Round of 32 Voting Continues in the Greatest Wrestler of All Time Tournament
Yesterday we had the Round of 32 voting for the Hogan and Flair Regions and today we move on to the Austin and Sammartino Regions. These matchups are going to be close and very interesting to see where the votes come in. Let's get to it as we finalize the Sweet Sixteen in our tournament to crown The Greatest Wrestler of All Time.
Austin Region: Round of 32
(1) Steve Austin v. (9) Mick Foley
Steve Austin was not just a great wrestler, he was an all-time personality. He could switch seamlessly from hardcore bad ass to comedic humor at the snap of a finger. Some of his moments with Vince McMahon are incredibly entertaining and are in the pantheon of wrestling moments.
Mick Foley's depth of character was unparalleled in wrestling. Not only was he able to convincingly portray multiple characters, but he was able to provide color to those characters. He was able to make you feel what drove them. Foley truly understood the psychology of the wrestling business and its what made all of his characters as over as they were.
(5) Mr. Perfect v. (4) Daniel Bryan
Mr. Perfect was an incredible in ring talent. He was as good a technician as there has ever been in wrestling. Much like Bret Hart, his matches always seemed believable. They felt real. But his depiction of the character was also flawless. He portrayed someone who truly believed he was perfect. He was the ultimate heel because of it.
Daniel Bryan's in ring work was honed through many years on the independent circuit. When he finally got to WWE he was a breath of fresh air. He was new, he was different, he was exciting. The fans quickly took to him and supported him no matter what he endeavored to do. Daniel Bryan is one of the most popular wrestlers in WWE in the last decade and a half.
(11) Booker T v. (3) Shawn Michaels
Booker T was one of the most successful WCW crossovers to WWE. He was a great worker, a great interview and he was a dynamic performer. He was also able to be comedic when necessary, which added yet another dimension to his abilities.
The idea of having a 60 minute Iron Man match at Wrestlemania is one that I can not imagine today. At Wrestlemania XII, Shawn Michaels and Bret Hart had the match and exceeded all expectations for it. Michaels routinely did that. When the spotlight was brightest, he brought his best. That's why he's earned the nicknames of Mr. Wrestlemania and The Showstopper.
(7) Randy Orton v. (2) Andre The Giant
The Viper has a quiet confidence about him that makes him all the more dangerous. Not only the youngest WWE Champion of all time, he was the first ever Unified Champion when he defeated John Cena in 2013. Orton has had a hell of a career and he's not done yet.
Andre was truly a one of a kind. Most regarded him as a gentle giant, but if he didn't like someone, look out. Andre was hugely popular in the territory days and his relationship with Vince McMahon brought him to New York as the WWF expanded. Andre is a truly larger than life figure in the history of professional wrestling.
Sammartino Region: Round of 32
(1) Bruno Sammartino v. (9) Jake Roberts
Bruno Sammartino's longevity and legacy as the champion workhorse for a company for over a decade is one that my not be equalled.After having an icy relationship with Vince McMahon for many years, the two were able to reconcile for his Hall of Fame induction.
Roberts was a convincing performer on the mic, and he was very good in the ring as well. But there was nothing more real about him than that damn snake. As the Macho Man can attest, the snake was very real and not always well behaved.
(5) Rey Mysterio v. (4) Ricky Steamboat
Rey Mysterio was able to compete with guys from cruiserweight to giants like The Big Show, and somehow he was always able to deliver a believable match. That's an enormous tribute to someone his size in an industry dominated by big guys. Rey Mysterio has been a championship caliber wrestler for three decades now and can still go.
Ricky Steamboat was a wrestler's wrestler. He was an incredible worker who could work any type or style of match. He could do a sixty minute broadway or he could give you a hell of a cage match. The guy could do it all and he did it all with some of the best ever.
(6) Roddy Piper v. (3) Randy Savage
Rowdy Roddy Piper was a fan favorite because of his manic, hyper, borderline crazed style. Everything he did, he did at a ten. Piper could be a baby face or a heel effectively, and he also helped innovate wrestling with the "talk show" segment when he started "Piper's Pit".
The Macho Man was in many ways the perfect foil for Hulk Hogan. Instead of the white meat, say your prayers, take your vitamins, American hero, Savage was a master planner, a borderline crazy person in pursuit of championship gold. Having the lovely Miss Elizabeth at his side only served to soften his edges a bit. Savage was a deep and always interesting persona.
(7) Scott Hall v. (2) Dusty Rhodes
Scott Hall was not only the spark that started the Monday Night Wars in earnest, but he was one hell of an in ring worker. Hall was great at selling for baby faces and he was a convincing and dedicated in ring talent. He has had his share of well documented problems over the years, but overall Hall has to be regarded as an absolute legend in the business. You can't tell the history of 90's wrestling without Scott Hall.
The American Dream Dusty Rhodes was a huge star in Florida for years before heading to the WWF and WCW later in his career. Rhodes was a hero to the working man. He was never the most in shape guy in the ring, but he could work and he could entertain. Dusty Rhodes was instantly recognizable with his frame and that bleached blonde curly hair. He was the man.
Alright that's it for the second half of the Round of 32, we will have voting for the Sweet Sixteen starting tomorrow!