Top 10 Wrestlers of the Attitude Era

If you were watching wrestling during the Attitude Era, you knew anything could happen once the show went live. Rivalries got nastier, promos got louder, and the line between hero and villain could flip in a single segment. You got beer-soaked chaos, supernatural mind games, backstage brawls, ridiculous stunts, and crowds that sounded ready to tear the roof off the building. It was wrestling with the volume knob snapped clean off.

What made the era so addictive was the sheer number of wrestlers who felt larger than life for completely different reasons. You might tune in for a brutal grudge match, a hilarious promo, a shocking betrayal, or just to see what kind of insanity would close the show that night. Some performers became worldwide celebrities, while others carved out loyal fan bases through unforgettable gimmicks, fearless ring work, or pure personality. If you lived through it, you probably still have a few favorites you would defend like the outcome of a title match depended on it.

1. Stone Cold

   

   Steve Austin (born Steven James Anderson on December 18, 1964, and formerly known as Steven James Williams), better known by his ring name "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, is an American actor, media personality, producer, and retired professional wrestler who is signed to WWE as an ambassador.... read more

   Stone Cold is the best. Stunner, stunner! He is the best wrestler on this top ten list. Come close to him and you will get a Stone Cold Stunner, so stay away from him. Consider this a warning.

   In my opinion, the best wrestler during the Attitude Era, period. I can understand if you would want The Rock at #1, but Austin is my #1.

   Stone Cold Steve Austin forever. He is the best WWE man and teamed with Brian Pillman as the Hollywood Blondes in WCW.

2. Undertaker

   

   Mark William Calaway (born March 24, 1965), better known by his ring name The Undertaker, is a retired American professional wrestler who joined WWE in 1990. Calaway began his career in 1984 with World Class Championship Wrestling and briefly wrestled in World Championship Wrestling as "Mean" Mark Callous... read more

   I'm voting for Undertaker to move him up because he should be at least number 2 on this list. The Ministry of Darkness and the Corporate Ministry were two of the best heel stables ever created, and then, during the very end, we had the transformation into the American Badass. The Bikertaker gimmick, in my opinion, was much better.

   He looks good only when his theme is Deadman, not American Badass.

   He's the Phenom, the conscience of the World Wrestling Federation, The Undertaker.

3. The Rock

   

   Dwayne Douglas Johnson (born May 2, 1972), also known by his ring name The Rock, is an American actor, producer, and professional wrestler. He gained fame in WWE during the late 1990s and early 2000s before transitioning to a successful Hollywood career, starring in films from The Fast and the Furious... read more

   The Rock is WWF Champion and had an awesome rivalry with Steve Austin.

   It doesn't matter what you think!

   Can YOU smell what The Rock is cookin'?

4. Kane

   

   Glenn Thomas Jacobs is an American professional wrestler, businessman, actor, and politician. He is signed to WWE and is best known by his ring name, Kane. Jacobs has served as the mayor of Knox County, Tennessee, since he was elected in 2018.

   Kane, the Big Red Machine. The Masked Kane era was so good. He eliminated 11 men in the greatest Royal Rumble of all time.

   He is the most dominant wrestler of all time.

   The Big Red Machine is the best.

5. Chris Jericho

   

   Christopher Keith Irvine (born November 9, 1970), better known by the ring name Chris Jericho, is an American-Canadian professional wrestler, rock musician, media personality, actor, author, and businessman. He is signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW), where he became the inaugural AEW World Champion in... read more

   Great debut. He was destined for greatness from the moment he entered. Future Hall of Famer, no doubt.

   The Codebreaker and Walls of Jericho are amazing.

   Back when people actually liked Y2J.

6. Triple H

   

   Paul Michael Levesque, better known by his ring name Triple H, is an American retired professional wrestler, corporate executive, and actor. He is the Chief Content Officer for WWE, where he previously served as an executive vice president. Triple H is a 14-time world champion and a key figure in the... read more

   He has done the impossible. The amazing. The unbelievable. The best.

   He truly is...

   THE KING OF KINGS!

7. Mankind

   Mick Foley rules. The only guy to get up after falling off and then through a Hell in a Cell.

8. Ken Shamrock

   

   Kenneth Wayne "Ken" Shamrock is an American mixed martial artist, UFC Hall of Famer, and professional wrestler. He was one of the first major stars to bridge the gap between mixed martial arts and professional wrestling. Shamrock became the first UFC Superfight Champion and competed in WWE during the... read more

   He was in the UFC and WWF!!! What a beast!!!!!

   The World's Most Dangerous Man.

9. Big Show

   

   Paul Donald Wight II, born February 8, 1972, is an American professional wrestler and actor better known by his ring name Big Show. He made his professional wrestling debut in 1994 and joined World Championship Wrestling in 1995. He has won multiple world championships, including the WCW World Heavyweight... read more

10. Kurt Angle

    

    Kurt Steven Angle (born December 9, 1968) is an American retired professional wrestler, amateur wrestler, Olympic gold medalist, actor, and entrepreneur who is widely regarded as one of the greatest in-ring performers in wrestling history. He won a gold medal in freestyle wrestling at the 1996 Summer... read more

The Newcomers
11. ?

    Gillberg

    

    Duane Gill is an American retired professional wrestler best known for his appearances in the World Wrestling Federation under the ring name Gillberg. The character was a comedic parody of WCW star Goldberg. Gillberg became a cult favorite during the Attitude Era for his over-the-top entrances and held... read more

12. ?

    Eddie Guerrero

    

    Eduardo Gory "Eddie" Guerrero Llanes was a Mexican-American professional wrestler and a member of the Guerrero wrestling family. He was widely celebrated for his charisma, in-ring skill, and high-profile matches in WWE. Guerrero became WWE Champion in 2004 and was posthumously inducted into the WWE... read more

The Contenders

13. Road Dogg

    Your ass better caaalll somebody!

14. X-Pac

    

    X-Pac, born Sean Waltman, is an American retired professional wrestler known for his time in WWE and WCW. He was a prominent member of two famous wrestling factions, D-Generation X in WWE and the nWo in WCW. Waltman is a two-time WWE European Champion and also held the WWE Light Heavyweight Championship... read more

15. Booker T

    

    Booker T. Huffman Jr. (born March 1, 1965), better known by his ring name Booker T, is an American retired professional wrestler, promoter, commentator, and trainer. He is a six-time world champion, having won the WCW World Heavyweight Championship five times and WWE's World Heavyweight Championship... read more

16. Shawn Michaels

    

    Shawn Michaels, born on July 22, 1965, is an American retired professional wrestler and WWE executive. He was the first wrestler to win WWE's Grand Slam Championship under its original format. Known for his charisma and athleticism, his nicknames include HBK, the Heartbreak Kid, the Showstopper, Mr.... read more

    He is one of the greatest of all time.

17. Chris Benoit

    

    Christopher Michael Benoit, born May 21, 1967, was a Canadian professional wrestler whose technically proficient style earned him acclaim in Japan and North America. Over his 22-year career, he won multiple world titles in World Championship Wrestling and World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment, including... read more

18. Rob Van Dam

    

    Robert "Rob" Szatkowski, born December 18, 1970, is an American professional wrestler and occasional actor better known as Rob Van Dam, or RVD. Renowned for his high-flying, martial arts-inspired offense, he became a hardcore icon as ECW World Television Champion and later won the WWE Championship and... read more

19. Edge

    

    Adam Joseph Copeland is a Canadian actor and professional wrestler. He is signed to All Elite Wrestling, where he performs under his real name, after becoming famous in WWE under the ring name Edge. A WWE Hall of Famer, Copeland is known for his multiple world championship reigns and his involvement... read more

20. Bret Hart

    

    Bret Sergeant Hart, better known by his ring name Bret "The Hitman" Hart, is a Canadian-American writer, actor, and retired professional and amateur wrestler. He is a member of the Hart wrestling family and a second-generation wrestler. Hart is widely regarded as one of the greatest professional wrestlers... read more

    The best there is, the best there was, the best there will be.

21. Billy Gunn

    

    Monty Kip Sopp, better known by his ring name Billy Gunn, is an American professional wrestler and former professional bull rider. He gained fame as part of the tag team The New Age Outlaws and the faction D-Generation X in WWE. He later joined All Elite Wrestling, where he became associated with The... read more

22. Steve Blackman

    

    Steve Blackman is an American martial artist and former professional wrestler. He is best known for his time in WWE during the late 1990s and early 2000s, when he was a multiple-time Hardcore Champion. Blackman was known for his stoic demeanor and use of martial arts weaponry in matches.

23. Big Boss Man

    

    Ray Washington Traylor Jr. was an American professional wrestler best known for his appearances with the World Wrestling Federation, now WWE, under the ring name Big Boss Man. He also competed in World Championship Wrestling under various ring names, including The Boss, The Man, The Guardian Angel, and... read more

24. Goldust

    

    Dustin Patrick Runnels is an American professional wrestler who is signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW) under the ring name Dustin Rhodes. He previously wrestled for WWE under the ring name Goldust. Runnels is known for his flamboyant character and technical wrestling skills.

25. British Bulldog

    

    David Smith (27 November 1962-18 May 2002) was an English professional wrestler best known for his appearances in the United States with the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) under the ring names Davey Boy Smith and The British Bulldog.... read more

26. Test

    

    Andrew James Robert Patrick Martin was a Canadian professional wrestler and actor. He was best known for his time with the World Wrestling Federation and World Wrestling Entertainment under the ring name Test. Martin held the Intercontinental, European, and Hardcore Championships during his WWE career... read more

27. Jeff Hardy

    

    Jeffrey Nero "Jeff" Hardy (born August 31, 1977) is an American professional wrestler, singer-songwriter, painter, and musician. Alongside his brother Matt, he has won multiple tag team championships in WWE and TNA, while his singles career has included two WWE Intercontinental Championship reigns and... read more