The 50 Greatest Pro wrestlers of the 21st Century (so Far)
Pro wrestling has come a long way in the 21st century, with plenty of twists and turns along the way. The revolutionary Attitude Era was still in full effect at the onset of the century, and the WWE, WCW and ECW were carving out their own niches on the professional wrestling landscape. In the 20 years that followed, two of those organizations would go the way of the territory system, but new promotions would rise. Ring of Honor, TNA/Impact and All Elite Wrestling would form to provide new platforms for pro wrestling's brightest talents.
This list ranks the 50 greatest professional wrestlers and tag teams since 2000. Rankings are based on their works in U.S.-based promotions only. Also, only tenures since 2000 will be included. Thus, wrestlers who were determined to have been mostly active or had their best work prior to 2000 are not included, even if they had matches into the 2000s. This includes legends like Ric Flair, Steve Austin, The Rock, Hulk Hogan and Goldberg.
50. The Usos
The Usos are sneaky good and have a higher place in the tag team pantheon than many fans realize. Jimmy and Jey debuted in WWE in 2010 and have become the gatekeepers for the tag team division. Members of the legendary Anoa'i wrestling family, the Usos are living up to their family name. Their never-ending feud with The New Day is the modern equivalent of the Dudleys vs. Hardys vs. Edge and Christian.
49. Nick Aldis
The lone representative from the NWA on this list, Nick Aldis looks like what a pro wrestler is supposed to look like. Fittingly, he feels like a throwback to when the NWA ruled the pro wrestling world. He looks like a million bucks and carries himself like a champion. He held the NWA title for a combined 1,309 days, 6th most all-time. The NWA may not be what it once was, but Aldis made the NWA title belt feel more important than it had in 20 years.
48. The Miz
The Miz gets unfairly dismissed by many wrestling fans, but at the end of the day, the man has been a stalwart soldier for WWE and paid his dues many times over. He is the perfect person to play the spoiled, arrogant, despicable heel; he is one of the best at getting under fans' skin while on the mic. He's also improved by immensely in the ring. He knows his role and is willing to put everybody else over. His tag team with John Morrison was especially entertaining.
47. Sasha Banks
A cornerstone of WWE's "Women's Revolution," Banks has been around for a while but could still have a decade of great wrestling ahead of her. The most talented woman in the business in some people's eyes, Banks has been remarkable as both a heel and babyface. Her feuds and matches with Bayley particularly stand out, but Banks has also stolen the show with Charlotte Flair, Becky Lynch and Bianca Belair.
46. Bray Wyatt
The most original character in years, Bray Wyatt was a creepy, dark breath of fresh air in the WWE. The cajun swamp cult leader with a tinge of Cape Fear was completely different from anything the sport had seen. Not only was the character exceptional, but the man behind it is a third-generation wrestler with incredible abilities between the ropes. He wasn't always used the best, but when the stars aligned, Bray Wyatt was the most captivating part of WWE.
45. Sting
He's one of the greatest of all time and has earned the moniker of "The Icon," but Sting's best work was in the 1980s and 90s. He would be a top-10 talent in the 90s rankings. Nonetheless, Sting has somehow defied Father Time and remains a relevant performer in his 60s. For a time he was TNA wrestling; without him, that promotion may not have survived. He finally made his long-awaited WWE debut--to mixed results. Now with AEW, Sting is the timeless icon.
44. Mickie James
Mickie James is one of the most beloved women in professional wrestling history. From her debut as the unhinged superfan/stalker of Trish Stratus to her later work as the veteran leading the next generation, James has been one of the most committed performers in the game. Between WWE and TNA she's held 10 world titles. She's put on showcases with everybody from Stratus to rising stars like Deonna Purrazzo.
43. Cesaro
The most habitually underutilized wrestler in recent WWE history, Cesaro is a do-it-all star who should have a world title run by now. He has an amazing look, can work with anybody and is absurdly strong. He first rose to prominence in ROH as a tag team afficionado alongside Chris Hero. He's since been a dynamic performer in the singles rank and the tag scene for WWE. He is the total package who could be even greater if given the proper push.
42. Finn Balor
Finn Balor, aka Prince Devitt, is the main reason many American fans know about modern Japanese pro wrestling. His creation of Bullet Club led to the hottest stable since the glory days of nWo and DX. The NJPW-ROH partnership helped more fans discover Bullet Club and Balor's talents. He also has a strong case for being the greatest NXT champion of all time, and the Demon character and entrance are among the best-of-the-best in the business.
41. Kane
A true company man, Kane evolved from menacing monster to one of the longest tenured workers in WWE. He is a powerhouse with an underrated ability to work. From his Team Hell No days with Daniel Bryan to his odd-couple teams with guys like RVD and The Hurricane, Kane has always been a reliable team player. His alliance/feud with the Undertaker made both feel even more menacing.
40. Drew McIntyre
Drew McIntyre of 2010 and Drew McIntyre of 2020 are two vastly different wrestlers. Despite being labelled "The Chosen One" by WWE in the early 2010s, McIntyre was bland. He was just another guy with long hair and a decent physique, but nothing popped. His turn as Drew Galloway in TNA in the mid-2010s birthed a new character--one better suited for the WWE main event. The modern McIntyre looks, sounds and wrestles like a true superstar.
39. Christian
Speaking strictly in terms of in-ring mastery, Christian is one of the purest talents walking the planet. His fluid, crisp work is on par with Ricky Steamboat or Randy Orton. He can go with anybody and make anybody look amazing. He began the decade as a part of the history-making tag team with Edge, putting on traditional classics and new-age explosive clashes. His work in TNA showed what he can do when given the ball as a singles star in the main event.
38. Beth Phoenix
There's WWE women's wrestling before Beth Phoenix and after Beth Phoenix. "The Glamazon" stood on the foundation built by Trish Stratus and Lita and took women's wrestling to the next level. She proved that a powerful, athletic woman could be a legitimate star in a company that long treated women's wrestling as a sideshow or strictly for eye candy. Beth Phoenix paved the way for the modern era of women's wrestling in WWE.
37. Adam Cole
Adam Cole is just scratching the surface and could be the wrestler of the decade for the 2020s. He cut his teeth during a phenomenal run with ROH, capturing their world title three times. He added one of the best tenures in NXT to his resume and is now plying his craft in AEW. He is great as a smarmy heel or anti-hero babyface. He's never really been a whitemeat babyface, but fans can't help cheer for him. His best days are still ahead of him, bay bay.
36. Booker T
The only superstar to make this list on the strength of his WCW run, Booker T was one of the few bright spots in the dying days of that promotion. All five of his title runs came in 2000 and 2001. He parlayed that into a fantastic tenure with WWE, perhaps the only guy who went directly from WCW to WWE and had a satisfying run. Add in the absurd tag team with Goldust, the King Booker gimmick and a run in TNA, Booker T was entertaining and fun for a long time.
35. Bobby Lashley
Lashley is a strong contender for the greatest physique in wrestling history. To quote Jerry Lawler, "he has muscles in places most people don't even have places." To go with that adonis look Lashley is an accomplished amateur wrestler and MMA fighter. A believable monster, Lashley has had championships runs in both TNA and WWE. He's an example of a "pro's pro" and doing things the right way on the climb to the top.
34. Lita
The most death-defying woman in WWE history! When she broke out as a teammate with Matt and Jeff Hardy, Lita was performing breath-taking bumps alongside the renowned high flyers. Lita was a complete original and went against everything WWE was doing with its women's division. She is still unparalleled in her risk-taking, daredevil style. Her long-running feud with Trish Stratus is one of the greatest in WWE history.
33. Jon Moxley
A violent, maniacal brawler in the mold of Cactus Jack and ECW-era Terry Funk, Jon Moxley blends the blood-and-guts style with more traditional mainstream wrestling. A journeyman who conquered the indies, Moxley launched into superstardom as Dean Ambrose. He felt like the focal point of The Shield when that faction was the hottest thing in WWE. No matter the moniker, the man is a gritty fighter with a penchant for destruction.
32. Dolph Ziggler
Dolph Ziggler's longevity and dedication to putting other guys over has to be applauded. He has made a career out of being one of the best sellers ever. An accomplished collegiate wrestler, Ziggler has all the technical tools to work any style match. When he finally won the world championship in WWE it was one of the most satisfying moments in the last 20 years. Ziggler is a company man, doing whatever is asked of him to strengthen the entire card.
31. The Briscoes
The Briscoes harken back to an older era of pro wrestling. They feel like the kind of team that could incite a riot in 1975. Mark and Jay are so authentic and the conviction with which they deliver promos--especially older brother Jay--make fans believe them. The Briscoes are 12-time ROH tag champs with gripping contests against the American Wolves, Wrestling's Greatest Tag Team, reDRagon and Motor City Machine Guns on their resume.
30. Bayley
Babyface Bayley may be the most likable wrestler in the world. Kids love her, guys love her, women love her and grandparents love her. She resonates with the fans in a special way. She's had a turn as a villain, but nothing quite compares to Bayley as the underdog hero. Not only is the character and storytelling fantastic, but Bayley can go in the ring. She possesses a special magnetism, is deceptively strong and sells with the best of them.
29. The New Day
Kofi Kingston may deserve his own spot, but celebrating the entire faction made more sense. Together they have been one of the marquee acts in the industry. The New Day is the premier WWE tag team of the last 15 years. The trio is pure feelgood joy and entertainment. Kofi Kingston is an acrobat, Big E is a powerhouse and Xavier Woods is the smart-yet-hilarious comedian who can still bump in the ring.
28. Jay Lethal
The franchise player for Ring of Honor, Lethal has been the stalwart for that promotion over the past decade. While other stars came and went, poached by WWE or tempted by AEW, Lethal stayed true to ROH until the end (or temporary end). He is a Grand Slam champion for ROH and holds the records for longest world championship and TV championship reigns. Lethal was also a mainstay of the TNA X-Division during his tenure there.
27. Eddie Guerrero
Eddie Guerrero was taken from the world far too soon, passing away in 2005 at the age of 38. Even so, he made a tremendous impact in pro wrestling. Guerrero joined WWE at the dawn of 2000 as a part of the Radicalz. Guerrero was as entertaining a character as he was a technician in the ring. He could be a comedian, such as his program with Chyna, or an intense warrior in feuds with JBL or Brock Lesnar.
26. Shawn Michaels
Shawn Michaels' post-2000 career isn't about quantity, it's about quality. He returned in 2002 and put on some bangers with Triple H. The ensuing years mostly found him clashing with fellow icons at Wrestlemania. He faced off with Helmsley and Chris Benoit in 2004, and followed that up with classics against Kurt Angle, John Cena and Ric Flair. The back-to-back wars with The Undertaker show why both stars are the two greatest Wrestlemania performers.
25. Kevin Owens
The unlikeliest of unlikely superstars, Kevin Owens shows what somebody whose dynamic on the mic can do. Owens didn't make it on physique or world-class athleticism, he did it by obliterating people in promos. His days in ROH are legendary, from feuding with Jim Cornette to the ladder war with El Generico and forming of S.C.U.M. Whether in ROH, NXT or WWE, he's despicable as a heel yet lovable as a smack-talking babyface.
24. Becky Lynch
"The Man" elicits responses from fans seldom seen by women in WWE. At points she has been the biggest star in the entire company and is driving the company forward. Lynch has taken the work of Beth Phoenix, Lita and Trish Stratus to the next level. Her battles with Charlotte Flair are signatures of their era; Lynch has also wrestled show-stealers with Asuka, Ronda Rousey, Bayley and Sasha Banks. She exemplifies what women can do if WWE gives them suitable time.
23. The Young Bucks
Few pro wrestlers polarize fans and pundits like the Young Bucks. Do they just do "flippy stuff" with no psychology? Or have they innovated a new style focused on gymnastics and frenetic energy? Either way, they have carved out a niche in the pro wrestling landscape and its story cannot be told without them. They are directly responsible for AEW existing. The Young Bucks versus reDRagon, the Briscoes or the Lucha Bros are exemplary of their style.
22. Trish Stratus
Every women's wrestler in WWE today owes a debt to Trish Stratus. Despite being brought in as a model and beautiful blonde valet, Stratus trained and proved her mettle. She transformed into a legitimate pro wrestler and led the women's division for years. Stratus was the bridge from WWE women just being cover models to being treated like legitimate athletes. Her accomplishments set the bar that the likes of Charlotte Flair and Becky Lynch have raised.
21. Rob Van Dam
There was a time when RVD was the hottest star in the business. An unlikely superhero from ECW that WWE strapped the rocket too, "Mr. Monday Night" was electric in the mid-2000s. Van Dam could not only fly, but he was a stiff striker and offensive innovator who could work with everyone from Chris Jericho to Kane to Triple H. His fall from grace hurt, but he had a strong runs in TNA and has periodically made splashes in WWE since his zenith.
20. Kenny Omega
If this list took into consideration work outside of the United States, Kenny Omega would be much higher. For many years he was a mythical figure to fans who didn't watch New Japan Pro Wrestling. Tales of his exploits with Kazuchika Okada and "six-star matches" got American fans excited for the "Best Bout Machine." They got their wish when he become a founder and face of AEW. Omega has since been smashing it in AEW and Impact.
19. Charlotte Flair
Charlotte Flair may already be the best women's wrestler in WWE history. She has ruled over that division for years and could retain her throne for the foreseeable future. Charlotte's look and presence are immediately alluring. Everything about her presentation creates an aura. That's all before the bell rings; once the match starts, Flair is an elite athlete with exceptional size and the capacity to work well as a good guy or bad guy.
18. The Dudleyz
The Dudleyz, the Dudley Boys, Team 3D, whatever you call them, they are still the best tag team of the century. They made the jump from ECW to WWE at the turn of the millennium and promptly took over the tag scene. Their matches with the Hardys and Edge and Christian are iconic. They were the foundation of the tag scene in TNA and helped establish teams like LAX, the Motor City Machine Guns and Beer Money. Extra credit for the Bully Ray singles run.
17. Seth Rollins
WWE always seems to have a reliable plug-and-play superstar that can be dropped into the main-event scene whenever needed; Seth Rollins is filling that void in the current landscape. Rollins, fka Tyler Black, first drew rave reviews in ROH when he was barely old enough to buy alcohol. In the decade-plus since then he has become one of the stalwarts of WWE. His size, crispness and athleticism enable him to work with anybody.
16. Undertaker
"The Deadman" wasn't a regular competitor throughout the 2000s, but anytime he showed up, it was special. He debuted the "American Bad Ass," carried Smackdown for years and made guys like Edge and Jeff Hardy feel special. The Undertaker is synonymous with Wrestlemania and his work at "the show of shows" in the 2000s is the best of his career. Two battles with HBK stand out, plus signature showdowns with Ric Flair, Batista, Brock Lesnar and AJ Styles.
15. Samoa Joe
The best wrestler in Ring of Honor history? Joe's unrivaled title reign is one of the signatures of ROH lore. Samoa Joe is one of the most unlikely main eventers if you just look at him; once that bell rings, however, he is ferocious. With legitimate MMA and shoot wrestling abilities melding with pro wrestling artistry, his style stands out. His WWE main roster tenure should have been better, but dig up his work from ROH, TNA or NXT and witness a master at work.
14. Roman Reigns
Heel Roman Reigns is the best Roman Reigns. After years of WWE attempting to make him a heroic babyface in the vein John Cena, he turned to the dark side and fans finally had somebody to sink their teeth into. He's a good-looking brute with a smashmouth style. It took fans a long time to get into Reigns, but he has been a main event star for years and could be the promotion's biggest star of the 2020s.
13. Jeff Hardy
Go back to those early TLC matches and try to imagine Jeff Hardy as the longest regularly active wrestler of that group. Nobody has put their body through more punishment in the name of pro wrestling than Jeff Hardy. For more than 20 years he has flown higher, landed harder and taken bigger bumps than anybody. A beloved babyface for nearly his whole run, he's been one of the most popular performers in WWE and TNA.
12. Batista
Batista just looked like somebody special. Sporting one of the best physiques in the history of the sport, "The Animal" exuded dominance. He worked an explosive, devastating style and was believable every step of the way. He rose from D-Von Dudley's lowly sidekick to the heavy in Evolution to a megastar in his own right. Batista had a special magnetism that would have made him a top guy in any era, in any promotion.
11. Rey Mysterio
Rey Mysterio's longevity is underappreciated. He is one of the few guys in a major promotion at the dawn of the century and still working a regular schedule to this day. From WCW to WWE to Lucha Underground, Mysterio is one of the pionners of high flying pro wrestling in the U.S. The style, the mask and the connection with the fans made him one of the best babyfaces of all time.
10. HHH
Triple H was a tricky one to place. He career straddled the 2000 cutoff and many of his best days were in the 1990s, but his contributions in the current millennium are too great to ignore. The Evolution stable and the "reign of terror" were regular programming on WWE for a long time. He worked tremendous feuds with Randy Orton, Edge, Chris Benoit, Daniel Bryan and Roman Reigns.
9. Chris Jericho
The first undisputed champion in WWE! Yes, it has been said a million times, but it is still an impressive feat. It takes somebody special to be trusted enough to carry such a heavy load for the biggest company in the business. That was just the tip of the iceberg for Jericho, the master of reinvention. He moves seamlessly from heel and babyface and his runs are impeccably timed. Whether it's against Kevin Owens, Shawn Michaels or MJF, Jericho delivers differently.
8. CM Punk
The pipebomb may still be the biggest moment in pro wrestling since the end of the Attitude Era. Punk earned his stripes and sacrificed for years to reach the top. From Raven to Samoa Joe to John Cena, Punk has battled with a wide cross section of athletes. He resurgence in AEW was a welcome sight and breathed new life into the promotion and sport as a whole.
7. Bryan Danielson
Bryan Danielson, Daniel Bryan or the American Dragon--whatever you call him, he is a maven and an icon. He may also be the most unlikely WWE star in recent history. In a sport and company that mostly rewards behemoths, the relatively small Danielson defied expectations to reach the top of the mountain. He has an authentic connection with fans, and his hard-hitting yet technically exquisite style makes him a rare gem to watch.
6. Edge
Is there anybody who loves this sport the way Edge does? A lifelong fan who always dreamed of being a professional wrestler, Edge paid his dues and earned everything he got in the WWE. His initial tag team run with Christian revitalized the WWE tag division; his ensuing singles run and climb to the top were some of the most must-see moments of the 2000s. His shocking return and second act are icing on the cake for one of the most deserving stars.
5. Randy Orton
"The Viper" has one of the most impressive career trajectories of the millennium. A third-generation star, he was reportedly a natural in the ring from day one. A few years of immaturity and bad behavior could have derailed his career, but he matured and is now one of the revered elder statesmen of the sport. He is silky smooth and makes every move look effortless. Whether it is with Triple H, John Cena or Seth Rollins, Orton can make magic in the ring.
4. AJ Styles
AJ Styles is the Shawn Michaels of his generation. He's an all-time great seller and a supreme athlete. There's nothing he can't do in a wrestling ring. He is still the best performer in TNA/Impact Wrestling history. When he made the leap to WWE he proved he could hang with anybody in the world and get a fantastic match out of anybody. He is a former WWE world champion, TNA world champion and NWA world champion.
3. Brock Lesnar
If the point of pro wrestling is to be believable, Brock Lesnar is the perfect specimen. The look, the wrestling credentials and the attitude--Lesnar has all the tools. He may have had the most meteoric rise in the sport's history, and 20 years later he is still a massive draw and believable beast. He is sometimes criticized for being selfish, but looking at his resume, he will bump and put other guys over when it's best for business.
2. Kurt Angle
The paragon of pro wrestling and Olympic wrestling, there was nothing Kurt Angle couldn't do. The explosive suplexes and the snapping submission holds--Angle could legitimately beat anybody who ever competed in pro wrestling. He earned the "Wrestling Machine" moniker. Whether as champion in WWE or TNA, Kurt Angle was the most compelling performer on any given card and put together classics with Brock Lesnar, The Rock and Samoa Joe.
1. John Cena
Say what you will about John Cena, but the man is a superstar. He was the right guy, in the right place, at the right time. His Superman persona resonated with kids, he had the look any promoter would covet and, when given the opportunity, he could go in the ring. He didn't need to go over so many up-and-comers the way he did, but that's not his decision to make. In the post-Attitude Era, he is the biggest star in the business and an eternal wrestling icon.