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[Purple Marauder]

So I was reading an article that posted several of Hulk Hogans tweets. Here is one that caught my eye as many people have discussed it before.

Bringing Steve Austin to TNA, because he is the biggest draw in wrestling history - "oh he is ?"

So, it seems that Hogan is questioning the fact that someone called Austin the biggest draw in wrestling history and not him. My question is, who is the biggest draw in wrestling history? Hogan, Austin, The Rock, Andre The Giant, Billy Kidman... you get the point. In your opinion, who do you think sold the most tickets, ppvs, boosted ratings or just put butts in the seat?

[Fan]

Bryan Danielson. That's always the correct answer for these types of questions, right?

[The Headliner]

Hogan's run lasted far longer than Austin's, so I'd expect he's responsible for putting more butts in seats.

I don't know how they'd compare year-on-year, but you'd have to take into account their different schedules, inflation of the dollar, potential PPV audience, etc, etc.

[Kraul]

I honestly wouldn't be surprised if the biggest draw of all-time wasn't even a "modern" wrestler.

If you took into account all the things Heady just mentioned, I wouldn't be shocked to find someone like Gorgeous George as being the top draw of all-time. I don't believe someone like that would be, but it honestly wouldn't shock me if it turned out to be true.

[Advocate]

Well the biggest problem with the non-modern history is that it was broken up into territories.  So you did not get the national or international impact that Hogan or Austin got.

It is definitely Hogan or Austin.  On a long term basis, it was Hogan.  But on a prime basis, it is difficult to tell. 

[Queen Scoop]

I can't be impartial on this question but I can tell you one thing.. I spent big money on my man Austin's stuff...

[RagingCalm]

Taking into account everything Kraul and Heady said, I would say Bruno Sammartino could be a strong competitor for that crown.

[The Headliner]

Placed in Hogan's shoes, I'm struggling to imagine Sammartino filling the Pontiac Silverdome.

[Illusion]

According to Meltzer it goes:

1. BRUNO SAMMARTINO

2. HULK HOGAN

3. BOB BACKLUND

4. ARGENTINA ROCCA

5. HHH

6. UNDERTAKER

7. STEVE AUSTIN (Undertaker and HHH have passed him in recent years since he finished his career in 2003. Had he not retired at the age of 38 due to injuries, as well as missed what probably would have been his biggest drawing year in 1999 with neck surgery, he would have been No. 2 on this list by now. Nobody ever in company history was a bigger drawing card or merchandise seller then he was at his peak.)

8. THE ROCK

9. PEDRO MORALES

10. SHAWN MICHAELS

11. SUPERSTAR BILLY GRAHAM

12. MIGUEL PEREZ

13. BRET HART

14. BUDDY ROGERS

15. RANDY SAVAGE

16. JOHN CENA

17. KURT ANGLE

18. MICK FOLEY aka CACTUS JACK, DUDE LOVE, MANKIND

19. ANDRE THE GIANT

20. DR. JERRY GRAHAM

(TIE) JOHNNY VALENTINE

22. RODDY PIPER

23. IVAN KOLOFF

24. ULTIMATE WARRIOR

(TIE) RANDY ORTON

(TIE) BATISTA

27. GREG VALENTINE

(TIE) YOKOZUNA

(TIE) SGT. SLAUGHTER

30. GEORGE STEELE

(TIE) CHRIS JERICHO

(TIE) KANE

(TIE) KEVIN NASH aka DIESEL

34. RIC FLAIR

(TIE) BIG SHOW aka PAUL WRIGHT

(TIE) STAN HANSEN

(TIE) GORILLA MONSOON

(TIE) KEN PATERA

39. FRED BLASSIE

(TIE) BOB ORTON SR. aka ROCKY FITZPATRICK

(TIE) BROCK LESNAR

42. EDDIE GRAHAM

(TIE) KILLER KOWALSKI

(TIE) PROFESSOR TORU TANAKA

(TIE) DON MURACO

(TIE) DAVEY BOY SMITH aka BRITISH BULLDOG

(TIE) EDGE

(TIE) CHRIS BENOIT

49. LARRY ZBYSZKO

(TIE) PAUL ORNDORFF

(TIE) IRON SHEIK aka GREAT HOSSEIN ARAB aka COL. MUSTAFA

(TIE) NIKOLAI VOLKOFF aka BEPO MONGOL

(TIE) WALDO VON ERICH

(TIE) BOOKER T aka KING BOOKER

[The Headliner]

How was that list compiled, and is there any value in comparing the drawing power of Kane and Waldo Von Erich?

[Illusion]

No idea, I just came across it on another forum by chance, didn't seek it out or anything.

[Advocate]

based on ppv draws, live shows, and merchandise.