VoV Top 10: Canadian Wrestlers

10. “Rowdy” Roddy Piper

Piper was easily the most controversial superstar of his generation. As a Scotsman without a Scottish accent, Piper was best known for his “Piper’s Pit” segments, which paved the way for other wrestling talk-show segments, not to mention the incredible build between himself, Mr. T and Hulk Hogan for WrestleMania. The Hot Rod remains arguably the greatest wrestler to have never won a major WWF title.

9. Chris Benoit

As much as I hate Chris Benoit–well before his double-murder suicide–there’s no denying what he was capable of in the ring. He was a product of the famous Stu Hart Dungeon, and while he had about zero mic skills, but his technical wrestling was second to none. His ‘incident’ has helped open the gates for athletes to learn more about concussions and hits to the head, as both remain hot-button issues in sports.

8. Owen Hart

Owen, Bret’s older brother, was best known for his positive attitude and influence behind the scenes. Like his brother, he was a sound technical wrestler with good mic skills, but never made it out of the midcard. Unfortunately, he was taken far too early from the wrestling world, as he passed away during an accident on May 23, 1999. Plunging 70 feet from a lowering harness onto the ring turnbuckle, Owen died from internal bleeding and blunt chest trauma. He was 34.

7. Christian

While some deem Christian as Edge’s tag team castoff, Christian has been able to hold his own despite never having held a major WWE title. His “Captain Charisma” gimmick, along with his catchphrase “That’s How I Roll” became popular amongst his “peeps.” To this day, Christian has yet to win a major title in WWE despite being an above-average worker with great mic skills. Many, including myself, wait with bated breath for the day that WWE opens their eyes and uses a superb talent waiting right under their nose.

6. Stu Hart

Stu Hart was the trainer in the famous Hart family basement, known simply as the Dungeon, which has seen countless WWE Superstars come out: Bret and Owen Hart, “Superstar” Billy Graham, Greg Valentine, Bad News Allen, Davey Boy Smith, Brian Pillman, Jushin Liger, Ricky Fuji, Chris Benoit, Natalya Neidhart and Jim Neidhart.

5. Trish Stratus

Trish is easily the greatest women’s wrestler of all-time. She had the looks (boy, did she have the looks!), as well as the promo ability and was far-and-away the best in-ring performer of her peers. She was essentially the perfect women’s wrestler–the jaw-dropping good looks of Sable, mixed with the incredible in-ring talent of Lita.

4. Edge

As a 31-time Champion, Edge is the most decorated WWE Superstar of all-time. He helped revolutionize TLC matches, and has countless highlights. Logically, this would put him at No. 1, but for a variety of reasons, No. 3 is about as high as he can go. For example, titles change hands more frequently, there are more titles to be won, and some of them have been outright steals in what can’t be called “matches.” Nonetheless, he is an extremely talented worker, cuts great promos and can work equally well as a face or heel.

3. Chris Jericho

The first ever WWE Undisputed Champion and 10-time Intercontinental Champion (WWE record), Jericho remains one of the best draws and is one of the most gifted athletes the WWE has ever had. His in-ring ability is superb, and his promo-work is second to none. He too has done everything there is to do in the WWE. “The best in the world at what he does.”

2. Bret ‘The Hitman’ Hart

He’s also in the Top 50 Most Influential Canadians of All-Time. Born in Calgary, Alberta of the prestigious Hart family, The Hitman was best remembered for his WrestleMania 13 submission match with the face of the Attitude Era, ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin, as well as his ironman match against Shawn Michaels at WrestleMania 12 and Bret/Austin at Survivor Series ’96. Hart remains one of the best technical wrestlers the WWE has ever seen, if not the greatest. He had tremendous charisma, and was always close with the kids at ringside, as he’d give his pink mirrored sunglasses to a youngster before every match. Not to mention, he made pink cool to wear. He is, after all, “the best there is, the best there was and the best there ever will be.”

1. The Rock

It’s a cheap shot at No. 1, but look it up. The Rock is part-Canadian, and has dual citizenship, so he’s eligible based on technicality. The Rock is probably the most well-rounded WWE Superstar of all-time–no one even compared to his combination of in-ring talent and mic-presence. He’s also unquestionably the greatest promo-cutter in the history of professional wrestling.