Wrestling is a business where tough people thrive. However, those who combine creativity, intelligence, and imagination with toughness, generally have unlimited potential. Having a great mind for wrestling requires experience, and instincts, among many other attributes.

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Often, those with an advanced accumen for the wrestling business find themselves working in some sort of a backstage position, usually in WWE. But sometimes, for whatever reason, some of the greatest minds in wrestling have never found themselves with an offical role in creative.

10 JBL

JBL is someone who is much more complex and eclectic than some may realize. Not only has he enjoyed great success as a pro wrestler, but he has also navigated the stock market to excellent results. His mind for the wrestling business comes in the form of being rather philanthropic, which again, may come as a surprise. It was JBL who suggested and conceptualized the Tribute To The Troops event, which would become one of the most ordained and highly praised events the WWE has done. His heel character was also a terrific depiction of right wing politics in America, and how polarizing society can be as a result.

9 Bobby Heenan

It's hard to believe that a man whose nickname was "The Brain" never found himself in a backstage creative position. In all likelihood, Bobby Heenan pitched ideas for his own creative, and possibly others, but just preferred to work as an on-air talent. Nevertheless, it would seem that Bobby, who had a wealth of experience. would have been a great fit as a booker or a part of a creative team. Bobby Heenan worked for every major promotion in America during his time in the business, and learned the inner workings as well as the nuanced aspects of being a performer. One of his great quotes was "if you want to be great at something, force yourself to eat from doing it, then you'll get really good at it."

8 Raven

Raven just loves to boast about his high IQ, and in this instance, it doesn't seem to be a "work" as they say in wrestling lingo. His cultish character was highly original and his aesthetic was well suited for his time. For Raven, wrestling was an intellectual exercise, as much as a physical one. Listening to him talk out of character, you'll likely find him to be something of a savant, or an unconventional genius. Both in front of the camera and behind it, Raven never seemed to reach his seemingly infinite potential.

7 Brian Pillman

Brian Pillman's genius was on full display in real time, like a sort of well-written but transgressive film; that is both captivating and troubling at the same time. He was something of a visionary, with a full view in his mind of where wrestling was heading and judging by where we are today, he couldn't have been more right. He had his share of demons as many geniuses do, and it seemed at one point that a backstage role was what he was actually destined for. But Brian wasn't ready to embrace that role, and due to his demons and his resentment, his life ended far too soon. Regardless of how it ended, Brian Pillman will always be fondly remembered for both his performances and his ideas.

6 Chris Jericho

Chris Jericho is a bit like the Red Hot Chilli Peppers of wrestling. While neither usually tops people's lists of the all time great in their trade, they have both achieved a longevity that virtually no one could have predicted, making them a contender for that reason alone. Seriously, who had their money on Chris Jericho still being a main-eventer, nearly 30 years after his debut?

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Chris has made countless contributions to the business during his tenure, including a wrestling themed cruise, that has been successful without the strength of the WWE machine behind it. In Chris's case, he was actually offered a backstage role in creative as an EVP in AEW, but ultimately turned it down.

5 Roddy Piper

Much like Bobby Heenan, Roddy Piper was among the most well-traveled and educated in the wrestling business. Being forced to find his own way in life at a young age, Piper had to rely on his wits, every bit as much as his strengths. His ability to draw "heat" is something that is arguably unmatched to this very day. Roddy knew how to provoke wrestling audiences in such a deliberate manner that they would fall under his spell without even realizing it. He is as responsible as anyone for the success of the inaugural WrestleMania, and the business as we know it today. But funny enough, Piper never found himself in a backstage role, though he could have been well-suited for one.

4 Bret Hart

Bret Hart's knowledge for wrestling is both generational and genetic. However, he is also a thoughtful man and a deep thinker. His autobiography is one of the most compelling and well-written of any wrestler, showing that his skills are as literary as they are athletic. Bret's ideas are countless, from suggesting his brother Owen for his sibling rivalry storyline, to the ending of the classic match with Steve Austin at WrestleMania. Bret was always sharp and perceptive, staying up on current wrestling trends, and in many ways staying ahead of the curve. He seems perfectly suited for a backstage role as an agent or otherwise, due to his calm and cerebral manner, but just hasn't shown any interest in doing so.

3 Mick Foley

It's amazing to listen to Mick Foley speak at this point in his life, and to hear how collected and concise he is in conversation, due to the style he employed throughout his in-ring career. His memory is more accurate than anyone would expect and it's fascinating to know how he conceived many of his legendary moments. His promos were always an exercise in layered storytelling, somehow achieving something with considerable depth in under 5 minutes. It's surprising that he never worked in any official backstage role, due to how respected and approachable he is. Mick will always be remembered as a man who never allowed any perceived limitations from him achieving the pinnacle of success, and is inspirational and influential as a result.

2 Steve Austin

Thank goodness for wrestling podcasts, and for Steve Austin's in particular, because it has given us insight into the mind of arguably the greatest wrestler of all time. Steve's perspicacity for pro wrestling is one of the key reasons for his success. He knew exactly what wrestling needed, at exactly the time it needed it, and he embodied that concept as a performer.

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With Steve, it really all boils down to instincts. Even the greatest minds know that feel is just as important as knowledge, and Steve implemented that notion as well as anyone in entertainment ever has. In Austin's case, he never worked in a backstage role, most likely because he never needed to.

1 Scott Hall

Due to his on-air persona, some fans may not have expected Scott Hall to top this list, but there really is no other choice. Give yourself the favor of listening to interviews with Scott about the business, and you'll understand why he understood it in a way that few ever did or likely will. Scott understood that wrestling was actually a give and take business. You benefit from others benefiting from you.

When he decrees that "if you're going to make a guy, MAKE him," what he's saying is make that man look strong when he defeats you, and if you're good enough, it will cause you no damage. This was never more evident than when he essentially made Sean Waltman in a single night on an early episode of Monday Night Raw. From perfecting the presentation of the NWO, to revitalizing Sting's persona, Scott was a wresting genius, who never worked backstage.