Pro Wrestling's 100 Greatest Grapplers and Performers (Part 2)

Hello everyone. As always, I would like to take the time to thank you for checking out my latest read.

Well I am happy with the response I received from my first 10 selections of grapplers. I hope to continue to do so going further into the series.

I have to say it is a bit of a challenge not only picking a top 100.

It is also a  challenge  trying  to describe some of these greats in just a few sentences, so I expanded the bios a little. I felt it was only right to do so.

Also when doing a list like this, you leave yourself open to a lot of criticism. Although to some, this may be unpleasant, I'm okay with it.

I have always said I am always up for a good rasslin' debate. So please feel free to disagree, or add your opinion to the soup pot.

I have to mention again that that my top 100 is in no order. This list was put together to just have a little fun and maybe a little conversation.

So with out any further delay I gave you Part 2 of "Matt's" top 100 grapplers and performers of all time.

"Dr. Death" Steve Williams

Steve Williams started his wrestling career in 1982 under the training of Bill Watts, JYD, and Ali Baba.

Whether it was Mid-South, UWF, NWA, WCW, or All-Japan, success has always followed Dr. Death.

Early in his career, he was mainly a tag specialist, winning gold with the likes of Ted DiBiase, Kevin Sullivan and Bubba Rogers.

In fact he had the rare honor of holding the WCW and NWA titles at the same time, though WCW refused to recognize the belts due to conflicting interests.

Dr. Death's pinnacle of his career didn't come until the 1990s, when he wrestled for All Japan.

He went on to become a staple there, becoming one of All Japan's biggest stars. During the 90s he also wrestled in WCW and the Indy circuit.

Dr. Death Steve Williams went almost unbeaten for a decade in the 1990s.

He later went on to defeat a much bigger opponent when he was diagnosed with cancer in 2004.

Steve Williams is alive and well and today trains people in pro wrestling.

Pedro Morales

Morales started his career in the  in the late 1950s. Pedro was extremely talented and it showed early on. 

He went on to win the WWA heavy weight and tag titles in the mid to late 60s. This was ground breaking for a Latin wrestler in the States.

Pedro's good disposition made him a fan favorite wherever he went.

It would be hard to find anyone to argue that Morales broke ground for  most Latin wrestlers today.

He later went on to win the WWWF title in 1971, and held that title for almost two years. Morales would be the first wrestler in WWE history to win all three major titles.

He feuded with many greats such as the Destroyer, the Wild Samoans, and Freddie Blassie. 

He gave back to the business that embraced him by helping youngsters, and putting them over all the way in to the late 80s.

Pedro Morales was always known as a class act, and is remembered and respected by all.

Kurt Angle

This decorated athlete has accomplished more in his career in 11 years than most in this business will ever accomplish.

Angle made his start in wrestling in 1998, but I think it should be noted that he won a gold medal for this country in 1996 with a bad neck.

Angle was a instant head turner in the WWE. Combined with his in ring skill, and comedic cockiness he soon became the company's top heel.

He went on to win every title the company had to offer multiple times. Angle has feuded with every top name under the sun. 

More importantly than any belt, though, Angle brought instant credibility every time he stepped in the ring.

He has had five-star match after five-star match, and is still going strong. Some of his most notable matches were with the likes of Benoit, Lesnar, and The Rock just to name a few.

Kurt Angle, when all is said and done could possibly be remembered as the best in wrestling history.

That my friends is "Damn true."

The Road Warriors

Hawk and Animal made their debut in 1983 and were a instant force to be reckoned with. They bought to the ring a brutal and intimidating style that would be copied for generations.

At a time when tag teams were at their height in pro wrestling, these guys were always the top dogs in the yard.

Whether it was in Japan, AWA, WCW, WWF, NWA or any other stop in the road in the wrestling world. These two went on to hold tag title.

They have beaten and feuded with the best the business had to offer.

They have grappled with likes of the Steiners, the Freebirds, and Midnight Express. I could go on but I would be typing forever.

They are without any argument one of the best, if not the best tag team in wrestling history.

Bobo Brazil

Bobo Brazil made his ring debut in the '50s at a time when racial tensions where at their height.

He started his career feuding with other black trailblazers such as Ernie Ladd, and Abdullah the Butcher.

He was the one that  broke ground for black wrestlers to succeed. He was often called the Jackie Robinson of wrestling.

He later moved on to feud with the other territories top talent guys, fighting the likes of Dick the Bruiser, Gorilla Monsoon, Andre the Giant, the Sheik, and many more.

He has held a lot of gold in his time in wrestling, and is considered the true first black champ.

What most consider the biggest accomplishment in this man's career, though, was when he beat Buddy Rogers in 1962 for the NWA title.

It was ground breaking for a couple reasons, for starters Buddy Rogers was one of the most popular wrestlers in the territories at the time.

Most importantly, he was the first black wrestler to win a major title from a white wrestler.

He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1994.

The Great Muta

The Great Muta started wrestling in the early 80s. In his first stint with NJPW, his success was mild at best.

In fact his first real success didn't come until he went to Puerto Rico. There, he wrestled with the gimmick "Super Ninja".

He went on to win the heavyweight and TV title in the WWC. Not only did Muta gain respect from the fans in Puerto Rico, he caught the eyes of promoters in the U.S.

He soon started wrestling in Florida and some of the other NWA territories. He accomplished something that one other Japanese wrestler did in the U.S.

He went on to win the NWA heavyweight title.

During his time in the states he went on to have matches with guys like Sting, Hogan and other American greats.

He also was a key player in the the WCW/Japan crossover promotions.

He went back over to Japan to hold several titles and eventually became the owner of AJPW.

Edge and Christian

These two made their debut in 1998 on the Indy scene.They were quickly recognized by Vince and was soon signed to the WWE.

In the beginning of their WWE careers, they were in a faction with Gangrel and were known as the Brood.

They soon broke out on their own and broke out fast. It wasn't long before they were making names for themselves in the tag ranks.

Their high style and charisma, won the fans over no matter if they were heel or face. They were most noted for their 5-second poses for flash photography.

In 2000, they got their first taste of tag team gold and never looked back. They went on to win the tag titles a record seven times.

What makes this number of title runs impressive, is because it was the last great era for tag team wrestling in the WWE.

They helped go on to make the TLC match a household name. Along with the Dudleys and Hardys.

Gorilla Monsoon

Monsoon started is wrestling career in the 60s as a Italian baby face. He traveled all over the territories and was a huge draw wherever he went.

He didn't really make a name for himself in the ring until we went heel, though. He had a graceful style that was not seen often by big men in those days.

In 63 the WWWF branched away from the NWA. Monsoon went with them and became one of their featured stars.

He went on to feud with with most of the top faces, which included the likes of Andre the Giant and Bruno Sammartino.

He later went to the booth where his key to detail, and sharp wit lead him to be the voice of the WWF.

He had many partners, but the two that stood out were with Bobby Heenan and Jesse "The Body" Ventura.

Monsoon called most of the WWFs PPVs during his career, including the first eight Wrestlemanias.

In 1994 he was inducted into the WWF hall of fame.

When he died in 1999, he left a hole in a lot of hearts.

Terry Funk

Son of Dory Funk Sr., Terry started wrestling in the mid 60s. During his time in professional wrestling, Funk has wrestled all over the world.

His brutal style, and willingness to put his body through hell has helped paved the way for hardcore wrestling.

He has feuded with just about every one in the business.This list includes Bret Hart, Hulk Hogan, Mick Foley, Ric Flair and Junkyard Dog.

I kid you not; that list of opponents doesn't even scratch the surface.

Funk has wrestled in Japan, the NWA, WWF, ECW, NWA and small indies.

He has held heavyweight, and tag gold in just about every federation he has been in.

What Funk is really known for is his ability to take a beating. He has been in ladder matches, I quit matches, barbed wire matches, and glass matches.

He has given his heart, mind, body and soul to the business.

"The Mouth of the South" Jimmy Hart

Now I may take some slack for this one, but I'm going to stick to my guns on this pick.

At a time when managers were a key aspect in getting wrestlers over who were bad on the stick, no one could cut a promo or piss off a crowd like Jimmy Hart.

He was key for getting the likes of Bret Hart, Hulk Hogan, Honky Tonk Man, Greg Valentine over, just to name some he has managed.

With his squeaky and obnoxious voice paired with his megaphone. He was always a presence at the ring whether ya liked it or not.

He even helped put together many of the wrestlers' music entrances.

He has been in TNA, WCW, WWF and even ran his own Indy promotion for a while.

Well, folks, that wraps up part 2 of my top 100.

I hope you enjoyed it. Feel free to comment, agree, or disagree; I'm okay with all three choices.

Until next time I wish all a great day and God bless.