The Best Black Wrestlers Of All Time
The following is a list of the best Black wrestlers in the history of professional wrestling (or "sports entertainment" for those of you too young to remember anything that took place before John Cena). Through the years the WWF, WCW, and now WWE has seen many Black athletes leave an indelible mark on the wrestling industry. Superstars that have paved the way like the "Big Cat" Ernie Ladd, Divas that pushed the pace and raised the bar like Jacqueline, and once in a lifetime trailblazers like The Rock.
Whether they're most well known for their singles career or their tag-team career up in the "big leagues", namely WWE/WWF or WCW, the only requirement for this list of topflight African-American wrestlers is that they were great. That they told tremendous stories in the ring. That wrestling (sports entertainment) wouldn't be the same without them.
So, who is the best Black wrestler of all time? Mark out and vote for your favorites now!
- 1Age: 51
- Birthplace: Hayward, California, USA
- Nationality: Canada, United States of America
- Position: Defensive tackle
Few wrestlers in history have achieved the level of mainstream success and iconic status that Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson has attained over the past three decades. His magnetic charisma and larger-than-life persona captivated audiences during WWE's "Attitude Era," making him one of the industry's most beloved figures. Not only did he secure ten World Heavyweight titles, but Johnson also had a pivotal role in some of the most memorable rivalries and storylines the wrestling world has ever seen. The Rock's ability to transition from his exceptional wrestling career to Hollywood stardom only further solidified his status as a groundbreaking figure in sports entertainment history.
- 2Age: 58
- Birthplace: Texas, USA, Houston
- Nationality: United States of America
Booker T boasts one of the most storied and revolutionary careers of any wrestler to ever grace the squared circle. Beginning in WCW and continued in WWE, Booker-T amassing an astonishing six World Championships throughout his career and was one of the faces of the attitude era in its latter days. With his remarkable blend of agility, speed, and power, Booker T's performances have been nothing short of awe-inspiring, and alongside his brother Stevie Ray, he also formed one-half of the famous Harlem Heat tag team, dominating the WCW Tag Team division throughout the 1990s.
- 3Age: 65
- Birthplace: Georgia, USA, Perry
- Nationality: United States of America
- Position: Defensive tackle, Tackle
As the first African American to win a major wrestling World Championship, Ron Simmons, AKA Farooq, made history in 1992 when he captured the WCW World Heavyweight Championship. His impressive strength and prowess within the ring have contributed to his numerous accolades, including three WCW World Tag Team Championships. Simmons later transitioned to WWE, where he would continue to make waves through his prominent tag team, The Acolytes Protection Agency (APA).
- 4Age: 52
- Birthplace: Texas, USA, Silsbee
- Nationality: United States of America
Often referred to as "The World's Strongest Man," Mark Henry's incredible feats of strength have astounded fans for decades. A former Olympic weightlifter, Henry's sheer power translated well to the wrestling world, earning him both the World Heavyweight Championship and ECW Championship. Throughout his lengthy career, he has consistently showcased his ability to dominate opponents with seemingly effortless ease and has always been a consistent and ready competitor, willing to do whatever the company needs him to do.
- 5Age: 42
- Birthplace: Kumasi, Ghana
- Nationality: Ghanaian-American
Born in Ghana, Kofi Kingston's charisma and high-flying style have captivated audiences since his WWE debut in 2008. As one-third of the popular stable The New Day, alongside Xavier Woods and Big E, Kingston has held the Tag Team Championship an impressive 11 times and has quickly vaulted himself into the conversation of being one of the biggest fan favorites of all time. Paying off years of hard work and dedication, he finally claimed the pinnacle prize in 2019, capturing the WWE Championship at WrestleMania 35 during peak KofiMania.
- 6Dec. at 45 (1952-1998)
- Birthplace: Wadesboro, USA, North Carolina
- Nationality: United States of America
A true wrestling pioneer, Junkyard Dog (JYD) broke down barriers with his charismatic persona and magnetic personality throughout the ‘80s. With his signature move, the "Thump" powerslam, JYD enthralled fans in the Mid-South Wrestling territory and later in WWE. A beloved figure in sports entertainment history, Junkyard Dog helped elevate and inspire an entire generation of young wrestlers to chase their dreams, no matter how wild they may seem.
