Tito Santana or Rick Martel?

[wildojinx]

Who did you prefer as a singles star? While Martel is technically a better wrestler, and I did dig the model gimmick, I preferred Tito as he was more energetic in the ring.

[Gravedigger's Biscuits]

Rick Martel.

The Model gimmick was entertaining and I enjoyed his brief WCW babyface run in 1998.

[Deleted]

I preferred the Model gimmick to El Matador, but between the two, Tito was the more enjoyable worker, IMO.

[Ultimo Gallos]

Martel. Just from his AWA work shines way way more than Tito

[Mozenrath]

I lean Martel a bit, but honestly, both guys don't get quite as much respect as they deserve sometimes.

[ThankGodForSidJustice]

Martel. Tito was very good but Martel was more versatile and I think a better all around performer.

[moonpies88]

Martel but both are solid

[Hypnosis]

Aug 21, 2022 12:13:46 GMT -5 Gravedigger's Biscuits said:

Rick Martel.

The Model gimmick was entertaining and I enjoyed his brief WCW babyface run in 1998.

His WCW theme was catchy:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=3iJqylFNa4g

[nate5054]

That's a tough one. Tito was legit one of my favorite wrestlers as a kid, but as an adult, The Model is better than anything Tito did

[thegatewaydrug]

Tito was never a model, was he? Case closed.

[J is Justice]

Martel. Can't believe he's not in the HOF, yet.

[tirtefaa]

The Model no question...

I will say this, I grew up only knowing Tito from Strike Force and beyond, and I never liked this period. Later, I went back and watched his stuff from when he was IC champion, and really enjoyed it, especially at a time when WWF didn't have many great workers.

[Aceorton]

It's situational for me. I liked Martel better as a tag wrestler (few came in kicking ass on a hot tag like Martel did) and as a singles star when he was a heel. But pre-Matador Tito felt stronger as a singles babyface and had the star power to still be inserted into big matches (e.g. the Survivor Series 1990 finale, IC title matches against Mr. Perfect) if necessary. Martel's AWA singles success never translated to the WWF the same way. He felt lower-card and vulnerable when he was on his own as a babyface. On the other hand, Tito was often his own worst enemy in the booking and cost himself matches a lot with his temper and allowing himself to get distracted.

Slight edge to Martel overall if I'm put on the spot.

[Tiger Millionaire]

Probably Ricky Martel, who is criminally underrated.

[GodzillaIsMyMonster]

Martel is a former World Champion.

Had a great tag run with Tito.

Awesome heel run as The Model, including a criminally underrated blindfold match with Jake the Snake.

And then in 98 came back and had an awesome, but unfortunately all too short, mid card WCW run.

Martel wins all day.

[Slingshot Suplay]

Martel has been one of my favorites since the awa. I can't say I was a fan of tito, but he gets you sucked in watching his matches. He really knows how to get the crowd. Both have tremendous babyface fire too.

[thecrusherwi]

I like both, but I think it’s clearly Martel. Martel was a great heel and I’ll dare say he was an even better babyface.

[Deputy Muscle]

Definitely leaning to Martel here. As others have said he is massively underated, don't know why he doesn't get more respect.
Loved his work in the 91 rumble as well. I know all the attention goes on what Flair achieved the following year but Martel going 50 mins in 91 was pretty impressive on its own.

[Futureraven: Beelzebruv]

Martel, I'd really have loved him to have an IC title run at some point in the early 90s,maybe instead of Perfect's first run.

[Duke Cameron]

Tito.