The Wrestling Superstars of the Past Decade

The professional wrestling industry is one of continual evolution. As the years past new stars are born, replacing the wrestling stars of the previous generation. In the 1990s the birth of "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, The Rock and Bill Goldberg brought the wrestling industry to new heights. With another decade coming to rest a new generation of wrestlers have been born. This article will take a look at the wrestling superstars of the 2000s; the wrestlers who have created wrestling history and the wrestlers who will lead the charge into the next decade.

"The Phenomenal" AJ Styles

AJ Styles isn't called phenomenal for no reason. Styles has earned his nickname with his in-ring ability. AJ Styles is the face of TNA Wrestling. He has been with the company since day one in 2002. AJ Styles is the only grand slam champion in TNA history (TNA Heavyweight Champion, TNA X-Division Champion, TNA Tag Team Champion, and TNA Legends Champion). Styles has been a part of the best matches in TNA history including Styles/Daniels 30 minute iron man match from Against All Odds 2005 and AJ/Daniels versus LAX in the six sides of steel at Bound for Glory 2006.

"The Animal" Batista

There is no denying Batista's popularity. Crowds go wild every time Batista makes his way to the ring. Batista's rise to stardom in the WWE started in 2002 when he joined Triple H, Ric Flair, and Randy Orton to form Evolution. Since his days in Evolution Batista has held the World Heavyweight Championship on a number of occasions. Batista was also the winner of the 2005 Royal Rumble.

CM Punk

Currently the lead heel on Smackdown, CM Punk was first noticed on the independent wrestling scene. CM Punk made his WWE debut in 2006 in the Hammerstein Ballroom defeating Justin Credible on an episode of ECW. It was just a matter of time before CM Punk would win the ECW Title. CM Punk was drafted to Raw in 2008 where he enjoyed his first reign as World Heavyweight Champion. In 2009 Punk was drafted to Smackdown where he is currently in a heated rivalry with fan favorite Jeff Hardy.

John Cena

Just like Batista, there is no denying John Cena's popularity. Cena wrestled in Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW) before being brought up to Smackdown. In the matter of one year Cena went from being in the opening match at Wrestlemania to headlining Wrestlemania. John Cena has enjoyed reigns as WWE Champion and World Heavyweight Champion. Cena was also the winner of the 2008 Royal Rumble.

Randy Orton

The leader of Legacy and current WWE Champion, Randy Orton, like Batista, started his rise to superstardom in the WWE as a member of Evolution. Orton, the son of "Cowboy" Bob Orton, is a second generation wrestler. His hardcore match at Backlash 2004 with Mick Foley made wrestling fans take notice of Orton. Randy Orton's promo skills have helped to make Orton one of the most hated heels of all time.

"The Samoan Submission Machine" Samoa Joe

Samoa Joe is another wrestler who was noticed on the independent scene. In 2005 Samoa Joe debuted in TNA Wrestling by defeating Sonjay Dutt. For 18 months Samoa Joe did not lose by pinfall or submission. Joe came to be known as the "undefeated, Samoan submission machine". Joe's matches with AJ Styles and Christopher Daniels were like nothing else the mainstream wrestling industry had seen before. Samoa Joe enjoyed a six month title reign as TNA Heavyweight Champion in 2008 and is currently a member of the Main Event Mafia. Along with AJ Styles, Samoa Joe is considered the future of TNA Wrestling.