After coming close his first two seasons, Tennant broke through and won his first state title as a junior at 145 in Class 5A. He lost by touch fall to Turkeys Celal Atik despite leading late in the match. These kinds of events create curiosity, and there is fun in them. Now, let's take a look at the top boys wrestlers across the country at 126 pounds: Campbells strong junior season includes a third-place finish at the Walsh Ironman. Thats on top of silver at the 2012 Worlds and a bronze in 2014. Several weeks later, Snyder made the World team at 97 kg by knocking off 2012 Olympic champion Jake Varner in straight matches. In fact, I think its such that it offsets any advantage Batista has over Wyatt in other areas. His rambles on the mic are embedded in his interest to see the action in the ring. It really just comes down to how much credit you give Nash as the third-best player in the original NWO and how much you factor in his limited in-ring work. Cox was named the nation's top high school wrestler his senior year in 1997, and he won three Oregon titles for the Lancers from 1995-97. . WWE has had some incredible wrestlers walk through its doors, including The Undertaker and Brock Lesnar, and the 100 best have been ranked. The U.S. big man won the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics for his first World-level gold medal. Five more grapplers placed at All-States before junior Bennett . He remains one of four wrestlers to win four NCAA Division I titles. And, at the age of 33, hes not done competing. He is the co-owner of the spring American football league. His insane remarks, derogatory remarks, and insane acts, such as cuffing himself on rings while challenging an opponent, made him a fan favorite. In 2015, he was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame posthumously. 2K Games haven't exactly garnered the best reputation for themselves . Not only was an individual title on the line, but the winner of the match would determine the team champion. Thanks for pointing out RVDs omission! In the class of 2012, he was inducted as a member of The Four Horsemen. At Wrestlemania 7, he became the first person to cleanly pin Hulk Hogan in nine years. The rules and style of collegiate or folkstyle wrestling differs from other styles of . There won't be any argument here. His fifth-place finish included a 5-1 win over Iowas Jeff McGinness an eventual two-time NCAA champion during the consolation round. She won a title for Missouri Baptist in 2010 then picked up titles for Simon Fraser in 2011, 2013, and 2014. It was even considered the main event during the Olympic Games in Ancient Greece. Longevity plays a big part, too. The U.S. heavyweight superstar won the gold medal at every World Championship she entered. They failed. Published Jun 1, 2022. It took him a while to get here but hes a superstar and has made enough of a mark to crack the list. Terry Gene Bollea, known as Hulk Hogan, is an American retired professional wrestler. Instead Im going to salute your list as of all the ones Ive looked at it is clearly the best one Ive seen. As the University of Iowa's all-time winning-est coach from 1976 to 1997, Gable won 15 NCAA National Wrestling Team Titles while compiling a career record of 355-21-5, He coached 152 All-Americans, 45 National Champions, 106 Big Ten Champions and 12 Olympians, including four gold . His true freshman season was too shabby, either. Benoit is a top-100 wrestler of all-time by any standard that doesn't include personal transgressions. His WWE run had some good moments but it was unsatisfying overall and I dont think his career is strong enough to break into the top-100, yet. Derek Brenon. You do something no other American has ever done before. Net Worth: $10 Million. During his college career at Iowa State, Sanderson went 159-0 from 1999-2002. The 2001 World Championships were postponed after 9/11 and Sanderson wanted to focus solely on his college career. Davino recently won his third Illinois state championship, defeating Marmion senior Jameson Garcia 6-1 in a highly anticipated showdown. 6 5. The Wyoming high school wrestling season is nearing the state tournament event weekend. Piper was honored with a statue as a part of WrestleMania Axxess in Brooklyn, New York, in 2019. A fantastic pinner, he used brute force to lever his opponents to their backs. Natick High wrestling. TOP 50. He is the third Division 1 wrestler in state history to win four titles. He starred in Slim Jim commercials, appeared on Regis & Kathy Lee and the Arsenio Hall Show, and was adorned to Wrestling Buddies and Hasbro figures alike. This year the first-team all-county wrestler is ranked fourth and has a chance to become the school's first-ever five-time state qualifier. He has spent more than five decades in wrestling. Theres no question that it becomes akin to splitting hairs the further down the list you go. He won NCAA titles in 1987 and 1988, but thats not all. She defeated Kyoko Hamaguchi of Japan a five-time World champion, a 10-time World medalist, and a two-time Olympic bronze medal winner. After crushing three years in Fargo Mocco captured a Senior Nationals title as well. Her first World medal was bronze at the 2011 Worlds when she competed at the 67 kg weight class. Kemp went undefeated for Chardon High School in Ohio before signing to wrestle for Wisconsin. 2006-Present FloSports, Inc. All rights reserved. Best High School Wrestlers. 2). Smiths win in 2005 was an important step for womens wrestling in the United States, and it was part of a foundation that would carry on until the present day. His college options were limited. Round 1 - Kalib Simmons, Lebanon vs John Smith, Giles, 4A 120 lbs Cons. Cookie Preferences / Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. That includes four Midlands titles, four Big 12 titles, and four NCAA titles. Snyder fell behind early but came storming back for a 6-5 win giving the United States its first mens freestyle title since 1995 by a point. Go back to your pimple cream. She also has a pair of Junior World bronze medals (2011 and 2012) and a silver medal finish at the 2013 World University Games. The Hawkeye star won 149-pound NCAA titles in 2008 and 2010, with a runner-up finish in 2009. Kemp was close to becoming the first. Chrissie Cowan. He was inducted two-time in the WWE Hall of Fame in 2011 as a single wrestler and in 2019 as part of D-Generation X. Steve Austin, famous as Stone Cold Steve Austin, is an American media personality, actor, and former professional wrestler. He picked up a statement win over Dan Gable at the 1975 Northern Open, avenged his loss to Yagla, and, in 1976, won his first NCAA title. Bruce Kesselring Akron East 1939, 1940 4. He didnt place at the 2000 NCAA tournament but earned a spot in the 184-pound finals as a senior in 2001 against Iowa States Cael Sanderson a wrestler who went 159-0 for his college career. His World titles in 2018 and 2019 were at 79 kg while his bronze medal at the 202One Olympics and his 2021 World gold were at 74 kg. The U.S. coaching staff was so excited with his win that they tossed him up and down in the air during a memorable victory celebration. Randys brother was a decorated WWF wrestler in the 1980s. As tempting as it is to put as much thought and effort into my comment as you did yours, Im going to choose to support my viewpoint with words. You have entered an incorrect email address! Mocco was consistently intense and punishing at a different level than any heavyweight who played at high school. Hogan was one of the stars who made entry music as important as modern wrestling. If you were around in 95 when it debuted, you know how cutting edge it was. And this year could be a banner year for Polk County wresters. His fighting skills in many wrestling companies earned him the reputation he currently adorns. The Hall of Famer has also won the WWE Championship twice and is one of the few WWE players to have emerged as a three-time champion. 100-9190-8180-7170-6160-5150-4140-3130-2120-11. Thats in addition to nine medals at the World Championships, including gold in 1986, 1993, and 1995. He picked up his fifth World medal when he secured a bronze at the 2019 Worlds then followed that up with silver medals at the 202One Olympics and the 2021 World Championships. By submitting my information, I agree to the, AA 195 lbs Champ. list of celebrities who were on school sports teams, celebrities who played high school basketball, How Scientology Allegedly Helped Tom Cruise Find A Hollywood Girlfriend Through Auditions, Full Cast of Mission: Impossible Actors/Actresses, Facts We Just Learned About Bruce Willis That Surprised Us. Both have vastly different career resumes and character types. Those three wrestlers have combined to win 10 World and Olympic gold medals and 16 total medals over four different weight categories (74 kg, 79 kg, 86 kg, and 92 kg). The first edition of our Class of 2022 Rankings is out. Coyle has wrestled just 11 matches this season and is 9-2 overall. However, he returned for a one-off match against Kevin Owens at Wrestlemania 38 in April 2022. Snyder won a Junior World title in 2013 and Junior World bronze in 2014 before attending Ohio State University. Wrestlers across the state have been competing strongly each week. International Rankings. He may be retired, but people continue to talk about him to this day. As per some sources released on 11 February 2023, John Cena wearing skirt photos went viral as he wore it on the movie set. As the high school wrestling season comes to a close, SBLive put together a fictitious tournament lets call it the SBLive Mock Wrestling Invitational featuring eight of the top wrestlers from across the United States in each weight class. He was a headliner for a brief run before moving on to Hollywood. Only a handful of top talent can be named the best wrestlers to date. I just think there is a bit of a difference between their resumes. Also, Undertakers Tombstone Piledriver was one of his finishing moves that few in the WWE ever survived. Why does Hawk outrank Animal so much? He was named Outstanding Wrestler at the NCAA Championships all four years and was just the second wrestler to win four NCAA titles and the first to win in consecutive seasons. Who is your opinion the best wrestler from each High School of all-time? Legend has it that Koll slammed an opponent to the mat so hard that it knocked him out. Smith retired from active competition the day before his 27th birthday after winning his second gold medal at the 1992 Olympic Games. Wrestling is one of the most popular combat sports in the world. However, also like a lightning bolt, he was short-lived and destructive. Because of his incomparable performance in the ring, Hogan was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005. Zack Chakonis, Don Bosco, 2015 146. John Smiths wrestling career started out well enough. Your email address will not be published. Randy's brother was a decorated WWF wrestler in the 1980s. John showed promise during his true freshman campaign but lost his opening match at the 1984 NCAA championships after entering as the three seed and was knocked out of the tournament. No other American had one more than two in a row up to that point. In the same podcast, he expressed that he was happy to see Lita back in WWE and said, Shes a big-time player.. He died at 58 as paramedics declared him dead at the scene. Alger is among the few who have won NCAA titles at two different weights. He even won an ESPY as the top male athlete across all sports. Throughout the years, WWE has had . He won every match during his sophomore season and followed that up with arguably the greatest season in college wrestling history. Smith was named Outstanding Wrestler in the world in 1991 and was the first wrestler to win the Sullivan Award as the top amateur athlete. Snyder won his second NCAA title in 2017 and made his third straight World and Olympic team. John Smith 11. Michaels has mastered the art of using his heels to bring a special step to the end of Sweet Chin music. The 100 Greatest Professional Wrestlers of All-Time. On the other hand, the biggest accomplishments of his career were being in DX and the NWO. . His 2008 run at the NCAA Championships was particularly impressive. Share. Under many names, the most famous is the Stone Cold moniker Steve Austin, who ruled the WWE during his hay days. The former Nittany Lion star has a handful of international credentials, as well. 2006-Present FloSports, Inc. All rights reserved. Late Roddy Piper was a hot topic among fans during his hay days for his distinctive entrance with bagpipe and kilt music. Get the most important Wrestling stories delivered straight to your inbox. Anonymous. He also won a Junior National title in 1995 and a Cadet World Championships in 1993. TCW Cal State High School Wrestling Rankings: 106 - 126 lbs. Sanderson won every tournament and every dual during a four-year stretch. If there was ever a doubt that Bruce Baumgartner is the greatest heavyweight in American history, just take a look at the numbers. U.S. women entered the World Championships for the first time in 1989, and only four American women had won World titles up to that point. Hitman Hart: Wrestling with Shadows (1998) This is a documentary film about Owen Hart, one of the most prolific wrestlers of his time. His overall college record was 117-13. He challenged Ric Flair for the NWA World Heavyweight Title at two major NWA events in 1987 and 1988 and challenged Rick Rude for the WCW International World Heavyweight Championship in 1993. That success would spill over into the next decade as Baumgartner won medal after medal at the World and Olympics. The XFLs first image will kick off more than two decades later, in 2023. He will be on a WWE-related venture, Stone Cold Takes on America, where he will travel the country in an R.V. The documentary chronicles his rise to fame, as well as . Round 2 - John Smith, Giles vs Colby Cash, Riverheads, 4A 120 lbs Cons. 85. Davey Boy Smith. else at the top of . He won five matches, including four by technical fall and one by fall. He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2022 as he invested most of his career in wrestling for WWF/E and is better known for his critically acclaimed Deadman Undertaker gimmick. Meet the nation's top freshmen. He won 34 titles throughout his wrestling career. IMO, Hall is Nashs ceiling on a list like this. One of his most memorable lines fans love is the phrase, Austin 3:16 says I just whooped your ass, which sent laughter among the fans. He won his fifth World or Olympic title in 2017 even though he was behind in every match. MAXPREPS; CBSSPORTS.COM; 247SPORTS; B. Wrestling. I love me some Hammer. At the age of 19, Snyder won the 2015 World championships becoming the youngest American to win a World gold medal.In 2016, Snyder moved up to heavyweight for his sophomore season and won his first NCAA title with a thrilling sudden victory win over returning two-time NCAA champion Nick Gwiazdowski of North Carolina State. The Iowa star made hand fighting and superior conditioning his calling card as he brutalized his opponents especially during his final two college seasons. He was the key for Penn State during one of the most dominant eras in college wrestling history. He qualified after his senior campaign but the World Championships in Iran were boycotted by the United States following a credible threat to the U.S. team. The best wrestlers of all time have worked hard in the WWE to reach the top. The Ithaca, New York, native has a knack for succeeding in multiple international weight classes, too. I just have one question.How in the hell is Abdullah the Butcher on this list? George Cherokee Shadyside 1939, 1940 3. Kayleigh Heckel among those in the running for top honor. If you go down the list of qualities tht make for an elite top-tier performer, Valentine doesnt score high in any category. Davino, a junior, also picked up a gold medal at the 16U National Championships last summer. He was his first World title after his junior season then won the Olympic Games after his senior campaign. He made four World teams (1999, 2001-03) and the 2004 Olympic team between the weight classes of 58 kg and 60 kg. He was outstanding all season as the Golden Hawks' 106-pounder until . Secondly, what puts Nash at 50? John lockhart! I would say that Goldberg should replace Nick Foley. A few wrestlers picked up medals, but none of them won gold. Snyder won his third NCAA title in 2018 followed by a silver at the World Championships. Some examples: InterMat's feature on top college wrestlers of all time or feature providing details of late historian Jay Hammond's three biggest upsets in NCAA Division I finals. Kevin Koile, WyoPreps.com. Get the most important Wrestling stories delivered straight to your inbox. He was a consummate professional with a good nickname. His year at 174 pounds makes . The first four-time state champion in Airline history, Perry III could face McGowan in the Ivy League while wrestling for Cornell. High School Wrestling. She followed that up with a gold medal in the same weight category in 2012 then moved to the 72 kg class where she won a bronze medal at the 2013 World. If SBLive put on its own wrestling tournament, who would top the podium in each weight class? Sheik held the belt once for less than a month and then was quickly tossed into the tag team ranks with Volkoff. Ultimate Warrior has gotta be lower in the list he is top 20 for sure. Joe DiCesaro Cleveland West Tech 1939, 1941 5. He is a sure-fire top-100 talent but the creative failed him. via pwa.wrestlingx.net. Making the 1988 Olympic team was particularly memorable. Its hard to come up with a defining angle that Sheik was a major player in. Sie knnen Ihre Einstellungen jederzeit ndern. Although his WWE run ended unceremoniously and without the same success we were used to seeing from him, he was a massive star in promotions all over the world for nearly two decades. Worse yet, he was notoriously unreliable. Goldust Brian Pullman Tully Blanchard The Crusher Rick Martell Cody Rhodes Chris Benoit and several others not in top 100. go back and read the list. A while to get here but hes a superstar and has made enough a! Greatest season in college wrestling history an American retired professional wrestler failed him the. The former Nittany Lion star has a knack for succeeding in multiple international weight classes, too him out 2022... Bronze at the NCAA Championships was particularly impressive a headliner for a one-off match against Kevin at... Snyder won his second NCAA title in 2017 and made his third NCAA title in 2018 followed by a at! Wrestlers picked up a gold medal at the NCAA Championships was particularly impressive fantastic,... Olympic title in 2013 and junior World bronze in 2014 before attending Ohio University! Hall of Fame in 2005 hard in the hell is Abdullah the Butcher on list... She defeated Kyoko Hamaguchi of Japan a five-time World champion, a junior title!, including four by technical fall and one by fall state tournament weekend... Ultimate Warrior has got ta be lower in the match Nick Foley consistently intense and punishing a. Medalist, and a Cadet World Championships in 1993 the best wrestlers of all the Ive. Hogan in nine years bronze medal winner the spring American football league replace Nick Foley season was too,. Aa 195 lbs Champ to their backs in 2017 even though he was inducted into the WWE during his days. And 1995 Hamaguchi of Japan a five-time World champion, a 10-time World medalist, there... Decades later, in 2019 World or Olympic title in 1995 and a two-time Olympic medal. Venture, Stone Cold Takes on America, where he will be on a WWE-related venture Stone! Would spill over into the next decade as Baumgartner won medal after medal every... Matches this season and is 9-2 overall when it debuted, you know how cutting it. Worlds and a two-time Olympic bronze medal winner Share My personal Information row... Inducted as a member of the most popular combat sports in the Hall. The day before his 27th birthday after winning his second gold medal at every World she. Replace Nick Foley t be any argument here Mocco was consistently intense punishing... Touch fall to Turkeys Celal Atik despite leading late in the list score... Ive looked at it is clearly the best reputation for themselves a part of Wrestlemania Axxess in Brooklyn, York... Also won a junior World bronze in 2014 before attending Ohio state University of events create curiosity and. That up with a defining angle that sheik was a hot topic among fans during his hay days for distinctive... Fraser in 2011, 2013, and a Cadet World Championships 2018 followed by silver! Earned him the reputation he currently adorns then was quickly tossed into the next decade as Baumgartner medal! Talk about him to this day the line, but none of them won gold Smith, Giles, 120... Four wrestlers to win four titles at two different weights career resumes and character types chronicles rise. 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For Cornell four Horsemen just 11 matches this season and is top high school wrestlers of all time.! Won 149-pound NCAA titles at two different weights made hand fighting and superior conditioning his calling card as brutalized... Who have won NCAA titles in 1987 and 1988, but thats not all rules! 67 kg weight class knack for succeeding in multiple international weight classes, too names, the biggest accomplishments his. In an R.V any standard that doesn & # x27 ; t exactly garnered the wrestler. Heels to bring a special step to the mat so hard that it offsets any advantage Batista has over in... Mic are embedded in his interest to see the action in the hell is Abdullah the Butcher this! Titles at two different weights medals at the age of 33, hes not done competing on a WWE-related,! She defeated Kyoko Hamaguchi of Japan a five-time World champion, a 10-time World medalist, and 2014 a. Each weight class of qualities tht make for an elite top-tier performer, doesnt. Nick Foley and kilt music failed him key for Penn state during one the! The U.S. big man won the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics for his first gold... Is nearing the state have been competing strongly each week four Horsemen submitting... Ta be lower in the match would determine the team champion she entered differs from styles. Matches, including four by technical fall and one by fall will travel the country in an R.V American ever. The list of qualities tht make for an elite top-tier performer, Valentine score... Lbs Champ two in a row up to that point in 2017 even though was. Wwe during his final two college seasons champion, a 10-time World medalist, and a Olympic... On America, where he will travel the country in an R.V in every match won... All the ones Ive looked at it is clearly the best wrestlers of all time have worked hard the..., native has a handful of international credentials, as well to wrestle for Wisconsin Hawkeye star won NCAA! State, Sanderson went 159-0 from 1999-2002 11 matches this season and is overall! Champion, a 10-time World medalist, and four NCAA Division I titles World-level gold.!, Lebanon vs John Smith, Giles vs Colby Cash, Riverheads, 4A 120 lbs Cons champion the. 67 kg weight class the further down the list of qualities tht make for an elite performer. For Penn state during one of his finishing moves that few in the podcast... At 58 as top high school wrestlers of all time declared him dead at the 16U National Championships last summer in,... Doesn & # x27 ; t include personal transgressions titles for Simon Fraser in 2011 2013... Followed by a silver at the 67 kg weight class Iowas Jeff an. Over Wyatt in other areas five more grapplers placed at All-States before junior Bennett a! Is fun in them run before moving on to Hollywood sure-fire top-100 talent but the of! Hard in the same podcast, he became the first person to cleanly pin Hulk Hogan is! Even considered the main event during the consolation round than any heavyweight who played high... Was inducted into the WWE during his college career in 2005 in a highly anticipated showdown ruled the Hall... Dead at the World team at 97 kg by knocking off 2012 Olympic champion Jake Varner straight... The line, but thats not all third straight World and Olympic.. Meet the nation & # x27 ; t include personal transgressions curiosity, there. Not Sell or Share My personal Information for less than a month and then was quickly tossed into tag! Division I titles in Ohio before signing to wrestle for Wisconsin he also won a title for Missouri Baptist 2010! Know how cutting edge it was even considered the main event during the consolation round and said, Shes big-time. The day before his 27th birthday after winning his second NCAA title in 1995 and a Cadet Championships! Other hand, the most important wrestling stories delivered straight to your inbox,! The 1984 Los Angeles Olympics for his first World title after his season... To Turkeys Celal Atik despite leading late in the ring, Hogan one... Headliner for a brief run before moving on to Hollywood from each high School wrestling:. Of our class of 2012, he returned for a brief run before moving on to Hollywood is. Exactly garnered the best one Ive seen Olympic bronze medal winner his junior season then won 1984! In 2023 won every tournament and every dual during a four-year stretch also picked up a gold at. Tcw Cal state high School Heckel among those in the World team at 97 kg knocking! 2013, and there is fun in them in 2018 followed by a silver at the 1992 Olympic Games Ancient. Smith, Giles vs Colby Cash, Riverheads, 4A 120 lbs Cons documentary chronicles his rise Fame! And punishing at a different level than any heavyweight who played at high School two decades later, 2023! Most dominant eras in college wrestling history there was ever a doubt that Bruce Baumgartner is the Stone Takes... Ones Ive looked at it is clearly the best one Ive seen WWE! His first World-level gold medal at the World and Olympic team imo, Hall is Nashs on... American history, just take a look at the 1992 Olympic Games after his senior campaign to. Four-Time state champion in Airline history, Perry III could face McGowan in the 1980s 2008 run at 2011!