Wrestler of the Decade

[CWood2]

Re: Wrestler of the Decade

Just looking at the names you mentioned for the 80's and 90's, I'm having a hard time trying to put John Cena in the same spot as Mitsuhara Misawa 10 years ago ... a guy that has more 5 star matches just with Kawada or Kobashi alone than virtually anyone else combined on that list (minus maybe Michaels).

I guess I would answer the question trying to keep in mind who was in their absolute prime during this period. To me, Bryan Danielson is one of the best technical wresters in the world. I don't remember watching a bad match, and I've watched well over a hundred, maybe two. And as big as he's gotten in Japan with NOAH, he's still not upper echelon, and you can't really compare Final Battle to Wrestlemania.

One name I would throw out ... Hiroshi Tanahashi. Amazing in ring performer, phenominal matches with Nakamura, Nagata, Goto, Tenzen, Sasake, Mutoh, and even AJ Styles. He's the biggest draw in Japan right now, and has been for several years. And you certainly can't frown on the IWGP title, as Kurt Angle would tell you. Regarding Angle, he'd probably be top of mind if he wasn't being smothered in TNA.

One more name ... Naomichi Marufuji. For my money, this guy is the best wrestler going right now. He just took the AJPW junior title before getting injured, and he did it as a member of the NOAH roster. Early in the decade, his tag matches with KENTA (and later, their 1:1 matches) are phenominal in ring contests. He even became the first junior to capture the GHC Heavyweight title, which shows you how highly regarded he is.

Hiroshi Tanahashi. Naomichi Marufuji. I'll take either one over Triple H or John Cena without any disrespect to the huge main events these guys have headlined. While I'd take Michaels or Angle over all these guys in their prime, I feel like both split their best matches in between the past two decades.

[55]

Re: Wrestler of the Decade

Chris Jericho.

[KOL]

Re: Wrestler of the Decade

Without the injuries, Undertaker.

[BoA]

Re: Wrestler of the Decade

From his Comeback in 01 at Summerslam against HHH, to his great WM matches against Y2J, Undertaker, Kurt Angle, Ric Flair, etc.. This decade in terms of match quality and legacy belongs to Shawn Micheals.

Before the year 2000, HBK had a great career; but the last 8-9 years moved him past greats such as bret hart and randy savage, into one of the top 5 of all time IMO.

[texaz41]

Re: Wrestler of the Decade

i'd have to go with HHH or Edge...

[DJ]

Re: Wrestler of the Decade

From his Comeback in 01 at Summerslam against HHH, to his great WM matches against Y2J, Undertaker, Kurt Angle, Ric Flair, etc.. This decade in terms of match quality and legacy belongs to Shawn Micheals.

Before the year 2000, HBK had a great career; but the last 8-9 years moved him past greats such as bret hart and randy savage, into one of the top 5 of all time IMO.

Slight correction; HBK's return was in 02.

But otherwise, I agree with your points and I'd vote for HBK.

Not only has he had some of the best matches this decade (too many to name), but he's grown in terms of adding complexity to his character. The stuff he did with JBL was fantastic. Even though most knew that storyline was so far from reality, yet HBK managed to build up heat and then draw sympathy by using facial expressions and hardly saying a word.

His work to build the 'Taker match at WM was also great, great stuff.

[Blitz1942]

Re: Wrestler of the Decade

My top 5 choices would be HBK, HHH, Cena, Undertaker, and Edge.

I'd also toss Brock Lesnar's name in since the few years he was in WWE he was one of the more dominant superstars.

[JiggidyJames]

Re: Wrestler of the Decade

Just looking at the names you mentioned for the 80's and 90's, I'm having a hard time trying to put John Cena in the same spot as Mitsuhara Misawa 10 years ago ... a guy that has more 5 star matches just with Kawada or Kobashi alone than virtually anyone else combined on that list (minus maybe Michaels).

I guess I would answer the question trying to keep in mind who was in their absolute prime during this period. To me, Bryan Danielson is one of the best technical wresters in the world. I don't remember watching a bad match, and I've watched well over a hundred, maybe two. And as big as he's gotten in Japan with NOAH, he's still not upper echelon, and you can't really compare Final Battle to Wrestlemania.

One name I would throw out ... Hiroshi Tanahashi. Amazing in ring performer, phenominal matches with Nakamura, Nagata, Goto, Tenzen, Sasake, Mutoh, and even AJ Styles. He's the biggest draw in Japan right now, and has been for several years. And you certainly can't frown on the IWGP title, as Kurt Angle would tell you. Regarding Angle, he'd probably be top of mind if he wasn't being smothered in TNA.

One more name ... Naomichi Marufuji. For my money, this guy is the best wrestler going right now. He just took the AJPW junior title before getting injured, and he did it as a member of the NOAH roster. Early in the decade, his tag matches with KENTA (and later, their 1:1 matches) are phenominal in ring contests. He even became the first junior to capture the GHC Heavyweight title, which shows you how highly regarded he is.

Hiroshi Tanahashi. Naomichi Marufuji. I'll take either one over Triple H or John Cena without any disrespect to the huge main events these guys have headlined. While I'd take Michaels or Angle over all these guys in their prime, I feel like both split their best matches in between the past two decades.

Cena was great for a stretch there. If you're a fan of WWE style, he did as great a job as anyone did in his position.

I don't watch much NJPW, so I'm not familair enough with Tanahashi's work. But I would think he's in the conversation. I do know he's similar to Cena in that women love him but men are kind of "eh". He's crossed over, but not like the stars of the last generation, which is also something they share.

Marafuji I thought about, but I had to have more than "he was a great wrestler". He's far and away my favorite from Japan, but what else is there? He flopped on top and that's a mark against him. That's not disputing your pick, just saying why he wasn't a finalist for me.

[CWood2]

Re: Wrestler of the Decade

He flopped on top and that's a mark against him. That's not disputing your pick, just saying why he wasn't a finalist for me.

He did drop the ball with the GHC Heavyweight strap, didn't he?

[Piderman]

Re: Wrestler of the Decade

Undertaker, or Orton

[DC]

Re: Wrestler of the Decade

I would say Cena. Even though I really don't know the world of wrestling anymore, I do know whenever I am flipping on Monday nights I always see this fools face

[Instant C1a55ic]

Re: Wrestler of the Decade

Personally, I'd go with The Undertaker. Other guys to consider for the list would be Rey Mysterio, Eddie Guerrero, and Chris Jericho.

You have GOT to be kidding me. Yeah, lets choose a guy that likes to work for 2 months and take off like 4-5 months cause he has so much swing backstage.

The undertaker is taking advantage of the WWE. He works when HE wants too and gets paid to sit around for months. There are guys that work like crazy to get ahead and then get dumped like yesterdays garbage. The Undertaker needs to hang them up and give up his spot to someone that WANTS to work a normal schedule.

[Santino]

Re: Wrestler of the Decade

You have GOT to be kidding me. Yeah, lets choose a guy that likes to work for 2 months and take off like 4-5 months cause he has so much swing backstage.

The undertaker is taking advantage of the WWE. He works when HE wants too and gets paid to sit around for months. There are guys that work like crazy to get ahead and then get dumped like yesterdays garbage. The Undertaker needs to hang them up and give up his spot to someone that WANTS to work a normal schedule.

I'd really like to know who these other wrestlers are that don't get injured or take time off. Taker taking advantage of the WWE is laughable considering how much money they've made off him. Which is why he has the spot that he does. It's not like Taker is some guy that mails it in during matches either, considering he's had a match of the year candidate almost every year of the 2000's.

[Instant C1a55ic]

Re: Wrestler of the Decade

I'd really like to know who these other wrestlers are that don't get injured or take time off. Taker taking advantage of the WWE is laughable considering how much money they've made off him. Which is why he has the spot that he does. It's not like Taker is some guy that mails it in during matches either, considering he's had a match of the year candidate almost every year of the 2000's.

Matt Hardy- Could have Feuded with Edge for the title following the Lita fallout, but they decided to have him job to edge instead.

Shelton Benjamin- Chalk full of talent, lacks charisma, but hell Jeff cant talk either but he is still been champion

Kane- Very talented for a big man, his 24 hour stint as WWF champion was a slap in the face.

Christian- Got over VERY well as TNA champion, held back in ECW

No one can be properly catapulted because they always have to make room for taker to come back, have his short little feud for someone for 2-3 months then go back on vacation. Its interesting you find my opinon laughable, because your responce wasn't full of wit or irony either. How is getting paid to sit on your *** for months at a time NOT taking advantage of someone? Yeah, he makes them money with merchandise, but do you honestly think they make enough back to cover his pay? I HIGHLY doubt it.

Would your place of employment let you work for a few months then up and leave while still getting paid? Vince is lining takers pockets with cash he doesn't even have to hardly work for. Taker is a joke and has been since he came back with that stupid biker gimmick. There attempt to turn him back into a "dead biker" fell well short of getting over with fans that enjoyed him in the infamous purple and black. Fans that cheer for him are drones that have been sucked into this calamity. Everyone knows takers best days were in the early and late 90's as a legitimate "dead man". To make him come back as "human" then turn him "dead" again is a joke.

[CWJets87]

Re: Wrestler of the Decade

JEFF HARDY does more stuff risking his body than anyone