1 - Gorgeous George
Wrestling's first TV star, without him wrestling would still be cigar smoke-filled rooms. People had to buy those pesky fancy expensive TV sets just to watch him. This was the 40's, he was shocking to watch. Muhammad Ali and James Brown were influenced by him. His star power was enough to make him the highest paid athlete in the world at the time. People loved to hate him. He was the best.
2 - Lou Thez
The inventor of wrestling moves, no Thez means no NWA means no Ric Flair.
3 - Bruno Sammartino
No Bruno means no WWWF means no WWF.
4 - Hulk Hogan
Most popular wrestler of all time, put wrestling on the map, took WWF to the next level, took WCW to the next level, ask any non-fan to name a wrestler and the answer is Hulk Hogan.
5 - Steve Austin
Biggest money-maker of all time, leader of the Attitude-Era, responsible for wrestling's 2nd boom period, saved the WWF from bankruptcy, won the Monday Night Wars.
6 - Buddy Rodgers
The original Nature Boy, no Rodgers means no Ric Flair.
7 - The Rock
Most purely entertaining wrestler ever. One of the only wrestlers who ever came close to Hulk Hogan's level of popularity.
8 - Andre the Giant
Most recognizable big man ever. Passed the torch to Hogan at WM3, if he didn't do that Hogan would never had been as big as he was, even mainstream knew who Andre was.
9 - Roddy Piper
The man responsible for the success of Wrestlemania. If it wasn't for Piper there would have been no Wrestlemania. Without Wrestlemania the WWF would never have been as big as it was. Go watch the TV shows and events with Piper leading up to Wrestlemania. He was the perfect villain to Hulk Hogan. He could talk, he could wrestle, he was crazy, violent, good-looking, and charismatic. I can't see Hogan fighting anyone else at Wrestlemania.
10 - Superstar Billy Graham
The man responsible for such gimmicks as Jesse Ventura, Hulk Hogan, Scott Steiner, and Triple H. He called his arms "24 inch pythons". Sound familiar? They even would steal his trademark mustache.