The best wrestler from each of the 50 United States 

KANSAS - Bobby Lashley

Couldn't have predicted this one back in '06, but Lashley certainly deserves to be on this list

Bobby Lashley may have been greener than guacamole when he first debuted, but he has really developed into one of wrestling's most talented stars in recent years.

Lashley, a former standout amateur wrestler and US Army veteran, debuted in WWE developmental in 2004. When he first debuted on the main roster in 2005, his physique wowed audiences and company officials alike. Though he still didn't quite "get" pro-wrestling and though his mic skills left a lot to be desired, he was pushed to the top of the card. He won two ECW Championships and one United States Championship before he was inexplicably released in 2008.

It was then when Lashley started polishing his craft in TNA, on the independent circuit, and in mixed martial arts (where he possesses a 15-2 record), but especially in the former. Thus far, he has won four TNA World Heavyweight Championships, one King of the Mountain Championship, and one X Division Championship, and he has abandoned the "white-meat babyface" persona that WWE fans resented in favour of a more dominant, heelish character. He seems to have finally reached the in-ring potential that WWE always wanted in him, and his microphone skills have improved tenfold as well.

Right now, rumours are swirling that Lashley is preparing for a WWE return when his TNA contract expires. I would love to see it, personally. I mean, imagine Lashley vs Lesnar. Goodness gracious! Anyway, I'll stop gushing about potential future encounters and just say that Lashley is Kansas' best wrestler ever.

KENTUCKY - Ricochet

Ricochet may be only 28 years of age, but he has already set the world of professional wrestling on fire.

Born in Paducah, KY, Ricochet started wrestling when he was just 15 years old in 2003. From the very start, people took notice of the boy’s high-flying abilities, so Chikara snapped him up in 2006. His impressive showings there led to stints in Dragon Gate, Evolve, and Pro Wrestling Guerrilla, among several others.

Though he has done some truly amazing things as Prince Puma in Lucha Underground, winning two World Championships and earning various other accolades in that promotion, Ricochet’s most memorable work has come in New Japan Pro Wrestling, where he still works today. There, has primarily worked as a tag team wrestler, but he did win Best of the Super Juniors Tournament, 2014, becoming the youngest person to ever do so at the age of 26.

If you have yet to see any of Ricochet’s stuff, do yourself a favor and check it out. The things that man can do in a ring are unbelievable. What impresses me most, however, is the fact that he still has so much time to grow as a performer and to put on even more stellar matches. I look forward to seeing what Ricochet can do in the coming years, but his line of work thus far already earns him a spot on this list as the greatest professional wrestler to ever come from the state of Kentucky

LOUISIANA - "Big Cat" Ernie Ladd

By all accounts, Ernie Ladd is one of the greatest to transition from one professional sport (in this case, football) into the world of professional wrestling.

In the World-Wide Wrestling Federation, Ladd became one of the most loathed heels in the entire industry. Though he did not win any titles in the WWWF, he was a bonafide top draw for the company until he left the promotion in 1980.

Pretty much everywhere else he went, Ladd saw success. He won multiple regional Heavyweight, Tag Team, and Television Championships before hanging up the boots in 1986 due to his recurring knee issues. He was inducted into the WCW Hall of Fame in 1994 and the WWF Hall of Fame in 1995, and for several years, he was the only wrestler to ever be inducted into both halls before Harley Race broke that streak in 2004.

Sadly, Ladd is no longer with us. He was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2003 and lived much longer than doctors expected before finally succumbing to the disease at the age of 68 on March 10, 2007. Until the very last day of his life, Ernie Ladd was a force to be reckoned with, and he rightfully earns my pick as the best wrestler to ever come from the state of Louisiana.

One of the most detestable heels of the 70's, Ernie Ladd is the best wrestler Louisiana has ever produced

MAINE - Scotty 2 Hotty

I know that he was sort of a joke wrestler, but you're lying to yourself if you say that Scotty 2 Hotty wasn't fun to watch. And for what it's worth, he wasn't all that bad in the ring either.

Scotty started wrestling at the ripe age of 16 in 1989. Two years later, he debuted as a jobber in the WWF. He was used sparingly until the late 90s when he teamed with Brian Christopher and eventually became "Too Cool". He was immensely popular in this role, primarily because of his finisher, The Worm. Yes, I know it was absurd, but it was fun.

Anyway, his popularity propelled him to one Light Heavyweight Championship and two Tag Team Championships with his "Too Cool" brethren, Grand Master Sexay and Rikishi. I know that doesn't seem like much, but those weren't the only championships he won - did you know that Scotty 2 Hotty has won eight Heavyweight Championships across four different promotions? There's something you know now.

Like I said before, Scotty 2 Hotty was fun. And he's my pick for Maine's best wrestler.

MARYLAND - Scott Hall

Hey, yo.

Scott Hall moved around a lot during his adolescence, but he was born in Maryland and went to college in Maryland, so he qualifies for this spot in my eyes.

Nowadays, Hall is more well-known for his troubles outside the ring, but let's not forget that Scott Hall was one of wrestling's biggest superstars in the 90's. He actually debuted in the mid-80's and was featured in various main-event programs for the NWA and the AWA, but never really had any important matches or victories. It wasn't until he was signed to the WWF in 1992 where Hall became a household name...well, "Razor Ramon" did, anyway.

Hall, like Razor Ramon, was one of the top heels in the promotion. His finishing move, the Razor's Edge, was arguably the most protected move in the company, and he only used it as a guaranteed match finish. He would go on to win four Intercontinental Championships for the WWF, one of which he won in an absolutely fantastic ladder match with Shawn Michaels at WrestleMania 10, before returning to WCW in 1996. There, he helped start a war.

As one of the founding members of the nWo, Hall (no longer Razor Ramon) was one of the company's most featured talents. He ended up winning one Television Championship, two United States Championships, and seven Tag Team Championships before WCW folded in 2001. From there, his career was a bit sad, as his well-documented struggles with alcohol regularly interfered with his performances.

But no matter what, I still got love for "The Bad Guy". In fact, I think he's the best wrestler to ever come from Maryland.