Yo-Yo's Roomie Posted October 19, 2013 Share Posted October 19, 2013 The Malenko discussion in the general natter thread put this in my head. I don't think he's in the discussion, but I assume others might. This isn't a Malenko thread anyway. I'd love to know who you guys would call the best US-based guys* of the 90s. Throw me top 5s or 10s or just some names in no particular order. *I don't wanna exclude guys who did a lot of wrestling elsewhere, but I'm just basing this on wrestling done in the States, or for US-based companies. For example, if you think Ultimo Dragon's WCW stint is enough to put him in the discussion, throw him out there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biz Smarkie Posted October 19, 2013 Share Posted October 19, 2013 Is this for juniors only? Because this could just be one super long thread pretty quick with all of the awesome dudes that were around in America during the whole entire 90's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yo-Yo's Roomie Posted October 19, 2013 Author Share Posted October 19, 2013 No, not for juniors only. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MORELOCK Posted October 19, 2013 Share Posted October 19, 2013 Might as well make a greatest of all time thread. I'm thinking Steamboat, Flair, Vader, Austin, Bret, Shawn, Vader, Sting, Eddy, Foley, or something like that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Fowler Posted October 19, 2013 Share Posted October 19, 2013 Vader. Hart. Rhodes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DylanWaco Posted October 19, 2013 Share Posted October 19, 2013 Sleeper top five contender Too Cold Scorpio. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skelemania Posted October 19, 2013 Share Posted October 19, 2013 This question is a lot harder for me than I initially thought it would be when reading the thread title. I didn't realize how many of my personal favorites wrestled overseas. Also, it's sort of odd because you have to form your own definition of "best" when compiling a list, you know? For example, Dean Malenko bored me to tears...but at the same time, I also don't think anyone is putting Hulk Hogan on their list either. The only two names that come to mind that I'm confident in are Eddie Guerrero & Rey Mysterio, Jr. Shawn Michaels & Bret Hart are probably there as well, along with some other personal favorites like Tito Santana, Ricky Steamboat & Rick Rude but I would have to think about it more. Most of my favorite stuff from Big Van Vader came from Japan. Most of my favorite Ric Flair stuff came from the 80's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Go2Sleep Posted October 19, 2013 Share Posted October 19, 2013 Obviously everyone here gets the big ones out of the way quick, but one I haven't seen yet that should absolutely be in the discussion is Mick Foley. Outside of his famous death matches in Japan, he did most of his work in the US for the entire decade, and contributed to each of the 3 major promotions of the 90s. He was never the top guy, but he was key to WCW's depth, ECW's extreme image, and defining both the physical and comedic qualities of the attitude era. I don't know if anyone in the history of wrestling could put an opponent over as strong as Foley, and he put over some great ones in the 90s. My top 5 based on US Work (no order):Mick Foley Eddie Guerrero Rey Mysterio Jr. Steve Austin Vader Michaels, Hart, Dustin, and he who shall not be named are also strong contenders. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JAxlMorrison Posted October 20, 2013 Share Posted October 20, 2013 Bret Hart Shawn Michaels Mick Foley Randy Savage Vader Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Z Posted October 20, 2013 Share Posted October 20, 2013 Brian Pillman may not be a top 5 guy, but I think he at least belongs in this discussion. Besides being a pioneer of junior heavyweight wrestling in America, Pillman also had U.S. match of the year level matches with Alex Wright and Johnny B. Badd (both solid workers, but not the type of guys who would be having those level matches otherwise). Both his tag team and later feud with Steve Austin were cut short, yet produced many memorable matches. Also, while Austin's WCW career got railroaded the most by the arrival of Hulk Hogan, Pillman went from having titles matches and key feuds on PPV to participating in a lower card ECW talent exchange. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Niners Fan in CT Posted October 20, 2013 Share Posted October 20, 2013 I want to throw Arn Anderson in the discussion because he's fucking awesome. Real too, though...real tough guys. I love a little bit of realism and nobody makes me believe like Arn. He will break your arm. He will fuck you up. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buy Me a Burrito Posted October 20, 2013 Share Posted October 20, 2013 Dustin Rude Austin Arn Vader Sting Malenko Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Fowler Posted October 20, 2013 Share Posted October 20, 2013 I literally can't believe I didn't mention Eddy. I'm stunned at myself. So, let's go again. Vader. Hart. Guerrero. Rhodes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HolyDemon Posted October 20, 2013 Share Posted October 20, 2013 Bret Hart stands out to me above all others. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cwoy2j Posted October 20, 2013 Share Posted October 20, 2013 He wasn't the best but Raven did a ton of solid work in the 90's. Whether it was as Scotty Flamingo/The Body or Raven, he was pretty good in the ring and the Johnny Polo character was great too. Gotta give him props for having a great decade in those different capacities. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skelemania Posted October 20, 2013 Share Posted October 20, 2013 Owen Hart is probably up there too, not just Bret. Actually, someone could probably make a case for Sabu as well. Maybe even Chris Candido, thinking back to some ECW stuff. If Tajiri worked more in the 90's I'd also try to make a case for him but he doesn't have enough stuff in the 90's. How about X-Pac/1-2-3 Kid? He had a lot of really good work in the 90's. I think he's in my top 10. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nate Posted October 20, 2013 Share Posted October 20, 2013 Hennig is easily an all time fave for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Casey Posted October 20, 2013 Share Posted October 20, 2013 I'll be laughed out of the theoretical building for saying this probably, but I'm going to go with Rob Van Dam. My personal favorite, not saying he was the greatest or anything. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Numerosix Posted October 20, 2013 Share Posted October 20, 2013 Bret Hart. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MORELOCK Posted October 20, 2013 Share Posted October 20, 2013 Owen Hart is probably up there too, not just Bret.Owen is one of those people who everyone will agree was a great worker, but there just aren't that many great matches you can point to in order to back that up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KidKash202 Posted October 20, 2013 Share Posted October 20, 2013 El Dandy Renegade Al Snow Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hagan Posted October 20, 2013 Share Posted October 20, 2013 I think the answer is Bret. From 90-97 he was one of the most consistent wrestlers ever. Even his WCW stuff is good if you watch it in a vacuum. I always liked that Bret is one of the few main even guys whose matches didn't always end on his or his opponent's finisher. The title switch to Diesel is one of my favorite finishes ever, and, of course, Wembley with Davey and the identical finishes with his first match with Austin and Mania with Piper are so good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Fowler Posted October 20, 2013 Share Posted October 20, 2013 Owen Hart is probably up there too, not just Bret.Owen is one of those people who everyone will agree was a great worker, but there just aren't that many great matches you can point to in order to back that up. What ones are there? Off-hand, vs. Bret Mania X vs. Bulldog, European Title finals from RAW w/Bret vs. Steiners The highly divisive cage match with Bret at Summerslam '94. The Canadian Stampede 10-Man. Are there any otheres? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Niners Fan in CT Posted October 21, 2013 Share Posted October 21, 2013 It's a sprint but his match vs. Mr. Perfect at WrestleMania V is awesome to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ARMDRAGON Posted October 21, 2013 Share Posted October 21, 2013 w/Bulldog vs. Austin/HBK Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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