Jkeats

Agreed. I think you're arguing me on a point I wasn't making. In fact, your first sentence was the point I was going for. I would pick Lawler to be my main event 10 times out of 10 over Race. As for punches, it would be a toss up between Lawler and Funk for best ever, for me. Lawler's punches are fantastic, though.

Maybe I should have said "athletic ability" in the ring. As was mentioned before, Race had a lot of moves and I felt he was a better wrestler in the purest sense. I would much rather watch Jerry Lawler though and I think Lawler had a much better grasp of getting the crowd emotionally invested in the matches and angles. Obviously, Lawler is one of the best promos ever in wrestling.

I would agree. For that time period, though, he was a perfect choice as touring champion. He has that methodical, workman style that makes everything he does feel real. It's just not always that interesting to watch, unfortunately. His promos were ok just not spectacular. I would rank him above Lawler for in ring ability but certainly not in psychology as Lawler was the master of doing a lot with a little. I was watching those Wrestling Gold DVDs and the crowd reaction for the Lawler matches is just amazing. It's tough to say if Race was overrated though, as he did the job he was supposed to do. I just wouldn't want to watch an entire DVD set of his matches.

I was actually at the '94 Rumble live in RI so it has some sentimental value to me for that alone. That Undertaker angle was a little out there to see. That may have been the best Rumble show but my favorite is still '92, for the main event and that Piper finally won WWF gold.

It definitely took a lot of wind out of his sails but then I thought he rebounded nicely with some quality work in WWE. His WM match with Undertaker was especially good and he even carried Vince to a good match. It's been the last year or so when he's really declined...it feels/looks like he's aged 30 years in the last 3. I could still watch an entire DVD filled with nothing but his World Championship Wrestling promos though