Just stumbled across this article and thought it was interesting. Sounds like they compiled internet search data for determining essentially the most popular wrestlers. It's hard to say "ever" IMO because I bet current events influence these results a lot. For instance, Dusty and Piper passing away in the not-too-distant pass and Ronda only recently officially becoming a pro wrestler surely have a lot to do with their rankings.

Anyway, for those who don't want to click, here's the Top 10:

1. Hulk Hogan 95%
2. Dwayne Johnson “The Rock” 94%
3. John Cena 79%
4. Stone Cold Steve Austin 78%
5. “Rowdy” Ronda Rousey 68%
6. “Macho Man” Randy Savage 65%
7 Vince McMahon 63%
8. “Nature Boy” Ric Flair 62%
9. “Rowdy” Roddy Piper: 53%
10. Dusty “The American Dream” Rhodes 49%

medium.com/dailyskew/the-most-recognized-professional-wrestlers-according-to-yougov-5459c35d9acb

Between being an all-time icon, his reality show stuff, and the various controversies in recent times, it's no shock at all that Hogan is #1.

Despite his relatively brief wrestling run, with his Hollywood dominance and teased presidential run, Rock makes total sense as a #2 (more like a #1b to Hogan's #1a).

Cena's long run at the top, still being a current main event guy, and his recent stuff with Nikki (from engagement to breakup) as well as his developing Hollywood career, I can see why he'd be #3 over Austin.

For as relatively short as his Stone Cold run was, and for how he's stayed kinda outta the limelight since hanging it up, it's a testament to how hot his character was that Austin is #4. Probably doesn't hurt that he's dabbled in Hollywood and reality TV.

As mentioned above, I think that Ronda, Dusty, and Piper are all ranked more for recent current events and trends than all-time factors. Also, I think Ronda gives a proxy rub to Piper.

Vince, Savage, and Flair round out the Top 10 perfectly IMO.

I'm surprised that there's no mention of Andre or Undertaker. I think that they both belong in the Top 10. Triple H, Jericho, and Lesnar being just outside the Top 10 makes sense to me.

Anyway... I guess discuss?

At first Piper kind of stood out , but then you mentioned the Rousey rub along with his death and it totally makes sense. Not too mention a portion of the audience that will remember his role in They Live.

Dusty is the only one that really surprises me , even with his death. I would think for certain that Brock and Andre would be ahead of him , even HHH to a lesser extent.

Apr 23, 2018 16:54:22 GMT UT said:

At first Piper kind of stood out , but then you mentioned the Rousey rub along with his death and it totally makes sense. Not too mention a portion of the audience that will remember his role in They Live.

Dusty is the only one that really surprises me , even with his death. I would think for certain that Brock and Andre would be ahead of him , even HHH to a lesser extent.

Reading more about how this website was compiling its results (based on photo recognition) I wonder if there's someone who Dusty looks like just enough that it confused enough people? Maybe Rodney Dangerfield? I dunno.

On top of that, I just assumed that most people whose heydeys as pro wrestling fans were when Dusty was on top, wouldn't know how to do this internet stuff... So I don't think it's old times fans skewing results to get Dusty in the top ten.

Also, upon further reading, apparently this project is a work in progress. And only a handful of wrestlers have been included so far. No idea why the likes of Andre and Taker were excluded from the initial batch though...

No Andre is a big surprise for me. Lesnar and Y2J seem like they should be rounding out the top 12.

Nice find.

It went about how I would have expected. Hogan & Rock Top 2 in that order. Yep.

I would have guessed Austin over Cena but it is only a 1% point difference.

Savage, Vince, Flair, Piper. Yep.

Rousey? Sure. On the strength of her UFC run.

Only minor surprise is Dusty. I would have expected Taker, Andre or Brock (especially after seeing Rousey at #5). But it's not like Dusty is some nobody. He was a top star for well over a decade.

From just my interactions of talking to the general public about wrestling, my list would be

1. The Rock
2. Hulk Hogan
3. Stone Cold
4. John Cena
5. Brock Lesnar
6. Ric Flair
7. Andre the Giant
8. Randy Savage
9. Chris Jericho
10. The Ultimate Warrior

From my experiences Ric Flair would have to be top 3 around here, possibly #2 behind Hogan, maybe even #1. Also this is probably a regional thing with people over the age of 40 but Kerry Von Erich would probably be in the top 10 here.

As far as being popular in a region, Brute Bernard is probably the most mentioned wrestler i've heard from people at work (mostly an older crowd).

Apr 26, 2018 12:17:24 GMT System said:

As far as being popular in a region, Brute Bernard is probably the most mentioned wrestler i've heard from people at work (mostly an older crowd).

That's an interesting thought. I wonder what the most recognizable wrestlers are from certain countries? Big Daddy from the UK? El Santo from Mexico? Rikidozan or Inoki from Japan? Bret Hart from Canada?

Oddly enough Brute Bernand isn't Australian he just wrestled for the australian WCW. Bruno Sammartino gets mentioned a lot also.

Emma's probably the most famous Australian wrestler i can think of.