#50. Verne Gagne
Achievements/Accolades:
- 10-time AWA World Heavyweight Champion
- 4-time AWA World Tag Team Champion
- 4-time NWA World Tag Team Champion
- 2-time AWA United States Champion
- 2-time NCAA National Champion (1948, 1949)
- Member of the 1948 United States Olympic Wrestling team
- WWE Hall of Fame (Class of 2006)
Opinions on final placement:
“When it comes to his in-ring work, Gagne is known for being one of the legitimate toughest men to ever lace up the boots. As the owner of the legendary AWA, he trained & introduced many of the most famous wrestlers of all time to the world including Hulk Hogan, Ric Flair, The Iron Sheik, Shawn Michaels & the list goes on. Does he deserve to be in the Top 50? As a wrestler, I’m not sure. I probably kept him off my personal list. But as an overall treasure to the wrestling business? Absolutely.” — Jay Alletto
“Unreal that Verne Gagne is this low on the list. The guy is not only a pioneer in terms of promoting and running a company, but he was a legendary performer who drew enormous amounts of money. Just the sheer fact that a major portion of this list will have ties to Verne Gagne proves he should be higher. A travesty.” — Zack Heydorn
“For someone who paved the way for what the business is today, I think it’s a crime that Gagne is only at number 50.” — Eron Ramadanov
