WWE Championship Tournament Game

[Stennick]

Who is the greatest WWE Champion of all time? I saw a game played elsewhere for the ECW Championship. The guys are seeded by length of reign. There have been 25 champions. I'm not counting any other title but the WWE/F Championship.

Now there have been 25 champions so I used a standard 25 person tournament bracket. That means that not all guys compete in the first round. I will post round 1 in my next post I will include in that who the winners of that round one will play into the second round against if anyone.

I hope I'm being clear and if not please feel free to ask questions I think this could be fun. I'll give voting a reasonable amount of time. Once it looks like the round or particular match up has been decided we'll move on.

This is a discussion/tournament on the greatest CHAMPION ever. You may feel Eddie Guerrero is the greatest wrestler of all time but was he the greatest WWE champion of all time? Your criteria is your own. PPV buyrates, Merchandise, television ratings, personal reasons, days as champion, impact as chamipon. Whatever criteria you want to use to determine who in your eyes was the greatest WWE Champion ever

Remember I seeded this entirely by days as champion so some guys have tough match ups while others skate by fairly easy in the first round. In my next post I'll post the first round brackets.

UPDATE

We are in the Second Round of voting. I am doing this entirely by polls it saves a lot of time. Click the links and it will take you to the poll.

WWE Championship Tournament Round 2

Round 2: Match 1: Bruno Sammartino vs. The Ultimate Warrior (http://www.misterpoll.com/polls/498116)
The longest reigning champion in World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment History takes on a man that seemed to be the heir to Hulk Hogan's throne before either politicking or some sort of mental break down caused his reign on top to end abruptly. Will fans remember the legendary feud The Ultimate Warrior had with Hulk Hogan? Or will Bruno's outstanding success as champion be enough to overpower The Ultimate Warrior?

Round 2: Match 2: "Macho Man" Randy Savage vs. "Stone Cold" Steve Austin (http://www.misterpoll.com/polls/498119)
Some might say the Macho Man was the 1980's Stone Cold. He said and did outlandish things outside of the ring and inside the ring he was as unpredictable as the rattlesnake himself. He won two championships at Wrestlemania 4 and 8 by winning a tournament and then defeating Ric Flair. Stone Cold's history has been told a thousand times. He drug the WWE from near bankruptcy with his McMahon vs. Austin storyline. Although he never held the championship for too long he gained several reigns before injuries took over his career the last few years. Will fans remember Randy's championship tournament win, will they remember his year long feud with Hulk Hogan that resulting in Randy turning and facing Hogan at Wrestlemania Five? Will fans remember his year long feud with the other wrestling immortal Ric Flair that resulted in him winning the championship? With Randy being involved in two of the greatest WWE Title feuds in history with two of the greatest performers in history his name is certainly in the running but can it stop Stone Cold Steve Austin?


Round 2: Match 3: "The Viper" Randy Orton vs. "You Can't See Him" John Cena (http://www.misterpoll.com/polls/498121)
Both of these men come from the same "generation" and everyone should know their stories and their merits as champions. No need to rehash it. Will fans recognize John Cena for his lengths and success as champion? Or will fans consider Randy Orton to be this generations premiere champion?

Round 2: Match 4: "The Deadman" The Undertaker vs. Pedro Morales (http://www.misterpoll.com/polls/498123)
Although many people might look at the Undertaker and assume this is a lock for him to win consider this. The Undertaker has never held the championship very long and has never truly had a memorable feud as world champion. The Deadman has always played "second main event". The Deadman is a four time WWE Champion for a combined 234 days. Being the attraction that didn't need the championship storyline. Pedro on the other hand is the fourth longest reigning champion with 1,027 days as champion he's only behind Bruno, Hulk, and Bob Backland. Pedro's length as champion is five times that of the Deadman and with only one reign. Will The Deadman's four short reigns be enough to topple the forgotten champion of the 70's? Or will Pedro's impressive length and success before mainstream wrestling be enough to keep him in the tournament?

Round 2: Match 5: The Rock vs. Bob Backland (http://www.misterpoll.com/polls/498126)
The Rock is one of the most memorable performers of all time and he's a seven time WWE Champion. However the Rock has only held the championship for a combined 297 days throughout those reigns. There is no doubt The Rock is a great peformer and one of the greatest of all time but is he truly a greater World Champion than Bob Backland who is third all time in total days as champion having over 2138 days as champion over two reigns. Bob's reign lengths are over seven times that of The Great One. Will younger fans vote for the Great One? Or will the old guard be able to keep one of the most successful champions of all time in the running?

Round 2: Match 6: "The Excellence of Execution" Bret Hart vs. "Latino Heat" Eddie Guerrero (http://www.misterpoll.com/polls/498128)
Bret Hart was champion when the WWE was at its darkest points. He went on to have many memorable WWE Title feuds with Diesel, Shawn Michels, The Undertaker and other huge WWE names. His 5 reigns got him over 650 days as champion. Eddie had feuds with JBL and Kurt Angle as champion before it quickly ended after just 133 days as champion. With Bret being champion at a less than great and memorable time while Eddie's reign was short it could become an interesting match up for who the better champion was.

Round 2: Match 7: "The Game" Triple H vs. "The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels (http://www.misterpoll.com/polls/498130)
In what is sure to be one of the closer polls on the board you almost have master and student. Shawn Michaels only had three WWE Championship reigns that lasted just over 300 days. He was champion in a time where business was down and his most memorable WWE Championship feud may be those with Bret Hart. With Shawn being involved in two of the most memorable WWE Title matches in history will that be enough? Or will Triple H who nobody can deny was the biggest heel on the planet at wrestling's biggest time. Steve Austin, The Rock, Mic Foley, The Undertaker, he pinned the worlds biggest babyfaces not only during wrestling's biggest boom period but he did it on the biggest stage of all at Wrestlemania. In latter years he would suffer severe internet backlash for his extended reigns as "world heavyweight" champion however that championship and its merits are not tied into what he did as WWE Champion during 1999 and beyond.

Round 2: Match 8: "The Hulkster" Hulk Hogan vs. "Your Olympic Hero" Kurt Angle (http://www.misterpoll.com/polls/498132)
A contrast of styles to say the least. Kurt Angle rose from wrestling Shawn Stasiak to World Champion in near record time. In wrestling's biggest boom period Kurt Angle was right beside Triple H, Undertaker, The Rock, Austin, Foley and other huge names. His four reigns lasted 297 days and will those days be enough to topple the man that arguablly paved the way for Kurt Angle to be champion?

[Stennick]

GREATEST WWE CHAMPION EVER ROUND 1

Match 1: "Superstar" Billy Graham (S16) vs. The Ultimate Warrior (S17)- Winner faces Bruno in round 2

Match 2: "Macho Man" Randy Savage (S9) vs. "Nature Boy" Ric Flair (S24) - Winner faces "Stone Cold" Steve Austin in Round 2

Match 3. "The Viper" Randy Orton (S12) vs. "Rated R Superstar" Edge (S21) - Winner faces John Cena in Round 2

Match 4: "The Next Big Thing" Brock Lesnar (S13) vs. "The Deadman" The Undertaker (S20) - Winner faces Pedro Morales in Round 2

Match 5: "The Great One" The Rock (S14) vs. "The Wrestling God" JBL (S19) - Winner faces Bob Backland in Round 2

Match 6: "Big Daddy Cool" Diesel (toot toot) (S11) vs. "Latino Heat" Eddie Guerrero (S22) - Winner faces Bret Hart in Round 2

Match 7: "HBK" Shawn Michaels (S10) vs. "The Celtic Warrior" Sheamus (S23) - Winner faces Triple H in Round 2

Match 8: "Your Olympic Hero" Kurt Angle (S15) vs. Yokozuna (S18) - Winner faces Hulk Hogan in Round 2

[RingofHonorGuard]

GREATEST WWE CHAMPION EVER ROUND 1

Match 1: "Superstar" Billy Graham (S16) vs. The Ultimate Warrior (S17)- Winner faces Bruno in round 2

Match 2: "Macho Man" Randy Savage (S9) vs. "Nature Boy" Ric Flair (S24) - Winner faces "Stone Cold" Steve Austin in Round 2

Match 3. "The Viper" Randy Orton (S12) vs. "Rated R Superstar" Edge (S21) - Winner faces John Cena in Round 2

Match 4: "The Next Big Thing" Brock Lesnar (S13) vs. "The Deadman" The Undertaker (S20) - Winner faces Pedro Morales in Round 2

Match 5: "The Great One" The Rock (S14) vs. "The Wrestling God" JBL (S19) - Winner faces Bob Backland in Round 2

Match 6: "Big Daddy Cool" Diesel (toot toot) (S11) vs. "Latino Heat" Eddie Guerrero (S22) - Winner faces Bret Hart in Round 2

Match 7: "HBK" Shawn Michaels (S10) vs. "The Celtic Warrior" Sheamus (S23) - Winner faces Triple H in Round 2

Match 8: "Your Olympic Hero" Kurt Angle (S15) vs. Yokozuna (S18) - Winner faces Hulk Hogan in Round 2

Warrior over Graham
Savage over Flair
Orton over Edge
Lesnar over Taker(Lesnar is the most believable champion they've ever had in my opinion)
The Rock over JBL
Diesel over Eddie Guerrero
Sheamus over HBK(I never really bought into HBK as World champion, but Sheamus is believable right now.)
Yokozuna over Angle(never really liked Angle as champion, but Yoko was awesome)

[masterded]

GREATEST WWE CHAMPION EVER ROUND 1

Match 1: "Superstar" Billy Graham (S16) vs. The Ultimate Warrior (S17)- Winner faces Bruno in round 2

-Based almost 100% on my dislike of Ultimate Warrior even though I am at the age I should have loved him as a kid my guys were Savage and Hogan.

Match 2: "Macho Man" Randy Savage (S9) vs. "Nature Boy" Ric Flair (S24) - Winner faces "Stone Cold" Steve Austin in Round 2

-In my book Flair is one of the best of all time, but Savage is top 3 all time.

Match 3. "The Viper" Randy Orton (S12) vs. "Rated R Superstar" Edge (S21) - Winner faces John Cena in Round 2

-Like Edge better when he is in a tag team.

Match 4: "The Next Big Thing" Brock Lesnar (S13) vs. "The Deadman" The Undertaker (S20) - Winner faces Pedro Morales in Round 2

-Though he hasn’t entertained my more then twice a year for quite some time now I have to go with the dead man.

Match 5: "The Great One" The Rock (S14) vs. "The Wrestling God" JBL (S19) - Winner faces Bob Backland in Round 2

-I loved APA, but the Rock is the Rock.

Match 6: "Big Daddy Cool" Diesel (toot toot) (S11) vs. "Latino Heat" Eddie Guerrero (S22) - Winner faces Bret Hart in Round 2

-Nash is my favorite wrestler of all time (notice I did not say the best). Diesel was Attitude long before the Attitude area plus he is Supper Shredder.

Match 7: "HBK" Shawn Michaels (S10) vs. "The Celtic Warrior" Sheamus (S23) - Winner faces Triple H in Round 2

-HBK is up there with Savage.

Match 8: "Your Olympic Hero" Kurt Angle (S15) vs. Yokozuna (S18) - Winner faces Hulk Hogan in Round 2

-Though it isn’t even close I got to say for his size Yoko was great.

[Wrestling Century]

GREATEST WWE CHAMPION EVER ROUND 1

Match 1: "Superstar" Billy Graham (S16) vs. The Ultimate Warrior (S17)- Winner faces Bruno in round 2

Match 2: "Macho Man" Randy Savage (S9) vs. "Nature Boy" Ric Flair (S24) - Winner faces "Stone Cold" Steve Austin in Round 2

Match 3. "The Viper" Randy Orton (S12) vs. "Rated R Superstar" Edge (S21) - Winner faces John Cena in Round 2

Match 4: "The Next Big Thing" Brock Lesnar (S13) vs. "The Deadman" The Undertaker (S20) - Winner faces Pedro Morales in Round 2

Match 5: "The Great One" The Rock (S14) vs. "The Wrestling God" JBL (S19) - Winner faces Bob Backland in Round 2

Match 6: "Big Daddy Cool" Diesel (toot toot) (S11) vs. "Latino Heat" Eddie Guerrero (S22) - Winner faces Bret Hart in Round 2

Match 7: "HBK" Shawn Michaels (S10) vs. "The Celtic Warrior" Sheamus (S23) - Winner faces Triple H in Round 2

Match 8: "Your Olympic Hero" Kurt Angle (S15) vs. Yokozuna (S18) - Winner faces Hulk Hogan in Round 2

Here's my picks.

[TheEdgeOfReason]

GREATEST WWE CHAMPION EVER ROUND 1

Match 1: "Superstar" Billy Graham (S16) vs. The Ultimate Warrior (S17)- Winner faces Bruno in round 2

Match 2: "Macho Man" Randy Savage (S9) vs. "Nature Boy" Ric Flair (S24) - Winner faces "Stone Cold" Steve Austin in Round 2

Match 3. "The Viper" Randy Orton (S12) vs. "Rated R Superstar" Edge (S21) - Winner faces John Cena in Round 2

Match 4: "The Next Big Thing" Brock Lesnar (S13) vs. "The Deadman" The Undertaker (S20) - Winner faces Pedro Morales in Round 2

Match 5: "The Great One" The Rock (S14) vs. "The Wrestling God" JBL (S19) - Winner faces Bob Backland in Round 2

Match 6: "Big Daddy Cool" Diesel (toot toot) (S11) vs. "Latino Heat" Eddie Guerrero (S22) - Winner faces Bret Hart in Round 2

Match 7: "HBK" Shawn Michaels (S10) vs. "The Celtic Warrior" Sheamus (S23) - Winner faces Triple H in Round 2

Match 8: "Your Olympic Hero" Kurt Angle (S15) vs. Yokozuna (S18) - Winner faces Hulk Hogan in Round 2

Who is seeded no. 25?

Cant believe Sheamus missed my vote, but he did come up against The Main Event. Lesnar v Taker was a tough choice, I wanted to vote Brock just for his UFC 100 speech.

[BHK1978]

Match 1: "Superstar" Billy Graham (S16) vs. The Ultimate Warrior (S17)- Winner faces Bruno in round 2

Without Superstar Billy Graham we may have never had Hulk Hogan as WWF Champion. Plus the Warrior sucked.

Match 2: "Macho Man" Randy Savage (S9) vs. "Nature Boy" Ric Flair (S24) - Winner faces "Stone Cold" Steve Austin in Round 2

Going by WWF tenure alone Macho Man gets the nod from me.

Match 3. "The Viper" Randy Orton (S12) vs. "Rated R Superstar" Edge (S21) - Winner faces John Cena in Round 2

Tough call as I see these two as the most equally matched thus far. That being said I have to go with RKO.

Match 4: "The Next Big Thing" Brock Lesnar (S13) vs. "The Deadman" The Undertaker (S20) - Winner faces Pedro Morales in Round 2

The Undertaker has been a company man for almost 20 years. Whereas, Brock bolted from the company asap.

Match 5: "The Great One" The Rock (S14) vs. "The Wrestling God" JBL (S19) - Winner faces Bob Backland in Round 2

JBL sucked as champion...

Match 6: "Big Daddy Cool" Diesel (toot toot) (S11) vs. "Latino Heat" Eddie Guerrero (S22) - Winner faces Bret Hart in Round 2

I was never a huge Eddie fan, that being said he is going against the lowest drawing WWF champion of his time (I don't know if he still holds that title or not).

Match 7: "HBK" Shawn Michaels (S10) vs. "The Celtic Warrior" Sheamus (S23) - Winner faces Triple H in Round 2

I have always hated HBK going back to his days with the Rockers (I did not watch the AWA so I did not hate him when he was there). However, I have to give the devil his due and he is a much better champion than Sheamus.

Match 8: "Your Olympic Hero" Kurt Angle (S15) vs. Yokozuna (S18) - Winner faces Hulk Hogan in Round 2

[masterded]

Match 6: "Big Daddy Cool" Diesel (toot toot) (S11) vs. "Latino Heat" Eddie Guerrero (S22) - Winner faces Bret Hart in Round 2

I was never a huge Eddie fan, that being said he is going against the lowest drawing WWF champion of his time (I don't know if he still holds that title or not).

What are you talking about Nash was the biggest draw. Just look at the chart. :D;):D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fob4r2N-upg&feature=related

[TheEdgeOfReason]

What are you talking about Nash was the biggest draw. Just look at the chart. :D;):D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fob4r2N-upg&feature=related

Nicely played fella. Nicely played...

[The Final Countdown]

Match 1: "Superstar" Billy Graham (S16) vs. The Ultimate Warrior (S17)- Winner faces Bruno in round 2
-Warrior's title reign was a failure, IMO.

Match 2: "Macho Man" Randy Savage (S9) vs. "Nature Boy" Ric Flair (S24) - Winner faces "Stone Cold" Steve Austin in Round 2
-Flair is the better overall wrestler, but Savage accomplished more as WWF Champion. The yearlong arc that saw him win the title at WMIV, have a falling-out with Hogan and drop the title to him at WMV was pretty great if you ask me.

Match 3. "The Viper" Randy Orton (S12) vs. "Rated R Superstar" Edge (S21) - Winner faces John Cena in Round 2
-I like Edge better, but none of his title reigns have ever amounted to anything. Orton has had a couple of decent runs with the belt, which is more than Edge can say.

Match 4: "The Next Big Thing" Brock Lesnar (S13) vs. "The Deadman" The Undertaker (S20) - Winner faces Pedro Morales in Round 2
-If Lesnar had stuck around, I think this would be an easy choice. But as it is, I can't vote for him.

Match 5: "The Great One" The Rock (S14) vs. "The Wrestling God" JBL (S19) - Winner faces Bob Backland in Round 2
-I don't care if JBL was the "longest reigning champion in Smackdown history"--The Rock's accomplishments as champion dwarf him. Plus, added bonus, I was in the arena when Rock won the title for the very first time. :D

Match 6: "Big Daddy Cool" Diesel (toot toot) (S11) vs. "Latino Heat" Eddie Guerrero (S22) - Winner faces Bret Hart in Round 2
-Summerslam '95 was headlined by Diesel defending the WWF title against King Mabel. Enough said.

Match 7: "HBK" Shawn Michaels (S10) vs. "The Celtic Warrior" Sheamus (S23) - Winner faces Triple H in Round 2
-Seriously? I don't dislike Sheamus quite as much as I did a few months ago, but I still don't think he deserves to be champion. HBK put on some classic performances during his title reign, including the fantastic Iron Man match with Bret where he won the belt in the first place. A very, VERY easy decision.

Match 8: "Your Olympic Hero" Kurt Angle (S15) vs. Yokozuna (S18) - Winner faces Hulk Hogan in Round 2
-Yoko did a decent job as champ, as far as getting the fans to hate him. But Kurt Angle is Kurt Angle. I doubt he'll win the whole thing (nor should he), but he deserves to win this particular match-up, at least.

[Stennick]

I love the guy but his next round match up is Hulk Hogan so I'm not sure he's making it as far as he deserves but none the less I agree.

[jbergey_2005]

Match 1: "Superstar" Billy Graham (S16) vs. The Ultimate Warrior (S17)- Winner faces Bruno in round 2

Match 2: "Macho Man" Randy Savage (S9) vs. "Nature Boy" Ric Flair (S24) - Winner faces "Stone Cold" Steve Austin in Round 2

Match 3. "The Viper" Randy Orton (S12) vs. "Rated R Superstar" Edge (S21) - Winner faces John Cena in Round 2

Match 4: "The Next Big Thing" Brock Lesnar (S13) vs. "The Deadman" The Undertaker (S20) - Winner faces Pedro Morales in Round 2

Match 5: "The Great One" The Rock (S14) vs. "The Wrestling God" JBL (S19) - Winner faces Bob Backland in Round 2

Match 6: "Big Daddy Cool" Diesel (toot toot) (S11) vs. "Latino Heat" Eddie Guerrero (S22) - Winner faces Bret Hart in Round 2

Match 7: "HBK" Shawn Michaels (S10) vs. "The Celtic Warrior" Sheamus (S23) - Winner faces Triple H in Round 2

Match 8: "Your Olympic Hero" Kurt Angle (S15) vs. Yokozuna (S18) - Winner faces Hulk Hogan in Round 2

[BHK1978]

I love the guy but his next round match up is Hulk Hogan so I'm not sure he's making it as far as he deserves but none the less I agree.

I agree as well, but in all honesty he does not deserve to beat Hulk. Really nobody deserves to beat Hulk in this tournament. I guess a case could be made for Bruno (Held the title twice and one reign lasted ten years) or Austin (This is actually who I think will end up winning because most of the younger posters remember him in his prime) and I would be fine with either of them winning. However, Hulk helped Vince put the WWF on the map nationally and therefore I think he had the greatest impact.

Bruno was champion when it was a regional promotion. And Austin was the big name during the Attitude Era (which by the way I was never a huge fan of).

Wait a second, were is Buddy Rogers, Ivan Koloff, and Stan Stasiak?

[Stennick]

You know I don't know where their at. On Wiki it didn't list them as WWF Champoins but if their counting Bruno and his WWWF run and Pedro's run I don't know why their not counting theres. I didn't make a big fuss since I didn't see any of them making it out of the first round cept for Buddy

[BHK1978]

You know I don't know where their at. On Wiki it didn't list them as WWF Champoins but if their counting Bruno and his WWWF run and Pedro's run I don't know why their not counting theres. I didn't make a big fuss since I didn't see any of them making it out of the first round cept for Buddy

Yeah I agree with that but this list is missing a lot of the ex-champs. There is no Kane, Iron Sheik, Cactus Jack, RVD, Sid, Big Slow, Batista, Sgt. Slaughter, and a few more. Like you said most would never make it out of the first round all though I would love to see the Iron Sheik go deep and make this tournament humble.:D

[SHaynes23]

Match 1: "Superstar" Billy Graham (S16) vs. The Ultimate Warrior (S17)- Winner faces Bruno in round 2

Match 2: "Macho Man" Randy Savage (S9) vs. "Nature Boy" Ric Flair (S24) - Winner faces "Stone Cold" Steve Austin in Round 2

Match 3. "The Viper" Randy Orton (S12) vs. "Rated R Superstar" Edge (S21) - Winner faces John Cena in Round 2

Match 4: "The Next Big Thing" Brock Lesnar (S13) vs. "The Deadman" The Undertaker (S20) - Winner faces Pedro Morales in Round 2

Match 5: "The Great One" The Rock (S14) vs. "The Wrestling God" JBL (S19) - Winner faces Bob Backland in Round 2

Match 6: "Big Daddy Cool" Diesel (toot toot) (S11) vs. "Latino Heat" Eddie Guerrero (S22) - Winner faces Bret Hart in Round 2

Match 7: "HBK" Shawn Michaels (S10) vs. "The Celtic Warrior" Sheamus (S23) - Winner faces Triple H in Round 2

Match 8: "Your Olympic Hero" Kurt Angle (S15) vs. Yokozuna (S18) - Winner faces Hulk Hogan in Round 2

[Self]

Match 1: "Superstar" Billy Graham (S16) vs. The Ultimate Warrior (S17)
I naturally lean towards the guys I've had experiences watching, and Warrior (as 'bad a worker' as he was) was a monolithic figure to me as a youth.

Match 2: "Macho Man" Randy Savage (S9) vs. "Nature Boy" Ric Flair (S24)
Oldest ride. Longest line. Whoo! Nature Boy! I dug Randy, but I never experienced him as a champion.

Match 3. "The Viper" Randy Orton (S12) vs. "Rated R Superstar" Edge (S21)
I like them both, but Randy Orton has a certain presence that I dig.

Match 4: "The Next Big Thing" Brock Lesnar (S13) vs. "The Deadman" The Undertaker (S20)
UFC Heavyweight Champion. That's good enough for me. I am not a fan of The Undertaker. His last run, beating Punk and looking 7000 years old, hurt him in my eyes.

Match 5: "The Great One" The Rock (S14) vs. "The Wrestling God" JBL (S19)
I missed 87% of the JBL thing, but even if I had seen it, The Rock is quite possibly my pick for greatest wrestler of all time.

Match 6: "Big Daddy Cool" Diesel (toot toot) (S11) vs. "Latino Heat" Eddie Guerrero (S22)
A weak match-up in my book. Eddie just wins out. Just.

Match 7: "HBK" Shawn Michaels (S10) vs. "The Celtic Warrior" Sheamus (S23)
Never convinced of Shawn as a World Champion, great performer but lacked the offensive capabilities, but it's early days for that Sheamus fella.

Match 8: "Your Olympic Hero" Kurt Angle (S15) vs. Yokozuna (S18) - Winner faces Hulk Hogan in Round 2
Fell in love with Kurt the second he put on that tiny cowboy hat when hanging out with Austin.

[Tha Black Phenom]

GREATEST WWE CHAMPION EVER ROUND 1

Match 1: "Superstar" Billy Graham (S16) vs. The Ultimate Warrior (S17)- Winner faces Bruno in round 2

Match 2: "Macho Man" Randy Savage (S9) vs. "Nature Boy" Ric Flair (S24) - Winner faces "Stone Cold" Steve Austin in Round 2

Match 3. "The Viper" Randy Orton (S12) vs. "Rated R Superstar" Edge (S21) - Winner faces John Cena in Round 2

Match 4: "The Next Big Thing" Brock Lesnar (S13) vs. "The Deadman" The Undertaker (S20) - Winner faces Pedro Morales in Round 2

Match 5: "The Great One" The Rock (S14) vs. "The Wrestling God" JBL (S19) - Winner faces Bob Backland in Round 2

Match 6: "Big Daddy Cool" Diesel (toot toot) (S11) vs. "Latino Heat" Eddie Guerrero (S22) - Winner faces Bret Hart in Round 2

Match 7: "HBK" Shawn Michaels (S10) vs. "The Celtic Warrior" Sheamus (S23) - Winner faces Triple H in Round 2

Match 8: "Your Olympic Hero" Kurt Angle (S15) vs. Yokozuna (S18) - Winner faces Hulk Hogan in Round 2

Yeah, these required a bit of thinking. Bit of a shame JBL had to be paired against The Rock of all people :(

[cappyboy]

GREATEST WWE CHAMPION EVER ROUND 1

Match 1: "Superstar" Billy Graham (S16) vs. The Ultimate Warrior (S17)- Winner faces Bruno in round 2

Match 2: "Macho Man" Randy Savage (S9) vs. "Nature Boy" Ric Flair (S24) - Winner faces "Stone Cold" Steve Austin in Round 2

Match 3. "The Viper" Randy Orton (S12) vs. "Rated R Superstar" Edge (S21) - Winner faces John Cena in Round 2

Match 4: "The Next Big Thing" Brock Lesnar (S13) vs. "The Deadman" The Undertaker (S20) - Winner faces Pedro Morales in Round 2

Match 5: "The Great One" The Rock (S14) vs. "The Wrestling God" JBL (S19) - Winner faces Bob Backland in Round 2

Match 6: "Big Daddy Cool" Diesel (toot toot) (S11) vs. "Latino Heat" Eddie Guerrero (S22) - Winner faces Bret Hart in Round 2

Match 7: "HBK" Shawn Michaels (S10) vs. "The Celtic Warrior" Sheamus (S23) - Winner faces Triple H in Round 2

Match 8: "Your Olympic Hero" Kurt Angle (S15) vs. Yokozuna (S18) - Winner faces Hulk Hogan in Round 2


Okay. Have a few beefs here with these matchups as set but I'll play.

1: Graham over Warrior

The Superstar was one of the great schemers in E history. Warrior's gonna try to wear him out early but Graham will be too smart for that. Add in the potential threat of The Grand Wizard at ringside I don't think Warrior ever gets comfortable in this match.

2: Flair over Savage

Flair knows Savage too well and has always been good at getting under Macho's skin. Either one would far well vs Austin. But Flair gets the nod.

3: Edge over Orton

It's shameful a stagehand even gets into this tournament. Against a supierior intellect like Edge, there can be no doubt who I'd want to see in the next round. Rate this match R.

4: Taker over Lesnar

Lesnar was good for a while. But at the end of the day, he couldn't take it. He packed up his ball and went home. Then to the NFL and then to UFC. Taker would place far more value on this match so he wins.

5: Rock over JBL

Neither one's really up to Backlund in the ring. But Rock would generate far more interest in the match than JBL. I'll smell his cooking for now.

6: Guerrero over Diesel

Like above, it comes down to the caliber of match and who'd create more interest. Guerrero vs Hart has far more potential.

7: HBK over Sheamus

As has been noted, Sheamus is just too new at the champion game. Don't really want either guy against Trips. But gotta pick one. So Michaels.

8: Yoko over Angle

As a protest move. I really hate this match leading to Hogan. Angle while by far the better wrestler and the better at conducting a promo battle with the Hulkster is not suited persona-wise to face off with champion Hogan. Our Olympic Champion if anything is better suited as an ally of the Hulkster.

But man, the way these brackets are built really stink. For example, I'd much rather see Graham face Flair or Edge. Either battle of wits would be classic. Maybe flop matches two and 4. The generational mix of Flair and Morales would be more interesting than Flair and Austin. We know how crafty Flair is. But let's see him against a guy as used to it as Pedro. Maybe flop HBK and Graham in matches 1 and 7. Graham vs Trips would be another classic chess match. While Bruno vs HBK could be classed as a slight upset by the younger generation when Sammartino handled heel HBK. Maybe swap Angle and Eddie in matches 6 & 8. Angle vs Hart would be a great match while I'd love to see champion-era Hogan grapple to understand the appeal of Latino Heat.

[Hyde Hill]

Match 1: "Superstar" Billy Graham (S16) vs. The Ultimate Warrior (S17)- Winner faces Bruno in round 2

Match 2: "Macho Man" Randy Savage (S9) vs. "Nature Boy" Ric Flair (S24) - Winner faces "Stone Cold" Steve Austin in Round 2

Match 3. "The Viper" Randy Orton (S12) vs. "Rated R Superstar" Edge (S21) - Winner faces John Cena in Round 2

Match 4: "The Next Big Thing" Brock Lesnar (S13) vs. "The Deadman" The Undertaker (S20) - Winner faces Pedro Morales in Round 2

Match 5: "The Great One" The Rock (S14) vs. "The Wrestling God" JBL (S19) - Winner faces Bob Backland in Round 2

Match 6: "Big Daddy Cool" Diesel (toot toot) (S11) vs. "Latino Heat" Eddie Guerrero (S22) - Winner faces Bret Hart in Round 2

Match 7: "HBK" Shawn Michaels (S10) vs. "The Celtic Warrior" Sheamus (S23) - Winner faces Triple H in Round 2

Match 8: "Your Olympic Hero" Kurt Angle (S15) vs. Yokozuna (S18) - Winner faces Hulk Hogan in Round 2

[moon_lit_tears]

Match 1: "Superstar" Billy Graham (S16) vs. The Ultimate Warrior (S17)- Winner faces Bruno in round 2

Match 2: "Macho Man" Randy Savage (S9) vs. "Nature Boy" Ric Flair (S24) - Winner faces "Stone Cold" Steve Austin in Round 2

Match 3. "The Viper" Randy Orton (S12) vs. "Rated R Superstar" Edge (S21) - Winner faces John Cena in Round 2

Match 4: "The Next Big Thing" Brock Lesnar (S13) vs. "The Deadman" The Undertaker (S20) - Winner faces Pedro Morales in Round 2

Match 5: "The Great One" The Rock (S14) vs. "The Wrestling God" JBL (S19) - Winner faces Bob Backland in Round 2

Match 6: "Big Daddy Cool" Diesel (toot toot) (S11) vs. "Latino Heat" Eddie Guerrero (S22) - Winner faces Bret Hart in Round 2

Match 7: "HBK" Shawn Michaels (S10) vs. "The Celtic Warrior" Sheamus (S23) - Winner faces Triple H in Round 2

Match 8: "Your Olympic Hero" Kurt Angle (S15) vs. Yokozuna (S18) - Winner faces Hulk Hogan in Round 2

[randomfreeze]

GREATEST WWE CHAMPION EVER ROUND 1

Match 1: "Superstar" Billy Graham (S16) vs. The Ultimate Warrior (S17)- Winner faces Bruno in round 2

Match 2: "Macho Man" Randy Savage (S9) vs. "Nature Boy" Ric Flair (S24) - Winner faces "Stone Cold" Steve Austin in Round 2

Match 3. "The Viper" Randy Orton (S12) vs. "Rated R Superstar" Edge (S21) - Winner faces John Cena in Round 2

Match 4: "The Next Big Thing" Brock Lesnar (S13) vs. "The Deadman" The Undertaker (S20) - Winner faces Pedro Morales in Round 2

Match 5: "The Great One" The Rock (S14) vs. "The Wrestling God" JBL (S19) - Winner faces Bob Backland in Round 2

Match 6: "Big Daddy Cool" Diesel (toot toot) (S11) vs. "Latino Heat" Eddie Guerrero (S22) - Winner faces Bret Hart in Round 2

Match 7: "HBK" Shawn Michaels (S10) vs. "The Celtic Warrior" Sheamus (S23) - Winner faces Triple H in Round 2

Match 8: "Your Olympic Hero" Kurt Angle (S15) vs. Yokozuna (S18) - Winner faces Hulk Hogan in Round 2

[Astil]

Match 1: "Superstar" Billy Graham (S16) vs. The Ultimate Warrior (S17)- Winner faces Bruno in round 2

Match 2: "Macho Man" Randy Savage (S9) vs. "Nature Boy" Ric Flair (S24) - Winner faces "Stone Cold" Steve Austin in Round 2

Match 3. "The Viper" Randy Orton (S12) vs. "Rated R Superstar" Edge (S21) - Winner faces John Cena in Round 2

Match 4: "The Next Big Thing" Brock Lesnar (S13) vs. "The Deadman" The Undertaker (S20) - Winner faces Pedro Morales in Round 2

Match 5: "The Great One" The Rock (S14) vs. "The Wrestling God" JBL (S19) - Winner faces Bob Backland in Round 2

Match 6: "Big Daddy Cool" Diesel(S11) vs. "Latino Heat" Eddie Guerrero (S22) - Winner faces Bret Hart in Round 2

Match 7: "HBK" Shawn Michaels (S10) vs. "The Celtic Warrior" Sheamus (S23) - Winner faces Triple H in Round 2

Match 8: "Your Olympic Hero" Kurt Angle (S15) vs. Yokozuna (S18) - Winner faces Hulk Hogan in Round 2

[pauls07]

GREATEST WWE CHAMPION EVER ROUND 1

Match 1: "Superstar" Billy Graham (S16) vs. The Ultimate Warrior (S17)- Winner faces Bruno in round 2

Match 2: "Macho Man" Randy Savage (S9) vs. "Nature Boy" Ric Flair (S24) - Winner faces "Stone Cold" Steve Austin in Round 2

Match 3. "The Viper" Randy Orton (S12) vs. "Rated R Superstar" Edge (S21) - Winner faces John Cena in Round 2

Match 4: "The Next Big Thing" Brock Lesnar (S13) vs. "The Deadman" The Undertaker (S20) - Winner faces Pedro Morales in Round 2

Match 5: "The Great One" The Rock (S14) vs. "The Wrestling God" JBL (S19) - Winner faces Bob Backland in Round 2

Match 6: "Big Daddy Cool" Diesel (toot toot) (S11) vs. "Latino Heat" Eddie Guerrero (S22) - Winner faces Bret Hart in Round 2

Match 7: "HBK" Shawn Michaels (S10) vs. "The Celtic Warrior" Sheamus (S23) - Winner faces Triple H in Round 2

Match 8: "Your Olympic Hero" Kurt Angle (S15) vs. Yokozuna (S18) - Winner faces Hulk Hogan in Round 2

[Linsolv]

I really don't feel qualified to vote, but... where's the 25th seed vs 8th seed? Did that get pushed into the next round?

[Stennick]

There in the next round, voting will be stopped for the first round tomorrow evening so get your bets in now.

[moon_lit_tears]

There in the next round, voting will be stopped for the first round tomorrow evening so get your bets in now.


No. I want to bet Monday morning. :p

[BHK1978]

Where are the other ten or so champions that you left out of the tournament?:D

[moon_lit_tears]

Where are the other ten or so champions that you left out of the tournament?:D


Why are you picking on Stenniick? Meanie.

[Stennick]

Where are the other ten or so champions that you left out of the tournament?:D

Which champions? Stasiak, Rogers and Kollaf are the only ones I'm aware of. There are obviously guys in the second round that weren't in this round but other than that what ya see is what ya get.

[BHK1978]

Which champions? Stasiak, Rogers and Kollaf are the only ones I'm aware of. There are obviously guys in the second round that weren't in this round but other than that what ya see is what ya get.

Kane, Iron Sheik, Cactus Jack, RVD, Sid, Big Slow, Batista, Sgt. Slaughter, and I think there were a couple of more. Not that it matters as the last post was just a joke.

[smurphy1014]

GREATEST WWE CHAMPION EVER ROUND 1

Match 1: "Superstar" Billy Graham (S16) vs. The Ultimate Warrior (S17)- Winner faces Bruno in round 2

Match 2: "Macho Man" Randy Savage (S9) vs. "Nature Boy" Ric Flair (S24) - Winner faces "Stone Cold" Steve Austin in Round 2

Match 3. "The Viper" Randy Orton (S12) vs. "Rated R Superstar" Edge (S21) - Winner faces John Cena in Round 2

Match 4: "The Next Big Thing" Brock Lesnar (S13) vs. "The Deadman" The Undertaker (S20) - Winner faces Pedro Morales in Round 2

Match 5: "The Great One" The Rock (S14) vs. "The Wrestling God" JBL (S19) - Winner faces Bob Backland in Round 2

Match 6: "Big Daddy Cool" Diesel (toot toot) (S11) vs. "Latino Heat" Eddie Guerrero (S22) - Winner faces Bret Hart in Round 2

Match 7: "HBK" Shawn Michaels (S10) vs. "The Celtic Warrior" Sheamus (S23) - Winner faces Triple H in Round 2

Match 8: "Your Olympic Hero" Kurt Angle (S15) vs. Yokozuna (S18) - Winner faces Hulk Hogan in Round 2

[Stennick]

Ok guys there is still a day left to vote but most of these look like a forgone conclusion. Really only Orton vs. Edge and Eddie vs. Diesel look all that close. Flair vs. Savage is sort of close. Here are what the votes look like right now but again I’m giving it until the end of Sunday before I post the next round.

Graham 5 Votes Vs. Warrior 12 Votes - Faces Bruno next round
Savage 11 Votes vs. Flair 6 Votes – Faces Austin next round
Orton 10 Votes vs. Edge 7 Votes - Faces Cena next round
Taker 15 Votes vs. Lesnar 2 Votes – Faces Pedro Morales next round
Rock 17 votes vs. JBL 0 Votes – Faces Bob Backland next round
Eddie 10 Votes vs. Diesel 7 Votes – Faces Bret Hart next round
HBK 16 Votes vs. Sheamus 1 Vote – Faces Triple H next round
Kurt 14 Votes vs. Yoko 3 Votes – Faces Hulk Hogan next round

If things continue at their current pace Savage vs. Austin in round 2 could get interesting somewhat although I figure Austin will eventually run away with it. Orton vs. Edge is still a toss up but either of those guys facing Cena in round 2 is interesting since their all part of the same “generation” of champions. Taker should roll right through Pedro into round 3. The Rock may sweep his second consecutive round going up against Bob Backland. If Eddie can maintain his lead I’m not sure he can overcome Bret Hart in round 2. HBK vs. Triple H may be the best match up of any round. HBK has had short, mostly uninteresting runs as champion (aside from his DX run) while Triple H has had long, polarizing runs of both great and horrible as champion. That will be a toss up but I suspect hate for HHH will give HBK the pass to the next round. Kurt Angle vs. Hulk Hogan is another interesting match up but I can’t see a way for Kurt to overcome the legend.

[Wrestling Century]

BUMP. What happened to this?

[moon_lit_tears]

Stennick get your mind out of the gutter and back on this thread pleaseeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee. :)

[Hive]

Too bad I missed this, seems like good fun. But all the wrestlers I would have voted for bar one (Diesel) got through, yay. :)

[Stennick]

Sorry about the delay I have been crazy busy at work and at home too. No rest for the wicked and other busy sayings.

Anyway onto the second round of the tournament. To make things easier on myself I have made online polls this time around.

While voting please remember this tournament is supposed to be judged on their merits as champions not performers. Take into account arena attendance, house show numbers, ppv buyrates (if the were around), television ratings, length and reaction as chamipon, etc.

WWE Championship Tournament Round 2

Round 2: Match 1: Bruno Sammartino vs. The Ultimate Warrior (http://www.misterpoll.com/polls/498116)
The longest reigning champion in World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment History takes on a man that seemed to be the heir to Hulk Hogan's throne before either politicking or some sort of mental break down caused his reign on top to end abruptly. Will fans remember the legendary feud The Ultimate Warrior had with Hulk Hogan? Or will Bruno's outstanding success as champion be enough to overpower The Ultimate Warrior?

Round 2: Match 2: "Macho Man" Randy Savage vs. "Stone Cold" Steve Austin (http://www.misterpoll.com/polls/498119)
Some might say the Macho Man was the 1980's Stone Cold. He said and did outlandish things outside of the ring and inside the ring he was as unpredictable as the rattlesnake himself. He won two championships at Wrestlemania 4 and 8 by winning a tournament and then defeating Ric Flair. Stone Cold's history has been told a thousand times. He drug the WWE from near bankruptcy with his McMahon vs. Austin storyline. Although he never held the championship for too long he gained several reigns before injuries took over his career the last few years. Will fans remember Randy's championship tournament win, will they remember his year long feud with Hulk Hogan that resulting in Randy turning and facing Hogan at Wrestlemania Five? Will fans remember his year long feud with the other wrestling immortal Ric Flair that resulted in him winning the championship? With Randy being involved in two of the greatest WWE Title feuds in history with two of the greatest performers in history his name is certainly in the running but can it stop Stone Cold Steve Austin?


Round 2: Match 3: "The Viper" Randy Orton vs. "You Can't See Him" John Cena (http://www.misterpoll.com/polls/498121)
Both of these men come from the same "generation" and everyone should know their stories and their merits as champions. No need to rehash it. Will fans recognize John Cena for his lengths and success as champion? Or will fans consider Randy Orton to be this generations premiere champion?

Round 2: Match 4: "The Deadman" The Undertaker vs. Pedro Morales (http://www.misterpoll.com/polls/498123)
Although many people might look at the Undertaker and assume this is a lock for him to win consider this. The Undertaker has never held the championship very long and has never truly had a memorable feud as world champion. The Deadman has always played "second main event". The Deadman is a four time WWE Champion for a combined 234 days. Being the attraction that didn't need the championship storyline. Pedro on the other hand is the fourth longest reigning champion with 1,027 days as champion he's only behind Bruno, Hulk, and Bob Backland. Pedro's length as champion is five times that of the Deadman and with only one reign. Will The Deadman's four short reigns be enough to topple the forgotten champion of the 70's? Or will Pedro's impressive length and success before mainstream wrestling be enough to keep him in the tournament?

Round 2: Match 5: The Rock vs. Bob Backland (http://www.misterpoll.com/polls/498126)
The Rock is one of the most memorable performers of all time and he's a seven time WWE Champion. However the Rock has only held the championship for a combined 297 days throughout those reigns. There is no doubt The Rock is a great peformer and one of the greatest of all time but is he truly a greater World Champion than Bob Backland who is third all time in total days as champion having over 2138 days as champion over two reigns. Bob's reign lengths are over seven times that of The Great One. Will younger fans vote for the Great One? Or will the old guard be able to keep one of the most successful champions of all time in the running?

Round 2: Match 6: "The Excellence of Execution" Bret Hart vs. "Latino Heat" Eddie Guerrero (http://www.misterpoll.com/polls/498128)
Bret Hart was champion when the WWE was at its darkest points. He went on to have many memorable WWE Title feuds with Diesel, Shawn Michels, The Undertaker and other huge WWE names. His 5 reigns got him over 650 days as champion. Eddie had feuds with JBL and Kurt Angle as champion before it quickly ended after just 133 days as champion. With Bret being champion at a less than great and memorable time while Eddie's reign was short it could become an interesting match up for who the better champion was.

Round 2: Match 7: "The Game" Triple H vs. "The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels (http://www.misterpoll.com/polls/498130)
In what is sure to be one of the closer polls on the board you almost have master and student. Shawn Michaels only had three WWE Championship reigns that lasted just over 300 days. He was champion in a time where business was down and his most memorable WWE Championship feud may be those with Bret Hart. With Shawn being involved in two of the most memorable WWE Title matches in history will that be enough? Or will Triple H who nobody can deny was the biggest heel on the planet at wrestling's biggest time. Steve Austin, The Rock, Mic Foley, The Undertaker, he pinned the worlds biggest babyfaces not only during wrestling's biggest boom period but he did it on the biggest stage of all at Wrestlemania. In latter years he would suffer severe internet backlash for his extended reigns as "world heavyweight" champion however that championship and its merits are not tied into what he did as WWE Champion during 1999 and beyond.

Round 2: Match 8: "The Hulkster" Hulk Hogan vs. "Your Olympic Hero" Kurt Angle (http://www.misterpoll.com/polls/498132)
A contrast of styles to say the least. Kurt Angle rose from wrestling Shawn Stasiak to World Champion in near record time. In wrestling's biggest boom period Kurt Angle was right beside Triple H, Undertaker, The Rock, Austin, Foley and other huge names. His four reigns lasted 297 days and will those days be enough to topple the man that arguablly paved the way for Kurt Angle to be champion?

[masterded]

This is a discussion/tournament on the greatest CHAMPION ever. You may feel Eddie Guerrero is the greatest wrestler of all time but was he the greatest WWE champion of all time? Your criteria is your own. PPV buyrates, Merchandise, television ratings, personal reasons, days as champion, impact as chamipon. Whatever criteria you want to use to determine who in your eyes was the greatest WWE Champion ever

While voting please remember this tournament is supposed to be judged on their merits as champions not performers. Take into account arena attendance, house show numbers, ppv buyrates (if the were around), television ratings, length and reaction as chamipon, etc.

This is quite different then it was at first. If it is the first one a discussion is possible with multiple people. If it is the second one talk about anyone not name Hogan or Austin is quite pointless.

[Stennick]

No its still the same. If you think Eddie Guerrero was a better champion than Hogan vote for Eddie. I was just reminded people this is about their merits as champion not as performers.

Also I disagree Austin was the greatest champion ever. He wasn't champion but for 300 something days and he was "on top" for atleast four years. For instance I voted for Savage over Austin.

Savage had a year long feud with Hogan while he was champion that resulted in him turning and facing Hogan at Wrestlemania Five. He then had a year long feud with Ric Flair and won the championship at Wrestlemania 8. To me Savage did more AS champion than Austin did.

[TheEdgeOfReason]

The Ultimate Warrior over Bruno Sammartino
Stone Cold over Randy Savage
John Cena over Randy Orton
Undertaker over Pedro Morales
The Rock over Bob Backlund
Bret Hart over Eddie Guerrero
Trips over HBK
Kurt Angle over Hulk Hogan

I don't think length of title reigns should be used as a measuring stick. Wrestling was way different in the 70's. All the modern era guys could have held the belt that long if they were around back then. Also I would put the WHCs in the game if I was doing it. Its basically the same belt.

[Stennick]

I planned on doing a seperate one for that although the title itself is less exciting. Batista held it for 564 days.

I agree that length isn't the only measuring stick but it should be brought up in the discussion. Just like Bruno didn't have television ratings and ppv buys, other guys don't have length although look at John Cena he's at over a 1,000 days already.

Again its all about whoever you feel was the better champion. So far the polls are a lot closer and a lot more active than the last one. Should be exciting.

[The Final Countdown]

Bruno Sammartino over The Ultimate Warrior
-Bruno was before my time, but the dude was THEE draw for the pre-Hogan WWWF. Hogan passed the torch to Warrior with a ultra-rare clean loss, but he fell short.

Stone Cold over Randy Savage
-As much as I love Savage, the company would in all likelihood be bankrupt if not for Austin's explosion in the late-90's. He'll probably have my vote against everyone but Hogan.

John Cena over Randy Orton
-Cena is the unquestioned superstar of this era. Orton is sort of like the Savage to his Hogan, I'd say.

Pedro Morales over Undertaker
-To me, Undertaker is the modern day equivalent of Andre the Giant. He's a special attraction, and having a belt really adds nothing to him. Thus, nothing about his title reigns really stand out in my mind.

Bob Backlund over The Rock
-This was the toughest one for me to answer. Rock was a bigger draw for sure, but I just felt like none of his title reigns were long enough or "special" enough to surpass what Backlund did as champ in the late 70's-early 80's. I fully expect Rock to win this "match", though.

Bret Hart over Eddie Guerrero
-I love Eddie, and his title win over Lesnar was really fun. But his title run really wasn't all that special. Meanwhile, I'd argue that Bret was the 2nd best WWF champ of the 90's, behind only Austin and his white hot run to close out the decade.

Trips over HBK
-I prefer Shawn personally, but his buddy Trips did more while champion. (It helps that he's had so many title reigns, too.)

Hulk Hogan over Kurt Angle
-If the question was "Who's your favorite?", I'd vote for Angle hands down. But a poll for best WWF champion? Not only should Hogan win this matchup handily, he should win this entire thing. Nobody is as synonymous with that title as Hogan, if you ask me.

[cappyboy]

Sammartino over Warrior

Like Ric Flair says, "To be The Man, you gotta BEAT The Man." Sammartino in his era was The Man. Warrior can't claim that. Warrior shouldn't even be here. Give me Bruno.

Austin over Savage

I liked Savage better. But based on impact in their times, Austin would be the better matchup from Bruno.

Cena over Orton

More the leader of his time frame. Plus I've never been impressed how Orton uses his pedigree.

Taker over Morales

Morales strikes me as more a guy who'd be Intercontinental champion if all of these guys were to be in a comapny in their prime. He was a big name in his prime. But guys like Sammartino and Backlund were bigger. Love seeing him in the mix though.

Backlund over The Rock

Yes, Rock was the flashier man and would have the crowd behind him. But this match seems to be all about dedication. One the one hand you have the longest reign in company history. On the other you have a guy who made his star and used it as a springboard to Hollywood. I think Rock makes a match of it but Backlund gets through.

Hart over Guerrero

Match could go either way. But I see Bret mixing better with Backlund.

Trips over HBK

The blind hate for the guy may get HBK through. But it should be Triple H. Helmsley makes a better backstory when you consider the other match goes

Hogan over Angle

Kurt's the better wrestler by far. But it goes back to what I said about Sammartino. To be The Man, you gotta beat The Man. Angle was never The Man of his time frame the way Hogan was. Besides, backstory wise, who wouldn't want to see the ultimate face in Hogan face the ultimate schemer heel in WWE history in Triple H? That would be a match for the ages plain and simple. Irresistible force meeting immovable object as it were. Something would have to give.

[pauls07]

The Ultimate Warrior v Bruno Sammartino
Had to vote for the Warrior

Stone Cold v Randy Savage
i think i was 1st to vote savage in poll, ohhh yeahhh!!!

John Cena v Randy Orton
well he is supercena

Undertaker v Pedro Morales
RIP pedro

The Rock v Bob Backlund
Can u smell the win

Bret Hart v Eddie Guerrero
Eddie Eddie Eddie!

Trips v HBK
HBK Best Ever

Hogan v Angle
it nearly killed me but i voted hogan

[Stennick]

You were the fourth to vote Savage, third to vote Warrior but you were the FIRST to vote for Eddie Guerrero over Bret Hart. The standings as of now for that one are Bret 8 and Eddie 1.

[pauls07]

i knew i was 1st in one of them lol

[Stennick]

So far the only two polls that are even within four votes of one another are Savage/Austin and HBK/HHH

[Hulkamaniac85]

Sammartino beats The Warrior
-Warrior wasn't very special as the champion i never felt. Maybe it was because i was such a huge Hogan fan, but i never really believed the Warrior as champion, and i think the fact that Slaughter was the one to end his reign really hurts his legacy as well. Nothing against Slaughter, just that he's not the awesome opponent that some of these other people have beaten/loss the belt to.

Savage over Austin
-No question Stone Cold had a bigger impact on the WWE/F, but not a bigger impact on the history of the championship belt. Savage won the title in a tournament at the BIGGEST event, Wrestlemania, then managed to hold onto it for a whole year. It's also important to note that he did way more than just keep the belt warm in between hulkster reigns, Savage was very much a legit and AWESOME champion. Savage all the way in this match

John Cena over Randy Orton
-I actually like Orton more, but Cena has done much more with the belt as champion. Hopefully that will change over time, as I think Orton is deserving (but DANG does he need a gimmick change in my opinion)

Morales over Taker
-For me this is by far the closest. Undertaker has been a powerhouse in the WWE/F for a long time, but not really a power champion. Morales was a hero to a whole group of people. Would like to call this a draw, but yea i have to vote for Morales just by an inch

Backlund over The Rock
-Again, The Rock didn't do enough as the champion, which is probably the biggest disappointment of any championship reign, because he could have gone down as the most over, and historic champion in the history of the belt i think, a second coming of the Hulkster if you will haha

Bret Hart over Eddie Guerrero
-Definitely Bret, people forget how great he was. As champion he was pretty cool. He will definitely lose in the next round, but in this round he steam rolls Eddie in my opinion

HBK over HHH
-This one is really really tough to call as well. I think Shawn is the better champion though. I feel like he had the better matches and title defenses as champion. Its a tough call though

Hulk Hogan over Angle
-Angle was a great wrestler and i liked him a lot as champion. I think there's atleast 3 guys in this round that he could have beaten had he been matched up with them (Taker, Guerrero, Morales), but ABSOLUTELY NO WAY he beats Hogan.

This is really cool, i like it. Someone should start a massive tournament for people who never won the title but should have, that would be interesting i think.

[Hive]

The Ultimate Warrior vs. Bruno Sammartino

Steve Austin vs. Randy Savage

John Cena vs. Randy Orton

The Undertaker vs. Pedro Morales

The Rock vs. Bob Backlund

Bret Hart vs. Eddie Guerrero

Triple H vs. Shawn Michaels

Hulk Hogan vs. Kurt Angle

[cappyboy]

Morales over Taker
-For me this is by far the closest. Undertaker has been a powerhouse in the WWE/F for a long time, but not really a power champion. Morales was a hero to a whole group of people. Would like to call this a draw, but yea i have to vote for Morales just by an inch


You know since you mention the whole ethnic hero thing with Morales, I'll tell you who I'd like to see him in the ring with. How about Pedro Morales and Rey Misterio in the same ring? As opponents or tag partners it doesn't matter. Both ways would be cool.

[Self]

Lots of easy choices. Randy still hasn't made the mark I expect him to. Shawn's the better worker than Trips, but not the better champion. Angle's great, but Hogan's Hogan.

The Ultimate Warrior vs. Bruno Sammartino
Steve Austin vs. Randy Savage
John Cena vs. Randy Orton
The Undertaker vs. Pedro Morales
The Rock vs. Bob Backlund
Bret Hart vs. Eddie Guerrero
Triple H vs. Shawn Michaels
Hulk Hogan vs. Kurt Angle

[justtxyank]

The Ultimate Warrior vs. Bruno Sammartino
Steve Austin vs. Randy Savage
John Cena vs. Randy Orton
The Undertaker vs. Pedro Morales
The Rock vs. Bob Backlund
Bret Hart vs. Eddie Guerrero
Triple H vs. Shawn Michaels
Hulk Hogan vs. Kurt Angle

Warrior was a bunk champion plain and simple.

Savage is one of my favorites ever, like him way more than Austin, but as champion, Austin defined an era. No matter how good Savage was (and he was great) his reigns as champion were always him holding the belt while Hogan or Flair took a break from the title.

Backlund over the Rock for me because again, Backlund defined an era. The Rock was never a great champion in my mind as he was always overshadowed by Austin.

Bret Hart is a no brainer. He carried a company as the champion and gave legitimacy to the belt.

HBK vs HHH was really tough for me. I like both guys a lot and struggled with who to pick. In the end I picked HHH because HBK's window as the true top dog of the company was so much shorter. HHH's heel reigns as champion from 99(?) on were the focal point of the industry.

Hogan over ___________ is a no brainer. The only two who can compete with him are Austin and Hart, and I'm not sure either really does.

[Tha Black Phenom]

The Ultimate Warrior vs. Bruno Sammartino

Steve Austin vs. Randy Savage

John Cena vs. Randy Orton

The Undertaker vs. Pedro Morales

The Rock vs. Bob Backlund

Bret Hart vs. Eddie Guerrero

Triple H vs. Shawn Michaels

Hulk Hogan vs. Kurt Angle

[cappyboy]

Hogan over ___________ is a no brainer. The only two who can compete with him are Austin and Hart, and I'm not sure either really does.

I don't know about that. I think that's why Sammartino's on the other side of the bracket. If there's a guy before Hogan that represents similar things to what the Hulkster does, it's Bruno. And with Backlund, do remember that you needed Iron Sheik to be a bridge between Backlund and Hogan. Much as I like Bret, I don't think I put him in the conversation of competing with Hogan in this context. Sammartino, Backlund and Austin were all much more "the man" during their reigns than Bret Hart was

[moon_lit_tears]

The Ultimate Warrior vs. Bruno Sammartino[

Steve Austin vs.Randy Savage

John Cena vs. Randy Orton

The Undertaker vs. Pedro Morales

The Rock vs. Bob Backlund

Bret Hart vs. Eddie Guerrero

Triple H vs. Shawn Michaels

Hulk Hogan vs. Kurt Angle

[GruntMark]

The Ultimate Warrior vs. Bruno Sammartino

Steve Austin vs.Randy Savage

John Cena vs. Randy Orton

The Undertaker vs. Pedro Morales

The Rock vs. Bob Backlund

Bret Hart vs. Eddie Guerrero

Triple H vs. Shawn Michaels

Hulk Hogan vs. Kurt Angle

[BHK1978]

I want to add to the whole Pedro Morales thing, I believe he was the first Triple Crown Winner in the WWWF/WWF/WWE (All though I could be wrong about that.).

I am still ticked off about Superstar Billy Graham losing in the first round...

[RingofHonorGuard]

The Ultimate Warrior vs. Bruno Sammartino
-Sammartino would put a beating on Warrior in a shoot fight, but come on... Warrior beat Hogan at Wrestlemania for the belt, end of story.

Steve Austin vs.Randy Savage
-Would be a close match, but I'll always remember Savage for his Intercontinental title run more than his World runs.

John Cena vs. Randy Orton
-Cena is the more accomplished star at this point, but Randy would put up a fight as he always does.

The Undertaker vs. Pedro Morales
-Possibly the squash match of the round in my eyes. Taker by whatever he wants and when.

The Rock vs. Bob Backlund
-Backlund was a great stretcher, and fairly cunning with his psychology... But The Rock is probably behind Hogan as the greatest WWF(E) champion ever.

Bret Hart vs. Eddie Guerrero
-Bret's ability to make anyone he faced look legitimate wins him the match, Guerrero had a lot more talent to work with in my opinion.

Triple H vs. Shawn Michaels
-Had a seriously hard time picking this one, just based off of the legendary Michaels/Hart feud alone. But I just feel like 20 years from now when you're looking back on the title history, Triple H's reigns are going to seem more of substance.

Hulk Hogan vs. Kurt Angle
-Hogan after the hulk up after Angle gives him everything that he possibly can.

[crownsy]

The Ultimate Warrior v Bruno Sammartino


Stone Cold v Randy Savage


John Cena v Randy Orton


Undertaker v Pedro Morales


The Rock v Bob Backlund


Bret Hart v Eddie Guerrero


Trips v HBK


Hogan v Angle

No time for writing out reasons before class, might later but i think for most of my picks someone has covered why way better than i can :D

[BHK1978]

Sammartino would put a beating on Warrior in a shoot fight, but come on... Warrior beat Hogan at Wrestlemania for the belt, end of story.

Ah, but how many times did Warrior sell out MSG on his name alone? Bruno did a lot in the 60's and 70's. And Bruno held the title for ten years straight, nobody can or will ever be able say they did that besides him.

[TheEdgeOfReason]

Ah, but how many times did Warrior sell out MSG on his name alone? Bruno did a lot in the 60's and 70's. And Bruno held the title for ten years straight, nobody can or will ever be able say they did that besides him.

He may have held it for 10 years. But how many times did the fans see him? Fans probably seen more of Warriors 8 month reign than they did of Sammartinos 10 year reign.

[BHK1978]

He may have held it for 10 years. But how many times did the fans see him? Fans probably seen more of Warriors 8 month reign than they did of Sammartinos 10 year reign.

True but it was a different time. That is like saying Alex Rodriguez should be considered a better baseball player than Babe Ruth because more people have watched A-Rod play baseball (Sorry if you are not a fan of baseball that was what came to my head first). Bruno meant more to the WWWF than The Ultimate Warrior did, Bruno headlined shows for three decades. Whereas the Warrior was a flash in the pan.

[Stennick]

A day later and two different polls are extremely close. One poll is within one vote and the other one is within two votes. Some of the rest are being won by as much as ten votes.

[Hyde Hill]

True but it was a different time. That is like saying Alex Rodriguez should be considered a better baseball player than Babe Ruth because more people have watched A-Rod play baseball (Sorry if you are not a fan of baseball that was what came to my head first). Bruno meant more to the WWWF than The Ultimate Warrior did, Bruno headlined shows for three decades. Whereas the Warrior was a flash in the pan.

Problem is baseball is an actual sport, wrestling isn't. In baseball statistics and wins matter, in wrestling a lot less. But I get the for his time reference which is prevalent everywhere and makes stuff like this always hard to do.

[Stennick]

So where do you side Mr. Hill? Bruno or Warrriah?

[Hyde Hill]

I don't know about that. I think that's why Sammartino's on the other side of the bracket. If there's a guy before Hogan that represents similar things to what the Hulkster does, it's Bruno. And with Backlund, do remember that you needed Iron Sheik to be a bridge between Backlund and Hogan. Much as I like Bret, I don't think I put him in the conversation of competing with Hogan in this context. Sammartino, Backlund and Austin were all much more "the man" during their reigns than Bret Hart was

I find it slightly odd that Hart and Michaels do not get the same flack as Diesel gets as they where champions in the same time period. Diesel always gets the lowest drawing champ thing thrown at him but because of their in ring skill it is never mentioned of Hart and Michaels. Combine that with the fact that all three where more a victim of total product and a general down swing which heavily indicates that total product is more important then who your main event star is once you get to a national/cult level.

[Hyde Hill]

So where do you side Mr. Hill? Bruno or Warrriah?

Bruno but I already voted via the poll.

[Stennick]

Shawn was not a great champion. He most memorable matches are matches he's won the championship in but since you're not the champion until after the match you can't really count them towards his title reigns. WMXII and Survivor Series 97 were very memorable but he wasn't the champion going into either.

In retrospect I think those same matches for Bret make him a tad bit more of an interesting CHAMPION.

[BHK1978]

I find it slightly odd that Hart and Michaels do not get the same flack as Diesel gets as they where champions in the same time period. Diesel always gets the lowest drawing champ thing thrown at him but because of their in ring skill it is never mentioned of Hart and Michaels. Combine that with the fact that all three where more a victim of total product and a general down swing which heavily indicates that total product is more important then who your main event star is once you get to a national/cult level.

Yes I agree with you on that (even though I brought up the Diesel thing in the first round). The WWF was just really bad in that time period and I think that helped transition the sport away from being a champion centric sport and into what it has become now, more of a brand name sport.

For example, people are not going to watch the WWF more if Cena is or is not the main champion. Some people might watch it less because he is champion but the champion is no longer what is the driving force of the business. At least in my opinion.

[Stennick]

Thats absolutely correct, they could lose Randy Orton, John Cena Sheamus, CM Punk and The Undertaker and I would bet money it would be a minor shift in the ratings.

Just like Randy Orton and John Cena could be advertised for a month to show up live on Impact and they still wouldn't be Vince in the ratings.

Its brands not champions that move the business these days. The WWE truly is professional wrestling to 80+% of the fanbase. I know people that won't watch TNA just because they are that loyal to the WWE. Maybe they are the same people that hung around in 96 when things were bad for Vince, or maybe they got burned being so dedicated to WCW only to see it die. I'm not saying their right or its the way to go but its brands more than men these days.

That being said if TNA landed The Rock I think they could beat Vince in the ratings. I don't think Austin could do it, I don't think Cena, Orton or anyone else can. The Rock though he's still got mainstream appeal like the day he left if not more thanks to Hollywood.

[TheEdgeOfReason]

True but it was a different time. That is like saying Alex Rodriguez should be considered a better baseball player than Babe Ruth because more people have watched A-Rod play baseball (Sorry if you are not a fan of baseball that was what came to my head first). Bruno meant more to the WWWF than The Ultimate Warrior did, Bruno headlined shows for three decades. Whereas the Warrior was a flash in the pan.

My point is there was nothing to stop WWF running the a show in Boston then running the same show a month later in NYC. How many people would have seen both shows? Whereas when TV came in, everybody could see the consecutive shows and thus wrestling had a fundamental change. Title reigns were never that long again for a reason.

[BHK1978]

Just wanted to add to that look at Ring of Honor, how many top names have they lost over the years? And they still put on a good product. If this were the 1970's or even the 1980's and a company lost talent the caliber of Nigel and The American Dragon on the same night, well that would be the death knell of that company. However, now it is not that big of a deal. They just have to create new stars.

[Hive]

I don't quite understand how much some of you guys obsess over title lengths.

Yes, Bruno had the title for 10 years while others on the list maybe had the title for 10 months. But the times were VERY different. Back then, you didn't get to actually see the guy all that often, so you didn't get overexposed to/tired of him quite as fast as you did with title holders in the 90's and, especially, now - all because of TV exposure.

A 10-year reign in the 70's was extremely impressive, but it would probably equal to a 1-year reign nowadays. Relatively speaking.

[crownsy]

I agree Hive. While I'd certainly like to see the title reigns of today last a bit longer, you have to admit that the times are very different from the days when guys routinely held the belt for a year plus.

As Hive and others alluded to, back in the 70's and 80's...heck even in the early 90's, The WWE or whatever other promotion you chose, could get away with running the same show for a month, and no one outside the hardcore fanbase that made multiple trips to the arena would know.

With TV today, your seeing the equivalent of 5 months or so of that era each month of TV programing. 4 weeks + the PPV. thats extremely hard to keep story "fresh" through.

And that's not even adding in that the net generation wouldn't tolerate it. This is the age of the internet and instant gratification. Can you imagine today's sports entertainment fan putting up with even a guy like the aformentioned guys holding onto the title for a year or two?? they'd go nuts with our current short attention spans for entertainment.

Every site would have pages dedicated to how the champ is burying x, or how x,y and z deserve a shot with the belt, or how stale x is with the belt (example: the last long runs of trips and cena. there was real hate for those guys by 3-4 months in)



So, unless you have a absolutely money champ (Hogan, Rock, SCSA, vintage Kurt), who can work back to back to back programs with different angles and opponents to keep his reign fresh, you are going to have to trade the title to extend storylines and limit over exposure. and, again back to the short attention span of our society due to instant gratification, even those guys would be hard pressed.

For that reason i don't really equate long title runs in the past with the way the belt is now. It was a different era.

[Stennick]

The current round ends at midnight tomorrow night and as it stands right now.

There are two polls that are separated by four votes, one thats separated by two and one that is separated by ONE vote. There could be a HUGE upset this round.

[ringannouncer]

Match 1: "Superstar" Billy Graham (S16) vs. The Ultimate Warrior (S17)- Winner faces Bruno in round 2

Warrior was booked to win by DQ, but Papa Shango missed his que and didn't show, so Graham changed the ending. At least that's the Warrior's story.
Winner: Graham

Match 2: "Macho Man" Randy Savage (S9) vs. "Nature Boy" Ric Flair (S24) - Winner faces "Stone Cold" Steve Austin in Round 2

This time Flair does show the pictures.

Winner: Flair

Match 3. "The Viper" Randy Orton (S12) vs. "Rated R Superstar" Edge (S21) - Winner faces John Cena in Round 2

Randy gives the RKO to his dad saying he's the legend killer. Edge takes advantage.

Winner: Edge

Match 4: "The Next Big Thing" Brock Lesnar (S13) vs. "The Deadman" The Undertaker (S20) - Winner faces Pedro Morales in Round 2

Winner: Taker

Match 5: "The Great One" The Rock (S14) vs. "The Wrestling God" JBL (S19) - Winner faces Bob Backland in Round 2

The Rock say's bring on Howdy Doody!

Winner: Rock

Match 6: "Big Daddy Cool" Diesel (toot toot) (S11) vs. "Latino Heat" Eddie Guerrero (S22) - Winner faces Bret Hart in Round 2

Nash and Kane joke about the old days.

Winner: Diesel

Match 7: "HBK" Shawn Michaels (S10) vs. "The Celtic Warrior" Sheamus (S23) - Winner faces Triple H in Round 2

Winner: HBK

Match 8: "Your Olympic Hero" Kurt Angle (S15) vs. Yokozuna (S18) - Winner faces Hulk Hogan in Round 2

Only Angle can turn a Bonzai drop into an ankle lock in 1 motion.

Winner: Angle

[Imarevenant]

The Ultimate Warrior vs. Bruno Sammartino

Steve Austin vs.Randy Savage

John Cena vs. Randy Orton

The Undertaker vs. Pedro Morales

The Rock vs. Bob Backlund

Bret Hart vs. Eddie Guerrero

Triple H vs. Shawn Michaels

Hulk Hogan vs. Kurt Angle

[Stennick]

Everybody thats posting their results on here is also putting them into the poll right? I'm going to put this rounds poll on the front page just to make sure :)

[crownsy]

Everybody thats posting their results on here is also putting them into the poll right? I'm going to put this rounds poll on the front page just to make sure :)


I don't see a poll...I figured our votes were just getting tallied manually

[Jaysin]

I don't see a poll...I figured our votes were just getting tallied manually

Click the links that are in his post for the start of round 2.

[moon_lit_tears]

Click the links that are in his post for the start of round 2.


That's too much work for me. :p

[crownsy]

Click the links that are in his post for the start of round 2.

All set now, thanks Jay

Is it possible to set up the poll bracket style next time?

just wondering, just seemed kinda inefficient to click 8 seperate polls :D

[Stennick]

I didn't look too hard for one but if you know of one Crownsy shoot me a link and I'll do that from now on. Thanks for the feedback :)

The First post has been updated with the poll links as well for anyone that may have missed them.

[moon_lit_tears]

All set now, thanks Jay

Is it possible to set up the poll bracket style next time?

just wondering, just seemed kinda inefficient to click 8 seperate polls :D


Hey if I can do it ya'll can. I just did it and I'm lazy. :D

[Stennick]

Hey if I can do it ya'll can. I just did it and I'm lazy. :D

This is the most factual thing ever said in the history of GDS

[moon_lit_tears]

This is the most factual thing ever said in the history of GDS

Stennick. STFU, and BITE ME!

[Stennick]

GTFO now MLT :p

[moon_lit_tears]

GTFO now MLT :p

*shrug* Fine I won't vote anymore. :(

[Stennick]

Well you can only vote once so I'll let you GTFBI when its time for the next round :D

[moon_lit_tears]

Well you can only vote once so I'll let you GTFBI when its time for the next round :D


Why are you so mean to me?

I'm not gonna vote next round until you apologize for being so mean. :(

[Stennick]

Do I look like President Obama? Am I campaigning for vote? I thought I told you to GTFO, not only are you lazy but you don't listen well ha ha.

[moon_lit_tears]

Do I look like President Obama? Am I campaigning for vote? I thought I told you to GTFO, not only are you lazy but you don't listen well ha ha.


K fine..:(

bye!

[Stennick]

Round 2 is over and we move into the Elite 8. In my opinion about the only guy that doesn't belong in an elite 8 of the greatest WWE Champions ever is the Undertaker. That being said going up against JBL and later Pedro Morales his competition has been less severe than others.

Round 3: Match 1: Bruno Sammartino vs. "Stone Cold" Steve Austin (http://www.misterpoll.com/polls/498586)
Bruno is the longest reigning champion in the WWWF/WWF/WWE history and he's made it to the Elite Eight. That being said will his ten year dominance of the 60's and 70's and his countless sell outs everywhere he went during that time be enough to topple Steve Austin? Its important to note that although Steve endured much success beyond the year 1998 Steve's successes as Champion were few and far between. Will his most successful year as champion (1998) be enough to topple Bruno's ten year reign as champion?

Round 3: Match 2: "The Dead Man" The Undertaker vs. "You Can't Visibly see Him in this Realm of Reality" John Cena (http://www.misterpoll.com/polls/498590)
Despite the backlash of John Cena the man has feuded with everyone from Triple H, Randy Orton, and Shawn Michaels over his championship. He has defeated and faced every current star of his generation. The Deadman has been around for a long time and achieved much success as champion with most of his successful championships reigns being very short and lacking big match appeal. Will the Deadman's tenure's as champion prove to defeat John?

Round 3: Match 3: "The Great One" The Rock vs. "The Hitman" Bret Hart (http://www.misterpoll.com/polls/498591)
The greatest entertainer maybe in the history of professional wrestling was never known much for his memorable title reigns outside of 1998 and the start of 1999 which saw him face Steve Austin, Mick Foley, The Undertaker, Kurt Angle and Triple H in memorable bouts. Bret Hart although did not have the star power as champion that The Rock was afforded held down the WWF/E's fort during a very crucial time for them. When business was down and even when Vince was staring bankrupcty in the face he depended on Bret one last time with his memorable 1997 title run. Which one was the better champion?

Round 3: Match 4: "The Game" Triple H vs. "The Hulkster" Hulk Hogan (http://www.misterpoll.com/polls/498592)
The greatest babyface in the history of professional wrestling takes on argually the most successful heel of all time. Hulk Hogan defeated Roddy Piper, Andre the Giant, Randy Savage, Sgt. Slaughter, Yokozuna, and every other top heel of his generation while buyrates skyrocketed and mainstream success. Triple H had just the opposite he was the most successful heel in a time where The rock, Steve Austin, Mick Foley, The Undertaker and others faced off against him on a monthly basis. Will Triple H's dominating 2000 run in which he became the first (and to my knowledge) only heel to ever walk out of a Wrestlemania Main Event victor let alone champion.

[cappyboy]

Okay. Time to go first.

Sammartino over Austin.
-Might have gone the other way before your little recap. More sustained success over a longer period of time. Austin makes it tough for Bruno but I see a flash pin scenario here. Maybe after Bruno averts a Stunner.

Cena over Taker
-Again a case of more sustained success. Cena's had more marquee matchups as champ than Taker. So he gets to thank his lucky stars he dodged the Backlund bullet and have to stare down Sammartino instead.

Rock over Hart
-Like Bret better but Rock presents more in the way of a promotional opportunity. Will probably surprise a lot of people going this way but since Bret wasn't a heel as champ, I have to favor The Great One.

Hogan over Triple H
-Would be a great match. Perhaps the best of the whole tournament in terms of spectacle. The ultimate face vs heel battle there could ever be in this tourney. Like Sammartino's, this is a real tight battle. But I see Hogan Hulking up and pointing as usual. Hogan is arguably wrestling's ultimate avenging angel and Trips has done much that needs avenging. It might be the greatest feather in Hogan's cap as a force for right if he overcame The Game. And that's why I think he gets it.

[pauls07]

Austin over Sammartino
316 baby!

Cena over Taker
The modern day Hogan

Rock over Hart
The great one was a better entertainer so he gets my vote

Hogan over Triple H
Hogan is Hogan

[Self]

Austin over Sammartino.
Cena over Undertaker.
Hart over Rock.
Hulk Hogan over Triple H.

[RingofHonorGuard]

Austin over Bruno
Cena over Taker
The Rock over Bret
Hogan over Triple H

[SaySo]

Austin over Sammartino because STONE COLD SAID SO
Cena over Undertaker because U CAN'T SEE ME.
Rock over Hart because HE'S THE MOST ELECTRIFYING MAN
Triple H over Hogan because HE'S MARRIED TO A MCMAHON AND NOT SOME BROOKE HOGAN LOOKALIKE.

[Stennick]

Most of these are absolute beat downs. This might be the biggest separation yet in the votes yet ONE poll out of the four is deadlocked at seven a piece wow.

[moon_lit_tears]

Cena is great, but really over Taker? I'm speachless.

The Rock is great, but come on Brett is tthe best there is was and ever will be. :p

Stennick...STFU

[BHK1978]

Cena is great, but really over Taker? I'm speachless.

The Rock is great, but come on Brett is tthe best there is was and ever will be. :p

Stennick...STFU

You shouldn't even be allowed to pick...picking The Ding Warrior to beat Bruno...you should be ashamed of yourself!:mad::p This is just a joke by the way.

[moon_lit_tears]

You shouldn't even be allowed to pick...picking The Ding Warrior to beat Bruno...you should be ashamed of yourself!:mad::p This is just a joke by the way.

This coming from a Yakees fan.

Warrior was awesome in his prime.


I'm not pickiing annyway. Stennick banned me from it. :mad:

[BHK1978]

This coming from a Yakees fan.

Warrior was awesome in his prime.


I'm not pickiing annyway. Stennick banned me from it. :mad:

The Warrior was awesome in his prime?:eek:

I guess you and I were not watching the same person wrestle.:D

[moon_lit_tears]

The Warrior was awesome in his prime?:eek:

I guess you and I were not watching the same person wrestle.:D



That's opinion.

Seriously though. Cena over Taker? C'mon
Rock over Brett? I'm a huge Rok fan. I just don't get it.

Youth today...

[BHK1978]

That's opinion.

Seriously though. Cena over Taker? C'mon
Rock over Brett? I'm a huge Rok fan. I just don't get it.

Youth today...

No that is a fact, the Dingo Warrior/Warrior Hellwig/Warrior Man/or whatever his name is flat out stinks.:p

Cena draws money and he is the face of the company.

Brett I think is more for his overall body of work, spending nearly twenty years straight with the company.

[Stennick]

MLT remember this isn't "best wrestler" its best champion. I almost dare you to name me one memorable or long lasting Undertaker run as champoin. Its just not there. Cena's title match against RVD at One Night Stand, his sixty minute match with Shawn Michaels on RAW, his Triple H feud during the time everything he did was booed, his recent feud with Dave Batista, all of that stuff is more memorable championship stuff thank The Taker's WWE championships.

Bret and Rock are nearly equals. They both in my opinion have one very memorable reign as champion. The Rock's first reign culminating at WMXV and Bret's last title run.

The difference is The Rock was around during wrestling's biggest boom period and just doesn't have the title matches that would warrant him getting into the final four. Bret however was champion during a time when it was very possible they were going to close up shop and really his feud with Austin starting at WM13 really kind of sparked them back to life propelling the Austin character, his title match with Shawn CREATED the Vince McMahon character. Hard to deny that he had a huge impact AS champion to where as

The Rock was always way over and at a time when they had Angle, Taker, Trips, Rock, Austin, Foley and whoever else like Big Show he wasn't needed to carry the championship so therefore doesn't have the catalog of memorable championship feuds that Bret may have.

[moon_lit_tears]

Are you serious?

You are telling me Taker is not memorable?
OMG I..am speachless....

[BHK1978]

Are you serious?

You are telling me Taker is not memorable?
OMG I..am speachless....

Undertaker who is that? There was once this awsome wrestler in the NWA named Mean Mark Callous, he was part of a pretty good tag team and he used to walk on the ropes. Very impressive wrestler, I just wonder what happened to him...:D

[The Final Countdown]

Are you serious?

You are telling me Taker is not memorable?
OMG I..am speachless....
The Undertaker is very memorable.

His WWF/WWE title reigns? Not so much.

[Stennick]

The Undertaker is very memorable.

His WWF/WWE title reigns? Not so much.

Exactly he is very memorable but his title reigns aren't memorable at all.

[moon_lit_tears]

Wow you guys hurt me.. :(

4 all time favs 1 was not in this (wcw) 1 is gone, and now the other two may be gone. :(

[BHK1978]

Wow you guys hurt me.. :(

4 all time favs 1 was not in this (wcw) 1 is gone, and now the other two may be gone. :(

Who was the WCW wrestler?

[moon_lit_tears]

Who was the WCW wrestler?


DDP

[Stennick]

Its Me...Its Me...Its D...D...P!

[moon_lit_tears]

Its Me...Its Me...Its D...D...P!

If you were I'd marry you in a heartbeat, but you're not so you suck. :D

[crownsy]

Are you serious?

You are telling me Taker is not memorable?
OMG I..am speachless....

That wasen't his question, show me the memorable/impactful TITLE RUN he's had.


As far as i can tell, there isn't one. He's so over that he rarley needs the title, and when he does have it he tends to lose it fairly quickly in a quirky way to protect his aura.

again, the question is not "who is the best wrestler" it is "who has been the best CHAMPION"

Thats what, if people are objective should take out guys like rock, HBK, and taker. all three of those guys are legends, but to be brutality honest, they did there best work without the belt (shawn in particular, his best matches were leading up to/ winning the belt. His only real memoerable run with the belt was when DX was in full swing)

[moon_lit_tears]

That wasen't his question, show me the memorable/impactful TITLE RUN he's had.


As far as i can tell, there isn't one. He's so over that he rarley needs the title, and when he does have it he tends to lose it fairly quickly in a quirky way to protect his aura.

again, the question is not "who is the best wrestler" it is "who has been the best CHAMPION"

Thats what, if people are objective should take out guys like rock, HBK, and taker. all three of those guys are legends, but to be brutality honest, they did there best work without the belt (shawn in particular, his best matches were leading up to/ winning the belt. His only real memoerable run with the belt was when DX was in full swing)


I get ya. :)

I still think Brett is the best up there. :p

[jbergey_2005]

Mister Poll is not working today...

My votes will be

Stonecold Steve Austin
John Cena
Bret Hart
Hulk Hogan

They really werent that close in my mind other than Bruno/Stonecold. Bruno wasnt really memorable to me as I wasnt born;) so Stonecold gets my vote.

[lazorbeak]

Austin
Cena
Rock
Hogan

I'm confused by the logic that Rock had "one" memorable title reign and it was the lead-in to Wrestlemania 14: he was champion through most of 2000 and had memorable matches against Triple H, Kurt Angle, and Chris Benoit as champion. In terms of length of reign Hart has Rock beat, but he was champion at a time when WWF was almost completely lacking in main event title contenders. Even Rock's brief title reigns often resulted in big-time match-ups with him as champ: Wrestlemania X7 and Austin and Summerslam against Brock Lesnar were both big time matches.

[justtxyank]

For me the problem with Rock is that as good as he was, as over as he was, as good of feuds as he had, I always felt like he was always only holding the belt while others were building their heat back up or someone needed a win over The Great one to solidify their own run. I always had that feeling with him that whenever Austin wanted the belt back it was his to go get.

To me there are five champions that define the modern era (read television era) of the WWF (1980s on)

Hulk Hogan, Bret Hart, Steve Austin, Triple H and John Cena, and of those five, Triple H is the weakest.

[The Final Countdown]

To me there are five champions that define the modern era (read television era) of the WWF (1980s on)

Hulk Hogan, Bret Hart, Steve Austin, Triple H and John Cena, and of those five, Triple H is the weakest.
I completely agree with this.

[BHK1978]

Hulk Hogan, Bret Hart, Steve Austin, Triple H and John Cena, and of those five, Triple H is the weakest.

I agree with that list as well just remove HHH from it. He does not belong on the level of the other four. And I am not saying that because I do not like him, I am saying that because I believe it to be the truth.

Hogan, Austin, and Cena were money makers as champions and Hart, while not so much a money maker, was a great champion for a workers stand point. I don't think HHH can lay claim to any of that. I would never go to a show because HHH was in the main event. However, you put one of the other four in a main event I would be more apt to go to said show.

[justtxyank]

I agree with that list as well just remove HHH from it. He does not belong on the level of the other four. And I am not saying that because I do not like him, I am saying that because I believe it to be the truth.

Hogan, Austin, and Cena were money makers as champions and Hart, while not so much a money maker, was a great champion for a workers stand point. I don't think HHH can lay claim to any of that. I would never go to a show because HHH was in the main event. However, you put one of the other four in a main event I would be more apt to go to said show.

Triple H is obviously the one that is arguable there and I indicated that by saying he was the weakest.

However, his run as a heel defined the era post Austin era. When Austin went home with his ball and was never again the leader of the promotion it was HHH's heel antics that dominated the WWF. He went from being Austin's second biggest foil to being the driving force of the promotion. His Evolution run, heck, his babyface return from injury, etc.

To your Bret Hart point (not so much a money maker) I always hate that argument. He was a money maker. You just have to consider the context of a depressed wrestling industry and a crappy product produced by WWF creative. He still sold merchandise and ppvs. I do give him a ton, and I mean a TON of credit for giving the belt credibility in an era where it could have easily gone in the crapper.

[BHK1978]

Triple H is obviously the one that is arguable there and I indicated that by saying he was the weakest.

However, his run as a heel defined the era post Austin era. When Austin went home with his ball and was never again the leader of the promotion it was HHH's heel antics that dominated the WWF. He went from being Austin's second biggest foil to being the driving force of the promotion. His Evolution run, heck, his babyface return from injury, etc.

To your Bret Hart point (not so much a money maker) I always hate that argument. He was a money maker. You just have to consider the context of a depressed wrestling industry and a crappy product produced by WWF creative. He still sold merchandise and ppvs. I do give him a ton, and I mean a TON of credit for giving the belt credibility in an era where it could have easily gone in the crapper.

I guess the way I look at it was HHH was shoved down our throats because he was the safest to push for Vince. Much like Larry Zybysko was in the dying days of the AWA.

And you are right about Bret, I never really thought about it that way. Very good point.

[lazorbeak]

For me the problem with Rock is that as good as he was, as over as he was, as good of feuds as he had, I always felt like he was always only holding the belt while others were building their heat back up or someone needed a win over The Great one to solidify their own run. I always had that feeling with him that whenever Austin wanted the belt back it was his to go get.

To me there are five champions that define the modern era (read television era) of the WWF (1980s on)

Hulk Hogan, Bret Hart, Steve Austin, Triple H and John Cena, and of those five, Triple H is the weakest.

I guess I'm weird in that I don't find the fact that Rock never had to build his own character into superman is actually a positive. He was able to do a ton of business, far more than Hart, and at least part of it was because he recognized he didn't need to go over everybody to stay over. He built up guys like Benoit and Angle by making them look great, and he also took guys that had never main evented like Mankind and created must-see matchups out of them. It also helped that he's about ten times better on the live mic and again, did big business with other names far bigger than those Hart had to deal with, but he helped along the process by making his opponents look so dangerous.

I don't get your problem with the Hart didn't draw argument, because it's just a fact: he didn't. Bret Hart never made non-wrestling fans stand up and take notice, and he was never going to do that as a babyface, because he didn't have the look or the style that the casual fans wanted to see in their top babyfaces. To blame the industry for being down and not put any blame on the top star in the #1 promotion in the industry doesn't make much sense to me. Vince blamed Hogan when Wrestlemania buyrates were dropping in the 90's, and a guy like Austin is credited for picking buyrates back up, so why should Hart be absolved from any blame? When he was champ, WWF was getting killed in the ratings with WCW, and 4 months later they took the lead back. It's not like this was happening in a vacuum.

[justtxyank]

Rock stuff

I'm not bashing the Rock, but I just don't think he was a great champion. We can just agree to disagree.

Bret Hart stuff

I just disagree with you. Bret Hart got to the top of the WWF in 1992. Let's first tackle your "WCW killed the WWF when Bret was champ" argument. That is true for the end of Bret's WWF career, but really, it's a disingenuous statement. It would be like me saying WCW killed the WWF in the ratings when Steve Austin was working there. It's only true for a small portion of his time.

When Bret Hart went to the top of the WWF there was a steroids crisis and a generational shift. The WWF was losing the Hulkamaniacs as wrestling loses fans in every generation shift. Hart went to the top and did good business considering the times. WCW at this time wasn't competing with the WWF at all really. The WWF was still an international brand and Bret Hart helped with their international drawing power. Bret Hart is what kept the WWF alive when they had no creative direction, a steroid crisis, and no Hulk Hogan.

It's also unfair to hold against Hart that the WWF got big after he left. You think the Hart/Austin feud that was going to kick in for Austin's Wrestlemania title win wasn't going to do good things for the WWF?

Anyway, I'm fine with you disagreeing, but we will definitely disagree.

[lazorbeak]

I just disagree with you. Bret Hart got to the top of the WWF in 1992. Let's first tackle your "WCW killed the WWF when Bret was champ" argument. That is true for the end of Bret's WWF career, but really, it's a disingenuous statement. It would be like me saying WCW killed the WWF in the ratings when Steve Austin was working there. It's only true for a small portion of his time.

No, it wouldn't be disingenuous, it would be flat out false. WCW didn't kill WWF when Austin was WWF's champion, ever. In fact it was Austin's title run that first saw WWF take back control of the ratings wars. But when Hart was the man in WWF, the company went from being the top dog to regularly getting beat in the ratings and putting up poor buyrates even by comparison to the competition. I just flat out do not agree that the #1 star shouldn't share in some of that blame.

When Bret Hart went to the top of the WWF there was a steroids crisis and a generational shift. The WWF was losing the Hulkamaniacs as wrestling loses fans in every generation shift. Hart went to the top and did good business considering the times. WCW at this time wasn't competing with the WWF at all really. The WWF was still an international brand and Bret Hart helped with their international drawing power. Bret Hart is what kept the WWF alive when they had no creative direction, a steroid crisis, and no Hulk Hogan.

Again, that's making excuses for the fact that he just wasn't a hugely successful champion. It's easy to blame "the times," but a guy like Austin as champion single-handedly changed the times. John Cena, love him or hate him, pulled up buyrates and ratings are regularly higher when he's healthy and on TV. A great champion is going to draw money no matter the times.

It's also unfair to hold against Hart that the WWF got big after he left. You think the Hart/Austin feud that was going to kick in for Austin's Wrestlemania title win wasn't going to do good things for the WWF?

It may be "unfair," but it's undeniably true. And yeah, maybe Hart/Austin might've done big business. If Hart was ever going to do it, he was going to do it as a heel, since as I said, he didn't have the style or look the casual fan wants in a top babyface. But he never did. He never put up the buyrates Austin or Rock or any of those other guys did, even when WCW was showing that it could be done opposite WWF in '96 and '97. And again, unlike Austin, Bret was the guy in WWF during this time, and people didn't pay to see him the way they did for Sting, Hogan, and the rest of WCW.

Anyway, I'm fine with you disagreeing, but we will definitely disagree.

I'm fine with you disagreeing. But the question is who's the greatest CHAMPION ever (emphasis in original), and as great a wrestler as Hart is, he's a far cry from being the greatest champion ever by any measurable criteria I can think of.

[justtxyank]

No, it wouldn't be disingenuous, it would be flat out false. WCW didn't kill WWF when Austin was WWF's champion, ever. In fact it was Austin's title run that first saw WWF take back control of the ratings wars. But when Hart was the man in WWF, the company went from being the top dog to regularly getting beat in the ratings and putting up poor buyrates even by comparison to the competition. I just flat out do not agree that the #1 star shouldn't share in some of that blame.

You misunderstood my analogy and I don't want to revisit it.

As for being beat by WCW in the ratings, Bret Hart had ceded the top spot in the company by the time that happened.

Again, that's making excuses for the fact that he just wasn't a hugely successful champion. It's easy to blame "the times," but a guy like Austin as champion single-handedly changed the times. John Cena, love him or hate him, pulled up buyrates and ratings are regularly higher when he's healthy and on TV. A great champion is going to draw money no matter the times.

And Bret did draw money. Just like Cena doesn't draw like Austin did, it is unfair to ask Bret to draw like Hogan did. It was a down cycle. Only a few people have ever been able to really lift the business in history and I'd argue that's Hogan and Austin.


And again, unlike Austin, Bret was the guy in WWF during this time, and people didn't pay to see him the way they did for Sting, Hogan, and the rest of WCW.

They didn't pay to see Sting, Hogan and the rest of WCW, they paid to watch Hogan and the nWo. That was it. Until that happened the WWF, with Bret Hart at the tope, was beating WCW. Bret did better business than Flair in the WWF after he took the ropes from him. WCW was clear #2 when Bret was on top until the nWo revolution in WCW.

I'm fine with you disagreeing. But the question is who's the greatest CHAMPION ever (emphasis in original), and as great a wrestler as Hart is, he's a far cry from being the greatest champion ever by any measurable criteria I can think of.

I didn't say he was the greatest ever, I said specifically he was better than the Rock.