'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
With ‘Brand Extension’ in effect from 2002, WWE divided itself into two separate entities with separate authorities, stories and superstars. This gave birth to a new era of Raw Vs SmackDown and the epic Survivor Series clashes. The GM’s of yesteryears Eric Bishoff and Stephanie McMahon and their epic saga of rifts and tackles. These were the days when the WWE sprung back to life once again from potential bankruptcy. In fact they did so well, they were able to buy off WCW and ECW. SmackDown contributed some of the best moments and created some of the worthiest superstars in the WWE. The following is a list of 5 Wrestlers who have managed to charm and attract the largest number of fans with their entertaining acts.
#5 Brock Lesnar
Although Brock had a small run on RAW towards the beginning of his career in 2002, he later won the WWE Championship Title by defeating Rock and becoming a SmackDown exclusive for times to come.
Brock wasn’t a very popular superstar. In fact he was quite hated by most WWE fans, all because Brock was known to crush all the ‘good guys’. We’re talking about the main faces of WWE, the likes of Undertaker, Hulk Hogan, Big Show, The Rock, Vince McMahon all got a beating from Brock Lesnar. Brock was responsible for giving Hulk Hogan a 5 minute bear hug and ending his career on the SmackDown stage. The three most defining moments of Brock Lesnar’s presence in SmackDown would include him suplexing Big Show from the top rope and making the entire ring collapse, wrestling Kurt Angle in a 60 minute Iron Man match and thirdly, getting chokslammed through the announcers table. He is feared, because he has passed the test of time and still stands firm as the best in the business.
#4 Eddie Guerrero
SmackDown wouldn’t have been the same if ‘Latino Heat’ hadn’t left his mark. Eddie had his ways of always impressing us, be it his cars or his crazy stunts, Eddie Guerrero was an amazing performer.
His mantra, “Lie, cheat and steal” set a trend in the WWE, creating countless unforgettable moments in SmackDown history. His relentless strive to outperform himself each time had a major influence in creating the best years of SmackDown. From high flying frog splashes off the steel cage, to hot steamy shower scenes, to Parking Lot Brawls, Eddie has done it all for us to be entertained and he will live on as a legend forever. “Viva La Razza.”
#3 Booker T
“Can you dig it? Suckaaa!”
Booker T came into the WWE in 2001 with an already established reputation of being a 5 time WCW Champion and a 10 time tag team champion, but this superstar truly reached the peak of his career on WWE’s Friday night Smackdown.
Booker T made his debut at the “King of the Ring” PPV event, attacking WWE champion Stone Cold Steve Austin and promptly injuring him. He won his first WWE belt along with superstar Test becoming the Tag Team Champions, a reign which was short lived. He later joined hands with Goldust and together they rocked the show all through 2002 – 2003.Being recognized as one of the greatest superstars of the show, Booker T was made the SmackDown General Manager in 2012. He is currently an announcer of WWE’s flagship show, RAW and a WWE Hall of Famer. He is WWE’s king of ‘Spinaroonie’ which suckas all around the world can most definitely dig. He won’t be forgotten in a hurry.
#2 Undertaker
SmackDown was literally Undertaker’s own personal House of Horror. He lead SmackDown into every Wrestlemania, winning belts and hearts alike, crushing opponents in creating unforgettable matches for the WWE world to bask in the glory of.
Undertaker, also known as The Dead Man, The Phenom, The Man from the Dark Side, Big Evil, he has taken on many avatars over the years, and has also given us some of the best and most epic rivalry match-ups against most ‘A’listed superstars; From the Randy Ortons to the Mark Henrys to Batista to CM Punk, anyone who stood in his way felt the lasting pain of the ‘Last Ride’.
#1 The Rock
The sensation on which Smackdown thrived was started by the people’s champion The Rock. Making his way to the stage with the famous, “If you smellll-l-la… What the Rock is cooking” really got fans around the world excited and charged up.
Call him a drama queen or a show off, he played his roles well and is undoubtedly the most recognized WWE face in the world. It all kicked off here on SmackDown against the blue white branding where The Rock rose to be the People’s Champion. No one has electrified the stadium as much as him and he is most definitely the greatest SmackDown superstar ever.
