5 former Canadian wrestlers who are legends in WWE

While WWE has acquired a lot of talent from the United States, Mexico, Latin America, Europe, and Australasia, Canada has always been a mainstay in providing superstars who have taken this business to newer heights.

Canadians' in-ring ability, dedication, and insatiable need to perform in the square circle day-in and day-out has been second to none.

In this article, we take a look at five former Canadian wrestlers who are legends in WWE.

Honorable Mention: WWE Hall of Famer Pat Patterson

Born in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, the late Pat Patterson has been a father figure in WWE, first as a performer and then a creative consultant and producer. Pat was the first-ever Intercontinental Champion in the business and the brains behind WWE's flagship event Royal Rumble.

In 2019, Patterson also became the oldest person to win a title in WWE history after conquering the WWE 24/7 Championship at 78.

A testament to his stature in the business, Pat was described by reputed journalist Dave Meltzer as Vince McMahon's right-hand man and one of the chief architects of WWE.

#5 WWE Hall of Famer Trish Stratus

Born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Trish Stratus has been one of the most successful female superstars in WWE. Her rivalries with peers like Lita, Molly Holly, and Micky James were legendary.

The seven-time Women's Champion was proclaimed the 'Diva of the Decade' in 2003. Due to her unparalleled athleticism in the ring and her popularity with the WWE universe, Stratus was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2013.

#4 Former WWE Intercontinental Champion Owen Hart

Born in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, the late WWE Superstar Owen Hart was one of the most famous Canadian wrestlers to emerge from the Hart Dungeon. The son of the late great Stu Hart and the brother of Bret Hart, Owen was praised for his high-flying moves.

A four-time WWE Tag Team Champion, two-time Intercontinental Champion, a former European Champion and King of the Ring winner, some of Owen Hart's classic bouts came against brother Bret, Shawn Michaels and Razor Ramon.

Owen was also phenomenal as a tag-team competitor, especially with former partners like the late Yokozuna and his brother-in-law, the late British Bulldog.

Unfortunately, Hart's illustrious career came to an early end at Over the Edge 1999. He succumbed to a fatal accident as the Blue Blazer while doing an entry stunt in the arena.

#3 Former World Heavyweight Champion Chris Benoit

Born in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, the late Chris Benoit was a WWE Superstar of immense in-ring technicality.

His in-ring performance was simply majestic, with rivalries against Kurt Angle, Triple H, Chris Jericho and John Cena to name a few. A Royal Rumble winner in 2004, this Canadian superstar went on to headline WrestleMania that year. He won his first World Championship at the main event when he made Triple H submit to the Crippler Crossface.

Unfortunately, Chris Benoit passed away in 2007 owing to depression and chronic traumatic encephalopathy, a condition of brain damage, perhaps from numerous concussions he had suffered during his career.

#2 WWE Hall of Famer Roddy 'Rowdy' Piper

Born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, the late Roddy Piper was an excellent performer and one of the best heels in WWE.

A former WWE World Tag Team Champion and Intercontinental Champion, Roddy Piper's rivalry with legends like Ric Flair, Ricky Steamboat, Jack Brico, Hulk Hogan, and Greg Valentine were epic. His promos during Piper's pit are still iconic.

Fellow legend Ric Flair inducted Piper into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005. The former described 'Hot Rod' as "the most gifted entertainer in the history of professional wrestling."

On July 31, 2015, Roddy Piper left the world at 61 due to a heart attack. His death was mourned by both superstars and fans alike.

#1 Two-time WWE Hall of Famer Bret 'The Hitman' Hart

Born in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Bret Hart remains the best Canadian superstar ever to step foot in WWE. Trained under the guidance of his father, Stu Hart, 'The Excellence of Execution' dominated the squared circle.

Hart's in-ring performance was effortless in all his bouts, be it singles competition or tag-team action. Legends like the Undertaker, Shawn Michaels, Stone Cold Steve Austin, Diesel, and Razor Ramon have whole-heartedly appreciated the impact of the Canadian Legend.

Bret Hart was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame as an individual in 2006 and as a part of the Hart Foundation in 2019. His skills have made him the greatest Canadian superstar in WWE.