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RJ’s Two Cents - My Top 10 Favorite WWE Wrestlers Since January 2002

4/12/2016

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By RJ Marceau

I would say a few weeks ago, Graham and I were talking about a top 10 list of all time. I was saying it would be tough for me to nail down my top 10.

​After sitting down and designing a list I have come up with my top 10 favorite WWE wrestlers of all time.  

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10. Bray Wyatt

I know he is currently being unburied by The Rock and John Cena but for how little the people care about Bray Wyatt I have been a big fan of his since his debut in the WWE. Even as Husky Harris I enjoyed that for what it was worth. Wyatt is the unique character that I wanted the WWE to unleash and be this era’s Undertaker. Wyatt hasn’t won at a WrestleMania and I will stand by word that if he lost at WrestleMania XXX he would be ruined. Wyatt, win or lose will always be one of my favorites so I hope the WWE can turn around his career.

Wyatt hasn’t had a lot of great matches or moments but I think the character, as a whole is special. Wyatt should win a title to solidify himself or win a big time feud. Say what you want about the man but I will always be a firefly.

Favorite Match/Moment: Battleground 2015 vs. Roman Reigns

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9. Becky Lynch

Since changing from the Irish step dancing character, Becky Lynch has been my favorite WWE Diva/Women’s wrestler of all time. Over the years, there have been the likes of Trish Stratus, Lita, Eve, Kelly Kelly, The Bella Twins but none of these women compare to my admiration for the “Irish Lasskicker.” Her in ring ability and her look are amazing. The character development with her traveling the world and finally making it to the WWE shows you the passion she has for this business.

She has gotten over organically as a babyface and she will definitely get a chance to be the WWE Women’s Champion sometime in the future. If her entrance doesn’t get you excited I don’t know what will.

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Favorite Match/Memory: WrestleMania 32 vs. Charlotte vs. Sasha Banks

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8. Kevin Owens

The older I get the more I align myself with the heels. Since debuting at NXT TakeOver: R Evolution, I liked Kevin Owens. I even bought his shirt the night of. When you think of the quintessential heel at that moment he was that guy. He betrayed his best friend Sami Zayn to get his hands on the NXT Championship. Owens was the best heel in NXT in 2015 and made his main roster debut at Elimination Chamber defeating John Cena.

In less than a year, Owens has been a two-time Intercontinental Champion and my favorite to win the 2016 MITB ladder match. Owens can use the briefcase to launch himself into the main event picture just like Seth Rollins did. He is hilarious in the ring, on commentary and in interviews as well. Owens has had a great career so far and could easily climb up this list in a few years.


Favorite Match/Memory: vs. John Cena at Elimination Chamber 2015

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7. Eddie Guerrero

Viva La Raza! I don’t know if any person in WWE history could portray being a face or heel as perfect as Eddie Guerrero. Eddie caught my attention in his tag team action when he teamed with Chavo Guerrero and Rey Mysterio. Eddie was beloved by fans and his series of matches in 2005 vs. Rey Mysterio were amazing and one of my favorite feuds of all time.

Eddie was one of if not the top heel in 2005 when he tragically died to a heart attack. As a 11 year old boy his death hit me hard and I can say it was the saddest I have ever got when a WWE Legend or wrestler passed away. Eddie doesn’t get mentioned enough for his contributions but to quote Batista “I will make sure everybody around the world remembers you.” Eddie Guerrero will always be one of my all time favorites.


Favorite Match/Memory: Winning WWE Championship at No Way Out 2004, vs. Rey Mysterio at SummerSlam 2005

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6. Batista

​The face of SmackDown during the Ruthless Aggression era comes in at #6. Batista had it all coming out of Evolution with the look, decent mic skills and the in ring power. Batista was great as an in ring competitor and was a reason I tuned into Smackdown weekly.  Batista was that next big guy who broke out especially after Brock Lesnar left.

Batista would reign as World Heavyweight Champion 4 rimes and WWE Champion 2 times. Batista’s finisher the Batista bomb was pretty much a standard power bomb but it was executed well by The Animal. I loved when he teamed up with Rey Mysterio as one half of the WWE Tag Team Champions but I wasn’t a fan of his return in 2014. Even though I liked Batista in his prime I wanted to see the new superstars get their moments. Batista however got pinned at three consecutive pay-per-views and I commend him for that since he was supposed to win the WWE World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania XXX. He will be inducted into the Hall of Fame at some point, which is well deserved.

Favorite Match/Moment: SummerSlam 2008 vs. John Cena

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5. Randy Orton

The Viper comes into the countdown at #5. As a young, up and coming star Randy Orton was the protégé of HHH. Orton got the perfect opportunity in Evolution and learned under two of the greatest superstars of all time in Ric Flair and HHH. Orton was able to hone his craft by working through the midcard into the main event scene. The Legend Killer character of Orton was amazing with him beating up legends such as Mick Foley and Jake Roberts.

Orton was one of the stars in the Ruthless Aggression era and as the leader of The Legacy was good for him. I was excited to see him win the WWE Championship live at Backlash 2009 and see him main event WrestleMania XXX. Orton will be a future Hall of Famer and has a few years left in his WWE career.

Favorite Match/Moment: Backlash 2009 vs. Shane, HHH and Batista and SummerSlam 2004 vs. Chris Benoit

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4. Brock Lesnar

When Brock Lesnar made his debut in 2002, the WWE made Lesnar a future star. When I saw Brock he was that larger than life guy that could do things someone his size shouldn’t be able to do. Brock gained my interest by destroying majority of the roster in 2002 and especially his shooting star press at WrestleMania XIX. Brock like others on this list made his name on SmackDown, which I preferred over Raw.

When Lesnar left in 2004, I was pissed. He had so much potential and was hoping for a return. His return in 2012 was one of the best returns of all time and I love how he has been booked since. Being in attendance for WrestleMania XXX and seeing the streak get broken was a moment I will never forget. Lesnar’s role as a part timer now is perfect for him and I can't wait to see who his next feud will be with.


Favorite Match/Moment: Streak being broken, Royal Rumble 2015 vs. John Cena and Seth Rollins

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3. Daniel Bryan

Daniel Bryan gained my attention during his Team Hell No times. I didn’t hate him before but the commentators especially Michael Cole made the guy look like a loser. Bryan was perfect as the underdog and the slow burn of him defeating The Authority was amazing. The whole Yes movement was great as a fan and him winning at WrestleMania XXX was amazing as well.

Bryan’s retirement was sad but for someone who had six amazing years in the WWE he deserved the run he got. Bryan will definitely be a future hall of famer but fans will miss the magic he made in the ring. Daniel Bryan earned the respect from me and truly is one of the best in ring competitors of all time.
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Favorite Match/Moment: SummerSlam 2013 vs. John Cena, WrestleMania XXX

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2. Rey Mysterio

Some of you may be shocked with Rey Mysterio being #2 on this list because for the longest time I have said he was my favorite wrestler of all time. Mysterio as a kid was that superhero character to me that could defy the odds. Rey like Brock, Eddie and Batista was a star on SmackDown. The highflying arsenal entertained me as well.

Mysterio was the one who got me into wrestling so for that he is easily top 2. The last few years in the company were very forgettable and without the passing of Eddie Guerrero he probably wouldn’t have won the World Heavyweight Championship. I will always like Rey Mysterio and can say he was the one that got me hooked on WWE.

Favorite Match/Moment: Winning Royal Rumble 2006 and WrestleMania 22 vs. Kurt Angle and Randy Orton

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1. Seth Rollins

My favorite WWE Wrestler of all time is Seth Rollins. Unlike Mysterio, Rollins was someone who kept me as a fan of the WWE. Before The Shield debuted I would say it was a time that I was watching the WWE less. I would occasionally watch Raw and Smackdown and didn’t have much interest in the product. When The Shield debuted I was a huge fan of Rollins. Rollins had the highflying arsenal and was entertaining. When Seth broke off on his own I feared they would misuse him. Wow, I was wrong and Rollins was the biggest heel in the company from mid 2015 till he got hurt this past October.

I have been lucky to be in attendance for him winning the Money in the Bank briefcase in 2014 and when he won the United States Championship at SummerSlam 2015. Meeting him SummerSlam weekend was amazing and can’t wait to see what the future has for “The future of the WWE”. Rollins should return as a babyface this upcoming summer and hope to see him return to the character he was before he was injured.


Best Match/Moment: Cashing in the MITB briefcase at WrestleMania 31 and defeating John Cena at SummerSlam 2015 to become first ever WWE World Heavyweight Champion and United States Champion


That is my top 10 favorite WWE wrestlers of all time.


SEE ALSO: "RJ's Two Cents - Will the NXT Call-Ups Flourish on WWE's Main Roster?"


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