Mount Rushmore National Memorial is one of America’s most iconic landmarks, located deep within the Black Hills mountain range of western South Dakota. The landmark itself is a granite surfaced mountain, which was used as an artist’s canvas, so-to-speak, for world-renowned sculptor Gutzon Borglum.
Four of America’s most revered leaders were carved into the surface of this mountain. Former US Presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln and Theodore Roosevelt were the four faces which were carved into the mountain. This project took over 14 years to complete, with over 400 workers used to complete the project.
Borglum used a strategic mixture of rock-climbers, miners and of course, sculptors to complete the process, which began in 1927, ending in 1941.
For quite some time now, wrestling fans have debated over which of the many all-time greats would be worthy of belonging on WWE’s version of Mount Rushmore. It’s an argument with unlimited options.
Personally, I have gone over this topic in my mind, over and over. I have a list of roughly 30 legends that could all be mentioned in anyone’s top 10 list. However, when it comes down to those final, top 4, the list remains the same, for the most part. With that in mind, let’s take a look at the four wrestlers that I would put on my WWE version of Mount Rushmore.
#1 The Rock
No one in the history of the industry has gone on to have the type of crossover success that The Rock has. When you look back at his humble beginnings in the sport, Rocky Maivia appeared to be a long way from following in the footsteps of his legendary father, Rocky Johnson.
However, in a matter of practically no time, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson was on top of the wrestling world.
At the height of The Rock’s in-ring success, the mere mention that he might show up at an event would send ticket sales through the roof. During his “Smackdown Hotel” era, The Rock essentially took the weekly Smackdown program to the top of television ratings, almost single-handedly.
The Rock’s success didn't stop inside the ring, it carried over to the big-screen. Hollywood took notice of the most charismatic persona in sports-entertainment, and the rest is history. With huge box office features to his credit, such as The Fast and Furious series, The Rock quickly propelled to the top of the film industry, as the most sought after talent on the market.
The Rock will soon enter the WWE Hall of Fame, there’s no question about that. If there was, in fact, a monument for all-time great wrestlers, similar to Mount Rushmore, The Rock would surely have a place on it.
#2 Andre The Giant
At the age of 12, Andre was already well over six feet tall and weighed a few sandwiches over 200 pounds. Suffering from Acromegaly, which is the disorder that caused him to grow into the giant he would become, Andre was told by doctors that he would never live a full, normal life.
However, Andre had different plans, which included not only living a full life but defying the odds and becoming a success story.
When you think of the phrase “larger than life,” Andre The Giant is certainly the epitome of such a saying. He was adored by those who were close to him, yet feared by the ones who had the unfortunate task of competing against him.
The stories of Andre The Giant throughout his wrestling career range from tales of gallons of beer consumption, to occupying up to three seats on an aeroplane. But, the one common theme that all of the stories share is that Andre was indeed a great man.
There will never be another person come along that possesses the qualities, as well as unique life story that Andre had. He is responsible for helping revolutionise the sport, at a very pivotal time in history.
#3 The Undertaker
If you were to ask each of the current WWE Superstars what their thoughts are regarding The Undertaker, you would likely hear many stories of how important this man means not only to the business but to each and every Superstar he has come across. There is an undeniable level of respect that each wrestler has towards ‘Taker.
For most, The Undertaker is considered somewhat of a locker-room general. He is the type of person that you listen to when he speaks.
The Undertaker is one of the few remaining living, active legends of professional wrestling. At 51 years young, The Undertaker continues to be the biggest draw in the industry. The eerie sound of the funeral bells ringing at the beginning of his entrance music is enough to give you goose bumps. There has never been anyone nearly as captivating as The Deadman.
Dubbed “The Phenom,” The Undertaker has accomplished everything one could hope for in a wrestling career. Needless to say, the man has nothing whatsoever left to prove. With that said, he is still around, competing anytime he wishes, which is perfectly fine by me.
The Undertaker has earned the right to name his dates. It’s obvious that The Undertaker is nearing the end of his historic run. There will be a tremendous void all throughout the wrestling world, once the Deadman finally rides off into the sunset. It has been a privilege to witness such a storied career as it has evolved over the years.
We are a fortunate generation.
#4 Hulk Hogan
My final pick for my wrestling edition of Mount Rushmore is one that some of my readers may or may not agree with. Nevertheless, I would ask you to think about something. Who is the first person that comes to mind, when you simply hear the word “wrestling?”
Some may say, Ric Flair, others may say Stone Cold Steve Austin, and some may say The Undertaker. But, for me, it has always been Hulk Hogan.
As a child, I had the great fortune of growing up in the 80’s, during a time in which wrestling was really taking off. We were slowly saying goodbye to the glory of the territory days while ushering in a new era, which would become known as Hulkamania.
The first big event I can recall watching on television was Wrestlemania 3. This would become known as the event that essentially changed everything. I can still remember Gorilla Monsoon delivering one of his most memorable quotes- “the irresistible force meets the immovable object,” as he sold the main event match between Hulk Hogan and Andre The Giant.
It was an era that turned me into a lifelong wrestling fan, as well as a die-hard Hulkamaniac.
The past decade has been full of incidents that Hogan would probably like to forget ever happen. Hogan has made some extremely deplorable remarks, which were caught on tape and subsequently resulted in WWE basically attempting to erase Hulk Hogan from history.
While I certainly do not condone the remarks that were made, I am, however, a person who believes in forgiveness. With the circumstances surrounding Hogan, he has spent the past couple of years facing everything head-on, apologising for what has happened.
At this point, I just feel its necessary that The Hulkster have the opportunity to come back to the WWE, apologise, and move forward. As much as they wish to erase all things Hulk Hogan...they cannot erase my childhood.
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