ChrisDrakkar Posted April 21, 2023 Report Share Posted April 21, 2023 Long time lurker here. Just wanna know everyone's personal thoughts on who's the best wrestler in specific aspects of wrestling as opposed to general greatness. Selling Comebacks Basing Control Segments Charisma Being a face Being a heel Face in Peril Hot tags On the mic Adding intensity to feuds Brawling Athleticism Ring IQ Highest floor Highest ceiling TV matches Big matches Best looking/most impactful offense Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SAMS Posted April 25, 2023 Report Share Posted April 25, 2023 I'll get the ball rolling. I know it's a somewhat reductive answer, but a good argument could be made that the correct choice for a lot of these categories is in fact Terry Funk. At least in terms of selling, comebacks, charisma, babyface, heel, FIP, hot tags, adding intensity to feuds(!!), brawling, ring IQ, highest floor/ceiling, and big matches (maybe not in terms of quantity on tape but at least quality). I'll take a stab at some others or give an idea of what the board consensus may be: Face: Martel, Santana, Steve Grey or Rey Heel: Jim Breaks, Hansen, Flair FIP: .....Ricky Morton Charisma: Rock, Austin, Hogan, ...the list goes on Brawling: Hansen, Sangre Chicana, Foley Athleticism: Young Rey, Brock, Steve Williams(?), I feel like there's a ton of Japanese guys who participated in the Olympics, which reminds me - Kurt Angle, Kiyoshi Tamura(?) TV Matches: Rey (again), Dundee Big Matches: Kobashi, Misawa, Jumbo, Flair, Cena Basing: Cesaro On the mic: I want to shout out Bruno here. I think he's a pretty lousy commentator but he's an excellent promo I don't know, feels like I'm missing a ton here to just reel them off the top of my head Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ma Stump Puller Posted April 25, 2023 Report Share Posted April 25, 2023 Ring IQ: Nishimura, Yoshinari Ogawa, Tenryu Athleticism: Jumbo, Vader, Tiger Mask I Control Segments: Hashimoto, Ogawa again (seriously that dude can work a arm or leg for 10+ minutes and still be fresh, somehow) Kensuke Sasaki Selling: Ishii, Hansen again, Tenryu again, Satomura, Kikuchi Highest Floor: Satoshi Kojima, Johnny Smith, Wilkins Jr, Jaguar Yokota (still outperforming talent even today) Highest Peak: Takayama, Tamon Honda, Mariko Yoshida....this one goes for way too long Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisDrakkar Posted April 25, 2023 Author Report Share Posted April 25, 2023 2 hours ago, SAMS said: FIP: .....Ricky Morton This has been the one that has made me feel a little dumb lol. 2 hours ago, SAMS said: I know it's a somewhat reductive answer, but a good argument could be made that the correct choice for a lot of these categories is in fact Terry Funk. I have an incomplete spreadsheet based around ranking specific wrestlers' abilities in these skills (IMO), summing them, and then weighing the most important aspects (selling, floor, for example). Funk is comfortably ahead, followed by Danielson in the NA one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sek69 Posted April 25, 2023 Report Share Posted April 25, 2023 The Von Erichs in their prime may have been the babyface-ist babyfaces who ever did babyface. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KawadaSmile Posted April 25, 2023 Report Share Posted April 25, 2023 5 hours ago, SAMS said: I'll get the ball rolling. I know it's a somewhat reductive answer, but a good argument could be made that the correct choice for a lot of these categories is in fact Terry Funk. This was my exact thought when I read this topic's title. Terry Funk is probably the undisputed GOAT when it comes to the emotional aspect of professional wrestling, as a face and as a heel. Regarding athleticism, I honestly feel like Doug Furnas is one of the best, yet lesser known picks. He was strong as shit AND was able to throw those moon jumping dropkicks with ease. However, I feel like the top pick would be pre-broken neck Lesnar. A guy that size doing Shooting Star Presses with ease, and being able to carry big damn dudes like Big Show? As for most impactful offense, should we take into consideration wrestlers just throwing potatoes or being reckless? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisDrakkar Posted April 25, 2023 Author Report Share Posted April 25, 2023 42 minutes ago, KawadaSmile said: As for most impactful offense, should we take into consideration wrestlers just throwing potatoes or being reckless? Lawler has better-looking offense than Cena thanks to his worked punches, for example. Variety and innovation also help. Making you pop with the moves in a vacuum. Punk, for example, is poor here, he's more emotional and selling-based. My 10s have been Shibata, Lesnar, Kurt and Hansen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KawadaSmile Posted April 25, 2023 Report Share Posted April 25, 2023 Yeah, Hansen came to mind when I asked that. He wasn't really working with those punches most of the time, so that helps. In our current times, I rank Gunther pretty highly, and he has managed to turn even basic moves like a sleeper hold and a chop into finishing maneuvers. Everything looks like it hurt, but he's pretty damn safe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisDrakkar Posted April 25, 2023 Author Report Share Posted April 25, 2023 Walter is a 9.5 for me as are Randy (smoothest), Rey, AJ and Kenny. These are more variety picks than anything. There are clearly holes in my viewing cause my territory stuff isn't on par. If this went to Mexico, Santito would be here too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KawadaSmile Posted April 26, 2023 Report Share Posted April 26, 2023 Yeah, Randy might be one of the guys with the best-looking offense. In fact, I think him being boring to some stems from that: he's so effortlessly good at those things like execution and timing, that he never really looks like he's putting in work or giving his all. It's all so natural to him. Also, I believe we could get even more specific. Like, who's the best at chops? At dropkicks? Who has the gnarliest lariat ever? The sickest DDT? Likewise, who's great at selling those moves? Who sells a limb like no one else's business? For instance, Rick Rude might be THE greatest Atomic Drop seller ever. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisDrakkar Posted April 26, 2023 Author Report Share Posted April 26, 2023 I'm in as long as you add a European Uppercuts to that list (partial to Bret's). Not best but a few faves: Chops: Benoit (cause he always chopped like it was the last chop he'll ever do with his yells) and Walter Dropkicks: Jumbo (no grace, 6 foot 6 dropkick) Lariat: Cena has such a nasty lariat that it carried most of his offense score for him cause his punches suck DDT: I like Kobashi's DDT. It feels, for lack of a better word, sincere. Kawada already has a reputation as the best leg seller of all time. Other elements I'd add (and some of my thoughts) Best rope runner: For as much flack as we give him, Taker always seemed to be running at full speed Best planchas or suicidas: Santito or Manami Toyota Best entrance: Stan Hansen Most creative/best improviser: doesn't count for much but Shawn's blade job in the WM XX triple threat is so discreet because he does it before the slingshot and he hides as part of the struggle to reverse it. In my rewatch I thought he bled the hard way. Best arena: no clue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeteF3 Posted April 26, 2023 Report Share Posted April 26, 2023 First name that came to mind for Ring IQ was Playboy Buddy Rose. One of the smartest workers ever. Highest floor...he's not a favorite here nor is he a favorite of mine, but this screams Triple H. A guy with that look could sustain a push in the Big Two while being mediocre. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sek69 Posted April 26, 2023 Report Share Posted April 26, 2023 Okada's dropkick is so smooth it became a big spot in his matches. He's a pretty tall guy too which makes it even more impressive. I've mentioned it before, but Miz is the greatest Sports Entertainer I've ever seen. He does all the things WWE wants their folks to do better than anyone else. 46 minutes ago, ChrisDrakkar said: Best arena: no clue Arena Mexico, and no other place comes close imo. History, legendary matches, great atmosphere. It's called the cathedral of lucha for a reason. Plus it's been doing it every week since 1933. MSG could have been a strong contender but other than that NJPW/ROH show there hasn't been any show of note there in like 20 years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elliott Posted April 26, 2023 Report Share Posted April 26, 2023 limiting myself to just one per Selling - Sangre Chicana Comebacks - Bruno Basing - Pass Control Segments - Pass Charisma - 1977 Superstar Graham Being a face - Bruno Being a heel - Dump Matsumoto Face in Peril - Ricky Morton Hot tags - Terry Funk On the mic - Dusty Adding intensity to feuds - Dump Matsumoto Brawling - Terry Funk Athleticism - Kiyoshi Tamura Ring IQ - Jerry Lawler Highest floor - Jerry Lawler Highest ceiling - Dump Matsumoto TV matches - I guess Rey Big matches - Dump Matsumoto Best looking/most impactful offense - Stan Hansen who's the best at chops? - I guess Flair. Chops suck. At dropkicks? - Jim Brunzell Who has the gnarliest lariat ever? - Stan Hansen The sickest DDT? - Jake Roberts Likewise, who's great at selling those moves? - Dunno Who sells a limb like no one else's business? - Roddy Piper selling the ear is my favorite body part selling. Best Rope Runner - Ricky Morton Best planchas or suicidas: El Hijo del Santo Best entrance - Dump Matsumoto Most Creative - Lawler maybe Best Arena -Mid South Coliseum Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SAMS Posted April 26, 2023 Report Share Posted April 26, 2023 7 hours ago, elliott said: Being a heel - Dump Matsumoto Adding intensity to feuds - Dump Matsumoto Highest ceiling - Dump Matsumoto Big matches - Dump Matsumoto Best entrance - Dump Matsumoto @elliott's continued pimping of Dump has led to her body of work being what I'm most excited in exploring as I get into the mid-80s! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisDrakkar Posted April 26, 2023 Author Report Share Posted April 26, 2023 8 hours ago, sek69 said: Arena Mexico, and no other place comes close imo. History, legendary matches, great atmosphere. It's called the cathedral of lucha for a reason. Plus it's been doing it every week since 1933. MSG could have been a strong contender but other than that NJPW/ROH show there hasn't been any show of note there in like 20 years. Absolutely. No complaints here. Even though MSG is seen as THE place for NA, I think the Allstate Arena/Rosemont Horizon has already surpassed it. Japan: the TD is the go-to answeer but nothing has matched the consistency of the Nippon Buddokan. I wanna add more basic moves Best chin lock Arm lock Abdominal stretch Headlock Best collar and elbow Arm drag Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisDrakkar Posted April 26, 2023 Author Report Share Posted April 26, 2023 9 hours ago, PeteF3 said: Highest floor...he's not a favorite here nor is he a favorite of mine, but this screams Triple H. A guy with that look could sustain a push in the Big Two while being mediocre. I guess what I mean is: who's worst stuff is the best of the worst stuff? I only have Rey and Terry at 10 in NA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoS Posted April 26, 2023 Report Share Posted April 26, 2023 I will add Austin's name to adding intensity to feuds and for babyface comebacks, shitty punches and stomps aside. Also I feel he was a very underrated babyface seller, which is why he was able to get the audience to root for him despite being booked fairly dominantly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Champagne Posted April 26, 2023 Report Share Posted April 26, 2023 Roman Reigns is the best ever at kicking out of pin attempts at the last possible instant before the ref's hand hits 3. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisDrakkar Posted April 26, 2023 Author Report Share Posted April 26, 2023 What about comedy? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dav'oh Posted April 26, 2023 Report Share Posted April 26, 2023 1 hour ago, ChrisDrakkar said: What about comedy? Fred Ottman? Liger is the best at conveying emotion through a mask. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SAMS Posted April 26, 2023 Report Share Posted April 26, 2023 1 hour ago, ChrisDrakkar said: What about comedy? Jim Breaks? Can work the comedy into the match without derailing it and still has that mean streak Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blehschmidt Posted April 26, 2023 Report Share Posted April 26, 2023 Best DDT to me would have to be Arn Anderson. I know Jake's is considered the original and the best by most, but the way Arn could snap that thing off from out of no where and change the tide of a match was a thing of beauty. For Armdrag, I mean, it has to be Ricky Steamboat, right? and when it comes to punches, I'd like to throw out a name that might get overlooked for being newer..... Chris Hero. I know he throws a ton of elbows, but when he does throw straight punches, they sound fucking brutal and I never see him slapping a thigh. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NintendoLogic Posted April 26, 2023 Report Share Posted April 26, 2023 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KawadaSmile Posted April 26, 2023 Report Share Posted April 26, 2023 I always felt like Hashimoto's DDT was underrated. It wasn't beautiful, but like essentially his entire offense, it looked like it could end a match. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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