50 Ruthless Aggression Era Superstars Ranked From Worst To Best

35. Finlay

Pros:

1. Skilled, internationally-recognized wrestler

2. Simplistic yet believable gimmick

3. So committed to kayfabe that he'll break your thumb and sing a song if you call wrestling fake in front of him

Cons:

1. Started his in-ring WWE career in his late 40s

2. Wasn't believable as a comedy character or as a heroic face

3. Hornswoggle...enough said

It's quite rare for a WWE employee to go from trainer to active wrestler; but that's what Finlay did. After a long and successful career around the world, Finlay arrived in WWE in 2001 and proceeded to train a wide variety of wrestlers, including both Randy Orton and John Cena. But obviously all that training made him yearn to lace up his own boots again, and so he managed to return to the ring in 2005.

Taking the role of 'the man who loves to fight', Finlay was a straight-up no-nonsense brute of a wrestler who loved to hurt his opponents. He did well as a mid-card heel, especially considering he was wrestling competitive matches into his late 40s and early 50s. Clearly the man didn't believe in the ravages of time on one's body.

Despite a few strange storylines (almost all of them centered around Hornswoggle), Finlay was a nice addition to the SmackDown roster, as the veteran was able to help everyone who got in the ring with him.

Final Rating: ***1/2