The current WWE roster is replete with future Hall of Famers. Randy Orton, Brock Lesnar, and Rey Mysterio are all basically guaranteed to one day be inducted into the illustrious Hall of Fame as well. The WWE's current roster is also full of talent that feels reminiscent of great wrestlers from the past.
A WWE star doesn't have to look exactly like a Hall of Famer to be considered that "Hall of Famer of this generation." Roman Reigns, for example, doesn't look anything like Hulk Hogan but is definitely this generation's Hogan. This list will examine 10 current WWE superstars and their Hall of Fame counterparts.
10 Seth Rollins - Randy Savage
Seth Rollins has never been "the guy" in the WWE. Unfortunately for him, he's existed in an era that featured CM Punk, John Cena, and Roman Reigns. Not being "the guy" at the WWE isn't necessarily a bad thing. "Macho Man" Randy Savage is one of the best examples of a wrestler who was never "the guy" but left a lasting impact anyway.
Seth Rollins is one of the best wrestlers on the WWE's current roster just like Savage was in his era. Seth Rollins is also one of the most provocative stars, even more than men who've held the title more times than him like Savage. When it's all said and done, Rollins will likely be remembered as the Randy Savage of this generation.
9 Gunther - British Bulldog
Gunther has become one of the most acclaimed wrestlers on the current WWE roster. His stock has risen so much in the WWE that there are even rumors of him wrestling Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania 39. One of the best big men who was also a technical stud was the British Bulldog.
The similarities between the British Bulldog in his prime and Gunther are endless. Both of them have a move set much larger than the average wrestler. Both of them function best when they are a part of a faction. The two also elevate their matches much better than the average wrestler.
8 Bayley - Edge
Bayley became a huge WWE superstar after turning heel in 2019. Her rise to the top of the WWE is very reminiscent of another Hall of Famer on the same roster as Bayley, Edge. The Rated "R" Superstar didn't become a main eventer until he turned heel like Bayley. The ultimate opportunist feuded against stars like John Cena and Shawn Michaels in his prime. Bayley has also feuded with the best from her era as a heel.
Although Bailey isn't nearly as detestable as Edge during the Ruthless Aggression era, her skills in the ring mixed with her ability to get under the skin of her opponent make Edge a great comparison to Bayley. Both stars also worked much better as heels than babyfaces. Interestingly, Bayley even has a tag team partner that will always be tied to her forever; Sasha Banks.
7 Braun Strowman - Mark Henry
Braun Strowman's entire appeal as a wrestler is the fact that he is a big beast. Although Mark Henry had his fair share of awful gimmicks early in his career, when he hit his stride with WWE audiences he too portrayed the big beast gimmick.
Both Henry and Strowman are massively strong. Neither one of them seems like a person that anybody would want to get into a fight with. They are also both most effective when they let their intimidation do the talking for them.
6 Ricochet - Rob Van Dam
Ricochet is one of the best athletes on the WWE roster. He's also a man of few words. Everything that he does both inside and outside the ring is very reminiscent of WWE legend Rob Van Dam.
It doesn't matter where Ricochet is booked on the card, he's guaranteed to perform at least one move that leaves audiences in awe. Rob Van Dam also did this for most of his career at the WWE. Time will only tell if Ricochet will get a world title shot like RVD.
5 Cody Rhodes - Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat
Although Cody's return to the WWE was short-lived, he elevated his game to a whole new level during his time away from the company. Cody's entire in-ring aura is very reminiscent of Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat. Ricky Steamboat doesn't get enough credit for how well he could hold his own on the microphone.
Steamboat was never given the same platform as Rhodes, but if he had, he would likely have become as elite as Cody is on the mic. As far as wrestling itself goes, the two have a similar style where the goal is to elevate both themselves and their opponent during any given match.
4 AJ Styles - Shawn Michaels
AJ Styles is one of the most talented people to ever step foot in a wrestling ring. Although he arrived at the WWE later in his career, he's already created a legacy that will likely lead to a Hall of Fame induction. During his entire WWE stint, AJ has resembled Shawn Michaels after 2006.
The two both performed at a high level in their late 30s and even in their 40s. Both of them change their move set to mask limitations while never losing quality in the ring. They are also both fan favorites that will always have their supporters no matter if they are babyface or heel.
3 Finn Balor - X-Pac
Finn Balor has spent a large part of his career in the WWE trying to get back to the spot he once held as Universal Champion. Despite his talent, he has had an up-and-down career in the WWE that is very reminiscent of X-Pac. Also like X-Pac, Finn has never let his size keep him out of the main event scene.
He also holds his own on the microphone no matter who he's talking to. X-Pac is often best remembered for his time in factions and Finn has often done his best work as part of a squad.
2 Kevin Owens - Jake Roberts
Kevin Owens has spent a large part of his career as a mid-carder who sometimes flirts with the main event scene. He's mostly delegated to up-and-coming talent and other mid-carders. His booking in the WWE is very similar to Jake "The Snake" Roberts.
It didn't matter how big Roberts was with audiences, he often found himself building his own segments and putting on over-the-top matches in the process. Kevin Owens functions almost exactly like Roberts in that regard. Like Roberts, Owens also pulls his weight in the WWE regardless of how aimless his booking might be.
1 Sami Zayn - Mick Foley
Any time someone is a great wrestler and also great comic relief they get compared to Mick Foley. That's exactly the position Sami Zayn is in today. Zayn can get over so well with audiences on the microphone despite being part of a top heel faction, The Bloodline.
As Mankind, Mick Foley did the same. Almost everything Zayn does impresses audiences and gets them on his side. Foley made an entire career out of getting the audience to be on his side through his hilarious tactics and over-the-top segments.