Depending on who you ask, the general opinion regarding the Ruthless Aggression era seem to differ. Some will argue that it's the best WWE era since it had superior wrestling to previous times, while also having quality storylines. And others will claim that it marked the decline of the wrestling industry as it slowly moved away into a different direction. There is a bit of truth in both statements as the Ruthless Aggression era produced some of the best angles in wrestling history, while also having some all-time greats on top. These days, the industry has significantly changed especially when it comes to the locker room as there aren't trouble makers anymore.

Most of today's wrestlers get along pretty well, while in the Ruthless Aggression era, the old school wrestling mentality still existed although it was vanishing with every passing year. Wrestling fans should know by now that you cannot judge toughness solely based on what we see on screen. There have been plenty of tales about what some of us thought were the toughest men in the business being taken care of easily by someone who didn't necessarily look as intimidating.

Like every other era, the Ruthless Aggression had a mix of Superstars - some of whom were truly as tough as it comes while others were simply portraying a character. Today's list brings you an intriguing topic that will certainly have fans arguing, as we look at 8 Ruthless Aggression era stars who were tough guys in real life and 8 only who were only tough on screen:

16 Real Life: Booker T

Booker T has had success through different eras but he shone during the Ruthless Aggression era. He was apart of the Invasion angle - which could have launched him to even greater heights - but once the storyline flopped, Booker T still had success in the mid-card division. It took him a while to get back into the main event, but he got his spot back by 2003 although he wouldn't hold another world title until a few years after.

Booker T is known as one of the toughest Superstars of all time and he has always been respected by his peers from WCW to WWE.

And while he has mostly gets along with everyone, he did have some problems with Batista in 2006. And according to several reports, the general consensus was that Booker T won the backstage fight and embarrassed Batista in front of fellow Superstars.

15 On-Screen: Edge

Edge was one of the greatest Superstars of the Ruthless Aggression era, rising from a tag team wrestler to a headliner. Following years of being a face, Edge finally turned heel in late 2004 to propel his career to the next level. He would go on snatch the first ever Money In The Bank briefcase, as well as many World Titles along the way.

Edge usually gets along with everyone although he did have plenty of heat in 2005 following the Matt Hardy controversy.

And when the latter supposedly challenged Edge to meet him face to face, he backed away as he didn't want any further trouble. Some thought it was a wise move since Hardy was very upset at the time, while others believed that Edge was soft for his actions. Despite our love for the Rated R Superstar, we have to put him among the fake tough guys.

14 Real Life: John Cena

When fans think of the Ruthless Aggression era, one of the first name that comes to mind is John Cena. His debut came around the same time that a new era had kicked off, and he did stutter those words upon his famous debut against Kurt Angle. Cena would become a top star during those years, earning multiple titles to his name.

Whether you love him or hate him, you have to admire Cena's toughness.

We have all seen him pull some impressive moves, such as giving a double Attitude Adjustment to Big Show and Edge, but his toughness goes beyond the screen. Cena is well-known as a tough guy in real life, which is why none of his peers mess with him. He was once in a bar fight with multiple men, and Cena reportedly took care of them quite easily as they couldn't match his strength.

13 On-Screen: Shawn Michaels

Shawn Michaels was around for years prior to the Ruthless Aggression era, and despite having been a headliner for many of those years, many still view his late stint as his best career run. Michaels was still a top figure in the Ruthless Aggression days, and while he wasn't in the title picture nearly as much as before, he was always among the headliners. It's known that Michaels' return saw him repair his past reputation as he cleaned up his act, and was no longer causing trouble.

But being religious doesn't erase what Michaels had done the previous few years, as he was a highly controversial name. Many claim that Bret Hart easily got the best of him in a real life fight with many referring to Michaels as a coward for playing backstage politics while avoiding real life confrontations. And while he is certainly an all-time great, it's fair to say that he was only tough on screen.

12 Real Life: Rob Van Dam

You have to be a tough guy in real life to be able to perform the high risk moves that RVD has done for decades. And he did them at a time when his unique style stood out among the bunch, making him one of the best wrestlers in the world. RVD joined the WWE shortly before the Ruthless Aggression era kicked in, and was one of the most popular stars for the next couple years.

He has always been respected by his peers for being tough and outspoken in real life - he confronted Taz and smacked him when nobody else dared to.

Additionally, he stood up to Vince McMahon on numerous occasions such as when he tried to push all Superstars to go to Iraq for the Tribute to the Troops show. And while RVD has the reputation for being the most nonchalant Superstar, he is certainly among the toughest in real life.

11 On-Screen: JBL

Not many wrestlers benefited from the Ruthless Aggression era as much as JBL did. After having been a tag team wrestler for so many years, most thought that he would end his career as a member of the APA. But in 2004, he debuted under a new name and character that completely changed his career, as he would become one of the longest reigning WWE Champions. But as tough as he claimed to be on screen, that didn't transition into real life.

He once got knocked out by Joey Styles in front of everyone, which is more than enough to put him under this category. Additionally, he was known to pick on younger wrestlers who wouldn't stand up to him, and avoided messing with those who would have reacted. Some have referred to JBL as a real life bully, which is more accurate than claiming that he is tough since he has proven to be the exact opposite.

10 Real Life: Chris Jericho

Chris Jericho is one of the very few wrestlers who has been apart of many different eras. The Ruthless Aggression gave Jericho some of his biggest accomplishments, as he was one of the top stars in the WWE. If you have the slightest doubt that Jericho is a tough guy in real life, then you would be quick to change your mind upon learning that he once stepped up to Brock Lesnar - and was even ready to fight him following Lesnar's match with Randy Orton.

Jericho also once got in a fight with Goldberg - and while the majority would have bet on the latter to come out on top - it was Jericho who supposedly got the best of him.

There are so many ways to describe Jericho but one characteristic always seems to slip the mind of wrestling fans is him being as tough as it gets.

9 On-Screen: Goldberg

Goldberg is one of the biggest stars in wrestling history, and while most would associate him with WCW, he did wrestle for the WWE during the Ruthless Aggression era. And while it was only a one year deal, Goldberg managed to accomplish some impressive feats, such as defeating Triple H for the World Heavyweight Championship. And for someone whos career was based on the fact that he is tough, you would think that Goldberg is just as strong in real life.

But it seems like he isn't handing out Spears or Jackhammers nearly as much considering that he was handled by Chris Jericho in a fight. With all due respect to Jericho, Goldberg had the advantage in every category there is yet ended up being embarrassed in front of everyone. That goes to show how unpredictable it can be to judge wrestlers beyond what we see on television.

8 Real Life: Bobby Lashley

Bobby Lashley seems to be a professional who gets along with most of his peers. Say what you want about him but he hasn't caused trouble throughout his career. And while he hasn't gotten in any backstage fights, everyone recognizes as that he was one of the toughest wrestlers in real life.

Unlike some of the big men mentioned on the list, Lashley wasn't just strong when he was booked to look like it.

And for whatever it's worth, he proven his toughness through his MMA journey and an impressive 15-2 record to this date. And with his background in sports prior to the WWE, one must respect Lashley's toughness overall. Rumors suggest that he could be back in WWE within the next month - likely the RAW after WrestleMania - which would be his first appearance in the company since his bitter departure in 2008.

7 On Screen: Big Show

When you are a giant like Big Show, it is only normal to be an intimidating force whether inside or outside of the squared circle. That is possibly the reason why most wrestlers wouldn't dare to mess with him although he doesn't exactly have the strongest reputation. Back in WCW, many of his peers used to joke about his toughness at the time. Fast forward to a few years later, Big Show was working for the WWE and managed to have one of his most successful runs during the Ruthless Aggression era.

And when you have been around for so long, you probably have a backstage fight to your name. Big Show once got into a backstage argument with The Great Khali for stealing his moves, but the outcome was different than you would expect. Big Show lost the fight as Khali had the advantage once it was finally broken apart.

6 Real Life: Eddie Guerrero

Eddie Guerrero had been around for years prior to the Ruthless Aggression era, making his impact felt around the world in different promotions. But there is no doubt that he peaked during those years, as he would win his only WWE Title. Guerrero also became the most popular Superstar during those years, elevating himself as one of the best of his generation.

Based on his on-screen character, we always got the vibe that Guerrero was truly as tough as he came across.

And those who knew him claim that to be the case since Guerrero had a bad temper that most were afraid to challenge. It did lead to many backstage fights throughout his career - most of which he won with the exception of a brief bout against Kurt Angle. For someone who wasn't particularly tall, Guerrero was definitely one of the toughest wrestlers inside the squared circle as well as in real life.

5 On Screen: Randy Orton

Along with John Cena and Batista, Randy Orton was one of the new faces of the Ruthless Aggression era. Not only did he debut during that period but he also had many memorable career highlights, including the youngest WWE Champion in history. Over the years, we have seen Orton being pushed as one of the top guys, and based on what we have seen, as well as his build, one would be quick to assume that he is just as tough in real life.

But it seems like Orton is the all talk, no action type of tough guy who only chooses to pick on certain people when he is at full advantage.

If WWE results were based on real life toughness, then Orton wouldn't be in the main event scene. In fact, he may have been low-carder for the majority of his career.

4 Real Life: Brock Lesnar

Brock Lesnar is arguably the toughest WWE Superstar on-screen - at least when Roman Reigns' hands are handcuffed. Lesnar has been one of the most dominant wrestlers and booked to look unstoppable for a while. And while that may not always reflect reality, Lesnar is just as tough in real life. He has had many backstage fights that made sure nobody would mess with him again - most notably a confrontation between him and Mr. Perfect which he easily won. And if that's not enough, Lesnar proved how strong and powerful he is during his stint in the UFC.

Out of all wrestlers, he is probably the most intimidating one to fight since he could easily take on most. His size and impressive build mixed with his wrestling background make him a unique force. When he came to the WWE, some wrestlers used to question whether they could take him in real life - but after the infamous plane ride, nobody has probably mentioned it since then.

3 On-Screen: Hardcore Holly

Hardcore Holly had a relatively long career in the WWE although he never truly got over with the fans. His biggest push came in early 2004 when he became number one contender for the WWE title, challenging Brock Lesnar for the belt at the Royal Rumble. Lesnar would retain - as you may have guessed - and Holly would never make it back into the main event scene.

His character has mostly been that he is a tough guy who doesn't take any non-sense from fellow wrestlers.

And while he may have pretended to be an intimidating act, Hardcore Holly wasn't the same in real life. He did act tough in the locker room but only when he felt protected by fellow veterans. And he only messed with rookies which led to some labeling him as a fake tough guy. He is similar to JBL with his behavior, although nobody pulled a Joey Styles on him.

2 Real Life: Kurt Angle

Kurt Angle has had many phases over the course of his career. He has always been known for his intensity in the ring - it is one of his 3 I's after all. And he has always taken pride in his ability to out wrestle anybody in the world, while also being able to make them tap out. In 2004, he got into a real life fight with Eddie Guerrero, which Angle comfortably had advantage in until they were broken apart.

Afterwards, JBL questioned Guerrero as to why he would attempt to take down an Olympic gold medalist - to which Guerrero responded responded "because I'm stupid!". Angle has always been as tough as he says he is, and capable of taking on most wrestlers. These days, he may be showing signs of age but don't get it wrong, Angle is still more than capable of putting anybody in their place.

1 On-Screen: Batista

If professional wrestling wasn't scripted then Batista would be considered one of the toughest men of all time. He had a dominant run, rising to fame during the Ruthless Aggression era as a member of Evolution and then later on through his successful solo run. Batista was as powerful as it gets in the ring, and every move that he performed seemed hard hitting. But it seems like he could have used some of that toughness in real life since he wasn't exactly an intimidating figure back then.

Wrestlers weren't scared of stepping up to him, which is why the 2005 SmackDown roster wasn't very welcoming of his attitude. And just a year later, Batista had some issues with Booker T that would lead to a real life fight. And while Batista did defeat him multiple times inside the squared circle, it was Booker T who came out on top during their backstage confrontation.