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Post by ChitownKnight on Mar 21, 2024 20:20:16 GMT -5
What would you say is the pinnacle of the top guys since Hogan’s careers? I’m talking Hogan, Bret, HBK, Austin, Rock, Cena, Brock (most dominant guy from 2014-2020), and Reigns.
Hogan- Beating Andre
Bret- Mania 10
HBK- Mania 12
Austin- I think Mania 15?
Rock- Beating Cena (he was a top movie star who just beat the top guy of wwe)
Cena- Beating the Rock was his biggest accomplishment, beating HHH was the start of his FOTC run, but I’d say beating HBK at mania was his peak as the hardest pushed guy since he was in the middle of his longest title reign
Brock- ending the streak
Roman- beating Brock to unify the titles at mania 38
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Post by The Rick Jericho on Mar 21, 2024 20:37:35 GMT -5
I'd like to think kayfabe wise, The Rock's power was strongest in 2002.
Because he beat Scott Hall, Kevin Nash and Hollywood Hogan all within months.
In WCW, I'm pretty sure no one was that powerful against the nWo, so at his peak kayfabe powers, 2002 Rock was it.
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Post by Jindrak Mark on Mar 21, 2024 20:38:36 GMT -5
I think Rock's would be Backlash 2000. He's at the peak of his popularity, still full-time, had proven he could carry the company with Austin out injured and it's arguably the greatest end to a PPV ever. The last 10 minutes of that PPV is peak wrestling in general to me in my years as a fan.
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Post by stoptheclocks on Mar 21, 2024 20:43:48 GMT -5
The Rock's an interesting one. I would've said wrestling Hogan at WM was his biggest single moment. However the further we get from the Cena matches (and the bigger star Cena becomes outside of wrestling) then maybe that will turn out to be the one.
Roman - I think people's apathy around him beating Brock reduces that achievement. Him and the Bloodline were never hotter than this time last year, so I'd go for beating Cody at WM39.
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Nosnorb
El Dandy
Nachos and Fraggle Rock are TIMELESS.
Posts: 7,710
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Post by Nosnorb on Mar 21, 2024 20:50:51 GMT -5
I would put winning the first Elimination Chamber Match in Madison Square Garden above that. |
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Post by Jindrak Mark on Mar 21, 2024 21:02:33 GMT -5
Hogan - Slamming Andre.
Bret - I think Canadian Stampede just beats out Mania 10.
HBK - I know in kayfabe it's Mania 12 but it was in front of a bored crowd during a terrible time for business so I think his pinnacle is heel DX run before his first retirement but hard to single out a specific moment. It could've been the Mania 26 match/retirement but him coming back for another match years later sours that.
Austin - Apr 98-Apr 99 in general lol. He has a bunch. Maybe one of those iconic glass breaks and all hell breaks loose moments like coming out to help Foley beat Rock.
Rock - Backlash 2000. Like Austin he has so many though. Like the 10th thing on his list would be number 1 for 99.9% of even really popular wrestlers.
Cena - Again it's one with the kayfabe thing being beating Rock but I 'm giving it to Rumble 08 and maybe the greatest, most genuinely shocking return moment ever.
Brock - Ending the streak.
Roman - Heel/Bloodline run in general but if he drops to Cody that moment he loses the title will be the key moment. It's very unlikely we'll ever live through a world title reign this long on mainstream TV again and if it ends right it will be instantly iconic.
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Post by mountaindew on Mar 22, 2024 1:11:39 GMT -5
Hogan - Beating Andre at WM 3.
Bret - Bret is most remembered for the Screw Job, but that's not positive for him. I think most people talk positively about him for WM 12 and 13.
HBK - WM 12
Austin - WM 13 is probably his most Iconic match.
Rock - Beating Hogan at WM 18, Austin at WM 19, or Cena at WM 28. Probably WM 28 because that was in his hometown.
Cena - Beating Rock at WM 29.
Brock - Breaking the streak.
Roman - Whenever he beats Rock at WrestleMania.
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Post by LiamMcDuggle on Mar 22, 2024 1:46:30 GMT -5
I would put winning the first Elimination Chamber Match in Madison Square Garden above that. I get your opinion, because of what MSG is, but in 96 he was THE guy, who just won THE title, and THE main show. |
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Post by thechase on Mar 22, 2024 2:52:37 GMT -5
I'd say Brock crushing Cena at Summerslam 2014 was the peak of his second run post-Mania 30, it told a better story and set more up for the long run.
Roman peaked last year beating Cody, early 2023 were the best months for the Bloodline story up until it stagnated after Summerslam
Austin's best year as a main event worker (for me, YMMV) was 2001 despite the heel turn, so he 'peaked' with 'Mania X-Seven
Cena-Beating Shawn at 'Mania 23. Peak run with the title and still had something of an 'edge' to him that eroded completely when he came back and the PG rating kicked in.
Rock? He tends to peak then re-peak in my eyes, he's that good...I'll say No Way Out 2001, Mania X-8 or Vengeance 2002 as far as victories go. He had plenty of peak main events after them but he often lost those.
Bret-winning the title at Final Four
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Post by Cvslfc123 on Mar 22, 2024 3:31:03 GMT -5
Seth Rollins- beating Brock Lesnar in under 3 minutes.
Batista- Beating Triple H at WrestleMania 21. He ended the reign of terror and Triple H wouldn't be anywhere near a world title until 2007.
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Post by David-Arquette was in WCW 2000 on Mar 22, 2024 11:51:57 GMT -5
I would put winning the first Elimination Chamber Match in Madison Square Garden above that. I get your opinion, because of what MSG is, but in 96 he was THE guy, who just won THE title, and THE main show. I would agree with Nosnorb and say his winning the Title at Elimination Chamber was bigger. Here's one.. Bret Hart - Montreal |
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Post by ChitownKnight on Mar 22, 2024 12:04:20 GMT -5
I get your opinion, because of what MSG is, but in 96 he was THE guy, who just won THE title, and THE main show. I would agree with Nosnorb and say his winning the Title at Elimination Chamber was bigger. Here's one.. Bret Hart - Montreal In terms of his LIFE, I’d say EC was bigger since he returned to wwe after becoming sober and turning it all around, but career wise id say Mania 12. |
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Post by David-Arquette was in WCW 2000 on Mar 22, 2024 12:18:09 GMT -5
I would agree with Nosnorb and say his winning the Title at Elimination Chamber was bigger. Here's one.. Bret Hart - Montreal In terms of his LIFE, I’d say EC was bigger since he returned to wwe after becoming sober and turning it all around, but career wise id say Mania 12. Would you put Wrestlemania 12 over the ladder match Wrestlemania 10? I do think a lot would, but in many ways the ladder match was career defining. |
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Post by ChitownKnight on Mar 22, 2024 12:20:42 GMT -5
In terms of his LIFE, I’d say EC was bigger since he returned to wwe after becoming sober and turning it all around, but career wise id say Mania 12. Would you put Wrestlemania 12 over the ladder match Wrestlemania 10? I do think a lot would, but in many ways the ladder match was career defining. Yeah but Mania 12 is when he was in the absolute top of his profession, winning the top title at the main event of biggest event of pro wrestling |
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Post by David-Arquette was in WCW 2000 on Mar 22, 2024 12:35:29 GMT -5
Would you put Wrestlemania 12 over the ladder match Wrestlemania 10? I do think a lot would, but in many ways the ladder match was career defining. Yeah but Mania 12 is when he was in the absolute top of his profession, winning the top title at the main event of biggest event of pro wrestling True, I just think the match itself was anti climactic, to the build of Shawn achieving his dream. Him with the belt is a great visual, as is his entrance, but it's hard to call that the pinnacle when the match literally led to people leaving the arena before it was over. |
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clc
Don Corleone
Posts: 1,529
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Post by clc on Mar 22, 2024 14:26:52 GMT -5
Hogan- Slamming Andre Mania 3
Bret- Mania 13 beating Steve Austin
HBK- Mania 25 He lost, but that match with Undertaker was what I most think of
Austin- Mania 14. Tempted to say 15, but the Mike Tyson inclusion makes 14 more memorable, and the fact that Rock and Austin went 3 times at Mania dilutes it.
Rock- Beating Hulk Hogan at Mania 18
Cena- Doesn't feel like he has a one iconic moment. I guess Twice in a Lifetime beating the Rock.
Brock- Suplex City. The squashing of Cena.
Roman- beating Brock to unify the titles at mania 38...had Taker stayed retired, him retiring the Undertaker would have been it.
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Post by ruthlessko04 on Mar 22, 2024 22:18:06 GMT -5
Hogan: Became a top guy in 1984. His pinnacle was slamming Andre at WM 3
He was the biggest wrestling star in the world and was at his absolute peak of popularity and superstardom while Andre was the ultimate challenge. Hogan headed into the match as the underdog and pulled off one of the most iconic moments in sports entertainment history. The slam that was heard around the world.
Bret: Became a top guy in 1992. His pinnacle was facing Owen and defeat Yokozuna for the WWE title at WM 10
The Hitman was the top guy for WWE at the time and his matches with both Owen and Yokozuna on the same night at WM 10 cemented that. Bret vs Owen was simply a masterpiece while his WWE title win over Yokozuna was just the cherry on the top. Bret Hart was WWF's MVP of 1994.
Stone Cold: Became a top guy in 1997. His pinnacle was from WM 14 to No Mercy 1999
Austin became an main event player in 1997 and by WM 14, he became the Face of the Company as he went to delivered some of the most iconic promos and moments in history while his classic rivalries with Vince and Rock was absolute must-see at the time. Stone Cold Steve Austin was the biggest thing in pro wrestling at the time.
The Rock: Became a top guy in 1998. His pinnacle was defeating Triple H for the WWE title at Backlash 2000
By late 1999 and 2000, The Rock became the Face of WWE while Austin was injured and Triple H was 1B to Rock's 1A. He was the ultimate babyface to Triple H's ultimate heel with the McMahon-Helmsley era still running wild. The Rock on that night proved that he was fully ready to carried the company.
Cena: Became a top guy in 2005. His pinnacle was his WWE title run back in 2007.
Cena became the Franchise of WWE in 2005 while in 2007 he was really an absolute force to be reckoned with as he stepped his-ring skills up and delivered epic matches with the likes of Orton, Edge, HBK, Umaga and Lashley. Even though he was still getting booed, the crowd were amazed on how Cena definitely improved in the ring while the mic skills has always been excellent. 2007 was also the beginning of his legendary rivalry with Orton as those two were simply trying to destroy each other. Cena may had been injured for the rest of 2007, but the impact he made that year with his big-time matches and WWE title was undeniable.
Brock: Became a top guy in 2002. His pinnacle was from WM 30 to WM 31
Brock's first run from 2002-2004 was simply iconic and memorable. The moment he reached his pinnacle was at WM 30 where he ended Undertaker's legendary streak. From there on, he went to squash Cena with 16 brutal German suplexes at Summerslam 2014 and captured the WWE World Heavyweight title and destroyed the likes of Cena, Rollins and Reigns during that run. During that run, The Beast was on an rampage.
Reigns: Became a top guy in 2014. His pinnacle was the Bloodline run
Roman may had been The Guy since late 2015 but he didn't fully reached his pinnacle until his heel turn back in 2020 as he went to put up some of his biggest works ever. Roman definitely shined as a heel while his matches with Jey, Cody, Sami, Brock, Drew, Edge, Bryan and KO were great. The Bloodline storyline has been great while it cemented Roman as one of the greatest heels in recent memory. He definitely had some of the greatest and memorable works in this run.
Orton: Became a top guy in 2004. His pinnacle was the Age of Orton Era.
Even though Orton was already a huge main event star while being one of the most important stars in WWE since 2004, the moment he reached his pinnacle was when he took out John Cena and defeated Triple H in an brutal last man standing match at No Mercy 2007. While Cena was out, Orton fully carried the company on his back during that run with impressive wins over Triple H, Shawn Michaels, Chris Jericho and Jeff Hardy while being an dominant WWE champ. At WM 24, he pulled off an shocking victory over both Cena and Triple H to retain his WWE title which made him even more dominant. Prior to this run, Orton was already a huge main event star and one of the most important stars in WWE but he definitely cemented himself as The #1 Guy in WWE thanks to the epic Age of Orton Era.
Batista: Became a top guy in 2005. His pinnacle was his 2007 run on Smackdown.
Batista in his prime was an absolute dominant force. It was his rivalries with Taker and Edge that made Batista reached his pinnacle as he definitely improved in the ring while his fanbase was still big. The matches with Taker are instant classics that made the fans respect Batista's in-ring work to a certain extent. He brought the intensity and ruthlessness into his matches with the Deadman while ended up winning back the WHC title from Khali at Unforgiven.
HBK: Became a top guy in 1994. His pinnacle was his 1996 run.
Ever since his iconic WM 10 ladder match with Razor Roman, HBK was cemented as a main event player and the moment he became the Face of WWE was when he defeated Bret Hart in an legendary Iron Man match at WM 12 and from there on, Shawn became the Face of the Company. Not only he was the Face of the Company but he was also the best in-ring wrestler as well with so many classics during that year with Bret Hart, Owen Hart, Vader, Sycho Sid, Diesel, British Bulldog and Mankind while the most popular babyface at the time as well. He was the pinnacle of his career at the time.
Edge: Became a top guy in 2005. His pinnacle was main-eventing against Undertaker at WrestleMania 24.
During that time, Edge was the biggest heel on Smackdown as he was a huge thorn to both Undertaker and Batista's side while gained more power by joined forces with then Smackdown GM, Vickie Guerrero. Edge's wars with both men were entertaining to see while his rivalry with Undertaker elevated him to the next level of his career. Edge had the opportunity to main event WM against the Deadman and he delivered by putting out an classic match with Taker. Even though he lost the WHC at WM 24, Edge was still strong in defeat.
Triple H: Became a top guy in 1999. His pinnacle was during the Evolution/Reign of Terror run.
Even though Triple H was already an massive star in the Attitude Era, he got overshadowed by Austin and Rock in terms of being the absolute #1 Guy in the company even though he was the 1B to Rock's 1A back in late 1999 and 2000. By the time that the Ruthless Aggression Era, Triple H easily became the Face of WWE during the 1st half of the RA Era. The Reign of Terror and forming Evolution was the pinnacle of his career as he dominated Raw while turned then rising stars Randy Orton and Batista into major stars in the process.
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tirtefaa
Unicron
If you wanna know the truth, you gotta dig up Johnny Booth.
Posts: 2,865
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Post by tirtefaa on Apr 15, 2024 11:50:15 GMT -5
Ric Flair - Starrcade 1983
Hulk Hogan - WrestleMania 3
Ultimate Warrior - WrestleMania 6
Randy Savage - WrestleMania 7
Shawn Michaels - WrestleMania 12
Stone Cold Steve Austin - WrestleMania 13
Bret Hart - In Your House: Canadian Stampede
Lex Luger - Nitro 8-4-1997
Sting - Starrcade 1997
Undertaker - WrestleMania 14
Mankind - King of the Ring 1998
Goldberg - Nitro 7-6-1998
Diamond Dallas Page - Halloween Havoc 1998
The Rock - Backlash 2000
Booker T - Bash at the Beach 2000
Kane - Badd Blood 1997 or Royal Rumble 2001
Chris Jericho - Raw 4-17-2000
Kurt Angle - Unforgiven 2001
Triple H - WrestleMania 18
Jeff Hardy - Raw 7-1-2002
Brock Lesnar - WrestleMania 19
Eddie Guerrero - No Way Out 2004
Randy Orton - Backlash 2004
Batista - WrestleMania 21
John Cena - WrestleMania 22
Rey Mysterio - WrestleMania 22
Rob Van Dam - One Night Stand 2006
Edge - New Year's Revolution 2006
Sheamus - Extreme Rules 2010
Christian - Extreme Rules 2011
CM Punk - Money in the Bank 2011
Daniel Bryan - WrestleMania 30
Seth Rollins - WrestleMania 31
Drew McIntyre - WrestleMania 36
Cody Rhodes - WrestleMania 40
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Post by Mayonnaise on Apr 15, 2024 12:23:15 GMT -5
I would agree with Nosnorb and say his winning the Title at Elimination Chamber was bigger. Here's one.. Bret Hart - Montreal In terms of his LIFE, I’d say EC was bigger since he returned to wwe after becoming sober and turning it all around, but career wise id say Mania 12. I agree with the EC talk (maybe Taker at 25) because without that and the second run, Shawn probably goes down as a huge "what if". What if he wasn't a petulant man-child? What if he was sober? What if he didn't get injured? He probably doesn't get GOAT status or have the accolades thrown his way. |
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