Intro
In a quest to determine who are the all-time greatest champions in WWE history, Hall of Famer Jim Ross, Matt Striker, Michael Cole, and Todd Grisham all weigh-in with their personal favorites. WWE Magazine tops it off with the home field pick. But, how do your answers compare to the experts? Find out with the latest "WWE Magazine: Feature of the Week."
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Power 25
The experts are debating the greatest champions of all-time. But who were the greatest Superstars of the week? Find out as WWE.com, in conjunction with The Academy of Wrestling Arts & Sciences (AWAS), brings the WWE Universe The Power 25.
WWE text
"It's a tie between Buddy Rogers and ‘Superstar' Billy Graham. Rogers was flashy and entertaining before that was the style. And Graham took the image of a Superstar to new heights."
[Matt Striker]
"Bruno Sammartino. He epitomized this business from the late '60s through the '70s. You rooted for him if you were blue-collar, middle-class, anything. To me, he was the first champ of the people."
[Michael Cole]
"'Stone Cold.' He held the title on six occasions, which coincided with the biggest boom in WWE. Plus, he probably sold more tickets, PPVs and merch than any other champ."
[Jim Ross]
"John Cena. I've seen him evolve first-hand. John has an outstanding work ethic, handles himself with grace, never loses his temper and is a great guy. He's this generation's champion."
[Todd Grisham]
Hulk Hogan. His larger-than-life persona, both in and out of the ring, made Hogan the first true icon in WWE history. WWE as we know it just wouldn't exist without the Hulkster.
[WWE Magazine Editors]
Monday Night Raw
WWE Champion Randy Orton's Superstar page
World text
"Ric Flair. Just for the amount of time that he held the title and the fact that the title itself is associated with his name."
[Matt Striker]
"Ric Flair. He's the greatest World Heavyweight Champion there's ever been, inside and outside the ring. He put us on the map as an entertainment industry beyond wrestling."
[Michael Cole]
"Ric Flair. He was 16 times ‘The Man,' wrestled around the globe and became one of the most recognized and revered champs of all time. 'Naitch is arguably the greatest in-ring Superstar of all time."
[Jim Ross]
"Ric Flair. He was the complete package. In the ring he was untouchable, and he was untouchable on the mic, too. The numbers don't lie. He was everything that a champion should be."
[Todd Grisham]
Triple H. While Ric Flair will always have a place in our hearts, The Game's on track to break his record for the most World Heavyweight Championships.
[WWE Magazine Editors]
SmackDown
The World Heavyweight Championship appears every Friday, around the waist of The Rated-R Superstar, Edge. Check out The Ultimate Opportunist against the likes of Jeff Hardy, Chris Jericho and the rest of the Superstars who battle every week by checking out complete coverage of SmackDown.
World Heavyweight Champion Edge's Superstar page
ECW Text
"Of course, this title is near and dear to my heart. I'm going to have to say Tommy Dreamer, for the simple fact that you can't think of ECW without thinking of him."
[Matt Striker]
"Tazz. He was short in stature, huge in heart, and obviously had quite a physical presence. Never giving in, fighting the bigger guy, knocking him down and taking control — that's what Tazz was about."
[Michael Cole]
"Tazz. He was one of the most unique, dangerous, and genuinely tough human beings ever to compete in ECW."
[Jim Ross]
"Tommy Dreamer. While he only held it once and it wasn't for long, Tommy is ECW and always will be. He's the OG of Extreme, the flag bearer."
[Todd Grisham]
Tazz. Despite his size, there was no grappler tougher than Tazz, pound for pound. Some of the toughest Superstars have been shattered like porcelain by his powerful suplexes.
[WWE Magazine]
Christian Comeback
Only a few months after returning to WWE, Christian claimed his place at the top of the Land of the Extreme by defeating Jack Swagger at Backlash to become the new ECW Champion.
ECW Champion Christian's Superstar page
Inter text
"Shawn Michaels. You can see the greatness in Shawn right from the time he left Marty Jannetty and captured the I-C Championship."
[Matt Striker]
"Pat Patterson. He's the one who started it all. And this title has really become one that you really have to win to get to the next level."
[Michael Cole]
"Shawn Michaels. He's never been the biggest dog in the fight, but his passion and fearlessness have made him a future Hall of Famer."
[Jim Ross]
"Ricky Steamboat. I remember him winning the title from Savage at WrestleMania III and thinking that he was just the greatest ever. No matter who else holds that title, I'll always think of Steamboat."
[Todd Grisham]
Mr. Perfect. His athleticism and ingenuity were amazing. A two-time I-C Champ, he defended the title for most of '90-'91, before losing it to fellow Hall of Famer Bret Hart.
[WWE Magazine Editors]
Hall of Fame
Read about the first Intercontinental Champion, Pat Patterson, and other legendary WWE Hall of Famers on the WWE Hall of Fame page.
Tag Team text
"The Midnight Express, because they had a great manager and arguably the best entrance music ever."
[Matt Striker]
"The Hart Foundation. They brought an excitement to the game, were tremendous strategists and really worked as a team."
[Michael Cole]
"The Midnight Express, which had two versions — Bobby Eaton & Dennis Condrey, and then Eaton and Stan Lane. When they faced Rock 'n' Roll Express, they put on the best tag bouts I've ever seen."
[ Jim Ross]
"Legion of Doom. No one could ever beat LOD when they were on their game. They were too big, too strong and their chemistry in the ring was unparalleled."
[Todd Grisham]
Demolition. They could overpower opponents through sheer force or creative tandem attacks. And they held the record for longest title reign, at 478 days.
[WWE Magazine Editors]
The Hart Dynasty
The Hart Foundation is truly one of the greatest tag team champions of all time, from one of the greatest wrestling families of all time. Check out the next generation: The Hart Dynasty.
David Hart Smith | Tyson Kidd | Natalya
United States text
" ‘Rowdy' Roddy Piper. He beat Flair in Raleigh, N.C., for his first win, and then later risked life and limb for the title against Greg Valentine."
[Matt Striker]
"Dusty Rhodes. He just had this way of relating to the common man. All I know is that when I talk about those who've held this title, Dusty's at the top of my list."
[Michael Cole]
"Wahoo McDaniel. The former NFL star is hailed as one of the finest athletes ever to step in a ring. Fourteen Hall of Famers have held the U.S. Championship over the years, but none was tougher."
[Jim Ross]
"MVP. He held it for such a long time and he did it in his own ballin' style."
[Todd Grisham]
John Cena deserves recognition here. He used the title as a springboard to three WWE Championships (and counting).
[WWE Magazine Editors]
Women's text
"Harvey Wippleman. He contributed and gets no credit for it. For that, I'm calling him the greatest Women's Champion."
[Matt Striker]
"Trish Stratus. She brought a combination of beauty and brains. Trish invented moves that people had never seen before in the Women's Division. People watched the Divas because of her."
[Michael Cole]
"Trish Stratus. She was a seven-time champ who had a tireless work ethic, an unquenchable thirst to improve, an underappreciated toughness, and, of course, an amazing presence."
[Jim Ross]
"The Fabulous Moolah. As the very first Women's Champ, she set the standard for all those who followed. She's the greatest in my book."
[Todd Grisham]
Trish Stratus. She held the Women's Championship seven times, always with poise and grace.
[WWE Magazine Editors]
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