5 WWE superstars who have been compared to legends

WWE has had many legendary superstars over its long history. Iconic careers have been built by superstars of all shapes and sizes. Whether an undead wizard, brash trash-talking rapper or beer-chugging antihero, the company has seen all types of characters walk through their doors.

One of the biggest compliments an active superstar can receive is being compared to a legend. The WWE Universe is always looking to spot the next Andre The Giant, Eddie Guerrero or Hurricane Helms. The nostalgia elicited by a superstar who reminds us of one of our childhood heroes is one of the best feelings a fan can experience.

Some modern day superstars have been compared to icons of eras past, whether due to a similarity in looks, moveset or character development. It remains to be seen if these stars can equal or surpass the legacies of their more illustrious predecessors.

Here are 5 superstars who have been compared to legends:

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#5: Riddle has been compared to WWE Hall of Famer Rob Van Dam

WWE superstar Riddle has been subjected to comparisons with former world champion Rob Van Dam ever since he debuted in NXT. The Original Bro himself has cited Van Dam as an inspiration with substantial influence on his character.

The Original Bro has expressed interest in wrestling or teaming up with RVD, with the legend also praising his uniqueness and ability to stand out in an era of increasing repetitiveness.

“I like Matt. He’s a good guy. I can see the influence and why people would say that [compare him to Riddle]. The style that I used to do, it was fought against by the office a lot, and now people flip over the top rope to the floor so much, it’s not really as exciting. I think it’s harder to stand out nowadays, especially if you’re trying to stand out with your moves. Matt has his own unique style of MMA that he brings.” - RVD speaking to Sportskeeda's Riju Dasgupta

With a memorable tag title run under his belt and singles career potentially ready to explode, one can say the young stallion is in with a fair chance of emulating his idol. A good place to start would be winning the Elimination Chamber match on February 19th.

#4: WWE upstart Austin Theory has shades of a young John Cena

WWE Superstar Austin Theory looks, wrestles and talks like a prototype of a WWE wrestler. Sound familiar? Much like John Cena before his Doctor of Thuganomics gimmick, Theory is a performer with all the raw tools to make it to the very top.

The 24-year-old's character is yet to stand out in the WWE Universe, but it has still earned him an Elimination Chamber spot. Theory only continues to gain more experience through the exposure of such big matches and Vince McMahon's on-screen tutelage. It seems to be only a matter of time until he becomes world champion. It remains to be seen how big an explosion he will have and if he will emulate the 16-time champion's level of greatness.

He has also expressed a desire to retire the Cenation leader at WrestleMania some day.

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#3: Chad Gable's in-ring moveset and Olympic background are a throwback to WWE Hall of Famer Kurt Angle

WWE superstar Chad Gable is a former amateur wrestling Olympian. He is a wrestling machine whose moves include the suplex and Ankle Lock. He is also one of the funniest heels on the roster, with incredible comedic timing and a willingness to poke fun at himself. All of the above descriptions fit the profile of the legendary Kurt Angle.

The pair locked horns on RAW during Angle's farewell tour on the road to WrestleMania 35. After a solid back-and-forth, The American Hero tapped Gable out and the pair shared a heartwarming show of respect. As far as dream matches go, it was not Sting vs Undertaker, but it was one without which Angle's farewell tour would not have been complete.

The former Shorty G is only the second man to win the RAW, NXT and Smackdown tag team championships and is in the form of his life with the Alpha Academy gimmick. If the company should decide to place him in the main event scene as a reward for his stellar work, he may well be on his way to becoming a world champion like his idol.

#2: The comparisons between former WWE champions AJ Styles and Shawn Michaels may never die down

WWE superstar AJ Styles is one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time. The Phenomenal One is a near-perfect combination of speed, strength, storytelling, psychology, pacing and technique. Very few superstars in history can claim to be at his level as an in-ring performer.

“Let me tell you something about AJ Styles, of whom I am a huge fan. All those who had the opportunity to work with him had a great time. He manages to create terrific chemistry with anyone. He may not yet be at the level of a legend like Shawn Michaels, but he will join him from here to the end of his career. AJ Styles is a truly exceptional performer,” said Kurt Angle on his podcast, The Kurt Angle Show

One of the members of that select class is none other than Shawn Michaels. For nearly a decade, fans have clamored for The Heartbreak Kid to come out of retirement for one final match against Styles. It is an absolute dream match to this day. Although the two masters of their craft never met in their prime, they could probably put on a classic even if they wrestled in their geriatric years.

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#1: Becky Lynch is the closest thing WWE have to Stone Cold Steve Austin in the present day

WWE RAW women's champion Becky Lynch is arguably the most popular superstar in the company. She, much like Stone Cold Steve Austin in the Attitude Era, is a rebellious character, blurring the lines between face and heel. However, the crowd is always behind her due to her incredible mic skills and brash, anti-authority attitude.

The Man's character rebirth was a result of an unscripted moment in the buildup to Survivor Series 2018, where her nose was busted open by Nia Jax during an invasion angle. A comparison was made between this segment and Austin's WrestleMania 14 match against Bret Hart by another of the most popular antiheroes in history, CM Punk.

Lynch and Austin have crossed paths a few times, making for very entertaining viewing as they play off each other's hell-raising ways. It's easy to see why fans make comparisons between them.

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What are some other modern WWE Superstars that compare favorably to legends of the past? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.