What is “it?” That is the question that wrestling promoters have struggled for years to properly figure out. Wrestling is filled with guys who had the skills, the look and more to succeed and yet lacked that one ingredient truly needed to get over. It’s hard to describe, it’s the same factor that pushes a certain actor or musician to the top of their field as well. It isn’t just how good they can be in the ring or on the mic, it’s an additional bit, one that can truly push someone up and connect to the fans. Some are able to have it from the start while others take a bit longer to click but when you have it, you can use it big time to succeed.

It’s not something that can be taught and (as far too many promoters over the years have learned the hard way) not something that can be pushed if the guy doesn’t possess it. The WWE is still trying to figure out which of their young stars has the it factor, the guy who will succeed John Cena as the company's next top face. It comes from within, a heat and desire to succeed and grow do as well as you can. As the old saying goes, the best wrestling personas are just the real guy cranked up to 11 but even guys saddled with goofy gimmicks are able to rise well because of that factor. Some guys may think they have it but don’t (Jeff Jarrett comes to mind) while others are just able to use it amazingly well. Another recent guy who seemingly had all the tools but could never quite capture the audience's hearts was Alberto Del Rio. Good looks, great worker in the ring, but fans just never were fully invested in him.

It’s not surprising that a list of guys with the “it factor” include the biggest stars in wrestling as when you have “it,” you can do damn well in the business. There are some who have many shortcomings, but when they have "it" they can still make themselves big stars. Here are 20 workers who just possessed that certain something that elevates a regular star into something special and did great with it.

20 20. Jake Roberts

Maybe not the same mega-star as others on this list, that’s true. But when you talk about someone with that certain something to take off with fans, the Snake has to come to mind. He was fast in the ring, quite skilled and able to handle himself with big matches. But his promo work was where Roberts shined, as a Jake promo was unlike anything else. His whispering, his intelligent talk, he carried some inner darkness of himself in his words, making them sound profound if sinister and were just captivating. When Roberts talked, you had to listen, even if much of his stuff (like on The Snake Pit) went over the heads of younger audiences.

He was hurt by his addictions but even today, Jake Roberts can carry himself off like no one else in talking, pulling you in and proving how a dark aura just adds a new factor to make a guy a star.

19 19. Edge

Adam Copeland loved wrestling since he was a kid and that love sparked him for his career. His early days showcased a good drive and great look, the fans responding to him right off with his slick hair and trenchcoat. When he and Christian took off as a team, Edge was clearly the bigger guy, connecting more with the fans and his spear highlighting a good repertoire.

It really took his heel turn in 2005 after the Lita affair for Edge to take it to the next level, becoming a true star with the fans and showing how much he could dominate the crowds, his promos even better with both threats and funny stuff to entertain and his multiple championships showing the faith the company had in his stardom. It was sad he had to end his career fast due to injury but it was great to see him live his childhood dream and proving himself as a star with true “Edge” to his work.

18 18. The Road Warriors

Modern fans don’t understand how much the Road Warriors changed the game. When they burst on the scene, they were truly new and unique with the face paint, mohawks and leather outfits, unlike anything seen before. They proved it by destroying anyone in their path, no-selling offense and then cutting loose with loud promos threatening massive pain on anyone who got in their way.

Animal and Hawk carried it off perfectly thanks to how badass they truly were, able to party hard and wrestle harder, the fans going insane for them with pops unlike any other team and whether in AWA, NWA or WWE, the Legion of Doom were truly one of a kind and showcased just how massively different the “it factor” was for the 1980s that helped shape the entire decade and the business afterward.

17 17. Eddie Guerrero

With wresting being the family business, Eddie was destined for great things but really managed to take it to a level most wouldn’t have expected. At first, it was just his in-ring skills that wowed with technical work and high-flying but he soon added a slightly sleazy heel demeanor to get him more over in WCW. His personal demons held him back for a bit but when he emerged, he took off better with his “Lie, Cheat, Steal” persona that pushed him to stardom more.

Anyone else trying to do the “frame a guy who a chair shot” bit would have been scoffed at but when Eddie did it, it actually worked as fans bought it with his joking persona. At the same time, he became a hero to his Latino audiences and they went wild when he won the WWE title.

His later work balanced things out and if anything proved his worth, it was the massive accolades and emotions following his untimely death, showing how much fans and co-workers loved him. Guerrero remains revered as a worker whose matches and personality were among the best of his time.

16 16. Kurt Angle

It wasn’t a surprise that Angle would take to wrestling well with his Olympic past. What was surprising was how quickly Kurt was able to capture the performance aspects, brilliantly selling himself as an egotist who could back it up in the ring and act like he was a beloved hero when the fans couldn’t stand him. His promos got better as he went along, rising high as a multiple champion in WWE and he truly improved, both as face and heel with a great mix of his arrogance and egotism pushing his performance along.

Even in TNA, Angle was a huge deal, the fans loving to hate him with his promos and yet ready to cheer when he pulled off a stunning performance in the ring, showing his understanding of wrestling from the get-go and becoming one of the best in the entire business. Did Angle have the “it factor?” It’s true, it’s damn true.

15 15. Brock Lesnar

Many have been surprised at how quickly Brock Lesnar was given the push in WWE to champion and headliners but there was good reason for that. From the beginning, this guy had the look of a true star in every way imaginable. It wasn’t just that he was built like a monster but he backed it up with real wrestling skills and even able to launch off the ropes if need be. He was set up well as an unstoppable monster but the fans believed it as he just carried himself with the personality of someone who knew he was the best and lived up to that trope over and over.

His MMA career just added to it as he proved he truly was an amazing fighter who could take you down with little effort and that spiked his WWE return majorly. Fans can argue the ending of The Streak but that it was Brock who did it made more sense than other choices as you could buy this man capable of defeating anyone and his power adds to his standing and how he has “it” in size as big as his body.

14 14. Roddy Piper

Piper played by his own rules no matter what and that was what made him a star. A good worker, it was his promos that got the fans going on his side as he talked trash to anyone, no matter how large and special, from a jobber to Hulk Hogan himself and unafraid of pushing boundaries like smashing Jimmy Snuka with a coconut. The man was on fire so much when he spoke that he sucked you in, adding to his wrestling and helping WWE take over big time with the “Rock n Wrestling Connection” years.

That same factor helped Piper in movies like “They Live” and even his later runs, the guy was just amazing to watch when he cut loose, eating the camera alive and when he talked, the show came alive. His loss is still fresh and no wonder as Hot Rod was a compelling figure in wrestling and helped set the business on fire at a key moment in time.

13 13. CM Punk

It was the edge that got you. A guy with greasy hair and tattoos but promoting a “straight” persona, who looked a brawler but truly a technical wizard. In ROH, Punk just seemed destined for bigger things and you were supportive of him big time during it. In WWE, he got his chance and even when seemingly held back, that personality got him a huge fandom that carried him to reigns as champion and constant chants, even as a heel.

Nothing proved his “it factor” more than the fantastic shoots on the company, the rants trashing it over its actions clicking wonderfully, all thanks to how Punk sold it with true heat and feeling to seem totally authentic. It just got Punk over more than ever and his decision to get out of WWE at his height showed him as a man who played by his own rules which came as no surprise as that was exactly why fans loved him in the first place and likely will for some time.

12 12. Bret Hart

It was in his blood, really. The Harts were always skilled at wrestling and Stu passed that on to his kids. While Bret took a bit longer to really come into his own, his brilliant ring skills were on display in the Hart Foundation and that helped him in his singles run as IC champion. He wasn’t well-muscled or a big guy but Bret’s skills and ability to tell a story in the ring were much better than any of the wild characters running around WWE at the time and no wonder he got the big title to run with. The fans essentially choosing him over Lex Luger was a great example as one guy having the it factor and one who didn't, despite Bret not having the better look of the two.

Bret was always driven to be the best there was and while that ego would cause issues like Montreal, it also showcased his pride and desire to entertain. His WCW run was never as good as it could have beem but Bret did his best and still had the push and drive to succeed before his injuries cut it short. He may be a bit too proud, but the Hitman made it worthwhile to be one of the best performers of his time and a success to be proud of.

11 11. Randy Savage

Unlike many others, Savage had the goods early on. In Portland and Memphis, he showed off an intense fighting style alongside promos so different than others, captivating audiences with his talk and able to plan matches out in advance to utilize the push of fans. In WWE he just became bigger with his stunning flying elbow, robes and Miss Elizabeth making him stand out from the pack, his runs as IC and WWE champion always great to watch as fans just loved seeing him take it to anyone, face or heel.

Even in his later years, when his “madness” seemed to take hold more, Savage had a factor that made him truly sensational and the “Macho Man” in every way, a genius performer that got you going in every way and why he’s so missed.

10 10. Dusty Rhodes

He’s been criticized for his own self-styled booking but the “American Dream” more than had that special quality to get the fans going. His ring work was much better than he got credit for, able to handle Flair and others in long matches and carry himself well to make a comeback as the fans cheered. His promos were always fantastic, talking wild with a lisp and coming off truly as a “common man made good,” a motif that became box office gold.

Even his short WWE run had him taking the polka dot outfits and making them work as well as he could. Whether in Florida, Mid-Atlantic or New York, Dusty was a showman through and through, coming off the common hero for the fans and the “it factor” ran through his veins to give us one of wrestling’s greatest personas.

9 9. Triple H

Once more, Hunter was going to be a star long before he and Stephanie got together. He showed it early on, even with the “Greenwich snob” character, he had that spark and drive to win fans over and that was shown by his quick rise as IC champion. Adding Chyna gave him more heat and DX just pushed him to a new level of fan appeal. That served him well with his rise to champion and main eventer and while fans complain about him keeping the spotlight for a while, he proved he could do it with his title runs and feuds with every other major star in the company. Even today, HHH can still captivate with his new “evil boss” persona and still deliver a great match if he needs to. He’s more than proven himself able to be one of the greats of wrestling and a true king when it comes to winning fan attention big time.

8 8. Shawn Michaels

It took a bit longer for Shawn to get his persona out there after his work with the Rockers. But when he turned heel as a singles performer, he suddenly took off nicely, his arrogant showboating masking his terrific skills which just got better as he went on. As a face, fans responded well and his time as WWE champion showed he could handle the pressures of things and always out to entertain people no matter what. That was shown by his work with DX, reveling in the fan heat he got for it and pushing the new edge for WWE in a new era.

When he returned in 2002, he stunned everyone by being better in the ring than ever and helping put other guys over for a change. While handsome and well-skilled in the ring, it was that drive to entertain that made HBK “the Showstopper” and living up to that label big time to become a true icon of wrestling.

7 7. The Undertaker

Saddled with one of the craziest gimmicks of all time (an undead zombie guy in funeral clothes), The Undertaker managed to make it work. When he debuted at the 1990 Survivor Series, fans were truly taken aback by his presence and aura, something about him that just seemed so different than other WWE stars of the time. He kept it up with his streak of dominant victories, and fans responded, turning him from heel to face. The Undertaker was just amazing carrying it all, taking on every monster, selling the “supernatural” antics well and no matter what, fans responded with that terrific pops whenever that gong sounded.

That presence allowed The Undertaker to pull off the transformation to the “American Badass” that gave him new life and continued through with the streak just adding to his aura. It’s a great showcase of how the right performer can take such a seemingly crazy gimmick and run with it brilliantly to become a legend and still maintain himself as a performer everyone responds to.

6 6. John Cena

Love him or hate him, Cena has proven his many detractors wrong in how well he can hold a crowd and handle the pressures of being the face of the company. He showed his great stuff in OVW with a fun promo style, rough in the ring but improving. It took longer to take off in WWE, but the instant he hit upon the “hip hop” gimmick, the fans responded to him. It sparked his rise to multiple champion, headlining PPVs, killing promos and keeping it all up with great skill.

Cena has also shown he can handle the constant boos and even utilize them to his advantage for some matches. If anything, that just proves his “it” factor even more, few other workers can get that reaction and that, no matter what his critics say, Cena belong among the greats of the business as a guy who always holds a crowd no matter what.

5 5. Sting

When he burst onto the scene, Sting was just exploding with so much charisma and skill that promoters didn’t know what to do with him. He had an amazing look, quite handsome with blond hair and face paint but backed it up with great ring ability and the fans just responded in droves. Kids loved to paint their faces like their hero, men cheered him, ladies swooned over him and he sold tickets big time.

His reigns as champion were good as he became the backbone of the company, never leaving WCW in its tough times and that won him wider respect. His “Crow” makeover just elevated him even larger and helped WCW work a standout angle with Hogan that pushed the company to its greatest success. The “icon” label has pushed Sting on in TNA and his current WWE run, reminding fans of how he had the spotlight on him totally and rolling with it like no one else in WCW.

4 4. Ric Flair

Even from his rookie days, Flair had not just amazing in-ring skill but also a terrific presence with the fans, cocky and arrogant and that made him well liked. As his fame grew as NWA champion, Flair played up to being the flashy playboy, always coming out in fine suits and talking about the terrific lifestyle he led and you believed it. You totally bought this guy hanging with gorgeous women and partying constantly and still be able to do a 60-minute house show match and he was just smooth enough to make folks think he could lose at any time and thus they wanted to pay to watch.

He was perfect for the era of Jim Crockett and while his work in WWE wasn’t quite as huge, he still hung there wonderfully and captured you like few others. Even today, Flair can do a great promo to wrap you in and make you enjoy him and captivate you with a style like few others. Stylin’ and profilin’, the Nature Boy had it in spades and pulled off his act like no one else.

3 3. Steve Austin

From the start, Austin had it. Even in his rookie year of 1990, he showed a great flash and understanding of the business with his ring work and instantly good on the mic. It got better in WCW as “Stunning” Steve, a great heel worker especially when he and Brian Pillman became tag team champions. ECW just led to more as he was able to truly cut loose on the mic and click with promos.

He was held back in WWE as “the Ringmaster” but the instant he said “Austin 3:16,” he had the crowd in the palm of his hand. They couldn’t help but enjoy it as Austin just brought his usual ass-kicking persona to the forefront and took on Vince McMahon in the feud that helped the Attitude Era take off majorly. When Austin spoke, the fans went crazy and cheered his every move. Austin has shown this same skill in various movies and TV shows and helped transform all of wrestling for a new era.

2 2. The Rock

They tried to push him as a “blue chipper,” a clean-cut rookie babyface and the fans hated him. Despite his talent, Rocky Maivia was doomed to be booed out of the ring and ignored in promos. That drove him when he transformed into The Rock, pushing himself hard as an arrogant jerk…and this made the fans get behind him. On the mic, he soon had no equal, the fans chanting along to every catchphrase, cheering his insults of other wrestlers, laughing at his antics and he had crowds in the palm of his hand.

His actual wrestling may have slipped a bit but the sheer charisma The Rock possessed was astounding, the show always alive whenever he showed up and did his thing. That same “it” would help Johnson immensely when he moved to movies. He's a true box office star with great success and proving that performing is in his blood, no matter the arena and he always makes sure to electrify a crowd in whatever medium he takes on.

1 1. Hulk Hogan

Say what you will about his personality or self-centered nature but even his harshest critics cannot deny Hulk Hogan possesses “it” in spades. He always had a great look with his California tan and muscles but it was more than just another muscleman. In his prime, no one could connect with crowds like Hogan did, that was clear when he turned face and more and more began responding to him. It carried to the WWE when he won the title and exploded into a level of stardom no one could have dreamed of. He had entire arenas behind him, backing his every single move, cheering him, groaning and frightened when he was losing and then howling at his comeback. It was amazing to watch as he celebrated with the crowds in victory and led wrestling to new heights.

It was neutered at first in WCW but when he turned heel to form the New World Order, it sparked him back to prominence, that same command of crowds now pulling them as a bad guy and led the company to its greatest heights. Even in TNA, Hogan still had that aura that made you want to watch no matter what and kept things going. No matter what, no one has been able to showcase the “it” like Hogan has and that is why he remains one of the greatest in the business no matter what.