Professional wrestling is full of superstars. But for every Hulk Hogan or “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, there are dozens of other incredible talents who never got their moment in the spotlight. They were masters of their craft, but for one reason or another, they just didn’t get their due.
They are the underrated.
This isn’t a list of “bad” wrestlers who were loved by fans. It’s a list of truly great wrestlers who were often overlooked. They were held back by bad timing, backstage politics, or simply being too good for their own good. Let’s count them down from ten to one.
10. Lance Storm
Lance Storm was the definition of a technical master. He was so smooth and precise in the ring it was like watching a machine. But his stoic, no-nonsense personality was what held him back for a lot of fans. He was so good at being boring that it became his gimmick. He won multiple titles in WCW, but he never got that big main event push in either WCW or WWE. The guy could work with anyone, and his matches were always a clinic.
9. Goldust
When you think of Goldust, you think of a bizarre, over-the-top character. And that’s exactly why he’s underrated. People got so caught up in the gimmick that they forgot how talented Dustin Rhodes was in the ring. His commitment to the character was amazing. But beyond the wig and the face paint, he was a legit top-tier performer. He had incredible psychology and could tell a story with every move. He never got a world title shot, but he deserved it.
8. “Ravishing” Rick Rude
Rick Rude was the ultimate heel. He could walk out to the ring, strut around, and get the crowd to hate him without saying a word. His body was sculpted, his look was fantastic, and he was the perfect foil for stars like The Ultimate Warrior. But he was also a fantastic in-ring wrestler. His feud with Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat in WCW was a masterclass in wrestling. Rude was more than just a character; he was a tough guy who could back up all his trash talk in the ring.
7. Tully Blanchard
Tully Blanchard was one of the original Four Horsemen. He was a master of his craft, both as a wrestler and a promo guy. A a heat magnet. He made you want to pay money to see him get beaten up. He was a great storyteller in the ring and a believable villain. Tully had a brief run in the WWF as a Brainbuster with Arn Anderson, but his career was cut short due to backstage issues and a failed drug test. His legacy is often overshadowed by Ric Flair and the rest of the Horsemen, but he was a key part of their success.
6. Dean Malenko
“The Man of 1,000 Holds.” You don’t get a nickname like that without being an absolute genius in the ring. Dean Malenko was a human wrestling machine. He was smooth, technical, and his matches with guys like Eddie Guerrero and Chris Jericho in WCW were legendary. He was a quiet guy with zero charisma on the microphone. This is what held him back from the top of the card. But inside the ropes, there were few better. His matches are still a joy to watch today.
5. Shelton Benjamin
Shelton Benjamin was a freak athlete. He had a look, he had an insane vertical leap, and he was a legit amateur wrestling star. When he first came to the WWE, he was pegged for greatness. His matches with Shawn Michaels were incredible, and he was a Money in the Bank staple. But for some reason, he never got that main event push. The reasons are a mystery to this day. He was a great performer who could have been a World Champion, but the company just never pulled the trigger.
4. William Regal
William Regal is the definition of a wrestler’s wrestler. He was a master of ring psychology and could make any opponent look good. Regal could be a serious, vicious heel, or he could be a hilarious comedy act. He had a few short runs with top titles, but he was never the top guy. Backstage issues held him back early in his career. But every time he was in the ring, you couldn’t take your eyes off him. He was one of the best to ever do it.
3. Ted DiBiase
When you think of “The Million Dollar Man,” you think of one of the greatest villains of all time. But what people often forget is that Ted DiBiase was a phenomenal wrestler before he got the gimmick. He was named the Wrestling Observer Newsletter’s “Best Technical Wrestler” three years in a row. His matches in the NWA and Mid-South were incredible. He was a great athlete and could do it all in the ring. The “Million Dollar Man” character was so good that it overshadowed his in-ring talent.
2. Owen Hart
Owen Hart was the ultimate jack-of-all-trades. Great in the ring and was hilarious on the microphone. Owen could be a great babyface or a fantastic heel. He was a natural athlete and had the charisma to be a top guy. Hart won multiple titles, including the King of the Ring, but he never got that big championship run that he deserved. He was always in the shadow of his brother, Bret, and the company never seemed to see his full potential.
1. “Mr. Perfect” Curt Hennig
He called himself “Mr. Perfect,” and he wasn’t wrong. Curt Hennig was a once-in-a-generation talent. He could do everything perfectly. He had the perfect look, the perfect swagger, and his in-ring work was flawless. His matches with Bret Hart are legendary. They were the two best wrestlers of their era. But Curt Hennig never won a world championship in the WWF. He was stuck in the Intercontinental Title picture, which he made feel like a top-tier prize. He was a perfect performer, but sadly, the company just never saw him as “the guy.”
Who did we miss? Let us know in the comments who you think is the most underrated wrestler of all time!
For a look back at one of the all-time great feuds, check out The Tragedy of Mr. Perfect Curt Hennig.
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