Most under rated wrestlers

Hi everyone,

When I say under rated, I mean in the eyes of the general wrestling fan, not "smarks". Basically, who isn't given enough credit in the eyes of the traditional wrestling audience, or isn't considered to be a "great" but really should be. There will be guys on here whose mere mention excites the hell out of a knowledgable fan, but who today's fans may never hear about, or if they do, never realise just how good they were.

First off, I'd say Eddie Guerrero. To us who appreciate the art of technical wrestling and story telling within a ring, I think we can agree that Eddie was a great. But other than his one title reign, I don't think the casual fan would mention him in the same way as they would Austin or Rock, even though Eddie's talent, to me at least, was unquestionably greater. RIP Eddie - Viva La Raza!

Second, Benoit. I know his name is considered swearing within WWE (Although he does make several appearances on the new Nitro DVD, time to move on from what he did perhaps?), but I think those who appreciate the work and dedication of wrestlers really consider Chris to be one of the absolute best technically. RIP Chris, Nancy and Daniel.

Next, Malenko. Absolute clinics were given each and every time he performed, and he was one of the most intense performers I think I've ever seen.

Jushin Liger. A legend in Japan, not really that well known any more in Britain or the States. One of the best high flying-technical wrestling combos ever. Deserves, in my opinion, to be held in much higher regard outside of Japan.

Ultimo Dragon. Again, a legend in Japan as well as Mexico, he was a true pioneer and innovator of what we know today as "high-flying". Excellent all rounder.

Al Snow. An amazing technical wrestler relegated to "that funny fella who's mates with Mick Foley". A bit unfair IMO

Owen Hart. I'm guessing most of us on here do actually get excited when we hear Owen's name, but I bet the majority of today's fans have never heard of him, or if they do, he was Bret's brother. Easily on par with Bret IMO but I think it was a case of first-Hart-come-first-Hart-served. RIP Owen.

Now you may have noticed I appreciate the more technical side of wrestling, I'll mention a few wrestlers who were great in other ways...

Vader, in my eyes the best big man of all time. I've never seen a 400 pounder move like he did, even the late great Yokozuna couldn't match him.

Perhaps a controversial one, Rikishi. Again, a great mover for a huge guy, and his comedic side got in the way of him showing off his talent really.

Kane. I know he's got a bit of a push recently, but I think today's fans don't realise just how good he was as a MONSTER heel when he first arrived on the scene (as Kane, not as Isaac Yankem

Jim Cornette. One of the greatest managers and talkers of all time, not really remembered much outside of ROH. And Corny leads me on to...

Bobby Heenan. THE greatest manager AND colour man of all time. Now the art of the manager is pretty much dead and kids watching wrestling for the first time now will probably never know about him. Also a true inspiration during and after his fight with cancer. Watch his HOF speech to see what I mean.

Jim Ross. Not on TV much any more, and I don't think today's fans get exposed to him enough to realise he is one of the 3 best play-by-play guys ever IMO (the other two being Gordon Solie and Ed Whalen - "There's been a malfunction at the junction!")

Anyway, that's enough from me, I'll turn it over to you guys.

Eric Young; absolute genius and really deserves a World Title run. He is brilliant both on the mic and in the ring and is by far the most underused guy on the TNA roster.

Jesse Ventura - the greatest colour commentator of all time

more so than Eddie Guerrero, i would nominate Chavo as the one of the most under-rated. Dean Malenko is a great shout too.

I'm not sure Eddie is under-rated, I think if he had still been alive now, he would be a multiple WWE/World Heavyweight Champion. Even now he would still be one of the top guys in the WWE.

How awesome would an Eddie Guerrero - Alberto Del Rio fued be!!

Jake Roberts - In ring pyschology like no other. Great gimmick, majorly over, and in my opinion the best wrestler never to hold a singles title.

Mr Perfect is probably the biggest I can think of, he had the Intercontinental title for ages then hurt his back and never really got to where he should of been.
He was fantastic and with a face turn could probably of replaced Hogan he was certainly as good as Shawn Michaels and better than Bret Hart.

I pretty much agree with all of you, other than Jesse Ventura being the best colour man. Obviously, it's a matter of personal opinion but Heenan will always be the best for me. He even managed to make WCW watchable when it wasn't particularly good.

Don't agree on Benoit being underrated, for me a career upper mid carderand although an exceptional in-ring talent not the all time great he's lamented as.

Similar to EG I feel his whole appeal was being this great servant who never quite made it to the top table. This is what made their wrestlemania 20 triumphs so emotive for the viewer. But EG character was able to engage with the audience due to his charisma beyond this. For me after wm20 the Benoit character didn't have much more to offer.

I'm sort of inclined to agree, but my point was that today's audiences probably have no idea who he was, nor have they ever seen a match as they've all been buried and technically don't exist anymore (sorry Y2J, just ripped off your phrase). Surely he deserves to be remembered as an amazing in-ring competitor, I mean, the guy was just a machine. I do think his best came pre-WWE though, I really liked him kind of taking Arn Anderson's role in the reformed 4 horsemen. A lot of people don't know he was a world champ before WWE.

I think Tazz was underrated by the WWE world. Although he did join at the tail end of his career. They guy was a beast in ECW. Same with Rhyno. Total, machine, and he had a brilliant look.

I liked Heenan but no-one got heel talent over on commentary better than Ventura, Heenan was awesome at the 92 Rumble and anytime Flair was in a big match but for the total package Ventura for me is in a league of his own

Raven is another who could have been a modern day Jake Roberts

Damn! I forgot to mention Raven!

One of the most intelligent people I've ever heard when discussing the wrestling business, plus his psychology is second to none.

Mr H wrote:Jake Roberts - In ring pyschology like no other. Great gimmick, majorly over, and in my opinion the best wrestler never to hold a singles title.

Spot on buddy