List of the biggest draws in wrestling from 1908-2008

[Mazzaroti78]

This is a list I found in researching a claim that Bret Hart was a bigger draw, by far, than HHH. That, of course, turned out to be incorrect but I thought everyone on these boards that wasn't involved in that discussion should see this list. It was compiled by Dave Meltzer and published in the wrestling observer in 2008. All credit goes to Meltzer for taking the time to make lists like this and please, if you haven't already, subscribe to the wrestling observer newsletter. Now onto the list and let's really discuss the best drawing performers in wrestling history.

The formula is largely based on matches that drew 10,000 fans (and an extra point if topping 20,000, a third point if topping 30,000, etc).

Quote:
Originally Posted by Wrestling Observer Newsletter
1908 - Frank Gotch and George Hackenschmidt

1909 - Frank Gotch

1910 - 1. Great Gama and Stanislaus Zbyszko; 3. Frank Gotch; 4. Dr. Ben Roller

1911 - 1. Frank Gotch and George Hackenschmidt

1912 - 1. Frank Gotch

1913 - 1. Stanislaus Zbyszko and George Lurich; 3. Frank Gotch

1914 - Unavailable

1915 - 1. Charley Cutler; 2. Joe Stecher

1916 - 1. Joe Stecher; 2. Ed “Strangler” Lewis

1917 - 1. Joe Stecher; 2. Charley Peters, Jim Londos, John Pesek Ad Santel, Wladek Zbyszko; John Olin, Ed “Strangler” Lewis

1918 - 1. Joe Stecher, Ed “Strangler” Lewis and Wladek Zbyszko

1919 - 1. Ed “Strangler” Lewis; 2. Wladek Zbyszko; 3. Joe Stecher and Jim Londos

1920 - 1. Joe Stecher; 2. Jim Londos; 3. Earl Caddock and Ed “Strangler” Lewis; 5. John Pesek

1921 - 1. Ed “Strangler” Lewis; 2. Earl Caddock; 3. Jim Londos, John Pesek and Stanislaus Zbyszko

1922 - 1. Stanislaus Zbyszko; 2. Earl Caddock and Ed “Strangler” Lewis

1923 - 1. Ed “Strangler” Lewis; 2. Jim Londos; 3. Stanislaus Zbyszko and John Pesek

1924 - 1. Ed “Strangler” Lewis and Jim Londos; 3. Toots Mondt and Stanislaus Zbyszko

1925 - 1. Ed “Strangler” Lewis, Joe Stecher, Wayne Munn and Stanislaus Zbyszko

1926 - 1. Jim Londos; 2. Joe Stecher; 3. Ray Steele, John Pesek, Ed “Strangler” Lewis and Jim Browning

1927 - 1. Jim Londos and John Pesek

1928 - 1. Jim Londos; 2. John Pesek and Ed “Strangler” Lewis; 4. Joe Stecher, Dick Shikat, Gus Sonnenberg, Ray Steele

1929 - 1. Gus Sonnenberg; 2. Ed “Strangler” Lewis; 3. Joe Stecher; 4. Jim Londos; 5. Dick Shikat; 6. Stanley Stasiak and Joe Malciewiez

1930 - 1. Dick Shikat and Jim Londos; 3. Gus Sonnenberg and Everett Marshall; 5. Gino Garibaldi, Abe Coleman and Man Mountain Dean; 8. Stanley Stasiak, Karl Pojello, Ed “Strangler” Lewis, Hans Steinke, Ed Don George, Milo Steinborn an Rudy Dusek

1931 - 1. Jim Londos (dominant year, set all-time record for biggest national drawing card); 2. Ray Steele; 3. Jim McMillen and Gus Sonnenberg; 5. Rudy Dusek and Sandor Szabo; 7. Herb Freeman, Pat O’Shocker, Kola Kwariani, George Calza

1932 - 1. Jim Londos (dominant year); 2. Henri DeGlane; 3. Ed “Strangler” Lewis and Dick Shikat; 5. Jack Washburn

1933 - 1. Jim Londos (dominant year); 2. Henri DeGlane; 3. Jim Browning; 4. Ed Don George; 5. Ray Steele and Gus Sonnenberg; 7. Joe Stecher, Dick Shikat and Ed “Strangler” Lewis

1934 - 1. Jim Londos (dominant year, near record breaker); 2. Man Mountain Dean; 3. Dick Shikat; 4. Ed Don George, Ed “Strangler” Lewis, Jim Browning; 6. Joe Savoldi; 7. Joe Stecher and George Zaharias; 9. Everett Marshall, Henri DeGlane, Orville Brown and Gino Garibaldi

1935 - 1. Danno O’Mahoney (dominant year); 2. Jim Londos and Man Mountain Dean; 4. Vincent Lopez; 5. Ed “Strangler” Lewis; 6. Ed Don George; 7. Orville Brown and Gus Sonnenberg; 9. Chief Little Wolf and Ernie Dusek

1936 - 1. Danno O’Mahoney (dominant year); 2. Yvon Robert; 3. Ed Don George; 4. Everett Marshall, Ali Baba, Rube Wright, Vincent Lopez and Earl McCready

1937 - 1. Jim Londos (dominant year); 2. Everett Marshall; 3. Yvon Robert; 4. Orville Brown

1938 - 1. Jim Londos and Steve Casey; 3. Lou Thesz, Everett Marshall and Bronko Nagurski; 6. Vincent Lopez

1939 - 1. Jim Londos, Vincent Lopez and Dave Levin; 4. Lou Thesz, Everett Marshall, Dean Detton and Mildred Burke

1940 - 1. Jim Londos; 2. Bronko Nagurski and Maurice “French Angel” Tillet; 4. George Zaharias, Lou Thesz, Bill Longson and Ed Don George

1941 - 1. Bill Longson (dominant year); 2. Ed Don George and Wlasislow Talum; 4. Mildred Burke

1942 - 1. Bill Longson (dominant year); 2. Yvon Robert; 3. Maurice “French Angel” Tillet; 4. Lou Thesz and Sandor Szabo

1943 - 1. Bill Longson (dominant year); 2. Bobby Managoff, Swedish Angel and Vic Holbook; 5. Sandor Szabo and Yvon Robert

1944 - 1. Bill Longson (dominant year); 2. Whipper Billy Watson and Sandor Szabo; 4. Swedish Angel and Warren Bockwinkel

1945 - 1. Bill Longson (dominant year); 2. Wlasislow Talum and Bob Wagner

1946 - 1. Bill Longson (dominant year); 2. Buddy Rogers; 3. Yvon Robert and Primo Carnera; 5. Ray Vilmer, Frank Sexton, Wlasislow Talum, Bobby Managoff, Lou Thesz and Jim Londos

1947 - 1. Bill Longson; 2. Frank Sexton; 3. Lou Thesz and Whipper Billy Watson; 5. Gorgeous George; 6. Bob Wagner, Buddy Rogers, Larry Moquin and Bert Assirati

1948 - 1. Gorgeous George; 2. Bill Longson; 3. Enrique Torres; 4. Ernie & Emil Dusek; 6. Babe & Chris Zaharias and Whipper Billy Watson; 8. Maurice “French Angel” Tillet; 9. Sandor Szabo, Frank Sexton, Don Eagle, Manuel Garza, Buddy Rogers, Yvon Robert and Primo Carnera

1949 - 1. Gorgeous George and Whipper Billy Watson; 3. Lou Thesz; 4. Buddy Rogers, Yvon Robert and Don Eagle; 7. Argentina Rocca, Bill Longson and El Santo

1950 - 1. Lou Thesz and Argentina Rocca; 3. Buddy Rogers, Primo Carnera and Gorgeous George; 6. Don Eagle and Yukon Eric; 8. Whipper Billy Watson, Yvon Robert, Nanjo Singh, Bill Longson and Maurice “French Angel” Tillet

1951 - 1. Lou Thesz; 2. Whipper Billy Watson, Buddy Rogers and Great Togo; 5. Bill Longson and Yvon Robert; 7. Argentina Rocca, Yukon Eric, Enrique Llanes and Rikidozan

1952 - 1. Lou Thesz (dominant year); 2. Argentina Rocca and Killer Kowalski; 4. Buddy Rogers Primo Carnera, Verne Gagne and Baron Michele Leone; 8. Bobby Managoff, Pat O’Connor and Mighty Atlas

1953 - 1. Lou Thesz and Blue Demon; 3. El Santo; 4. Killer Kowalski and Verne Gagne; 6. Yvon Robert and Argentina Rocca; 8. Hans Schmidt, Tony Borne, Yukon Eric, Whipper Billy Watson and Al & Tiny Mills

1954 - 1. Argentina Rocca; 2. Verne Gagne, Pat O’Connor and Rikidozan; 5. El Santo; 6. Killer Kowalski, Mike & Ben Sharpe, Masahiko Kimura, Bert Assirati; 10. Whipper Billy Watson, Lou Thesz, Hans Schmidt

1955 - 1. Lou Thesz; 2. Wilbur Snyder; 3. Argentina Rocca and Hans Schmidt; 5. Killer Kowalski, Yukon Eric, Neff Maiava, Buddy Rogers, Emile Czaja and Rikidozan

1956 - 1. Argentina Rocca and Whipper Billy Watson; 3. Lou Thesz; 4. Killer Kowalski, Dr. Jerry Graham and El Santo; 7. Verne Gagne and Wilbur Snyder; 9. Dick the Bruiser, Ivan & Karol Kalmikoff, Reggie (Crusher) & Stan Liswoski; Miguel Perez, Edouard Carpentier, Don Leo Jonathan and Gorgeous George

1957 - 1. Lou Thesz; 2. Argentina Rocca; 3. Gene Kiniski; 4. Killer Kowalski and Edouard Carpentier; 6. Rikidozan; 7. Miguel Perez; 8. Whipper Billy Watson; 9. Hans Schmidt and Bobo Brazil

1958 - 1. Argentina Rocca & Miguel Perez (dominant year); 2. Killer Kowalski; 3. Edouard Carpentier; 4. Dr. Jerry Graham; 5. Fabulous Kangaroos and Eddie Graham; 7. Don Leo Jonathan, Pat O’Connor, The Sheik, Wild Bull Curry, Tony Borne and Black Shadow

1959 - 1. Argentina Rocca & Miguel Perez (dominant year); 2. Dick the Bruiser, Dr. Jerry & Eddie Graham, and Killer Kowalski; 5. Johnny Valentine; 6. Buddy Rogers and Wilbur Snyder; 8. Lord Athol Layton, Hans Schmidt, Angelo Poffo, Yukon Eric, Whipper Billy Watson, Gene Kiniski, Gorgeous George, The Sheik, Edouard Carpentier, Roy & Ray Shire (Ray Stevens)

1960 - 1. Buddy Rogers; 2. Argentina Rocca; 3. Dick the Bruiser, Bearcat Wright and Pat O’Connor; 6. Eddie Graham, Sweet Daddy Siki and Killer Kowalski; 9. Bruno Sammartino; 10. Cowboy Bob Ellis, Gene Kiniski and Yukon Eric

1961 - 1. Buddy Rogers (dominant year, set all-time record for biggest single year draw); 2. Argentina Rocca; 3. Johnny Valentine; 4. Pat O’Connor; 5. Bob Orton; 6. The Fabulous Kangaroos, Dick the Bruiser, Argentina Apollo; 9. Cowboy Bob Ellis, Ray Stevens, Fred Blassie and Rikidozan

1962 - 1. Buddy Rogers (dominant year); 2. Ray Stevens; 3. Johnny Valentine; 4. Bobo Brazil; 5. Cowboy Bob Ellis and Pepper Gomez; 7. Fred Blassie, Rikidozan and The Crusher; 10. Wilbur Snyder, Lou Thesz, Johnny Barend and Killer Kowalski

1963 - 1. Bruno Sammartino; 2. Buddy Rogers (should be noted Rogers’ last match of the year was May 17 due to heart problems, was on the way to a dominant year, and he still ended up finishing a close second) and Lou Thesz; 4. Killer Kowalski and Freddie Blassie; 6. The Destroyer; 7. Bobo Brazil and Hans Mortier; 9. Ray Stevens, Edouard Carpentier, Bearcat Wright and Gorilla Monsoon

1964 - 1. Bruno Sammartino (dominant year); 2. Fritz Von Erich; 3. Lou Thesz; 4. Dick the Bruiser; 5. Freddie Blassie and Gene Kiniski; 7. Ray Stevens, Johnny Valentine, Giant Baba, Waldo Von Erich and Gorilla Monsoon

1965 - 1. Bruno Sammartino (dominant year); 2. Cowboy Bill Watts; 3. Fritz Von Erich, Dick the Bruiser, Bill Miller; 6. Lou Thesz, Johnny Valentine, Kinji Shibuya, Toyonobori, Rene Guajardo, Karloff Lagarde, Ray Mendoza

1966 - 1. Lou Thesz; 2. Gene Kiniski; 3. Bruno Sammartino; 4. Fritz Von Erich; 5. Dick the Bruiser; 6. Giant Baba and Johnny Valentine; 8. Ernie Ladd (an impressive total since Ladd only wrestled during the pro football off-season as he was an AFL star player at this point in time), Dory Funk Jr., The Crusher

1967 - 1. Bruno Sammartino; 2. Gene Kiniski; 3. Giant Baba; 4. Mark Lewin; 5. Gorilla Monsoon; 6. The Crusher, Johnny Valentine, Edouard Carpentier, Verne Gagne, Ray Stevens and Toru Tanaka

1968 - 1. Bruno Sammartino; 2. Lou Thesz; 3. Gene Kiniski, Dara Singh, Bobo Brazil and Dick the Bruiser; 7. The Crusher; 8. Giant Baba, Freddie Blassie, Ray Stevens and Mil Mascaras

1969 - 1. The Sheik (dominant year); 2. Bruno Sammartino and Dory Funk Jr.; 4. Ray Stevens; 5. Mad Dog & Butcher Vachon; 7. Ivan Koloff and Bobo Brazil; 9. Jacques Rougeau Sr., Dick the Bruiser and Gene Kiniski

1970 - 1. The Sheik; 2. Bruno Sammartino; 3. Freddie Blassie; 4. Dory Funk Jr.; 5. The Crusher, Mad Dog Vachon and Pat Patterson; 8. Ray Stevens; 9. Gene Kiniski, Dick the Bruiser, Verne Gagne

1971 - 1. The Sheik; 2. Pedro Morales; 3. Freddie Blassie; 4. John Tolos; 5. Dory Funk Jr.; 6. Mil Mascaras; 7. Tiger Jeet Singh; 8. Tex McKenzie, The Crusher, Black Gordman, Bruno Sammartino, Luke Graham & Tarzan Tyler

1972 - 1. The Sheik; 2. Pedro Morales; 3. Ernie Ladd; 4. Dory Funk Jr., Dick the Bruiser & The Crusher, Bruno Sammartino and Pampero Firpo; 8. John Tolos; 9. Killer Kowalski; 10. Black Gordman, Blackjack Lanza, Mil Mascaras and Ray Stevens

1973 - 1. The Sheik; 2. Pedro Morales; 3. Dick the Bruiser; 4. Ernie Ladd; 5. Bruno Sammartino; 6. The Crusher; 7. Johnny Valentine; 8. Dory Funk Jr. and Superstar Billy Graham; 10. Harley Race and Jack Brisco

1974 - 1. Bruno Sammartino; 2. The Sheik; 3. Jerry Lawler; 4. Jack Brisco; 5. Andre the Giant and Valiant Brothers; 7. Chief Jay Strongbow, Don Leo Jonathan; 9. Killer Kowalski, Dick the Bruiser and Jackie Fargo

1975 - 1. Bruno Sammartino (dominant year); 2. Spyros Arion; 3. Jack Brisco; 4. Mongolian Stomper; 5. Andre the Giant; 6. Jerry Lawler; 7. Ivan Koloff; 8. Dick the Bruiser, The Crusher, Robert Fuller, Perro Aguayo

1976 - 1. Bruno Sammartino (dominant year); 2. Antonio Inoki; 3. Superstar Billy Graham; 4. Terry Funk, Ivan Koloff and Stan Hansen; 7. Andre the Giant; 8. Jerry Lawler; 9. Ric Flair and Nick Bockwinkel

1977 - 1. Superstar Billy Graham; 2. Bruno Sammartino; 3. Harley Race and Jerry Lawler; 5. Ken Patera; 6. Dusty Rhodes; 7. The Sheik and Mil Mascaras; 9. Gene & Ole Anderson and Bill Dundee

1978 - 1. Superstar Billy Graham ; 2. Bob Backlund; 3. Dusty Rhodes; 4. Harley Race; 5. Bruno Sammartino; 6. Ric Flair and Andre the Giant; 8. Canek, Ernie Ladd and Ivan Koloff

1979 - 1. Bob Backlund; 2. Harley Race; 3. Ric Flair; 4. Andre the Giant; 5. Bruno Sammartino, Ricky Steamboat and Pat Patterson; 8. Peter Maivia, Ivan Koloff, Nick Bockwinkel and Dusty Rhodes

1980 - 1. Bob Backlund; 2. Bruno Sammartino; 3. Larry Zbyszko; 4. Harley Race and Ken Patera; 6. Andre the Giant; 7. Hulk Hogan; 8. Antonio Inoki; 9. Ric Flair and Stan Hansen

1981 - 1. Bob Backlund (dominant year); 2. Andre the Giant; 3. Ric Flair and Stan Hansen; 5. Hulk Hogan; 6. Sgt. Slaughter; 7. Killer Khan and Nick Bockwinkel; 9. Jerry Blackwell, Harley Race and Dusty Rhodes

1982 - 1. Bob Backlund (breaks Rogers record for most big gates in one year); 2. Ric Flair; 3. Hulk Hogan; 4. Nick Bockwinkel; 5. Jimmy Snuka; 6. Perro Aguayo, Sgt. Slaughter, Roddy Piper and Superstar Billy Graham; 10. Andre the Giant, Junkyard Dog and Ken Patera

1983 - 1. Ric Flair; 2. Bob Backlund; 3. Harley Race; 4. Don Muraco; 5. Sgt. Slaughter; 6. Hulk Hogan; 7. Andre the Giant; 8. Jimmy Snuka; 9. Ricky Steamboat and John Studd

1984 - 1. Hulk Hogan (set all-time record for most big gates in one year); 2. Ric Flair; 3. Antonio Inoki; 4. Iron Sheik; 5. Kerry Von Erich; 6. Andre the Giant; 7. Paul Orndorff and Road Warriors; 9. Junkyard Dog; 10. Nick Bockwinkel and Canek

1985 - 1 Hulk Hogan (set all-time record for most big gates in one year); 2. Ric Flair; 3. Roddy Piper; 4. Paul Orndorff and Road Warriors; 5. Andre the Giant; 6. John Studd; 7. Bob Orton Jr.; 8. Randy Savage and Antonio Inoki; 10. Kevin & Kerry Von Erich

1986 - 1. Hulk Hogan (set all-time record for most big gates in one year); 2. Ric Flair and Paul Orndorff; 4. Road Warriors; 5. Randy Savage; 6. Dusty Rhodes and Nikita Koloff; 7. Roddy Piper and King Kong Bundy; 9. Midnight Express and Tito Santana

1987 - 1. Hulk Hogan (dominant year); 2. Ric Flair; 3. Randy Savage; 4. Kamala; 5. Road Warriors; 6. Dusty Rhodes and One Man Gang; 8. Andre the Giant and Antonio Inoki; 10. Harley Race and Carlos Colon

1988 - 1. Hulk Hogan; 2. Randy Savage; 3. Ric Flair and Andre the Giant; 5. Ted DiBiase; 6. Lex Luger; 7. Big Bossman; 8. Tully Blanchard; 9. Road Warriors, Dusty Rhodes and Carlos Colon

1989 - 1. Hulk Hogan; 2. Randy Savage; 3. Big Bossman; 4. Ultimate Warrior; 5. Big Van Vader; 6. Akira Maeda; 7. Antonio Inoki; 8. Andre the Giant, Carlos Colon and Rick Rude

1990 - 1. Hulk Hogan; 2. Ultimate Warrior; 3. Stan Hansen; 4. Mr. Perfect; 5. Riki Choshu; 6. Konnan and Rick Rude; 8. Big Van Vader, Perro Aguayo and Earthquake

1991 - 1. Hulk Hogan; 2. Ric Flair; 3. Konnan; 4. Perro Aguayo; 5. Sgt. Slaughter; 6. Ultimate Warrior; 7. Tatsumi Fujinami; 8. Undertaker, Genichiro Tenryu and Canek

1992 - 1. Ric Flair; 2. Konnan; 3. Hulk Hogan and Sid Vicious; 5. Cien Caras; 6. Bret Hart; 7. Randy Savage; 8. Vampiro; 9. Davey Boy Smith; 10. Perro Aguayo

1993 - 1. Konnan; 2. Cien Caras; 3. Perro Aguayo; 4. Genichiro Tenryu; 5. Mascara Ano 2000 and El Hijo del Santo; 7. Keiji Muto; 8. Riki Choshu, Love Machine, Octagon and Tatsumi Fujinami (Bret Hart was No. 1 in the United States)

1994 - 1. Konnan; 2. Bret Hart; 3. Shinya Hashimoto; 4. Nobuhiko Takada and Perro Aguayo; 6. Genichiro Tenryu; 7. Antonio Inoki, Owen Hart and Love Machine; 10. Cien Caras, Keiji Muto and Atsushi Onita

1995 - 1. Shinya Hashimoto; 2. Ric Flair; 3. Antonio Inoki; 4. Konnan and Keiji Muto; 6. Perro Aguayo; 7. Masahiro Chono; 8. Mitsuharu Misawa and Cien Caras; 10. Nobuhiko Takada and Diesel

1996 - 1. Nobuhiko Takada; 2. Shawn Michaels; 3. Shinya Hashimoto; 4. Bret Hart; 5. Keiji Muto; 6. Diesel; 7. Ric Flair, Kenta Kobashi, Toshiaki Kawada, Akira Taue, Vader, Genichiro Tenryu, El Hijo del Santo and Riki Choshu

1997 - 1. Shinya Hashimoto; 2. Undertaker; 3. Shawn Michaels; 4. Bret Hart; 5. Naoya Ogawa; 6. Lex Luger and Keiji Muto; 8. Steve Austin; 9. Hulk Hogan; 10. Riki Choshu, Kevin Nash and Mick Foley

1998 - 1. Steve Austin (set all-time record for most big gates in one year); 2. Undertaker; 3. Kane; 4. Mick Foley; 5. The Rock; 6. Bill Goldberg; 7. Hulk Hogan; 8. HHH; 9. Sting; 10. Randy Savage

1999 - 1. The Rock (set all-time record for most big gates in one year); 2. Steve Austin; 3. HHH; 4. Big Show; 5. Kane; 6. Undertaker; 7. Keiji Muto; 8. Bill Goldberg; 9. Ric Flair; 10. Kevin Nash

2000 - 1. The Rock (set all-time record for most big gates in one year); 2. HHH; 3. Kurt Angle; 4. Kane and Chris Benoit; 6. X-Pac; 7. Undertaker; 8. Road Dogg; 9. Naoya Ogawa; 10. Kensuke Sasaki and Chris Jericho

2001 - 1. Steve Austin; 2. The Rock; 3. Kurt Angle; 4. HHH; 5. Undertaker; 6. Chris Jericho; 7. Kane; 8. Kensuke Sasaki, Chris Benoit and Keiji Muto

2002 -1. The Rock; 2. Bob Sapp; 3. HHH; 4. Hulk Hogan; 5. Chris Jericho; 6. Steve Austin; 7. Kazushi Sakuraba; 8. Brock Lesnar; 9. Yuji Nagata and Mirko Cro Cop

2003 - 1. Brock Lesnar; 2. HHH; 3. Kazushi Sakuraba; 4. Big Show and Kurt Angle; 6. Yuji Nagata, Hulk Hogan, Kenta Kobashi, Masahiro Chono, Bill Goldberg, Shawn Michaels and Wanderlei Silva

2004 - 1. HHH; 2. Chris Benoit; 3. Bob Sapp and Eddie Guerrero; 5. Shawn Michaels; 6. La Parka; 7. Randy Orton, Ric Flair and Kenta Kobashi; 10. Shinsuke Nakamura, Cibernetico and Perro Aguayo Jr.

2005 - 1. Kenta Kobashi; 2. HHH; 3. Mistico and Ultimo Guerrero; 5. Atlantis, John Cena and Batista; 8. Rey Bucanero and Cibernetico; 10. Kurt Angle and El Hijo del Santo

2006 - 1. Mistico; 2. Perro Aguayo Jr. and Dr. Wagner Jr.; 4. Atlantis and Black Warrior; 6. John Cena and Negro Casas; 8. Ultimo Guerrero & Rey Bucanero; 9. La Parka, Konnan and Muerte Cibernetico (Mesias)

2007 - 1. John Cena; 2. Mistico; 3. Batista; 4. Randy Orton and Perro Aguayo Jr; 6. Ultimo Guerrero; 7. Dr. Wagner Jr.; 8. Cibernetico; 9. Hector Garza and Great Khali

2008 - 1. Mistico; 2. HHH; 3. Perro Aguayo Jr.; 4. Ultimo Guerrero and Hector Garza; 6. Cibernetico; 7. Zorro and Shocker; 9. Shawn Michaels and Chris Jericho

What shocks me is how many times Kane is on the list and how few times Sting is on the list. Any thoughts?

 

[Why Always Me]

So according to this The Rock holds the record for most big gates in one year, as a Rock fan that pleases me .

What exactly is the 'drawing' criteria based on though??

 

[Mazzaroti78]

The formula is largely based on matches that drew 10,000 fans (and an extra point if topping 20,000, a third point if topping 30,000, etc).

The list is about drawing houses. What wrestlers made people get out out of their homes and go the house show/PPV/TV taping etc. Any card with less than 10,000 paid isn't factored in which is why Sting isn't on here and no TNA star is on here. This is a big test of who was a true draw.

 

[Marky-Marc]

This is a list I found in researching a claim that Bret Hart was a bigger draw, by far, than HHH. That, of course, turned out to be incorrect but I thought everyone on these boards that wasn't involved in that discussion should see this list. It was compiled by Dave Meltzer and published in the wrestling observer in 2008. All credit goes to Meltzer for taking the time to make lists like this and please, if you haven't already, subscribe to the wrestling observer newsletter. Now onto the list and let's really discuss the best drawing performers in wrestling history.







What shocks me is how many times Kane is on the list and how few times Sting is on the list. Any thoughts?

Wow, this thread has been open fo 3 days now and just like I said in our previous discussion, nobody cares about your lists get over yourself.

To avoid spam, I agree it's interesting how little Sting appears and of course it's crazy that Hogan was #1 for so long. Also, very interesting to see that durin HHH's huge comeback in 2002, he was out drawn by Bob Sapp, interesting indeed.

However, like I said in the previous thread, these lists are skewed. I appreciate you providing this for the sake of discussion but they're not totally accurate. You have to take into account tthat ticket prices haveraised over time and I'd be willing to bet that te WWE adds more and more house shows each year to their road schedule.

 

[Rayne]

I can understand why Sting isn't on that list all that much. He's been a foil all of his career, often playing the face to someone's much more attention grabbing heel. People don't go to a wrestling match to see the face win; they go to see the heel get beaten.

To avoid spam, I agree it's interesting how little Sting appears and of course it's crazy that Hogan was #1 for so long. Also, very interesting to see that durin HHH's huge comeback in 2002, he was out drawn by Bob Sapp, interesting indeed.

People forget Bob Sapp was a huge draw over in Japan. No one really cared about him stateside, but he put asses in seats. It's why so many small MMA organizations still sign him to get beaten on; he draws in foreign markets.

Also, for the record, HHH was a much bigger draw than Bret Hart- give me the choice between the two to make money off of one of them, and I'd take HHH every day. Bret Hart had a couple of really hot years, and made a few people famous; HHH dominated the industry for a decade. People practically lived to see him get his comeuppance. He was so good at playing the heel that people still hate him, and attach whatever other reasons they can to feel their heat is legitimate instead of making them look like the marks they are.

 

[ajwebber1985]

maybe it's just me but the list seems a little flawed because there are wrestlers on there who you know wasn't main eventing they just so happened to be on the same card as a big star...i mean most of those wrestlers in the 80's were riding Hogan's coattails. Anytime i see One Man Gang on a list as a draw and i dont care what year it was...it seems pretty flawed

 

[dd23beatlesfan1]

While the modern era info was interesting, I found the territory era info to be just as interesting as well. The things that surprised me the most were from that era.

1. I was surprised to see that The Sheik had such a dominating run as a top draw. I figured that Bruno Sammartino would've won every year from 1963-1977 (maybe throw in Morales for a few years in the early '70s), so I was surprised to see that the Sheik had such a long run (about 4-5 years) as the top draw in wrestling.

2. I was happy to see that Dick the Bruiser was as huge a draw as his reputation here in Indy suggests. All my life, my parents, uncles, grandparents, and any older people that I talk to endlessly talk about how great Dick the Bruiser was, he was the best ever, etc. That's because he ran the WWA, the promotion that was located here in Indianapolis. So for a long time, while I knew he was a star, I thought maybe his hype was just due to all the fans here in Indy only recognizing him because he was the major star here in the Indiana area (similar to most of the big stars of the territory era). But this list proves that it isn't just nostaligc Hoosiers hyping him up. He really was legitimately one of the biggest draws in wrestling for about 12 years. Impressive.


3. I also thought it was very interesting to see that Bob Backlund was a bigger draw than Verne Gagne, Nick Bockwinkel, Dusty Rhodes, Harley Race, and Ric Flair during his run as champion. Popular wrestling lore nowadays downplays Backlund's achievements tremendously especially in the WWE. If you watch Billy Graham's DVD, Vince alludes that he thought it was a huge mistake to take the title off Graham and put it on Backlund instead, thinking the idea was representative of an old school promotor (his dad) who just couldn't adapt to the times, by having an old "basic" wrestler as champion rather than a charismatic superstar. But truth be told, it wasn't such a mistake, as Backlund was the top draw in wrestling for about 5 years straight. So Vince Sr. wasn't so stupid after all

 

[The Prodigal Anti-Lemming]

Fascinating topic. My thoughts:

—I was surprised to see Gama’s name in there, and I hope that the Observer isn’t basing that figure on unverifiable reports that he drew throngs of 60,000 in his native India.

—I would speculate that Charlie Cutler and BF Roller were the two strongest draws of 1914. These two were at the forefront of the industry after Gotch’s retirement, with both having claimed a version of the American title, which promoters briefly touted as the top championship in North America pending Gotch’s anticipated comeback or the crowning of a new world heavyweight champion (which promoters finally received when Stecher was crowned in 1915).

—Interesting to see that Jim Londos was an immediate draw in his first full year in the sport (1917). He also drew for a number of years in the twenties before finally winning his first world championship in 1930, more or less confirming what I already knew.

—Stanislaus Zbyszko’s 1921-22 world title reign was largely perceived as a failure at the live gate, which is why the title was passed along to “Strangler” Lewis in ‘22.

—Funny to see Toots Mondt’s name up there in 1924. This would serve to fuel widespread speculation among experts that Mondt was perhaps pining for a world heavyweight title run and was unhappy that the Lewis-Sandow combine never permitted him one.

—I admit, I did not expect to see Jim Browning’s name up there as early as 1926, given the fact that he would not break out into the main event level until 1932-33.

—Odd that Londos gets acknowledgment for breaking records in 1931 (probably in reference to the MSG bout with Ray Steele that drew 31,000) while getting credit for a “near record breaker” in 1934. The 1934 match was with Ed Lewis, and drew 35,265 in Chicago, which in fact was a record breaker. All my most reliable sources stand by that figure, so I will believe that account until I see concrete evidence to the contrary.

—There’s a name that doesn’t get too much acknowledgment today: Danno O’Mahoney. His time as a draw might have lasted beyond 1936 had Dick Shikat not double-crossed him, making him to look like an utter fool. If promoters learned nothing over the 1925 double-cross of Wayne Munn, they did learn something from the O’Mahoney debacle, as the period following it were Lou Thesz’s early glory years.

That's all for now.

 

[Banetyson]

1987 #3 REALLY?! Kamala?! Wow. I guess it's during his Lawler feuds or something... Who the hell was he feuding with then?

And I can't believe Sin Cara was a number one draw. I wonder how they get these nimbers.

 

[Chris1-16]

So according to this The Rock holds the record for most big gates in one year, as a Rock fan that pleases me .

What exactly is the 'drawing' criteria based on though??

Yeah, 2000 was obvious.

But he was a much bigger draw in 1999 than people think. The number of Rock signs in the crowd that year was just much as you saw in 2000, it didn't really matter whether Austin was there or not.

 

[RJJ]

LMAO What's wrong austin's fans? I thought austin was the biggest name in wrestling history? I thought rock never got over untill austin went out for the surgery cough*1999*cough Like I said, vince will ALWAYS put austin ahead of the rock, no matter what.

In 2000, Rock Set all-time record for most big gates in one year?! Wow, no wonder why he was the highest paid wrestler in wwe history at that time.

 

[Floyd Sinclair]

While he isn't a wrestler, I do find it odd that Muhommad Ali didn't make the list as a top draw. Him and Anoki in that "Wrestler vs. Boxer" match sold the Tokyo Dome out past capacity, despite the match as a whole sucking. That one match drew more money than alot of the American gates that year.

 

[Why Always Me]

LMAO What's wrong austin's fans? I thought austin was the biggest name in wrestling history? I thought rock never got over untill austin went out for the surgery cough*1999*cough Like I said, vince will ALWAYS put austin ahead of the rock, no matter what.

In 2000, Rock Set all-time record for most big gates in one year?! Wow, no wonder why he was the highest paid wrestler in wwe history at that time.

LOVE IT!!! It's always the same 'Rock rode Austins coattails, Rock was never as popular as Austin, Rock only became big when Austin was injured'. In 1999 Austin was the focal point of every PPV until he was 'run over' (thus meaning he was promoted more than The Rock, yet The Rock was the bigger draw).

Somebody posted WWF Shopzone figures from around that time in another thread, The Rock OWNED Austin. The Rock doesn't get the respect he deserves and I don't know why.

 

[svsuperfly]

I'm from the old school. I was in attendance during the Cal Palace days. Peter Miava would fill that joint. So would Ray Stevens and Pat Patterson. But the biggest draw I've experience during the territory days was always Andre the Giant. People would but tickets, even if they were not a wrestling fan, just to check him out in person. There was a freak show appeal for him unfortunately.

 

[Floyd Sinclair]

Kamala? Kane? Konnan? Sting was only on it once I think. It doesnt really make sense to me

Kane was a draw durring his feuds with Undertaker and Austin, or whenever he did his whole "Demented" schtic. Konnan wasn't really a draw in the states, but he has always been a big name in Mexico.

Kamala I have no honest answer for.

 

[Chris1-16]

LOVE IT!!! It's always the same 'Rock rode Austins coattails, Rock was never as popular as Austin, Rock only became big when Austin was injured'. In 1999 Austin was the focal point of every PPV until he was 'run over' (thus meaning he was promoted more than The Rock, yet The Rock was the bigger draw).

Somebody posted WWF Shopzone figures from around that time in another thread, The Rock OWNED Austin. The Rock doesn't get the respect he deserves and I don't know why.

The difference between the 2 in '99 was that Austin was more protected by booking. Austin was only in storylines with main eventers while Rock was more balanced out. In December of that year despite being undoubtedly the most over person in wrestling and an established main eventer he was feuding with Al Snow and the New Age Outlaws.

 

[RJJ]

The difference between the 2 in '99 was that Austin was more protected by booking. Austin was only in storylines with main eventers while Rock was more balanced out. In December of that year despite being undoubtedly the most over person in wrestling and an established main eventer he was feuding with Al Snow and the New Age Outlaws.

Not to mention jobbing to triple h week after week, the same guy who austin refused to put over at summerslam 1999.

Till this day I'm still pissed off on the way rock-hhh backlash(2000) ended, hey don't get me wrong the ending was great and all, but austin being the reason for rock winning the title wasn't. That was rock's moment, and austin shouldn't be sharing the spotlight, but I guess vince didn't see it that way.

 

[SCrooked1]

When you think about Austin being #1 in '98 and #2 in '99 is simple, in '98 Austin was the man of the WWF, there is no doubt about that. In '99 Rock clearly carried the WWF at times, especially the 2nd half of the year.

 

[FlairFan2003]

How many times Ric Flair is on this list is amazing, still in the top 10 in mid 2000's after spending most of the 80's second only to Hogan.

I'm surprised in 1995 that Hogan wasn't listed - he was WCW Champ almost all year - did he simply not wrestle enough to draw enough gates, certainly when he did wrestle he would have been in front of good crowds (usually vs Flair, who was ranked #2 that year, the highest ranking for a US wrestler thay year).