Current: Ricochet
Although the subject of some questionable booking in recent years, Ricochet remains one of the WWE’s most impressive athletes, taking away the breath of those watching with seemingly gravity-defying stunts.
What he may lack in charisma is made up for in a plethora of flips and whirls that would make Jim Cornette a double-coronary. Ricochet’s superhuman agility makes him a very marketable wrestler to children, a strong market for the WWE.
Not only does he play the valiant role model role well and make fans happy when he wins but his selling makes those he is facing off against look like a million bucks. Those Ricochet has made look strong through his uniquely bombastic selling include Drew McIntyre’s Claymore and AJ Styles’ Phenomenal Forearm.
Ricochet stands at just 5’9, a height which is not a hindrance as it allows him to fly around the ring and more easily gain empathy and support from adoring fans. The current Intercontinental champion’s unparalleled ‘wow-factor’ (for lack of a better term) makes him one of the most exciting stars of today.
Past: Ronnie Garvin
In wrestling history, there are probably few more fitting nicknames than “Hands Of Stone” for Ronnie Garvin.
At 5’8, the one-time NWA World Heavyweight champion was as tough as they come, demanding respect from everyone for his sheer toughness. The blonde bruiser was a prominent face during his most memorable stint: the NWA, specifically Jim Crockett Promotions, in the mid-late ‘80s.
Garvin formed teams with stepson Jimmy Garvin and Barry Windham, feuding with high-calibre stars from stables such as The Four Horsemen, The Midnight Express, and The Varsity Club. The most famous was against Ric Flair, whom Garvin beat for the NWA title and would face in the headlining match of the NWA’s biggest annual event, Starrcade, in 1987. Even during his short WWF run, he had some great matches, namely against Greg Valentine.
A legitimately intense and rough brawler, Garvin was a fine performer, managing to overcome his height with his rough and rugged (pun indented) approach. A reliable worker, Ronnie’s simple ‘tough guy’ moniker was a cool and confident character. Garvin made his height of little relevance as fans looked past his stature.
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