The art of high flying has captivated audiences in WWE and beyond for several decades. Through breathtaking maneuvers, performers pull out all the stops to secure major wins. It is often seen as a successful avenue for those who are lacking in promo skills, letting their work in the ring do all the talking for them.
We've often seen lighter individuals break into bigger and better title pictures over the years. Some have even found success in the rapidly growing cruiserweight divisions. Without further ado, here are the 10 greatest high flyers in WWE history, ranked.
10 Jimmy Snuka
Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka is frequently credited for introducing the high-flying style into the WWE. Initially working as a villain, he quickly became popular with fans for his athleticism. His most dynamic feat came with a 15-foot high Superfly Splash on Don Muraco after their steel cage match.
After years away from the company, Snuka resurfaced in 1989. He was often utilized to build up younger stars such as Mr. Perfect. A loss against The Undertaker at WrestleMania VII marked the first victory in The Deadman's illustrious streak. Snuka later moved to ECW in the early 1990s.
9 Shane McMahon
The son of the chairman, Shane McMahon worked in various roles throughout his adolescence. He grew to become a prominent figure in WWE programming as a member of The Corporation. His popularity continued to skyrocket as he made death-defying leaps and took dangerous falls in pursuit of his own legacy.
McMahon's fearlessness would not escape him in his later years. At WrestleMania 32, he executed a massive dive from the Hell in a Cell structure in an effort to defeat The Undertaker. Shane always went above and beyond the call of duty.
8 Ricky Steamboat
Ricky Steamboat proved to be the ultimate package. Praised by fans and performers alike, he would embark on instant classics against the likes of Randy Savage and Ric Flair, among others. He incorporated various high flying moves into his already devastating arsenal.
The Dragon found his first taste of gold when he became the Intercontinental Heavyweight Champion in a widely acclaimed match at WrestleMania III. He would hold the belt for a few weeks before The Honky Tonk Man started his astounding reign.
7 Billy Kidman
Billy Kidman quickly emerged as one of the most talented cruiserweights in WWE history. He first gained fame in WCW before arriving in WWE as a member of The Alliance. It wouldn't be long before he defeated Gregory Helms for the Cruiserweight Championship in July 2001.
In addition to these exploits, Kidman made his mark on the tag division with a championship reign alongside Paul London. He would also become notable for his unique and dangerous Shooting Star Press. His run came to a close after a villainous turn and feud with Chavo Guerrero.
6 Kofi Kingston
Kofi Kingston has made himself a popular figure in both singles and tag avenues over the years. His early tenure consisted of numerous runs with the United States and Intercontinental Championships. He is also known for his innovative and agile methods of suspending elimination from the Royal Rumble match.
The Dreadlocked Dynamo's career took a major turn when he defeated Daniel Bryan to become the first African-born WWE Champion. He would amass a 180-day reign before falling to Brock Lesnar in 10 seconds.
5 Eddie Guerrero
Eddie Guerrero was one of the most beloved superstars in WWE history. He often used any sort of crafty or resourceful maneuver to come out the victor. In addition, he was noted for his exceptional frog splash alongside other aerial tricks.
Latino Heat significantly grew in fame while working with his nephew Chavo Guerrero. He would later climb to main event status with a win over Brock Lesnar at No Way Out 2003. Guerrero is still regarded by WWE and his peers as a SmackDown legend.
4 Shawn Michaels
Shawn Michaels could do just about anything in the ring and on the microphone. He was able to slug it out with even the toughest of opponents and wear them out with aerial moves whenever necessary. His skills only continued to grow as his career advanced, gaining a new host of abilities in the process.
This especially proved to be true in his last few years of his career. His final matches against The Undertaker saw him constantly pulling out suicide dives and somersaults among other tricks. The Showstopper was willing to do whatever it takes to secure the win.
3 Rob Van Dam
Rob Van Dam is well known for his lengthy tenure in ECW, becoming one of their most iconic performers. This success carried over to his WWE debut as he continued to throw caution to the wind against some of the company's best. He often utilized a dangerous combo of high risk moves with his undeniable martial arts prowess.
RVD secured his biggest win in 2006, defeating John Cena with the help of Paul Heyman to win the WWE Championship. He would drop it to Big Show before aiding his allies in a WrestleMania 23 showdown. A final return in 2013 consisted of major and minor feuds.
2 Jeff Hardy
Jeff Hardy's daredevil mentality and unique personas have captivated audiences for over 20 years. He first made his mark in the tag division with his brother Matt, competing in several high-profile tag contests. The success only continued to accumulate as he began a singles career in the early 2000s.
The Charismatic Enigma made major strides in later years, achieving multiple world championship wins. He would last fight in a brutal TLC contest against rival CM Punk before leaving for several years.
1 Rey Mysterio
Rey Mysterio has proven time and time again that size does not matter. He first worked in the cruiserweight and tag team divisions before achieving a major World Heavyweight Championship victory at WrestleMania 22. When traditional methods would not work, Mysterio turned to the top rope to keep opponents down for the count.
The Master of the 619 achieved further accolades in the years that followed, regaining his former prize and winning his first WWE Championship in 2011. He would leave the company in 2014 before returning years later for numerous feuds.