The WWE is the premier professional wrestling company. What happens when we match their superstars with 30 DC and Marvel Comics superheroes?
WrestleMania season is the most exciting time of year for WWE fans. The road to WrestleMania starts in January with the Royal Rumble. The winner of both Royal Rumbles (men’s and women’s) receive a guaranteed shot at one of the WWE titles at WrestleMania (barring shenanigans, of course). The next WWE live event is the next night on Raw. This is when the stories start to have a huge effect on the matches at WrestleMania.
WWE and comic books have a few major things in common. First, the stories. The WWE story-lines help to add drama to the feuds. Matches like Shawn Michaels versus Chris Jericho were great because of the things that were leading up to it. The added drama on top of the action gave fans watching an emotional attachment.
There’s also the fantastical characters. The Undertaker, Kane, and The Ultimate Warrior are just a few of the memorable and unusual characters that we’ve seen over the years. There’s also the bright colors. Just look at the New Day, their attire pops like a comic book costume.
Coming up, we’re going to look at 30 WWE stars from the past and present and match them with a DC or Marvel Comics counterpart. Before starting with one of the scariest individuals to ever step in the squared circle, let’s take a look at a few honorable mentions.
Honorable Mentions:
Andre the Giant, Big Show, Mark Henry, and Kane: The Wrecking Crew
Bray Wyatt: Moon Knight
The Miz: Wonder Man
Braun Strowman: Juggernaut
30. The Undertaker
The Undertaker has been the most feared wrestler in the WWE/F for decades. When the lights turn off and his opponents hear the bell on over the p.a. system, they always freeze. Even the people who boast that they didn’t fear him.
Legends like Hulk Hogan, Triple H, and Kane have all been on the wrong side of the Undertaker’s iconic chokeslam, Last Ride, and Tombstone Piledriver. Even when he loses, it’s never an easy win for his opponent. In his advanced age, The Undertaker remains a fierce and feared competitor. It’ll continue to be that way long after he retires. His legacy is that legendary.
Galactus
There may not be a more feared being in the galaxy than the eater of worlds: Galactus. What’s scarier than someone who feasts on planets like we do sandwiches?
Like the Undertaker, Galactus has been beaten before. That doesn’t take away from his intimidating presence. There are only a few beings in all of comics that can go toe-to-toe with Galactus and survive.
When Galactus’ heralds appear, it’s like the Undertaker’s music hits. The thought of death and destruction pops into the heads of everyone. You could think of Paul Bearer Undertaker’s herald, after all, he was the one who spoke of the Undertaker’s arrival to inform everyone of their impending doom.
29. Daniel Bryan
Daniel Bryan captured the hearts of everyone during his run to the WWE Title. He’s the underdog that everyone roots for. The higher-ups tried to keep him down by telling him he was too small behind the scenes. On-screen, they destroyed him in the ring. But Daniel Bryan kept getting up no matter how many times he was knocked down. The fans loved it.
On the opposite end, Daniel Bryan can be an arrogant jerk. Recently, he became the “World’s” Champion and not a champion of the people. He’s cut promos that have made fans in the arena hate him. Despite being hated, people still love him and buy his merchandise. He’s back on the side of angels, but this shows how versatile he is.
Damian Wayne
Damian Wayne is a narcissistic son of a so-and-so. The sad part is, it’s justified. He was trained by the deadliest assassins in the world and then by his father Batman. He’s beaten people two and three times his age and has helped Batman on countless occasions.
Despite being a little snot, people love him. He’s too good to not like. The same for Daniel Bryan. Good or bad, you gotta love him. His skills speak for themselves. You can hate him for talking trash, but you better not underestimate him. It’s an easy way to end up on your butt and defeated.
28. CM Punk
CM Punk was wrestling’s most outspoken performer. It wasn’t just the promos about how he was going to beat his opponents. Punk always said what was on his mind. Take the infamous promo he cut on Raw years ago. He sat on the ramp and told the world how he felt. Some of the things he said were considered a no-no in the WWE. However, he said them anyway. The best part about him is he backs up all the trash he talks.
CM Punk had a reign as WWE Champion that some people won’t even come close to. He held the title for over a year (434 days). If they didn’t tap out to one of his many submissions, he knocked his opponents out with his finisher the G.T.S. (Go To Sleep) or he cheated. Hey, a win is a win.
Wolverine
CM Punk loves to tell people that he’s the best in the world, while Wolverine loves to say, “I’m the best there is at what I do and what I do isn’t very nice.” Both men have confidence in themselves because they’ve proven how good they are.
Wolverine and CM Punk have beaten people bigger, stronger, smaller, and faster than themselves. Their ability to strategically take their opponents apart is the reason why they’re not to be taken lightly. When they lose, they just come back better than before and win. Proving that it’s not the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog. It’s a cliché phrase, but it’s true.
27. Chris Jericho
Chris Jericho may be in All Elite Wrestling (AEW) now, but he stamped his legendary status in the WWE long beforehand. For decades, Chris Jericho was talking trash and beating people in WWE rings.
There aren’t many people past or present that can do what he does on the microphone. His antagonistic nature isn’t just when he’s a heel (villain). When he’s a face (hero) he’ll still antagonize his opponents. It throws people off their game and is an advantage Jericho has used on multiple occasions, especially when he became the first Undisputed Champion in the WWF. What makes this special is he did it by beating the Rock and Stone Cold Steve Austin on the same night.
Guy Gardner
Guy Gardner has annoyed his way into the hearts of millions of comic book fans. They love his arrogant ways. It’s loved even more when someone shuts him up. Do yourself a favor and Google, “Batman knock out Guy Gardner.” Either way, Guy is a Green Lantern. An honor only very few Earthers have had.
The Green Lantern Power Ring is powered by willpower. Can you imagine giving that to Chris Jericho? Jericho knows in his heart that he can beat and out-talk anyone. Why? Because he has. Guy has that same kind of confidence. It would be cool to see who would win in a debate. It would probably annoy everyone, but it would still be great.
26. Kurt Angle
Kurt Angle began his wrestling career boasting about his Olympic Gold Medals (that he actually won in the 1996 Olympics) and his three I’s (intensity, integrity, and intelligence). Needless to say, this didn’t go over well with the fans. Mission completed.
Kurt Angle talked so much smack and then dominated in the ring for the rest of his career. He’s made Stone Cold, Kane, and a ton of other legends tap to his Angle Lock. He may be the complete package. There aren’t many people who can out-wrestle him (if any) and his ability to be entertaining is top-notch.
Taskmaster
Thought this was going to be Captain America didn’t you? Nope. Steve Rogers doesn’t talk enough trash, making Taskmaster an easy choice.
Both Taskmaster and Kurt Angle are among the most skilled in their field. Kurt Angle has something in common with Taskmaster as well. It looks like Angle can do anything he sees. Just because he was an Olympic gold medalist doesn’t mean that he would be good in the WWE. Nonetheless, he was. He saw the greats cut promos, moonsault off the top ropes, and perform in the ring and may have been better than them. Plus, Angle isn’t above running away. Neither is Taskmaster.
25. Trish Stratus
Trish Stratus may be the best women’s competitor the WWE has ever seen. She’s held the WWE Women’s Championship Title seven times and seemed to defend it weekly. Simply put, she should be acknowledged as one of the WWE’s best champions.
She’s feuded with the best like Lita and Mickie James. In recent years, she’s come back and wrestled with some of today’s best including Charlotte Flair and proved that she’s still one of the best to ever do it. She doesn’t have the power of someone like Jazz or Chyna, but her agility, speed, and skill kept her on top for years.
Batgirl
Batgirl is among the smartest and toughest people in DC Comics. If she can’t beat a problem with her fists, she’ll find a way to do it with her mind. A near-perfect blend of brain and skill. Trish Stratus is the same.
For years, Trish defeated her opponents by outsmarting them. When she was a face, she used to wait for the right moment to strike. Using her superior agility and flexibility to hit her signature moves the Chick Kick and the Stratusfaction. The only difference is that Batgirl isn’t a villain. Trish has been both a heel and a face. If Batgirl was to ever become a villain, she could be among the most dangerous. Like Trish, Batgirl uses every advantage she could to win.
24. Charlotte Flair
When people talk about the best wrestlers in the WWE, it’s befuddling how Charlotte’s name isn’t one of the first names that are brought up. She isn’t just one of the best in the Women’s division, she’s one of the best, period.
For a while, she was number one in the WWE. She would steal the show whether she was on NXT, Smackdown, or Raw. She could do specialty matches like Hell in a Cell or standard matches and make them look like instant classics. As a face, she makes her opponents look good. As a heel, she could make you hate her.
Kitty Pryde
You wanna talk underrated and not appreciated? Look no further than Kitty Pryde.
Kitty has been an important member of the X-Men for years. In 2004, she started moving to the front. She’s protected multiple planets from destruction by phasing a giant bullet, saved the universe in Black Vortex, and she’s currently saving mutant lives in Marauders. People also forget that she’s a highly trained martial artist.
Charlotte Flair is more skilled than more than half the active roster. She can give you strength, agility, and technical skill. Kitty may not have the strength of Colossus, but she has everything else down pat. Kitty is easily one of the best five fighters on the X-Men’s roster. People don’t appreciate either of these amazing women the way they should.
23. Lita
Lita has always been one of everyone’s favorites. Before she was with the Hardy Boyz, she solidified herself with Essa Rios. She would hurricanrana his opponents to help him get the advantage. At the time, it was rare to see women attack men. But she did it fearlessly. Then, she joined Matt and Jeff Hardy and the trio became team Extreme.
Lita helped the Hardy Boyz win battles even if it meant she would take some vicious bumps along the way. She’s been put through tables, attacked with chairs, and hit with all sorts of finishing moves. Despite all of that, she managed to keep getting up and keep fighting.
Jessica Drew (Spider-Woman)
Jessica Drew is a flat-out bad-@$$. She’s been kicking butts for decades. She’s been an Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D., an agent of Hydra, an Avenger, and a part of S.W.O.R.D. Spider-Woman is so important that the Skrulls even picked her to be the one to infiltrate the Avengers in the Secret Invasion. Recently, she had a baby. You think that stopped her? Nope. Spider-Woman continued to be a hero.
Lita and Spider-Woman are both women who have no problem mixing it up with anyone. We’ve seen both of them outnumbered and never looked scared. Although, a kick to the face usually gets the job done. Both women can attack from the air and have a plethora of moves that they can execute from above.
22. Naomi
Naomi started off as a cheerleader for the Funkasaurus (seriously, that was his name) and worked her way to becoming a dominant and popular WWE Superstar. Every time she stepped in the ring she got better. We knew she was athletic, but she proved that she could wrestle with the best and win.
Her crowning achievement may have been when she won the SmackDown Women’s title in her home state of Florida at WrestleMania 33. She went on to defend the title countless times and made everyone, “Feel the Glow.”
You can tell a WWE Superstar’s popularity by their return. When Naomi was gone, she was sorely missed. Her return to the WWE at the 2020 Royal Rumble made the fans erupt with joy. It must have been great to feel that love.
Misty Knight
You wanna talk about tough, dynamic women? You have to put Misty Knight and Naomi together. Who wouldn’t want to see the two of them in a detective scenario solving crimes? Naomi and Misty would get along perfectly. Neither of them tolerate any insolence. Disrespecting them normally ends up with their opponent on the ground in pain.
Recently, Naomi came back rocking her natural hair with pride. Something that Misty Knight has done for years. As a person of color, it makes me proud that both of these women love their hair. Since her return, Naomi has been criticized for her hair on social media. Instead of letting it get to her, she just smiles and keeps it moving. A testament of a confident woman.
21. Becky Lynch
Becky Lynch started in NXT. Shortly after debuting, she helped make the WWE Women’s division prosper with the help of Charlotte Flair, Sasha Banks, and Bayley. Becky came to the main roster and got lost among the many talented WWE Superstars. Then, Nia Jax broke her nose and it seemed like something snapped. People started to take notice.
Her promos were intense, her matches were amazing, and she dominated in the WWE. She’s successfully defended her title for almost a year. As of now, there doesn’t seem to be any sign of the Lass Kicker slowing down. The fans love her and so does the WWE creative staff. It looks like her next big fight will be against Shayna Bazsler. This could be Becky’s toughest challenge to date.
Black Canary
Black Canary and Becky Lynch both started off underrated among the uninformed. If you’ve kept up with their careers, you knew it was only a matter of time before they became pop culture icons.
Black Canary was one of the more popular characters in Birds of Prey and remains beloved in the comics. You can’t keep a person with potential down forever. Seeing the two of them finally get their due is great. They both talk a ton of trash and have no problem tossing a person around if they’re tested.
20. Edge
The “Rated R Superstar” Edge is one of the most decorated WWE Superstars of all time. He’s had multiple tag team title runs with Christian. Later, Edge went on to have multiple Intercontinental and world title runs and some epic feuds.
He’s gone to war with the Undertaker, John Cena, Chris Jericho, and so many more. Defeating or bringing them close to defeat. When he wins, he’s one of the most insufferable people in wrestling. He will rub it in the faces of everyone who doubted him. Good news though, he’ll give a five-second pose if he’s feeling generous.
Red Hood
When Edge is a face, he’s someone everyone loves. When he’s a heel, he’s one of the most hated and dangerous wrestlers in the WWE. Both of these things can be said for the current Red Hood and former Robin, Jason Todd.
Red Hood’s been on both sides and done them well. As a villain, he’s killed and intimidated his way to the top. As a hero, he does both. He tries to restrain himself and kill less, but it doesn’t always work out. Sometimes, it has to be done. Both Red Hood and Edge are people you don’t want to anger. They’ll follow you to the ends of the Earth to make you pay.
19. Rey Mysterio
You’re looking at what many deem to be the greatest WWE cruiserweight of all time. Rey Mysterio has been defying the odds for decades. He’s never seen as the strongest, but he’s defeated his share of heavyweight opponents throughout this career. In his division, he may not have been the fastest either. However, he’s always found a way to win his matches at every level of his career.
At 45 years old, Rey Mysterio hasn’t lost much of a step. He continues to fly around the ring and excite the crowd. He recently won the United States title in a match no one thought he would win. You could say that his days of championship runs are over, but you never know with Rey Mysterio.
Daredevil
Rey Mysterio could be the Man Without Fear. Both of them are never the strongest in the fight. Yet they find a way to win because they’ve mastered their craft. Rey and Daredevil use their speed and agility to win fights where they’re the underdog.
For Rey, it was when he beat Kevin Nash. A legend who outweighed him by over a hundred pounds. For Daredevil, it’s the “Kingpin” Wilson Fisk. People forget that Daredevil doesn’t have superhuman strength or healing powers. He’s just a man. Their never say quit attitude keeps these two in the hearts of fans in both genres.
18. Bret “Hit Man” Hart
A lot of wrestlers claim to be the greatest. However, when Bret Hart said, “I’m the best there is, the best there was, and the best there ever will be” there was weight behind his words. Bret earned the nickname the “Excellence of Execution” by taking his opponents apart piece by piece.
Seeing him wrestle was like watching a surgeon work on a patient. Bret used to break his opponents down by focusing on their weak points and capitalizing on their mistakes. While his preferred finisher was the Sharpshooter, Bret Hart used various roll-ups and pins to win his matches. We’ve seen a lot of technical wrestlers come and go. However, none of them have the skill the Bret Hart does. He’s as close to wrestling perfection that we’ve ever seen.
Batman
Batman is looked at as the best fighter in comic books. No matter who comes around, he has a plan of action. So much so that he’s calculated ways of beating the Justice League if they ever need to be taken down. They may not have liked it, but, to him, it was necessary. Batman and Bret have that in common.
We’ve seen a lot of technical wrestlers come and go. However, none of them have the skill that Bret Hart does. Another similarity is they both prepare to take on their friends. Both Roddy Piper and The British Bulldog were friends of the Hitman that have been on the receiving end of Bret Hart’s skill, just as Superman has found himself on the receiving end of Batman’s skill.
17. Rowdy Roddy Piper
This is a personal favorite. Roddy Piper was the reason wrestling became a part of my life. He was a smack-talking guy who loved to push people’s buttons. Was he a heel or a face? Neither. He was simply “Rowdy” Roddy Piper.
His catchphrase, “Just when you think you have all the answers, I change the questions” is appropriate. You never knew what to expect from him except for a fight. He battled the greats like Ric Flair, Jimmy Snuka, and Bret Hart. He’s part of the reason WrestleMania became popular. WrestleMania 1 featured Piper and Paul Orndorff versus Hulk Hogan and Mr. T. Showing that the WWF was more than just wrestling. It’s entertainment.
Deadpool
An unpredictable wrestler deserves an unpredictable anti-hero. Wade Wilson and Roddy Piper are a match made in Heaven. Well, a weird Heaven complete with kilts, bagpipes, and Chimichangas.
Deadpool is just like Roddy Piper in a lot of ways. Both of them have been both hero and villain. They’ve annoyed their opponents and used that to win their bouts. And they know how to fight in any situation. If you’re a fan of Deadpool in the comics, you know this to be true. The biggest question is who wins in an argument between the two.
16. Brock Lesnar
The Undertaker still strikes fear in his opponents, but this is the guy who conquered Undertaker’s streak. Brock Lesnar isn’t just a wrestler. He’s a force of nature. A tornado and earthquake destroying everything in their path. What’s worse is Brock’s smile. He laughs at the destruction and carnage he created.
Brock’s beaten everyone he’s gone up against. Hulk Hogan, The Rock, Kane, Kurt Angle, John Cena, and so many others have either tapped or lost to an F-5. In the 2020 Royal Rumble, he embarrassed 13 other competitors by eliminating them with ease. At 42 years old, Brock seems to have gotten better with age. Suplex City housed John Cena during a pay-per-view. Cena received over a dozen suplexes. Brock made Cena look mortal for the first time in years.
Darkseid
Darkseid is extremely scary. While Galactus is intimidating, at least he has some compassion. Darkseid doesn’t care about anything that doesn’t affect him directly. That’s a trait a lot of villains have. What separates Darkseid from them is they aren’t tough enough to take on the entire Justice League.
Darkseid and Brock Lesnar can take on multiple people and still dominate. They can both say that there aren’t a lot of people who have beaten them. In both cases, if you see them coming, you better have a plan or get ready to be hurt.
15. Shayna Baszler
Shayna Baszler made her debut in the May Young Classic. She beat everyone in her path until she got to the finals. She may have lost, but that’s one of the few times lost can be mentioned when discussing the Queen of Spades.
Baszler is dangerous, calculated, and methodical. She’s shown time and time again that she’s the real deal. The Submission Magician put many of her competitors to sleep with her Kirifuda Clutch. Recently, she made her Raw debut by destroying Becky Lynch. Before she left the ring, Shayna bit Becky on the neck. Becky should be worried. She’s never faced anyone like Shayna Two Time.
Deathstroke
Deathstroke is known as the best mercenary in the world. He’s professional and extremely thorough. He’s nicknamed The Terminator because his success rate is so high. If he didn’t get the job done, it’s because some unforeseen variables came into the equation. He’s one of the few people in the world that Batman has trouble defeating.
Shayna Baszler is that good. Look at her title reign. She held her title for 416 days. Like Deathstroke, Shayna is all business. There’s no need to play games. Once she has you in her clutches, it’s over. Just like if Deathstroke has you in his crosshairs.
14. Hulk Hogan
Hulk Hogan is the reason professional wrestling became popular. He’s the first person we think about when the topic of classic WWF comes up. For most of the 1980s, 1990s, and early 2000s Hulk Hogan was king. His theme music hits and his fans (the Hulkamaniacs) jump to their feet to cheer. When he “Hulked up” it was like he felt no pain. Once that happened, it was only a matter of time before he hit the big boot and landed the Atomic Leg Drop. His popularity also landed him some starring movie roles and cameos.
There was a time when Hulk Hogan became “Hollywood” Hogan. A heel who did whatever he wanted. Despite being a villain and going away from everything he once represented, he was still beloved. His time with the NWO is still among the best three eras in wrestling history.
The Hulk
Pun aside, this was an easy choice. Throughout Hulk Hogan’s career, he was almost unstoppable. In his early career, he was the reason that people tuned into the WWF. His promos and battles remain classics. Hogan performed feats that seemed impossible like body slamming Andre the Giant.
The Hulk had a similar origin. He’s partly responsible for the Avengers’ popularity in the comic books and the movies. We’ve seen both men appear to feel no pain after receiving a beating. Hulk and the Hulkster are both characters that took pride in being the strongest in their time. However, no one is stronger than Hulk.
13. Macho Man Randy Savage
“Macho Man” Randy Savage is a legend. He’s one of the few WWF Superstars whose voice was just as iconic as his in-ring abilities. Everyone who’s heard his voice has attempted to mimic his, “OH YEAH” or, “Snap into a Slim Jim” from the commercials.
In the ring, he was incredible. He seemed fearless and never gave up. What people may remember him most by is his top rope flying elbow. Superstars like CM Punk and Bayley have flown through the air to pay tribute to the Macho Man. It’s unfortunate that Randy Savage doesn’t get the credit he deserves for making the WWF the premier wrestling company or inspiring younger wrestlers. Or his diss track to Hulk Hogan titled, Be a man.
Joker
Fun fact about Macho Man Randy Savage, he’s crazy. It’s almost like he can’t figure out if he wants to be a face or a heel. At least with Roddy Piper can be trusted. With Macho Man, he could betray you while he’s on your team. Joker is just like that.
How many times have we seen Joker sacrifice Harley or his goons just to escape? Trusting Macho Man is like asking to be betrayed. They’re also both loud in voice and in style. Macho Man is the poster child for loud costumes and we’ve seen Joker’s purple and green gaudy suits. Just don’t tell him I called them that.
12. Chyna
Ronda Rousey is called the baddest woman on the planet, but she wouldn’t be able to do anything against the “Ninth Wonder of the World,” Chyna. Chyna was one of the first women in wrestling that could dominate both men and women. Sure, greats like Ms. Jackie did their damage on the guys, but not like Chyna.
Chris Jericho, Jeff Jarrett, and Eddie Guerrero all found out the hard way that Chyna is not to be messed with. She’s also on a shortlist of women who’ve held a men’s title. She’ll always be remembered as an inspiration to young women around the world.
Wonder Woman
Wonder Woman set the bar for women in comic books. It’s not just her superpowers that made her such an incredible character. It’s her attitude. Wonder Woman isn’t the kind of character that backs down from a challenge. She relishes a challenge. This is what Chyna did for the WWF.
Chyna wasn’t just strong enough to compete with the guys. Strength alone isn’t going to cut it. Chyna was crafty and skilled as well. Before she was a wrestler, she was Shawn Michaels and Triple H’s back up. She was constantly saving their butts and they knew it. Just like Wonder Woman has to do for the Justice League.
11. Roman Reigns
People have mixed feelings about Roman Reigns. First, he was a beloved member of the Shield. Then, he started his solo run. The audience started to boo him because he seemed like he was unbeatable and the WWE was constantly shoving him in our faces. Recently, everyone started loving him again, mostly because he’s been promoted differently.
We’re seeing Roman go after more than just the world titles. He’s been feuding with some of the most hated people in the WWE like Baron Corbin. The funny thing is, love him or hate him, Roman knows how to put on a good show. He proved that you can put him in a main event or mid-card and he’ll still shine.
Ben Grimm (The Thing)
Ben Grimm may not have Roman’s good looks, but their insides match 100%. The two of them are willing to fight it out for their family. For Ben, it’s the Fantastic Four. For Roman, it’s the Shield and the Usos. They’re both stand-up guys and loved by everyone they come around.
Another quality they both share is never backing down or running from a challenge. Roman has gone up against Brock Lesnar multiple times and never gave up. Ben Grimm refuses to back down from the Hulk no matter how many times he’s lost. There’s one thing they can both say that others may not; they’ve both beaten their respective monsters. Roman Reigns in 2018 at SummerSlam and Ben Grimm in Fantastic Four No. 13 (2019).
10. Eddie Guerrero
Eddie Guerrero may have lied, cheated, and stolen, but he’s also one of the greatest WWE superstars of all time. Eddie used to take on the best and find a way to win. So much so that he found a way to survive the Beast Brock Lesnar as Eddie joined a list of people who have beaten and taken the WWE title him.
Eddie was a guy who believed in winning, however he could. Sometimes it was cheating and other times he was just smarter. Take his win over Kurt Angle. He faked an ankle injury to get his win. It may not have been the most noble, but it got him the victory.
John Constantine
What do these two have in common? First, they both play dirty. Constantine will use whoever he can to get a win. Even his “friends” know not to trust him. He’s played everyone to the point that people won’t work with him. His methods are dishonorable, but they get results.
Both men are also pretty funny and not in a joking way. Their humor usually comes from them being jerks. Eddie and Constantine say some rude things to people on a regular basis. However crude they are, they’re funny. A fun question to ask your friends; which one of them has cheated more?
9. Sasha Banks and Bayley
Both of these extraordinary women deserve to be on this list. Like Charlotte and Becky Lynch, they were instrumental in making the Women’s Division what it is today. In fact, Sasha and Bayley had a classic match against each other in NXT. During NXT Brooklyn, Sasha and Bayley battled for the NXT Women’s title. This was an emotional ride for the viewers and the combatants. It’s unfortunate that they haven’t feuded on Smackdown or Raw since.
On a personal level, they’ve maintained their friendship and became the first WWE Women’s tag team Champions. An honor they deserved for putting in the work.
Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy
Harley and Ivy have each other’s backs in a way that many people may not understand. Ivy gets Harley’s crazy and Harley loves her for it. Hera help the people who try to get between them as they can be the most ruthless characters in DC Comics.
Bayley and Sasha are just as inseparable. When Sasha turned heel, Bayley was right there to have her friend’s back. The same thing happened when Bayley changed her look and attitude and regained the Smackdown Women’s Title. Sasha wasn’t jealous of her friend. She was proud of her sister in arms. Hopefully they’ll cos-play as Ivy and Bayley one day. That would be incredible.
8. Ric Flair
Ric Flair has one of the greatest quotes in wrestling history. He’s the “The Stylin’, profilin’, limousine riding, jet flying, kiss-stealing, wheelin’ n’ dealin’ son of a gun!” It’s very braggadocious, but it’s true. Flair has been the epitome of style in professional wrestling. The classy robes, platinum blonde hair, and his struts made him recognizable. While this made him a recognized figure, it was his in-ring work that made him unforgettable.
Ric Flair had premier matches against everyone. He has this ability to make everyone look good. Including himself. His wars with Ricky “the Dragon” Steamboat is recognized as one of the best feuds in wrestling history. His matches against younger guys like Shelton Benjamin and the Hurricane may seem weird on paper, but they rocked the arenas. Their styles contradict each other, but it doesn’t matter. Flair is just that good.
Tony Stark
If there’s anyone who mirrors Ric Flair in style and skill, it’s Tony Stark. Ric Flair has the robes, Tony Stark has the Iron Man armor. Ric Flair has the Four Horsemen (Ric Flair, Arn Anderson, Ole Anderson, and Tully Blanchard) and Evolution (Triple H, Ric Flair, Batista, and Randy Orton). Tony Stark has the Avengers. Ric Flair has Charlotte and Tony has Morgan Stark.
Both men pride themselves on being the best and looking the part while they’re doing it. Tony Stark may have settled down with Pepper Potts, but Ric Flair the wrestler will never do that.
7. The New Day
The New Day started off being booed in Philadelphia in the 2014 Royal Rumble. Now, they’re one of the most popular tag teams of all time.
Kofi Kingston is their de facto leader. He’s called on when they need a singles competitor. Big-E is the muscle. While he’s massive, he’s not slow by any means. He’s quick on his feet and agile. Xavier Woods is the balance. He knows how to work the crowd, he can fly, and he’s stronger than he appears. He’s also a great hype man.
Together, they’ve won seven-time tag team champions and continue to have the crowd chant, “New Day Rocks!”
Okoye, Nakia, Shuri
The New Day needed a trio of characters that matched them completely. All three of these wonderful Wakandan Women have all the attributes of the new day. Xavier Woods is Shuri, the smartest (don’t forget has a PhD) and possibly silliest of the group. Nakia is Kofi, the one who seems to balance intelligence and fighting skill. Big E is Okoye, the one who’s more likely to take your head off your shoulders for messing with his brothers.
The New Day are also proud black men who are secure in themselves and have no problem having fun. It’s one of the many qualities that attracts people to them. However, when it’s time to take care of business, they do it with ease. The women of Wakanda are the same. They know who they are and take pride in it. We saw in Black Panther that you don’t mess with the warrior women of Wakanda, just like you don’t mess with the New Day.
6. Shawn Michaels
You can call him the Heartbreak Kid, the Show Stopper, or Mr. WrestleMania. Either way you, Shawn Michaels is one of the best performers in all of wrestling.
He’s in a category of wrestlers who balances charisma and wrestling at a 10 in every match. Put him up against anyone and it was going to be amazing. It’s like every one of his matches and feuds were classic. Before his back surgery, he was one of the greats. He came back years later and he may have gotten better. Not a lot of wrestlers can boast this.
Gambit
Gambit came into the world and everyone embraced him. It didn’t matter if it was fans who enjoyed the comic books or the 1990’s animated series. Everyone enjoyed the Rajun Cajun. It’s like HBK and Gambit became popular around the same time.
One thing they have in common is that they weren’t always on the side of good. Gambit used to be a womanizing thief. HBK was known as the womanizing jerk (his name is Heartbreak Kid. No one is shocked). As time went on, they both became heroes. For HBK, he became a face and a guy people loved because he was a good guy. Not just because he was with DX.
What’s funny is that they’ve both calmed down in their later years. Gambit is with Rogue and HBK is…well, he’s still the Showstopper. He’s just not as wild.
5. John Cena
He started his journey in the WWE with an unbelievable match against Kurt Angle. A few years later, he was winning championships and ruling the WWE as their most popular performer and earner.
You could love him or hate him, but John Cena put on a show and gave up his body for the viewers. His quote of, “Hustle. Loyalty. Respect” wasn’t just something he put on a t-shirt. He lived it. He hustled to get better. He was loyal to the WWE and their fans. And he respected the sports entertainment business.
Now, he’s taking the Dwayne Johnson route and became more of an actor than a wrestler. However, if his music hits, the crowd always goes wild. Even the people who hate him still cheer.
Superman
Superman and John Cena have a lot in common. People think they’re boring because they have all of the power in the world and seem unbeatable. However, that’s far from the truth. Only the uninformed say this.
Superman has been around for decades because writers have found a way to make him more than his strength. He’s beaten people by being mentally tougher than his enemies. Lex Luthor has tried to kill him for decades and he’s one of the smartest people in comics. If Superman was only his strength, Luthor would have killed him already. The same could be said for Cena. He’s continued to win because he’s found a way to be more than just his power. We’ve seen both Cena and Superman rise to the occasion and give it their very last.
4. Triple H
“The Game” Triple H is a 14 time World Champion in the WWF/E. For good reason. He flat-out dominated the WWE for close to a decade. If you didn’t know, you’d look at him and assume he won using only power.
While his strength is superior to most, Triple H won his matches by being smarter and sometimes dirtier than his opponents. He always had a group around to help him win matches like D-Generation X and Evolution. However, when they weren’t around, Triple H could outthink his opponents. It’s why he was dubbed the Cerebral Assassin When he did, it was only a matter of time before he hit them with his finishing move the Pedigree.
Thanos
Thanos and Triple H are both strong leaders. They’ve been there to pick out their followers and lead them into battle. Both men have taken their lumps and still come out victorious. Thanos spent most of his life looking for the Infinity Stones while Triple H spent his career searching for more world title reigns.
They’re also both more than willing to sacrifice someone if it means their endgame would be completed. Triple H has sent his teammates to the slaughter to keep or win a title. Thanos ordered his ship to shoot the battlefield even if it meant killing his troops. It’s uncanny how similar they are.
3. The Rock
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is the most electrifying man in sports entertainment. He has more recognizable quotes than maybe anyone in wrestling history. He’s used them to embarrass everyone he’s gotten into an exchange with. Chris Jericho became one of The Rock’s victims during his WWF debut. The Rock just slaughtered him on the microphone and left Jericho befuddled.
The Rock’s also one of the reasons why the WWF didn’t tank during the Monday Night Wars. Now, The Rock goes by his real name (Dwayne Johnson.) He’s a Hollywood megastar making money and putting butts in movie seats. Nonetheless, whenever he comes to a WWE event, you’re in for a show. He comes to the ring and it’s always memorable. You may not find a better pure entertainer than The Rock.
Loki
Loki isn’t as physically intimidating as The Rock, but let’s not forget that Loki is a god. With that comes superhuman strength. Steve Rogers went up against Loki (The Avengers) and couldn’t physically take him down. What makes them so similar is their mouth. Loki and The Rock have silver tongues. They can talk their way into or out of any situation.
They’re both known for betraying their team. The Rock has been part of the Corporation, Nation of Domination, has been the People’s Champ. At some point, he’s betrayed them all. No matter who either of these guys betray, the fans love them. People still chant the Rock’s name and fans still dress as Loki during comic cons. Who would’ve thought these two could be compared?
2. “Stone Cold” Steve Austin
“Stone Cold” Steve Austin is in everyone’s top five wrestlers of all time. One promo after winning the King of the Ring in 1996 set Austin up for the rest of his career. We’d never seen a wrestler like this before. He was a face who did heel things. He literally gave a middle finger to the establishment and was beating up his boss. Years ago, that would have made him a heel. Now it made him the face because something everyone wished they could do.
He cut promos asking the crowd to give him a “Hell Yeah” and they did. Then, he’d have his matches and raise Hell in the ring. If anyone can give Hulk Hogan a run for being the most important person to the WWF, it’s Austin. He kept the WWF (and then the WWE) afloat when the boat was sinking. There will never be anyone close to Stone Cold ever again.
Lobo
Stone Cold lived by the phrase D.T.A., “Don’t trust anyone.” If there’s anyone in comics who lives by that it’s Lobo. Lobo is a solo act who’s a beer-drinking, trash-talking, nearly undefeatable fighting machine. He’s Stone Cold if he was an alien mercenary. There isn’t a person on this list that Austin has gone up against and hasn’t beaten. Lobo is the same.
He goes up against the likes of Superman and gives him all sorts of problems. Lobo does the same thing Austin does. Shows up, wreaks havoc, drinks a beer, and leaves. I’d wonder who wins in a beer drinking contest.
1. The McMahon Family
Vince, Shane, and Stephanie McMahon are diabolical. Whenever you think you have them figured out, they switch up. To them, at the end of the day, they want what’s best for business. The problem is, that phrase means they want what’s best for them. The McMahons (as their wrestling personas) are evil. They’re willing to be dastardly if it means that their chosen one is champion.
The Vince and Austin feud lasted for years. Recently, we saw a battle between Kevin Owens and Shane McMahon. Both of these clashes were good because they put on a show leading up to the match. Stephanie doesn’t have the in-ring skill that her brother does, but she has an enormous presence. She knows how to antagonize a crowd. You can tell she revels every minute of it.
Lex Luthor
Lex Luthor would look at what the McMahons do in the WWE and smile. He would celebrate how they antagonize and mock their opponents. Why? Because he’s done the same.
He is known for being the antagonist most villains look up to. Luthor is a genius, but he has one problem. He’s a bit obsessive. Just like the McMahon family.
Both Luthor and the McMahons have had victory in their grasp only to let it slip due to their hubris. They become consumed with their prey and end up losing them in the end. Superman should have been squashed and Austin should have been defeated. Too bad they always let the win slip away.
What do you think? Which WWE superstars would you pair with your favorite DC and Marvel heroes? Let us know in the comments below.