The West Coast wrestling scene has produced many notable alumni through the decades, being a distinct state with a diverse wrestling culture, including cities such as Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco. From famous meccas like The Cow Palace to the WWE holding SummerSlam from 2009-2014 exclusively at the Staple Centre in LA, creating a modern-day West Coast MSG of their own.
California born and bred, these twelve wrestlers are the best the "Golden State" has to offer. It just goes to show that even if you were not from the most traditional wrestling locales like Minnesota or North Carolina, you could still make it big in the wrestling industry, as California is in the very top echelon of American states with this collection of individuals.
12 John Morrison
This incredibly talented wrestler and former ECW World Champion should easily be on the list for his in-ring skills alone. Morrison has competed in Impact to AAA, to Lucha Underground and WWE. His recent run with the company meant he was stuck in Mizland though.
Some feuds with the likes of Orton, Lashley and fresh opponents Morrison had not faced, were all that was needed to get this Los Angeles native noticed. He is only 42 and in amazing shape, so hopefully AEW beckons. They could easily use him in the World Title scene against the likes of Bryan Danielson, Moxley and CM Punk, and let a wider audience see what he is truly capable of.
11 Samoa Joe
Born in Orange County, California, Joe excelled in TNA winning the X-Division Title five times and one TNA World Title. His time in NXT was successful, but perhaps WWE should have let him bypass developmental, as he certainly had the required experience to move straight up just like AJ Styles.
He won the NXT Title three times and the US Title twice, plus he renewed his rivalry with Styles in some WWE Championships matches - most notably at Hell in Cell and Crown Jewel in 2018.
10 Ronda Rousey
Holding a Raw Women's Championship, Riverside California Ronda made such an impact this former MMA star deserves to be on this list. Debuting at WrestleMania 34 against Triple H and Stephanie in a fantastic tag match, Rousey then went on to dominate the division, before controversially losing the title to Becky Lynch.
Many fans are itching to have her back in competition to bolster the division and add some extra star power, including the WWE itself. Winning her title back putting "Big Time Becks" firmly in her place is one of the best possible rivalries the WWE could present right now. It would certainly be a WrestleMania 38 moment worth watching.
9 Bayley
A multi-time champion and member of the Four Horsewomen certainly makes the cut. Hailing from San Jose, California, this explains the West Coast connection she shares with Sasha Banks.
Being the first-ever Triple Crown and Grand Slam Champion, a three Time World Champion and two Time Tag Champ are all accolades she holds, plus a MITB victory. Once she is back on screens after recovering from injury it will be interesting to see which brand she eventually chooses.
8 The Young Bucks
From Montebello, these two wrestlers are most well known for being part of the "founding fathers" of AEW now, as well as a tag team unit that mixes up their high-flying style. Having worked all over the world from the WWE, to AAA, ROH, NJPW, and TNA, their careers read like the old school territory days.
They have won gold nearly everywhere they have wrestled, holding the IWGP belts a record seven times, and now being on screens weekly in WWE’s biggest competition since the days of WCW. It only means even greater things are in store for the future no doubt.
7 Jey and Jimmy Uso
The multi-time Tag Champs and integral part of The Bloodline are flying high right now as the longest-serving SmackDown Tag Team Champions. Hailing from San Francisco and only in their mid-30s, these 7-time tag team champions could easily outdo the New Day in the long run, as the definitive team of their generation.
Their skills as a unit are a cut above the rest in the ring, and they have been teaming now for over a decade. It could soon be time for singles gold for both down the line.
6 Melina
Melina was born in Los Angeles, and has held the World Title in the WWE a hefty five times, with three Women’s Championships and two Diva’s Titles. This actually makes her ahead of Bayley in terms of World Title wins.
Debuting in WWE as part of MNM from 2004 to 2006 then moving into singles competition until 2011 meant fans remember her fondly for her seven years in the company. She is back in Impact wrestling at present, but a return to WWE is not entirely out of the question.
5 Yokozuna
Born in San Francisco County, Yokozuna was a famous face at the end of the Hogan era and into the New Generation where he won the World Title twice. He defeated Bret Hart then Hulk Hogan at WrestleMania 9 and King of the Ring in 1994 respectively, and was the superheavyweight of the WWE during this period.
He moved into the tag ranks and Camp Cornette in the second phase of his career, partnering with Bulldog and Owen Hart specifically and capturing gold. Yokozuna tragically passed away at an early age, but he remains a definitive icon of the 1990s, and lives on in video games to this day.
4 Vader
Vader was born in Lynwood, California, although he was always associated with Colorado where he lived. Vader peaked in Atlanta having some epic feuds from the first half of the 1990s with many famous faces like Flair, Hogan and Sting.
Despite an unsuccessful run in the WWE, he was always respected in Japan, with his size and power. Vader captured the NJPW strap a staggering three times and on top of that holds two All Japan Pro Wrestling Triple Crown Heavyweight Titles making him a five-time champion in Japan alone. In addition to his three WCW World Titles, this Californian native made his mark in the industry.
3 Sasha Banks
Born in Fairfield in the North Bay near San Francisco, Sasha Banks has pushed the envelope ever since arriving from NXT in 2015 as a member of the 4 Horsewomen. With her distinctive attitude and excellent in-ring skills, Banks has produced great matches for fans and enhanced the women's division.
Now with six World Championships, and two Tag Team reigns with her best frenemy Bayley, and a budding Hollywood career, starring in "The Mandalorian", there is no stopping this lady now. Greater success looks even more likely in the ring, and elsewhere in the years ahead.
2 Rey Mysterio Jr.
Mysterio is a wrestling veteran with decades of experience in Mexico, ECW, WCW and WWE. It is easy to forget just how long he has been active, as Rey started wrestling at the staggering age of just fourteen. Now forty-seven he has over thirty years of experience as a wrestler under his belt.
Accumulating three World Championships in the WWE, and a staggering eight combined Cruiserweight reigns in both WWE and WCW, his accomplishments are too vast to list. They do include eight Tag Team Championships and being a Grand Slam Champion and Royal Rumble winner. This Chula Vista native is only pipped from the top spot, by an even greater star presence.
1 The Rock
The present "King of Hollywood" was born in Hayward, California on the East Bay of San Francisco, so it is appropriate The Rock takes the top spot on the list. From a billion-dollar movie career after conquering the squared circle, where he won everything (apart from the Universal Championship) to now owning the XFL, and running his own production company, The Rock is unstoppable.
He dominated WWE screens alongside Austin from 1998-2003 during the Attitude Era boom period and has returned several times to battle the likes of John Cena. With rumors of a showdown against Roman Reigns still on the horizon, fans could still see "The Great One" return to the ring a final time.