By Shawn Valentino, PWTorch Specialist

The decade of the 2000s has seen various trends, not only in professional wrestling, but in the world of entertainment overall. Promoters will be quick to point out that their product mirrors the cultural consciousness of the time.

One fascinating development in the show-business industry over the last ten years has been the decline of the superstar. Movies, music, and sports all have shifted focus from building around highly paid megastars to structuring their marketing around specific brands. When I was growing up, Michael Jordan was the dominant sports figure, Tom Cruise and Tom Hanks were sure things at the box office, and supernovas like Michael Jackson and Madonna were musical trailblazers.

Similarly, the success of professional wrestling has always been built around major superstars that were the centerpiece of the organization. Hulk Hogan, Ric Flair, "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, and The Rock were all larger than life characters that could single-handedly generate revenue.

Just as pop culture legends have faded in other entertainment avenues, World Wrestling Entertainment has slowly distanced itself from relying on one major figure to assembling a mixture of top stars that are defined by the almighty WWE brand. As a result, although he generally portrays a hated villain, fans have been trained to establish loyalty to one central leader, and that is Vince McMahon.

Virtually everyone else has been deemed replaceable and thus a traitor if deciding to leave the company. You don't have to look any further than seeing the Rock getting booed numerous times in the early decade after leaving for greener pastures in Hollywood. The rabid crowd reaction in the infamous WrestleMania 20 "match" between Bill Goldberg and Brock Lesnar is further evidence that the masses are faithful to the sport rather than the sportsmen.

Even with these changes, this decade has still seen various wrestlers keeping the WWE afloat despite a sharp decline in popularity from its heyday ten years ago. The landscape has changed, but these men are proof that wrestling still needs superstars to be successful. This past weekend, I asked Wade and Bruce who were the top performers of the decade and I highly recommend listening to their engrossing audio discussion available to VIP members narrowing down the Top 25 stars. Using my own question as inspiration, this week we will look at the top ten all around performers in WWE during the 2000s.

(10) The Rock

As the calendar turned into the new millennium, The Rock was arguably the biggest star in the wrestling industry. Gifted with the unique blend of athletic ability, looks, intelligence, microphone skills and unparalleled charisma, he was undoubtedly foreseen as the top star of this decade. The only things that stood in way of this prophecy were potential injuries or fortunate opportunities. As fate would have it, Hollywood noticed his formidable talents and lured him in with huge money offers for a variety of projects. Of course, he is now a movie star and will likely never step foot in the ring again, but his impact is still felt to this day.

Although he was not primarily known for his working ability, The Rock took part in some of the decade's most memorable matches, including the classic matches against Austin at WrestleMania, the Icon vs. Icon showdown with Hulk Hogan and many more. He showcased his versatility by starting off 2000 as the top babyface in the organization, only to becoming an incredibly entertaining arrogant heel just a few years later. In fact, I feel the pompous, condescending "Hollywood" Rock character was his best incarnation of his career.

The Rock's impact, however, cannot be measured in match quality nor merchandise sold, although he was excellent at both. What Dwayne Johnson does every time he sells out a movie theater or appears at a mainstream awards show is he demonstrates that there are no limits for how high the talented superstars of wrestling can soar. Instead of making snide remarks that demonstrate their frustration with his departure, the WWE should celebrate what he has meant to the industry. In a sport that has far too many tragedies, The Rock is living proof that a wrestler can leave the business healthy and happy and go on to enjoy even greater success elsewhere. For all of these reasons and more, The People's Champion deserves to be remembered as one of the top stars of the decade.

(9) Rey Mysterio, Jr.

Although WCW made countless mistakes that led to their demise, one of the smartest moves they made was to bring in the cruiserweights to mainstream American wrestling. Of all of these smaller superstars, the most talented and exciting was Rey Mysterio, Jr. This diminutive but dynamic athlete gave hints of his spectacular skills in WCW, but he did not truly come into his own as a major figure in key storylines until he entered the WWE in 2002. Vince McMahon unquestionably is biased towards larger muscular wrestlers, but Rey overcame his size limitations to become one of the biggest box office draws of the decade.

He made an immediate splash in his first year with the other top workers on Smackdown by having some of the best matches ever seen on television. Mysterio proved to be a sensational performer, either solo or part of a tag team. He consistently engaged in brilliant bouts with the likes of Kurt Angle, Eddie Guerrero, and Chris Jericho. In 2006, he defied all odds by becoming the smallest champion in WWE/F history. Many mistakenly say that his title run was out of sympathy for the loss of his friend Eddie. Despite this misconception, there should be no doubts that Mysterio deserved to be recognized as World Champion as much as any other top wrestler. What he lacks in size, he more than makes up for with his breathtaking athletic ability, captivating charisma, and strength as a major attraction. Rey appeals to two of the top demographics the WWE aims for. Children see him as a masked superhero that they can relate to and the ever-increasing Hispanic audience views him as a cultural icon. As the decade comes to a close, the littlest big man will go down in history as one of its top superstars.

(8) Randy Orton

If there ever was such a concept as a sure thing in wrestling, Randy Orton was it. He had the looks, the attitude, the charisma, and the ring prowess to be one of the great ones, and he was immediately deemed the next legend of the wrestling business. Ironically, he built his status defeating and disrespecting other historic figures, as he earned the nickname "Legend Killer."

Orton benefitted from being part of the top faction of the decade, Evolution, and anybody watching could see a young star emerging amongst established names like Triple H and Ric Flair. His self-assured persona and natural magnetism earned him a large following despite being one of the baddest heels in wrestling. A brilliantly booked feud with Mick Foley, along with a classic bloody match where he defeated the Hardcore Legend at his own game earned him the respect of fans and fellow wrestlers alike. Unfortunately, what should have been a crowning achievement in his career began a downturn, which he would not completely recover from for years. Orton became the youngest champion in WWE history in 2004, but an ill-fated face turn the day after proved to be an embarrassment.

Thankfully, his talent and drive overcame the creative team's misdirection as he became arguably one of the best heels in wrestling history the last few years. Orton is a throwback to the days when bad guys were reprehensible characters that did not try to slyly pander to the crowd because they were cooler than the heroes. He has had some very good matches with Shawn Michaels, Triple H, Undertaker, and John Cena while cementing his status as the dominant villain of his generation.

(7) Chris Jericho

When Chris Jericho made the transition from WCW to WWF in the late nineties, he was given perhaps the most dramatic entrance in wrestling history. It is fitting that the countdown clock to his arrival led to the new millennium because Jericho may be the most fascinating act since the turn of the century. Jericho is that rare wrestler who has played two completely different characters with high levels of success.

In the last ten years, he has transformed from a goofy and comedic showman into a mature, serious performer. Who could have imagined the Y2J with the ridiculous hair and outfits that seemed to play everything for laughs would eventually be giving the most serious, well-delivered promos in the business. What hasn't changed is his tremendous ability inside the ring, as he has consistently put on great matches throughout the decade.

Jericho has participated in some of the finest encounters of the decade with the likes of Chris Benoit, Rey Mysterio, and Triple H. Of course, none of us will forget when he beat The Rock and Steve Austin on the same night to become the first undisputed champion in the WWF. He also headlined WrestleMania, Royal Rumble, Summerslam, and Survivor Series. Jericho's crowning achievement of the decade, however, was his feud with Shawn Michaels. They gave us one of the great matches in Mania history in 2003, but even that could not have prepared us for the brilliance of their feud in 2008. The two veterans took character development and acting in the wrestling world to a whole new level on their way to having the best feud of the last ten years.

Whether using his zany antics to send the crowd into uproarious laughter or utilizing his natural knack for getting under people's skin to put the audience into a rage, Jericho's performing talents were impeccable. His real legacy from this decade, however, should not be his brilliance inside the ring, but his decision to take a few years off from it. Jericho's decision to take two years off in the prime of his career not only healed his body, but also gave him time to freshen up his character and return better than ever. Here is hoping that other wrestlers follow his example and take the time to step away to gain some perspective because, like Jericho, it may mean a whole new life to an already terrific career.

(6) Edge

Like Randy Orton, when you first took a glance at a young Edge coming down from the crowd, looking like a rock star, you knew that he was destined for greatness. The progression of Edge from tag team superstar to solo sensation can serve as a template that all young wrestlers should follow. Partnered with his storyline brother Christian, the two delivered some of the most entertaining promos and took part in some of the greatest matches in tag team history. Their TLC showdowns with the Dudleys and the Hardys redefined risk taking and spectacle in sports entertainment.

As great as he was as a tag team wrestler, it was when he went solo and became the Rated R Superstar that he lived up to the potential that everyone saw in him. Unabashedly sleazy and unapologetically underhanded, Edge became one of the best bad guys of his generation. He was so unlikable that it even garnered nearly universal support for John Cena, whose fan base was divisive at best. His pairing with Lita and the real life drama behind it only enhanced his decadent character. When he later linked himself to Smackdown General Manager Vicki Guerrero, it looked to be a certain disaster, but the two played their roles with such corrupt charisma that they became the duo you loved to hate.

In addition to developing a spectacularly seedy character, Edge repeatedly delivered marvelous matches in the squared circle. He had memorable showdowns with Undertaker, Shawn Michaels, John Cena, Jeff Hardy, and more. He became one of WrestleMania's best performers and one of the most reliable wrestlers in big matches. The decade of decadence was an unforgettable one for Edge.

(5) Triple H

Love him or hate him, and there are plenty of arguments either way, Triple H has to be given his due as one of the top performers of the last ten years. The Game began the decade as the top heel in the business and will be ending it as one of the top babyfaces. Despite all of the controversy and the politics, it cannot be denied that Hunter is one of the hardest workers in wrestling and he has a genuine passion for the industry that fuels his desire to remain at the top. The success he has had in his career is not a mere result of nepotism but equally a testament to his belief that he truly is the best in the business.

It is easy to forget that in the early years of the 2000s, Triple H was the best wrestler in the world. His run of classics with Foley, Rock, Austin, Jericho, and more from 2000 to 2001 confirmed his boasts. He even survived multiple quad tears over the years to have incredible matches with Michaels, Hardy, and Benoit among others. Although Hunter had the bad rap of not making other stars, he lost three consecutive WrestleMania main events, elevating Benoit, Batista, and Cena in dramatic fashion.

Of course, for most people, Triple H's decade will not be defined in the ring, but by his marriage to Stephanie McMahon outside of it. While it is true that we have had to listen to too many boring and rambling promos and watch too many average matches that did not live up to his bragging, The Game deserves recognition for being a central force in the wrestling scene for the entire decade as well as for being a reliable presence in main events and in strong programs with a diversity of talents.

(4) Undertaker

By the time the '90s ended, the Undertaker was heralded as the Phenom of the wrestling industry. What has made the Dead Man so unique and timeless is his brilliant ability to both morph and improve with age. He was thought to be near the end of his career at the start of the decade, but amazingly he not only lasted until the end, he got better with age. Taker could have rested on his laurels and coasted on his entrance and his gimmick the rest of his career, but he chose to develop his skills as a worker in the ring and became one of the best wrestlers in the business. The hottest pay-per-view product of the 2000s was UFC and perhaps more than any other wrestler, Undertaker incorporated MMA maneuvers into his arsenal to enhance his in-ring prowess.

Taker took part in some of the greatest matches of the decade against a wide variety of opponents, from Orton to Edge to Kurt Angle to Brock Lesnar. Perhaps his most amazing feud was with Batista. What looked to be a clash of styles became a series of brilliant bouts, including a WrestleMania showcase that nobody could have imagined would be so great. Of course, he saved his finest performance of the decade for the final year in an epic masterpiece with Shawn Michaels that many consider the greatest match of all time. It only added to what has become one of the most celebrated achievements in wrestling history, the WrestleMania undefeated streak.

While Undertaker is considered one of the best gimmick performers in wrestling history, what makes him so fantastic has nothing to do with costumes and cartoons. Through hard work and smart control of his character, he has taken what could have easily been a short-lived career into one of the most monumental in the industry's history. He is a perfect example of a wrestler who can appear less but make more of an impact, and that is the reason he was wrestling's most significant special attraction of the decade.

(3) Kurt Angle

As we all know, Angle came into professional wrestling with much fanfare as the first Olympic wrestling gold medalist. Unbelievably, he not only lived up to his formidable amateur credentials, he far surpassed them. Angle has been nothing short of a phenomenon in the wrestling ring, winning virtually every major championship. He has been the top performer in each of the two major companies and has regularly put on magnificent performances throughout the years. The wrestling machine put on in-ring clinics against Benoit, Michaels, Undertaker, Lesnar, Mysterio, and virtually every major superstar in wrestling.

Angle has also served as an example of the dichotomy that plagues the wrestling business. On one hand, you have unparalleled athletic ability and showmanship. On the other hand, you have drug abuse, bodily destruction and denial of the real problems that often develop in the simulated sport. It can be argued that Angle should no longer be wrestling because of the extreme toll the years of hard knocks have taken on his ravaged body. Unfortunately, his addiction to the competitive environment and the spotlight will not allow him to step away from the ring.

Despite his problems, we must all be thankful to Angle for his virtually unmatched talents. He has been a virtuoso performer in every aspect of sports entertainment from promos to skits to mat wrestling to aerial artistry. Whether it be WWE or TNA, Angle has proven a worthy champion that can excel in even the most goofy and distasteful storylines. Let us just all hope that his body holds up and he stops wrestling while he is still healthy and he goes out the way he came in, like a champion.

(2) John Cena

In many ways, John Cena was the biggest star in wrestling of the decade. He was the biggest draw as well as the WWE's choice as its main media representative. With his clean-cut good looks and innate charm and charisma, Cena proved to be an excellent choice to be the face of the publicly traded corporation. What made him so unique however was that as much as he was a media darling, he was equally despised by a large portion of the wrestling audience. There has rarely been as divisive a central figure in wrestling. The women were attracted to his handsome appearance and the children were drawn to his heroism and likability. At the same time, adult males, wrestling's core demographic, were turned off by his pandering antics and general dorky behavior.

One thing nobody can fault Cena for is not working hard enough. He has tirelessly promoted WWE through good times and bad, and he is the closest thing they have to a multimedia superstar. Although his promos were often juvenile and the presentation of his character was usually lame, Cena overcame the limitations of his image to appeal to a massive fan base. He sold more merchandise than any other wrestler this decade and was proven to be the one viable ratings difference maker in the last few years. Not only that, Cena was an underrated performer within the squared circle. He had tremendous matches with Orton, Michaels, Umaga, Triple H, and Edge as well as other top stars of the era. His ability to rise to the occasion in big matches should be commended.

Despite his magnificent star stature over the years, you can't help but think WWE missed the boat a bit on the Cena character. The clash between older and younger fans generated a level of passion in crowds that has rarely been seen in recent history. Instead of playing off that dichotomy, the company chose not to utilize the divergent reaction to enhance his character with rough edges and complications. Personally speaking, I would love Cena to turn heel. There is still a large fan base of adult males that would welcome the return of the Dr. of Thuganomics who had an edge and an attitude. Eventually we will see a bad guy Cena who will be able to unleash his true feelings about those who have booed him and there will be huge money to be made. Although many fans cannot stand him, for his incredible charisma and his impassioned role as the spokesman of the company, Cena deserves his spot as the top wrestler of his time.

(1) Shawn Michaels

It is difficult to imagine now, but when the 2000s started, most of us thought that Shawn Michaels's days in the ring were finished. He had suffered a debilitating back injury and faced personal struggles against drugs and his own demons. HBK was instrumental in ushering in the Attitude Era with his groundbreaking wrestling style and brash persona, but he missed most of it due to injury. Amazingly, Michaels was able to rise above it all to return to the wrestling industry better than ever.

When Michaels decided to wrestle in a comeback match against his old friend Triple H at Summerslam 2002, I was among many fans who wondered if he still had what it took to deliver in the ring. I still recall watching the event at Hooters in Santa Monica, Calif., where a packed crowd cheered on the return of HBK. He quickly proved all doubters wrong by delivering a spectacular performance. In the years since, he has regularly participated in some of the greatest matches in wrestling history. I have watched wrestling for over twenty years and I believe that Michaels' performance in the ring this decade is the best of any wrestler in all my time as a fan.

The Heartbreak Kid has regularly been the highlight of television and pay-per-view programming. In an era where writers aim for the lowest common denominator, Michaels has taken part in some of the most compelling, intelligently booked feuds of the decade. His rivalries with Triple H, Angle, Flair, Hogan, and especially Jericho were some of the finest of the time period. Even a decade after his supposed prime, his status as the ultimate big match performer remains unparalleled. Nowhere is that more evident than his incredible string of WrestleMania classics. From his brilliant bout with Jericho to his legendary match with Undertaker, he has risen to the occasion every time and is unchallenged as the greatest wrestler of the Grand Stage.

Like Undertaker, HBK's prolific career is proof that an athlete can get better with age if he knows how to adjust to his athletic ability and become smarter with experience. Although he does not often get credit as a standout box office draw, it has been Michaels's consistent performances that have kept many real wrestling fans watching despite all of the other nonsense surrounding him. Cena was too lame and Triple H was too boorish, but HBK knew exactly what it was about his character that made him appealing and maximized those attributes. As a result, though his matches were usually on the undercard, they were the main reason many fans ordered pay-per-views and bought tickets. Although his DX run has been way too juvenile for my tastes, the act has kept its popularity and was one of the biggest merchandise sellers of recent years. For his incomparable brilliance in the ring, major status as a legendary attraction, and his ability to evolve with the time, Shawn Michaels is the best all-around performer in WWE of the decade.

Honorable Mentions: Batista, Steve Austin, Jeff Hardy, John Bradshaw Layfield, Eddie Guerrero, Brock Lesnar, and Chris Benoit.

Please send questions, comments, and feedback to valentino.torch@gmail.com

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