By Harry Constable
The WWE is the largest wrestling company in the world, capturing the imagination of children and adults alike.
At the turn of the millennium, the WWE went through a golden era of talent which, coupled with great story telling, cultivated the most successful period in the company’s history. Here are the 10 greatest WWE superstars of the 2000s.
No.1: The Undertaker
The Undertaker is the greatest wrestler of the 2000s, consistently delivering legendary matches, reinventing his character through different eras and maintaining a near-mythical presence in the WWE. His unmatched WrestleMania streak of 21 straight wins set a standard no one could match, and the iconic chime of his entrance music is instantly recognisable and forever linked to The Undertaker himself.
Notable match: Wrestle Mania 25 against Shawn Michaels.
No.2: John Cena
The ultimate babyface, John Cena is one of the most beloved wrestlers of all time thanks to his charisma and connection with the fans. His work ethic and crossover appeal solidify him as a generational WWE superstar. Who could forget all the You Can’t See Me memes? Currently on his retirement tour, Cena is making the full-time move into the world of Hollywood films.
Notable match: Wrestle Mania 28 against The Rock.
No.3: Triple H
A multiple World Championship winner, Triple H was one of the faces of the company for many years, being able to reinvent himself multiple times. He was a consistent main event talent with his unrivalled abilities and creative storytelling. Triple H’s influence shaped many of the most important moments of the decade.
Notable match: Wrestle Mania 28 against The Undertaker in a Hell in the Cell match.
No.4: Batista
Dave Bautista has recently made a name for himself in Hollywood films but before that he was The Animal, causing havoc on the WWE roster with his famous Batista Bomb. He was a consistent force through the mid 2000s, going on multiple title reigns and being in famous feuds with other superstars like Triple H and John Cena. If you didn’t try the Batista Bomb move on your siblings, were you really a fan?
Notable Match: Wrestle Mania 21 against Triple H.
No.5: Rey Mysterio
What he lacked in height he made up for with charisma, Rey Mysterio was the everyman’s superstar. Standing at a modest 5’5” (168cm) Mysterio fought above his weight, taking down giants of the sport to win the 2006 Royal Rumble. He also won the World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania 22. The irony…
Notable match: Wrestle Mania 22 against Kurt Angle and Randy Orton.
No.6: Randy Orton
Randy Orton is one of the great modern-day heels, earning him the nickname The Legend Killer due to his rivalries with many of the superstars on this list. Orton’s RKO is one of the most famous finishing moves in WWE history, often being delivered “outta nowhere”. The move became a social media phenomenon and helped cement him into WWE history.
Notable match: Backlash 2004 against Mick Foley.
No.7: The Rock
Dwayne Johnson, more commonly known as The Rock, was able to become the biggest name in wrestling while carving his name as one of the biggest stars in Hollywood. The Rock’s ability to cut a promo and overall mic work is among the greats, having many signature catchphrases such as “If ya smell … what The Rock is cookin’!”. Was one half of arguably the greatest rivalry in WWE history with Stone Cold Steve Austin.
Notable match: Wrestle Mania 17 against Stone Cold Steve Austin.
No.8: Stone Cold Steve Austin
Stone Cold Steve Austin is one of the greatest wrestlers thanks to his rebellious persona and electric charisma, becoming the face of WWE’s Attitude Era. His legendary rivalry with Vince McMahon produced some of the most unforgettable moments in wrestling history, including iconic stunts like filling McMahon’s car with cement.
Notable match: Wrestle Mania 17 against The Rock.
No.9: Shawn Michaels
Another great company man who was involved in some of the biggest moments of the decade. His persona of the Heartbreak Kid, along with his brash personality and flair, set Michaels apart from the rest during his time. His signature Sweet Chin Music to the retiring Rick Flair is one of the more emotional moments in WWE history.
Notable match: WrestleMania 25 against The Undertaker.
No.10: Jeff Hardy
One of the bravest athletes to ever compete for the promotion, Jeff Hardy’s stunts will go down in history as some of the most spectacular ever seen. He formed half of one of the greatest tag teams ever alongside his brother Matt, where they turned ladder matches into what they are today. Hardy’s signature move, The Swanton Bomb, is one every kid attempted in the backyard on the trampoline, and some sillier kids tried inside the house …
Notable Match: Summer Slam 2000 TLC match.
Featured Image: The Undertaker (left) and Triple H as their iconic characters. Pictures: David Seto, JjRon/CC/Wikimedia Commons
very cool harry
Has clearly played The Game