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30. Owen Hart
Score: 68
# of Lists: 6

(Guest writeup: Jakyl25)

Arguably the most naturally gifted member of the Hart Family, Owen spent the early parts of his career as one of the 1980s crew of Jr Heavyweight innovators in New Japan. In matches with Jushin Liger, he demonstrated his athletic ability and high energy, traits which distinguished himself from his familys reputation for purely technical expertise.

After a few failed runs as a journeyman around the globe, it was time for a change. He would reach his highest heights in the WWF, feuding with his older brother Bret. They stole the show at Wrestlemania X, cementing a new foundation for Owens career. As the whiny, entitled, jealous younger brother, he became a consistent heel highlight of the New Generation era.

Sadly, we all know how his career met its tragic end due to the WWFs negligence doing an ill-advised stunt. If his style was allowed to mature into his old age, who knows if he might have been higher on this list.

https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x7j9u7p; Bret Hart vs. Owen Hart (August 29, 1994)

29. Andre the Giant
Score: 69
# of Lists: 6

(Guest writeup: Eddv)

Andre the Giant in many ways harkens back to the carnival barker origins of professional wrestling as the ultimate special attraction/freak show. In this way he's in the same category as Haystacks Calhoun and others whose entire act was simply coming out being very large and winning battle royales, which was the very same pattern Andre himself followed.

Even the stories we tell about Andre all have that sheen of tall tale and fable to them. To a greater extent than anyone save Hogan he was able to presented as larger than life.

What separated him from other freaks of nature was his natural charisma and smile. Everyone who saw Andre almost instantly came to like the guy - which made his late career heel turn all the more effective when it finally came and led to 2.5 years of WWEs best drawing feuds with Hogan before he took on a memorable emeritus role as part of the Colossal Connection.

However the reason Andre belongs so high on this list is that he was one of the key figures in helping the late 70s and early 80s wrestling boom take off. He participated in several mainstream appearances, to include a shoot mma bout with boxer Chuck Wepner on the undercard of the famous Inoki-Ali bout and his famous Shea Stadium sellouts fighting as the hero against heel Hulk Hogan, making their feud one of the few that ever drew big money with the two participants switching roles the second time around.

And with Andre that's what you're voting for - the Legend and his uncanny 20 year drawing ability. He wasnt on every card but every card he was on drew and that's a big part of what wrestling is about.

https://youtu.be/h3EksOFtILs; Andre The Giant vs. Chuck Wepner (June 25 1976)

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Maniac64