Best Performer in the WWE-Current era

[Deleted]

So I tried to make a comprehensive list of the best WWF/WWE performers from 1996 to 2012, or at least the people I think would get some votes. Hopefully I've done an alright job. This is by your own personal criteria, whether it's match quality, character, promos, longevity, the whole package, etc. Try not to focus on who was the biggest draw though, because that answer is narrowed down a select few.

My pick - Stone Cold Steve Austin. The guy was a blast to watch at his peak, the way he put himself across through his matches, promos, brawls, run-ins etc. made him a fascinating figure, the personification of pissed-off chaos. I look for a little bit of Austin in every wrestler, and a lot of them don't have what he had.

[Clash, Never a Meter Maid]

Sorry, can't pick one out of a list like that. But in order, as far as overall total packages:

1) The Rock
2) Kurt Angle
3) Mick Foley
4) John Cena
5) Steve Austin
6) Triple H
7) Eddie Guerrero
8) Chris Jericho
9) Edge
10) The Undertaker

[babyfootball]

I tried to narrow my choices down this way: I started at the top (Angle) and said, alright, is there anyone on this list who I would say is better qualified than him? I said, okay, Austin... but he doesn't have the longevity. I went to the Rock... same thing. Eventually, through this back-and-forth, I came up with HBK. I would've went with the Hitman but in reality, his best years were 1991-1997, and only two of those fall under this particular timeframe. The only ones who really compare to HBK in longevity are Undertaker, Big Show, Jericho and Kane. Undertaker didn't really start having actual good matches until he dropped the zombie aspects of his character, and the remaining 3 aren't really legit contenders.

While Austin was at his peak, he was every bit as good (maybe better) all-around than HBK, but his peak was so short, his in-ring skills had diminished with the neck injury and he was never really the same again, even though his popularity skyrocketed.

[4real]

Went for HBK, his comeback from 2002 onwards was just a joy to behold.

[Deleted]

Daniel Bryan, easily. he can literally do it all

[Ryback on a Pole!]

Daniel Bryan.

He is just awesome.

[The Portable Stove]

Without even thinking twice, Austin.

[mizerable]

If we're going to call it a "current" era, I would probably start the timeline at either 2002 or 2005.

[Branimal]

Dec 20, 2012 13:04:28 GMT -5 4real said:

Went for HBK, his comeback from 2002 onwards was just a joy to behold.

Exactly. Especially considering I never thought I'd see a comeback, let alone a bunch of instant classics.

[Celgress]

Those I have enjoyed the most, both in and out of the ring (top ten) -

1.) The Rock

2.) SCSA

3.) Undertaker

4.) Mick Foley

5.) HHH

6.) Kurt Angle

7.) Shawn Michaels

8.) Chris Jericho

9.) Eddie Guerrero

10.) Bret Hart

[The Ichi]

Top 5:

The Rock
Stone Cold
Shawn Michaels
Kurt Angle
Chris Jericho

John Cena would #6.

[MGH]

2002 Shawn until retirement was as good a wrestling performer as you could want.

[Ishmeal Loves Kaseyhausen]

For my entertainment value, Austin, followed by Punk, HBK, and Bryan.

[Deleted]

Dec 20, 2012 14:48:29 GMT -5 mizerable said:

If we're going to call it a "current" era, I would probably start the timeline at either 2002 or 2005.

I'm going with the years of discussion for this section of the board, 1996-present. I also thought it would be fun to see how the best of today compare to the best of the Attitude Era side by side to see how many people think the current guys are on that level.

[Magic knows Black Lives Matter]

For my money, it's Kurt Angle, especially in 2005-2006. From his insane promos to the fantastic matches that he was putting on, no one could touch him.

[froggyfrog]

Daniel Bryan, got my vote but Angle is good too.

Great mixes of wrestling ability, comedy, and seriousness.

[Big Kahuna Burger]

The Rock. There have been other phenomenal performers, like Austin, Michaels and Bret, but Rock's charisma and mic skills blow those guys out of the water. The Rock was the complete package in terms of what a WWE Superstar should embody. Not only that, but by all accounts he was always a very humble and respectful guy in the locker room, never played politics or tried to sabotage anyone else's career, never took his ball and went home or "lost his smile".

[BV]

Came down to HBK and Angle for me. Both never failed to keep me entertained in the ring.

[MichaelMartini]

Dec 20, 2012 13:00:50 GMT -5 babyfootball said:

I tried to narrow my choices down this way: I started at the top (Angle) and said, alright, is there anyone on this list who I would say is better qualified than him? I said, okay, Austin... but he doesn't have the longevity. I went to the Rock... same thing. Eventually, through this back-and-forth, I came up with HBK.

I did the same thing but I went with Angle, even though Rock and Austin are my favorites on that list.

[percymania]

If 1996 is the starting point, I vote the Rock.