The best fighters in World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE)

What childhood was not captivated by the spectacle that has been the WWE? Thousands of fans have been enchanted by its legendary wrestlers and the performances they have given in the ring. One of the most nostalgic and fondest is the incredible Hulk Hogan. He has undoubtedly left his mark on the industry with his prominent mustache and classic American style.

If ever there was a wrestler who spread terror and fear among his opponents and the general public, it was undoubtedly Mark Calaway, known by his stage name, The Undertaker. His storyline was the longest in WWE, beginning in 1990 and ending in 2020, 30 years after his first on-screen debut. In 2022, he was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.

Shawn Michaels, WWE's 'Heartthrob Boy,' and later 'Mr. WrestleMania' was a four-time World Champion and a part of the famous D-Generation X (DX) group. Michaels eventually retired from the ring, continuing in the business behind the camera.

At only 5'5" tall, he was the 'runt' of the WWE, but this never deterred him from becoming one of the most legendary players in its history. Born in Mexico, Óscar Gutiérrez learned the "lucha libre," high-flying method of wrestling, which he brought to America and made famous. He wore masks that gave him a mysterious aura his audience came to love so much.

James Hellwig, another beloved great of the 1980s and 1990s wrestling scene, was the wrestler with the painted face and tape, "The Last Warrior." Sadly, he is no longer with us, as he passed away from heart failure while walking down the street in New Orleans in 2014. He was only 54 years old just two days after being inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.

Mark Henry started his career in weightlifting, winning a medal at the 1995 Pan American Games, also earning the title "World's Strongest Man," and many other awards during his career. He later transitioned to wrestling, being inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2018. He currently acts as a commentator for the new generation of wrestlers.

"Stone Cold" Steve Austin was always a defiant and fearless fighter, entering the stadium to his hallmark sound of breaking glass. He later followed the path of other WWE wrestlers before him, such as Hulk Hogan, by breaking into the TV and film scene.

'The Rock' hasn't been an actor since his early childhood, he started his career in the WWE and an outstanding career it was! He was called 'The Greatest,' 'The People's Champion,' and even 'The Most Electrifying Man in Sports Entertainment.' He will go down in wrestling history as one of its most charismatic stars while also dominating Hollywood as one of the world's highest-paid actors.

Heart problems forced Paul Levesque, stage name 'Triple H,' to leave the ring in 2021 after one of the most successful careers in WWE history. He rose to fame during the 1990s and 2000s, making his debut in 1995, and becoming a 14-time World Champion along the way.

Dave Bautista, or rather 'Bautista,' as he is known in the ring, was a six-time World Champion who made his mark on the WWE. Thanks to his successful career, 'The Animal' was inducted into the Hall of Fame while forging a new path as an actor. In 2022 alone, we have seen him in 'Thor: Love and Thunder' and, in 2023, 'Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3,' and 'Dune: Part 2.'

He was one of the biggest stars in wrestling, and as they say in the WWE universe, "You either love him or hate him; there is no middle ground." Loved or not, 'The Champion' has the most fans in all of WWE's history. And with his popularity has come many new opportunities for Cena, as he has added rapper and actor to his repertoire in the past years.

Not to be confused with the singer Sting or the rock band Kiss, this wrestler was an individual all his own. He begged for a match against 'The Undertaker,' but Vince McMahon never allowed it to happen, so he left the WWE, leaving behind a successful career. He worked in the acting industry until 2015.

Another dominant force that conquered the WWE. Big Show went head to head with superstars of great prestige and clinched many titles, including the WWE Championship. He even went toe-to-toe with World Champion boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr.

And when it comes to immense hunk, the champion among champions is undoubtedly the Great Khali. The Indian wrestler intimidated anyone with his 7-foot-1-inch frame and hard face. He retired with his head held high after legendary bouts against WWE's most famous superstars.

They say within the WWE organization that "Randy Orton was born a superstar. From the moment he broke out of his shell, The Viper wriggled among the most revered figures in the ring." Little more to say for the WWE fighter with many followers.

Who doesn't remember him for his role in the movie "The Princess Bride" series? In addition, he is also one of the most remembered fighters in the WWE for being a part of the WWE Hall of Fame. Among his achievements was his reign as WWE World Heavyweight Champion and another as WWE World Tag Team Champion. He died in 1993 from a heart problem.

Roderick George Toombs, his actual name, decided to patriotically appear before the audience dressed in a plaid skirt while bagpipes played traditional music. Oh, the Scottish! Piper wrestled professionally for 45 years but died in 2015 from cardiopulmonary arrest. He was the protagonist of the legendary film 'They Live' in 1988.

Another WWE wrestler is no longer with us as he died under similar circumstances to his colleagues, cardiopulmonary failure. Some also attribute his death to alcohol and substance abuse. But aside from his unfortunate demise, his lighthearted attitude in the ring and his many accomplishments earned him induction into the WWE Hall of Fame.

The former fighter currently works as a backstage commentator in the WWE. He was known as 'The Best in the World," and his fantastic fights in the ring led him to achieve a record of more than 400 days as a World Champion.

A former WWE wrestler, he currently works for All Elite Wrestling under his real name, Bryan Lloyd Danielson. He gave an interview to Wrestling Observer Radio, where he explained his reasons for leaving WWE in 2021; among them, he stated that "he wanted to bleed."

Angle was a two-time WWE World Champion and won a gold medal at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, representing the United States in men's sports wrestling in the 100-kilogram category. He has been the only fighter to force John Cena to surrender a match, twice.

Mick Foley has been one of the most successful wrestlers in all of WWE history, fighting under the mask of three characters: the unpredictable Cactus Jack, the demented hippy Dude Love, and everyone's favorite mental patient, Mankind.

Some people spend their whole lives searching for perfection, but for 'Mr. Perfect' Curt Henning, it just happened naturally. The guy did everything well, and for that reason, he is one of the most beloved characters in WWE wrestling. Here he is seen receiving a good 'painkiller' from the eternally eccentric Dennis Rodman.

Better known in the ring as 'Macho Man,' he was a six-time World Champion, among his many successes, and was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame by Hulk Hogan in 2015, four years after his death from a myocardial infarction at only 58 years old.

Ric Flair is one of the true classics of wrestling, with a career of over 40 years. He was a true charismatic showman, entering the ring with colored cloaks donned with feathers and decorations. He was World Champion an impressive sixteen times, the most of any other WWE wrestler. His last match was in 2008, but by then, he was already part of the WWE Hall of Fame.

Another one of the fantastical WWE characters, and in his case, a two-time World Champion. In 2013, Sammartino was inducted into the Hall of Fame by Arnold Schwarzenegger. Unfortunately, in 2018 he died of multiple organ failure at 82.

A former American football player, he practiced mixed martial arts and professional wrestling, both in the WWE and in the UFC. A true beast, he has been a World Champion twelve times, a WWE champion eleven times, and a UFC Heavyweight World Champion. Thus becoming the only fighter who has ever won the main championships of two different sports.

Robert Rudolph Remus, better known as Sgt. Slaughter, was a one-time World Champion, having won the WWF Championship, and was also inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2004. His military vibe was most patriotic.

Kane entered the world of WWE in 1995, and he's still there, even if he's no longer crushing rivals in the ring. An imposing guy over 6.5 feet tall, he would wear masks in the ring to further intimidate his opponents. He is a three-time World Champion, a World Heavyweight Champion, and an ECW Champion, being the first fighter at the time to win the three top WWE titles.

Benoit was a two-time World Champion, but his private troubles tragically cut his life and successful career short. He was a victim of alcohol and substance abuse, leading him to take his own life in 2007 at 40 years old.

Another one of the great classics of American wrestling. He won the WCW World Heavyweight Championship twice, the WWA World Heavyweight Championship once, the WCW United States Championship five times, and, along with Bret Hart during his stint in the WWE, the seventh edition of the Royal Rumble. He currently works behind the scenes at the WWE.

Fred Ottman, who went by stage names like Tugboat and Typhoon, was best known for his unpopular 'Shockmaster' persona in World Championship Wrestling.

We end with one of WWE's most beastly and legendary wrestlers, Tommy Dreamer, seven-time World Champion, and another of the sport's most remembered wrestlers. We could end here, but this list surely will not. It will undoubtedly grow over time, never forgetting its beloved wrestlers and adding new wrestlers as the WWE organization moves forward, with thousands of its fans accompanying it every step of the way.