WWE venues saw many iconic fighters in the ring. Many entertain fans to this day, while others retired from the sport a long time ago. Every time they appeared in the ring, audiences at the venues and TV screens lost their minds. Their larger-than-life personalities brought in millions for the WWE organization.
Fans love wrestlers for their unique mannerisms, costumes, moves, and iconic rivalries. But, several iconic entertainers stand way above the rest. Their involvement with the WWE made the promotion the giant it is today.
- John Cena
There’s hardly a person who has never heard of John Cena or his iconic “You can’t see me” catchphrase. He launched the Ruthless Aggression era and is still one of WWE’s biggest stars. After his debut in 2002, Cena stepped into the ring with:
- Triple H
- CM Punk
- AJ Styles
He became a world champion 16 times. Cena introduced audiences to new fighters, Kevin Owens and Samu Zayn. John Cena is known for his heavy involvement with the Make-A-Wish foundation.
Like many wrestlers, Cena also tried his acting abilities in movies. Recently he landed a role as the titular character in the “Peacemaker” series produced by HBO Max.
- Stone Cold Steve Austin
Steve Austin, better known by his stage name Stone Cold, is a legend among wrestlers. His matches with Mick Foley, Vince McMahon, and The Rock still hold up 20 years later. He single-handedly revived interest in professional wrestling in the mid-1990s. Some of his most iconic moments include:
- Antagonizing Mike Tyson
- Giving the bird to Vince McMahon
- Dowsing the ring with gallons of beer
Stone Cold’s outlandish attitude and stuns skyrocketed the public interest in WWE. The “Monday Night RAW” event involving Austin had gigantic ratings. This gave rise to the popular WWE Network and huge revenue from showing WWE fights on TV. Unfortunately, Stone Cold left the ring forever after sustaining a neck injury.
- “Macho Man” Randy Savage
No man has embodied the bombastic 1980s more than Randy Savage. His Macho Man persona often appeared in outlandish cowboy outfits. Combined with speaking through clenched teeth, Savage created an unforgettable image.
Some even were among the 93.000 people during his bout with Ricky Steamboat. This match had a big impact on professional wrestling. It also inspired hundreds of new athletes; it’s considered one of the best bouts in the history of WWE. Throughout his 32-year career, Randy won 29 championships and 11 titles.
- Ric Flair
WWE fans can’t talk about the discipline without mentioning the one and only Ric Flair. His career lasted for 40 years, with many memorable performances. Ric started wrestling in his teen years and debuted in pro wrestling during the 1970s. He became a part of the WWE roster in 1991 and won the Royal Rumble a year later.
Fans loved his iconic phrases, such as:
- “I’m every woman’s dream and every man’s nightmare.”
- “Diamonds are forever, and so is Ric Flair.”
- “If you don’t like it, learn to love it.”
Over the years, his most prominent opponents were Ricky Steamboat, Macho Man Randy Savage, and Shawn Michaels. The superstar’s career ended in 2022. He’s known as the only wrestler to be added to WWE’s Hall of Fame twice.
Flair’s legacy is continued by his daughter Charlotte. She first appeared in professional wrestling at 14, along with her father.
Conclusion
While the WWE has many rising stars on its roster, nobody can deny the impact left by these wrestlers. Their charisma, theatrics, and extraordinary skills kept the public interested in the sport for decades.
