15 greatest Superstars in SmackDown history

Over the last decade-and-a-half, SmackDown has played host to sports-entertainment’s biggest names. Hulk Hogan, The Rock, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, John Cena, Triple H and countless others have, at one point or another, taken their talents to WWE’s blue brand. Whether it’s been Thursday or Friday nights, SmackDown has been a regular ratings juggernaut since debuting in 1999, thanks in large part to the show’s seemingly never-ending supply of legendary competitors. #15 Kane While he often leaves his opponents seeing red, The Devil’s Favorite Demon also left an indelible mark on the history of the blue brand.Kane, whose reputation as a one-monster wrecking crew is well-documented, largely influenced SmackDown with his tag team endeavors. He fought alongside X-Pac to defend the World Tag Team Championships against The New Age Outlaws on the show’s very first episode, and later went on to win a share of the tandem titles on two later editions of SmackDown. Of course, Kane’s blue brand story also includes important chapters in his contentious relationship with The Undertaker. Initially, the 2009 WWE Draft set the SmackDown stage for a Brothers of Destruction reunion. That alliance didn’t last forever, though, and ultimately led to a World Heavyweight Championship rivalry for the ages between Kane and The Deadman that consistently lifted WWE to the top of the Nielsen ratings on Friday nights. #14 Jeff Hardy There’s nothing more exciting in sports-entertainment than when a Superstar climbs to the top rope. You never know what will happen next. And that’s exactly what you got with Jeff Hardy’s high-flying career in WWE.The Charismatic Enigma established a loyal fan base with air shows featuring his signature Swanton Bomb. Whether it was tag matches with his brother Matt or adrenaline-fueled Ladder Matches, Hardy delivered some of the most exciting clashes on Friday nights for many years.His career ultimately came to a close in WWE after a Loser Leaves WWE Steel Cage Match on SmackDown in 2009, but his exciting legacy soars on with plenty of great matches to relive on WWE Network. #13 Michelle McCool Arguably, few SmackDown Superstars have been as entertaining as its greatest Diva, Michelle McCool. From the Teacher’s Pets to the “All-American Diva” to “SmackDown’s Top Diva” to the first Divas Champion and first “co-Women’s Champions,” McCool made SmackDown her own.In her time on the show, she had numerous rivalries against the likes of Victoria, Maryse, Mickie James, Beth Phoenix and Natalya, participated in a slew of specialty contests — from Bull Riding to Diva Dance-Off Contests to Lumberjill Matches — and formed Team LayCool with Layla, an alliance as dangerous as it was hysterical. #12 Booker T Booker T’s reputation as a five-time WCW Champion and 10-time WCW Tag Team Champion certainly preceded his WWE arrival in 2001, but his star truly started to shine brightest in the WWE Universe on SmackDown.The Bookerman reaffirmed his championship pedigree by winning his first WWE-sanctioned title, a share of the World Tag Team Championships, on SmackDown in 2001. He followed that with three memorable United States Title reigns that kicked off when WWE fought on Thursday and Friday nights, and culminated with his reign over the SmackDown kingdom following his 2006 King of the Ring Tournament victory. #11 Big Show When you’re talking about WWE Superstars leaving their mark in SmackDown’s history books, you have to mention Big Show. The 7-foot 400-plus-pound Superstar left his Big Foot–sized track marks all over the esteemed show ever since his arrival to WWE in 1999. This may be best exemplified by the time the former World Heavyweight Champion returned to SmackDown on Sept 9, 2004, tearing through the blue brand’s entire roster during a Lumberjack Match between Eddie Guerrero and Kurt Angle.The World’s Largest Athlete has made an impressive career out of playing a starring role in jaw-dropping sequences, battling the likes ...