The 10 Best Wrestlers of the WWE Ruthless Aggression Era

The Ruthless Aggression Era was a defining period in WWE

history. Following the conclusion of the Attitude Era, the company looked to redefine itself with a fresh wave of top talent to carry the torch forward.

This era saw the rise of new megastars, classic rivalries, and unforgettable moments that shaped the landscape of professional wrestling. To evolve and stay fresh, the company shifted towards a more athletic-driven and wrestling-focused product while maintaining the entertainment-driven storytelling of its predecessor.

The period officially began when WWE owner Vince McMahon famously challenged anyone in the WWE locker room to step up and be the new face of the company. He demanded them to show “ruthless aggression” and prove themselves as a top star. Three days later, John Cena made his SmackDown debut and forged his welcome to the WWE moment.

It was an era of transformation, where Attitude Era veterans like The Undertaker and Triple H still reigned supreme while newcomers such as Cena and Batista rose to superstardom. Here, GIVEMESPORT ranks the 10 best wrestlers who defined the Ruthless Aggression Era.

10

Brock Lesnar

The Next Big Thing

Brock Lesnar’s impact on the Ruthless Aggression Era was immediate and dominant. Bursting onto the scene in 2002, Lesnar was strapped to a rocket ship and quickly rose to the top of the industry. Being featured in feuds with The Rock, Hulk Hogan, The Undertaker, and Kurt Angle showed how much the WWE saw him as the ‘Next Big Thing.’

He became the youngest WWE Champion in history after defeating The Great One in SummerSlam 2002. He won the 2003 Royal Rumble match and went on to main event WrestleMania XIX against Angle. His marquee bout against the Olympic Gold Medalist remains one of the best matches of the era.

Though his first WWE run ended prematurely in 2004, his dominance in those two years cemented Lesnar as a generational talent. His return years later only reinforced his status as one of WWE’s biggest attractions.

9

Eddie Guerrero

Gone too soon, but his legacy lives forever

Eddie Guerrero may be gone, but his legacy as one of the most iconic WWE superstars of all time is very much alive. His “Lie, Cheat, and Steal” persona showcased his versatility and made him an entertaining and deserving champion.

Guerrero rose to main event status during the Ruthless Aggression Era. His WWE Championship win in No Way Out 2004 over Brock Lesnar remains one of the most emotional moments in wrestling history. The WWE Hall of Famer had memorable feuds against Kurt Angle, Rey Mysterio, and John ‘Bradshaw’ Layfield. But many remember Guerrero most for his ‘‘lying, cheating, and stealing’ tactics, which provided plenty of unforgettable moments.

His untimely passing in 2005 was a tragic loss, but his legacy as one of the greatest wrestlers of all time remains intact. WWE fans still remember the Hall of Famer fondly to this day. Many current-day wrestlers like Dominik Mysterio, Liv Morgan, and Sasha Banks honor him by borrowing his moves in the ring. That shows just how big of a star Guerrero was, especially during the Ruthless Aggression era.

8

Rey Mysterio

Reached the top in the land of the giants

Rey Mysterio brought a unique, high-flying style that made him one of the most exciting superstars of the Ruthless Aggression Era. As someone whom wrestling fans hadn’t seen in WWE before, he had one of the most highly-anticipated debuts of all time.

Whenever Mysterio wrestled, fans could expect to see high-octane action. Standing at 5-foot-6 and weighing 175 pounds, he didn’t quite fit the bill as that of the prototypical WWE guy. Nonetheless, his miniature size didn’t prevent him from blossoming into a top star in the company.

His underdog story captivated fans, culminating in a historic Royal Rumble victory in 2006 and an emotional WrestleMania 22 win for the World Heavyweight Championship. Mysterio’s rivalries with Eddie Guerrero, Chavo Guerrero, and JBL highlighted his ability to tell compelling stories while delivering thrilling matches. His influence extended beyond WWE, as his success paved the way for more Lucha wrestlers in the company.

7

Kurt Angle

Kurt Angle was one of the top superstars who defined the Ruthless Aggression Era. The Olympic Gold Medalist is perhaps the greatest technical wrestler in WWE history. Though he was all business whenever he stepped foot in the ring, he showcased a quirky and funny side at times, which helped endear his character with the WWE audience.

Nonetheless, when those straps came down, it was game over for his opponents. Some of his memorable rivals in the Ruthless Aggression Era included Brock Lesnar, Eddie Guerrero, and Shawn Michaels. His main event matches with the three at WrestleMania are all three competitors are must-watch for fans looking to enjoy a wrestling masterclass.

As a ruthless competitor, Angle’s intensity made him a legitimate threat in any storyline, whether as a beloved babyface or an aggressive heel. Being the top man eventually burned Angle out. But that did not stop him from delivering top-tier in-ring performances every single night. Though he left the company in 2006, his impact during this era cannot be understated.

6

Edge

The ultimate opportunist grabbed every brass ring

From being part of one of the most iconic tag teams during the Attitude Era, Edge broke through as a legitimate main event singles superstar in the Ruthless Aggression Era. As “The Rated R Superstar”, he was arguably the most despised heel during that time.

Edge broke through into the main event scene in 2005 after his infamous Money in the Bank cash-in on John Cena at the 2006 New Year’s Revolution. The historic cash-in gave birth to his feud with John Cena, who became the 16-time WWE Champion’s most heated rival during that era. The two provided countless memorable moments, but no spot stood out more than when Cena gave Edge that iconic Attitude Adjustment off the top of the ladder onto two tables at Unforgiven 2006.

Apart from Cena, he also had great rivalries with Batista and The Undertaker. His partnership with Lita also added a compelling element to his character during that time. His willingness to push the boundaries and do whatever it takes to entertain fans—just like he did during his iconic Hardcore Match with Mick Foley at WrestleMania—made Edge one of the greatest performers of the Ruthless Aggression Era.

5

Randy Orton

If you build a wrestler from the ground up, you get Randy Orton

Quite frankly, Randy Orton was made for this business. A third-generation superstar, the master of the RKO had all the tools to be the standard of professional wrestling. For over two decades, Orton has become just that. In the words of the great John Bradshaw Layfield:

But like all WWE legends, he had his humble beginnings. The youngest World Heavyweight Champion in WWE history, Orton became a breakout star during the Ruthless Aggression era. His time with Triple H, Ric Flair, and Batista in Evolution helped Orton gain credibility as a wrestler. But ironically, his real rise began when Triple H betrayed him after he won the World Heavyweight Championship in SummerSlam 2004.

Orton later reverted to being a heel and embraced being the “Legend Killer” by feuding with WWE icons such as Mick Foley, Shawn Michaels, and The Undertaker, which further elevated the second-generation superstar. His cocky persona along with his natural in-ring ability made Orton a mainstay in the WWE’s main event scene.

4

Triple H

The Cerebral Assassin ran Monday nights

Name a more iconic duo during the Ruthless Aggression Era than Triple H and the World Heavyweight Championship. The Cerebral Assassin ran Monday night’s through the majority of the Ruthless Aggression Era. He had a stranglehold on the World Heavyweight Title during his reign and had memorable feuds against the likes of Shawn Michaels and Goldberg.

Despite being at the top, The Game still helped elevate younger talent such as Randy Orton, John Cena, and Batista. His feud with Batista, in particular, helped establish The Animal as one of the top faces of the company.

After his reign of terror, Triple H turned back to the good graces of the WWE Universe when he reunited with Shawn Michaels. Together, the former-friends-turned-rivals brought back the iconic D-Generation-X. Triple H and Michaels’ second run as D-X from 2006 onwards brought back plenty of nostalgia. Though it was quite as edgy as the D-X that wreaked havoc during the Attitude Era, Triple H and Michaels still provided fans with plenty of hilarious moments more suited for the Ruthless Aggression Era.

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3

The Undertaker

Going back to The Deadman reignited Undertaker’s mystique

Already an established legend, The Undertaker continued to evolve during the Ruthless Aggression Era. After becoming the American Badass at the end of the Attitude Era, Big Evil’s transition back to the Deadman in 2004 reignited his mystique and dark character.

After mixing it up with the likes of Stone Cold, The Rock, and Triple H, the veteran Undertaker showed that he could still hang with the new generation. His spine-chilling entrance was always a must-see, no matter how long it took him to get into the ring. He had unforgettable feuds with the era’s top superstars like Randy Orton, Batista, and Edge.

The Deadman’s iconic WrestleMania streak also started to become a significant selling point, with classics against the three aforementioned further solidifying his legacy. Undertaker’s ability to work with rising stars and elevate them while maintaining his aura made him one of WWE’s most valuable superstars during this time.

2

Batista

The Animal evolved into the face of the company

Batista’s rise to superstardom was meteoric. Beginning as an enforcer for Evolution, The Animal evolved into one of WWE’s most dominant superstars in the Ruthless Aggression Era. He burst onto the scene in 2002 as a raw powerhouse with sheer strength and aggression. Standing at 6-foot-4 and weighing 315 pounds, Batista always had the look of a top star. But it wasn’t until he aligned himself with Triple H, Ric Flair, and Randy Orton that he truly established his credibility as a future main eventer.

After spending years in the shadows of his Evolution mentors, Batista eventually broke through. Winning the 2005 Royal Rumble match and last eliminating John Cena signaled that the company saw him as a company cornerstone. He earned the main event spot at WrestleMania, where he emphatically won the World Heavyweight Championship from his mentor, Triple H.

Batista’s rivalry with The Game further elevated The Animal as one of the faces of the company. After beating Triple H in a brutal Hell In A Cell match at Vengeance 2005, he moved onto SmackDown and had terrific feuds with The Undertaker and Edge. In addition, his program with the late great Eddie Guerrero unveiled a new layer into his character, which made him more likable with the WWE fans.

1

John Cena

The greatest of his time, and possibly, of all time

No superstar defined the Ruthless Aggression Era more than John Cena. The eventual 16-time world champion had an explosive WWE debut in 2002 when he answered Kurt Angle’s open challenge and gave the Olympic Gold Medalist a taste of “ruthless aggression.”

Cena’s “Doctor of Thuganomics” persona helped him stand out and establish a connection and credibility with the WWE audience through his creative raps and aggressive promos. He won his first WWE Championship at WrestleMania to cement his place as one of the faces of the company. His never-give-up attitude resonated with the crowd, though some weren’t entirely receptive to the idea of him becoming WWE’s new torchbearer.

But whether as a fan-favorite or a polarizing figure, Cena was undeniable. Nobody in the company could connect with the audience like he could. And whether his naysayers like it or not, he was a top draw. His marquee rivalries against Edge and Randy Orton, and his classic WrestleMania moments carried the company during that time. Love him or hate him, Cena was undeniably the most influential wrestler of the Ruthless Aggression Era.

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