Andre the Giant vs. The Rock vs. 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin - Who's the bigger star in professional wrestling?

[Hellowhosthat]

It's Austin. For a time he was the biggest draw ever unless you go back to like Jim Londos.

 

[Reign Supreme]

Picked Stone Cold, but in my opinion I would have chosen Macho Man over Andre based in personality and charisma alone.

 

[Valhoven]

Hard to throw everyone in one basket. André was literally born during or around WWII, FFS.

Can't believe Cena isn't in this but voted Austin.

Maybe I'm misremembering but Cena was huge back then and #1 with me and my brothers at least.

Because the poll question is posed as biggest star in professional wrestling, I'm not sure we're talking accolades outside of or after their wrestling careers. If we are, Cena unlike Rock is actually lauded in his role in Peacemaker and is a Make-A-Wish superstar, holding a record even, if I recall.

Cena > everyone else

 

[Thepaintbucket]

I grew up in the early 90s and I never watched wrestling. Like ever! Still haven't. Hulk Hogan was plastered everywhere. Toys, TV commercials, you name it. He was inescapable. Steve Austin had that similar effect. You just knew who they were just because they were everywhere

 

[Bobby00]

OBEY

 

[Pittie Petey]

Andre The Giant was a star all over the world, drew big money on 4 different continents, when the entire rasslin business was very regional and localized


Flex Kavana couldnt even get over in Memphis

 

[Halifax]

The Rock, within a few months of his 99 face turn there was a very tangible feeling of him organically overtaking Austin in popularity with the fans.

They both had pretty short runs, but Rock had a massively successful Hollywood career afterwards.

This is true

At the pinnacle, rock and Austin were dead even

 

[Halifax]

 

[FyrFytr998]

Overall I would say The Rock if you factor other endeavors, but if it is strictly confined to the world of pro wrasslin’……

Andre the fucking Giant is a fucking Titan compared to these other cans. Only Hulk compared.

 

[Mikeydontgiva]

Stone Cold and its not close

 

[Mikeydontgiva]

Stone Cold and its not close

 

[Aegon Spengler]

Stone Cold was huge for about 5 years.

The Rock has a career spanning 35 years, and he’s been at the top for almost 30.

Hard to say it’s Austin. At their peak Austin was #1 but Rock is famous all over the world. They know The Rock in Asia, Europe, Africa even today.

 

[PRIDEWASBETTER]

This is true

At the pinnacle, rock and Austin were dead even

No they weren't. Austin was always the top draw. Vince even said as big as Rock was, he wasn't Austin.

 

[Halifax]

No they weren't. Austin was always the top draw. Vince even said as big as Rock was, he wasn't Austin.

Show me the Vince quote interview saying this. If anything, I've seen Vince interviews regarding the Monday night wars saying he felt he had the 2 top guys and he had to make 1 turn heel to face the other regularly.

Wrestlemania 17 is the culmination. Stone cold became buddies with Vince to screw the rock and shared a beer with McMahon.

I'd say at that point him and the Rock were equals.

So Vince thought Austin was the top draw and yet kept putting the Rock in the wrestlemania main event spots for shits and giggles? Or because he was also a mega draw.

By the time Austin had defected to be the WCW leader(lol) vs team WWE , I'd say the Rock had slightly pulled ahead. By the NWO angle there was no question as the true Main event was Hogan vs The Rock. It certainly wasn't Stone cold vs Scott Hall

Some segments with the Rock broke Monday night ratings records. These guys were a 2 headed monster for the wwe

 

[PRIDEWASBETTER]

Show me the Vince quote interview saying this. If anything, I've seen Vince interviews regarding the Monday night wars saying he felt he had the 2 top guys and he had to make 1 turn heel to face the other regularly.

Wrestlemania 17 is the culmination. Stone cold became buddies with Vince to screw the rock and shared a beer with McMahon.

I'd say at that point him and the Rock were equals.

So Vince thought Austin was the top draw and yet kept putting the Rock in the wrestlemania main event spots for shits and giggles? Or because he was also a mega draw.

By the time Austin had defected to be the WCW leader(lol) vs team WWE , I'd say the Rock had slightly pulled ahead. By the NWO angle there was no question as the true Main event was Hogan vs The Rock. It certainly wasn't Stone cold vs Scott Hall

Some segments with the Rock broke Monday night ratings records. These guys were a 2 headed monster for the wwe

It's in "The Mania of WrestleMania" from 2004

Austin was first offered Hogan, but turned it down because he thought the match would've sucked because of their styles. He's not necessarily wrong. The match was a better fit for Rock as it turned out because he was able to pivot on the crowd. That's definitely something I'll give Rock credit for.

 

[My Spot]

Austin main evented more PPVs than Rock did during the Atittude Era (even being gone Nov 99 - Sep 2000). I'd bet too he also sold (a lot) more merch.
I will say my favorite version of the Rock is corporate track suit giant sideburns Rock.