Pro Wrestling: 20 Most Athletic 'Little Guys' in Wrestling History

They say that it isn't the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog. It's a universal saying for the fact that bigger isn't always better. Sometimes, the biggest surprises come from the smallest of packages.

Being too short or too skinny may not make for a nice-looking superstar compared to the big genetic monsters, but that's perfectly all right. It is undersized guys that are the overachievers. Being big and average often makes you more noticeable than those who are small and exceptional.

Some of the best superstars of all-time were below the average in height or weight, but their legend transcends that and makes us remember their larger-than-life memory. Here are 20 of the smaller dogs in the fight, in no particular order, but 20 dogs with a hell of a lot of fight in them.

You should also keep in mind that many of these heights and weights are actually just billed measurements and not accurate. Vince McMahon stated this week that he wishes to use accurate numbers from now on, so many of these men may be announced as weighing less than they do now.

John Morrison

We start with John Morrison, one of the more exciting superstars that I have ever seen. His moves are fantastic, and his matches always have the potential to be incredible. The only reason that he has not been a world champion at this stage in his career is his attitude backstage.

If not for that, this superstar known for his Parkour ability would have held the strap at least once in his career. Morrison is billed at just 6'1" and 215 pounds.

Jeff Jarrett

Jeff Jarrett makes the list for being one of the best heels during the Attitude Era. At times, he seemed like a company guy, until he was switching from company to company. Eventually, he started his own company with TNA and has been a legend in pretty much every promotion he has ever been in.

He has burned a lot of bridges behind him, which will certainly hurt his legacy. However, nobody can doubt the ability of this 6'1", 232-pound talent. He was certainly one of the best in our lifetime.

Shawn Michaels

How can we talk about being the best of something and not mention Shawn Michaels? The Heartbreak Kid was only 6'1" and 225 pounds, but you would never know that from how big his legend is. The tall tales of Mr. WrestleMania precede him and he is certainly one of the very best that this business has offered us.

His size always had him smaller than many of his opponents, but his charisma always made up for that. His ability would always wow audiences, and countless superstars after him have wished to emulate his career.

Jushin Liger

You got to love the iconic mask of Jushin Liger, one of the most notable wrestlers worldwide. His ability has been seen throughout the world, and just mentioning him brings back memories of so many great moments.

It's hard to believe that Liger is only 5'7" and 210 pounds. Then again, the mask looks like it adds a few inches.

Spike Dudley

Spike Dudley never looked like he belonged in the ring, but he fought like he invented it. Spike weighed just 150 pounds and was billed as 5'9", but was actually two inches shorter than that.

Spike was never a favorite to win a match, and it was anyone's guess about what to expect from the little guy. All that you knew was that Dudley gave everything he could in his career and certainly turned heads in his time in the ring.

Rob Van Dam

Rob Van Dam always made you believe that some people were just incredibly skilled compared to others. The skill in this 6'0", 237-pound body was incredibly strong.

His aerial maneuvers still drop jaws to this day. He is one of the guys who took aerial moves to the next level and acted almost as if they could defy gravity a bit.

CM Punk

CM Punk is now a former WWE Champion and it is well-deserved. He may bill himself as the Best in the World now, but he is certainly up there.

He is only 6'1" and 218 pounds, making him one of the smaller WWE Champions in history, but he is so great and can bring his ability to put on a fantastic match.

He did so earlier this year by having a five-star match with John Cena, of all people.

Chris Jericho

Chris Jericho also said he was the best in the world, which he also had some claim to. Jericho is only 6'0" and 226 pounds, but was so great in his matches that it hardly mattered.

Not only was Jericho a multi-time world champion and the first Undisputed Champion in WWE history, but he is also the only nine-time Intercontinental Champion in history.

Ultimo Dragon

Only 5'8" and 180 pounds. That's all that there was to the Ultimo Dragon. Yet he was able to take that ability and wow audiences all across the world. Ultimo Dragon made a name for himself in every major wrestling promotion from the 1980s until now.

Even at age 44, the Dragon is still at it with his high-flying aerial spectacle. Try and do any of his moves at your age and then try to keep doing them at 44 years old. Impressive.

Daniel Bryan

Daniel Bryan was one of the most beloved wrestlers on the independent circuit until WWE finally knocked on his door. After WWE featured him in the first season of NXT, Bryan became a United States Champion and is now Mr. Money in the Bank.

A world title is in the future of the 5'10", 210 pound Bryan, which would make him one of the smallest world champions on record.

Kaval

Another darling from the independents, the man known as Low Ki or Senshi made his way to WWE as Kaval. Kaval won the second season of NXT, but hardly did more beyond that.

In the end, he parted ways amicably with the company. At 5'8" and 174 pounds, he didn't have much of a place in the company. His deep voice and lack of real charisma hurt him despite his amazing athletic ability.

Dean Malenko

The Man of 1,000 Holds is one of my favorite wrestlers from growing up. Malenko seems to get better and better the more I watch old tapes of his. At 5'10" and 212 pounds, Malenko needed something to make him stand out.

He was The Iceman, who didn't really care or show any happiness unless he was making you tap out. In the time it took me to type this slide, Malenko could have made me tap three or four times.

Justin Gabriel

I am a big fan of Justin Gabriel right now because I can see the potential there. Gabriel is 6'1" and 213 pounds, but he is a ball of excitement when unleashed.

We have seen him wrestle with the best as a member of Nexus and The Corre. Now on his own, let's see if Gabriel can back up the promise he is showing.

Evan Bourne

What is there to say about Evan Bourne? He's only 5'9" and 165 pounds, but he is still able to pull off a fantastic match.

Bourne has been given pushes in the past that never truly paid off. Now with Kofi Kingston, it may be time for Bourne to fly...into the main event.

Tyson Kidd

Tyson Kidd really impresses me. The winner of many "Most Underrated" contests in WWE's current roster, Kidd is all potential. Kidd is 5'10" and 195 pounds, but possesses the strength and work ethic to make him a long stay in this company.

Put it this way; Kidd was one-half of The Hart Dynasty with David Hart Smith, the son of the legendary British Bulldog. Kidd is the only one of that ex-tag team still on the roster. That has to speak for something.

Sin Cara

The mysterious Sin Cara made headlines earlier this year with his attitude and near firing in WWE. He was, however, brought back to feud with a man posing as him.

Sin Cara was victorious and kept his name in WWE. He's only 5'7" and 180 pounds and his style doesn't mesh well with WWE, but his athleticism will keep him around for a while. He was HHH's first international acquisition for a reason.

Billy Kidman

Billy Kidman is surely a throwback, but is one of the many names you think about when talking about little guys. Kidman stood 5'10" and weighed just 195 pounds, but his ability was second to none.

He was one of the notable names from the WCW Cruiserweight division that helped the promotion win the Monday Night Wars for so many weeks in a row. After WCW was bought out, Kidman went to WWE and ruled their Cruiserweight division. Among the little guys, he stands tall, no pun intended.

Zach Gowen

Zach Gowen was a very special superstar. Not only was Gowen 6'1" and 169 pounds, but he wrestled without a left leg. His inspirational journey included stints in TNA and WWE. Eventually, the novelty on him wore off and his 15 minutes of fame in the big leagues ran out.

He is only 28 and still wrestles in independent promotions. Gowen is still one of the more recognizable ex-stars from either company as his skill doesn't take a backseat to his unique look.

Crash Holly

Crash Holly allegedly weighed "well over 400 pounds", but that scale he carried around had to be wrong. Holly really was 5'10" and weighed just 212 pounds, but fought like he was 400 pounds. Crash never let his size define who he was.

Crash ruled over the Hardcore division and instituted the 24/7 rule, making for some very entertaining moments. He may have been referred to as "Elroy Jetson" by a certain member of this list, but Elroy wishes he could wrestle the way Crash did.

Rey Mysterio

I started this list with a picture of Rey Mysterio, so you knew he would be on here somewhere. Mysterio has been booked as the great underdog in today's WWE.

I don't know how much of an underdog you can be when you are a three-time world champion, but the 5'6" and 175 pound luchador certainly has made a career of it.

Mysterio's offense has fallen off in the past few years as injuries have damaged his abilities. Even still, if he never wrestles another match again, Mysterio will go down as one of the great little guys of all-time.

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