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Several WWE Superstars from the current era in wrestling have looked up to popular stars from the past. Many WWE Hall of Famers have stated their opinions regarding today's product via various platforms. Still, many of them have also praised the stars of the current generation every once in a while.
This list will look at relevant instances of WWE Hall of Famers who mentioned current stars in a positive light. It can be a full-circle moment for current stars when their idols or other established legends praise them in an interview or through social media.
With that being said, here are five times WWE Hall of Famers praised current Superstars.
#5 Stone Cold Steve Austin (Bayley/WWE Champion Drew McIntyre)
Bayley and Drew McIntyre have both been guests on Stone Cold Steve Austin's Broken Skull Sessions podcast recently. Steve Austin spoke to WWE ON FOX's Ryan Satin not too long ago, and he said that Bayley's work as a heel over the past year or so has really impressed him.
"Well, I've said in the past as well. When Bayley turned heel, I think she became one of the most entertaining heels in the business. There's layers to her work. From a female standpoint, Charlotte Flair came back recently and Becky Lynch left because she was having a baby, but right now, I really like Bayley's heel work. I've been liking it for quite some time." (h/t: WrestlingInc.)
When it came to the men's division, the WWE Hall of Famer confessed that he never saw Drew McIntyre as a main event star a few years ago. However, Mick Foley told Steve Austin to keep an eye on McIntyre.
Now, the Texas Rattlesnake has become impressed with The Scottish Warrior's work as a top star in WWE.
"I've been watching him [Drew McIntyre]. To meet him in person and get a feel for his physicality and mentality and way he thinks about the business, I'm very impressed with Drew. He's really earned the position he's at in the business today."
Drew McIntyre is the current WWE Champion, while Bayley was the SmackDown Women's Champion for most of 2020.
#4 Trish Stratus (Mandy Rose)
On the September 28 edition of WWE RAW last year, Mandy Rose and Dana Brooke defeated Lana and Natalya's team.
Mandy Rose sported an attire that was directly inspired by Trish Stratus' pink gear. Many WWE fans pointed out the same on Twitter, and the buzz caught Trish Stratus' attention.
Regarding the tribute, Stratus replied to a fan on Twitter. The WWE Hall of Famer praised Rose with the following comment:
"I see you @WWE_MandyRose [eyes emoji] #ShesKillingIt #WWERAW @WWE"
Stratus also agreed with a fan who said Rose is the hottest wrestler in the ring since Trish was active.
Earlier in 2020, Mandy Rose called Trish Stratus her ultimate inspiration. Fans and critics have even pointed out that Mandy and Trish have a lot in common despite both of them being a part of two different eras.
Although the WWE Hall of Famer's praise towards Mandy Rose was short and simple, it has become apparent that The Golden Goddess has earned the seal of approval from Trish Stratus.
#3 Kurt Angle (AJ Styles)
Several WWE legends like The Undertaker and Stone Cold Steve Austin have already said how great a performer AJ Styles can be inside the squared circle. The Phenomenal One's current peers have also talked about AJ Styles' in-ring ability in the past.
WWE Hall of Famer Kurt Angle has become incredibly familiar with AJ Styles over the years, as their history dates back to their days in TNA. In an SK Exclusive from January 2020, Angle had nothing but good words about The Phenomenal One.
"AJ's still going strong. I'd say he's every bit as good as he was ten years ago so I just hope his career continues on and he can give us a few more years. He's been doing this for a while, for over 20 years. He was an amateur wrestler before. AJ is one of the best in the company, if not the best in the world, and he's been that guy for eight years now - so he's had a lot of success."
AJ Styles faced Drew McIntyre for the WWE Championship at WWE TLC 2020. He remains an integral part of the red brand in the current landscape of Monday Night RAW.
#2 Ted DiBiase Sr. (Bray Wyatt)
It's no secret that Bray Wyatt has been one of the most popular WWE acts ever since The Fiend became a part of his highly creative lore.
2020 was a year for Bray Wyatt where his onscreen character could take part in newsworthy segments that otherwise could not have been executed in front of a live audience.
In the same year, WWE Hall of Famer Ted DiBiase Sr. took to Twitter to praise Bray Wyatt's originality and creativity in the wrestling business' modern era.
It is quite easy to agree with Ted DiBiase Sr.'s statements, as the Hall of Famer himself was one of the best heel characters throughout WWE's illustrious history.
Bray Wyatt's character on WWE TV recently took an interesting turn thanks to his storyline with Alexa Bliss that began a few months after Ted DiBiase Sr. praised him. Many fans and critics have said that Alexa Bliss and Bray Wyatt's alliance was the best part of Monday Night RAW in the latter half of 2020.
Last month, The Fiend's arc reached a creative milestone when the character was burned alive by Randy Orton in a Firefly Inferno match at the TLC pay-per-view.
#1 JBL (Universal Champion Roman Reigns)
During November 2020, JBL was a guest on an episode of WWE's The Bump. The WWE Hall of Famer praised Roman Reigns' recent character transition, calling him the most compelling star he's seen on television in the last two decades.
"I think the thing that has impressed me the most and is by far and above and is better than anything I've seen in maybe the last twenty years is Roman Reigns. Roman Reigns, to me, is the most compelling character I've seen on television, I think in twenty years. It's unbelievable how good he is. That character, the way its just transitioned and become the head of the table, I'm a huge fan. It's unbelievable how good he is."
That is indeed high praise from a WWE Hall of Famer like JBL. Roman Reigns and his storylines have received overwhelmingly positive reviews from fans and critics ever since he returned at SummerSlam last year.
Reigns developed a new edge to his persona after aligning with Paul Heyman. The Tribal Chief has imposed his authoritarian rule on WWE SmackDown as the Universal Champion over the last few months.
In the above-linked video, JBL appeared on SK Wrestling's UnSKripted show with Dr. Chris Featherstone to give his thoughts on Roman Reigns' heel turn, among various other topics.
