The iron man of pro wrestling

[Celtsfan1980]

Ric Flair claimed he wrestled every day for 25 straight years in his book. He said the same about Harley Race. If pro wrestling had a Cal Ripken equivalent, who would it be?

[Stanford]

It's gotta be Thesz, right? Won his first world title in the 30s then had a 3 year run from 63 to 66. I have no idea what the schedule was like for a wrestler in those days, but to be the champ over a 30 year span is a heck of a run.

[ReaLiez]

Ric Flair
Undertaker
Shawn Micheals

[Dunthreevy]

Undertaker & Shawn Michaels? Really?

No!

Those guys both have taken YEARS off from competing. They had very long careers, yes. But they're no "Cal Ripken of wrestling". Hell Taker doesn't even do house shows and hasn't for a LONG time. How can you be an "iron man" when you work 1 night a week?


As "flavor of the week" as it may sound, CM Punk has truly been a workhorse in the past decade.

[ChicagoStrong]

John Cena.

[Gremz]

Crash Holly.

[ReaLiez]

Jerry "The King" Lawler

[Celtsfan1980]

I said 25 straight years, but Flair came back from his plane crash in the late-1970's. He signed with WWF in 1991. You assume he had to take a day off. Maybe 15 straight years of wrestling every day if he's being accurate. Still a great achievement. He should be in the discussion even if you think he is overrated(as I do).

Wrestling has changed a lot over time. There's more focus on promo's today, and they wrestle less frequently today. To be fair, you'd have to have an iron man for modern wrestling and one from previous era's.

[Coach Smiley]

Lou Thesz in terms of longevity, Flair in terms of day in and day out