Top ten champs ever?...That's easy!
A little while ago, The Great One presented his "top ten" list of WWF champs to a few friends around Memorial University
of Newfoundland. As The Gord ponders and collects his thoughts on his first article, he has decided that your monkey asses
will be blessed by The Great One as he provides you with the privilege of reading such a list. Remember, these are honest
picks and the wrestlers are classified in order. The Great One has also provided a brief explanation on each pick. Therefore,
the list is as follows:
10. STONE COLD STEVE AUSTIN:
Although The Great One is not all that torn up about the Rattlesnake, he feels that Austin is one of the top ten champions of
all time. He has proven himself in the ring, is exceptional on the microphone, and was the poster boy for the WWF in the dark
ages after the departure of The Hitman. It is Austin who can be credited with the new fad in wrestling where bad is good, not
Hogan and the NWO. He has developed a cult following and is one of only a few wrestlers who doesn't need heat to be a fan
favourite. Although his antics are becoming played out and boring, his upcoming feud with The Rock should be both worthwhile
and entertaining.
9. "THE NATURE BOY" RIC FLAIR:
This hot-headed old man made his name in professional wrestling in the early days of the WWF. He feuded with the greats
of his time and even had a stint again with the WWF in the early 1990's. Although The Great One is not a fan of Flair, he can
be credited with memorable matches and to omit him from such a list would be a crime. His candy ass should keep out of the
ring now as he is only disgracing himself in that retirement home known as WCW.
8. BOB BACKLUND:
I'm not going to spend much time defending this pick. He was a great in the 1970's and provided some interesting angles
when he once again regained the title in 1994. The "crossed face chicken wing" was one of more popular wrestling moves of it's
time, however Bob should not return to the ring now---at least not in the WWF.
7. "SUPERSTAR" BILLY GRAHAM:
As I am only going on 20 years old, I remember very little about Superstar. He made muscles cool, was one of the early
champs of the WWF, and had a great entrance tune.
6. ANDRE THE GIANT:
The "true" giant of the world of professional wrestling. He was the man who saved wrestling from a very dark time and can
be held responsible for the popularity that the business is experiencing today, perhaps even more than Hogan. He was part of
the greatest feud in wrestling, that being with Hulk Hogan and was a significant factor in Wrestle Mania 3, an event which broke
attendance records and drew a crowd of over 93,000. Andre should have been the champ more than once and should have
been given the belt in his prime.
5. "MACHO MAN" RANDY SAVAGE:
Although he only had two reigns as champ, Macho Man was the winner of the famous Wrestle Mania 4 and remembered by
his feuds with Ricky Steamboat and other greats of the time. He is perhaps the only "old guy" The Gord would like to see in the
WWF today as The Great One thinks he still has talent.
4. THE ROCK:
Before you think The Great One is being somewhat pre-mature in including The Rock on such a list and at such a high
ranking, listen to what he has to say. Never before has The Gord witnessed a wrestler getting such a push from Vinnie Mac. He
has him setting all sorts of records such as youngest champ, quickest match, etc. Vinnie Mac is no idiot and sees potential in
The Rock's ability as a superstar and poster boy for the WWF. The only downfall to The Rock is that he has had the belt three
times in the last few months. Episodes of RAW are always graced by his presence and The Rock is constantly fighting all sorts
of grueling matches. He possesses the best microphone skills of any wrestler at any time. If The Gord was making this list in a
year or two from now, The Rock would definitely be higher.
3. SHAWN MICHEALS:
Yes, you read right. The Great One doesn't really like the guy, but he'll give credit where credit is due. He is the most
talented all around wrestler of all time. Good with the mic, high flying, and participated in many a great feud, especially with the
Hitman. Too bad he is injured because the WWF is worse off without him, however The Great One feels that his return is
inevitable. Who can forget that kick through the window of "The Barber Shop"? Classic.
2. HULK HOGAN:
Sorry to all you old school fans out there who think that Hogan should be one, but the Hulkster doesn't occupy number one
on The Great Ones list. He was a great champ who sold the WWF to the world, however held on to the belt for way too long;
a period of four consecutive years. He was part of many great matches, however the image of the unbeatable Hogan became
tired and boring and the Hulkster severally lacked wrestling talent and athletic ability. Look at the guy now........once again
beating to death a role that is already over. Too bad the guy couldn't have gone out with more respect. The Great One will
remember him as a tired old man just as well as he will remember him as the Hulkster.
1. BRET "THE HITMAN" HART:
In the Gord's opinion no one comes close to the Hitman. Bret Hart did what no other wrestler could do, that being portrayed as a heel in one
country while remaining a hero in the rest of the world. Bret was respected by the fans and went to great lengths to look after
the "Hitman" character. He was the first five time champ and didn't need a push to remain popular. Also a member of the
greatest tag team of all time, Bret Hart was the WWF in the years after Hogan left. He was excellent on the mic and played all
angles good. There will never be another champ as great as the Hitman.
Well, that is it for The Great Ones list of champs. If you have any problems, need clarification, or just want to argue, you are
encouraged to e-mail him at u77gwp@morgan.ucs.mun.ca where he will answer your comments
and then proceed to lay the smackdown on your candy ass.
Column author and editor:
Gordon Payne
