AWArulz
Knackwurst
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|  #1 Posted on 30.9.05 1220.03
Reposted on: 30.9.12 1223.27 | Pro Wrestling's been going on for a long time. Definitely since 1900, and certainly before that.
Obviously, Pro wrestling takes in a lot of things. Workrate, skills, showmanship, speaking, charisma, bumping, willingness to accept danger, hard work and helping others out.
I'm going to go with one of the obvious choices, because, frankly, I have marked out for him since I was in my early 20s. Hulk Hogan.
When he was younger he could work a little bit and took some pretty strong bumps and he worked a hell of a lot. I bet that between he and Flair they have worked an unbelievable amount of matches for major feds. And no one can match his showmanship and charisma. While he's been accused of holding others down, he's helped, in one way of another, a lot of guys become big stars - Hillbilly Jim, Ed Leslie, Paul Orndorf, Nick Dinsmore, Paul Wight and many others.
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Scrapple
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| #2 Posted on 30.9.05 1227.42
Reposted on: 30.9.12 1229.01 | | I'd have to say Bruno Sammartino for holding the WWWF belt for EIGHT YEARS. Thesz had the NWA belt for seven, and has a hold named for him that's still used today. But Bruno's reign, I believe, trumps all others. | spf
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| #3 Posted on 30.9.05 1340.28
Reposted on: 30.9.12 1349.00 | | I just reread Ric Flair's book a few nights ago...when you read that, and realize how for the last 30 years he has been the common thread to the business, when you realize that it was basically his work that kept VKM from having a monopoly 10-15 years before he did, when you go back and watch the matches with everyone under the sun, I don't think anyone else can be in the discussion. | MoeGates
Andouille
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| #4 Posted on 30.9.05 1510.20
Reposted on: 30.9.12 1529.01 | | Second | Gugs
Bierwurst
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| #5 Posted on 30.9.05 1622.43
Reposted on: 30.9.12 1625.30 | Right now, it's Kurt Angle. He is the total package.
All time...it's either Michaels or Hogan. Michaels had the best matches and promos, but Hogan made so much money. I'll give it to Michaels cause I'm biased. | Torchslasher
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| #6 Posted on 30.9.05 2041.30
Reposted on: 30.9.12 2041.48 | Ric Flair wins this hands down. Flair turned pretenders into contenders through sheer will and did this every night seemingly for years.
Shawn Michaels would be second for me, followed by Kurt Angle. | The Goon
Boudin blanc
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|  #7 Posted on 30.9.05 2207.45
Reposted on: 30.9.12 2208.17 | (image removed)
Iron Mike Sharpe, obviously.
Ohhhh, I thought you asked for "greatest Canadian athlete."
For wrestler, I'd have to say Flair as well, for achieving his sustained greatness through no lack of hard work. | BigSteve
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| #8 Posted on 1.10.05 1546.19
Reposted on: 1.10.12 1546.41 | | Considering the question is greatest wrestler, not favorite or best in a certain category (workrate, promos, drawing, charisma), I have to give the nod to Hogan. He's the Babe Ruth or Wayne Gretzky of wrestling -- the guy who stands out above everyone else because he was on a whole different level. As much as we love Flair, he was never quite as huge as Hogan was in his heyday. A better worker and a better promo (depending on what you like), but never that big. Sammartino's twelve years as champ pretty much doubles Hogan's combined reigns, but that was when WWE was a territory rather than a(n) (inter)national phenomenon. I guess the argument could be made for Thesz, but I really can't say anything about Thesz because I know next to nothing about him. | Oliver
Scrapple
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| #9 Posted on 1.10.05 1948.09
Reposted on: 1.10.12 1949.13 | I'll go on a limb and say Triple H: He accomplished job security by marrying the boss's daughter.
Seriously, though...I give props to the Undertaker. | OMEGA
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| #10 Posted on 1.10.05 2051.10
Reposted on: 1.10.12 2051.16 | If your going on strictly in-ring, then I'd say Shawn Michaels or Kurt Angle. If you're going money-drawing, then Hogan, Rock, and Austin are the obvious answers.
If I had to narrow my choice to one, then I'd go with Michaels, but that's the type of question where my answer would probably change daily. | haz
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| #11 Posted on 3.10.05 0734.26
Reposted on: 3.10.12 0735.05 | Man, it's got to be Kamala.... oops sorry, I meant Flair.
He's still doing it, and better than 90% of the current roster of guys half his age. He is still believable as a Champion because of his work effort. I marvel at it still every week.
| MoeGates
Andouille
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| #12 Posted on 3.10.05 0949.59
Reposted on: 3.10.12 0951.41 | I love watching Flair. The guy's 50+, his offense consists of solely of chops at this point, he has the body of your average middle-aged Joe Six-Pack, I can't understand half of what comes out of his mouth at times, and yet I still can't turn off the TV when he's on.
The only other guy that comes close is Bret Hart. ALso not much to look at, not much to listen to, but you could throw him in the ring with Jim Ross and still have me spellbound for a 20-minute match. | KJames199
Knackwurst
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| #13 Posted on 4.10.05 1034.37
Reposted on: 4.10.12 1047.53 | | It's gotta be Flair. Angle can pass him if he can stay healthy, but he's not there yet. | too-old-now
Bockwurst
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| #14 Posted on 4.10.05 1043.06
Reposted on: 4.10.12 1054.39 | | I'll go with Hogan's choice, Andre. | redsoxnation
Scrapple
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| #15 Posted on 4.10.05 1048.26
Reposted on: 4.10.12 1056.22 | | I have to go with Flair, but an honorable mention to Nick Bockwinkle for being so good that he was able to carry the AWA Title for long stretches despite Verne's ego. | NickBockwinkelFan
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| #16 Posted on 7.10.05 0252.14
Reposted on: 7.10.12 0252.22 | | My vote is for Misawa. | | ALL ORIGINAL POSTS IN THIS THREAD ARE NOW AVAILABLE |
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