The Weekly Top Ten: The Kings Of Hardcore

This a tribute to The KIngs of Hardcore. These 10 people had the most profound affect on the way the belt was perceived and held.

Throughout it all it the Hardcore Title saw its way around a extremely different group of wrestlers. From jobbers to main eventers; the hardcore title launch the careers of many future World Champions and WWE employees.

The belt also introduced the first ever Championship Scramble and was the only WWE title to be defended outside arena property.

10. Bradshaw

A good way to start the countdown. He brought toughness and overall grit to the title.

Because he was apart of the APA he had a major influence on the title once a 24/7 rule was placed on it. He went on to hold the title on several occasions, 17 in all.

9. Al Snow

He is six time Hardcore Champion and has feuded with the likes of Steve Blackman to Raven for the title. He also one of the longest reigning Hardcore Champions.

His funniest act in the division was when he tried to reclaim the title in a golf truck but crashed into boxes with then-referee Teddy Long.

8. Big Boss Man

Became the first man to ever officially win the belt after beating Mankind for it in Baltimore in November of 1998.

He went on to become a four-time Hardcore Champion and produce some of the longest reigns the title had seen spanning a combined 154 days.

7. Tommy Dreamer

Better known as the heart and soul of ECW, he helped send off the title in memorable fashion with his classic matchups with RVD, Bradshaw, and Shawn Stasiak.

In all, Tommy Dreamer is a 14-time champion and displayed the many qualities that helped us fall in love with not just the Hardcore Title but ECW itself.

6. Mankind

The first question some of you might ask is how come Mick is not higher? He is a hardcore legend and set the tone for what the belt would ended up representing.

The problem is he is only a one time champ and was out of the title picture when he lost the title to the Boss Man.

With that being said, he did take a laughing stock of a title and shaped it into one of the most iconic images in wrestling.

5. Raven

A hard nosed competitor, he took on all comers for the title, including names like The Big Show and Kane. He was involved in one of the most memorable hardcore matches with these two at Wrestlemania 17.

In this match Raven once again proved his toughness by getting slammed through a glass window, pushed through a door, and falling through the stage with the Big Show.

He also has the most title reigns with 26.

4. Rob Van Dam

What more can I say? RVD brought the high flying aspect along with crazy new ways to deal damage to his opponents. While he was champion he feud with the likes of Jeff Hardy, Undertaker, and Kurt Angle; making it one of the few times that main eventers were actively seeking the title.

He is also recognized as the last person to hold the title, unifying the Intercontinental Championship with the belt, before it was eventually retired and given back to Mick Foley.

3. Hardcore Holly

The name says it all. Holly is a six time Hardcore Champion and is better known as the person who got the division rolling.

Using everything known under the ring, he has faced off against the likes of the Big Show and both of the New Age Outlaws.

He also won the largest field the Hardcore title had ever seen holding off Tazz to win the 13-man Championship Scramble Battle Royal for the Hardcore title at Wrestlemania 2000.

2. Steve Blackman

The lethal weapon himself. While every one else brought style and toughness to the title, Steve Blackman was one of the very few who actually combine both aspects and the ability to flat out kick ass while doing it.

With Steve, any and everything became a weapon. From busted garbage can tops to broken brooms and mops, and you cant forget the sticks. Steve used everything.

He produce the best feud for the title with his run ins with Shane McMahon and the Corporation and stole the show at Summerslam 2000 by knocking Shane off the top of the stage and then jumped another 40 feet to hit Shane with the elbow drop.

1. Crash Holly

The most crafty Hardcore fighter of all time, he had perhaps the greatest influence on the title. Known as the "Houdini of Hardcore" he overcame great odds to hold off the competition from taking the title.

While at the same time facing, and most of the time running, from mutilple strange and classic characters including the entire Mean Street Posse, referees, Gerald Brisco and Pat Patterson, Al Snow, and Viscera.

He then took the belt to the next level with the creation of the 24/7 rule. His most daring escape had to be when he drop the Hardcore title to Joey Abs only to gain it back 20 seconds later and ran down the airport terminal with the belt in hand.

He may not be the best hardcore fighter of all-time, but no one brought more excitement and hype to the Hardcore Division.

Honorable Mention and Classic Matchups

Just Outside The Top 10
- Shawn Stasiak
- Steven Richards
- Justin Credible
- Test
- Goldust
- Big Show

Classic Matches
- Hardcore Battle Royal Wrestlemania 16
- Kane vs Big Show vs Raven Wrestlemania 17
- Steve Blackman vs Shane McMahon 2000 Summerslam
- Tommy Dreamer vs RVD Intercontinental-Hardcore unification