WWE may be about entertainment, but that doesn’t mean that the Superstars aren’t tough. From the self-declared “toughest SOB in WWE”, Stone Cold Steve Austin, to the APA, which consisted of Farooq and Bradshaw, who had a genuine reputation for being tough men behind the scenes.
There have been so many tough guys in WWE and, of course, we had to ask AI who the toughest 20 in the history of the company are. And we mean legitimately tough, not just a persona that you see on television.
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20 most legitimate tough guys in WWE history, according to AI (20-11)
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Position
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Superstar
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20.
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John Cena
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19.
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Drew McIntyre
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18.
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Sheamus
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17.
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Braun Strowman
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16.
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Randy Orton
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15.
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Bad News Brown
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14.
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Fit Finlay
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13.
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The Undertaker
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12.
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Ron Simmons
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11.
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Cesaro
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10
Shinsuke Nakamura
We start this list with AI’s number 10 choice, ‘The King of Strong Style’, Shinsuke Nakamura. He is widely regarded as a tough, hard-hitting wrestler, using aggressive striking and submission techniques. Outside professional wrestling, Nakamura is trained in a number of different disciplines, including karate, kung fu, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and has a number of bouts – and wins – in MMA. He is certainly not one to mess with.
9
Samoa Joe
Number nine is Samoa Joe. As well as his imposing physicality and tough man persona on screen, he is also known for his strong presence outside the ring. Although a very professional wrestler, with respect for his competitors and consideration for their safety, his background in judo and BJJ and his wrestling style, which has been influenced by MMA, means he is not someone you want to get on the wrong side of.
8
Steve Blackman
Now, Steve Blackman wasn’t the biggest personality in WWE, and was seen as a strong, silent type. Often working with a kendo stick which he could showcase his skills with, Blackman possessed skills in a number of different martial arts, including taekwondo, shotokan karate, and escrima. With the likes of Ken Shamrock acknowledging his genuine fighting skills, you know this guy was the business. Since leaving professional wrestling, Blackman has worked as a bounty hunter and also helps train others in martial arts.
7
William Regal
Most will remember William Regal for his snotty Englishman persona, but in reality, he came from a background in street fighting and began his wrestling career in the pubs and clubs along the Blackpool seafront. His strong, brutal style represents his upbringing and rightly holds his reputation as a genuine tough guy.
6
Bobby Lashley
Another of many guys with MMA experience to make this list. Bobby Lashley has a very imposing presence, with incredible strength and a background in amateur wrestling as well as a respected 15-2 record in MMA. His power is evident, and he is a person you would want on your side in a fight.
5
Dan Severn
Dan Severn comes in at number five, and rightly so. An exceptional amateur wrestler and one of the pioneers of bringing MMA to the masses. Combining his size, strength, and wrestling prowess alongside his ability to withstand punishment means he was a man you didn’t want to upset. Nobody has made a moustache look as fearsome as the 120-fight MMA veteran.
4
Ken Shamrock
Ken Shamrock just screams toughness. Known as “The World’s Most Dangerous Man” during his spell in WWE, his toughness stems from his difficult upbringing, in which he was exposed to violence and was moved from foster house to foster house. He began training and honed his grappling skills in Japan. All of these are attributed to his reputation for being a tough man in and out of the ring.
3
Kurt Angle
Kurt Angle comes in at number three and this may come across as a surprise to some. Angle was seen as a fun character during his time in WWE, and was often the butt of jokes. However, this man is an Olympic gold medallist, and he did so with a “broken freakin’ neck.” His amateur wrestling is, of course, a key factor in his toughness, but combined with his intense training regime and mental fortitude, being pushed to his limits, means Angle is rightfully acknowledged as one of the toughest ever.
2
Haku/Meng
Haku had a reputation of being one of the toughest to step through the door in WWE, to the point where his toughness became almost mythical. His legendary reputation for real-life fighting – often against multiple opponents – and his imposing stature helped cement his image as a tough guy. Stories of his power, pain threshold, and willingness to engage in combat are often retold by those who shared the locker room with him.
1
Brock Lesnar
Brock Lesnar is, of course, number one. Built like an absolute tank, the former UFC heavyweight champion’s combination of power, agility, and strong work ethic means he has always had a competitive edge. This, alongside his short fuse, has meant he has, at times, been unable to hold back from showing his true toughness.
