It’s been over 20 years since WCW bit the dust. And yet its legacy, and the reasons for its demise, continue to be discussed to this very day. We’ll be contributing to that legacy conversation today by counting down The Top 10 Greatest Wrestlers in WCW History. From its official formation under Ted Turner’s umbrella in 1988 until its demise in 2001, these were the superstars that stood out the best.
10. Rey Mysterio Jr.
One of the biggest strengths of WCW was its phenomenal cruiserweight division. So it seemed only right to include at least one representative on this list. And who better than legendary luchador Rey Mysterio? A 5-time Cruiserweight champ while with the company, his fantastic string of matches with the likes of Eddie Guerrero and Dean Malenko helped the division become a weekly highlight on the wrestling scene.
9. Scott Steiner
Scott Steiner’s time in WCW was a tale of two very different wrestlers, both of whom were outstanding. His run in the tag division with his brother Rick already cemented him as one of the greats. But his reinvention as the brash “Big Poppa Pump” cemented him as a bonafide main eventer.
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8. Kevin Nash
Kevin Nash was one of the key figures that turned the tide in WCW’s war with WWF. The 5-time WCW Heavyweight Champion made a huge impact as one of the founding fathers of the New World Order and the nWo Wolfpack. “Big Sexy” was one of the pillars of the company during its hottest stretch.
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7. Booker T
Maybe the most athletically gifted man on this list, Booker T., always found a way to stand out from the crowd. Either as a member of the legendary team Harlem Heat or as a singles star. During the company’s final years, there was no denying his incredible charisma and it carried him straight to the top.
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6. Diamond Dallas Page
The Rock may have been the people’s champ in WWE, but in WCW it was unquestionably DDP. The master of the Diamond Cutter’s rise from manager and jobber to legitimate main eventer was one of the greatest feel-good stories in the company’s history. Diamond Dallas Page had a true Cinderella story in WCW.
5. Lex Luger
“The Total Package” was one of the biggest stars in the company’s early days. Winning numerous titles, including the WCW Heavyweight Championship, before leaving for WWF. Upon his return to WCW, he continued to be one of its top acts, even memorably capturing the World Heavyweight Title yet again In one of the company’s biggest moments.
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4. Goldberg
Without question, the biggest star WCW ever created. Goldberg was nothing short of a phenomenon. His legendary undefeated streak and explosive move set carried him to the top of the promotion in record time. Yet, as divisive as he is these days, he will always remain one of the company’s most enduring legacies.
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3. “Hollywood” Hulk Hogan
“The Hulkster” truly caused a massive stir when he made the jump to WCW. His heroic red and yellow persona initially made a big splash. However, it was his villainous turn as “Hollywood” Hulk Hogan, and his role in the formation of the nWo, that helped place the company at the top of the wrestling world.
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2. Ric Flair
“The Nature Boy” was already one of the biggest stars in the industry by the time WCW was formed, and he showcased that championship pedigree in spades with incredible matches against the likes of Terry Funk and Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat. A brief excursion to WWF aside, he was one of the unquestioned flag bearers for WCW and lives on as one of the all-time greats.
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1. Sting
The franchise player of World Championship Wrestling, no one carried the torch for the company better than Sting. Whether it was as his fan-favorite surfer persona or his later iteration lurking in the rafters, Sting had a special connection with the crowd, was consistently at the top of the card, and would deliver memorable performances night in and night out until the company’s dying days. When crowning the MVP of World Championship Wrestling, we have to go with “The Icon”.
