Mount Rushmore of WWE Superstars from Canada

Over the last 50 years, Canada has produced some of the greatest and most influential Superstars in WWE history.

Some were revolutionaries who forever altered the perception of what a star in the company looked like, while others had minds for the industry that earned them respect far beyond the cameras.

On the heels of the four names who make up the WWE Mount Rushmore of American Superstars, here are the four all-timers who have earned their status as Canada's best.

• Edge
• Trish Stratus
• Owen Hart
• "Soulman" Rocky Johnson
• Chris Benoit
• Kevin Owens
• Sami Zayn
• Christian
• Rick Martel

To say that it was tough to narrow the list of influential Canadians throughout WWE history to just four would be an understatement.

There were at least six or seven names who had valid arguments for inclusion, with Hall of Famers Edge and Trish Stratus being the most difficult to leave off our final list.

Edge revolutionized the industry with his performances in death-defying ladder matches and earned the reputation as a main event star during his run as the top heel on SmackDown, while Stratus was the face of the golden era of women's wrestling in WWE.

Christian, like The Rated-R Superstar, was hugely influential in implementing the tables, ladders and chairs matches that have become a signature stipulation in the company.

Their legacies, as well as those of fellow Hall of Famer Rocky Johnson and the others listed above, remain undeniable despite not making it onto our Mount Rushmore.

The Hot Scot was actually born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, making "Rowdy" Roddy Piper eligible for inclusion on the Mount Rushmore of WWE's Canadian Superstars.

A performer with a larger-than-life personality, the ability to match anyone on the mic and a tenacious fighter mentality, he excelled both as a hated heel and beloved babyface during his time with WWE.

Entering the promotion in 1984 as a villain who extinguished any fun had by Hulk Hogan and his Rock 'n' Wrestling friends. An engaging and charismatic promo, Piper connected easily with audiences to such an extent that Vince McMahon had no choice but to turn him face within two years.

What resulted was a Hall of Fame career that saw him battle greats such as Paul Orndorff, "Adorable" Adrian Adonis, Rick Rude and Jerry Lawler. And he eventually captured the Intercontinental Championship from The Mountie at the 1992 Royal Rumble.

Though he never held a world title, Piper's place in WWE history is not in question.

He was the heel responsible for talking fans into Madison Square Garden for the inaugural WrestleMania, where he partnered Orndorff to battle Mr. T and Hogan in the main event.

A decade later, he proved he was still relevant by way of an Attitude Era precursor in the Hollywood Back Lot Brawl at WrestleMania XII.

An all-timer who was the personification of sports entertainment, Piper's run with WWE earned him his status as an icon that will keep his spirit alive for generations to come.

Some fans may know only of Pat Patterson as one-half of the evil Mr. McMahon's stooges but beyond the comedy of that on-screen persona is one of the greatest minds for professional wrestling the industry has seen.

Before taking on a hugely influential role behind the scenes, Patterson was a great in-ring performer, both as a singles competitor and one-half of a tag team with Ray Stevens.

The inaugural intercontinental champion, his place in pro wrestling history was never in doubt. But the historical significance of that reign would pale in comparison to what he accomplished behind the scenes at WWE.

The Montreal-born producer created the concept of the Royal Rumble and is responsible for the layout of several of the event's best namesake matches. He also was a strong advocate for smaller workers whose in-ring skills were undeniable. Wrestlers such as Bret Hart, Shawn Michaels and Daniel Bryan all benefited from having him fighting for them to be featured in higher-profile spots and matches.

The Iron Man match between Hart and Michaels at WrestleMania XII that is so fondly looked back on by a generation of fans? Yep, that was Patterson's booking, too.

A legendary figure whose influence extends beyond the ring and behind the cameras, Patterson more than earned his place on the Mount Rushmore of Canada's greatest.

Yes, Chris Jericho was born in Manhasset, New York while his father played with the New York Rangers in the NHL, but the future WWE Hall of Famer is most commonly recognized as being from Winnipeg, Manitoba.

From his iconic WWE debut in August 1999 to his chameleon-like ability to adapt and change to his surroundings, Jericho enjoyed a 15-year run with WWE that saw him achieve the stardom he was never allowed to experience in WCW.

His charisma, in-ring performance and character work, and the star-making machine that was WWE, came together to create one of the most influential stars of his generation.

From his verbal assaults on Stephanie McMahon to his matches with The Rock, Chris Benoit, Rey Mysterio, CM Punk and John Cena, Jericho established himself as a main event-worthy star who would not be denied his spot among industry giants.

In December 2001, he etched his name in the history books as the first Superstar to win WWE's Undisputed Championship, defeating The Rock and "Stone Cold" Steve Austin in back-to-back matches to do so.

Though this is a list is exclusive to WWE, one would be hard-pressed not to mention what Jericho's influence on the industry has been beyond McMahonland.

His arrival in New Japan Pro-Wrestling in 2017 and rivalry with Kenny Omega brought more eyes to that promotion than n years. His presence in All Elite Wrestling from day one gave that company the credibility it needed to be a genuine No. 2 in an industry that had not had a true alternative in years.

Always with his finger on the pulse of the industry, Jericho remains one step ahead of trends and has remained a relevant and consistent main event star for the last two decades, much of it with WWE.

No star better represented Canada during his time in WWE than Bret "Hitman" Hart.

The Excellence of Execution won five world titles, two intercontinental belts and two tag team championships. He was a two-time King of the Ring (1991 and 1993), won the Royal Rumble in 1994 and is a two-time Hall of Famer.

He is also recognized as one of the greatest WWE Superstars of all time; a performer whose legacy is kept alive by wrestlers such as CM Punk, FTR and his niece, WWE star Natalya, all of whom regularly implement his work into their matches.

All of that is great and serves to enhance an already sparkling legacy, but none of it is comparable to his connection with his home country.

In 1997, Hart underwent a heel turn in the United States by touting his citizenship of Canada and proudly waving the Maple Leaf whenever and wherever he could. He became the most hated man in the States by becoming the most beloved celebrity north of the border.

His love for his country led to an unforgettable moment in his hometown of Calgary in July 1997 when he, brother Owen Hart, brothers-in-law Davey Boy Smith and Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart and friend Brian Pillman joined forces as the newly reformed Hart Foundation to defeat "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, Ken Shamrock, Legion of Doom and Goldust in one of the best 10-man tag team matches ever.

Hart's pride in Canada was never in doubt, but that run solidified his hero status in Canada and ensured he would be on the country's Mount Rushmore of WWE Superstars.