In the 1980s WWF, this man was, without question, Hulk Hogan. Even when Hogan wasn’t the world champion the product seemed to revolve around him and his famous feuds. In that same time period, Ric Flair sat atop the mountain in NWA as its most recognizable and marketable star.
Fast forward to the “Attitude Era” and one finds Stone Cold Steve Austin occupying the role of ’the top guy.’ In the PG Era, it was John Cena who carried the torch.
Now, however, it’s a bit murky as to just who is the top guy in WWE. The most obvious answer might be the world champion, but what if that champion is a part-timer who wrestles only a dozen times per year? Is he still the man, or does someone else lay claim to that title?
Here are ten wrestlers who may be worthy of being the top guy in WWE, and analysis of whether or not that is, or will become, the truth.
#1 Seth Rollins
The Kingslayer and Crossfit Jesus has been at or near the top of the card for several years now. But does he have what it takes to be the top guy?
Why he might be the top guy: Rollins is one of the most technically sound performers in WWE, no doubt in part due to his days in Ring of Honor. He has a dedicated fanbase and is one of the rare athletes who can be ‘sexy’ to women but still respected by the male fans.
Why he might not fit the role: Rollins’s promos are decent, but never rise to the level of great. Much of the time he comes across as a bit forced in interviews, and he has little mass market appeal, ie people outside of wrestling fandom are unlikely to have heard of him.
#2 Samoa Joe
At one time, the thought of Samoa Joe gracing a WWE ring with his presence was laughable. Now he is a marquee player and one of the biggest attractions in the company.
Why he might be the top guy: Joe is one of the pioneers of modern day wrestling. From his Ring of Honor pedigree to his awe-inspiring match against Kurt Angle in TNA Joe has been an innovator of aggression. He can also work matches with athletes of any size or move set and still be smooth as silk.
Why he might not fit the role: Joe’s mic skills aren’t bad, but he’s no Ric Flair or Steve Austin. Plus, years of wear and tear have slowed him down a bit and he’s not the dynamo he was five years ago.
#3 Daniel Bryan
The American Dragon always delights audiences with his mix of stiff strikes and explosive offense. His recent medical clearance for in-ring action was met with the joy of the masses.
Why he might be the guy: Bryan’s soaring popularity cannot be overstated. With all respect to the Rock, Bryan is the true people’s champion. His tremendous technical acumen and exciting ring style also give credence to his top guy status.
Why he might not fit the role: Bryan’s numerous injuries kept him out of the ring for years, and it remains to be seen if he can still compete at a top level and avoid getting hurt again. Also, the WWE management have never really seen Bryan as top guy material, much to the chagrin of his fanatical supporters.
#4 Braun Strowman
The Monster Among Men has become a breakout star, surprising many who thought he was just a big lumbering brute with his charisma.
Why he might be the guy: Braun’s size and strength are his most obvious assets, but he has proven to be quite adept on the mike as well, and appeals to a wide swath of the WWE audience.
Why he might not be right for the role: Braun is powerful but slow and plodding, limiting his in-ring abilities.
#5 The Miz
The A-Lister has gone from being a so-so in-ring performer with solid mike skills to a wrestler who can work great matches with almost anyone. His fifteen-year career seems to have hit new highs recently with high profile feuds against such men as John Cena.
Why he might be the guy: Miz is a ring veteran, having paid his dues and worked his way up the card from basically a joke character to a no-questions-asked main event talent. His technical game has vastly improved since his debut and he has plenty of mass market appeal with his acting roles and social media game.
Why he might not be right for the role: The WWE tried to make Miz ’the guy’ once before, calling him the ‘most must-see WWE champion in history.’ Even with the full weight of the company behind him, Miz gradually slid back down the card, and there’s no guarantee that the same thing wouldn’t happen twice.
#6 Matt Hardy
Two years ago, most believed that Matt Hardy’s career was winding down. Thanks to a brilliant re-invention of himself Matt is now one of the most popular wrestlers on the planet.
Why he might be the guy: Matt is an innovator, creating new gimmicks, camera angles, and match types like he was born to do so. His popularity and creative acumen are great recommendations for top guy status.
Why he might not be right for the role: Matt’s age and injuries have caught up with him, and he isn’t as spry as he used to be.
#7 Jinder Mahal
With a career spanning sixteen years, the Modern Day Maharajah seems to have just hit his stride, winning his first world championship.
Why he might be the guy: Jinder has a great look and gimmick, and his mike skills have vastly improved over the years. Fans love to hate him, making anyone he opposes an instant fan favorite.
Why he might not be right for the role: Jinder isn’t the most technically sound wrestler working today by a long shot, and he has little in the way of a social media presence or mass market appeal.
#8 AJ Styles
AJ Styles is one of the only men to compete for WCW, TNA/GFW, ROH, New Japan, and WWE, which says a lot about his ability.
Why he might be the guy: Simply put, AJ Styles is the best wrestler the WWE currently has under contract. He can tell stories with his matches, and utilizes high flying and supreme technical wizardry to create true brilliance between the ropes.
Why he might not be right for the role: There are no flaws to AJ Styles whatsoever, and nothing that should hold him back from being the top guy so long as WWE wills it.
#9 Roman Reigns
The Big Dog has been at or near the top of the card in WWE for several years, and has been the most successful member of the Shield in terms of titles held and PPVs main evented.
Why he might be the guy: Roman is the man who WWE fervently wishes to utilize for the ’top guy’ role in the company. His chiselled physique and handsome face make him quite popular with the female segment of the WWE audience.
Why he might not be right for the role: When fans chant ’this is boring’ during your Wrestlemania main event, and are seen leaving in droves at another PPV, there is a problem. The majority of fans don’t seem to want to embrace Roman Reigns despite WWE relentlessly pushing him as the next John Cena.
#10 Brock Lesnar
The former UFC champion and part-time wrestler has been undefeated for over a year, and held the Universal belt for most of that time.
Why he might be the guy: Brock Lesnar is known all over the world, and not just in wrestling circles. His unique presence and pedigree give credence to his claim on top guy status.
Why he might not be right for the role: The top guy in the company needs to be present, not just at PPVs or major events but every night on Raw or Smackdown, and as a part-timer Brock simply won’t appear that much. His technical wrestling seems to have atrophied and many of his performances seem too casual or phoned in.
There you have it: Ten men who may or may not deserve to be the Top Guy in WWE. Please comment and let us know who your candidate for top guy is.
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