WWE: Where Does The Rock Rank Among Wrestling's All-Time Biggest Stars?

After seeing The Rock at Survivor Series, don’t you have to take a step back and ask yourself, “What If?”

At the time of his departure seven years ago, The Rock was the best in the game and the best in the business. A great look, a great sense of the “sport” and the best interview the business had ever seen. But as time has gone by and there have been others, can we argue that Dwayne Johnson is “one” of the greats, but is not truly the greatest of all time?

Questions like these are subjective and open debates that lead to battles on message boards like these, so please understand it is a question of mere debate.

Wrestling has gone through many changes through the decades and has seen many characters with great gimmicks and personas. From the days of Gorgeous George to Lou Thesz to Nick Bockwinkle to Ric Flair to The Rock and to CM Punk today; they all have a vested interest in the changes of the fanbase, the business, the media attention and, of course, the almighty dollar.

Rock was one who exuded confidence, determination, and could light the lamp at any time.

Last night was no different. He looked lean, mean and in charge and possibly better than he did at the point of his “retirement.”  And when he “Layeth the Smacketh down” last night, everyone knew ring rust was not an issue with this man.

But he isn’t the greatest.

Wrestling was in its heyday in the 1980s, starting with the likes of Jack Brisco, Bruno Sammartino, Harley Race, The Funks, Verne Gagne and then moved on to Ric Flair, Hulk Hogan, Randy Savage, The Horsemen, et al. The 1990s brought us “attitude” and vengeance and deliverance with DX, Steve Austin, Triple H, Shawn Michaels and The Rock. The new millennia saw change and direction and wrestlers like Chris Jericho, The Hardy’s, Edge and Christian and Trish Stratus.

What I am trying to convey is that different generations or eras bring about great debate and there cannot be a true definition of who is best.

As you know, I have ranked in the past the greatest of all time and have given reasons why they were the best. Wrestlers take control of situations. The Rock did this before and showed he can do it the other night when he systematically beat Miz, R-Truth and then John Cena.

But he isn’t the best.

His gimmick is great, his look again, is phenomenal and his talk is better than ever.

But he isn’t the best.

To be the best, you have to beat the best. The Rock for the most part, has done that. And in time he could have done more. His hiatus hurts him. Kurt Angle has done more. Sting has done more. Chris Jericho has done more. Shawn Michaels has done more. Ric Flair has done more. Undertaker has done more.

While I know this will stir the pot and you younger fans will tell me I am crazy, but he is not the best. He is a top-20 talent when it comes to in-ring performance. But there are better.

A Rock/Flair matchup in 1983 wouldn’t be close. Flair would win and win mightily.

A Rock/Race match in 1981 wouldn’t be close. Race would wear him down.

A Rock/Sammartino match in 1982 would be entertaining, but Sammartino would take home the gold.

So before we anoint him again as the “Great One,” let’s remember it was one match, it was one PPV and it will have to be more before he can climb the ladder of the greats again.

I’m a Rock fan. But I am not ready to give him the throne again just yet.