This is a really good question since the two were contemporaries and had some legendary matches - at least one of which I saw live.
At one point when i was younger I was a huge, huge Taker fan. Loved every little detail. At some point, though, his gimmick became too gimmicky for me. And when he became a biker I cut ties and never really got into him when he went back.
So its easy to say that of the two I easily liked Taker most at one point. And I've never been a fan of HBK as strong as I've been a fan of Taker.
But reviewing their careers and putting the whole thing into perspective I would say HBK was the better star and I appreciate his career more.
Taking nothing away from Taker, because the dude was innovative and great for his size, but HBK went out and consistently put on great matches with anyone he got in the ring with. And he played whatever role he had, face or heel, to perfection. Despite the Screwjob and the tensions with Bret Hart he also learned to put guys over. Not that Taker didn't do it, but clearly Shawn didn't have an issue giving Taker back to back Mania wins to further his streak.
The guy innovated with DX which lead to HHH and everything he could accomplish. The guy put Austin over. He worked injured so much, yet still had great matches.
At one point when i was younger I was a huge, huge Taker fan. Loved every little detail. At some point, though, his gimmick became too gimmicky for me. And when he became a biker I cut ties and never really got into him when he went back.
So its easy to say that of the two I easily liked Taker most at one point. And I've never been a fan of HBK as strong as I've been a fan of Taker.
But reviewing their careers and putting the whole thing into perspective I would say HBK was the better star and I appreciate his career more.
Taking nothing away from Taker, because the dude was innovative and great for his size, but HBK went out and consistently put on great matches with anyone he got in the ring with. And he played whatever role he had, face or heel, to perfection. Despite the Screwjob and the tensions with Bret Hart he also learned to put guys over. Not that Taker didn't do it, but clearly Shawn didn't have an issue giving Taker back to back Mania wins to further his streak.
The guy innovated with DX which lead to HHH and everything he could accomplish. The guy put Austin over. He worked injured so much, yet still had great matches.
Theres a lot to like about HBK.