Top 20 Most Dangerous WWE Stars in History
20. Kane
The Big Red Machine was an unmatched force of destruction. Kane's initial run saw him rip the door off the Hell in a Cell structure, set his brother's casket on fire, and launch a campaign of terror that truly earned him the moniker of the Devil's Favorite Demon. His physical dominance and pyro-laden entrance solidified him as one of WWE's most dangerous and feared monsters.
19. The Big Show
At over 7 feet and 500+ pounds, The Big Show was billed as a truly dangerous giant. His sheer size, combined with the devastating KO Punch—a sudden, one-hit knockout blow—made him a credible, terrifying threat. Whether he was demolishing the ring with a superplex or breaking through an unforgiving steel cage, his physical dominance established him as a terrifying monster in WWE.
18. Mad Dog Vachon
Maurice “Mad Dog” Vachon was renowned for his hardcore wrestling style and brutality despite his smaller 5-foot-7 frame. A five-time AWA Champion and former Olympian, Mad Dog combined technical skill with violent aggression, earning fear both inside and outside the ring. Fellow wrestlers like Pat Patterson and Michael Hayes attest to his viciousness and toughness in bars and brawls.
17. Terry Funk
Hardcore legend Terry Funk refused to stay retired, famously taking on brutal matches including a barbed wire spot during ECW One Night Stand 2006, around 50 years after his debut. Known for his high pain tolerance and violent bare-knuckle brawls, Funk’s career spanned over five decades filled with dangerous and relentless wrestling styles. His willingness to suffer physical punishment has made him a hardcore icon.
16. Mick Foley
As Cactus Jack and Mankind, Foley epitomized hardcore wrestling in WWE’s Attitude Era. His legendary Hell in a Cell match with The Undertaker at King of the Ring 1998 included two falls from the top of the cell, and his spots in TLC matches are still celebrated for their brutality. Foley’s physical toughness is evident in his enduring injuries and his Hall of Fame status.
15. Sabu
Nicknamed “The Homicidal, Suicidal, Genocidal,” Sabu brought a relentless hardcore style involving barbed wire, tables, and chairs. He trained under The Original Sheik and became known for an unpredictable, high-risk style that put both himself and opponents in extreme danger. Sabu’s hardcore matches in ECW set new standards of physical risk.
14. The Iron Sheik
An Olympic-level wrestler with military training, The Iron Sheik leveraged his strength and mat skills to dominate top opponents. His reputation includes intimidating stories like taking on multiple football players at once. The Sheik’s legitimate combat and wrestling background contributed to his fearsome reputation.
13. Bob Backlund
Known for his freakish tendon strength and excellent conditioning, Backlund could isolate and dismantle opponents physically with his submission holds. Despite a boyish look, he was a two-time NCAA champion and capable of lifting heavy opponents effortlessly. His enduring toughness was evident in his long televised wrestling career.
12. Dr. Death Steve Williams
Williams was a powerhouse with an iron will, combining amateur wrestling success and football athleticism. Stories of wrestling through serious injuries, including a severely stitched eye, reflect his hard-nosed toughness. He was respected for his physical dominance and no-nonsense attitude in the ring.
11. ED Strangler Lewis
A pioneer in submission wrestling, Lewis was considered the toughest opponent of his era. He developed a fierce reputation for his hook wrestling style that could maim opponents. His teachings influenced generations, and his grip and strength were legendary in early wrestling history.
10. The Undertaker
A 6-foot-10, 300-pound titan, The Undertaker revolutionized what a big man could do in the ring. His physical and mental stamina through countless injuries made him a yardstick of toughness, earning unmatched respect and fear throughout his career. His legendary WrestleMania streak reflects his resilience.
9. Harley Race
Race’s hard-living style was born in carnivals and small towns where survival meant toughness. Known for a high pain tolerance and unmatched resilience, Race overcame serious injuries and emerged as a dominant NWA World Champion. His left-handedness and aggressive style made him unpredictable and fierce.
8. Lou Thesz
Recognized for his technical mastery and brutal application of submission holds, Thesz was a highly respected hooker whose style could quickly incapacitate opponents. His role as a mentor to future legends and long championship reign underscore his physical and mental toughness.
7. Dan Severn
An MMA pioneer and UFC champion, Severn brought remarkable combat skills and physicality into professional wrestling. His reputation for intensity and dominance was matched by few, and his crossover success verified his authentic toughness.
6. Jack Brisco
Known for his Native American heritage and humble beginnings, Brisco earned respect through technical skill and grit. Several legends confirm his readiness to defend himself physically, reinforcing his status as one of wrestling’s most feared grapplers.
5. Haku
Feared as a brutal street fighter, Haku’s reputation for mental and physical toughness is almost mythical. Stories of biting off parts of opponents’ ears and noses in bar fights contribute to his legendary status as one of the fiercest wrestlers ever.
4. Ken Shamrock
Dubbed “The World’s Most Dangerous Man,” Shamrock brought legitimate MMA skills into WWE, pioneering the popularization of the ankle lock. His violent fighting background and aggressive style established him as a feared enforcer inside and outside the ring.
3. Kurt Angle
As an Olympic gold medalist and WWE World Champion, Angle combined technical brilliance with raw toughness. His ability to compete at high levels despite injuries allowed him to overcome formidable opponents, earning immense respect for his resilience.
2. Danny Hodge
Hodge’s reputation came from his unmatched tendon strength and undefeated collegiate wrestling record. His physicality was legendary, surviving a severe car accident and continuing his athletic pursuits, cementing his place as a true symbol of toughness.
1. Brock Lesnar
Brock Lesnar’s overwhelming strength, NCAA titles, and UFC championship demonstrate his unparalleled physical dominance. Known for tossing giants and pulverizing opponents, his mix of power and speed has made him a nearly unstoppable force in WWE rings.
