Best WWE Wrestlers From Texas

The state of Texas has a rich wrestling history, with shows being promoted in the “Lone Star State” for over a century. In the bygone territory era, some of the industry’s most powerful promotions thrived in regions of Texas, like Fritz Von Erich’s Dallas-based World Class Championship Wrestling or the Funk’s Western States Sports promotion in Amarillo. Even after the territories died out, Texas continued to be a hub of professional wrestling, drawing some of the largest houses in wrestling history.

Given wrestling’s influence over the “Lone Star State,” it’s no surprise that Texas has produced some of the greatest legends in professional wrestling history. Many of those stars eventually found themselves in the worldwide leader, the WWE. Whether they were bona fide WWE legends or just passing through, these are the 10 best WWE wrestlers from Texas.

10

Dustin Rhodes

“The Natural” Lived Up To His Name

• Former three-time WWE Intercontinental Champion
• Former two-time WCW United States Champion
• Six-time World Tag Team Champion

Dustin Rhodes is the eldest son of the legendary “American Dream,” Dusty Rhodes. Born in Dallas, Rhodes broke into the wrestling business in 1988, working for Championship Wrestling from Florida when he was only 19 years old. From there, he had short stints with both WCW and WWE, before landing in WCW in 1991. After a four-year stint in WCW, Rhodes returned to the WWE – where he adopted the iconic Goldust persona.

For many wrestlers, being handed the Goldust gimmick would be a death sentence, but Rhodes flourished – capturing the Intercontinental Championship three times and a multitude of other championships. While Rhodes has never won a singles world championship, he’s had a phenomenal career within the WWE and beyond.

9

John Bradshaw Layfield

From Tag Team Stalwart To World Champion, Layfield Left His Mark On The WWE

• Former WWE Champion
• Former three-time WWE Tag Team Champion
• 10th Grand Slam Champion

John “Bradshaw” Layfield was born in Sweetwater, Texas and debuted in the Dallas-based Global Wrestling Federation (GWF), in 1992. In 1995, Layfield began wrestling in the WWE as Justin “Hawk” Bradshaw – a prototypical Texas cowboy that was managed by Dutch Mantell. Over the next 10 years, Layfield slowly transitioned from being a tag team specialist to a world champion; a slow metamorphosis that saw him assume a variety of disparate gimmicks and personas.

From the New Blackjacks, to the satanic Acolytes, to the bar-brawling Acolyte Protection Agency, to the J.R. Ewing-esque JBL: Layfield success was a testament to his versatility. Over time, he accumulated a staggering amount of championships, becoming the 10th Grand Slam Champion and a 17-time Hardcore Champion. However, his greatest success was as the WWE Champion. His 279 day reign as WWE Champion is the 16th longest in the titles history and the fifth longest of the 21st century.

8

Booker T

Raised In Houston, Few Wrestlers Have Won As Many Championships As Booker T

• Former six-time World Champion
• Former 10-time WCW World Tag Team Champion
• Eighth WWE Grand Slam Champion

While Booker T was born in Plain Dealing, Louisiana; he was raised in Houston, Texas – which is where he began his wrestling career in 1990. By 1993, Booker T and his brother, Stevie Ray, were signed to WCW, beginning their legendary run as Harlem Heat. The two solidified themselves as one of the greatest tag teams in wrestling history, capturing the WCW World Tag Team Championships on 10 occasions.

Booker T parlayed his extraordinary success as a tag team wrestler and his charisma into a Hall of Fame career as a singles star, winning an inordinate amount of championship gold. Between his tenure in WWE, WCW, and TNA: Booker T won 20 singles championships – including five WCW World Heavyweight Championships and WWE’s World Heavyweight Championship.

7

Stan Hansen

Few Wrestlers Have Ever Been As Dominant As The “Lariat”

• Former AWA World Heavyweight Champion
• Former four-time AJPW Triple Crown Heavyweight Champion
• Former 13-time World Tag Team Champion

Stan Hansen was a Texan through and through. Born in Knox City, Hansen played football at West Texas State with fellow future wrestler Bruiser Brody, before breaking into the business. After only three years in the business, Hansen had already garnered enough acclaim to challenge Bruno Sammartino for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. Unfortunately, Hansen performed an errant powerslam, breaking Sammartino’s neck. However, promoters claimed that it was actually due to the sheer power of his famed lariat. Hansen became known as the “Lariat” and became one of the most sought-after stars in wrestling.

The “Lariat” ultimately settled in Japan, where he spent the majority of his career. Hansen began in Antonio Inoki’s NJPW, before defecting to Giant Baba’s AJPW. There, Hansen experienced the bulk of his success, both as a prolific tag team wrestler and a world champion, multiple times over.

6

Terry Funk

The “Hardcore Icon” Was One Of Wrestling’s Most Enduring Stars

• Former NWA World Heavyweight Champion
• Former two-time ECW World Heavyweight Champion
• Former WWE Tag Team Champion with Cactus Jack

Terry Funk’s career spanned five decades and across a multitude of major promotions. However, his career began in Texas. The son of the Amarillo-based Western States Sports’ promoter, Dory Funk, Terry Funk broke into the wrestling business in 1965 – working for his father’s promotion. Funk quickly rose to prominence, teaming with his older brother, Dory Funk Jr. The Funks were a prolific tag team, winning a multitude of regional versions of the NWA World Championship; as well as multiple World’s Strongest Tag Determination League tournaments in All Japan Pro Wrestling.

Funk was equally as successful in the singles ranks as he was in the tag team division. Funk defeated Jack Brisco for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship on December 10, 1975 – holding the “10 lbs. of gold” for a staggering 424 days. Two decades later, Funk held the ECW World Heavyweight Championship on two separate occasions. His first reign began in December 1993, when he defeated Sabu, and lasted for 90 days. His second reign began in April 1997, when he defeated Raven, and lasted for 118 days. Funk’s work in ECW and Frontier Martial-Arts Wrestling helped establish him as the “Hardcore Icon” later in his career, influencing generations of wrestlers: from Mick Foley to Jon Moxley and beyond.

5

Eddie Guerrero

“Latino Heat” Burned Brightest As The WWE Champion

• Former WWE Champion
• Former four-time WWE Tag Team Champion
• Sixth WWE Grand Slam Champion

Uniquely charismatic and flawless in the ring, Eddie Guerrero was a wrestler’s wrestler. Born in El Paso, Texas, Eddie Guerrero was a member of the famous Guerrero family. His father was the family’s patriarch, Gory Guerrero, a legendary wrestler in his own right. Eddie was the youngest of Gory’s four sons, Mando, Hector, and Chavo Sr. – all of whom became wrestlers.

Having wrestled all across the world, from AAA, to NJPW and WCW – Eddie finally found himself in the WWE in 2000, where his ascent to the top began. While Guerrero was fired in November 2001 for drunk driving, he returned in 2002 and continued working his way towards the main event picture. Guerrero’s hard work finally paid off at No Way Out 2004, when he defeated Brock Lesnar to win the WWE Championship. Guerrero’s success wasn’t limited to the WWE Championship. Not only was he a phenomenal tag team wrestler, but he was WWE’s sixth Grand Slam Champion.

4

Dusty Rhodes

The “Texas Outlaw” Became The “American Dream”

• Former three-time NWA World Heavyweight Champion
• Former three-time NWA World Tag Team Champion
• WWE Hall of Fame (Class of 2007)

Born in Austin, Texas – Dusty Rhodes rose to prominence as one half of the “Texas Outlaws” with Dick Murdoch. The two became a renowned team, capturing the Detroit version of the NWA World Tag Team Championship, among various other regional titles. Eventually, Rhodes transitioned to predominantly wrestling in singles action – becoming a champion of the people. The “Texas Outlaw” became known as the “American Dream,” and Rhodes became one of the most beloved babyfaces in all of wrestling.

While Rhodes’ never held the NWA World Heavyweight Championship for a long period of time, like many of his contemporaries, he did hold it on three separate occasions: defeating Harley Race in 1977 and 1981, and Ric Flair in 1986. While Rhodes’ career in the ring defined a generation, his work behind the scenes was even more influential. Rhodes was Jim Crockett Promotions’ booker for much of the 1980s and eventually helped Triple H establish NXT as the brand it is today.

3

Shawn Michaels

The “Heartbreak Kid” Called San Antonio Home

• Former four-time WWE World Champion
• Former three-time WWE Intercontinental Champion
• WWE’s first Grand Slam Champion

Born in Chandler, Arizona, Shawn Michaels spent most of his adolescence in San Antonio, Texas – where his wrestling career began under the stewardship of Jose Lothario. Michaels rose to prominence as one half of The Rockers, alongside Marty Jannetty – revolutionizing tag team wrestling with their high-flying, frenetic style. The duo won two AWA World Tag Team Championships, before defecting to the WWE. There, they became fan favorites, waging iconic wars with the Hart Foundation.

The bulk of Michaels’ success came as a singles wrestler, beginning quickly after the implosion of The Rockers. Michaels slowly worked his way towards championship gold in the early-to-mid 1990s, establishing himself as one of the premier workers of the decade. Michaels’ rivalry with Bret Hart defined the New Generation, while his match against “Stone Cold” Steve Austin at WrestleMania 14 helped the WWE take a decisive advantage over WCW in the Monday Night Wars. While Michaels considered himself retired after WrestleMania 14, he ultimately returned in 2002, further cementing his legacy as one of the greatest in WWE history.

2

The Undertaker

Billed From Death Valley, The Deadman Was A Texan

• Former seven-time WWE World Champion
• Former six-time WWE Tag Team Champion
• WWE Hall of Fame (Class of 2022)

While The Undertaker was billed from Death Valley, Mark Calaway was born in Houston, Texas. After playing college basketball at Texas Wesleyan University, Calaway pivoted to professional wrestling – briefly training with Buzz Sawyer. Calaway’s career began in the Dallas-based World Class Championship Wrestling, before ultimately signing with WCW. While WCW’s management felt as though Calaway had limited appeal, the WWE had a grander design.

In November 1990, The Undertaker debuted at Survivor Series, beginning one of the most consistently excellent runs in WWE history. “The Phenom” won seven WWE world championships, establishing himself as one of the greatest attractions in wrestling history.

1

“Stone Cold” Steve Austin

No Wrestler Has Ever Represented The “Lone Star State” Better Than The “Texas Rattlesnake”

• Former six-time WWE Champion
• Three-time Royal Rumble Winner (1997, 1998, and 2001)
• Fifth WWE Triple Crown Champion

No wrestler has ever represented Texas better than the “Texas Rattlesnake,” “Stone Cold” Steve Austin. Born and raised in Austin, Texas, Steve Austin began his career wrestling in the Dallas-based World Class Championship Wrestling – working in Dallas until the company’s merger with the Memphis-based Continental Wrestling Association. Austin’s work in Memphis led him to WCW, where he made a name for himself as “Stunning” Steve Austin. While Austin reached the limits of what he could achieve in WCW, his work in the WWE would irrevocably change the professional wrestling business.

While he debuted as the “Ringmaster,” it didn’t take long for Austin’s natural personality to shine through the cracks. Thus, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin was born: an irreverent Texan, who seemed like more of a bar-room brawler than a professional wrestler. Austin’s eminence and rivalry with the villainous Mr. McMahon swung the momentum of the Monday Night Wars in the WWE’s favor – which ultimately led the company to usurp his former employer. Austin was a six-time WWE Champion, captivating fans with his aforementioned rivalry with McMahon, as well as Bret Hart, Shawn Michaels, and The Rock. Even after two decades, the sound of the glass shattering still garners as loud of a reaction, as it did over 25 years ago.