Characters / Ruthless Aggression Era

Wrestlers closely associated with the Ruthless Aggression Era include (see also WWE - Ruthless Aggression Era page for a complete list of wrestlers who debuted in this period):

• Triple H, the most prominent Heel on Raw during the first half of the era.
  • Evolution, HHH's Power Stable that was largely influenced by The Four Horsemen.
    • Ric Flair, spends most of the first half of the era as HHH's Older Sidekick. Made history in 2005 when he became the oldest Triple Crown Champion in history by winning the Intercontinental Championship. He retired from in-ring action (in the WWE, at least) following his loss to Shawn Michaels at WrestleMania XXIV.
    • Randy Orton, a third-generation superstar and one of the era's breakout stars. He becomes the youngest World Champion in WWE history in 2004 by winning the World Heavyweight Championship. After leaving Evolution the same year, he formed a formidable Tag Team with Edge in 2006 dubbed Rated-RKO, and was RAW's top Heel by the end of the era.
    • Batista, another one of the era's breakout stars, he also became one of the era's biggest Faces.
• Kurt Angle, the most prominent Heel on SmackDown during the first half of the era. He left WWE in 2006.
• Eddie Guerrero, one of the most prominent and beloved figures of the era due to his Lovable Rogue gimmick. He cemented his legacy by winning the WWE Championship in February 2004. His unexpected passing in November 2005 is still one of the biggest Tear Jerker moments in WWE history.
• Chris Benoit, a respected veteran who finally cemented his legacy in March 2004 by winning the World Heavyweight Championship. Unfortunately, his actions in June 2007 has forever tainted his legacy.
• Brock Lesnar, the era's biggest breakout star (literally and figuratively), who became the youngest WWE Champion in history at the age of 25 only half a year after his debut. His original tenure with the company (he would return in a part-time basis eight years later) only lasted two years, but made enough of an impact to cement his legacy.
• John Cena, the most charismatic and (initially) popular of the era's breakout stars, his tenure as the "Dr. of Thuganomics" has made him WWE's Breakout Character for the duration of the era and the following one.
• Rey Mysterio, the resident Kid-Appeal Character of the era. He cemented his legacy in 2006 after winning the Big Gold Belt.
• The Undertaker, the legendary wrestler began the era in his Badass Biker gimmick, but he eventually resurrected his "Deadman" gimmick in March 2004.
• Shawn Michaels, who made a miraculous comeback in 2002 after a severe Game-Breaking Injury four years earlier and cemented his place as one of the all-time greats by having the best feuds of his career in this era.
• Chris Jericho, a prominent figure in the first half of the era until his sabbatical in 2005. He made a comeback towards the end of the era in 2007.
• Edge, cemented his status as a single star in this era, being recognized as one of the greatest Heels of his generation after his infamous Love Triangle storyline with Matt Hardy and subsequent Opportunistic Bastard persona.
• John "Bradshaw" Layfield, beginning the era as part of the APA Tag Team, he got a gimmick change in 2004 as a racist Corrupt Corporate Executive and became one of the biggest Heels of the era. He also had a short but memorable stint as a commentator from mid-2006 to the entire 2007.
• Booker T, the five-time WCW Champion is a prominent figure for much of the era, mostly spend on Smackdown, eventually winning WWE's Big Gold Belt in July 2006.
• Kane, his Dramatic Unmask happened in June 2003.
• Big Show, a prominent figure in the era, who left in 2006 but came back in 2008.
• Rob Van Dam, the former ECW superstar is a prominent figure in the first half of the era, eventually cementing his legacy by winning the WWE Championship in June 2006, but left the company in 2007.
• The Rock, the company's top star by the start of the era, he slowly transitioned to acting and was Commuting on a Bus following his loss to Brock Lesnar at SummerSlam 2002 before officially (yet quietly) departing the WWE in 2004. Despite this, he managed to have memorable feuds with Hulk Hogan, "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, Goldberg, and Evolution on his final year.
• "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, WWE's top star during the Attitude Era, he controversially walked out of the company in mid-2002 before reappearing in early 2003 to have feuds with Eric Bischoff and The Rock, the latter whom he will have his final match (in nineteen years) with before transitioning into an authority figure until 2004.
• Mick Foley, the Hardcore legend (a moniker given to him during this era) appeared sporadically during the era but had memorable feuds against the likes of Randy Orton, Edge, and Ric Flair.
• Hulk Hogan, the company's top star during its Golden Age was an active superstar during the first two years of the era before appearing quietly leaving. He reappeared sporadically since 2005 following his induction into the WWE Hall of Fame and had memorable feuds with Shawn Michaels and Randy Orton.
• Kevin Nash, the former WWE and WCW champion was semi-active in the first two years of the era before leaving the company. he mostly had angles with Shawn Michaels and Triple H.
• Bobby Lashley, debuted in the middle of the era and made enough of an impact with his potential, though surprisingly left the company when the era ended. He would return a decade later with more success.
• CM Punk, debuted in 2006 and became one of WWE's up and coming stars towards the end of the era but would reach superstardom the next era.
• Jeff Hardy, departed early in the era but returned towards the end of 2006 to eventually reform the Hardy Boyz with his brother Matt. He mostly stayed in the upper midcard level but reached main event status the next era.
• Matt Hardy, beginning the era with a prototype-social media junkie gimmick, the era has him feud with Edge in a memorable Love Triangle storyline involving Lita.
• Christian, a prominent figure in the upper midcard scene during the first half of the era, but left the company in 2005 to go to TNA.
• Goldberg, the former WCW juggernaut had a short but memorable stint with the company from 2003-2004.
• Scott Steiner, a prominent figure in Raw from late 2002 to early 2003 before getting released in 2004 after an underwhelming run, later going to TNA.
• Rikishi, stayed in the midcard and Tag Team division in the first half of the era.
• Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler, continued to be the signature commentators in this era, particularly in the Raw brand.
• Michael Cole and Tazz, the signature commentators in this era in the SmackDown brand.
• Mark Henry, an upper-midcard Monster Heel during much of the era.
• Chavo Guerrero, began the era as a Tag Team with his uncle Eddie, he mostly stayed in the midcard for much of his run.
• The Great Khali, a gargantuan Monster Heel who debuted towards the end of the era, who would become a comic-relief Face in the PG Era.
• Hardcore Holly, spent most of his time as a lower-midcard star during the era.
• Trish Stratus, one of the biggest female stars of the era. Retired in 2006.
• Lita, one of the biggest female stars of the era. She was involved in a high profile Love Triangle feud with Matt Hardy and Edge in 2005. Retired in 2006.
• Victoria, one of the most prominent female superstars of the era.
• Molly Holly, one of the most prominent female superstars of the era.
• Torrie Wilson, one of the resident sex symbols of the era, particularly of the SmackDown brand.
• Stacy Keibler, one of the resident sex symbols of the era, particularly of the Raw brand.
• Mickie James, debuted midway through the era and became the most prominent female wrestler after Trish and Lita's departure in 2006.
• Vince McMahon, continued the evil boss gimmick he started in the Attitude Era, though became less prominent overall.
• Stephanie McMahon, SmackDown's original General manager from 2002-2003.
• Shane McMahon, had a memorable Feud with Kane in 2003 as a face and with HBK and Bobby Lashley along with his father as Heels in 2006 and 2007 respectively.
• Eric Bischoff, Raw's General manager for the first half of the era.
• Paul Heyman, began the era as a Heel manager before becoming the General manager of SmackDown. Midway through the era, he became the GM of the revived ECW brand before leaving the company in 2006. He'd come back in 2012 as a manager for Brock Lesnar.
• Teddy Long, began the era as a Heel manager, he became the most prominent Face authority figure in SmackDown for much of the era.
• Vickie Guerrero, Eddie's wife and eventual widow. She made appearances during the middle of the era before becoming a prominent Heel for the duration of it, though she wasn't nearly as prominent as she would be in the PG Era.
• The World's Greatest Tag Team; began the era as members of Team Angle, they eventually became one of the era's noteworthy tag teams.
  • Shelton Benjamin, after the team split up, he became a prominent figure in the midcard scene, whereas Charlie Haas's solo career mostly floundered.
• Sable, returned briefly at the company from 2002-2004.
• Dawn Marie, feuded with Torrie Wilson for much of 2002.
• Test, a prominent midcard wrestler during the early parts of the era.
• Carlito, a prominent star in the midcard throughout the middle to end of the era.
• Mr. Kennedy, a prominent upper midcard wrestler during the latter half of the era.
• Eugene, Eric Bischoff's on-screen nephew and a notable midcard figure during the middle part of the era.
• Gregory Helms, began the era as a superhero Kid-Appeal Character named "The Hurricane" but wrestled under his real name later in the era following a Face–Heel Turn.
• The Dudley Boys, a legendary and prominent Tag Team during the first half of the era.
• London and Kendrick; formed as a Tag Team during the middle of the era (though they debuted as singles competitors during the early years) and held the tag team championships for almost a year.
• Ron Simmons, began the era as part of the APA Tag Team, he left in 2004 before making sporadic appearances since 2006 to say "Damn!"
• Tajiri, a prominent figure in the Cruiserweight division during the first half of the era.
• Umaga, began the era as part of the Heel trio 3- Minute Warning before being let go from the company and then returning years later as a Wild Samoan Monster Heel.
• Montel Vontavious Porter, a top upper-midcard heel on SmackDown for the latter half of the era.
• Muhammad Hassan, a wrestler with an Arab-American heel gimmick whose career came to a screeching halt after a deadly terrorist attack in London.
• Rico Constantino, began the era as part of the Heel trio 3- Minute Warning before being repackaged with a Camp Gay gimmick.
• Melina, began the era as a manager of the Heel Tag Team MNM before becoming one of the most prominent female wrestlers of the era after Trish and Lita's departure in 2006.
• Gail Kim, won the Women's Championship in her debut, would leave for TNA later on but briefly come back for the PG era.
• This is the era where WWE Tough Enough contestants started appearing.
  • Nidia, the inaugural female winner spent the era first as a manager for Jamie Noble on SmackDown before being drafted to Raw in 2004.
  • Jackie Gayda, the second winner began the era being involved in an infamous match on Raw before being transferred to SmackDown where she spent the era as the manager to the aforementioned Rico and eventual future husband Charlie Haas.
  • Matt Morgan, the early boot (due to injury) had a brief run as part of Brock Lesnar's Survivor Series team in 2003, but found much more success in TNA.
  • John Morrison, originally introduced as Johnny Nitro, the Season 3 winner began the era as a protege to Eric Bischoff before being repackaged as part of the Heel Tag Team MNM. He had a fairly successful singles career after the team's breakup, becoming part of the company's upper midcard for the duration of his run.
  • Daniel Puder, the Season 4 winner only had a brief run due to his unpopularity with the veterans for humiliating (and nearly injuring) Kurt Angle in a Shoot match during the competition.
  • The Miz, the Season 4 runner-up spent most of the era as a Joke Character. His career would not start gaining traction until the following era.
• This is the era where the WWE Diva Search was introduced. Some memorable contestants are;
  • Christy Hemme, the 2004 winner spent most of her run as a manager and then wrestler, even fighting for the Women's Championship in WrestleMania 21, but is much better known for her time in TNA.
  • Amy Weber, the 2004 4th placer began her tenure as JBL and his Stable's "image consultant" before abruptly leaving the company only months later.
  • Maria Kanellis, the 2004 5th placer began her tenure as a backstage interviewer before becoming a wrestler herself.
  • Michelle McCool, the 2004 7th placer began her tenure as a manager before becoming a wrestler herself, ultimately becoming the inaugural Divas Champion at the very end of the era.
  • Ashley Massaro, the 2005 winner began her run as a manager before becoming a wrestler, even fighting for the Women's Championship in WrestleMania 23.
  • Layla, the 2006 winner began her run as part of the Kayfabe dance group Extreme Exposé on the revived ECW before becoming a wrestler.
  • Maryse, the 2006 7th placer began her run as minor Heel before her career started gaining traction in the following era.
  • Eve Torres, the 2007 winner began her run as backstage interviewer before becoming a wrestler in the following era.
• Frankie Kazarian, while mostly known for his work outside WWE, he was briefly employed during the middle of the era.
• Kelly Kelly, began her career as part of the Kayfabe dance group Extreme Exposé on the revived ECW before becoming a wrestler.
• Brooke Adams, began her career as part of the Kayfabe dance group Extreme Exposé on the revived ECW before becoming a wrestler.
• Boogeyman, a paranormal wrestler whose gimmick is eating worms.
• Cody Rhodes, made his debut near the end of the era but didn't become more prominent until the following era.
• Santino Marella, won the Intercontinental title in his first try, started his run as a comedy character by the end of the era, but would be most prominent the following era.
• Jazz, a prominent female Heel during the early years of the era.
• Al Snow, spent the era mostly as a commentator on Sunday Night Heat.
• Simon Dean, had a short stint as a midcarder on Smackdown in the middle of the era.
• Tatanka, had a brief comeback in 2006.
• Shannon Moore, began the era as Matt Hardy's Sidekick before mostly becoming a Jobber.
• Billy Gunn, a veteran wrestler and notable figure in the midcard scene during the early years of the era.
• Billy Kidman, a major player in the Cruiserweight and tag team divisions in the first half of the era.
• Rikishi, a notable figure in the midcard and tag team divisions during the first half of the era.
• Cade and Murdoch, top Heel tag team during the latter end of the era.
• Deuce 'n Domino and their valet Cherry, wrestlers with a 50s gimmick who debuted towards the end of the era.
• Jillian Hall, a female wrestler who debuted during the middle of the era first as a fixer for MNM then as John "Bradshaw" Layfield's "image consultant" before switching to a "bad singer" gimmick. She was mostly a comedy act though fans are aware of (and have respect towards) her wrestling skill.
• Elijah Burke, made his debut near the end of the era during ECW's revival, notably leading the brand's "new breed" against the veterans who wrestled for the fallen promotion.
• Drew McIntyre, had a very brief early run in WWE in 2007. He would become more prominent in the following era but wouldn't find real success until much later.
• Sylvester Terkay, a member of WWE's ECW brand during the last half of the era and a member of Burke's "New Breed" faction.