[SuicideSlushPuppie]

But Bruno was a regional champion. He was not as well known throughout the US as the current WWE narrative (HHH) would have you think. In fact when Bruno went to other territories he rarely got over.

He was the WWE (WWWF) guy when it was a territory. He got over in New York because of the predominant Italian population there. He was on an equal plane with other regional champions at the time. When Vince Sr noticed the Italian fanbase was falling behind the Puerto Rican population he went with Pedro.

In fact most magazines at the time did not even recognize the WWWF title as a World Title (of course there is a story behind this).

I do think Bruno deserves credit for his status in WWE history, but his importance tends to get overblown by makeshift historians, while being underplayed by modern day fans.

That's true. There's nothing he can do to change the era he wrestled in. That said, in that territory, he maintained his drawing power for many, many years.

 

[GeneBlasterV1]

WCW was terrible in it's final months.

It wasn't, it was in fact the best it had been for a couple of years.

Very true.

 

[Dr. Jones]

The Austin 3:16 speech immediately launching Stone Cold into a superstar.

In reality, Austin did nothing of note afterwards until the Bret Hart feud (e.g. all prior KOTR winners went on to have a big match/storyline at SummerSlam, Austin was on the preshow and got a fluke win).

This is one where the lifer wrestling guys that were in the office like Prichard, Cornette, and JR expose their carnyness. They all say they knew Austin was going to be big money in early-mid 96. Yet, he was relegated to a Yokozuna house show finish at the 2nd biggest PPV of the year on the free for all. It wasn't until Bret hand picked him as his comeback opponent did Austin start getting treated like a potential player. If they had actually viewed him as an upcoming star, he would've probably got Goldust's spot beating Mero as payback for their KOTR match

 

[Ghost Lantern]

That's true. There's nothing he can do to change the era he wrestled in. That said, in that territory, he maintained his drawing power for many, many years.

Yes. That's why he's on the same level of the Dusty, Lawler, Von Erich.....not Austin, or Hulk

 

[SuicideSlushPuppie]

Yes. That's why he's on the same level of the Dusty, Lawler, Von Erich.....not Austin, or Hulk

We'll just have to agree to disagree. He's not quite on HH's level, but his longevity as a top draw makes him superior to SCSA, who wasn't around as long. Definitely debatable though, and I respect your opinion. As for Von Erich, I assume you're referring to Fritz?

 

[Ghost Lantern]

We'll just have to agree to disagree. He's not quite on HH's level, but his longevity as a top draw makes him superior to SCSA, who wasn't around as long. Definitely debatable though, and I respect your opinion. As for Von Erich, I assume you're referring to Fritz?

No Kerry. Fritz was never on the level of Kerry.

But he is 100% on HHH level.

 

[wrasslin_casual]

This isn't true and the GOAT claims are WWE giving a legend his props whilst also using the current lingo of today.

The claim itself, based upon his achievements, aren't wrong. Subjective, but greatest is relevant to whomever you are asking.

I don't deny it's subjective...what I also don't deny is the objective truth, which I posted.

 

[Loopee]

I don't deny it's subjective...what I also don't deny is the objective truth, which I posted.

So John being called the "GOAT" is fine then?

 

[wrasslin_casual]

So John being called the "GOAT" is fine then?

If you believe that sure. It don't matter to me.

 

[Loopee]

If you believe that sure. It don't matter to me.

It doesn't matter what I believe lol. An all encompassing statement is never gonna be 100% applicable to everyone.

My GOAT is The Rock. Someone else's could be Ric Flair. Another Big Daddy.

If we're objectively looking at it in terms of kayfabe, John's career would be up there as one of the best. He's very accomplished and sat at the top for years.

Either way, it is what it is and it's WWE using barbershop slang.

 

[SuicideSlushPuppie]

No Kerry. Fritz was never on the level of Kerry.

But he is 100% on HHH level.

Yeah, I definitely don't agree with that. Kerry wouldn't even be in my Top 100, or even 200 or 300. Fritz was a much bigger star than Kerry during his time. Are you familiar with Steve Yohe's 2014 project?

 

[booyakas]

John Cena’s career. Michael Cole still calls him the GOAT. How embarrassing.

michael cole is saying what he is told to say.

 

[Zappers]

This is one where the lifer wrestling guys that were in the office like Prichard, Cornette, and JR expose their carnyness. They all say they knew Austin was going to be big money in early-mid 96. Yet, he was relegated to a Yokozuna house show finish at the 2nd biggest PPV of the year on the free for all. It wasn't until Bret hand picked him as his comeback opponent did Austin start getting treated like a potential player. If they had actually viewed him as an upcoming star, he would've probably got Goldust's spot beating Mero as payback for their KOTR match

Sorta. It was a slow build. They told no lies. All that other stuff(with out Steve) was predetermined booked in advanced.

KOTR moving forward Steve Austin changed. He got a new entrance theme, his look changed, he was a different person after that match. It wasn't an immediate(next night) change but within 3 or 4 months he was rolling. He just had to wait his turn. To compare against prior KOTR winner and how they went forward isn't entirely fair. They chose to play it like how they did, because they were caught off guard to the impact he made that night. His "new" character was a work in progress.

He wrestled Undertaker, Shawn Michaels, HHH, Mero among others in those months before Bret.

 

[Ghost Lantern]

Yeah, I definitely don't agree with that. Kerry wouldn't even be in my Top 100, or even 200 or 300. Fritz was a much bigger star than Kerry during his time. Are you familiar with Steve Yohe's 2014 project?

Yes, I am. It's very prejudiced to stars from an earlier era, which is ironic considering how long I have been here propping the older stars up.

 

[SuicideSlushPuppie]

Yes, I am. It's very prejudiced to stars from an earlier era, which is ironic considering how long I have been here propping the older stars up.

I partiicpated in that project, so I guess I really can't say much. That said, I still think it's the best source for a legit "GOAT" list.

 

[Ghost Lantern]

I partiicpated in that project, so I guess I really can't say much. That said, I still think it's the best source for a legit "GOAT" list.

That's interesting that you took part. I took one of those a few years back as well but I forget who it was for.

I am also very interested in the regional bias because it seemed very WWF prejudiced as well. I went down the list and recognized a bunch of the voters but saw no one I, at least recognized as Southern Wrestling guy.

 

[Ghost Lantern]

Just to be clear, I am a classic wrestling fan for sure. But guys like Yohe and others tended to love sounding smart by giving more credence than what it is actually due to pre-Golden Age, and Golden Age wrestlers. I believe he was blinded by his love of history so much that he could not see the importance of actual greatness in front of him.

I 100% believe guys like Londos and Gorgeous George have their elite place. But it gets out of hand when folks are ranking guys like Farmer Burns and Gus Sonnenberg over major media stars of the 60's-today.

That list well, It just really feels like old school wrestling historians trying to sound smart by over-rating guys who they never grew up watching over wrestlers who drew massive crowds, and gained world wide attention.

Proof? I mean no wrestling historian in their right mind would put Hogan anywhere but #1, but he's number #3 according to this list.

So which folks who had input on that list were Southern wrestling fans? I am certain he had to have at least one.