10 Most Iconic Wrestlers of the Last 7 Years

With the seventh season of WWE coming to a close, we look at ten (not top ten) of the most influential and iconic wrestlers of the last 7 seasons.

CM Punk 

Who better to kick us off than the voice of the voiceless himself, CM Punk? For a few years, after his epic pipebomb in 2011, CM Punk was soon lost in the fray. He tried to claim a spot at the top for a while. After repeated failed attempts (WrestleMania III) at getting a World Title shot, he finally broke out in early Season 4 after an impressive feud with Goldust. CM Punk finally burst into the upper mid-card, and even got a few main event matches with Big Show. Punk found himself in a team with Chris Coleman in the middle of the NWO invasion, and soon, Punk cemented his potetional as a main event player after he defeated Triple H at WrestleMania IV. In Season Five, Punk had arguably the best Intercontinental Championship reign (besides Seth Rollins) and he set a new standard for future intercontinental champions. At WrestleMania V, he pulled off another huge win, overcoming the BEAST, Brock Lesnar. The next year, Punk stoned his legacy when he won the Royal Rumble match and dethroned World Champion Ryan Nathen at WrestleMania VI. CM Punk is literally the gold standard for success and "the rise" to the top.

Matthew Ehlert

Matthew Ehlert was destined for greatness from the start. After debuting as Jack Swagger's right-hand, Matthew forged his own path after kicking off an impressive win-streak and capturing the IC Title at WrestleMania III. In Season 4, he climbed the ranks of the mid-card before he won the Money in the Bank briefcase at WrestleMania IV. In Season Five, he successfully cashed in the briefcase only to suffer a tragic family loss, being forced to take time off. Destiny can be postponed but never stopped. Matthew came back in a furry, a hunt for the WWE Championship. He mowed his way through Triple H at WM V, fought the New Corp, and eventually faced his worst enemy, his own son. Matthew overcame all the odds to finally capture the WWE Championship at WrestleMania VI. A three year journey came to an iconic close, going full circle. However, in the midst of the battle with Exodus, we would never see Matthew Ehlert again. A hero, missing in action. However, he's planted his history in the WWE and has inspired millions around the world.

Dolph Ziggler

Dolph Ziggler has become a household name in all his years as a WWE wrestler. He became the first to hold the IC and US Championships at the same time, did it AGAIN at WrestleMania IV, and was the longest reigning United States Champion in WWE history. He has a flurry of five star matches under his belt, and big victories to go with them. He's defeated the likes of Batista, Alan Snyder, Dean Ambrose, Rush, and most recently, Shawn Michaels, effectively crowning himself the new Mr. WrestleMania. Dolph Ziggler is no stranger to the main event. At WrestleMania II, he took on Alan inside a Hell in a Cell. But more notably, at WrestleMania VI, he competed in a huge triple threat match with Matthew Ehlert and AJ Styles. Now, more than ever, the WWE Title is in Ziggler's sights. He's reaching for the crown, his throne is so close that he can taste it. After a huge win over Shawn Michaels, Ziggler has to be in the competition for a world title. In every arena Ziggler steps in, the fans are rooting for him, the crowd is behind him, even when they're split. There's no stopping the show.

Paul Star

Paul Star captivated audiences around the world with his over-the-top style of wrestling and character. He's slayed John Cena, Alan Snyder, Brock Lesnar, Zack Poe. Almost anyone who has gotten in Paul Star's path has been knocked down. At WrestleMania VI, in the main event, Paul Star shocked the world in his most deathly act yet, dropping John Cena hundreds of feet above the ground and making Cena say... "I Quit".

Big Show

Big Show knocking out the entire RAW roster is still the greatest feat of strength in WWE history, and it hasn't been repeated or topped. Big Show dominated the scene after an explosive comeback in Season IV, and since then has been a dominant and unstoppable force in the WWE. Only few have beaten Big Show in the last few years, but the Giant is never asleep for long.

John Cena

John Cena. No words needed.

Hayden Saxby / Storms

Talk about a roller-coaster ride of a career. From his debut, Hayden was seen as main-event material. And he's built an impressive resume since his debut in 2012. Within months of his first WWE run he has gone up and beaten wrestlers on Alan Snyder's caliber, even Snyder himself. Hayden has had multiple world title runs, and an impressive win record under his belt. At WrestleMania V, he slayed the Giant Big Show. And at WrestleMania VII, Hayden pulled off one of the greatest upsets in WWE history when he pinned his cousin, Anthony Chandler, 1, 2, 3. At just the ripe age of 21, Hayden had already made his legacy in the WWE, and has become an icon.

Ryan Nathen

Because you knew he was going to be on this list. First Australian-born Royal Rumble winner, won the match in his Royal Rumble match debut, first Australian-born World Heavyweight Champion... Ryan Nathen is truly an iconic, in less than 2 years he's taken down legends and claimed THE WORLD. A 2 year undefeated streak may be gone, but Ryan STILL hasn't been pinned in a WWE ring. Who will be the first... if anyone?

Anthony Chandler

The leader of a revolution, the man who took down Exodus, the highest power of the WWE. Anthony Chandler, from his beginnings, had a target on his back. Truthfully, he made a name for himself the moment he stepped into WWE! In Season 3, he led his stable to capturing all 3 World Titles, main evented WrestleMania, and captivated audiences whether they loved him or hated him. In Season IV, although he didn't get much in the way of victories, Anthony put on iconic matches. It wasn't until the end of season five when Anthony came back to the forefront, once again finding himself leading a rebellion against Alan Snyder. Alan Snyder's dangerous regime, the New Corp, was leading WWE to it's own demise. Despite what Alan believed, he was killing his own company. Anthony saw this, he tried to stop it, but he was beaten by the sheer numbers game of Alan's forces. After a crushing defeat, Anthony disappeared from the public eye for months... until he came back, changed and scarred by Paul Star, being an agent of Exodus. It took his own cousin, Omega, to snap him back to reality. Finally, in Season Six, Anthony knew what he had to do. He fought against the single greatest hostile takeover in WWE history, the reign of Exodus. And at Revolution in 2016, Anthony Chandler killed Paul Star and destroyed Exodus. Wherever you go, Anthony Chandler is in the wrestling discussion. Anthony Chandler is already an icon among his peers, a future Hall of Famer.

Alan Snyder

Because he's the greatest of all time, period. Objectively, no one has done what Alan has done in the WWE, no one has matched his accomplishments. You know them, I know them, so there's no question as to why we should end this with Alan Snyder. The man who ended the Undertaker's streak, a record-tying Royal Rumble winner, the first and only active WWE wrestler to hold titles from NJPW, the first man to hold the IWGP Heavyweight and WWE Championships at the same time. The list goes on, and on, and on. In basketball, there's Michael Jordan. In boxing, Muhammad Ali, Mike Tyson. In football, Tom Brady. In wrestling, it's Alan Snyder.

WWE RP Rumors and News, 6/8/17

Bert Hart has rumored a new set for the opening episode of Smackdown in Season 8!

There have been numerous talks that WWE is setting up a major return for the first show of Season Eight. 

On Twitter, Alan Snyder hinted at another "In Your House" Pay Per View named after him. Alan tweeted, "Coming to Your House... Snyder II!" 

Rey Mysterio's defeat by the hands of Kurt Angle was most likely a way to write the wrestler off of TV, as Rey will be undergoing surgery next month and may be out up to 8 months at the latest. 

While most of the crews of RAW and SmackDown are currently leaving Japan or setting up to leave Japan, Hayden Storms is staying behind to begin work on a new WWE Studios film starring himself. 

Speaking of Hayden, the higher-ups backstage are fond of him and plan to have him as a top heel going into next season, with a long-term feud against Seth Rollins being discussed. One source tells us that Alan Snyder is pushing for Hayden to become WWE World Heavyweight Champion in the near future. 

While on TV Anthony Chandler is the CEO, behind the scenes he has officially been promoted to COO, taking the place of Triple H, who stepped down from his role. Anthony now works hand-in-hand with WWE CEO Alan Snyder. Anthony has also been given an office at the new WWE Headquarters, which is now located in New York City. 

Alan and Anthony have been holding "tryouts" for independent wrestlers looking for work in the WWE. The tryouts are said to be intense from our sources who have attended. They include mic work, cardio and other wrestling workouts. Anthony and Alan have been working to bring fresh faces to the forefront of WWE TV, and they will use these tryouts to seek and collect the best. 

Matthew Ehlert is officially 5-0 at WrestleMania, continuing his undefeated streak. He is expected to continue the Psycho gimmick going into Season Eight as the seeds will be set for a final showdown against Anthony Chandler. Also, The Psycho Family as a whole is rumored to be going to SmackDown soon, our sources tell us. 

Former WWE wrestler Roger Klint will be facing fellow former WWE wrestler Bobby Lashley at an upcoming UFC event. Shield member Hunter Zolomon will accompany his cousin Roger to the ring, while Batista will be in Bobby Lashley's camp. To add to the wrestling presence, Jim Ross has announced he will do commentary for the match.

Before WWE CEO Alan Snyder left for Japan last month, he was photographed meeting with President Donald Trump at the White House. The nature of their conversations has yet to be released, but there is speculation that Trump could be involved with WWE in a big way soon. Last year, Trump presented Alan with a Slammy Award after his iconic 2016 election win, and the two are said to be good friends. Many are speculating that Trump will be back on WWE TV in Season Eight. 

Carlito and WWE RAW General Manager Zack Poe have followed each other on Twitter, sparking rumors of a potential return for the former United States Champion.

As of this past Tuesday, Daniel Bryan is no longer under contract with the WWE. What's weird is that Daniel Bryan still remains in Japan, fueling speculation that Daniel Bryan will be working with New Japan Pro Wrestling soon. 

Big Show announced on Twitter that he has officially been cast for a role in Snyder 3, which has been in development hell for years. Show teased that his role would put him at major odds with Snyder, leading to an epic battle between the two. 

For months there have been rumors that Paul Star would make his return at WrestleMania. Our sources tell us that this was true, until the night before WrestleMania. There was a huge backstage dispute between Alan Snyder and Paul Star. Apparently, Star had arrived in Japan late and Alan was angry about it. Eventually, the two had a shouting match in the hotel. Matthew Ehlert got involved and told Star off, as did various other WWE wrestlers. This led to Star storming out of the hotel and seemingly taking a flight back to the United States. Anthony Chandler held a meeting afterwards announcing that Paul Star's contract had been terminated, along with Ricky Davis, who had left with Star. 

This is a situation that has been brewing for almost a year. Anthony's iconic promo that kicked off his feud with Paul Star was always known to be more of a shoot than anything, and Anthony has not hid the fact that he has issues with Paul Star. However, the bigger issue was always Alan Snyder and Paul Star, as those two have been at each others throats since Paul Star's push to the main event. It all came to a head last Thursday, though, in that Japan hotel room. A vast majority of the locker room sided with Alan Snyder, even CM Punk, who is usually on-off again friends with Alan. Whether Paul Star will be back in the WWE remains to be seen, but our sources tell us that Alan and Anthony both agree that a return should not occur anytime soon.