In professional wrestling, it’s all about selling a match. Everything a performer does in the ring is predicated on the fact that moves most look authentic. When someone drops and elbow, it needs to look like it took the breath out of his opponent.
When they hit the turnbuckle, they should writhe in pain. And when they are hit with a lariat, they must sell it like it took their head off.
Some wrestlers were masters at it. Others sold too much and made the moves look silly. Then, there were those who went the extra mile to make sure fans were not only entertained, but showed that the moves in the ring could serious hurt someone.
There is a reason for disclaimers in professional wrestling. Sometimes, “Do not try this at home” is just an invitation for fans to experiment, just to see if it’s real or not. Trust me, from someone who has had a few holds attempted on me in the past, some things just hurt like hell.
Some wrestlers love the notion of pain. They thrive on the idea of getting beaten up, injuring an opponent or going to great lengths to “feel” like they were in a war. These five wrestlers are synonymous with the art of feeling pain in their matches.
#5 Abyss
TNA’s answer to Kane is in a class by himself. The man who appears to be superhuman in his ability in the ring isn’t afraid to mix it up with objects and pain.
The “Monster’s Ball” match is designed in his honor, where anything from broom handles to thumbtacks are used to beat down an opponent. You have to be this close to crazy to “want” to be in a match like this.
While TNA has struggled over the years with ratings, it has not been because of this guy, whose antics and risks have made him a continued favorite with the fans.
#4 Tommy Dreamer
You can just about throw anyone’s name from ECW on this list and it would be warranted. Dreamer is a hardcore legend and an ECW original.
Matches with Raven, Sandman and Sabu helped out him on the map as one of the toughest wrestlers to ever get in a ring.
He is a madman when it comes to using objects in the ring – trash cans, Kendo sticks, and other weapons of choice. If there were a wing in WWE’s Hall of Fame for hardcore wrestlers alone, Dreamer would be the first one in line for induction.
#3 Dean Ambrose
The new king of hardcore wrestling. Ambrose is the reason WWE should bring back the Hardcore Title.
The great thing about the Lunatic Fringe is he gives every fan what they want to see – bringing back some of the antics of Raven, Terry Funk and even Mick Foley. While he is often advertised as a “crazy” man in the ring, there is a method to his madness.
The former WWE World Champion should be a title contender for years to come, and if the company decides it wants to change things up a bit and go back to the more aggressive style of sports entertainment, you won’t need to twist Ambrose’s arm to compete at that level.
#2 Terry Funk
There are two Terry Funks in professional wrestling. There is the former NWA World Heavyweight Champion and then there is the crazy wrestler who resurrected his career as a hardcore wrestler.
Both were equally dangerous in the ring. Funk’s unorthodox style (putting it mildly) helped him acquire a whole new generation fans who loved blood and gore as much as they liked seeing a tactical fight in the ring.
Even at an advanced age, Funk would still get in the ring and put his body on the line night after night – mainly because it is all he knows how to do.
#1 Mick Foley
How could we have a list like this and not include the Hardcore Legend.
I swear if there was a move that would help him get over with the fans, the man who portrayed Mankind, Cactus Jack, Dude Love and himself, would do it. The leap off the top of the cage versus the Undertaker at Hell in a Cell is still the most talked about move in wrestling history.
Foley, who has numerous injuries and fights in his career, is still around to talk about it. Foley has said he used to use some of the same antics in the ring as Funk, who is an originator of object mayhem.
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