Top 25 Non-Wrestlers Countdown

[Romford Pele]

This one is well deserved. Amazing manager and commentator as well as possibly the most gifted performer to ever hold a microphone.

[Romford Pele]

Number 3...

Jim Ross, 212 points, 11 votes, Highest vote 23 points (Romford Pele/Fro/Jarrod)


James William Ross (born January 3, 1952)[2] is an American professional wrestling commentator and talent relations executive, currently signed with All Elite Wrestling (AEW) as a commentator, analyst and senior advisor. Ross is best known for a long and distinguished career as a play-by-play commentator for the WWF. He is known affectionately as Good ol' JR and has been labeled as the greatest wrestling commentator of all time.

After years of working various jobs in the professional wrestling industry, Ross became the primary play-by-play announcer for Mid-South Wrestling in the early 1980s. He went on to do commentary for the National Wrestling Alliance and World Championship Wrestling, before jumping to the World Wrestling Federation, making his first appearance for the promotion at WrestleMania IX in 1993. During his tenure with WWF, Ross was widely regarded as the voice of the company, particularly during The Attitude Era of the late 1990s and early 2000s. Ross was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame class of 2007. He was also the lead announcer for New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) on AXS TV from 2015 to 2018 and occasionally does play-by-play for boxing and mixed martial arts. Ross also hosts his own weekly podcast, "Grilling JR". Outside of wrestling, Ross is known for his barbecue sauce and beef jerky brand, J.R.'s Family BBQ

[3puppies]

I agree that this is justified, as Heyman belongs on a Mt Rushmore of advocates/managers. He understands his role and explains the magnitude of what he is selling, and he gets the audience excited for the anticipation of what's coming.

There are times when he rambles on or takes too long to get to his point (more so when he was GM), but most of the time his timing is perfect. Even his self-introduction builds just the right amount of anticipation. By the time he gets to his point, the poetry he delivers just works. It is very clear he has worked hard on choosing every word he says, and precisely what syllables to emphasize, and most importantly, how long to pause between sentences.

In front of a live audience, his mannerisms should be studied by anyone wanting to learn how to work a crowd. Little things like lifting the mic towards his face, then sligfhtly shaking his head before dropping his arm down, while the crowd anticipating rises. There are times when he'll even have to repeat "Ladies and Gentlemen.." a few times before he starts his shtick. This stuff has been done by heels for ages but Paul has perfected it like nobody else.

I'd argue that Brock Lesnar wouldn't be half the legend he is if he didn't have Paul Heyman by his side.

[Romford Pele]

Number 2...

Vince McMahon, 252 points, 11 votes, Highest vote 25 points (Ringo/ND/Fro/Badger/Jarrod)


Vincent Kennedy McMahon ( born August 24, 1945) is an American professional wrestling promoter and executive, American football executive, and media proprietor currently serving as the chairman and CEO of WWE, and the founder and owner of Alpha Entertainment.

McMahon was born in Pinehurst, North Carolina, and graduated from East Carolina University with a degree in business in 1968. He worked for the WWE for his father as a commentator and he assumed control of the company in 1982; McMahon saw the commercial potential of monopolizing the industry, which previously operated as separate fiefdoms across the United States. This led to the development of the annual WrestleMania, which has since become the most successful professional wrestling event in history. He faced stiff industry competition from World Championship Wrestling (WCW) in the 1990s, but eventually purchased the company in 2001 after a long power struggle, and also purchased the assets of the defunct Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) in 2006.

McMahon has embarked on a number of WWE-related ventures; in 2014, he launched the WWE Network, an over-the-top video streaming service. McMahon also owns other WWE subsidiaries related to multimedia such as film, music, and magazines, as well as a professional wrestling school system. Outside of wrestling, McMahon joint-owned and operated the XFL, a football league, twice; both iterations folded after a single season. He also headed the short-lived World Bodybuilding Federation, and co-owns the clothing brand Tapout.

McMahon also worked as a professional wrestler and personality known by the ring name Mr. McMahon, using a gimmick based on his real-life persona. He was the broadcast color commentator and chief broadcaster until 1997, and is a two-time world champion, a Royal Rumble match winner, and has headlined multiple WWE pay-per-view events. He is the eldest living member of the McMahon family, and is a third-generation wrestling promoter, following his grandfather Jess and father Vincent. He married political executive Linda Edwards in 1966, and is the father of businesspeople Stephanie and Shane McMahon, and father-in-law to Triple H.

[Romford Pele]

On JR - best commentator ever. Just love his authenticity and passion.


On Vince - amazing heel, just amazing. And put so many stars over. He wasn't my favourite commentator though.

[Romford Pele]

The no.1 non-wrestler according to rajah.com forums is....

Bobby 'The Brain' Heenan, 265 points, 12 votes, Highest vote 25 points (Romford Pele, Blue Gunn, MMH, KDestiny, 3Puppies

Raymond Louis Heenan (November 1, 1944 – September 17, 2017), better known as Bobby "The Brain" Heenan, was an American professional wrestling manager, color commentator, wrestler, and comedian, best known for his time with the American Wrestling Association (AWA), the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE) and World Championship Wrestling (WCW).

Frequently described as the greatest professional wrestling manager of all time, he was known for his skill in elevating villainous on-screen talent by drawing negative reactions for himself and his wrestlers from the crowd. He was paired with numerous wrestlers, including Nick Bockwinkel, whom he led to win the AWA World Heavyweight Championship, and he became an integral figure in the 1980s professional wrestling boom by managing King Kong Bundy and André the Giant in WWF main event matches with Hulk Hogan at WrestleMania 2 and WrestleMania III respectively.

The wrestlers under his tutelage were collectively known as "The Heenan Family" at various times throughout his career.
Known for his quick wit and comedic ability, Heenan also served as a color commentator and is remembered for his on-screen repartee with Gorilla Monsoon. Outside of wrestling, Heenan authored two books, appeared on numerous television shows, and briefly hosted a parody talk show titled The Bobby Heenan Show on WWF Prime Time Wrestling. Heenan retired in 2001 at WrestleMania X-Seven after a seventeen-year stint as a commentator in professional wrestling but he continued to make sporadic appearances in several promotions. In 2002, he was diagnosed with throat cancer, which limited his appearances in later years, and died from complications of the disease in 2017. Among other honors, he has been inducted into the Professional Wrestling, WWE, and Wrestling Observer halls of fame.

[Romford Pele]

To be the greatest in one field is an amazing achievement. But to be the best in two is unheard of.

Greatest manager ever. Greatest co-commentator ever. A great tv host, could also work in the ring. Fantastic comic timing and a heat magnet.

To me, Brain shouldn't just be on the Mount Rushmore of non-wrestlers but he has a valid claim to join the likes of Hogan and Austin in terms of influence.

[Romford Pele]

Full table:-


Name Rank no of votes Total pts
Bobby Heenan 1 12 265
Vince 2 11 252
JR 3 11 212
Paul Heyman 4 12 208
Eric Bischoff 5 11 170
Jerry the King Lawler 6 11 167
Mean Gene Okerland 6 9 167
Jimmy Hart 8 11 166
Jesse Ventura 9 10 162
Paul Bearer 10 11 148
Gorilla Monsoon 11 9 146
Howard Finkel 12 9 142
Jim Cornette 13 9 109
Sensational Sherri 14 8 107
Miss Elizabeth 15 10 98
Stephanie McMahon 16 7 96
Mr Fuji 17 6 79
Sunny 18 9 78
William Regal 18 8 78
Earl Hebner 20 6 64
Vicky Guerrero 21 5 54
Shane Mcmahon 22 5 50
Mick Foley 23 5 45
Michael Cole 24 6 41
Capt Lou 25 3 35
Stone Cold 25 2 35
Slick 27 2 34
Teddy Long 28 5 28
Todd Pettingill 29 3 27
Brother Love 30 4 24
Jonathan Coachman 31 1 23
Macho Man 32 2 21
Raphus 32 1 21
Ric Flair 32 2 21
Sable 32 3 21
HHH 36 1 20
The Jackal 37 1 19
Tony Schiavione 37 2 19
Trish Stratus 37 2 19
Com Slaughter 40 1 18
Lillian Garcia 40 2 18
Roddy Piper 40 2 18
Armando Alejandro Estrada 43 1 16
Jack Tunney 43 2 16
Freddie Blassie 45 2 15
Paul Ellering 45 1 15
Rob Bartlet 45 1 15
Marlena/Terri 48 1 14
Stacey Kiebler 48 1 14
Tazz 50 1 13
Corey Graves 51 1 12
Mr T 51 1 12
Tony Chimel 53 1 12
Joey Styles 54 1 11
Clarence Mason 55 1 10
Lord Alfred 55 2 10
Pat Patterson 55 2 10
Joey Marella 58 2 8
Shaniqua 58 1 8
Lawrence Taylor 60 1 7
Michael Hayes/Dok Hendrix 60 2 7
Mr Perfect 60 1 7
Yamaguchi San 60 1 7
Mike Chioda 64 1 6
Zeb Coulter 64 1 6
JJ Dillon 64 1 6
Dave Hebner 67 1 5
Hornswoggle 67 1 5
Arn Anderson 69 1 2
Stu Hart 69 1 2
Art Donovan 71 1 1
Con Mustafa 71 1 1
Gerald Brisco 71 1 1
Greg Hamilton 71 1 1

[Kdestiny]

Someone didn't vote Vince?

Interesting

[Romford Pele]

Sorry I blitzed it today lads, but had to get this out as last day on my laptop with work.

Some ideas for next year for Top 25 countdowns:-

Best woman
Best non-US wrestler
Best tag teams
Best promo
Best match type
Best matches
Most influential
Best PPVs
Best/Silliest Gimmick
Unintentionally hilarious moments
Best theme music

Happy to take requests?

[Romford Pele]

Someone didn't vote Vince?

Interesting

I won't out people, but the most amazing one to me was Jonathan Coachman being voted 3rd best I mean he was entertaining as Vince's lackey, but still...

[Kdestiny]

Coach's most recent run maybe puts him outside my top 40 as he was pretty bad.

[MMH]

Colonel Mustafa?

What the hell is that? He wasnt even a non-wrestler!

[MMH]

My list for anyone remotely interested...

Purely WWF/E careers. Only of my time (Blassie and Albano for example don't make the cut as they were at the tail end of their careers when I started watching) No wrestlers who did interview segments (Piper, Jericho etc) and no people who were not seen on TV (Jim Johnson for example) and only main roster stuff.

Notes attached to some for no reason other than it makes me feel better about the list!

1. Bobby The Brain Heenan
2. Mean Gene Okerlund
3. Howard Finkel
4. Sensational Sherri
5. Jesse The Body Ventura
6. Jimmy Hart
7. Vince McMahon (As Mr McMahon, absolutely hated commentator Vince)
8. Paul Heyman
9. Paul Bearer
10. Miss Elizabeth
11. Gorilla Monsoon
12. William Regal (As manager and commissioner, but he did wrestler occasionally during these times so....)
13. Jim Ross
14. Eric Bischoff
15. Jerry The King Lawler (up until he left first time)
16. Todd Pettingill (Despised him as a kid, looking back now I see he was actually damned good at his job)
17. Jim Cornette (Would be number 1 if it was not just WWE)
18. Vicky Guerrero
19. Lord Alfred Hayes
20. Zeb Coulter
21. Jack Tunney (Crap but also really important. I like the uncharismatic stuffed suit commissioner type)
22. Theodore Long (Manager mainly)
23. Mr Fuji
24. Brother Love
25. Michael Cole (Another who is really good at his job but I cant stand him because of what he is told to do.)

[Donald]

Can't remember my list.

[Romford Pele]

Your list @Donald ;-


1. Paul Bearer
2. Miss Elizabeth
3. Bobby Heenan
4. Mean Gene
5. Mr. Fuji
6. Slick
7. Jim Cornette
8. Howard Finkel
9. Jimmy Hart
10. Jerry Lawler
11. Rob Bartlet
12. Macho Man
13. Vince McMahon
14. Corey Graves
15. Michael Cole
16. William Regal
17. Eric Bischoff
18. Paul Heyman
19. Mr. Perfect
20. Sunny
21. Dok Hendrix
22. Todd Pettingill
23. Gorilla Monsoon
24. Jesse Ventura
25. Greg Hamilton

[Romford Pele]

My list for anyone remotely interested...

Purely WWF/E careers. Only of my time (Blassie and Albano for example don't make the cut as they were at the tail end of their careers when I started watching) No wrestlers who did interview segments (Piper, Jericho etc) and no people who were not seen on TV (Jim Johnson for example) and only main roster stuff.

Notes attached to some for no reason other than it makes me feel better about the list!

1. Bobby The Brain Heenan
2. Mean Gene Okerlund
3. Howard Finkel
4. Sensational Sherri
5. Jesse The Body Ventura
6. Jimmy Hart
7. Vince McMahon (As Mr McMahon, absolutely hated commentator Vince)
8. Paul Heyman
9. Paul Bearer
10. Miss Elizabeth
11. Gorilla Monsoon
12. William Regal (As manager and commissioner, but he did wrestler occasionally during these times so....)
13. Jim Ross
14. Eric Bischoff
15. Jerry The King Lawler (up until he left first time)
16. Todd Pettingill (Despised him as a kid, looking back now I see he was actually damned good at his job)
17. Jim Cornette (Would be number 1 if it was not just WWE)
18. Vicky Guerrero
19. Lord Alfred Hayes
20. Zeb Coulter
21. Jack Tunney (Crap but also really important. I like the uncharismatic stuffed suit commissioner type)
22. Theodore Long (Manager mainly)
23. Mr Fuji
24. Brother Love
25. Michael Cole (Another who is really good at his job but I cant stand him because of what he is told to do.)

Nice list. I don't remember Theodore Long much as a manager. Who did he manage?

[Donald]

Nice list. I don't remember Theodore Long much as a manager. Who did he manage?

Rodney Mack, Jazz, and someone else I can't remember right now.

[Romford Pele]

Mine was

1) Brain
2) Vince
3) JR
4) Sherri
5) Gorilla
6) Heyman
7) Bischoff
8) V Guerrero
9) Paul Bearer
10) Ventura
11) Mean Gene
12) Lawler
13) Steph
14) Regal
15) Cornette
16) Sunny
17) Elizabeth
18) Shane
19) Jimmy Hart
20) Flair
21) Foley
22) Finkel
23) Sable
24) Patterson
25) Brisco

In hindsight, I had Bischoff too high and Sunny probably too low...Foley as well.

[Donald]

I must be the only one who never liked JR.

[Romford Pele]

Yup, you were the only one who didn't vote for him.

[Badger]

I must be the only one who never liked JR.

Did you watch JR in his WWE heyday or are you a more recent fan catching up to past stuff?

[Donald]

I've seen him since WrestleMania IX. Just never did anything for me. I much prefer lawler, mcmahon, heenan, ventura, and monsoon. Think all of them are leaps and bounds better than jr.

[Nash Diesel]

Heyman is phenomenal. Just going off his WWE career from 2001-present day, it matches or maybe even eclipses anything he did in WCW and ECW.

Jim Ross, arguably the best play by play man of all time despite Donald's claims that Greg fucking Hamilton is somehow more important to him than good ol' JR....

VKM....greatest heel ever.

Bobby Heenan as the #1 non-wrestler isn't a shock to me. Greatest manager ever, arguably the best heel despite me putting Vince at the top. Was the guy ever a true babyface? Maybe way the fuck back in the 70's. Some of the WCW commentator stuff could have been considered babyface-ish but barely. The Heenan Family was incredible, his time with Flair was the highlight of WWF 1991-1992.

[Donald]

I'd take JR over tazz though

[Badger]

Heyman is phenomenal. Just going off his WWE career from 2001-present day, it matches or maybe even eclipses anything he did in WCW and ECW.

Jim Ross, arguably the best play by play man of all time despite Donald's claims that Greg fucking Hamilton is somehow more important to him than good ol' JR....

VKM....greatest heel ever.

Bobby Heenan as the #1 non-wrestler isn't a shock to me. Greatest manager ever, arguably the best heel despite me putting Vince at the top. Was the guy ever a true babyface? Maybe way the fuck back in the 70's. Some of the WCW commentator stuff could have been considered babyface-ish but barely. The Heenan Family was incredible, his time with Flair was the highlight of WWF 1991-1992.

You can barely see the space between my forefinger and thumb for Vince and Heenan as #1 and #2 respectively. Maybe it was due to his position but overall impact was the deciding factor for me. Heenan did a shit ton as manager and commentator to get guys over but with Vince it was just bigger to me plus living vicariously through Austin wanting to punch the shit out of your boss.

[Nash Diesel]

I'd take JR over tazz though

True.

You can barely see the space between my finger and forethumb for Vince and Heenan as #1 and #2 respectively. Maybe it was due to his position but overall impact was the deciding factor for me. Heenan did a shit ton as manager and commentator to get guys over but with Vince it was just bigger to me plus living vicariously through Austin wanting to punch the shit out of your boss.

I agree.

[Romford Pele]

I must be the only one who never liked JR.

Is it because he went to AEW?

[Donald]

Is it because he went to AEW?

Partly, I do have an unhealthy hatred of all things AEW, but he hasn't been any sort of good in years, even in his final WWE years. He's better than Saxton, Todd Phillips, and the like but there's just many names way ahead of him in the Best Announcer Of All Time list.

[MMH]

Rodney Mack, Jazz, and someone else I can't remember right now.

Other than those two Mark Henry and D-Lo Brown (down with the brown) mainly. Also had Chris Nowinski and Mark Jindrak for a bit. Possibly Rosey too.

He did the White boy challenge where he got white people to wrestle Rodney Mack.

I always enjoyed how he would throw his shoe in the ring at the referees in an attempt to distract them.

[3puppies]

Sorry I blitzed it today lads, but had to get this out as last day on my laptop with work.

Some ideas for next year for Top 25 countdowns:-

Best woman
Best non-US wrestler
Best tag teams
Best promo
Best match type
Best matches
Most influential
Best PPVs
Best/Silliest Gimmick
Unintentionally hilarious moments
Best theme music

Happy to take requests?

I hope you enjoy taking the rest of the year off.

Consider maybe a Top Ten Wrestler with a recurring "talk show" segment.

[Jarrod1983]

1 Vince McMahon
2 Bobby Heenan
3 Jim Ross
4 Gene Okerlund
5 Gorilla Monsoon
6 Howard Finkel
7 Jesse Ventura
9 Jerry Lawler
10 Brother Love
11 Earl Hebner
12 Roddy Piper
13 Paul Bearer
14 Todd Pettengill
15 Paul Heyman
16 Mr. Fuji
17 Jim Cornette
18 Jimmy Hart
19 Sunny
20 Randy Savage
21 Mike Chioda
22 Miss Elizabeth
23 Eric Bischoff
24 Tony Schiavone
25 Stu Hart
25 Art Donovan

[Romford Pele]

Look at the size of that guy!

[Badger]

Your list @Donald ;-


1. Paul Bearer
2. Miss Elizabeth
3. Bobby Heenan
4. Mean Gene
5. Mr. Fuji
6. Slick
7. Jim Cornette
8. Howard Finkel
9. Jimmy Hart
10. Jerry Lawler
11. Rob Bartlet
12. Macho Man
13. Vince McMahon
14. Corey Graves
15. Michael Cole
16. William Regal
17. Eric Bischoff
18. Paul Heyman
19. Mr. Perfect
20. Sunny
21. Dok Hendrix
22. Todd Pettingill
23. Gorilla Monsoon
24. Jesse Ventura
25. Greg Hamilton

I had to look up who the hell Rob Bartlet was again and why Donald had him over Vince lol

[Bluegunn]

It I only moved slick up one spot he could have made the list.

[Bluegunn]

I'm up for top silly gimmick. Non American I think us going to have lots of Canadians

[Donald]

I based Vince McMahon off of his commentary work, as heel Vince I considered a wrestler since he wrestled every now and then.

[Badger]

I based Vince McMahon off of his commentary work, as heel Vince I considered a wrestler since he wrestled every now and then.

Unbelievable!

[3puppies]

I based Vince McMahon off of his commentary work, as heel Vince I considered a wrestler since he wrestled every now and then.

He didn't just wrestle every now and then, he took a cue from Lawlor and booked himself to be the world champ. His father is probably still spinning in his grave for that.

[Badger]

He didn't just wrestle every now and then, he took a cue from Lawlor and booked himself to be the world champ. His father is probably still spinning in his grave for that.

That was just a one-off for part of the Austin/HHH storyline, it was vacated the week after.

That was a pretty cool moment. If he actually kept and defended it then yeah that would be kinda bad lol.

[Dreyski]

Partly, I do have an unhealthy hatred of all things AEW, but he hasn't been any sort of good in years, even in his final WWE years. He's better than Saxton, Todd Phillips, and the like but there's just many names way ahead of him in the Best Announcer Of All Time list.

Reading this, I flashed back to when they wheeled him out at Mania to commentate on the Reigns/Undertaker match. His wife had recently died and it sounded like he didn't want to be there.

I understand he wasn't with WWE very long, but to my mind Joey Styles was one of the best PBP guys, just not to Vince's taste.

[Nash Diesel]

Reading this, I flashed back to when they wheeled him out at Mania to commentate on the Reigns/Undertaker match. His wife had recently died and it sounded like he didn't want to be there.

I understand he wasn't with WWE very long, but to my mind Joey Styles was one of the best PBP guys, just not to Vince's taste.

I was extremely excited for Joey Styles in WWE until about the 3rd show it hit me that he was in WWE, not ECW, and they were about Michael Cole his ass. I really enjoyed his time there and his worked-shoot promo where he quit Raw or whatever was fucking dope.