10 Wrestlers Who Proved Legendary Status Doesn’t Require a Championship
Rey Mysterio Jr.
10. Steve Corino: The King of Old School
In the chaotic and often extreme world of ECW, Steve Corino stood out by rejecting the promotion’s reliance on excessive violence and what he openly criticized as garbage wrestling. He positioned himself as a defender of traditional wrestling values, dubbing himself the King of Old School and presenting himself as a throwback to wrestling’s earlier eras. Despite this stance, Corino routinely bled heavily in brutal bull rope matches against Dusty Rhodes, a contradiction that only added depth to his character. The gimmick proved highly effective, turning Corino into one of ECW’s most despised and compelling villains. His rise culminated in winning the ECW World Championship in November 2000.
9. The Kings of Wrestling: Chris Hero and Claudio Castagnoli
The Kings of Wrestling emerged as one of the most dominant forces on the independent wrestling scene. Although the stable included names such as Larry Sweeney, Chuck Taylor, and Gran Akuma, the heart of the group was Chris Hero and Claudio Castagnoli. Together, they tore through promotions like Chikara and played a central role in the historic mid 2000s war between CZW and Ring of Honor. At their peak, they were widely considered the best tag team in the world. Their dominance was undeniable as they simultaneously held the CZW, Chikara, and Ring of Honor Tag Team Championships. Known for their physical cruelty, including swinging opponents by their ankles and delivering merciless kicks, they were often compared to a more expressive version of modern teams like FTR. Their partnership ended when both signed with WWE under new names, and despite years of fan demand, the team never reunited on the main stage.
8. Jeff Jarrett: The King of the Mountain
Jeff Jarrett’s long career includes many chapters, but his most defining role came as a founder and centerpiece of TNA Wrestling in the early 2000s. As the promotion’s most recognizable name, Jarrett positioned himself as its anchor during its formative years. His royal claim came through the King of the Mountain match, a notoriously complex reverse ladder match that involved pinfalls, eligibility rules, and a penalty cage. Jarrett won the inaugural version of the match and went on to win it three times overall. While critics accused him of keeping himself on top of his own promotion, Jarrett’s presence provided stability and legitimacy when TNA needed it most. For better or worse, the company often revolved around him.
7. Christopher Daniels: The King of the Indies
During the independent wrestling boom of the late 1990s and early 2000s, several wrestlers carried the title of King of the Indies. For many fans, Christopher Daniels embodied it more completely than anyone else. He won the inaugural King of the Indies tournament in 2000 and quickly established himself as one of the most technically gifted and well rounded wrestlers in America. As a founding figure of Ring of Honor, Daniels helped define the modern independent style, blending high flying offense, technical precision, and explosive suplexes. This approach represented the next evolution of junior heavyweight wrestling previously pioneered by figures like Dynamite Kid, Tiger Mask, and Owen Hart. His work in TNA’s X Division helped make the company essential viewing, and his Ring of Honor World Championship victory in 2017 served as long overdue recognition. Daniels later became one of the first wrestlers signed to All Elite Wrestling.
6. Minoru Suzuki: The King of Pro Wrestling
Minoru Suzuki’s reputation is built on legitimacy and fear. As a co founder of the Pancrase MMA organization, Suzuki entered professional wrestling with real combat credibility. He blended legitimate grappling with pro wrestling spectacle to become one of the most respected and intimidating figures of the past three decades. Over the course of his career, Suzuki captured the GHC Heavyweight Championship in NOAH and the Triple Crown Championship in All Japan Pro Wrestling. His entrances are often met with audiences singing Kazari in reverence. Known affectionately as Murder Grandpa, Suzuki also holds a unique distinction outside the ring, having performed motion capture for the character King in the original Tekken video game.
5. Cactus Jack: The King of the Death Match
The Japanese death match boom of the early 1990s reached its peak with the 1995 IWA King of the Deathmatch tournament. Held over a single brutal day, the tournament featured competitors such as Terry Funk, Terry Gordy, and Leatherface enduring increasingly violent stipulations. Cactus Jack emerged as the defining figure of the event. Presented as the most savage of Mick Foley’s alter egos, Cactus endured severe burns and deep cuts to prove his toughness. His performance elevated Foley to near mythical status among hardcore fans, and footage of the tournament became highly sought after by tape traders. The buzz grew so loud that Jim Ross personally pushed Vince McMahon to sign Foley. The battle scarred Mankind soon became one of the most beloved stars of the Attitude Era.
4. Shinsuke Nakamura: The King of Strong Style
Shinsuke Nakamura blended flamboyant charisma with brutal striking in a way few wrestlers ever have. Often described as combining the presence of Freddie Mercury, the charisma of Michael Jackson, and devastating kicking power, Nakamura became New Japan Pro Wrestling’s beacon of hope during a difficult period. As the King of Strong Style, he fused stiff, jaw rattling offense with undeniable energy, helping NJPW gain international attention as American audiences increasingly tuned in. His WWE NXT debut in 2016 marked a watershed moment for the brand. After immediately targeting Sami Zayn and chasing the NXT Championship, Nakamura introduced strong style to a new audience. He later became the only Japanese wrestler to win the WWE Men’s Royal Rumble, solidifying his legacy as one of WWE’s most impactful signings of the last decade.
3. Triple H: The King of Kings
Few figures have shaped modern WWE more than Triple H. From his early days as an arrogant aristocrat to his evolution into the King of Kings, he became WWE’s ultimate final boss. He dominated the main event scene from the late Attitude Era through the Ruthless Aggression Era, with his reign of terror leaving lasting impressions on fans and rivals alike. Wrestlers such as Booker T, Rob Van Dam, Kane, and Randy Orton were frequently cited as casualties of his dominance. While controversial, the long arc paid off when he elevated Batista at WrestleMania 21, cementing a new main event star. His influence did not end in the ring. In 2022, Triple H took control of WWE’s creative direction as Chief Content Officer, marking the final evolution of his reign.
2. Rey Mysterio: The Mystery King
The name Rey literally translates to King, making Rey Mysterio the 'Mystery King' by definition. Outside of Mexico, he is widely regarded as the most famous luchador of all time. His work in WCW’s cruiserweight division inspired an entire generation of wrestlers and reshaped how smaller athletes were perceived on a major stage. Mysterio later enjoyed a championship filled WWE career, holding both the WWE Championship and the World Heavyweight Championship. Even before his mainstream success, he was revolutionizing wrestling in Mexico’s Triple A and Philadelphia’s ECW, where his extreme lucha style injected excitement into an American wrestling scene struggling during the New Generation era. Despite the physical toll on his body and occasional questionable fashion choices, his influence remains undeniable. Without Rey Mysterio, the post Attitude Era WWE landscape would have been far less compelling.
1. Jerry Lawler: The King of Memphis
Jerry Lawler is the rare case of a wrestler whose royal status extends far beyond imagery or nicknames. Long before wearing a crown on national television, Lawler was the undisputed King of Memphis wrestling. Rising to prominence in the 1970s, he defeated his mentor Jackie Fargo in 1974 to capture the NWA Southern Heavyweight Championship and cement his place as the territory’s biggest draw. Over the years, he became one of the most decorated champions in wrestling history and was renowned for possessing the best worked punch the business has ever seen. His feuds with Andy Kaufman, The Fabulous Freebirds, and Kerry Von Erich became legendary. Lawler later joined WWE in the early 1990s, feuding with Bret Hart before transitioning into commentary. Alongside Jim Ross, he helped define the sound of the Attitude Era, solidifying a legacy that spans nearly five decades. More than any other name on this list, Jerry Lawler remains wrestling’s preeminent king.
