Becoming “The Guy”
By Scott Keith on 14 March 2020
Hey Scott. Would you say that the following wrestlers were considered the company's top guy (their reign is taken seriously, you can tell the company and fans are 100% behind them as the top guy, etc) upon winning their first world championship, or did it occur after their first title reign?
Ultimate Warrior
No, he was always in Hogan's shadow and felt like a midcard champion most of the time.
Savage (88 and 92)
88 definitely. Eventually that changed but he started strong.
Bret Hart
Not until 94.
Shawn Michaels
The company tried but I'd say not until his second or third reign.
Triple-H
Nope, not until his third reign.
The Rock
100%.
John Cena
155%
Sting
They wanted it, but fans didn't buy it with Flair still around.
Lex Luger (I didn't watch WCW at the time and I'm curious as to how Luger was perceived after Flair's departure)
Luger never felt like the top guy to me, no. Rude came in and instantly overshadowed him as the bigger star, for example.