 Hall of Fame inductee. Include also his achievement with WCW prior to WWF/E purchasing WCW and his celebrated feud with WWF/E Chairman Vince McMahon

Triple H- The Game, The King of Kings, best remembered for being a member of the stable D-Generation  X alongside Shawn Michaels, Chyna and Rick Rude and later on with X-Pac and the New Age Outlaws Road Dogg Jesse James and Bad Ass Billy Gun. A Grand Slam Champion in the WWF/E that includes being a 13 time World Champion, multiple reigns as Intercontinental Champion, European Champion and Tag team champion a shoe in for the WWE Hall of Fame. Triples H’s career changed the WWE in a whole different way. His legendary feuds with Stone Cold Steve Austin and The Rock marked Triple H’s wrestling career being larger-than-life. 

The Undertaker- The Deadman’s illustrious career is one of the renowned gimmick in sports entertainment. Since 1990, the Undertaker has shown his destructive force in the ring. His various feuds and career defining matches such as the Casket Match, Buried Alive match, Hell in the Cell, all of which contributed to his status as a wrestling icon. His undefeated streak at Wrestlemania of 18-0, a single most undefeated streak in Wrestlmania history which up to now still stand and may never be broken. His achievement may be matched by other up and coming wrestlers, but his presence, his persona is incomparable.

This is a short list of my favorite wrestlers, Sting, Owen Hart, The Legion of Doom, Ric Flair, Kevin Nash/Diesel, Scott Hall/ Razor Ramon, Shawn Michaels, the Ultimate Warrior and  a lot more names comes into my mind every time wrestling is the topic of conversation. I’m no walking wrestling encyclopedia, I’m just a fan. I will add a few more names in the future just to prove my age. (LOL)