A recent post disputing Andre's crossover appeal got me thinking about this.
Obviously Hogan, Austin, and Rock are lightyears above the others but who are the other seven. And how would you rank the top ten? This is not who was better in the ring, or who was the better wrestler, just who had (espcially when it comes to their era) the most striaght crossover appeal?
I would say. (in America)
1. Hogan
2. Rock
3. Austin
4. Andre: In the 70's wrestling's biggest crossover star, plus his role in The Priness Bride and sheer novelty appeal. He was doing the national talk shows years before Hogan.
5. Georgeous George: Set the true Golden Age on fire
6. Bronko Nagurski: Probably the biggest athelete to turn wrestler ever.
7. Bruno Sammartino: Graced strongman adds in comics and ruled New York for well over a decade.
8. El Santo: Although obviously the man in Mexico his success crossed over to the States where he was huge in California, Texas, and other western states. Films are stillconsidered cult classics here.
9. Sgt Slaughter: GI Joe, and other tv shows, and political lovefest in the 80's.
10. Brock Lesner: UFC career
HM: I went back and forth on Jerry Lawler, and Verne Gagne I think a case could be made for either in the top ten. Others: Ric Flair, Dick the Brusier, and maybe Kurt Angle.
Maybe missing some obvious ones. What would you say?
Obviously Hogan, Austin, and Rock are lightyears above the others but who are the other seven. And how would you rank the top ten? This is not who was better in the ring, or who was the better wrestler, just who had (espcially when it comes to their era) the most striaght crossover appeal?
I would say. (in America)
1. Hogan
2. Rock
3. Austin
4. Andre: In the 70's wrestling's biggest crossover star, plus his role in The Priness Bride and sheer novelty appeal. He was doing the national talk shows years before Hogan.
5. Georgeous George: Set the true Golden Age on fire
6. Bronko Nagurski: Probably the biggest athelete to turn wrestler ever.
7. Bruno Sammartino: Graced strongman adds in comics and ruled New York for well over a decade.
8. El Santo: Although obviously the man in Mexico his success crossed over to the States where he was huge in California, Texas, and other western states. Films are stillconsidered cult classics here.
9. Sgt Slaughter: GI Joe, and other tv shows, and political lovefest in the 80's.
10. Brock Lesner: UFC career
HM: I went back and forth on Jerry Lawler, and Verne Gagne I think a case could be made for either in the top ten. Others: Ric Flair, Dick the Brusier, and maybe Kurt Angle.
Maybe missing some obvious ones. What would you say?