1993: Best Matches & Wrestlers (In WWF & WCW)
- Tomás Cunha
- 2 days ago
- 27 min read
Welcome everyone to the 1993 year-end article. In this post, we'll look back at the best matches from the WWF and WCW throughout the entire year, and determine the wrestler of the year for both promotions according to the point system used in my reviews of every show. We will also analyse the PPV buys at the end of this piece.
Before we start looking at the best matches of the year, allow me to address one last rule regarding the point system. Wrestlers involved in the year's top matches will bag bonus points. These points are awarded based on two separate lists:
WWF/WCW Match of the Year rankings - the five best matches from the respective promotion only
Overall Match of the Year rankings - the five best matches across both promotions
The key difference is that the Overall Match of the Year list is worth double the WWF/WCW Match of the Year list. Every wrestler involved in one of these matches receives the same bonus points.
Here is the breakdown:
Ranking | WWF/WCW Match Of The Year List | Bonus Points Per Wrestler | Overall Match Of The Year List | Bonus Points Per Wrestler |
|---|---|---|---|---|
5th | 5th Best WWF/WCW Match | +1 | 5th Best Overall Match | +2 |
4th | 4th Best WWF/WCW Match | +2 | 4th Best Overall Match | +4 |
3rd | 3rd Best WWF/WCW Match | +3 | 3rd Best Overall Match | +6 |
2nd | 2nd Best WWF/WCW Match | +4 | 2nd Best Overall Match | +8 |
1st | Best WWF/WCW Match | +5 | Best Overall Match | +10 |
Note: the Royal Rumble match is not eligible.
WWF Match Of The Year Ranking
5th Best WWF Match: Shawn Michaels Vs. Marty Jannetty (Monday Night Raw)
Event: WWF Monday Night Raw
Date: July 19, 1993
Stipulation: WWF Intercontinental Championship Match
Winner: Shawn Michaels
My Rating: 4 Stars (****)
Shawn Michaels and Marty Jannetty, former partners as part of the exciting tag team The Rockers, feuded over Michaels' Intercontinental Championship for the better part of the first half of 1993. Their chemistry was undeniable, resulting in fantastic matches at the Royal Rumble and on the May 17 episode of Monday Night Raw. Jannetty captured the IC Title from his former partner in May, but his reign didn't last long. Twenty short days later, Michaels regained the strap with the help of his new bodyguard, Diesel, on a house show in Albany, New York. A little over a month later, the two finally settled their differences once and for all in a grudge match for the championship on the July 19 episode of Raw.
Diesel was heavily involved in this match, with The Heartbreak Kid trying to take every shortcut he could. Michaels nearly stole the win early when he got the three count after putting his foot on the ropes following a DDT, but the referee caught it and immediately waved it off. From there, the intensity picked up, and they delivered an incredible television match - even with two commercial breaks in the middle. Marty had the upper hand near the end and looked poised to walk out of Raw as the new Intercontinental Champion once again after hitting the Rocker Dropper. However, Michaels outsmarted Jannetty and threw him off his game, causing his former partner to knock himself out on the floor before retaining the strap with Diesel's help.
4th Best WWF Match: Bret Hart Vs. Bam Bam Bigelow (King Of The Ring)
Event: WWF King Of The Ring
Date: June 19, 1993
Stipulation: King Of The Ring Tournament Final Match
Winner: Bret Hart
My Rating: 4 Stars (****)
The first King of the Ring pay-per-view was a tremendous success because of the flawless structure of the tournament (and Bret Hart's incredible performances, might I add). Unlike what would happen in future years, all the tournament matches were given enough time to shine - well, at least the ones that mattered. It all came down to Bam Bam Bigelow vs Bret Hart in the finals, which rightfully main evented the show. The Hitman, wrestling with an injured back in his third match of the evening, faced The Beast from the East, who had received a bye to the finals after the quarter-final clash between Lex Luger and Tatanka ended in a draw. It was classic old-school pro wrestling tournament booking, and it worked brilliantly.
Bret had to fight from underneath against the larger opponent. The selling was so believable and the psychology so strong that the match felt like a real struggle as both men battled back-and-forth. Bigelow appeared to have the match won after Luna Vachon's smashed a chair into Hart's injured back, but the decision was overturned when Earl Hebner arrived to update Joey Marella on what happened. I wonder if all the referees were asleep during Yokozuna vs Hulk Hogan, then! Anyway, the match resumed and they continued to have a great 'David vs Goliath' contest. The actual finish was satisfying, as Bret used his last burst of energy to flip Bam Bam into a desperate victory roll for a hard-fought win.
3rd Best WWF Match: The Steiners Vs. Money Inc (SummerSlam Spectacular)
Event: WWF SummerSlam Spectacular
Date: August 23, 1993
Stipulation: WWF World Tag Team Championship Steel Cage Match
Winners: The Steiners
My Rating: 4 Stars (****)
This has always felt like one of those hidden gems that has often been overlooked. If you've never seen it, it's well worth your time. For over a year, Money Inc. (Ted DiBiase & Irwin R. Schyster) dominated the WWF tag team division, enjoying a lengthy run as World Tag Team Champions. In June 1993, they traded the tag titles back and forth with The Steiners on house shows. Although Rick and Scott Steiner eventually emerged as champions, the two teams never clashed in a major televised title match.
That finally changed at the TV special SummerSlam Spectacular, which aired one week before the SummerSlam pay-per-view, where The Million Dollar Man would compete in his final WWF match. It was a grueling high-energy steel cage match, with all four men leaving everything in the ring, and the dramatic ending had the crowd on its feet. The Steiners ultimately walked out with their hands raised, effectively closing the book on their rivalry with Money Inc. They carried that momentum into SummerSlam, where they successfully defended the belts once again - this time against The Heavenly Bodies.
2nd Best WWF Match: Ric Flair Vs. Mr. Perfect (Monday Night Raw)
Event: WWF Monday Night Raw
Date: January 25, 1993
Stipulation: Loser Leaves WWF Match
Winner: Mr. Perfect
My Rating: 4 Stars (****)
Monday Night Raw was introduced in January 1993. The third episode featured one of the greatest matches in the history of the show: Ric Flair vs Mr. Perfect in a Loser Leaves WWF match. Ric Flair had only been in the World Wrestling Federation for about a year and a half. He quickly made a huge impact, winning the 1992 Royal Rumble and becoming a two-time WWF Champion. During most of his run, The Nature Boy had Mr. Perfect - away from the ring due to a serious injury at the time - in his corner. The two started feuding when a returning Perfect joined forces with Randy Savage to battle Ric Flair and Razor Ramon at Survivor Series 1992. The feud escalated over the next months and it eventually led to their iconic clash on Raw.
This bout delivered in every way you'd expect. The slow start made all the sense in the world, since neither one wanted to make the first mistake. It made the match feel even more important right from the start. The crowd elevated the contest as well, knowing the stipulation meant something significant was about to happen, regardless of who won. After an awesome match with several hot nearfalls, Flair ran right into a quick PerfectPlex that put Naitch down for the three count. This will forever be remembered as Raw's first truly great match, and it was a fitting way to end Ric Flair's first WWF run.
Best WWF Match: Bret Hart Vs. Mr. Perfect (King Of The Ring)
Event: WWF King Of The Ring
Date: June 19, 1993
Stipulation: King Of The Ring Tournament Semi-Final Match
Winner: Bret Hart
My Rating: 4.75 Stars (****3/4)
Mr. Perfect might've been a natural heel, but this list proves he could also put on bangers as a babyface in the WWF. Before the aforementioned tournament final match between Bret Hart and Bam Bam Bigelow, The Hitman met Mr. Perfect in a SummerSlam 1991 rematch in the semi-finals. Their legendary SummerSlam '91 encounter had already shown their chemistry, but this match carried a different kind of drama. The fact that both men were babyfaces heading into this bout could've been a problem. Instead, it worked in their favor.
RELATED: WWF King Of The Ring 1993 Review
There was tension in a backstage interview that aired right before the match, and Bret came in banged up after a grueling quarter-final match with Razor Ramon. Perfect tried to capitalize by smartly going after it like a shark smelling blood. Some fans called it great strategy from one of the best wrestlers, while many others could smell a heel turn. Perfect got more and more aggressive with each shot, while Bret sold the damage brilliantly. In the end, Perfect faked an injury and tried to sneak a pin on Bret, but The Hitman countered into a cradle to secure the win and advance to the finals. It was a true masterclass in storytelling and psychology - a fitting reminder of why both men are regarded among the all-time greats.
WCW Match Of The Year Ranking
5th Best WCW Match: Big Van Vader Vs. Cactus Jack (Halloween Havoc)
Event: WCW Halloween Havoc
Date: October 24, 1993
Stipulation: Texas Death Match
Winner: Big Van Vader
My Rating: 4 Stars (****)
We kick off WCW's list with one of the wildest WCW brawls of the early 1990s. As soon as Vader attacked Cactus Jack and wrote him off TV in April 1993, fans knew it would ultimately lead to a brutal brawl down the road. While the build was extremely weird, with Cactus having amnesia following Vader's attack, their Texas Death Match at Halloween Havoc proved WCW could be extremely captivating when the product leaned more into wrestling and less into 'sports entertainment' gaga. The unique rules - pinfall followed by a ten-count needed for victory - were challenging, but the result was a classic.
They tore into each other with stiff shots and chaotic bumps all over ringside right from the start. Vader, one of the most intimidating monsters in wrestling during this time, was shocked as he found out nothing he did could put Cactus Jack down. Cactus, as always, took insane punishment but refused to stay down. It was a violent spectacle that made both men look incredibly tough. The finish - Harley Race zapped Cactus Jack with a stun gun to put him down for the ten count - was a bit silly and underwhelming. This awesome fight probably would've been even higher on the list if it had a stronger ending.
4th Best WCW Match: The Rock 'N' Roll Express Vs. The Heavenly Bodies (SuperBrawl III)
Event: WCW SuperBrawl III
Date: February 21, 1993
Stipulation: Tag Team Match
Winners: The Rock 'N' Roll Express
My Rating: 4.25 Stars (****1/4)
Old-school tag team wrestling doesn't get much better than having Ricky Morton playing face-in-peril while Robert Gibson (and the fans) impatiently wait for the hot tag! Jim Cornette always had great chemistry with The Rock 'n' Roll Express, and his Heavenly Bodies - Tom Prichard and Stan Lane - were the perfect opponents. Technically sound and more than willing to cheat from time to time, this had everything to be a classic southern tag team match.
It delivered. As expected, Ricky Morton took a beating for a long time, with The Heavenly Bodies cutting off every hot tag attempt while Cornette added even more energy and drama outside the ring. When Gibson finally got the hot tag, the fans went crazy and it led to an awesome back-and-forth sequence in the final minutes. Cornette inevitably interfered and Bobby Eaton tried to get involved, but The Rock 'n' Roll Express fought through the interference to pick up the win.
It was a textbook example of tag team wrestling, a throwback to the awesome NWA tag team matches of the 1980s, and proof that it could still steal the show on a major pay-per-view in the 1990s.
3rd Best WCW Match: Cactus Jack Vs. Paul Orndorff (SuperBrawl III)
Event: SuperBrawl III
Date: February 21, 1993
Stipulation: Falls Count Anywhere Match
Winner: Cactus Jack
My Rating: 4.25 Stars (****1/4)
The fact that the aforementioned old-school southern tag team match had to follow a reckless brawl beteen Cactus Jack and Paul Orndorff makes it even more impressive. Cactus Jack vs Paul Orndorff could've easily turned into an ugly styles clash, but Mr. Wonderful showed his versatility by stepping out of his comfort zone and delivering a great match with Cactus Jack. They destroyed each other for 12 minutes using everything in front of them. Needless to say, Cactus absorbed a scary amount of punishment, getting the crowd emotionally invested while he took a beating all over ringside.
Cactus was choked with a TV cable, he took nasty bumps on the concrete floor and over the railing, his knee was driven into the concrete floor... but the crazy bastard - wrestling his first major PPV match after turning face - just wouldn't quit. Although Orndorff dominated most of the match, you could tell Cactus was inside Orndorff's mind the entire time. Just when Mr. Wonderful thought he had Cactus Jack right where he wanted, he took too long to set up for the Piledriver. Cactus capitalized by hitting Orndorff with a shovel, picking up the biggest win of his WCW career up to that point.
2nd Best WCW Match: Sting Vs. Big Van Vader (SuperBrawl III)
Event: WCW SuperBrawl III
Date: February 21, 1993
Stipulation: Unsactioned "White Castle Of Fear" Strap Match
Winner: Big Van Vader
My Rating: 4.25 Stars (****1/4)
As you can tell, WCW SuperBrawl III was one hell of a show. In fact, it was arguably the greatest pay-per-view of 1993. After a spectacular undercard with phenomenal matches such as The Rock 'n' Roll Express vs. The Heavenly Bodies, Paul Orndorff vs. Cactus Jack or 2 Cold Scorpio vs. Chris Benoit, as well as Davey Boy Smith's World Championship Wrestling debut, the show closed out with one of the biggest matches of the year. Sting and Big Van Vader had been involved in an intense feud for nearly a year. Vader won the WCW World Title from Sting at The Great American Bash 1992. Their rematch at Starrcade 1992 was won by Sting. Now, it was time to settle things once and for all in a brutal Strap Match.
Vader's WCW World Heavyweight Championship wasn't on the line, which wasn't a popular move. Still, it didn't take away from the intensity of their fight. With the leather strap bringing them together, both stars used the stipulation to punish each other. What the match lacked in championship stakes, it more than made up for in raw violence and drama. It truly felt like we were watching two warriors willing to go further than ever before in order to finally settle the score. And, in more ways than one, we were! Big Van Vader won and proceeded to have a great dominant year as World Heavyweight Champion.
Best WCW Match: Big Van Vader Vs. Ric Flair (Starrcade)
Event: WCW Starrcade
Date: December 27, 1993
Stipulation: WCW World Heavyweight Championship Title Vs. Career Match
Winner: Ric Flair
My Rating: 4.5 Stars (****1/2)
Ric Flair returned to WCW after losing the Loser Leaves WWF Match to Mr. Perfect on the January 25 edition of Monday Night Raw. After a brief run as WCW International World Heavyweight Champion in the summer, Flair found himself in a similar situation. At Starrcade 1993, in front of his hometown crowd, The Nature Boy put his entire career on the line for a shot at Big Van Vader's WCW World Heavyweight Championship. The main event of that year's Starrcade was originally supposed to be Vader vs Sid, but Sid's WCW departure in late '93 actually ended up being a blessing in disguise, because it gave us one of the most emotional matches in WCW history. The stakes couldn't have been higher, and the atmosphere in Charlotte, North Carolina, was absolutely electric.
RELATED: WCW Starrcade 1993 Review
Despite being one of the best heels of all time, Ric Flair's babyface performance was beautiful. He sold Vader's offense perfectly, who looked more dominant and more intense than ever. He enjoyed hurting Ric Flair, wanting to make the final minutes of his legendary career as painful as possible. Flair fought from underneath and he had the crowd in the palm of his hand. He eventually made his comeback, viciously bringing the fight to Vader like his career depended on that comeback sequence... because it did! In the end, Vader got a little too cocky after delivering a stiff body shot to Flair, allowing The Dirtiest Player in the Game to roll him up. Flair scored the shocking pinfall win, becoming the new WCW World Heavyweight Champion. This stands as WCW's finest match of 1993.
Overall Match Ranking
After looking at the previous lists with the five best matches from both WCW and WWF, here is the Overall Match Ranking:
5th Best Overall Match: The Rock 'N' Roll Express Vs. Heavenly Bodies (WCW SuperBrawl III)
4th Best Overall Match: Cactus Jack Vs. Paul Orndorff (WCW SuperBrawl III)
3rd Best Overall Match: Sting Vs. Big Van Vader (WCW SuperBrawl III)
2nd Best Overall Match: Big Van Vader Vs. Ric Flair (WCW Starrcade)
Best Overall Match: Bret Hart Vs. Mr. Perfect (WWF King Of The Ring)
Looking at this list of matches shows that, while 1993 will never be remembered as one of wrestling's golden years, both WWF and WCW still produced classics that hold up decades later. Whether it was Big Van Vader's brutality, Cactus Jack's chaotic brawls, Ric Flair's emotional bouts or Bret Hart's psychology, not everything about 1993 is as horrible as some people say!
And now, we move on to the best wrestlers of 1993.
WWF Wrestler Of The Year Ranking
10th Best WWF Wrestler: Tatanka
Number Of Points: 45.45
Position In 1992 | Not On The List |
|---|---|
Evolution Compared With 1992 | New Entry |
Best WWF Match In 1993 | Vs. Shawn Michaels (WrestleMania 9) |
Championships & Accomplishments In 1993 | None |
Tatanka's undefeated streak carried significant weight throughout 1993, making him one of the most reliable babyface midcarders at the time. While he didn't raise to the main event level, and his streak came to an end at the hands of Ludvig Borga in the fall, Tatanka's popularity helped him carve out a clear role on the roster.
The highlight of Tatanka's year was his Intercontinental Championship battle with Shawn Michaels in the opening match of WrestleMania 9, which he won via count-out. While Tatanka didn't really have any marquee feuds or win any championships, Tatanka's consistency across TV and PPV appearances earned him enough points to crack the top ten.
9th Best WWF Wrestler: Marty Jannetty
Number Of Points: 47.5
Position In 1992 | Not On The List |
|---|---|
Evolution Compared With 1992 | New Entry |
Best WWF Match In 1993 | Vs. Shawn Michaels (Raw, July 19) |
Championships & Accomplishments In 1993 | WWF Intercontinental Champion (1x) |
If Tatanka made this list by racking up several wins in short matches on television during his undefeated run, Marty Jannetty is here for a completely different reason. Jannetty was the WWF’s go-to guy anytime they needed a strong match on Monday Night Raw, delivering strong performances against the likes of Shawn Michaels, The 1-2-3 Kid, Bam Bam Bigelow, Doink the Clown or Johnny Polo.
Marty Jannetty had a rollercoaster year. You quickly understand that by rewatching all the pay-per-views from 1993. You’ll see him stealing the show (with Shawn Michaels at the Royal Rumble), you’ll see him getting squashed (against Ludvig Borga at SummerSlam), you’ll see him win a Survivor Series match… and you won’t even see him at all (he missed both WrestleMania and King of the Ring). Jannetty is number nine on this list because of his incredible in-ring ability.
8th Best WWF Wrestler: Irwin R. Schyster
Number Of Points: 48.35
Position In 1992 | 7th |
|---|---|
Evolution Compared With 1992 | -1 |
Best WWF Match In 1993 | W/ Ted DiBiase Vs. The Steiners (SummerSlam Spectacular) |
Championships & Accomplishments In 1993 | WWF World Tag Team Champion (2x) |
IRS continues to be a steady presence in the WWF, landing at number eight after ranking slightly higher the previous year. The highlight of his year was his work alongside Ted DiBiase in the first half of 1993. Together, Money Inc. were one of the company’s most established acts, holding the World Tag Team Championship for several months and even feuding with Hulk Hogan heading into WrestleMania.
Ted DiBiase’s departure in August did have a negative impact on IRS, but his character work as the tax man and his ability to constantly draw heat kept him a relevant figure on television through the end of the year. In the fall, he entered into a feud with Razor Ramon over the Intercontinental Championship after stealing Razor’s gold chains – a storyline that carries momentum heading into 1994.
7th Best WWF Wrestler: Rick Steiner
Number Of Points: 51.25
Position In 1992 | Not On The List |
|---|---|
Evolution Compared With 1992 | New Entry |
Best WWF Match In 1993 | W/ Scott Steiner Vs. Money Inc. (SummerSlam Spectacular) |
Championships & Accomplishments In 1993 | WWF World Tag Team Champion (2x) |
The Steiners brought their power and intensity to the World Wrestling Federation in 1993 after dominating WCW’s tag team division for years. It didn’t take long for them to stand out in the WWF. After strong wins at the Royal Rumble (The Beverly Brothers) and WrestleMania 9 (The Headshrinkers), they went after Money Inc. and eventually became World Tag Team Champions.
While his brother, Scott, often got the spotlight for his flashy moves inside the ring, Rick’s explosive style and connection with the crowd were equally important to the team’s success. You probably didn’t expect to see Rick Steiner on this list since he was a tag team wrestler, but his contributions earn him a well-deserved spot among the WWF’s top ten performers of 1993.
6th Best WWF Wrestler: Razor Ramon
Number Of Points: 55.75
Position In 1992 | Not On The List |
|---|---|
Evolution Compared With 1992 | New Entry |
Best WWF Match In 1993 | Vs. Bret Hart (Royal Rumble) |
Championships & Accomplishments In 1993 | WWF Intercontinental Champion (1x) |
In 1993, Razor Ramon firmly cemented himself as one of the biggest rising stars in the WWF. Starting the year still as an arrogant heel, The Bad Guy gradually transitioned into a babyface after his shocking loss to The 1-2-3 Kid – arguably the most memorable angle of the year. By the fall, he reached the next level when he became the new Intercontinental Champion with a win over Rick Martel on Raw.
This championship win naturally set the stage for a heated rivalry with former champion, Shawn Michaels, who’d been stripped off the title. While the payoff to that feud would only come in 1994, Razor’s charisma and strong performances ensured that The Bad Guy closed out 1993 as one of the hottest stars in the WWF.
5th Best WWF Wrestler: Shawn Michaels
Number Of Points: 56.75
Position In 1992 | 5th |
|---|---|
Evolution Compared With 1992 | Same Position |
Best WWF Match In 1993 | Vs. Marty Jannetty (RAW, July 19) |
Championships & Accomplishments In 1993 | WWF Intercontinental Champion (2x) |
Speaking of Shawn Michaels, the Heartbreak Kid held the Intercontinental Championship for much of the year. Now in his second calendar year as a singles star, Michaels’ year was also marked by the growth of his character. He was already one of the most effective heels in the company, but aligning with Diesel gave him an extra edge.
The fact that Michaels held the Intercontinental Title for so long proved the company had big plans for HBK, who always delivered inside the squared circle. Even after Michaels was stripped off the belt, he remained in the spotlight, setting up his eventual battle with Razor Ramon. Shawn Michaels had a great 1993, and his series of matches with Marty Jannetty alone gave us some of the best matches of the year.
4th Best WWF Wrestler: Yokozuna
Number Of Points: 56.9
Position In 1992 | Not On The List |
|---|---|
Evolution Compared With 1992 | New Entry |
Best WWF Match In 1993 | Vs. Bret Hart (Survivor Series Showdown) |
Championships & Accomplishments In 1993 | 1993 Royal Rumble Winner; WWF Champion (2x) |
Yokozuna dominated 1993 like few others, with the entire year revolving around his unstoppable push as the WWF’s monster heel. Winning the Royal Rumble Match in January immediately established Yoko as the next in line for the WWF Championship, and he would go on to dethrone Bret Hart in the main event of WrestleMania.
While Hulk Hogan cut off that first reign in shocking (and stupid) fashion, Yokozuna regained the title at King of the Ring, and would hold on to the WWF Championship for the rest of the year. Along the way, Yoko wrote both Hulk Hogan and Jim Duggan off WWF television, which only added to his aura as the company’s true final boss.
3rd Best WWF Wrestler: Scott Steiner
Number Of Points: 64
Position In 1992 | Not On The List |
|---|---|
Evolution Compared With 1992 | New Entry |
Best WWF Match In 1993 | W/ Rick Steiner Vs. Money Inc. (SummerSlam Spectacular) |
Championships & Accomplishments In 1993 | WWF World Tag Team Champion (2x) |
Scott Steiner enjoyed a year very similar to his brother, Rick. The future Big Poppa Pump edges out his brother in the ranking since he often sealed the victory – in my point system, the person that scores the winning fall in a tag team match scores an extra 1/2 point.
That ability to score the decisive fall, more often than not after hitting the spectacular Frankensteiner, allowed Scott Steiner to stand out a little more than his brother and pushes him into the top three.
2nd Best WWF Wrestler: Bret Hart
Number Of Points: 68.75
Position In 1992 | 1st |
|---|---|
Evolution Compared With 1992 | -1 |
Best WWF Match In 1993 | Vs. Mr. Perfect (King Of The Ring 1993) |
Championships & Accomplishments In 1993 | WWF Champion (1x); 1993 King Of The Ring Winner |
Bret Hart fell just short of reclaiming the top spot for the third year in a row, but he had another strong year in 1993. Entering the year as WWF Champion, Hart saw off Razor Ramon at the Royal Rumble before dropping the gold to Yokozuna in the main event of WrestleMania 9. The Hitman rebounded quickly by winning the King of the Ring tournament in June, delivering three show-stealing performances in one night(!) that further cemented his reputation as one of the best wrestlers in the world.
From there, Bret shifted into an intense personal rivalry with Jerry Lawler that brought a new edge to his character. Their battles, which were filled with animosity, stretched across the summer into late 1993. At Survivor Series, the seeds were planted for an even bigger personal story with his brother, Owen Hart. Bret carried himself seriously and proved he was the best babyface on the roster.
Best WWF Wrestler: Mr. Perfect
Number Of Points: 73.65
Position In 1992 | Not On The List |
|---|---|
Evolution Compared With 1992 | New Entry |
Best WWF Match In 1993 | Vs. Bret Hart (King Of The Ring) |
Championships & Accomplishments In 1993 | None |
I’ll be honest – Mr. Perfect being the top ranked WWF wrestler genuinely shocked me once I tallied the points. On the surface, his 1993 isn’t remembered as a career peak, but the nnumbers show just how consistent he was. Perfect started off hot by ending Ric Flair’s WWF career on Raw in January, a huge moment that cemented his babyface run.
From there, Perfect quietly bagged more and more points through steady victories on Raw. Aside from the win over Flair, the defining moment of his year came at King of the Ring, where Perfect and Bret Hart delivered the match of the year. While his SummerSlam match with Shawn Michaels didn’t live up to expectations, Perfect’s consistency carried him to the top of the list – an unexpected yet fitting testament to his ability.
WCW Wrestler Of The Year Ranking
Note: WCW wrestlers didn't score as much as points as the WWF's wrestlers because I didn't review any WCW weekly show.
10th Best WCW Wrestler: Lord Steven Regal
Number Of Points: 29.75
Position In 1992 | Not On The List |
|---|---|
Evolution Compared With 1992 | New Entry |
Best WCW Match In 1993 | Vs. Ricky Steamboat (Fall Brawl) |
Championships & Accomplishments In 1993 | WCW World Television Champion (1x) |
We start off WCW’s list with one of the year’s biggest revelations and, in my opinion, the breakout star of 1993. After a quiet and largely forgettable debut as a babyface in January, Steven Regal reemerged with the aristocrat “Lord” persona that instantly clicked. His mannerisms and arrogance stood out in a roster filled with larger-than-life characters, and Regal managed to showcase his technical wrestling without overshadowing his character work.
The crowning moment of Lord Steven Regal’s breakout year came at Fall Brawl in September, where he defeated Ricky Steamboat to win the Television Championship. Beating a respected veteran such as The Dragon solidified him as a credible midcard champion instantly. Regal’s combination of superb technical ability and some of the best character work in both WCW and WWF made him feel fresh, and he totally deserves a spot on this list.
9th Best WCW Wrestler: 2 Cold Scorpio
Number Of Points: 31
Position In 1992 | Not On The List |
|---|---|
Evolution Compared With 1992 | New Entry |
Best WCW Match In 1993 | W/ Marcus Alexander Bagwell Vs. The Nasty Boys (Halloween Havoc) |
Championships & Accomplishments In 1993 | WCW World Tag Team Champion (1x) |
In an era still largely dominated by power wrestlers and mat-based grapplers, 2 Cold Scorpio brought a new energy to WCW in 1993 with his high-flying style that felt years ahead of its time. Scorpio spent much of the year in the tag team division alongside Marcus Alexander Bagwell, but his individual performances often stole the spotlight and he always left an impression.
His biggest accolade of the year came when he and Bagwell briefly captured the World Tag Team Championship in October. While their reign only lasted one day, that victory proved WCW saw potential in the duo. They would go on to lose the belts back to The Nasty Boys at Halloween Havoc in one of the best matches of the year. Scorpio may not have had the sustained push of others on this list, but his style made him one of WCW’s most exciting performers in 1993.
8th Best WCW Wrestler: Dustin Rhodes
Number Of Points: 32.5
Position In 1992 | 4th |
|---|---|
Evolution Compared With 1992 | -4 |
Best WCW Match In 1993 | Vs. Steve Austin (Halloween Havoc) |
Championships & Accomplishments In 1993 | WCW United States Heavyweight Champion (2x) |
Dustin Rhodes held the United States Championship for the majority of the year, carrying himself with a mix of toughness and grit that made him a natural fit (no pun intended!) for the role. His series of hard-fought title defenses against Rick Rude dominated much of the spring and summer, and a controversial finish led to the title being vacated, ending Rhodes’ first reign.
He would later regain the US Title with a big win over Rude, defending it regularly until December, when he dropped it to Stunning Steve Austin at Starrcade. Dustin’s year didn’t just showcase his potential, but also his reliability as a workhorse who could be trusted as a champion. While The Natural had better matches in previous years, he was still a standout among WCW’s younger stars.
7th Best WCW Wrestler: Rick Rude
Number Of Points: 34
Position In 1992 | 5th |
|---|---|
Evolution Compared With 1992 | -2 |
Best WCW Match In 1993 | W/ Vader & Sid Vs. Sting, Davey Boy Smith & Dustin Rhodes (Clash Of The Champions #23) |
Championships & Accomplishments In 1993 | WCW International World Heavyweight Champion (1x) |
In 1993, Rick Rude proved his value as one of WCW’s best heels. He spent the first half of the year locked in a heated feud with Dustin Rhodes over the United States Heavyweight Championship. After putting Dustin over, Rude moved on to the International World Heavyweight Title scene and finally became world champion with a win over the legendary Ric Flair at Fall Brawl.
He closed the year with the Big Gold Belt around his waist – it looked awesome on him, by the way – successfully defending it against The Boss (aka The Big Bossman) at Starrcade after his storyline with Davey Boy Smith fell apart due to Smith’s sudden departure. While Rude didn’t have a perfect year, he always stood out due to his star power and charisma.
6th Best WCW Wrestler: Cactus Jack
Number Of Points: 36.5
Position In 1992 | Not On The List |
|---|---|
Evolution Compared With 1992 | New Entry |
Best WCW Match In 1993 | Vs. Paul Orndorff (SuperBrawl III) |
Championships & Accomplishments In 1993 | None |
Cactus Jack became a special attraction in 1993. His year was defined by moments and matches that left a lasting mark on WCW – his brutal feud with Big Van Vader is still talked about to this day. Cactus proved he didn’t need champioships to be relevant, with that feud alone giving WCW an edge that few others could deliver. Plus, as you read earlier, Cactus was involved in two of the five best matches of the year, against Paul Orndorff (SuperBrawl III) and Vader (Halloween Havoc).
Mick Foley’s mix of unpredictability, storytelling and his willingness to put his body on the line every single time made him one of wrestling’s most compelling figures in 1993. If not for Vader’s infamous powerbomb on the concrete floor that wrote Cactus off television for several months, there’s no doubt Cactus would’ve broken into the top five on this list.
5th Best WCW Wrestler: Paul Orndorff
Number Of Points: 37
Position In 1992 | Not On The List |
|---|---|
Evolution Compared WIth 1992 | New Entry |
Best WCW Match In 1993 | Vs. Cactus Jack (SuperBrawl III) |
Championships & Accomplishments In 1993 | WCW World Television Champion (1x) |
Paul Orndorff enjoyed a nice career resurgence in 1993, reminding fans why he had once been one of wrestling’s biggest stars. Reinventing himself as one of WCW’s most over midcard heels, Orndorff thrived on the “Paula” chants that followed him everywhere and became a true heat magnet. Paul followed up on the awesome SuperBrawl bout against Cactus Jack with a strong run as World Television Champion.
His reign added stability to the belt and proved he could still deliver solid performances in the 1990s. After losing the TV Championship to Ricky Steamboat, Mr. Wonderful formed a new tag team Pretty Wonderful with Paul Roma. Their win at Starrcade over 2 Cold Scorpio & Marcus Alexander Bagwell capped off a year that was far more successful than anyone might have predicted for the veteran.
4th Best WCW Wrestler: Steve Austin
Number Of Points: 44.75
Position In 1992 | 10th |
|---|---|
Evolution Compared With 1992 | +6 |
Best WCW Match In 1993 | W/ Brian Pillman Vs. Ricky Steamboat & Shane Douglas (Clash Of The Champions #22) |
Championships & Accomplishments In 1993 | WCW/NWA Unified World Tag Team Champion (1x); WCW United States Heavyweight Champion (1x) |
In 1993, Steve Austin showed just how good he could be both as a tag team wrestler and as a singles star. Teaming with Brian Pillman as the Hollywood Blonds, Austin was part of one of WCW’s hottest acts, bringing a fresh mix of cocky charisma and in-ring excellence. The duo became tag team champions and quickly established themselves as one of the best teams in WCW history, even though their run was cut criminally short.
Austin rebounded quickly, transitioning into singles competition with Col. Robert Parker as his new manager. He wasted no time proving he could thrive on his own after The Hollywood Blonds, starting a feud with United States Champion Dustin Rhodes. Austin closed out the year with the biggest win of his career to that point, beating Rhodes at Starrcade to capture the prestigious title.
While not Stone Cold yet, his upward trajectory was impossible to ignore.
3rd Best WCW Wrestler: Sting
Number Of Points: 45
Position In 1992 | 2nd |
|---|---|
Evolution Compared With 1992 | -1 |
Best WCW Match In 1993 | Vs. Big Van Vader (SuperBrawl III) |
Championships & Accomplishments In 1993 | WCW World Heavyweight Champion (1x) |
Sting remained WCW’s franchise player in 1993, but his role shifted into more of a supporting one compared to previous years. He closed out his intense feud with Vader at SuperBrawl in one of the best matches of the year. After that, though, Sting spent much of his time in tag team bouts, teaming with the likes of Davey Boy Smith and later Road Warrior Hawk to battle Vader, Sid Vicious and The Nasty Boys.
Interestingly, Sting did win the World Title in March during the company’s tour of England, only to lose it back to Vader days later. Because those title changes happened overseas, WCW largely ignored them on television – to the point that announcers continued to call Vader a two-time champion instead of three. Even in a relatively quieter year, The Stinger manages to secure a spot in the top 3.
2nd Best WCW Wrestler: Ric Flair
Number Of Points: 48.5
Position In 1992 | Not On The List |
|---|---|
Evolution Compared With 1992 | New Entry |
Best WCW Match In 1993 | Vs. Big Van Vader (Starrcade) |
Championships & Accomplishments In 1993 | NWA World Heavyweight Champion (1x); WCW International World Heavyweight Champion (1x); WCW World Heavyweight Champion (1x) |
Ric Flair finishing second is nothing short of incredible, especially considering he didn’t wrestle until June due to his WWF no-compete clause. After being forced out of the WWF by Mr. Perfect in January, Flair came home to WCW and it didn’t take long for Naitch to reclaim his spot at the top of the company. At Beach Blast, he beat Barry Windham for the NWA Championship – starting his last reign with a title that defined much of his career.
When WCW officially split from the NWA, Flair became recognized as the first WCW International World Champion, adding yet another accolade to his insane resume. Flair’s year didn’t end there, though. After dropping the Big Gold Belt to Rick Rude at Fall Brawl, The Nature Boy moved on to a program with Vader. The rivalry culminated at Starrcade, where Flair regained the WCW World Championship after winning an emotional title vs career match in front of his hometown crowd.
Best WCW Wrestler: Big Van Vader
Number Of Points: 78.75
Position In 1992 | 7th |
|---|---|
Evolution Compared With 1992 | +6 |
Best WCW Match In 1993 | Vs. Ric Flair (Starrcade) |
Championships & Accomplishments In 1993 | WCW World Heavyweight Champion (2x); Battlebowl Winner |
Vader was the unquestionable force of WCW in 1993, dominating the World Title picture from start to finish. As champion, he destroyed everyone in both title and non-title bouts. Vader wasn’t just booked as unbeatable, he truly felt unbeatable – combining size, agility and raw brutality in a way that no one else on the roster could match.
The quality of his matches is what made Vader’s year truly special. His series with Sting produced another classic at SuperBrawl, his violent feud with Cactus Jack gave us one of the most brutal fights, his title vs career against Ric Flair was something special, and even his title defenses against British Bulldog reinforced his credibility as a main event attraction.
A truly terrifying monster heel, Vader wasn’t just WCW’s best wrestler of 1993; he also got more points than the WWF's highest ranked star, Mr. Perfect.
Overall Wrestler Of The Year Ranking
Let's take a look at the Overall Wrestler Of The Year Ranking, with the wrestlers from both promotions fighting for the top spot. In case someone wrestled for both WCW and WWF in 1993 (ie: Ric Flair), the points they earned in each promotion are combined into their overall total.
10th Best Overall Wrestler: IRS [WWF] - 48.35 Points
9th Best Overall Wrestler: Rick Steiner [WWF] - 51.25 Points
8th Best Overall Wrestler: Razor Ramon [WWF] - 55.75 Points
7th Best Overall Wrestler: Shawn Michaels [WWF] - 56.75 Points
6th Best Overall Wrestler: Yokozuna [WWF] - 56.9 Points
5th Best Overall Wrestler: Scott Steiner [WWF] - 64 Points
4th Best Overall Wrestler: Ric Flair [WWF/WCW] - 64.8 Points
3rd Best Overall Wrestler: Bret Hart [WWF] - 68.75 Points
2nd Best Overall Wrestler: Mr. Perfect [WWF] - 73.65 Points
Best Overall Wrestler: Big Van Vader [WCW] - 78.75 Points
The overall top ten for 1993 features a mix of WWF and WCW talent, with IRS just sneaking onto the list and Big Van Vader standing tall as Wrestler of the Year. Ric Flair’s split year across both promotions still earned him a top-four finish, while Mr. Perfect and Bret Hart carried the WWF banner near the very top. WWF ultimately had the edge in representation, since I also review Monday Night Raw on a weekly basis, while WCW’s weekly shows aren’t being covered yet.
PPV Buys
WCW's PPV Buys In 1993
Event | Date | Main Attractions | PPV Buys |
|---|---|---|---|
SuperBrawl III | February 21, 1993 | Sting vs. Big Van Vader in an Unsactioned Strap Match | 95,000 |
Slamboree | May 23, 1993 | Return of legends; Big Van Vader vs. Davey Boy Smith for the WCW World Heavyweight Championship | 100,000 |
Beach Blast | July 18, 1993 | Barry Windham vs. Ric Flair for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship; Sting & Davey Boy Smith vs. Big Van Vader & Sid Vicious | 100,000 |
Fall Brawl | September 19, 1993 | WarGames Match; Ric Flair vs. Rick Rude for the WCW International World Heavyweight Championship | 95,000 |
Halloween Havoc | October 24, 1993 | Big Van Vader vs. Cactus Jack in a Texas Death Match; Sting vs. Sid Vicious | 100,000 |
Battlebowl | November 20, 1993 | Battlebowl Battle Royal | 55,000 |
Starrcade | December 27, 1993 | Big Van Vader vs. Ric Flair in a Title vs. Career Match for the WCW World Heavyweight Championship | 115,000 |
WWF's PPV Buys In 1993
Event | Date | Main Attractions | PPV Buys |
|---|---|---|---|
Royal Rumble | January 24, 1993 | Royal Rumble Match; Bret Hart vs. Razor Ramon for the WWF Championship | 300,000 |
WrestleMania 9 | April 4, 1993 | Money Inc. vs. Hulk Hogan & Brutus Beefcake for the WWF World Tag Team Championship; Bret Hart vs. Yokozuna for the WWF Championship | 430,000 |
King Of The Ring | June 13, 1993 | Hulk Hogan vs. Yokozuna for the WWF Championship; King of the Ring tournament | 245,000 |
SummerSlam | August 30, 1993 | Yokozuna vs. Lex Luger for the WWF Championship; Bret Hart vs. Jerry Lawler | 250,000 |
Survivor Series | November 24, 1993 | The All-Americans vs. The Foreign Fanatics; The Hart Brothers vs. Shawn Michaels & His Knights | 180,000 |