10 Most Larger Than Life Wrestlers In The World Today
Presence, charisma, mystique, swagger, star power, and everything in between.
One of the biggest complaints thrown at today's professional wrestler is that few, if any, feel larger than life. This has merit. For the most part, the era of the eye-popping mega-character is over, with modern main eventers like Seth Rollins presented almost entirely without grandeur. Such is life in this reality-driven era.
But while modern wrestling's star-making methods may never create a personality as big as The Rock or 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin, dozens of performers still attract special attention. Granted, some of them made their names decades ago, but they still project to a level far greater than their physical frame. They've got the kind of presence, charisma, swagger, and star power required to create an aura that leaps off your screen.
A wrestler must have had at least one match in the last three months to quality, hence the lack of John Cena and Ronda Rousey. Other honourable mentions include Jon Moxley, Randy Orton, Tetsuya Naito (thanks to middling in-ring fortunes these past few years), Kenny Omega, and Triple H, who'd be a shoo-in without the diminishing returns hastened by his overlong in-ring "epics."
What names remain? Let's take a look...
10. Minoru Suzuki
Minoru Suzuki is proof that a wrestler need not be physically imposing to come off larger than life.
'The King' stands at just 5'10" and tips the scales at 224lbs. Moreover, he's 51-years-old. None of this matters, though, because Suzuki feels ten feet tall when he hits the ring - particularly when you experience him live.
The man's imposing aura is informed by his background as a pivotal mixed martial artist, having founded the vaunted Pancrase organisation in 1993. MiSu doesn't need to tell you he's a badass because he is one. Instead, he carries himself like the hardest, grumpiest man on the planet, scowling at Young Lions, officials, and opponents with a gaze that could melt the ice caps, with ridiculous physical charisma making him more imposing than most 7' monsters.
When Suzuki applies an armbar, he tries to tear the limb off, not just submit the opponent. When he strikes, he does so either to instil respect in or concuss his victim. The wrestling style fits the character to a tee, and while other former MMA stars exude baddassery, none feel as huge as Suzuki.