Please remember the views shared below are the opinions of one pro-wrestling fan that has been given a forum to share those views. What makes pro-wrestling fans unique is we all have a different perspective on how we look at the world of pro-wrestling.

Mount Rushmore, the famous profiles of four great historical figures carved into stone. This mountain has created debate for many years, and will for many to come. Who is in your NFL Mount Rushmore? How about your MLB, or NHL Mount Rushmore? This question is asked frequently using many sports and organizations. So this raised the very obvious question for me, who would be on the Mount Rushmore of Professional Wrestling. Who would be my George Washington, or Abraham Lincoln, who would make the cut of all the greats to have graced the squared circle? I gave myself the following criteria for a wrestler to be considered for this fictional Mount Rushmore. The wrestler had to have established themselves before 1990. The wrestler also had two have held a major World Championship at least once.

Pro Wrestling’s George Washington: If you know anything about history you know George Washington was the famous general that went from war hero to our first president. When you think of American historical figures you first think of George Washington. So on my mountain George would be replaced with Hulk Hogan. You think of professional wrestling you automatically think of Hogan. He started his career in the 70’s and children today are still seeing him in a wrestling ring (not wrestling). Legend and stories have been told about Hogan, and they will for the rest of time. Now Hogan may not have been the greatest in ring talent, but his impact on the sport is much like Washington’s on the U.S. Without Washington would America have one the Revolutionary War? Without Hogan would wrestling have changed the way it did in the early 80’s? The answer to both of these questions is unknown but one could easily say probably not.

Pro Wrestling’s Thomas Jefferson: Thomas Jefferson one of the greatest historical figures we have ever had. He was the primary writer of the Declaration of Independence, that little document that makes us Americans. Jefferson has seemed to always play second fiddle to Washington, but in all honesty he affected policy and America in ways Washington never did. So, my Jefferson is Ric Flair. When you talk about the greatest of all time Hogan will start to roll of the tongues of many, and then they quickly say Ric Flair. Ric Wrestled in the NWA which in the 80’s played second fiddle to Hogan’s WWF. But when it’s all said and done Flair was the total package, he could wrestle, talk, and keep us entertained for hours. His persona and image has been well documented, with many trying to imitate the Nature Boy.

Pro Wrestling’s Theodore Roosevelt: Well this one is very simple for me. Roosevelt made an impact during his time in the military and as a president. One of the great things he was known for though was being full of love just like his namesake the Teddy Bear. At first he wasn’t all that pleasing to the eye but there was just something about him. My Roosevelt is no other than the “American Dream” Dusty Rhodes. Just like Roosevelt as president he impacted wrestling in major ways. Dusty came to be known as one of the greatest talkers this business has ever seen. Dusty was also very charismatic in the ring, not to mention his teddy bear like qualities. At first when you talk about the greatest of all time many don’t mention him then you get the “oh yeah then there was Dusty”.

Pro Wrestling’s Abraham Lincoln: Lincoln the man that ended slavery, the man that stopped at nothing to complete every goal he had. Perhaps the single most influential President we have ever had. He was not always liked, with many attempts being made to end his life (one finally succeeding). All of that said Lincoln shaped this country into what it was today. My Abraham Lincoln is no other then the great Lou Thesz. From 1949 to 1956 Thesz went on a mission to unify every World Heavyweight Championship in the U.S. much like Lincoln tried to unify the U.S. during the Civil War. He became the undisputed champion in 1956. When you think of professional wrestling history you have to think of the man that shaped one of the greatest promotions ever, the NWA’s Lou Thesz.

Hogan, Flair, Rhodes, Thesz

So there is my Professional Wrestling Mount Rushmore. Feel free to tweet me your Mount Rushmore @Hydden_View. Also tell me who you would add if I opened it up to all wrestlers, not just before 1990 if any, would your mountain be completely different?