The Best of His Era

Since this is the "Wrestling Nostalgia" page, I thought it would make for an interesting discussion to see who the majority thought was the best of his era. I will get the thread started myself. Now, when factoring in who should be considered the "best," several factors must be taken into account:

1. Overall success in the era

2. Drawing ability as a star of the era

3. Legacy--how this individual is looked at historically

Now, professional wrestling, especially in America (which is considered the pro wrestling epicenter). I will relegate the discussion to the following eras:

The "Carnival/Original" Era (when the "Original" World Championship was formed) {late 1800's-1910's}

The "Slam Bang/Gold Dust Trio" Era (the genesis of "sports entertainment") {1920's-1940's}

The "Golden/Television" Era (the first big "boom" period in wrestling, when it became syndicated on television) {1950's and 1960's}

The "Rasslin'/Hardcore" Era (the genesis of a more violent product, especially in the American South) {1970's}

The "Rock-n-Wrestling" Era (the biggest "boom" in wrestling history) {1980's}

The "New Generation" Era (slowdown period; new stars generated, but a lull in growth) {early 1990's}

The "Attitude/new World order/Extreme" Era (second biggest "boom" in wrestling history) {1997-2002}

The "Ruthless Aggression" Era (less edgy content; more wrestling heavy) {2002-2005}

The "PG" Era (even less edgy content; character driven, but no more "pushing the envelope") {2006-2012}

The "Reality" Era (slightly more edge built into the product; wrestling heavy, but an emphasis on "reality TV" style offering) {2013-present}

Now, as a pro wrestling historian, I realize that not many of this forum's membership will care to or be knowledgeable enough to delve quite as far back as I will, but I would like your indulgence.

So, my list would look something like this...

"Carnival" Era: best wrestler = "Russian Lion" Georg Hackenschmidt; best draw = Frank Gotch

"Slam Bang" Era: best wrestler and best draw = Ed "Strangler" Lewis

"Golden" Era: best wrestler = Lou Thesz; best draw = "Gorgeous" George, Lou Thesz, and "Nature Boy" Buddy Rogers

"Rasslin'" Era: best wrestler = "Handsome" Harley Race, Jack Brisco, Verne Gagne, and Dory Funk, Jr.; best draw = Bruno Sammartino and Andre the Giant

"Rock-n-Wrestling" Era: best wrestler = "Nature Boy" Ric Flair; best draw = Hulk Hogan

"New Generation" Era: best wrestler = Bret "Hitman" Hart, "Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels, and "Flying Angel" Manami Toyota; best draw = Konnan, Shinya Hashimoto, Perro Aguayo, Keiji Mutoh, Hogan, and Flair

"Attitude" Era: best wrestler = Mitsuhara Misawa and Kenta Kobashi; best draw = "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, the "nWo," and Bill Goldberg

"Ruthless Aggression" Era: best wrestler = Kurt Angle, Chris Benoit, and Eddy Guerrero; best draw: Triple H and The Rock

"PG" Era: best wrestler = Mistico and Randy Orton; best draw: John Cena, Perro Aguayo, Jr., and Mistico

"Reality" Era: best wrestler = Hiroshi Tanahashi, Kazuchika Okada, Kota Ibushi, and Shinsuke Nakamura; best draw: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Shinsuke Nakamura, Kazuchika Okada, Brock Lesnar, and John Cena

As you can see, it's hard to nail down a single man for each era, but I will try right now.

"Carnival" Era best overall = Frank Gotch

"Slam Bang" Era best overall = Ed "Strangler" Lewis

"Golden" Era best overall = Lou Thesz

"Rasslin'" Era best overall = "Handsome" Harley Race

"Rock-n-Wrestling" Era best overall = "Nature Boy" Ric Flair

"New Generation" best overall = Bret "Hitman" Hart/"Flying Angel" Manami Toyota (have to give her some props)

"Attitude" Era best overall = "Stone Cold" Steve Austin

"Ruthless Aggression" Era best overall = Triple H (Misawa is really close here)

"PG" Era best overall = John Cena

"Reality" Era best overall = Hiroshi Tanahashi