10 Hardest Hitters In Wrestling Right Now

Wrestling's not real.

Colt Cabana's podcast wasn't the first point at which people related the physical practice to the performance art of pro wrestling. It was an art form first of all - the art of the grift. A fairground attraction in which con artists would take money from local toughs in an elaborate hustle that played first with the pre-determined aspect of the game before rinsing a drunk punter with the very real toughness required.

It's a juxtaposition that exists to this day. WWE won't permit blading in 2018, but will allow Brock Lesnar to open people's heads up with the point of his elbow on special occasions. This isn't any safer, of course, but the company can pin it on 'The Beast' himself if Mattel happen to ask why they're receiving requests for toys with "SPILLED BRAINS ACCESSORIES!" included. Meanwhile, New Japan Pro Wrestling performers persist in peppering their spectacular scuffles with the type of neck stuff that would have made Mitsuharu Misawa blush - if he wasn't already dead from a career dedicated to neck stuff.

'Hitting hard' is thus a complex criteria - the best case scenario is a believable bad b*stard that doesn't leave a mark, but some of them are just too cruel not to rule. Quintessential professional Bret Hart dispelled the magic of a ear-piercing chop in his autobiography, but he'd surely see the Dungeon-esque appeal if could throw them like some of the modern purveyors.

He always strived for reality, after all...

An under-appreciated banter merchant behind the scenes, Sheamus' physical fire has burned the bodies of many thanks to a near-the-knuckle style that begs for bravery in battle.

His rope-trapped overhands to the chest were skillfully employed to generate cheers during the brief period audiences actually took to 'The Celtic Warrior', but they're substantially more suited to his brilliantly-cast role as a bully heel. And in Cesaro, Sheamus found a kindred spirit; The Bar walk, talk and fight like super-heavyweights but wrestle with the slick precision of wrestlers half their size. They thus both benefit from the element of surprise when throwing uppercut bombs and Brogue Kicks respectively.

Many wrestlers have reported how stiff 'The Great White' works, but he gleefully takes as good as he gives - Jeff Hardy was knocked all over during The Hardyz/Bar feud in 2017, but had no problem landing every pound of his frame on his larger foe when time came for the Swanton finish.

He may have been more about rep than reps early into his carer, but the former WWE Champion has at long last found his place as the bruiser he was born to be.