TFTB’s Favorite Wrestlers

Through the years of professional wrestling we have seen great talents from all angles, and since the blog started with some wrestling content I’d figure to ask some of our benchers who they think is the best of the best that they enjoyed watching over the years. The responses were very interesting. So I decided to put them into groups and have everyone judge on which group is better.

The criteria I have asked for is listed below;

• One Current WWE Wrestler
• One Current NXT Wrestler
• One Women’s Wrestler (Current WWE/NXT or Past)
• One Nostalgia Pick (Hall of Fame or One That Just Doesn’t Wrestle That Much Anymore)

With all that set in my mind let’s see what the benchers picked.

Josh Elsass

Current WWE Wrestler;

Seth Rollins

Josh makes a smart move here and goes with the flagship man of the RAW brand and current one half of the RAW Tag Team Champions Seth “Freakin” Rollins. He’s the Monday Night Messiah and he loves delivering his message one way or another.

Titles Won/Accomplishments

• Intercontinental Championship (Twice)
• Money In The Bank Ladder Match Winner (2014)
• NXT Championship (First Ever Champion)
• RAW Tag Team Championship (Five Times)
• United States Championship
• Universal Championship (Twice)
• WWE Championship (Twice)
• WWE Tag Team Championship

Current NXT Wrestler;

Shayna Baszler

Josh has also chosen the longest reigning Women’s Champion in NXT history in Shayna Baszler as his current NXT Wrestler. I can’t say I blame him. She was completely dominant representing NXT. She is a submission magician and knows how to work the ring and her opponent.

Titles Won/Accomplishments

• Longest Reigning NXT Women’s Champion (522 Days)
• NXT Women’s Championship (Twice)

Women’s Wrestler;

Sasha Banks

The Boss goes to Elsass’s squad as well. Sasha Banks is one of the most dangerous women on the roster. Her attitude and athletic ability give us as viewers one of the most defined women in sports entertainment today with her record.

Titles Won/Accomplishments

• NXT Women’s Championship
• RAW Women’s Championship (Four Times)
• WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship (First Ever Champion)

Nostalgia Pick;

CM Punk

If you didn’t see this coming then something is wrong with you. Like myself, Elsass is a huge CM Punk fan and he currently works for FOX critiquing the current WWE and NXT products. Punk was something special to watch and his resume will tell you one thing; He was the Best in the World.

Titles Won/Accomplishments

• ECW Championship
• Intercontinental Championship
• Money In The Bank Ladder Match Winner (2008 and 2009)
• World Heavyweight Championship (Three Times)
• World Tag Team Championship
• WWE Championship (Twice)

Andre Frye

Current WWE Wrestler;

Kevin Owens

For Dre’s current WWE wrestler, he went with a “stunning” surprise in my eyes with Kevin Owens. Owens has done great work for the company, but in my sight he’s been misused. Hopefully, a feud with the Monday Night Messiah Seth Rollins can reignite a fire for Owens and his career.

Titles Won/Accomplishments

• Intercontinental Championship (Twice)
• NXT Championship
• United States Championship (Three Times)
• Universal Championship

Current NXT Wrestler;

The Velveteen Dream

The Velveteen Dream is a sight to see so it is no wonder Dre took him as his NXT wrestler. A modern day Goldust with an incredible athletic ability, this kid is going to go places. He has given us some memorable moments from the black and gold brand.

Titles Won/Accomplishments

NXT North American Championship

Women’s Wrestler;

Trish Stratus

Arguably one of the most accomplished female wrestlers on the planet, Trish Stratus was a huge selection for Dre. Her veteran instincts have given her multiple championships and have solidified her name in women’s wrestling. Good pick bud!

Titles Won/Accomplishments

WWE Women’s Championship (Seven Times)

Nostalgia Pick;

“Stone Cold” Steve Austin

Another home run for Dre as he delivers a team with two stunners. Stone Cold for a long time was the bad boy of the WWE. He did what he wanted when he wanted. Not even Vince could keep him at bay…well that was until he joined up with him, but even when that happened, Stone Cold was a wonder for the WWE brand.

Titles Won/Accomplishments

• Intercontinental Championship (Twice)
• King of the Ring Winner (1996)
• Royal Rumble Winner (1997, 1998, 2001)
• WWF Championship (Six Times)
• WWF Tag Team Championship (Four Times)

Dennis Hughes

Current WWE Wrestler;

Zack Ryder

An odd start, but who I am to judge. While Zack Ryder hasn’t won any main championships, he has found some success on the mid-card level and has given us some very entertaining moments in WWE. Who could ever forget the Edge Heads or when he made a petition for people to sign to get him a United States Championship opportunity. Woo Woo Woo. You know it.

Titles Won/Accomplishments

• Intercontinental Championship
• RAW Tag Team Championship
• United States Championship
• WWE Tag Team Championship

Current NXT Wrestler;

Matt Riddle

I’m starting to see a pattern here. Matt Riddle came onboard NXT and has since had incredible success as a singles wrestler facing the likes of Kassius Ohno, the Velveteen Dream and Finn Balor. The one thing that has escaped him as been championship success, but he will look to find that when he and Pete Dunn challenge the Grizzled Young Veterans for an opportunity at the NXT Tag Team Championships held by The Undisputed Era.

Titles Won/Accomplishments

None

Women’s Wrestler;

Bayley

Hoping to get some votes on his side, Dennis went with Bayley who has been incredible with her recent heel turn. Overall, she has seen some big matches and won a decent amount of gold to go with those matches. I see big things in Bayley’s future with the company so kudos to you for a good pick Dennis.

Titles Won/Accomplishments

• Longest Reigning Smackdown Women’s Champion (256 Days and Counting)
• NXT Women’s Championship
• RAW Women’s Championship
• Smackdown Women’s Championship (Twice)
• WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship (First Ever Champion)

Nostalgia Pick;

Shawn Michaels

One of the greatest performers I ever watched inside a ring and I’m so pissed at Dennis for taking him because we was my favorite wrestler ever. No hard feelings though as Shawn is a great pick to close out his team. With a career filled with “heart break” (no pun intended) and triumph, Michaels and his perfect Sweet Chin Music made watching his story that much more enjoyable.

Titles Won/Accomplishments

• European Championship
• Intercontinental Championship (Twice)
• Royal Rumble Match Winner (1995)
• Unified Tag Team Championship
• World Heavyweight Championship
• World Tag Team Championship (Three Times)
• WWF Championship (Three Times)

Greg Macafee

Current WWE Wrestler;

Rey Mysterio

A very solid choice as Mysterio has broken many boundaries being the small guy in the WWE. That has not deterred him from finding a lot of success in the ring and having a very solid high flying veteran is a good start for Greg’s team.

Titles Won/Accomplishments

• Cruiserweight Championship (Three Times)
• Intercontinental Championship (Twice)
• Royal Rumble Winner (2006)
• United States Championship (Twice)
• World Tag Team Championship (Four Times)
• World Heavyweight Championship (Twice)
• WWE Championship

Current NXT Wrestler;

Johnny Gargano

It only makes sense that Greg; a guy from Buffalo where they are known for the heart they put into their football team to pick Johnny Gargano; a wrestler that leaves his heart and everything else in the ring. Johnny Wrestling has been responsible for some of the greatest moments in NXT history and his time ain’t stoppin anytime soon.

Titles Won/Accomplishments

• NXT Championship
• NXT North American Championship
• NXT Tag Team Championship

Women’s Wrestler;

Lita

One of the most hardcore women you’ll ever meet. Lita was amazing in the ring not only against the women, but she proved herself by even besting some of the men. She will always be appreciated for everything she did in the ring.

Titles Won/Accomplishments

• WWE Women’s Championship (Four Times)

Nostalgia Pick;

Jeff Hardy

It’s only right that a member of Bills Mafia picks a guy that loves going through tables right? Good pick Greg. Jeff Hardy was one of the most daring and charismatic individuals I’d ever seen in a WWE ring. He has had his demons, but overall the guy has been a tremendous hardcore wrestler.

Titles Won/Accomplishments

• European Championship
• Hardcore Championship (Three Times)
• Intercontinental Championship (Four Times)
• RAW Tag Team Championship
• Smackdown Tag Team Championship
• United States Championship
• World Tag Team Championship (Six Times)
• World Heavyweight Championship (Twice)
• WWE Championship

Greg Malek

Current WWE Wrestler;

Bray Wyatt

Bray Wyatt has come alive in this “Fiend” persona and has terrified the WWE universe to the point where they can’t look away from the horror that is Bray Wyatt. What a start for Malek as he picked a competitor that simply can’t be beat and is one of the scariest competitors I have ever seen in a WWE ring. The dude carries a lantern that has his old face on it for god sake.

Titles Won/Accomplishments

• RAW Tag Team Championship
• Smackdown Tag Team Championship
• Universal Championship
• WWE Championship

Current NXT Wrestler;

Keith Lee

Bask in his glory as Greg chooses current NXT North American Champion Keith Lee. Lee has found great success in NXT and has risen to the top of the card while carrying a mid-card title. While that has been done before not a lot of people can do it like Keith can. Well done Greg.

Titles Won/Accomplishments

• NXT North American Championship

Women’s Wrestler;

Io Shirai

While Io might not have won a championship so far in NXT, she makes up for it by having the biggest character change I have ever seen in NXT. She went from a fun loving competitor to a sadistic, dark, and cold woman. It is almost frightening when she gets in the ring as her new persona shrouds NXT.

Titles Won/Accomplishments

• None

Nostalgia Pick;

Brett Hart

Canada’s own Bret Hart is Greg’s nostalgia pick. The Best There Is, The Best There Was, and The Best That Ever Will Be is a huge pick for Greg. Hart could get a reaction from the crowd whether he was a face or a heel (good or bad for non wrestling people) and he did with his skill he learned. Bret Hart was a great wrestler and his technique in the ring can be described as unmatched.

Titles Won/Accomplishments

• Intercontinental Championship (Twice)
• United States Championship
• World Tag Team Championship (Twice)
• WWF Championship (Five Times)

Austin Moorhead

Current WWE Wrestler;

Daniel Bryan

The guy has done it all. He won championships left and right in the WWE until a neck injury forced him into early retirement…until the doctors cleared him of the injury and concussion issues to come back to the WWE. The guy hasn’t lost a step. He is the YES man and overall one of the best technical wrestlers you’ll ever step into the ring with.

Titles Won/Accomplishments

• General Manager of Smackdown
• Intercontinental Championship
• Money in the Bank Ladder Match Winner (2011)
• Smackdown Tag Team Championship
• United States Championship
• World Heavyweight Championship
• WWE Championship (Four Times)
• WWE Tag Team Championship

Current NXT Wrestler;

Pete Dunne

“The Bruiserweight” has been my favorite guy to watch on NXT and NXT UK. The guy is a brutal force even though he isn’t the biggest competitor in the ring. He uses a technical British Strong-Style based attack while using some dirty tactics like using his opponents fingers as wishbones. Overall, the guy is incredible to watch and his United Kingdom Title reign was pretty impressive as well to boot.

Titles Won/Accomplishments

• Longest Reigning United Kingdom Champion (685 Days)
• United Kingdom Championship

Women’s Wrestler;

Rhea Ripley

The current NXT Women’s Champion is one I chose because not only is she one of the most badass women in wrestling, but her overall appearance and attitude is one that is going to make fans love her. From going from a girl in the mosh pits to NXT Women’s Champion is huge in my mind. WWE and NXT will have big plans for her. Plus her entrance music is awesome too.

Titles Won/Accomplishments

• NXT Women’s Championship

Nostalgia Pick;

Triple H

Probably the most destructive man in all of WWE, Triple H ascended through the ranks and won multiple championships and even became CEO of the company. Whether it was DX, Evolution, The Authority, he ruled with an iron fist. He caused a great deal of memories for me which is why he was my second favorite next to Shawn Michaels.

Titles Won/Accomplishments

• CEO of WWE
• Creator of NXT
• European Championship (Twice)
• King of the Ring Winner (1997)
• Intercontinental Championship (Five Times)
• Royal Rumble Winner (2002/2016)
• Unified Tag Team Championship
• World Tag Team Championship (Twice)
• World Heavyweight Championship (Five Times)
• WWE Championship (Nine Times)

Ryan Vojtash

Current WWE Wrestler;

Randy Orton

Vo picked a good one here and I bet Derrik is steaming considering he didn’t get his boy. Randall Keith Orton is a huge pick for VO considering his resume and explosive temper issues. Whether he is the Legend Killer, The Apex Predator, or the Viper. Randy Orton is as dangerous as ever.

Titles Won/Accomplishments

• Intercontinental Championship
• Smackdown Tag Team Championship
• Royal Rumble Winner (2009/2017)
• United States Championship
• World Heavyweight Championship (Four Times)
• World Tag Team Championship
• WWE Championship (Nine Times)

Current NXT Wrestler;

Adam Cole

Since arriving on the scene in NXT, Adam Cole has captained the show with the help of the Undisputed Era. The team has flourished with gold and victories and there isn’t any sign that he or the Undisputed Era stop anytime soon. ADAM COLE BABAYYYY!

Titles Won/Accomplishments

• NXT Championship
• NXT North American Championship (First Champion)

Women’s Wrestler;

Alexa Bliss

It’s no surprise why VO chose Bliss. She might not be the strongest female wrestler on the block, but her charisma and story telling make her one of the most watched wrestlers in WWE. Don’t mess with Bliss.

Titles Won/Accomplishments

• Money in the Bank Ladder Match Winner (2018)
• RAW Women’s Championship (Three Times)
• Smackdown Women’s Championship (Twice)
• WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship

Nostalgia Pick;

The Rock

Can you smell what The Rock is cookin’? VO sure can with this pick. The Rock was the most and still is the most electrifying man in all of entertainment. His charisma and ability to entertain the audience made him a star. His catch phrases and signature Rock Bottom and People’s Elbow made him a legend.

Titles Won/Accomplishments

• Intercontinental Championship (Twice)
• Royal Rumble Winner (2000)
• WCW Championship (Twice)
• WWE Championship
• WWF Championship (Seven Times)
• WWF Tag Team Championship (Five Times)

Derrik Whiten

Current WWE Wrestler;

Ricochet

Ricochet is a high flying machine and one of the fastest rising stars in WWE. When he came into NXT he made mouths drop with his athletic ability and aerial moves. He has made quite the impact in NXT and WWE. He even has a WWE Championship opportunity against Brock Lesnar. We will see how it pans out.

Titles Won/Accomplishments

• NXT North American Championship
• United States Championship

Current NXT Wrestler;

Finn Balor

Balor started in NXT and dominated. Then he was drafted to RAW and he was pushed hard. Sadly, he fell to injury and just never really recovered. He made the decision to go back to his roots in NXT and man has made an impact turning heel to his Prince roots. Here is hoping his time in NXT is well spent.

Titles Won/Accomplishments

• Intercontinental Championship (Twice)
• NXT Championship
• Universal Championship (First Champion)

Women’s Wrestler;

Becky Lynch

Choosing “The Man” and current RAW Women’s Champion was a huge move for Deke as he gets probably the most popular and most badass woman that is signed under a wrestling company. Lynch had her steam punk gimmick at the beginning and found minor success with it, but it wasn’t until a bit of a heel turn and a broken face gave her more power she could ever dream. It was then she became “The Man”.

Titles Won/Accomplishments

• Longest Reigning RAW Women’s Champion (303 Days and Counting)
• RAW Women’s Championship
• Royal Rumble Winner (2019)
• Smackdown Women’s Championship

Nostalgia Pick;

Ric Flair

Good old Ric Flair Drip is Deke’s nostalgia pick and it is hard to see why. The master of knife edge chop and figure four leglock has had some setbacks in recent years for the WWE, but back when he was wrestling he was the king of them all. Not a bad pick at all Deke. Woo!!

Titles Won/Accomplishments

• 16 Time World Champion
• CO-Owner of WWF
• Intercontinental Championship
• United States Championship (Four Times)
• World Tag Team Championship (Three Times)

So which one of the benchers had the best squad? You can vote below. Also if there wasn’t a wrestler mentioned make your own list and see how it compares against ours.