The New Generation era of WWE took place in the mid-90s as the company tried to rebuild after losing Hulk Hogan. WWE’s star power with Hogan, Ultimate Warrior and Randy Savage at the top started to disappear with all three either leaving the company or being transitioned into a non-wrestling role due to their age. Vince McMahon viewed the New Generation era as a time to create new young stars and find the future of the company.
The time frame would see the New Generation era last from the middle of 1993 to the end of 1997. WWE’s New Generation era succeeded in terms of slowly creating new stars while having their struggles with ratings and attendance. The build of the new talents would pay dividends when the Attitude Era came around. This era was needed to set the table for the Attitude Era. We will look at the ten top wrestlers from WWE’s New Generation era.
10 Mankind
Vince McMahon did not understand the appeal of Mick Foley, but he gave him a chance as the Mankind character due to Jim Ross vouching for him. Foley was coming off a hot run in ECW that gave him momentum following the disappointing end to his WCW time.
The character of Mankind was presented to Foley in 1996 where he used it to become a top star. Mankind had great feuds with The Undertaker, Triple H and Shawn Michaels during the New Generation era. WWE was ready to make him a world champion by the time the Attitude Era came around.
9 Lex Luger
Lex Luger received the first major push of the New Generation and it lasted for almost a full year. WWE started pushing Luger hard in the Spring of 1993 when it was made apparent Hulk Hogan was leaving. Luger was the selection of Vince McMahon to replace Hogan as another jacked star with a patriotic gimmick.
The push lasted from June 1993 to March 1994 before McMahon realized fans preferred Bret Hart over Luger. WWE did use him for another year and change before he moved back to WCW. Luger deserves a spot on the list for his push, but he could have been at the top of the list if the push worked.
8 123 Kid
Sean Waltman had a few different names and personas in the 90s, but the one to make him a star was the 123 Kid. WWE introduced him brilliantly by having him win his first match against established heel Razor Ramon when fans expected him to serve as an enhancement talent.
The win made 123 Kid an instant fan favorite. A few classics against Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels showcased how talented he was in the ring. 123 Kid would not get the main event push, but he provided strong consistency in the New Generation. Many future wrestlers were inspired by him due to his smaller size of the era.
7 Goldust
Dustin Rhodes received a unique opportunity when making the move from WCW to WWE. Vince McMahon came up with the idea of Goldust to push the buttons of the audience with a flamboyant and controversial character of the time.
Goldust delivered incredible promos and impressive matches to break out quickly. Some of the better programs of Goldust included battles with Razor Ramon, Triple H and Savio Vega. WWE slowed down the push of Goldust in the mid-card picture or he could have been higher on the list.
6 Razor Ramon
Scott Hall broke out as a superstar in the wrestling industry when WWE signed him to play the Razor Ramon character. The gimmick was pitched by Hall with the inspiration of Al Pacino’s performance as gangster Tony Montana in the film Scarface.
Ramon became a great heel act and eventually turned face due to the fans enjoying his cool presentation of matches and promos. An argument can be made that Razor was the best Intercontinental Champion of the New Generation which made him a beloved star of the time.
5 The Undertaker
The Undertaker became a legitimate top star in the New Generation with his gimmick getting more of a showcase. Fans would get treated to bouts like the Casket Match, Buried Alive Match and the introduction of the Hell in a Cell Match all created for Undertaker feuds.
WWE spotlighted Undertaker as a top star with feuds against Shawn Michaels, Bret Hart and Diesel all impressing. Undertaker received his first real WWE Championship reign that lasted longer than a week. WWE gave Undertaker his moment defeating Sycho Sid in the main event of WrestleMania 13 as a top star of the era.
4 Owen Hart
The incredible work of Owen Hart featured him showcasing a unique skill set in the landscape of the WWE. Owen would deliver impressive matches using both technical skills and his high-flying move set that led to fans getting top entertainment when he was in the ring.
WWE’s 1994 feud between Owen and his brother Bret Hart was one of the top rivalries during the New Generation era. Owen never became a consistent main event act, but his ability to thrive in every role on the card made him one of the most valuable performers of the New Generation era.
3 Diesel
Kevin Nash broke out as a top star for WWE when playing the Diesel character. Shawn Michaels suggested WWE hire Nash when he was underachieving in WCW as Vinnie Vegas. Nash played Diesel as the bodyguard for Michaels until they split up.
Diesel would win the WWE Championship before Michaels by defeating Bob Backlund in 8 seconds at a Madison Square Garden house show. The title reign of Diesel was polarizing, but he had some standout matches with Michaels and Bret Hart. Diesel would have remained a WWE main event star if Nash didn’t make the move to join WCW which also worked out for him in the New World Order.
2 Shawn Michaels
Shawn Michaels was one of the performers WWE wanted to build around when starting the New Generation era. The heel turn of Michaels throwing his former Rockers tag team partner Marty Jannetty through a glass window made him a rising star in the company.
Many pundits questioned Michaels ever working in the main event picture since he was smaller than most top draws of prior eras. Michaels however proved his worth with some of the greatest matches in WWE history. Feuds against Bret Hart, Razor Ramon and The Undertaker made him a top star and important main eventer of the New Generation.
1 Bret Hart
Bret Hart was the most important star to thrive during the New Generation era. WWE gave him a short transitional reign as WWE Champion before this era to test his drawing power. Fans remained loyal to Hart and essentially chose him over Lex Luger when WWE had to give one face a major push.
Hart would dominate the WWE Championship picture for most of the New Generation era with a slate of all-time classic matches. The rivalries with his brother Owen Hart, hated enemy Shawn Michaels and new rising star Steve Austin all cemented the legacy of the New Generation era.