35 WWE Stars Every Fan Knows And 15 That We All Forgot About
- by Ben Fisher
- – on
- in Sports
Professional wrestling carries an enduring appeal, and standing at the forefront of that appeal is Vince McMahon's World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). The first company to break through the industry's regionalized ceiling and grow into a national 'sports entertainment' giant, WWE remains the biggest wrestling company in the world. Sure, competitors will rise to challenge their tight grip on the market, but promotions like WCW and TNA have failed and start-up AEW still has a long way to go.
The company dates back nearly 70 years, a longevity that can be directly attributed to the waves of colorful superstars that have stepped into the ring and infused a constantly-evolving identity. Every generation has brought a new foundational star for fans to follow, along with a diverse group of fellow good guys ("babyfaces") and villains ("heels") who battle over titles to negotiate a constant balance of power amidst a struggle of good vs bad. These stars, typically athletic physical specimens with plenty of charisma, are depended upon to serve as the main selling point of the product, drawing television viewers, sparking ticket sales to live events and encouraging fans to show support by buying merchandise.
If you are a fan of WWE, you will no doubt immediately recognize these stars by their standout look and persona. However, for every famous star that has made it big with the company, there are plenty of other forgotten talents who never quite reached that same level of fame or adulation. Wrestling fans should be able to nail these 35 well-known WWE stars, but only the most hardcore followers of the company will also be able to identify these other 15 forgotten in-ring talents.
Who can name this WWE superstar?
"You can't see me" might serve as this superstar's signature taunt in the ring, but he has actually been impossible to miss over the past two decades of WWE programming. The face of the company over that time, he has tirelessly represented the company as a 16-time world champion, regular pay-per-view headliner and frequent wish granter for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Though often rejected by hardcore wrestling fans who view him as something of a corporate teacher's pet, the one-time "Doctor of Thuganomics" has remained babyface dating back to 2003. He has recently scaled back his WWE schedule on account of a steady stream of success in Hollywood.
Who can name this WWE superstar?
While he was never the biggest or strongest guy and never really had the look of a main event star, this unpredictable personality certainly managed to stand out. For one thing, there was his instantly recognizable trademark outfit - a t-shirt and leather jacket over a red tartan kilt. More than that, though, it was his quick-witted and eccentric work on the mic that helped him serve as a good foil for many of the biggest heroes of the era, including Hulk Hogan. In fact, alongside Hogan, the late Scotsman headlined the first Wrestlemania and launched the 1980's Rock 'n' Wrestling era.
Who can name this forgotten WWE superstar?
Before NXT - in its original, reality show-based form, anyway - Tough Enough stood as WWE's homegrown competition to find their next batch of superstar wrestlers. And while it managed to last six total seasons, the show failed to produce much viable talent, with The Miz and Ryback remaining the only two real success stories of the series. The inaugural season was no exception, producing this athletic-but-bland youngster as its first male winner. But despite a push that included an elimination of The Undertaker at the Royal Rumble, a victory over Batista and three Hardcore title reigns, fans simply didn't care about the company
Who can name this WWE superstar?
Arguably the biggest star in WWE right now, this fiery, red-headed Scot currently stands atop the women's division as the champion of both the Raw and Smackdown brand. Ironically, the superstar who calls herself "The Man" would likely reside somewhere in the mid-card territory were it not for an avalanche of fan support after WWE tried to turn her heel at Summerslam last year. Since then, she's taken the ball and run with it, displaying a fearless, brazen charisma while challenging the likes of headliners Charlotte Flair and Ronda Rousey. As a result, she has been rewarded as not only a double champion, but as the winner of the first women's match to headline Wrestlemania.
Who can name this WWE superstar?
WWE often likes to refer to their biggest superstars as being larger than life. But in the case of this late 7'4", 520-pound giant, the saying took on a literal significance. The colossal Frenchman passed away more than a quarter of a century ago, but his legacy lives on, most notably through the annual Wrestlemania battle royal that bears his name (and his likeness on a statue). But moreso than being linked to a mid-card exhibition match, he is best remembered for helping put WWE's biggest pay-per-view on the map with his iconic Wrestlemania III main event match against Hulk Hogan.
Who can name this WWE superstar?
At 53 years of age, the "Heartbreak Kid" nickname bears at least some degree of irony for this legendary superstar. Still, this electrifying four-time champion remains a force within WWE as a key behind-the-scenes NXT trainer. The company's young prospects couldn't ask for a better mentor than the man known as 'Mr. Wrestlemania', a wrestler who has been a part of so many key moments throughout the company's history. This Hall of Famer threw Marty Jannetty through a glass window on the Barber Shop, engaged in a years-long heated feud with Bret Hart, anchored D-Generation X, retired Ric Flair and battled the Undertaker in two unforgettable Wrestlemania matches.
Who can name this forgotten WWE superstar?
You could argue that the period from 1995 to 1998 represents a historic low point in the history of WWE's women's division. It was during this time that the company had no women's champion after Alundra Blayze took the title with her to WCW and dumped it in the trash on a live episode on Nitro. After that dark age, it was this female superstar who helped bring women's wrestling back as the first post-Blayze champion. Yet her title run, one of two that lasted a total of 117 days, remains largely forgotten today, as does most of her six-year run. She might be one of the most anonymous stars enshrined in the Hall of Fame.
Who can name this WWE superstar?
Though some shine seems to have been taken off his meteoric rise to the main event in recent months, this "Monster Among Men" remains one of the biggest attractions in WWE today. Originally brought up to the main roster as a member of the Wyatt Family, the bearded big man has made a name for himself as a formidable force who performs feats of strength like tipping over an ambulance and snapping a ladder in half. He is still seeking his first world title, which is bad news for whichever poor soul happens to be holding the belt that he's after.
Who can name this WWE superstar?
For WWE fans of a certain age, chills no doubt still reverberate upon hearing the opening notes of this legend's theme. Apart from the song, there is arguably no superstar more widely known for more signature elements of their in-ring persona, be it the shirt-ripping, cupping of the ear or the famous "Whatcha gonna do, brother?". The first true megastar of the modern era of wrestling launched Wrestlemania and helped WWE grow from just another territory to the dominant power within the wrestling industry. That powerful legacy is why he's been welcomed back into the company fold despite some serious controversies in recent years.
Who can name this WWE superstar?
The "Yes!" movement might be long gone (for now, anyway), but its creator remains a critical cog within the WWE machine and arguably its greatest in-ring talent. This long-time indie star climbed the ranks in WWE despite hit diminutive stature and an image that hardly meshed with the company's tradition main event look. It was the combination of his cult fan following and some real-life reluctance from management to push him that led to his memorable Wrestlemania 30 triumph, wherein he defeated Triple H and then both Batista and Randy Orton to win the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. His comeback from a two-year retirement brought on by severe head trauma has only strengthened his underdog story.
Who can name this forgotten WWE superstar?
This charismatic superstar couldn't have asked for better circumstances surrounding his WWE debut back in 2006. Hyped as a prized free agent negotiating a big contract on the Smackdown brand, he was treated as a big deal before stepping into the ring and appeared poised for main event status. But even after a lengthy stint that featured two US championship reigns and a tag team title run with Matt Hardy, that main event potential was never realized. Still, in an era where so many stars returned to the fold at some point, this Florida native has been altogether absent, save for a quick cameo on the 25th anniversary of Raw in 2018.
Who can name this WWE superstar?
Oooh yeah! This colorful superstar remains one of the most quoted and memorable characters in WWE history despite having not had a match for the company since Wrestlemania X in 1994. It was that popularity that saw him inducted posthumously into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2015 despite having passed away four years prior. Even after winning two world titles, wrestling the main event of two Wrestlemania's and serving as one half of the Mega Powers alongside Hulk Hogan, this one-time star baseball prospect is probably best remembered for his marriage to real-life and on-screen partner Miss Elizabeth at Summerslam 1991.
Who can name this WWE superstar?
Sensing the large appetite for professional wrestling in Japan as a result of the success of New Japan Pro Wrestling, WWE made one of its bigger recent signings by bringing this popular superstar over from the Orient in early 2016. As he quickly rose through the ranks in NXT, the three-time IWGP World Champion generated lots of buzz over how big a star he'd be on the main roster. The results, to date, have been somewhat disappointing. While he did win the Royal Rumble and have a major world title program at Wrestlemania with AJ Styles, he has mostly been stuck in the mid-card to date, most recently in a struggling tag team with Rusev.
Who can name this forgotten WWE superstar?
Regardless of which of his multiple personas you know him by, this hardcore legend remains an unforgettable part of WWE lore. Though no one's idea of a prototypical main event hero, he has nonetheless won three world titles with the company and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2013. Those achievements are most deserved for a wrestler who constantly put his body on the line, most famously in a 1997 Hell in a Cell match against the Undertaker in which he was thrown off the top of the steel cage and then through it. The softer side of his persona is highlighted through the children's books he's authored and his signature sock puppet, Mr. Socko.
Who can name this WWE superstar?
This daughter of another WWE legend has spent the past few years blazing her own trail and making a name for herself. While still paying tribute to her dad through his customary "Wooo!", his signature ring robes and her 'Figure Eight' submission maneuver, this seven-time women's champion has clearly moved out of his large shadow. Reigning as one of the top superstars driving the current women's movement in WWE, she will forever hold her own place in company history as one-third of the first women's match to headline Wrestlemania earlier this year. And at just 33 years of age, she still has time to take a run at her dad's 16 world titles.
Who can name this WWE superstar?
You've got to be pretty popular to have crowds chanting your name five years after you left the company. You'll still hear the odd chant for this unpredictable superstar, a testament to how exciting his run was as an unfiltered anti-hero who perfectly counteracted the corporate-friendly John Cena. The 'Straight Edge Superstar' is best remembered for his 'pipe bomb' promo, which set up a summer of 2011 that he dominated en route to a world title win at Summerslam. To date, he has made good on his vow never to return to WWE despite a disappointing pursuit of an MMA position and constant speculation on his return to pro wrestling.
Who can name this forgotten WWE superstar?
A lucrative indie scene, the blossoming of multiple viable promotions and the rise of AEW have shone light on the many options that exist for wrestlers beyond WWE. And yet, this monstrous powerhouse has remained largely invisible since leaving the company on bad terms in 2016, this despite not being far removed from headlining pay-per-views against the likes of John Cena and CM Punk. Best known by his "Feed Me More" catchphrase, this former Intercontinental Champion was built up as a monster who tore through much of his competition, although he did level off into the mid-card eventually. These days, it doesn't seem like the WWE Universe misses him much.
Who can name this WWE superstar?
Often imitated but never duplicated, this memorable superstar remains one of the standout heels of the 1980's despite achieving little in the way of championship reigns. Apart from his own Million Dollar belt, he had just an eight-day world championship reign and a couple of tag title runs to his name. Still, he remained widely disliked for his wealthy gimmick, which came with a man-servant named Virgil, plenty of lavish outfits and bills that he would stuff into the mouths of defeated opponents. Known for his signature laugh, he would serve as the leader of many nefarious stables aimed at taking out the likes of Hulk Hogan and Randy Savage.
Who can name this WWE superstar?
Introduced as the storyline brother of The Undertaker back in 1997, this "Big Red Machine" has forged his own path over the past 20-plus years and has become one of WWE's most memorable characters along the way. Sure, the Brothers of Destruction are still reunited from time to time, but this monster has undergone his own evolution, altering his signature mask and even unmasking altogether for a period. Though no longer the unstoppable force he once was, the big man now stands as a legacy star with countless title reigns, including two world championships. Away from the ring, the character's portrayer, Glen Jacobs, is now the Mayor of Knox County, Tennessee.
Who can name this forgotten WWE superstar?
Believe it or not, this executor of the Cross-Faced Chicken Wing submission hold remains the second-longest reigning world champion in WWE history. In spite of that impressive distinction, he is rarely mentioned in the same vein as company icons like Hulk Hogan, "Stone Cold" Steve Austin and The Rock. This is, perhaps, largely because his heyday occurred before Vince McMahon expanded WWE nationally and greatly enhanced its audience. When his bland, white bread babyface character was reintroduced in 1992, he was soundly rejected by fans who didn't remember him and found him boring. Thus launched his memorable crazed heel persona, which even resulted in one more (very) short world title reign.
Who can name this WWE superstar?
Can you smell what this WWE mega-star and Hollywood A-lister is cooking? Oozing charisma and dynamic on the mic, this third-generation superstar electrified crowds, got fans going with a mere eyebrow raise and even made an elbow drop seem like a viable finishing move. Whether you best know him as the Brahma Bull, the Great One or the People's Champ, this ten-time world champion is one of the greatest entertainers to ever set foot in a WWE ring. Of course, that's just a part of the story for a man who now stands as one of the world's highest-paid actors.
Who can name this WWE superstar?
Wrestlers like "Rowdy" Roddy Piper have proven over the years that unconventional, eccentric and oddball characters tend to face something of a glass ceiling in WWE. This unpredictable member of the Shield, however, managed to bust through that ceiling. Known as the Lunatic Fringe, he managed to follow in the footsteps of partners Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins by winning the World Heavyweight Championship and cementing his place at the top of the card. That has since proven not to be enough for him, however, as he refused to re-sign with the company upon the expiration of his contract and is now a highly sought after free agent.
Who can name this forgotten WWE superstar?
This wild-haired Puerto Rican star knew how to make a first impression. He won the US title over John Cena in his main roster debut in 2004, and then defeated Shelton Benjamin for the Intercontinental title during his first match on Raw the following year. These instant championship victories seemed to foreshadow a main event run for the son of WWE Hall of Famer Carlos Colon Sr., but he plateaued and never quite reached that lofty status. Instead, he continued to toil in the mid-card scene until being released in 2010 for a Wellness Policy violation. He has wrestled for the Puerto Rico-based World Wrestling Council (WWC) ever since.
Who can name this WWE superstar?
Even at 47 years of age, this "World's Largest Athlete" remains a 7'0" sight to behold. But for as decorated a superstar as the four-time world champion has been throughout the past 20 years, he has never carried the aura of predecessor Andre the Giant, whom he was once identified as the kayfabe son of. That could stem from the former Wichita State basketball star wrestling in the era of weekly WWE TV programming, or due to his incessant flip-flopping between babyface and heel. Still, Paul Wight stands as a surefire Hall of Famer and one of the foremost, larger-than-life entertainers in WWE history.
Who can name this forgotten WWE superstar?
Paige gets a good portion of the credit for ushering in the women's revolution in WWE. And while some of that credit is certainly deserved, the two-time Diva's Champion wasn't alone in modernizing the women's division. Of course, WWE would likely rather not ascribe credit to this long-time adversary of Paige. Not only is the three-time Diva's Champion married to CM Punk, but she, herself, has been an outspoken critic of WWE since retiring from in-ring competition. Still, the company can't deny how popular she was during a run that saw her hold her own in the ring while also being involved with the likes of Daniel Bryan, John Cena and Punk.
Who can name this WWE superstar?
There were bigger and more charismatic superstars around the WWE in the 1980's and 1990's, but probably none were more technically proficient than the Excellence of Execution. A favorite of true wrestling fans, this five-time World Heavyweight Champion is now in the Hall of Fame as both a singles and tag team competitor. Though he might be best remembered for being the victim of the Montreal Screwjob, he also contributed to some of the greatest matches in WWE history, including battles with "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, Shawn Michaels, and Davey Boy Smith. To some, he will forever be "the best there was, the best there is and the best there ever will be".
Who can name this WWE superstar?
If it truly is "all about the game and how you play it", then few have ever played the game better than, well, 'The Game'. Also known as the Cerebral Assassin and the King of Kings, this 14-time world champion reigns as one of the most decorated superstars in the ring and one of the industry's most powerful figures outside of it. The former can be credited to a successful near-25 year WWE run that has seen him lead the D-Generation X and Evolution factions. The latter is owed to his VP title, a lofty status that comes at least in part to being married to Stephanie McMahon, the boss' daughter.
Who can name this forgotten WWE superstar?
The longest-reigning world champion in WWE history isn't Hulk Hogan, Ric Flair or Shawn Michaels. It is this late superstar of the 1960's and 70's, who held the World Heavyweight Championship for more than a decade. But while you might have expected the Italian strongman to serve as one of the early pioneers of the WWE Hall of Fame, he wasn't inducted until 2013. That lengthy wait can be attributed to the icy relationship he had with the company for much of the 1990's and 2000's, decrying the steroid abuse and vulgarity inherent within the promotion. It was good news for all involved that he restored his relationship with WWE prior to passing away last year.
Who can name this WWE superstar?
There aren't many superstars who could get away with maintaining a cushy, part-time schedule and still hold WWE's most important championship, but that's exactly what this "Beast" managed with two lengthy recent Universal title reigns despite appearing infrequently on WWE TV. While it's easy to express anger at such preferential treatment afforded to a part-timer, this ignores the legitimacy that this former UFC champion brings, allowing substantial credibility boosts to those who beat him, such as Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins. We don't know what the future holds in WWE for the original 'Paul Heyman Guy', but there will be a main event position available to him for as long as he wants it.
Who can name this WWE superstar?
Coming up through the ranks in NXT, no one expected this diminutive talent to rank among the likes of Charlotte Flair, Becky Lynch and Sasha Banks as contemporary women's greats. Yet that's exactly the trail she's blazed for herself on the main roster, bolstering a strong character with tremendous mic skills and some admirable in-ring work. A checkered injury history has slowed her down some and even threatened to cut short her promising wrestling saga, but hasn't prevented her from achieving five world title reigns before her 27th birthday. So long as she remains healthy, this former Money in the Bank winner has a bright future ahead.
Who can name this forgotten WWE superstar?
At the dawn of the Wrestlemania era in the mid-1980's, this fearsome big man was exactly the type of larger-than-life superstar that Vince McMahon was looking for. In fact, he was tabbed to do battle with Hulk Hogan in the steel cage main event of Wrestlemania 2. Despite this lofty status, the 458-pounder passed away earlier this year without ever hearing his name called for induction into the WWE Hall of Fame. His Hall of Fame snub is believed to be a product of his notoriously prickly backstage attitude, which is unfortunate given that he was one of the premier heels of the Hulkamania era.
Who can name this WWE superstar?
Having already conquered the blue brand, this "Phenomenal" superstar appears poised to make his mark on Raw, WWE's flagship program. Now, this transition would hardly seem daunting for a wrestling veteran who has plied his trade all around the world and finally arrived in WWE nearly 20 years into his journey. This superb athlete gained a sterling reputation as a franchise player in ROH, NJPW and especially TNA. When he did finally arrive in WWE in 2016, he took no time making his mark, feuding with John Cena and winning two WWE Championships and two US titles in just over three years with the company.
Who can name this WWE superstar?
Another indie darling who has since made waves with the world's biggest pro wrestling organization, this ruthless superstar has proven to be the perfect villain in the WWE Universe. Known for his vicious pop-up powerbomb and elite mic skills that help make him easy to dislike, he has powered through despite not quite looking the part of a WWE main eventer. Even if some in management may prefer a more chiseled build to his chubby frame, they can't deny his athleticism or his natural ability to connect to the audience. Those qualities have been responsible for his Universal title reign, as well as three US title runs and two Intercontinental Championships.
Who can name this forgotten WWE superstar?
It stands to reason that WWE would be inclined to pay tribute to past legends who can return to the fold for special appearances and be less inclined to do so for those whose too-soon passing serves as a sobering reminder of a problem that plagues the wrestling industry. Still, it remains jarring how quickly this member of the legendary Von Erich family rose and fell in the WWE ranks. A hugely popular babyface, the former NWA world champion won the Intercontinental title at Summerslam within a month of his debut. But he soon lost steam and was out of WWE just two years later, less than one year prior to his tragic passing.
Who can name this WWE superstar?
You simply can't discuss WWE history without talking about the "Phenom", an integral part of the company over the past 30 years. In that time, he has feuded with every major superstar to come through the organization, not to mention building a 23-2 Wrestlemania record and winning the main event match of the first ever episode of Monday Night Raw. All told, this superstar rode an unforgettable gimmick and an unprecedented level of athletic ability for a big man to seven world titles and an endless array of iconic moments. At 54, he has stopped wrestling full-time, but still steps in the ring on special occasions, including an upcoming battle with Goldberg.
Who can name this WWE superstar?
If you've watched any WWE television over the past year or so, you could be forgiven for thinking that no female athletes had stepped inside the squared circle up until this current batch of women's superstars. While strides have certainly been made, the contributions of past generations of female talent, such as this high-flying star, shouldn't be forgotten. In an era where many women were being treated as eye candy, this four-time champion rose above that, earning respect for her in-ring acumen. Though she served as a valet for the likes of the Hardy Boys and Edge, she also engaged in her own feuds, most memorably with long-time rival Trish Stratus.
Who can name this forgotten WWE superstar?
WWE's global expansion has been accompanied by a recognition that their roster needs to reflect the diversity of their fans. And so there has been a conscious effort to see various cultures represented in the ring. That was part of the reason for the company's much-hyped signing of this masked lucha superstar. The buzz behind his arrival was so significant, in fact, that he bypassed NXT altogether and debuted immediately on the main roster. However, a Wellness Policy violation and subsequent change in portrayer slowed his momentum. Now, the character remains, but is largely forgotten with little TV time or fan interest.
Who can name this WWE superstar?
While the Chairman of WWE may not seem to fit within the definition of a 'star' (especially at 73 years of age), his semi-regular presence on WWE TV would suggest otherwise. As recently as a few weeks ago, the most powerful figure in the company was on the receiving end of a Roman Reigns "Superman Punch" when the latter arrived on Smackdown in the Superstar Shakeup. Behind the scenes, this man has overseen the company's growth to a global brand. In front of the camera, he has typically played the role of villainous boss, most famously serving as the foil for the rebellious "Stone Cold" Steve Austin.
Who can name this WWE superstar?
Woooo! With apologies to Hulk Hogan and The Rock, there may not be a more famous professional wrestler on the planet than this stylin' and profilin' 16-time world champion. Though much of his success came in WCW, this limousine-ridin', jet-flyin' icon has made plenty of memories in WWE, including earning a world title by winning the 1992 Royal Rumble and serving at the helm of the Evolution faction. Even since famously being retired by Shawn Michaels at Wrestlemania 24, the Charlotte, North Carolina native has continued to make appearances for WWE and help promote various storylines, including an alliance with his daughter.
Who can name this WWE superstar?
With John Cena scaling back to part-time status on account of his Hollywood commitments and fellow Shield member Roman Reigns being largely rejected by the fan base, WWE needed a new face of the company to build around. At Wrestlemania 35, the company seemed to usher this dynamic superstar into the role. The popular former indie darling defeated Brock Lesnar at the pay-per-view to win the Universal title, thereby announcing his arrival as Raw's centerpiece star. The move has been a welcome one for the WWE Universe, with an exciting in-ring talent and charismatch superstar holding the belt rather than a part-timer.
Who can name this forgotten WWE superstar?
If it hasn't happened already, there will surely come a day when someone will have to explain to newer WWE viewers how a heel group of male cheerleaders could become as key a component of weekly TV programming as the Spirit Squad stable did in 2006. Though the group was short-lived, they won the tag team championship and feuded with the likes of John Cena, Ric Flair and D-Generation X. This young star was positioned as their leader and appeared poised to be the breakout talent of the group. However, in the aftermath of the group's dissolution, he failed to make it on his own. The only Spirit Squad alumnus to have any independent success was Dolph Ziggler.
Who can name this WWE superstar?
At just 33 years of age, this 'Big Dog' already has a lifetime of ups and downs to look back on. Seemingly tabbed from early on as John Cena's heir apparent as the next franchise player in WWE, he was becoming a four-time world champion and a Grand Slam champion even as fans were vocally rejecting his management-facilitated babyface push. Then came his stunning revelation on a late 2018 episode of Raw that he had leukemia and would need to step away from the ring. He returned to cheers this past February with his cancer in remission, but the now-Smackdown superstar may face a slower build to the top.
Who can name this WWE superstar?
When this Olympic gold medalist joined the WWE in 1999, few doubted the amateur wrestling great's in-ring capabilities. The pleasant surprise, then, would be his highly entertaining character, emerging as an exceptionally arrogant heel and establishing some comedic ability through backstage skits with the likes of Vince McMahon and "Stone Cold" Steve Austin. Health concerns and a 12-year split from WWE surely took away some potential achievements, but the five-time world champion still left his mark on the company and earned a Hall of Fame induction in 2017. His TV return over the past two years has given him a chance to end his in-ring time on his terms, even if a Wrestlemania loss to Baron Corbin was hardly what most wanted.
Who can name this WWE superstar?
The Ayatollah of Rock 'N Rollah just keeps finding new ways to reinvent himself. Sure, the first-ever Undisputed Heavyweight Champion could rest on his long resume as he nears 50, but his most recent WWE run involved constant gimmick tweaks, most famously his pairing with Kevin Owens that featured the authorship of "The List". Since then, the Fozzy lead singer has taken more risks, returning to NJPW and signing on with the start-up AEW promotion. This exciting unpredictability should come as no surprise to those who have followed his journey, which started with an unforgettable WWE debut opposite The Rock and has gone in so many directions since.
Who can name this forgotten WWE superstar?
There were many female valets that came before this beloved 1980's star, but few who captured the hearts of fans in quite the same way as "Macho Man" Randy Savage's long-time beau (both on-screen and in real life). Though she rarely spoke during interviews or had her own matches, her sweet demeanor and visible chemistry with Randy helped give her practically equal billing in an era where that was rare for women. She even served at the heart of the Mega Powers explosion, a feud pitting Randy against former friend Hulk Hogan. She passed away in 2003 and has largely been ignored by WWE since, getting little mention during Randy's posthumous Hall of Fame induction in 2015.
Who can name this WWE superstar?
Apart from the 10 celebrities and five Warrior Award recipients who grace the WWE Hall of Fame, it's probably safe to say that no other inductee entered the Hall without wrestling a match for the company. This "Icon", however, remained so popular throughout time spent in WCW and TNA that WWE was essentially forced to go against their tendency to ignore rival promotions. Instead, this wrestling veteran was treated like a big deal from day one, feuding with the Authority and debuting in a major Wrestlemania 31 match vs Triple H. Now 60 and faced with a legit neck injury in his final bout, the six-time WCW champion looks to be done, but may still hold out hope for a dream match against the Undertaker.
Who can name this WWE superstar?
Known by aliases like Oz, Vinnie Vegas and, most famously, Diesel during the early years of his wrestling journey, this big man enjoyed his greatest success by simply playing himself. Although he enjoyed a World Heavyweight title reign as Diesel and even beat Shawn Michaels at Wrestlemania 11, things really took off for him when he left for WCW and launched the NWO under his real name as a member of the Outsiders tag team. That identity would return to WWE with him, where he would have another run as part of the NWO and enter into a feud with Triple H and CM Punk during a subsequent return.
Who can name this forgotten WWE superstar?
Things move pretty fast in WWE, so lengthy injury-related absences can leave wrestlers in the dust sometimes. Just ask this sidelined superstar on the left, whose wrestling future remains up in the air amid serious neck issues that emerged at the most unfortunate time. At the time of his injury, the former US Alpha tag team member was in the early stages of what looked to be a heel turn. He had riled the WWE Universe after being tabbed as the storyline long-lost son of Kurt Angle. Now, budding rivalries with Angle and Seth Rollins, with whom he briefly held the Raw tag team championships, seem like a distant memory.
Who can name this WWE superstar?
Few WWE superstars have ever been quite as divisive as this manic fan favorite. To his defenders, the late mega-star was an impossibly compelling competitor whose colorful garb, face paint, chiseled physique and wild energy made him immensely watchable. At one point, in fact, he challenged Wrestlemania 6 main event opponent Hulk Hogan as the face of the company. To his detractors, however, he was an overrated talent with an outsized ego who was known to make seriously offensive comments. Nonetheless, his re-connection with WWE in 2013 and subsequent Hall of Fame induction seemed a fitting send-off, made all the more poignant by his surprise passing days after induction.
Who can name this WWE superstar?
There has arguably never been a more perfect marriage between a superstar and the era that they emerged in than this popular superstar and the Attitude Era that he helped usher in. Known for being an unfiltered, beer-chugging tough guy, he was a perfect fit for a generation of WWE programming known for being edgy and unpredictable. If you were a fan from that time, you know that the sound of glass shattering that announced this Hall of Famer's arrival served as a signal that business was about to pick up. To this day, there may be no greater rivalry in WWE history than his lengthy battle with Vince McMahon that defined the era.