The greatest WWE wrestlers of all time

The late, great Hulk Hogan is widely regarded as one of the best wrestling personalities of all time – not just for his larger-than-life antics inside the ring, but for his wider media ventures like Hogan Knows Best and Thunder in Paradise. He even appeared in Rocky III alongside Sylvester Stallone! 

The six-time WWF/WWE Champion and six-time WCW World Heavyweight Champion became well-known for his cheeky catchphrases: 'Whatcha gonna do, brother?!' and 'Train, say your prayers, eat your vitamins!' This kind of trash talk and over-the-top bravado is why fans still love him today. You don’t know exactly what he’s going to do next, but it promises to be a hoot! 

Nobody can deny John Cena’s excellence. The 16-time World Champion (yes, you read that correctly) has spanned multiple WWE eras, fighting everyone from Edge to CM Punk. His ability to seamlessly adapt to different generations is a testament to his popularity and athletic prowess – the man can’t be stopped! 

His likeable personality helped bring WWE into the mainstream. Wrestling had a reputation initially for being rough and violent, but Cena helped transform it into wholesome, family-friendly entertainment that fans could enjoy together. His good reputation extends far beyond the ring – Cena has granted over 650 Make-A-Wish wishes, the most of any celebrity in the organisation’s history. 

The biggest achievement of Roman Reigns' glittering career has to be his long-standing Universal Championship record – an astonishing 1,316 days at the very top of WWE. He’s also a four-time WWE World Champion, a feat that’s almost unheard of in the modern era. 

His popularity is largely thanks to his compelling storytelling. He’s been the main character of some of the most exciting narratives in WWE, including The Bloodline. This four-year epic documented Roman’s rise as The Tribal Chief – the ruthless, commanding leader of a dominant Samoan dynasty. 

Even non-wrestling fans know the name Stone Cold Steve Austin. The six-time WWF/WWE Champion, two-time Intercontinental Champion and four-time Tag Team Champion broke straight into mainstream culture, becoming a true media icon known for his tiny trunks, foul-mouthed brawls and MMA-influenced style. 

Alongside a glittering trophy cabinet, he has too many famous moments to count. His bitter feud with Vince McMahon is widely considered the most important rivalry in WWE history. Who could forget the beer truck incident, where 'The Texas Rattlesnake' drove into the arena and hosed down McMahon and The Corporation with Budweiser? TV gold! 

When The Undertaker was about to enter the ring, you heard him before you saw him. First came the eerie gong, followed by a sinister funeral bell that sent shivers down opponents’ spines. Audiences waited, enthralled, as the billows of white smoke finally gave way to a dark, gothic figure - The Undertaker, dressed in a top hat and long coat, looking frighteningly supernatural.

Dramatic? Definitely. But that was The Undertaker personified. His entrance and stage presence remain among the most memorable in WWE, still sending children (and sensitive-stomached adults) scurrying behind sofas. Of course, his person was just one part of The Deadman’s story. The seven-time World Champion and multiple Tag Team Champion was impossible to beat on a good day.

One of his most impressive feats was his undefeated WrestleMania streak of 21, which was eventually broken by Brock Lesnar in 2014. The moment became WWE history, shocking fans across the world and marking the end of nearly two decades of total domination.

Chyna is one of the most legendary names in WWE history, earning groundbreaking title fights against both male and female competitors. She was a woman of many firsts: the first to enter the Royal Rumble, the first to compete in the King of the Ring and the first and only woman to hold the Intercontinental Championship. 

Her muscular physique and intimidating aura challenged everything people thought a woman should be – Chyna didn’t stay small, she exploded onto the scene with unapologetic power. Her refusal to play by the rules helped shift attitudes toward women in the industry, paving the way for future female stars. 

Part of the same legendary Anoa’i family as Roman Reigns, The Rock has been delighting families for generations. Newer wrestling fans might know him better as Dwayne Johnson, but the Hollywood A-lister started his career fighting the likes of  Stone Cold Steve Austin, Triple H and John Cena in the ring. 

Without a doubt, The Rock is one of WWE’s most charismatic performers ever, and his passion for fitness hasn’t ended now that he’s hung up his belts. Now one of the highest-paid actors in the world, the 10-time World Champion still connects with fans through his social media, sharing snippets of his intense workouts and legendary cheat meals. 

Canadian-American wrestler Bret Hart has an illustrious background in the sport. His father, Stu, founded the legendary Hart Dungeon training gym, his brothers were all active in the industry and his niece, Natalya, competes in WWE today.

Bret was bred for the ring. Alongside being a five-time WWF/WWE Champion, two-time Intercontinental Champion and two-time Tag Team Champion, he also delivered some of the most iconic feuds in wrestling history. His rivalry with Shawn Michaels famously culminated in the 1997 Montreal Screwjob, where Hart was controversially double-crossed on live TV.

There’s a reason why Triple H is known as 'The King of Kings'. The 14-time World Champion and five-time Intercontinental Champion burst onto the scene in the 1990s in a blaze of slicked-back blonde hair, crotch chops and leather. Needless to say, his signature moves drew just as much attention as his signature look, with the Pedigree becoming a firm fan favourite. Here, he would hook his opponent’s arms before driving their face straight into the mat.

Above all else, he was known for dramatic, physical matches that sometimes shocked audiences. His most iconic battle was his 'End of an Era' clash with The Undertaker at WrestleMania. The pair fought it out Hell in a Cell-style, inside a huge metal cage with steel bars and an arsenal of weapons. Ultimately, The Undertaker struck the winning blow - a devastating and brutal Tombstone. 

Triple H may have hung up his boots, but he’s still incredibly influential behind the scenes. Nowadays, he spends his time nurturing new talent and running content creation and creative at WWE.

Becky Lynch is hands-down one of the most influential figures in modern WWE. Her stage name 'The Man' is a cheeky nod to her total domination of the sport, over men and women alike, and her title wins back it up. She’s a six-time WWE Women’s Champion, the first woman to win a WrestleMania main event, a former NXT Women’s Champion and a certified WWE Grand Slam Champion. 

Fans love Becky for her anti-establishment swagger and electric storytelling. Her most iconic moment was when Nia Jax accidentally broke her nose with a real, full-force punch. Instead of backing down, Becky continued to fight, blood pouring down her face, as she roared defiantly at the crowd. 

Our list wouldn’t be complete without a nod to one of the most flamboyant and colourful wrestlers of all time: 'Macho Man' Randy Savage. He added a much-needed injection of fun and personality into a sport traditionally seen as no-nonsense, turning heads with zany capes, cowboy hats, neon tights and over-the-top catchphrases. Ooooh yeah!

Alongside being a once-in-a-lifetime performer, he was also a phenomenal athlete. The four-time WCW World Heavyweight Champion was a pioneer of high-flying signature moves, dazzling crowds with the Flying Elbow Drop and Double Axe Handle. 

As for iconic moments, where do we start? His WrestleMania III battle against Ricky 'The Dragon' Steamboat stands out for the showmanship and drama. Savage repeatedly tried to gain the upper hand with a string of illegal moves until Steamboat fought back in a career-defining victory.