Last Updated on April 2, 2024 by Avik Das
The Attitude Era was considered to be the best era in WWE history, but the Ruthless Aggression Era wasn’t very far away. WWE Ruthless Aggression Era years started in 2002, right after the Attitude Era, and ended in 2008. Therefore, the famous era lasted six years, and WWE produced many memorable feuds and storylines.
In the six years of the WWE Ruthless Aggression Era, it wasn’t solely focused on a single Superstar. Like the Attitude Era, a number of big names emerged from the Ruthless Aggression Era. Some great babyfaces ended up being the top draws of the company. The heels of the Ruthless Aggression Era also helped to elevate the babyfaces. Since it started before the PG Era, the storylines were edgy and filled with raunchy segments.
10) The Great Khali
A few Superstars made an impact like The Great Khali during his debut. The 7 feet tall WWE giant from India made a quick impression when he debuted on WWE SmackDown against The Undertaker. He confronted The Phenom and hinted at a feud. Khali also defeated The Undertaker in his first pay-per-view bout. The Great Khali won the World Heavyweight Championship in the Ruthless Aggression Era. He was booked as a monster throughout the era and hence, he was one of the top stars of that time.
9) Randy Orton
Randy Orton has been a successful star in different eras, but The Viper started his wrestling career in 2002, which was the Ruthless Aggression. As a young rookie in his early 20s, Orton had the talent, look, and charisma to be a top star. First, he grew his character as part of Evolution member and then became a solo star. Randy Orton was the youngest World Heavy Champion in WWE history. He worked well both as a heel and a babyface in the WWE Ruthless Aggression Era.
8) Kurt Angle
Kurt Angle, the man to win the Olympic gold medal with a broken freaking neck, was one of the popular stars of the Ruthless Aggression Era. His popularity already started rising in the Attitude Era, but it reached its peak in this era. Angle was the main event star in this era until his departure in 2006. Besides maineventing WrestleMania 19, he won the WWE Championship a few times in this era. Kurt Angle had a ‘Wrestling Machine’ gimmick, pointing out his ability to be a phenomenal wrestler. Even though Angle was one of the top stars at that time, he abruptly left the company for TNA.
7) Trish Stratus
Known as one of the greatest names of the women’s division, Trish Stratus was certainly the leader among Ruthless Aggression Era divas. She dominated the division for a long time before calling it a day in 2006. She had stupendous feuds with the likes of Lita, Victoria, Jazz, etc. Stratus was such a big name that she ended up winning the WWE Women’s Championship record seven times. When Trish retired, she was just 31 years old, and she got inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2013.
6) Brock Lesnar
Brock Lesnar’s rise to the top in the WWE Ruthless Aggression Era started right after his impressive debut in 2002. The Next Big Thing decimated everyone in his path, and he certainly became the face of the company within a short period after his debut. As a result, Lesnar defeated The Rock at SummerSlam 2002 to become the youngest WWE Champion in history. Lesnar also won the Royal Rumble 2003 and won the WWE Championship in the main event of WrestleMania 19. But his career in that era didn’t last more than two years. Being stressed by the schedule and work pressure, Lesnar decided to leave the company in 2004. Had he stayed in WWE, he could have become the biggest star of the era. Nevertheless, he came back years later and he is currently one of the biggest draws in WWE history.
5) Triple H
Triple H’s longevity in WWE made him a star in different eras. While The Game was a major star of the Attitude Era, he was equally successful in the Ruthless Aggression Era, making him one of the top names of the era. It was this era when Triple H formed one of the greatest factions in WWE history, Evolution. Triple H headlined multiple pay-per-views and shows in this era, including main-eventing WrestleMania 21 against Batista. With his character work, Triple H was certainly one of the best heels at the time, and he won the World Title numerous times.
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4) The Undertaker
Like Triple H, The Undertaker‘s three decades of longevity in WWE career made him one of the greatest of all time. It was the time he was the time when The Undertaker experimented with his character, portraying the American Badass gimmick and Big Evil gimmick. Besides the short hair, his bike and biker jacket made the character worth watching. Then in 2004, The Undertaker became The Deadman once again. The Undertaker won titles during this time. He won the Royal Rumble in 2007 and managed to headline WrestleMania 23.
3) Batista
Batista’s size and look made him the top guy for Vince McMahon in the Ruthless Aggression Era. After getting graduated from OVW class of 2002, he debuted on the main roster. First, he achieved success as an Evolution member, and then he went on to become a singles star after winning the Royal Rumble in 2005. Batista won World Titles in the Ruthless Aggression Era and headlined some big shows. Following the era, he also wrestled in the PG Era before leaving WWE in 2010.
2) Edge
Edge signed for WWE in the mid-1990s, he wasn’t more than a tag team specialist and a mid-carder. But his WWE Edge’s career scaled up in this era when started receiving the push of a singles push. The long-haired wrestler became the main event star and one of the biggest heels in the business. Edge won the World Title eleven times in his career, and most of those title reigns came in the Ruthless Aggression Era when he not only wore the World Heavyweight Championship but also the WWE Championship around his waist.
1) John Cena
Well, John Cena was the face of WWE in the PG Era, but he was also the poster boy of the company in that era. It started right in 2005 when he won the WWE Championship for the first time in his career. Later on, The Leader of Cenation ended up winning the World Championship a record sixteen times. Brock Lesnar’s departure forced WWE to search for a new face of the era. Cena made a huge debut against Kurt Angle by confronting him and saying those words ‘Ruthless Aggression. From a heel, John Cena became a babyface, and he never looked back afterward.
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Avik Das is the founder of Sportsheed. He is a sports lover with broad knowledge of Professional Wrestling, MMA, Football, and Cricket. He has an English major and has previously written articles for various sports and entertainment websites
