WWE Power Rankings: The Miz and the 15 Most Popular Pros in Wrestling Right Now

Dictionary.com defines popular as "regarded with favor, approval, or affection by people in general."

In other words, when someone's popular, he's liked by a widespread group of people. Of course, that also applies to pro wrestling, where a wrestler's popularity can be the difference between making $40,000 a year and making millions.

There are different things that make a popular wrestler so beloved by the crowd—his look, his in-ring ability, his charisma, his connection to the crowd. Maybe some combination of those four.

But one thing's for sure: Wrestling fans love him, and almost always will.

So, when it comes to the WWE, just who are the fan favorites (face or heel) who will always have a spot in the heart of WWE fans?

Let's take a look.

15. Santino Marella

I'm not sure there's anyone in the wrestling business—sans The Rock—who is funnier than Santino Marella.

Though the guy basically never wins a match, WWE fans have grown to admire him because of his incredible comedic abilities.

It's no secret that the comedy skits haven't been great during the PG era, but Santino somehow makes them great even if the material isn't there.

For further proof, check out the greatest tea party ever.

14. Daniel Bryan

Though he's not a main-eventer in the WWE, Bryan Daniel...um, Daniel Bryan has a legion of loyal followers, especially among members of the IWC.

Most mainstream wrestling fans haven't seen much promo time or personality out of Bryan, but those who have know that he's more than just a phenomenal in-ring worker. He's the total package.

That's why, to this day, you'll find articles over the Internet praising Bryan and why he should get more of a chance in the WWE.

He'll continue to get pops from the crowd, but only time will tell if he'll get the nod from Vince McMahon.

13. Kane

Ever since Kane lost his mask in 2002, I've lost most of my interest in his character. It's just that removing the mask also removed most of the mystique surrounding the so-called brother of The Undertaker.

Still, "The Big Red Monster" seems to always have his fair share of support among members of the WWE Universe.

Face or heel—I mean, how many times has he turned?—it never ceases to amaze me how many cheers Kane gets, even at 44 years old.

12. The Big Show

With The Big Show's incredible size and stature, all he had to do was be way better than The Great Khali to get the support of WWE fans.

He's done that. And more.

Not only have fans grown to appreciate Big Show's talents in the ring for a man of his size, but they've grown to enjoy his lovable personality as well.

He can be a bada$$ heel one minute and then a gentle giant the next. I point to "Captain Insano" and "Knucklehead" as proof of that.

11. John Morrison

John Morrison probably would have fit better in a different generation, one where in-ring work took top priority over promo time and "entertaining" skits.

Why do I say that? Well, because Morrison really struggles in the charisma area while, at the same time, flourishing in the ring.

Some may call him a "spot guy," but his parkour style is nothing short of breathtaking when he gets the green light to go balls-to-the-wall in the ring.

Morrison's been called a young Shawn Michaels and being compared to one of the best/most popular wrestlers of all time certainly makes him a favorite among WWE fans. 

10. The Miz

Among the younger WWE fans, The Miz is the exact opposite of popular. But that's just because he's a very good heel.

Among the older fans, however, The Miz is well liked and often looked up to as an excellent worker and a guy who worked his way up from the very bottom to the top.

Though I'm not sure he'll ever succeed as a babyface character, he will always be popular because of his reality past and his connections outside the WWE.

The Miz has brought tons of media attention to the company, and he'll continue to do so, especially if he keeps gaining respect like he has been over the past year or so.  

9. Kofi Kingston

When I look back to Kofi Kingston's feud with Randy Orton in late 2009, I can't help but wonder just where Kofi would be if his push wasn't halted by Orton.

Nonetheless, Kofi's still immensely over with the crowd, as all of his signatures moves—the Boom Drop, the S.O.S., etc.—typically send the WWE Universe into an incredible uproar.

He's particularly effective in tag-team matches, when he gets the hot tag and uses his high-flying style to make the crowd go crazy.

Kofi should be a main-eventer at some point if the crowd continues to stay behind him. Then again, with Vince McMahon, you never know.

8. Christian

For people like me who grew up in the late 1990s and early 2000s, it's hard not to be a fan of one half of one of the greatest tag teams in WWE history: Christian.

From his "five-second poses" alongside tag-team partner Edge, to his jaw-dropping performances in the TLC matches, Christian earned himself the respect and admiration of wrestling fans across the world.

Though he's not not as well known or appreciated among younger fans, Captain Charisma's recent foray into the main-event scene on SmackDown seems to be changing that.

And that's the way it should be.

7. Jerry Lawler

Even though he is 61 years old and only an occasional wrestler, Jerry Lawler is arguably one of the top three or four babyfaces in the entire WWE.

The pops this guy gets, including those famous "Jerry!" chants, are absolutely ridiculous.

If you've ever been to a WWE live event, you've seen how much respect the fans show for Lawler when he simply makes his way to the ring. And when he's in the midst of a feud—like he is now with Michael Cole—he only gets more respect.

Congrats, Jerry, that's not bad for a guy who's twice the age of most wrestlers on the WWE roster.

6. The Undertaker

The Undertaker is not the draw that guys like Stone Cold Steve Austin and The Rock were, but in terms of contributions to the wrestling business, he's not too far behind.

Taker has been with the company since 1990—longer than anyone currently on the WWE roster—and has been a significant part of it from the moment he stepped inside a WWE ring.

Of course, we'll all remember him for "The Streak" at WrestleMania. But he's been so much more.

The crowd is truly in awe of The Undertaker whenever he appears on WWE programming, and even though I'm 22 years old, I still get chills when I see that intimidating figure slowly make his way down the entrance ramp.

5. CM Punk

Of all the wrestlers currently on the roster, CM Punk is the one guy who has the total package.

He has ridiculous amounts of charisma, a great gimmick, superb mic skills, awesome in-ring ability and a unique look.

It's why so many wrestling fans, especially members of the IWC, cheer Punk whether he's face or heel.

He's just so good at what he does that you'd have to be Stevie Wonder to not see and appreciate how phenomenal he is. 

4. Triple H

From everything I've read on the Internet, it seems there are two factions when it comes to Triple H: those who love him, and those who hate him.

But no matter what your feelings are, you have to respect The Game.

Triple H has been a part of the WWE since 1995, evolving from the "Connecticut Blueblood" Hunter Heart Helmsley to a main-eventer known as the "Cerebral Assassin."

While some might question the role his marriage to Stephanie McMahon played in his rise to the top of the WWE, I'm a firm believer that he would have gotten there anyway.

And judging by the response of the WWE Universe when Triple H enters the arena, I'd say I'm probably right.

3. Rey Mysterio

If the WWE didn't have a PG rating, I don't think Rey Mysterio would be this close to the top of this list.

But the bottom line is that the WWE is a business, and Mysterio, well—he's damn good for business.

I can't find exact figures online, but from what I understand, Mysterio is essentially the No. 2 merchandise seller in the WWE, behind only John Cena.

Mysterio's appeal to the younger WWE fans is the obvious reason why he moves so much merchandise, and that makes him popular among not only the WWE Universe but WWE officials as well.  

2. John Cena

Grab yourself a bowl, a spoon and some milk, it's time for some Fruity Pebbles!

Seriously, though, I'm not a John Cena fan or a John Cena hater, but most people are usually one of the two.

The thing is, the more important demographic (the children) fall into the latter category, and their parents tend to buy them a TON of merchandise.

Until that isn't the case, expect Cena to remain in the limelight and be pushed as the company's top babyface and most popular superstar.

Too bad he isn't... 

1. Randy Orton

The biggest knock I've heard on Randy Orton is that he's a bit monotonous or robotic, but other than that, the popular opinion in the WWE is that Orton is an untouchable superstar who will have his spot in the company for as long as he wants it.

Whether working as a face or heel, Orton seems to get more love from the WWE Universe than any other wrestler. Yes, even John Cena.

His bad boy, no-nonsense attitude appeals to those who are 18 and older, but the fact that he's a face also makes him a favorite of the younger WWE fans.

Orton's character is on fire right now. And as long as it stays that way, I wouldn't expect the creative team to touch it.