Top 10 Greatest WWE Raw General Managers of All Time

Adam Pearce and Eric Bischoff

10- Anonymous Raw General Manager

The Anonymous Raw General Manager concept introduced in early 2010 was one of the most unique and strange authority figures in WWE history, running the show exclusively through emails read aloud by Michael Cole. The anticipation built significantly over more than a year for the planned reveal. However, WWE ultimately disappointed fans by phasing out the angle without a proper conclusion, allowing Triple H to take control as the COO instead. The mystery was later resolved for comedic purposes years later when Hornswoggle was controversially revealed as the source of the authoritative, email-based commands.

9- Bret Hart

Bret "The Hitman" Hart made a triumphant return to WWE in 2010 and briefly assumed the role of Raw General Manager. His short, yet universally praised, run was a rare instance of a beloved face holding a powerful authority position. This dynamic allowed for refreshing storylines that avoided the typical contrivances of a heel trying to suppress the roster. Hart performed exceptionally well during his tenure, adding a layer of legitimacy and goodwill to the show. The only reason his ranking is not higher is the extremely short duration of his run, which lasted for only about a month.

8- Mick Foley

Mick Foley was named Raw General Manager in 2016, working directly under Commissioner Stephanie McMahon following the reintroduction of the brand split. Foley, serving as a face GM, delivered solid work while consistently trying to counteract the overbearing interference of the heel Commissioner. A highlight of his tenure was the successful storyline where he mandated the pairing of Cesaro and Sheamus, which led to the formation of the popular tag team, The Bar. Moreover, his tenure also saw the crowning of the first Universal champion in the form of Finn Balor at SummerSlam 2016. His eventual departure came when Stephanie fired him, concluding their clashing heel-face dynamic on-screen.

7- Stephanie McMahon

Stephanie McMahon stepped into the role of Raw General Manager following the poorly received tenure of Mike Adamle. Initially teaming briefly with her brother Shane, Stephanie soon took total control of the brand, operating as a face authority figure. Her run was defined by significant feuds with top-tier talent, most notably Randy Orton and Chris Jericho. The escalating rivalry with Orton became particularly personal, involving both her and Vince McMahon. This intense storyline was instrumental in setting the stage for the major feud between Triple H and Orton, demonstrating the narrative impact of her time as General Manager.

6- William Regal

William Regal’s successful run as Raw General Manager occurred during the 2007-2008 timeframe, following his critically acclaimed tenure as Commissioner. Regal's character work consistently shone in this authority role, perfectly balancing seriousness and comedic flair. He is particularly remembered for his hilarious backstage segments, including dancing with Cryme Tyme and his memorable struggles to properly pronounce the name Umaga. His run provided quality entertainment and strong storytelling until it abruptly ended. Regal was ultimately forced to relinquish the General Manager position after losing a stipulated match to Mr. Kennedy.

5- Stone Cold Steve Austin

"Stone Cold" Steve Austin took on the role of co-General Manager of Raw alongside Eric Bischoff following his retirement in the early 2000s brand split. While his actual run as an executive was mixed, his presence guaranteed a massive reaction and added considerable excitement to every angle. The core of his time was a dominant on-screen rivalry with co-GM Bischoff, which influenced the entire Raw roster. His tenure famously concluded at the 2003 Survivor Series when Team Austin lost to Team Bischoff due to interference from Randy Orton and Batista, forcing Austin to step down from the authoritative role.

4- Kurt Angle

Kurt Angle was appointed Raw General Manager following his celebrated return to WWE in 2017, ushering in a two-year run where a beloved face held the position. Angle performed admirably, injecting credibility and legitimacy into the role while avoiding the contrived storylines typical of heel authority figures who hold down others. His tenure was largely successful, though his feud with Baron "Constable" Corbin proved to be a notable low point. The position was eventually phased out shortly after the Angle/Corbin storyline concluded, signaling the removal of General Managers entirely from the weekly programming.

3- Adam Pearce

Adam Pearce officially became the Raw General Manager on October 13, 2023, following a prolonged period as a ubiquitous on-screen WWE Official since 2020. His persona is defined by his attempts to maintain law and order on the chaotic Raw brand, often dealing with defiant Superstars and escalating brawls. With a legitimate background as a five-time NWA World Heavyweight Champion and current Director of Live Events, Pearce brings genuine wrestling knowledge to the role. His segments often involve issuing fines and suspensions, though his frustrations with the "Red Brand" roster are a consistent, relatable part of his character. He is viewed as a fair and professional authority figure, contrasting with past heel GMs.

2- AJ Lee

AJ Lee’s run as Raw General Manager from July to October 2012 is cited as a key factor in her ascent to becoming one of WWE’s top female performers. Her impressive character work and dynamic presence quickly earned her the authoritative position. Lee was involved in outstanding, highly entertaining segments alongside major names such as CM Punk, John Cena, and Vince McMahon. Although her tenure was relatively short, ending due to a storyline involving her romance with Cena and an ongoing feud with Vickie Guerrero, AJ Lee demonstrated incredible skill in the role, providing a memorable and successful stint as the Raw authority figure.

1- Eric Bischoff

Eric Bischoff is ranked number one for his tenure as the first official Raw General Manager, serving a long, influential run from 2002 to 2005. His tremendous heel work immediately established the blueprint for the authority figure role in the brand split era. Bischoff excelled in feuds with top stars like Stone Cold Steve Austin and Shane McMahon, often sharing the role with rivals like Austin and Mick Foley, which added extra entertainment to his segments. He successfully represented the perfect heel authority figure, enhancing the show’s storylines without detracting from the in-ring action, solidifying his status as the gold standard.