B/R Wrestling’s Top 50 Greatest WWE Superstars of All Time: Ranking No. 31-40

The first part of B/R’s countdown of the 50 Greatest Superstars in WWE of All Time featured world champions, trailblazers and giants, plus a hint of controversy.

In part two, three of the greatest in-ring performers in company history take their place among the immortals, joined by three unconventional former world champions and two performers with a gift for captivating promos.

Find out who lands where on our countdown in this latest installment, decided by a panel of B/R Wrestling contributors.

Here is a rundown of our panel of voters:

The countdown will continue through April 3 as we relive the wrestlers who have left their marks on WWE history, concluding with the coronation of the greatest Superstar of all time.

Our panel used the following criteria to compile this countdown of iconic competitors from different eras:

The names on this list were ranked solely on their accomplishments in WWE.

Don’t understand why Sting did not make the cut? It might have to do with him wrestling just two matches in the company during his career.

Accomplishments: WWE champion, Hall of Famer (2004)

Professional wrestling as we know it today would not exist without “Superstar” Billy Graham.

The bleach-blond baddie with the silver tongue and 24-inch biceps injected tie-dye into a world of black and white when he rose to prominence in 1970s WWE.

He lifted barbell plates and ate T-bone steaks, he chirped on the mic while breaking the mold of what a champion in New York could look and sound like at the time.

With a personality as big as his arms, he captivated fans as he rose through the ranks and eventually ended Bruno Sammartino’s second reign as WWE champion in 1977.

Graham would hold the title for 296 days, defending against all comers, including the legendary Dusty Rhodes. Their series saw The American Dream hoist the WWE Championship, only to have it snatched away from him via a technicality when he defeated his fellow Hall of Famer by count-out.

Graham dropped the gold to Bob Backlund but not before making a lasting impact on generations to come. Hulk Hogan recalled modeling his character after the Hall of Famer, setting himself up for nearly unprecedented success throughout his career.

Graham never really stayed in one place for too long, moving from territory to territory before returning to WWE on two other occasions, including a stint as a manager for Don “The Rock” Muraco and as a commentator in the late 1980s.

That he never had another world title run, and his runs with the company were relatively short, is the only thing keeping him from ranking higher on this list.

Especially since his bombastic nature caught young Vincent K. McMahon’s eye and gave him a look at the kind of Superstar, one who meshed athleticism and entertainment and would lead a national expansion of the family business.

Accomplishments: WWE champion, ECW champion, European champion, hardcore champion (4), intercontinental champion (6), tag team champion (3), Money in the Bank (2006), Hall of Famer (2021)

After proving himself in ECW, Rob Van Dam jumped to WWE in 2001 as part of the Invasion storyline and wasted little time showcasing why he was one of the hottest stars in the industry.

An uber-athlete with an innovative move set unlike anything other competitors were capable of at the time, he immediately found himself competing against the best the company had to offer. From stealing shows with Jeff Hardy to headlining against “Stone Cold” Steve Austin and Kurt Angle, he proved he belonged.

As intercontinental champion, he unified the title with the European and hardcore belts, all while emerging as one of WWE’s workhorses through the first half of the 2000s.

From there, he led the reintroduction of ECW, convincing company officials to produce the One Night Stand pay-per-view in 2005, and then won Money in the Bank at WrestleMania 22 before cashing in his guaranteed title opportunity two months later.

He defeated John Cena for the WWE Championship and simultaneously held the resuscitated ECW title in the summer of 2006.

Real-life legal issues cost him both titles and Van Dam, no matter how popular he proved to be with fans, never returned to that level of success in WWE again, essentially stunting how far up this list he could rank.

Still, RVD had a Hall of Fame-worthy career in wrestling’s biggest promotion. He routinely worked with Triple H, Shawn Michaels, Kane, Chris Jericho, Eddie Guerrero, Booker T and other top-tier talent, proving he was arguably the most successful ECW export in WWE history.

Accomplishments: European champion, intercontinental champion (2), tag team champion (4), King of the Ring (1994)

After a frustrating start to his WWE career that saw him saddled with the Blue Blazer gimmick and thrown in tag teams with Koko B. Ware and Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart, Owen Hart broke out in late 1993 when he expressed frustration with his place in the shadow of his older brother, Bret.

A brief reunion over the holidays preceded a shocking betrayal that saw him kick The Hitman’s injured leg from under him at the 1994 Royal Rumble.

It sparked one of the greatest storylines in WWE history, a sibling rivalry that would write its first chapter in a classic WrestleMania X opener, won by Owen.

The Rocket would become royalty three months later, defeating Razor Ramon to win the 1994 King of the Ring tournament. It sparked a main event run that saw him remain a thorn in the side of his brother and the rest of the Hart family.

Outside of the confines of that rivalry, Owen accumulated titles, winning every piece of gold available to him except the WWE Championship. He was invaluable during the company’s New Generation Era, a workhorse who could be trusted to have great matches and put over opponents when the time called for it.

A wrestler whose personality was as big as his in-ring skills were special, his death following a fall from the rafters during the Over the Edge pay-per-view in May 1999 remains one of the darkest moments in pro wrestling history.

Accomplishments: intercontinental champion (2), Hall of Famer (2007)

Curt Hennig arrived in WWE in 1988 and wasted little time proving to the world why he was exactly what he said he was: Mr. Perfect.

Accompanied by vignettes of him accomplishing jaw-dropping athleticism across multiple sports, he had already captured the attention of fans. He followed them up with incredible in-ring performances that highlighted a performer working at a different level than those around him.

Hennig bumped around the squared circle for every opponent, making them look like an unstoppable force before finding a way to outsmart them en route to victory. He spent late 1988 through early 1990 unbeaten in singles competition in WWE before taking his first loss to Brutus Beefcake at WrestleMania VI.

He answered that loss by winning the vacant Intercontinental Championship and elevating it as the worker’s title. Unfortunately, a bad back cost him years of his in-ring career with the company, reducing him to manager or commentator in between stints inside the ring.

Still, it’s a testament to what he achieved as intercontinental champion and the matches he had with the likes of Hulk Hogan, Tito Santana, Bret Hart, Shawn Michaels and Lex Luger that he is fondly remembered enough to make the top 40.

Accomplishments: WWE champion (2), world heavyweight champion (4), tag team champion (4), Royal Rumble winner (2005, 2014)

Initially, it appeared Batista was the latest in big, jacked heavyweights to enter WWE and receive a big push based solely on how he looked in 8x10s.

Physically, he was a monster. But it was his mind, as well as some brilliantly executed facial expressions, that would elevate him up the card and into the main event stratosphere.

Breaking out as one-quarter of Evolution, Batista was the powerhouse enforcer of the group, watching the backs of Ric Flair, Randy Orton and Triple H.

He grew into the role of a legitimate star and main eventer in WWE by working alongside The Game and The Nature Boy, sitting under the tallest and most fruitful learning tree imaginable.

By the time 2004 rolled around, Batista began to recognize what was going on: Triple H had used and manipulated him to protect his spot at the top of the food chain. His use of smirks, the occasional eye roll or a shrug of the shoulders alerted fans that he knew the true motivations of his mentor.

He won the 2005 Royal Rumble, excommunicated himself from Evolution and went on to defeat The Game at WrestleMania 21 to win his first World Heavyweight Championship. From there, he embarked on a main event run that saw him develop not only into the face of SmackDown but also as a great in-ring performer.

His career became defined by battles with his former teammates, as well as The Undertaker, Edge, John Cena, Kane, Booker T, Rey Mysterio, CM Punk, JBL, Eddie Guerrero, Finlay, William Regal and Umaga, proving he could compete against Superstars of all sizes and backgrounds.

Hollywood came calling and Batista successfully transitioned into the world of movies, becoming a major crossover star and, arguably, the best wrestler-turned-actor to date.

A Hall of Fame-worthy competitor whose enshrinement was halted due to the global pandemic in 2020, The Animal exceeded all expectations en route to becoming one of the most prominent Superstars in the business.

Accomplishments: WWE champion, intercontinental champion (2), Hall of Famer (2014)

The Ultimate Warrior’s explosive entrance, heart-pounding theme music, unbridled energy and ferocious in-ring style made him a can’t-miss watch for fans. He was a force of nature whenever he raced through the curtain.

While few will ever seek out a tape of “Ultimate Warrior’s Greatest Matches,” it was his aura and otherworldly persona that made him one of WWE’s most unforgettable figures.

That is not to say he is without classic encounters, though.

At WrestleMania VI, two years into his run with the company and amid his reign as intercontinental champion, Warrior challenged Hulk Hogan for the WWE Championship in a title vs. title main event.

A grueling contest gave way to the face-painted enigma evading one last leg-drop attempt by the biggest star in the company, catching him with a big splash and winning the top prize in the industry.

One year later, he returned to the grandest stage, battling “Macho King” Randy Savage in what many consider his greatest match.

Featuring high drama, morality tales and an epic conclusion that saw him overwhelm Savage with a barrage of shoulder tackles, it was one of those rare contests that can be shown to any non-fan as an explanation of what makes pro wrestling so special.

Attitude issues behind the scenes, and a less-than-stellar reputation among his peers, would ultimately lead to his departure from WWE more than once, but an emotional return in 2014 and Hall of Fame induction allowed him to make amends and address the fans.

One of the most polarizing stars in company history, he assumes his place among the 50 greatest Superstars of all time, blazing a legacy for himself despite relatively fleeting runs compared to others on this list.

Accomplishments: intercontinental champion (1), Hall of Famer (2009)

Ricky Steamboat’s arrival in WWE coincided with the promotion’s lift-off into popular culture amid The Rock ‘n’ Wrestling Connection.

The talented in-ring competitor appeared on the inaugural WrestleMania card and defeated Matt Borne. In the two years that followed, he feuded with the likes of Mr. Fuji, Don Muraco and Jake “The Snake” Roberts before setting his sights on the intercontinental Championship, which was held by “Macho Man” Randy Savage.

A months-long rivalry culminated in one of the best matches of all time at WrestleMania III which saw Steamboat end an exhausting 15-minute battle by catching the champion with a small package to dethrone him.

His win, the emotional embrace with George “The Animal” Steele and the electric reaction to it all helped ensure Steamboat’s place in both WrestleMania and WWE history.

He would return to WWE for a brief cup of coffee in 1991 after a run with NWA, but it was his unexpectedly great stint in 2009 that solidified his status on this list.

After 18 years away, Steamboat returned to the ring and delivered an awe-inspiring performance against Chris Jericho at WrestleMania 25, then followed up with an equally good one a month later at Backlash.

One of the most well-respected stars in the industry, he inspired an entire generation of wrestlers with his in-ring work and that classic in Pontiac, Michigan that is still reverently spoken of today as one of the finest in the industry’s long and illustrious history.

Accomplishments: WCW champion, world heavyweight champion, tag team champion (4), intercontinental champion, United States champion (3), hardcore champion (2), King of the Ring (2006), Hall of Famer (2013, 2019 as a member of Harlem Heat)

There is an argument to be made that Booker T enjoyed the most success of any WCW Original to make the jump to WWE after the former went out of business in 2001.

Arriving as the old promotion’s world champion, he attacked Steve Austin at the King of the Ring and then entered a rivalry with The Rock, leading to an appearance in the SummerSlam main event.

From there, he constantly walked the fine line between main event and midcard, staying just over enough to jump in and out of headline bouts against Hall of Fame-worthy talent while proving adaptable enough to partner with Goldust in one of the most entertaining tag teams of the 2000s.

There was frustration, including a flirtation with the World Heavyweight Championship in 2003 during a controversial rivalry with Triple H, only for the hero to fall short of beating the world champion at WrestleMania XIX.

Still, Booker T remained on TV in prominent positions and was perpetually over with fans.

A heel turn in 2006, coupled with a King of the Ring tournament victory, would provide the spark that catapulted him to the top of the SmackDown brand as world heavyweight champion.

King Booker proved wildly entertaining as the central heel of the blue brand, battling the likes of Batista, Bobby Lashley and Rey Mysterio, plus teaming with Finlay and William Regal. It was a role he threw himself into and the fans bought into it, giving company officials faith in him as a guy who could thrive in such a high-profile position.

He would return over the years for bit roles and cameos, and he is currently a commentator for the NXT brand.

Booker’s persistence allowed him to stick it out in WWE, even when things were professionally frustrating.

His understanding and acknowledgment of the value of humor and entertainment allowed him to succeed where others from WCW faltered and earned him a place in the WWE Hall of Fame in 2013, recognition in Bad Bunny’s hit song “Booker T” and this spot in our countdown.

Accomplishments: Hall of Famer (2014)

Only a performer as engaging and unforgettable as Jake “The Snake” Roberts could go an entire WWE career without winning a title and still appear this high on a list of the 50 greatest WWE Superstars.

Perhaps the most captivating talker in company history, his ability to connect with audiences and convey his emotions without resorting to the yelling, rambling promo style of his counterparts set his part.

He spoke softly, yet his words cut like a knife. With the slightest raise of an eyebrow or the smallest squint, his expressions suggested he was as dangerous as his sentences indicated.

The presence of his trusty python, Damien, only heightened that danger.

An unlikely babyface turn in 1987 saw Roberts emerge as one of the most popular stars in WWE at a time of iconic characters and unprecedented success. Unforgettable feuds with Rick Rude, Andre the Giant and Earthquake established him as one of the top stars in the company.

An otherworldly heel run in 1991, during which he targeted Randy Savage, tormenting him and Miss Elizabeth, only served to enhance his legacy.

A performer on another level than those around him, with an intricate knowledge of how to connect with the audience and elicit the desired emotion, his greatest stories and moments remain etched vividly in the minds of WWE fans long after they unfolded on television.

Issues outside of the ring limited the success Roberts would achieve in the company, preventing him from having the WWE Championship run that reflected his undeniable talent.

However, the B/R panel’s ranking of him this high on the list underlines the mark he left on fans and analysts alike.

Accomplishments: WWE champion, world heavyweight champion, ECW champion, WCW tag team champion, intercontinental champion (2), hardcore champion, 24/7 champion, tag team champion (11), Hall of Famer (2021), Money in the Bank (2010)

As Isaac Yankem DDS and the fake Diesel, there were understandable questions about Glenn Jacobs’ ability to succeed in WWE.

Enter Kane, the long-lost brother of The Undertaker.

The Big Red Machine emerged from the darkness, seeking revenge against The Deadman for the fire that killed their parents. As absurd as it was on the surface, the feud resulted in one of the greatest examples of epic storytelling in WWE history.

For two decades, the Brothers of Destruction would battle as opponents. Along the way, Kane would be firmly established as a main eventer in wrestling’s most prestigious company, combatting the likes of Steve Austin, The Rock, Mankind, Big Show and Triple H.

Then there were the championships.

Kane would become one of the most decorated Superstars of his generation, winning every major title. His 2010 run with the World Heavyweight Championship on SmackDown saw him do some of his best work in years and he was a go-to when the company needed new tag team champions, accumulating 11 reigns total.

That he accomplished all of that while participating in some of the most creatively questionable stories in company history (Katie Vick, anyone?) is evidence of his ability to weather the storm, stay relevant and remain over with fans who had invested energy into his many twists and turns.

One of the great big men in company history, with a resume that rivals any of his peers, Kane has more than earned his spot at No. 31, with an argument to be made that he could be slotted further up this countdown.

Check back next Wednesday for the B/R Wrestling staff rankings for the 21-30 greatest WWE wrestlers of all time.