Wrestlers with the greatest overall affect on the fans

[Hades]

As the title says, I am curious who you think had the greatest affect on the fans overall. I don't mean all the cheers Hogan got in the old days or the boos Cena gets now. Any wrestler can get those. What I mean is a real emotioal reaction. My choices would be Michaels and Hart.

In all the years I have watched, I have seen countless fans actually break down in tears because they got to meet or shake hands with these two. Or the crowd actually yelling out a resounding Thank You to them. I have never seen Austin, Rock, Hogan, Cena, Batista, or even the Undertaker get these kind of reactions countless times. Who do you think gets the greatest reaction?

[Trixie Dominatrix]

HBK and Flair. Even at his age flair still gets reactions from everyone, he's had countless matches that were great and gets an ovation for them. HBK is the same way.

[bawjustice]

shane douglas was able to turn the ecw arena into a full forced riot
terry funk also was able to anger fans enough to get stabbed in the neck in puerto rico

but anyway

an emotional reaction for me was benoit&guerrero at WM20 when it was all over and they had the belts together in the ring. one of my favorite moments in wrestling

[LegendKiller 13]

the rock and stone cold have by far the most effectivness on the fans

[RatedRTitan]

In all the years I have watched, I have seen countless fans actually break down in tears because they got to meet or shake hands

This is tough because your not going to get those kind of reactions with guys like John Cena, Edge or others. The reason is because this is a way different day and age. We are at a time when bumping into someone famous in your hometown or anywhere else really doesn't effect many people. The emotions you speak of mainly came from the years of 1990-1997.

The famous scenes of all the little Hulkamaniacs crying when Hogan couldn't knock the Undertaker down. All the tears when Shawn Michaels won the greatest main event WM match in history. The tears when Mankind was an inch away from winning the title away from Michaels at Mind Games 96. The tears of little kids when Sable lost her match against Marc Mero and she was forced to "leave" the company. That kind of stuff doesn't happen anymore.

This is all with the exception of Monday Night on RAW. J.R.'s HOF video was one of the best the WWE ever produced next to Guerrero's. I felt terrible for Ross when he was diagnosed with Bells Palsy and when his mother passed away because he is a great individual. I truly felt happy for him this past monday despite knowing for 4 weeks now that he was going to get inducted.

I am still going to say 1) Hulk Hogan of the 80's and 90's was always a great family reaction. Face it, he was Mr. America and the wrestling world cherished him. Plus, look at his reaction when Hogan made that appearance at Wrestlemania 21 beating up Hassan.

2) Shawn Michaels - for every reason I mentioned with his truly believable and magical run of 1996. Every match and such. You want to hear pissed off fans? How about when the British Bulldog won the WWF Title off of Michaels at a PPV. Those fans were teary eyed and ready to tear down the building until the decision was reversed.

3) Jim Ross - if you know wrestling then you know Jim Ross. He has given the wrestling world some of the most quoted and memorable lines ever. He makes the crappiest RAW's more entertaining. He gets huge pops whenever he is announced makes his entrance down to the ring. J.R. is definitely on my list.

[Juan Miguels]

shane douglas was able to turn the ecw arena into a full forced riot
terry funk also was able to anger fans enough to get stabbed in the neck in puerto rico

but anyway

an emotional reaction for me was benoit&guerrero at WM20 when it was all over and they had the belts together in the ring. one of my favorite moments in wrestling


YES! That is totally true about Shane Douglas.

Others would be.....
Sabu- Because of his innovation, contributions, self sacrifice, and inspiration to nearly every wrestler today.

Dean Malenko- thats self explanitory

Taz- excellent wrestler and had the perfect ECW attitude.

[TRS]

stone cold
the rock
HBK
hogan
taker
kane

[Violet]

Probably the most popular guys, like Austin and The Rock.

Lita is/was probably the mosy inspirational wrestler for girls of my generation all of time. You ask any girl and Lita will be in her top 3. She showed us that a little attitude can go a long way and that you didn't have to be blonde and ditzy to succeed in the business.

[Ben]

Douglas, Rock, Austin, Hogan, Jericho, Angle. All could work the crowd perfectly.

[Kid]

Douglas, Rock, Austin, Hogan, Jericho, Angle. All could work the crowd perfectly.


Agreed, and i would add Flair, Piper, and Rhodes to the list as well

[Metaphysical]

Flair
Hogan
Austin

[toe nail124]

a local old school indie wreslter has the greatest overall effect i mean this guy can go into a herion den and get em pumped (he's still wrestling)

the lord zoltan plus he's worked just about everywhere nwa most notibly