MasterJonBurr

1 Terry Funk 2 Ric Flair 3 Stan Hansen 4 Toshiaki Kawada 5 Genichiro Tenryu 6 Kenta Kobashi 7 Tatsumi Fujinami 8 Negro Casas 9 Mitsuharu Misawa 10 Aja Kong 11 Daniel Bryan 12 Jerry Lawler 13 Ricky Steamboat 14 Jumbo Tsuruta 15 Rey Mysterio Jr. 16 Bull Nakano 17 Akira Hokuto 18 Jushin Liger 19 Randy Savage 20 Brock Lesnar 21 Buddy Rose 22 Akira Taue 23 El Dandy 24 Yoshiaki Fujiwara 25 Arn Anderson 26 Billy Robinson 27 Shinya Hashimoto 28 Vader 29 Eddie Guerrero 30 William Regal 31 Jun Akiyama 32 The Destroyer 33 Barry Windham 34 Riki Choshu 35 Jack Brisco 36 Sgt. Slaughter 37 Rick Martel 38 Nick Bockwinkel 39 Rick Rude 40 Dustin Rhodes 41 John Cena 42 Chigusa Nagayo 43 Sami Zayn 44 Chris Benoit 45 Tully Blanchard 46 Dick Murdoch 47 Terry Gordy 48 Harley Race 49 AJ Styles 50 Dusty Rhodes 51 Ted Dibiase 52 Samoa Joe 53 Hiroshi Hase 54 Shinjiro Ohtani 55 Fit Finlay 56 Dick Togo 57 Dr. Wagner Jr. 58 Ricky Morton 59 Owen Hart 60 Bobby Eaton 61 Roddy Piper 62 Brian Pillman 63 Jim Breaks 64 Dynamite Kid 65 El Hijo del Santo 66 Adrian Adonis 67 Buzz Sawyer 68 Invader I 69 Tito Santana 70 El Satanico 71 Keiji Mutoh 72 Naoki Sano 73 Larry Zbyszko 74 Yoshihiro Tajiri 75 Osamu Nishimura 76 Mick Foley 77 Randy Orton 78 Carlos Colon 79 Wahoo McDaniel 80 Daisuke Ikeda 81 Kerry Von Erich 82 Terry Rudge 83 Super Dragon 84 Mayumi Ozaki 85 CIMA 86 Too Cold Scorpio 87 Shinsuke Nakamura 88 Steve Austin 89 Curt Hennig 90 Atsushi Onita 91 Jake Roberts 92 Eddie Gilbert 93 The Rock 94 Big Boss Man 95 Johnny Saint 96 Bill Dundee 97 Mike Jackson 98 Tracy Smothers 99 Mark Briscoe 100 Hulk Hogan Yours, JHHBjr

I think these two fellas being the final fray is pretty indicative of what a success this project has been. I think the chasm between Funk & Flair and the rest of the list is quite dramatic. I had Funk first, but am filled with regret with every Flair testimonial I read, and am certain I would feel the same if the roles were reversed. The two greatest there's ever been, who happened to produce the most important feud in my wrestling fandom. Salud! Yours, JHHBjr

He was, like many, a shoot-style guy was also worked in pro-style promotions. As a shoot-style guy, he also used quite a bit of pro-style stuff. Did I mention his horrible headbutts ? He also wasn't that great working outside of shoot-style environment, unlike Yamazaki or Takada. He was fun, but not that good, especially past his peak. Yes. So you rated Fujiwara 28th, but are dismayed at where he ended up being ranked? Having difficulty sussing out your viewpoint. Fujiwara is the closest to a shoot stylist that I ranked. I decided to take Maeda off my list, despite loving him in the past, and am now regretting it. Fujiwara ticks all my boxes in that he's not just a good worker, but also a great entertainer. I like shoot style but it's almost a different thing for me, and I haven't seen enough to consider my opinion even close to expert. Yours, JHHBjr

Dibiase getting 42 is some Douglas Adams shit, for sure, when it comes to Parv's affection for him. List is heating up! Yours, JHHBjr

And that's why OJ is still king of wrasslin posts! Yours, JHHBjr

Baba > Andre, in my estimation. Had Sarge at #36. I've heard reports of him dogging it, at times, but I've never seen that, and I've seen him as Beatiful Bob Remus. Hell, his turnbuckle bump is the only crazier bump than Hamrick's that said wrestler would routinely break out. That alone should get him some major love. Bull at 61? Maybe y'all meant 16, because that's where I had her. Best look in wrasslin history and such an amazing big match worker with such a cool career arc and stellar feuds. I wonder if this is a grim augury for joshi on the whole, or just a plummet for Nakano. Lots of guys here in this slot I didn't rank. I need to revisit Tamura, as I sort of eschewed true shoot style, but don't feel bad about leaving Blue Panther, Atlantis, Baba, and Ishikawa off at all. BP and Atlantis began to bore me a little on the deep dives, to the point where I would avoid their matches. Love their big stuff, but when I actively dodge you that frequently, you off the list! I only ranked one battlarts guy, and that was Ikeda, but you could tell me you think ishikawa is superior and I wouldn't bat a lash. Baba has soared past his once jocular status, but this seems an overcorrection to me. Had Ohtani & Togo about 20 spots higher, as it seems I value the junior work more, but kinda saw this coming. Ohtani's heavy stuff is vastly inferior to his junior run, but then again what isn't. Had Dick Togo slightly behind him as the king of lucharesu. All in all, fun to see where consensus lies now. Yours, JHHBjr

I have lived in and around Nashville for the TNA run as well. I also just hate the name TNA. But, I completely agree with you. I've completely ignored it after giving it a quick shot during the early days. It really didn't play a factor in any of my rankings. I even played a few shows with you back in my Boro days Mr. Burr. Small world. Oh, my stars and garters! What band? And, to keep this sucker on topic, did anyone who has ever worked SAW, middle Tennessee's REAL premier federation, even sniff the GWE? Besides Tracey Smothers, of course! Yours, JHHBjr

Query for the peanut gallery: how much does the TNA stuff influence the rankings of Angle, AJ, Joe, Christian, et. al? Seems like a whooooole lot for most of y'all. Living in Nashville for the past decade has made, ironically enough, TNA a huge blind spot for me, as its misinterpretation of southern wrestling being in my face all the time made me actively and willfully ignore it. Perhaps this is why I'm not as hateful towards Angle & Joe and don't truly understand the Christian love. I guess this blind spot makes my rankings of lots of the TNA guys ring pretty hollow but I'm now really curious what the TNA era has done for nominees of the list. Anyone? Anyone? Bueller? And kudos to The Great Muta for making the list! My all-time favorite wrestler! Don't think I had him very high but glad others still rate him. Yours, JHHBjr

This is absolute genius and a wonderful analogy. You found the words, friend. Enjoyed Thrillseekers & WCW era, but that's about it. Yours, JHHBjr

A few folks have chimed in, already, and wouldn't you belong in the pro-Andre, anti-taker camp yourself? And I imagine a cursory glance at the old nominees listings would prove out that plenty old Skool marks are probably in this camp. There's lots of Taker antipathy, while Andre is pretty beloved but, really, they're two of the most protected wrestlers ever whom I happen to think are pretty intelligent workers during the peaks of their careers. I didn't rank either of them in my GWE list, but I enjoy parts of both of their careers. I just think their careers have marked similarities and think their appraisals on this board are waaaaaay dissimilar. Again, this is not me saying taker is better than Andre or that Andre sucks! Yours, JHHBjr

I know Angle and Taker can be the drizzling shits, but I think the highs are pretty damned high (especially Angle's "It's True" early run) and that Taker, especially, should be given credit for getting such a ludicrously stupid character over to the degree that many marks consider him THE wrestler amongst wrestlers. If you voted for Andre and think a vote for Taker is completely asinine, you're probably an old Skool fetishist. Angle definitely lost his way, but was a prodigious talent and doesn't deserve the scarlet letter with which he's been stitched. GWE list candidate? Nah. But worst wrestler ever candidate? Definitely nah. Yours, JHHBjr

I had Tajiri at #74. I think he's one of the best wrestlers in not only ECW history, but also WWE. I also have so much respect for guys who can get over in the states without talking. I also send my friends (graps fans or no) .GIFs of him misting eddy Guerrero from inside that low rider's trunk on a semi-daily basis. Yours, JHHBjr

Steve Williams is more akin to the aforementioned "one year wonder" narrative than Rude, I think. Maybe it's more like "2 territory wonder" for Williams, as I only rate his AJ run and parts of his UWF stuff. Doc made my top 200 (I made a list of 250, initially) but I didn't really consider him for GWE. Now if we were listing favorites, Dr. Death is top 50 easily. Still a huge mark for all his signature spots and mannerisms. Yours, JHHBjr

I think Rick Rude belongs. Beach Blast 92 is as good as it gets in my eyes and I felt like he was damned good no matter where he was working. Dragged an absolute classic out of Chono and his tag team with Manny Fernandez was outstanding. Worked well with all sorts of WWF underachievers and when he made the jump to the worker's haven WCW, he was suddenly one of the best in the world. Whether you believe his injury was real or not, it was the reason for his downfall and, otherwise, he probably continues ripping it up. VOTE RUDE, 2026 SWEATHOGS! Yours, JHHBjr

I looooooove Rugged Ronnie Garvin, but couldn't find a way to get him near my Top 100. I think it's great that his ascent in everyone's estimation in the last decade is so dramatic, though. Coincidentally, Garvin beating Flair for the belt led to all my classmates declaring wrestling to be fake and is one of my very first memories of our great sport. Yours, JHHBjr

I can definitely say that filling out the tag list simultaneously led to me slighting some tag workers and leaving others off. In hindsight, this may have been a mistake. Yatsu and Tommy Rogers probably the largest gaffes. Yours, JHHBjr

The REALLY amazing workers are coming out now. Really makes you realize just how many great wrestlers there have been. That Colon/Hansen feud is amongst the best and I think Chris Hero is probably the most versatile Indy worker this side of Danielson. Yours, JHHBjr

I know I just posted but Akira Maeda has to be the most shocking drop, thus far. I'm part of the reason, though, I guess, as that is exactly where I had him! Once upon a time, his presence and pro style work was enough for me to consider him amongst the top workers, but looking back and realizing that he sorta sucks at his chosen style really hurt him in my eyes. C'est la vie, he will always have the Fujinami match, amongst other great NJ matches. Yours, JHHBjr

I have plenty of favorites on the list, but all-time faves like Tojo Yamamoto, Shocker, Jimmy Valiant, Yumiko Hotta,Buddy Landel and current fave Dalton Castle had no chance of making this list. Plenty of guys I sorta dislike are all over my list, too, because their greatness is just undeniable, although I took a hard stance against a few well loved workers just because I feel they're just so grossly overrated. And Parv is coming dangerously close to the old saying that if you live long enough, you eventually become the villain of your own story. For Parv, he's perilously close to having lived long enough to become the new jdw of his favorite wrestling board hahahahaha. I want to hear more Rick Steiner defenses and less semantic banging of heads against walls, Parv! That's where you really shine! Again, the list is really fun to follow. I am STUNNED Chigusa didn't make the Top 100. Really curious if Hokuto overtakes Aja, as Nagayo's ranking makes me think that peaks may be more important than a long career. Yours, JHHBjr

For what it's worth, which is admittedly little 'round these parts, I find the objectivity vs. subjectivity dialogue far more tiresome than any Mempho vs. shoot style debate. Hell, I'll read damned near any epistolary skirmish, so long as its discussing our fair sport. Thusly, I'll call roll of my first ten fallen soldiers and try and detail why they made my list. I promise to hide behind neither the "that's just my opinion" nor the "critical consensus" rhetorics. I'll just do my best to convince you and will squeal with delight as you rend my judgement asunder. I'll run with the following format: GWE Rank: 306 My Rank: 99 MARK BRISCOE - While I've somehow always found myself fancying the seemingly eventually lesser half of a tag team - Marty Jannetty of the Rockers, Tito Santana of Strike Force, or GASP Tom Zenk when paired with Flyin' Brian spring to mind - this really doesn't signify the return of a youthful contrarian streak. I genuinely think Mark is the better half of the greatest indie tag team and I think that should count for something. I think his character and comedy work is reminiscent of the Dick Murdochs of yore, and his pendulum swings between menace and mugging with great moxie and effortlessness. One of the most fun live workers going today and worthy of the list. GWE Rank: 153 My Rank: 98 TRACY SMOTHERS - A constant in my wrestling viewing lifetime. Whether tearing up Florabama or East Tennessee; whether showing up on The Superstation or one of the last two real territorial TV shows I was able to catch regularly; whether having a great technical southern tag on a PPV or doing his dancing schtick at a local armory, Tracy Smothers has always entertained and maintained a level of excellence. He's been everywhere and done everything, all with a shocking amount of modernity and adaptability. GWE Rank: 512 My Rank: 97 MIKE JACKSON - Simply put, and in more than one way, the boss of jobbers. I've seen SO MANY Mike Jackson matches and damned near every one of them was either good or, at the very least, served its purpose, with him giving his level best. GWE Rank: 122 My Rank: 95 JOHNNY SAINT - I think the backlash has gone too far. He's not my highest rated WOS fellow, but he belongs on the list. I don't think he's nearly as selfish as most, as I think he makes his opponents' arsenal seem devastating and he's - pardon the awkwardness of this phrase - unafraid to show fear in the ring. Complain about his recurring spots, but I can't think of many wrestlers worth a damn who don't do the same thing, only with half the panache and thoughtfulness. His longevity is nearly unmatched and his influence, for better or for worse, took wrestling by storm for a bit there. GWE Rank: 171 My Rank: 94 BIG BOSSMAN - Second best big man bumper ever and able to play so many different roles. Can't really think of a guy who was able to work heel and baby so differently, while maintaining the big man presence. My favorite Hulk Hogan opponent and, really, a guy whose whole career I really enjoyed. Loved his strikes even more than Vader, who, it springs to mind, was a GREAT opponent for Boss Man. So, so agile for his size and a great worker. GWE Rank: 150 My Rank: 92 EDDIE GILBERT - For me, the mental side of wrestling is almost everything. I love athleticism and explosiveness as much as the next guy, but it isn't a prerequisite for my endorsement, necessarily. Eddie and the next guy I list have a lot in common, with their greatest attribute being the ability to get angles over. No matter how preposterous or how unlikely or poorly matched the opponent, the angle was getting OVER. I also think he was way better in the ring than he gets credit for, and could play lots of roles in the ring, from WWF jobber to one of the great chickenshit heels ever. Plus, he ran over Jerry Lawler with a car! GWE Rank: 131 My Rank: 91 JAKE ROBERTS - Everything I said for Eddie goes for Jake, and then some. The undisputed king of getting downright shitty angles with downright shitty wrestlers over. And even when Vince would give him good wrestlers to pair with, something as absurd as a toothless cobra or a blindfold would wriggle its way into the middle of it. Best WWF promo ever and I also love his red pants run in Mid-South, as well. Just trust me on this one. GWE Rank: 201 My Rank: 85 CIMA - I know many people rue DG and its influence, but I contend if half their wrestlers had half the smarts and charisma of its most famous forefather, folks would feel differently. His prodigal Toryumon run frankly blew my mind and I loved the way he carried himself with menace and grace amongst the otherwise unfeeling freneticism of the promotion. CRAZY MAX was the last great stable, as far as I'm concerned, and he was its touchstone. I also think his ability to change his style and function really well in other styles and promotions is a huge selling point, as well. Will watch a CIMA match at the drop of a hat, always. GWE Rank: 133 My Rank: 84 MAYUMI OZAKI - Anyone who brings up botched moves or sloppiness gets an uraken, followed by an Ozakick! The queen bitch of Joshi, for me, who was so sneakily wonderful and charismatic. Some Oscar-worthy mugging and bits of business in the ring, and I really thought she and her roving stable were one of the best acts in wrestling for a good while. I love her tags, I love her straight fights, I love her ridiculous moves.......that she sometimes botches. Ah, shit, I forgive her imperfections and you should, too. GWE Rank: 228 My Rank: 83 SUPER DRAGON - Like an indy Bruiser Brody or Undertaker, if either of those guys could actually go. Unmistakable aura, combined with a nigh complete control of the audience, all behind a hood and getup that concealed damned near his whole body. I enjoyed almost all of his big "DREAM BOUT" type matches and have a great respect for the culture he created in wrestling. An uncompromising figure, from his stiffness to his disappearing acts, but I think there's so much to love about this worker. I'll try to get to my next ten sometime this week and am really having a blast thinking about why we love the wrestlers we do. I hope you guys are, too. Also, I am loving all of the GWE podcasts! Keep 'em coming! If only I could coerce Dean Rasmussen into doing one.....his list is mindbogglingly wonderful. Yours, JHHBjr

86 left. Oh, my! Still laughing at Paul's reveal. Yours, JHHBjr

Well done, Stephen. Truly spectacular presentation. Yours, JHHBjr

Wanted to rank Mocho Cota but have only seen 3 matches. What a character, though. I don't get the Orton-as-poster-boy-for-homogeneity trope. To me, he's one of the only truly charismatic wrestlers in the wwe. He is in character 100% of the time. He's their best house show wrestler by far and, to some extent, their best live wrestler. Has he been booked into oblivion and overexposed? Sure. But he's a tremendous wrestler and definitely has his own character and style. Also think he could get over anywhere. I will now prepare myself to be excoriated. Yours, JHHBjr

Osamu Nishimura finishing this low is the first real disconnect I have felt from this list and this board. I don't mean that in a negative way; I just mean that it is the first time I really really felt it. Yours, JHHBjr

Now THERE'S a guy I'm familiar with, I've known Lil' Tony since he was thirteen years old. And, good video, by the way. I could swear that I attended a NAWA show once, around maybe 2004 or 2005-ish, hanging out with Dan Wilson one time... that was the one in Rome, right? Was Iceberg ever the booker or promoter for that one? I might be getting my greater-ATL-area indies all mixed up, it's been a while. NAWA was indeed in Rome and was closely affiliated with Wildside so I wouldn't be surprised. I think I vaguely remember Iceberg being around but can't really be sure. I got into music right afterwards and 10 years on the road has done in my memory a la stone cold Steve Austin (isn't flair's memory amazing? He's inhuman.). Lil Tony is a national treasure and, living in Nashville, I see him and his dad (my avatar, presently) all over the area at shows. Ahhhhh southern indies, you are THE best. Yours, JHHBjr