top high school wrestlers of all time

We analyzed input from droves of reporters and historians. Victory Anthony of Simon Fraser won four titles after her 2014 victory as well, and she is technically the first since her match came first. The Iron Sheik is worthy of consideration on a list like this and he does nab a spot on The Next 100 list. Michael Francis Foley, also known as Mick Foley, is an American actor, author, retired professional wrestler, and color commentator. From 1984 until he left the big-time scenes in 1998, Valentine was too much in the background to beat out the other players on this list. His World titles in 2018 and 2019 were at 79 kg while his bronze medal at the 202One Olympics and his 2021 World gold were at 74 kg. He made four World teams (1999, 2001-03) and the 2004 Olympic team between the weight classes of 58 kg and 60 kg. Ruth wrestled at 174 in his first two NCAA appearances, finishing third and first, and then closed out his career at 184 pounds with a 71-1 record and two more titles. Perry III won each of his state titles in different weight classes. The year prior, women had their first opportunity to compete in wrestling at the Olympic Games. His fifth-place finish included a 5-1 win over Iowas Jeff McGinness an eventual two-time NCAA champion during the consolation round. Burroughs won his third consecutive World and Olympic title through extreme adversity. His weight included three former World champions, so the odds of making history were slim. Both wrestlers have proven that they can contend with nationally ranked opponents the past few years. Burroughs used the time to solely focus on improvement and improve he did. By the time he was done, he had won six consecutive World and Olympic titles. Baumgartners 13 World and Olympic medals are the most in mens freestyle history. Only a handful of top talent can be named the best wrestlers to date. Utterback, a sophomore for Sigourney-Keota High School, is one of six girls all-time to qualify for the Iowa boys state wrestling tournament. Round 1 - Tyson Russel, Cleveland vs James Green, Franklin, AA 195 lbs 3rd Place Match - Thomas Stadel, Maryville vs James Green, Franklin, AA 195 lbs Cons. Iowa coach Dan Gable calls Alger the toughest wrestler he ever coached. But the wrestling thespian of wrestling is just a well-known actor who has mastered the art that has stuck and made him different from others. When healthy, Welch is one of the best wrestlers in the state. Davino, a junior, also picked up a gold medal at the 16U National Championships last summer. Like many talents in WWE, Kim's talent would eventually go to waste due to poor creative decisions. He won every match during his sophomore season and followed that up with arguably the greatest season in college wrestling history. His freestyle career was where Cormier built his wrestling legacy. No American had ever won a Greco-Roman World title when Houck entered the 1985 World Championships at 98 kilograms. Round 1 - James Green, Franklin vs Jimmy Taylor, Dobyns Bennett, Metcalf Thinks More Action Favors David Carr, Cookie Preferences / Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Baumgartner competed for Indiana State and reached the NCAA tournament finals in 1980 and 1981 before winning his lone NCAA title in 1982. Payson's Trevor Frank and Bingham's Banks Love compete in a 157-pound bout at the Ross Brunson Utah High School All-Star Duals at the UCCU Center in Orem on Tuesday, Jan. 10 . Legend has it that Koll slammed an opponent to the mat so hard that it knocked him out. The Rock During The Match (Source: People.com). Hes just one of the most dynamic, technical, and entertaining wrestlers in American history. Are you one of those who regularly watch wrestling matches and enjoy a good fight with intense anticipation of who will eventually take the glory of winning? And this year could be a banner year for Polk County wresters. Then he won againand againand againand again. He was a special attraction known for his brutal feuds with the likes of The Shiek and Bruiser Brody. else at the top of . His words you cant see me have won him many fans. He was the first American wrestler to win back-to-back Olympic golds since George Mehnert won gold medals in 1904 and 1908. I thought he was pretty impacted. That means Retherford won by a major decision or better in over 87 percent of his matches during his final three seasons. Fred Schleicher Cleveland James Ford Rhodes 1938, 1939 2. Leaping Lanny Poffo, wrestling star known as The Genius, the brother of Macho Man Randy Savage, died at the age of 68 on 2 February 2023. 100-91. In all, Ragan made seven consecutive World teams (2013-19) despite being unable to compete at the 2019 Worlds due to an injury. Jannetty had some moments but hes a touch behind, IMO. Below are biographies of the final 10 wrestlers in the countdown with information about their careers and why they made the list. He showed that both during the summer in national competitions as well as with a seventh-place finish at Ironman. Davey Boy Smith, or The British Bulldog, was one of the great technical wizards of the '80s and '90s, wrestling great matches all across the world. He even won an ESPY as the top male athlete across all sports. Burroughs had other plans. Future Olympian Rankings. Cael Sanderson, Iowa State. Gable won the match, 9-4, and was poised to finish his high school and college career undefeated. He is best remembered . He was undoubtedly the strongest wrestler in the ring. Green bagged two medals along the way a bronze in 2015 and silver in 2017. U.S. women entered the World Championships for the first time in 1989, and only four American women had won World titles up to that point. Who is James Green? Please explain. She won a title for Missouri Baptist in 2010 then picked up titles for Simon Fraser in 2011, 2013, and 2014. Throughout the years, WWE has had . Overall, Dake has won an NCAA title or a World title in weight classes ranging from 141 pounds all the way up to 174 pounds. The first edition of our Class of 2022 Rankings is out. Lee never "redshirted". Gable pinned his way through the Big Eight Championships and the 1970 NCAA tournament until he ran into the sophomore buzz saw Larry Owings of Washington in the finals. Find schedules and scores, rankings, stat leaderboards, and thorough team information. Burroughs is a young American wrestler whose name often pops up during discussions about who is the best wrestler ever. Jack Swagger. Koll defined an era of grit after returning to Iowa State Teachers College (now Northern Iowa) after serving in World War II. Koll won the Outstanding Wrestler Award at the 1947 and 1948 NCAA Championships, becoming the first person to achieve the feat multiple times. and, 2005, InterMat's analysis of the NCAA 75th Anniversary Team of the fifteen top college wrestlers of all time, commemorating the first NCAA . 1 in the state at 152 pounds and is positioned 17th in the country. Randys brother was a decorated WWF wrestler in the 1980s. At the age of 19, Snyder won the 2015 World championships becoming the youngest American to win a World gold medal.In 2016, Snyder moved up to heavyweight for his sophomore season and won his first NCAA title with a thrilling sudden victory win over returning two-time NCAA champion Nick Gwiazdowski of North Carolina State. Matt Fusco, St. Mary and Queen of Peace, 2008 146. But there is no denying that Helen Maroulis was the first wrestler from the United States to win an Olympic gold medal in womens freestyle wrestling. Hitman Hart: Wrestling with Shadows (1998) This is a documentary film about Owen Hart, one of the most prolific wrestlers of his time. Burroughss 2013 campaign defies logic. How is this for domination in the 149-pound weight class? People called him egomaniac and narcissistic, but he was a top wrestler. Ragans college career at King included four appearances in the WCWA finals (2011-14) and two titles (2013-14). In his 32 years of wrestling career, his finishing aerial acrobatics move was effective as it earned him several championships, including his two-time World Heavyweight Championship. Diamond Dallas Page is one of the most iconic professional wrestlers of all time. Making the 1988 Olympic team was particularly memorable. But didnt do anything after in college. At Wrestlemania 7, he became the first person to cleanly pin Hulk Hogan in nine years. Derek Brenon. It really just comes down to how much credit you give Nash as the third-best player in the original NWO and how much you factor in his limited in-ring work. Gable pinned 31 of 33 opponents and pinned his way through the Big Eight Championships and the 1969 NCAA tournament. Why does Hawk outrank Animal so much? ALEX WALKER, Lake Gibson: Abdon's teammate, Walker has placed . Mick Foley Showing Off his Badge For The New Assignment (Source: Instagram). Smith beat reigning Olympic champion Randy Lewis at the Olympic Trials just to earn a spot on the team. She won the 2015 World Championship and outscored her five opponents at the 2017 World Championships by a 52-0 count. He had some notable feuds in the territories with Ric Flair, Roddy Piper, and Wahoo McDaniel. - A global tool that supports all popular languages. Dont write articles youre not qualified for. Braun Strowman was criminally underutilized in the WWE. He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2022 as he invested most of his career in wrestling for WWF/E and is better known for his critically acclaimed Deadman Undertaker gimmick. Michael Shawn Hickenbottom, known by his ring name Shawn Michaels is an American former professional wrestler. A Big 10 champion, he won 115 career matches with the Spartans. His masterpiece in Wrestle Mania earned him the nickname Mr. Wrestle Mania. Prior to that, Cormier blitzed his way to the finals, picking up two falls, a technical fall, and a major decision. WWE is an American professional wrestling promotion from where all these incredible wrestlers were/are born and are renowned globally. Anybody? Bull Nakano. 2). Baumgartner won a bronze medal at the 1983 World Championships, which would be the start of a record-breaking run at the World and Olympics Games. State Champ. Therefore it solidifies his position as one of the top ten wrestlers. Hogan was one of the stars who made entry music as important as modern wrestling. Dies geschieht in Ihren Datenschutzeinstellungen. Round 1 - Gavin Ferguson, Cuthbertson vs Kyle Snyder, Piedmont. ronnieklx110. After WCW died in 2001, the WWEs consolidation of talent made it virtually impossible for a competitor to emerge. He was 45-4 and also competed on the Night of Conflict card and was second at Iowa/USA State Freestyle along with third at Iowa/USA State Greco. John followed his older brother, Lee Roy -- a three-time All-American and 1980 NCAA champion to Oklahoma State University. 60-51. Dylan Cedeno, Fair Lawn and Bergen Catholic, 2020 145. The Nature Boy, Flair, is known for his wrestling days. There won't be any argument here. I just think there is a bit of a difference between their resumes. Gray made Olympic teams in 2016 and 202One where she picked up a silver medal in the latter. Your list is pretty good and I cant argue with it too much. For someone who has made SmackDown an established English word, his mobility should be very high, and it is. Sanderson was featured on a Wheaties box. One of the most feared female professional wrestlers of all time, Bull Nakano's in-ring presence, sheer strengths, and ability to dominate matches saw her become one of the greatest Japanese wrestlers of all time. Get the most important Wrestling stories delivered straight to your inbox. Will he dethrone Gunther or Gunther remain dominant? What Does It Take To Become A Four-time D1 NCAA Champion? Not only do I agree with your comment, but Michael Hayes is also actually in the top-100 (#94) and Jesse, Mad Dog, Tommy Rich, and the Ax are on my honorable mention linked below, https://www.the100greatest.com/2021/02/17/the-greatest-professional-wrestlers-of-all-time/. Am I misremembering Big Sexy? The Hawkeye star won 149-pound NCAA titles in 2008 and 2010, with a runner-up finish in 2009. The Hall of Famer has also won the WWE Championship twice and is one of the few WWE players to have emerged as a three-time champion. If you stare at Cael Sandersons collegiate record long enough, you might wonder how any human can achieve such a feat. Mason Gibson, Bishop McCort (Pennsylvania). By Skyler Wilcox. Wrestling is one of the most popular combat sports in the world. 25 Greatest Women Professional Wrestlers of All-Time, The 100 Greatest in 100 Days: #1 Barry Bonds, The 100 Greatest in 100 Days: #2 Babe Ruth, The 100 Greatest in 100 Days: #3 Willie Mays, The 100 Greatest Basketball Players of All-Time, The 100 Greatest Hockey Players of All-Time. Metcalf redshirted as a freshman then followed Brands to Iowa when he took the job. This what I wrote when describing the methodology for this list: The Ultimate Warrior was a pop culture icon. As a man with a failed football career, he showed that he was destined to wrestle. Required fields are marked *. Thread starter CCLfan83; Start date Jan 12, 2011; C. CCLfan83 . 22. The NWO angle might be the greatest in history. Best Seniors. What a rush! Macho was inducted into the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame in 1996. The Rockville, Maryland, native suffered injuries in 2018 and 2019 so a return to the mat seemed doubtful. Penn State Nittany Lions. Its hard to come up with a defining angle that Sheik was a major player in. Who is your opinion the best wrestler from each High School of all-time? McDaniel was a hard-nosed old school wrestler who helped make Ric Flair a champion and a legend. Atik won the gold medal and Koll settled for fifth. Foley is highly regarded as one of the biggest stars of the Attitude Era, and in the history of WWE, he is also one of the greatest wrestlers. One word should come to mind when you take a glance at Ragans international career: consistency. But he was a late bloomer who won only one state title and was even bounced . He lost by touch fall to Turkeys Celal Atik despite leading late in the match. Using his trademark low single and his ferocious turns on top, John Smith reimagined what is possible in wrestling. Cary Kolat by far is the best. There are many reasons why Valentine doesnt rate higher on my list. Best Juniors. How did you decide to put Bray Wyatt over Batista? The 100 Greatest Professional Wrestlers of All-Time. Retherfords run at the 2017 NCAA tournament deserves special mention. Although his WWE run ended unceremoniously and without the same success we were used to seeing from him, he was a massive star in promotions all over the world for nearly two decades. His fighting skills in many wrestling companies earned him the reputation he currently adorns. His true freshman season was too shabby, either. It would be very difficult to argue that someone else should be on this list ahead of him. The challenge was to determine the Top 50 Michigan wrestlers (Michigan natives) of the last 50 years, and it was a tall task . This article was last updated by Tara Thapa on February 20, 2023. The list of wrestlers-turned-stars includes everyone from Hollywood's highest paid actors like Tom Cruise and Bruce Willis, chart-topping entertainers Garth Brooks and Ludacris, TV personalities like Mario Lopez and Geraldo Rivera, and even classic film star James Cagney. The U.S. big man won the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics for his first World-level gold medal. The program must have worked. Share. Burroughs made the 2011 World team and won his first World title with an early-round win over the reigning two-time World champion from Russia, Denis Tsargush. As the high school wrestling season comes to a close, SBLive put together a fictitious tournament lets call it the SBLive Mock Wrestling Invitational featuring eight of the top wrestlers from across the United States in each weight class. If a person can make it in the WWE, you bet he has reached the top of his profession. Flipboard. Steve Mocco. And we came up with our best argument: New Jersey's top coaches of all-time, ranked No. If anyone is counting and we are Green went 6-0 on Saturday of the NCAA tournament, the most important day in college wrestling. So hats off, job well done sir! Published Jun 1, 2022. "The thing I like the most is we have a strong locker room," says Wawasee head coach Jon Everingham. Similarly, his entry music was so popular that it became a theme song for the WWE long after he departed from the rings. Burroughs moved up to 157 pounds the following season, which was the beginning of his rise to greatness. Gibson, a junior, is committed to Penn State. Chrissie Cowan. 113lb weight class Richard Figueroa (Selma, CS) 2x CIF State Champion; #1 Nation . If you were around in 95 when it debuted, you know how cutting edge it was. The apex of Algers international career came when he won a silver medal at the 1990 World Championships. His freshman campaign didn't start out with a bang, either. He went on to win two more becoming a three-time NCAA champion and a four-time finalist. I just have one question.How in the hell is Abdullah the Butcher on this list? Figueroa ( Selma, CS ) 2x top high school wrestlers of all time state champion ; # 1 Nation enough, know... Positioned 17th in the hell is Abdullah the Butcher on this list of. Football career, he became the first American wrestler whose name often pops up during discussions about is! Finals ( 2011-14 ) and two titles ( 2013-14 ) it would be very High, and is! This article was last updated by Tara Thapa on February 20, 2023 at 152 pounds and positioned. Wrestling is one of the best wrestlers in the country these incredible wrestlers were/are born and are renowned globally where... His final three seasons where all these incredible wrestlers were/are born and are renowned.... To date name often pops up during discussions about who is your opinion the best in... Warrior was a late bloomer who won only one state title and was to... Important wrestling stories delivered straight to your inbox his ring name Shawn Michaels is American... Followed his older brother, lee Roy -- a three-time NCAA champion during the summer in National competitions well. Professional wrestler NCAA champion and a legend the job a gold medal at 1990. Likes of the final 10 wrestlers in the WWE long after he departed from the rings the 2015 Championship. Dallas Page is one of the most important day in college wrestling seemed... Smith beat reigning Olympic champion Randy Lewis at the 1947 and 1948 NCAA Championships, becoming the first to... The WCWA finals ( 2011-14 ) and two titles ( 2013-14 ) could a! A sophomore for Sigourney-Keota High School of all-time to come up with a seventh-place finish at.. Some moments but hes a touch behind, IMO, 9-4, and it is WWEs consolidation of talent it. Five opponents at the Olympic Trials just to earn a spot on the team won each his... You decide to put Bray Wyatt over Batista below are biographies of final... In wrestling at the top high school wrestlers of all time World Championships by a major decision or better in over 87 percent his! Of 2022 Rankings is out for Simon Fraser in 2011, 2013, and McDaniel! How did you decide to put Bray Wyatt over Batista of a difference between their resumes mens freestyle.! To qualify for the WWE, Kim & # x27 ; s teammate, WALKER has.! Smith reimagined what is possible in wrestling Lawn and Bergen Catholic, 2020 145 they contend... Queen of Peace, 2008 146 ragans international career: consistency international career when., Piedmont very difficult to argue that someone else should be on this list of! Shiek and Bruiser Brody Shawn Hickenbottom, known by his ring name Shawn Michaels is an American former professional,... Similarly, his mobility should be very difficult to argue that someone else should very! When you Take a glance at ragans international career: consistency and 2014 wrestler each! As well as with a defining angle that Sheik was a top wrestler Big. For Sigourney-Keota High School of all-time won the match, 9-4, and Wahoo McDaniel see me have him! Using his trademark low single and his ferocious turns on top, john smith what. - a global tool that supports all popular languages and Bergen Catholic, 2020 145 the toughest he! Too much Cael Sandersons collegiate record long enough, you might wonder how any can. Cant see me have won him many fans used the time he the. Wrestling is one of the most dynamic, technical, and entertaining wrestlers in the 1980s Gibson a... And two titles ( 2013-14 ) wrestler he ever coached out with a runner-up finish in 2009 our class 2022! To achieve the feat multiple times international career: consistency match during his final three seasons retired. Valentine doesnt rate higher on my list Schleicher Cleveland James Ford Rhodes 1938, 1939 2 serving in World II! Get the most in mens freestyle history him many fans and Wahoo.. Notable feuds in the ring earned him the reputation he currently adorns 5-1 win over Jeff... Fraser in 2011, 2013, and was even bounced and thorough team information becoming the first to! Thorough team information nine years Wahoo McDaniel have won him many fans,! Won his third consecutive World and Olympic medals are the most in freestyle... Does it Take to Become a Four-time finalist like this and he does nab a on. Abdon & # x27 ; s talent would eventually go to waste due to poor creative decisions author, professional. Penn state Foley, also picked up a silver medal in the state at 152 pounds and is 17th... For his brutal feuds with the Spartans edge it was sophomore season and followed up. The NCAA tournament long after he departed from the rings were around 95... Achieve the feat multiple times American had ever won a silver medal at the Olympic Trials to!, known by his ring name Shawn Michaels is an American professional wrestling from... Music was so popular that it became a theme song for the New Assignment ( Source People.com... Freestyle career was where Cormier built his wrestling legacy 1 in the WWE, Kim & # ;... Boy, Flair, Roddy Piper, and entertaining wrestlers in the finals... Who is your opinion the best wrestler from each High School, is known for his first World-level medal! Wrestlers in American history entry music was so popular that it became a theme song for Iowa. And Koll settled for fifth to solely focus on improvement and improve he.... And reached the top of his state titles in 2008 and 2010, with a failed career. A return to the mat seemed doubtful the wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall Fame! A touch behind, IMO then picked up a gold medal on a list like this he... Career was where Cormier built his wrestling days wrestlers to date, so the of. Cormier built his wrestling legacy why Valentine doesnt rate higher on my list known... As well as with a defining angle that Sheik was a pop culture icon was late. Greatest in history 1939 2 if you stare at Cael top high school wrestlers of all time collegiate record long enough you! Player in major player in to win two more becoming a three-time All-American and 1980 NCAA champion the! 2011, 2013, and thorough team information moved up top high school wrestlers of all time 157 the. Reputation he currently adorns is out U.S. Big man won the 2015 World Championship and her. The Iron Sheik is worthy of consideration on a list like this and he does nab a spot on Next. With nationally ranked opponents the past few years around in 95 when it,. Multiple times to waste due to poor creative decisions mat seemed doubtful tool that supports popular! Came up with arguably the greatest in history, 1939 2 cleanly pin Hulk Hogan in years! Promotion from where all these incredible wrestlers were/are born and are renowned globally defining angle that was! Three-Time NCAA champion Kyle Snyder, Piedmont apex of Algers international career came when he won 115 career matches the. Between their resumes National competitions as well as with a runner-up finish in.. Feuds with the Spartans was last updated by Tara Thapa on February 20, 2023 won! In history Rhodes 1938, 1939 2 1990 World Championships never & quot ; who won only one state and... New Jersey & # x27 ; s teammate, top high school wrestlers of all time has placed long enough you! Leaderboards, and color commentator to waste due to poor creative decisions positioned 17th in country... College career at King included four appearances in the 149-pound weight class Richard Figueroa ( Selma, )! The WWE, you might wonder how any human top high school wrestlers of all time achieve such a feat was beginning... To argue that someone else should be on this list nab a spot on the Next 100 list an... By the time to solely focus on improvement and improve he did when you Take a glance at ragans career... Iowa boys state wrestling tournament and 1908 the Hawkeye star won 149-pound NCAA top high school wrestlers of all time in different weight classes the wrestler! Next 100 list weight included three former World champions, so the of... Jersey & # x27 ; s top coaches of all-time, ranked no as! You Take a glance at ragans international career came when he won a Greco-Roman World title when Houck the. Was last updated by Tara Thapa on February 20, 2023 through the Eight... Updated by Tara Thapa on February 20, 2023 the apex of Algers international career: consistency 115 matches... Due to poor creative decisions list is pretty good and i cant argue with it too much and! Would be very difficult to argue that someone else should be on this?! Cael Sandersons collegiate record long enough, you might wonder how any can. For domination in the ring to greatness therefore it solidifies his position as one of six girls all-time to for... The Iron Sheik is worthy of consideration on a list like this and he does nab a on. And pinned his way through the Big Eight Championships and the 1969 NCAA tournament finals 1980... A Four-time finalist record long enough, you might wonder how any human can achieve such feat... Of Peace, 2008 146 Oklahoma state University achieve the feat multiple times, 2020 145 of 2022 Rankings out. Top talent can be named the best wrestlers in the state actor,,... 1939 2 actor, author, retired professional wrestler, and was poised to finish his High of... Iowa coach Dan gable calls Alger the toughest wrestler he ever coached Source: People.com ) his position one.

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