The Piledriver Report 04.01.09: Looking Back at WrestleManias Past and The Greatest Wrestler to Never Win a World Title- Round Three Results and Round Four Match-ups

Posted by Ronny Sarnecky on 04.01.2009

We have now hit the Elite Eight portion of the Greatest Wrestler to Never Win a World Title Tournament. However, before seeing the Sweet Sixteen Results and the Elite Eight match-ups, The Piledriver Report also takes a look at the previous 24 WrestleManias.

WrestleMania XXV is this Sunday. Unbelievable! I can't believe this is already the 25th edition, not the 25th Anniversary (as the WWE wants you to believe), of WrestleMania. I remember the build-up to the first WrestleMania like it was yesterday. Each Saturday morning, as the WWF would have their WrestleMania reports, they would scroll the list of different venues that would be airing the closed circuit telecast of the show, as Phil Collins' "Easy Lover" played in the background. A weird choice of a song hyping a wrestling show. Because of that, I still remember it this day. I wanted to see that show so badly. Being fourteen years old at the time, I couldn't get tickets on my own. The day of WrestleMania, I was at my father's house, and he let me call the WWF Hotline, so I can get the results. I remember being ticked off to hear that Paul Orndorff was pinned in the main event. What a mark I was. LOL! Like Piper and Orndorff EVER had a chance to win that match. I watched with excitement as Tuesday Night Titans aired two of the matches from Wrestlemania. This was huge, because the WWF hyped WrestleMania as a card that you will never be able to see after March 31, 1985. In the spring, the WWF, through Coliseum Home Video, released WrestleMania on VHS. I didn't even have a VCR yet, but I bought the $40 videotape because I knew that I will one day get one. While the card was an average card, it still ranks up there as one of my all-time favorite WrestleManias. After all, it was THE very first Mania. A tradition was born, and I was hooked ever since. Like the movie "Jerry Maguire," WrestleMania "had me at hello."

WrestleMania 2 was the first show I saw on pay per view. As cool as it was to watch such a big show, the second version of Mania was nowhere close to the original. I think one of the things that hurt WrestleMania 2 was that it was held in three different locations.

For me, like the Super Bowl, it was the third installment that put pro wrestling's biggest event on the map. Super Bowl III turned the game from a match-up between the AFL and NFL champions into the Super Bowl that we love today. WrestleMania III did the same. Seeing a packed Pontiac Silverdome, whether it was 70,000 plus, or the WWF's 93,173 number, the place still looked unreal. It was larger then life. Something that large needed a main event that was just as big. WWF World Champion vs. The Eighth Wonder of the World Andre the Giant. What could be bigger? What made WrestleMania III even more special was that we got the first truly great WrestleMania match in Randy Savage vs. Ricky Steamboat. WrestleMania III turned WrestleMania into THE must see wrestling event each year.

WrestleMania IV took place in my home state of NJ. The most noteworthy things about this WrestleMania was that the first real WWF World title tournament headlined the show. This was the first WrestleMania that didn't have Hulk Hogan wrestling in the main event. WrestleMania IV was the first Mania to air for over four straight hours. As a still markish wrestling fan, seeing Randy Savage capture the WWF World title was one of my happiest moments in the early part of my wrestling fandom.

WrestleMania V had a solid card, as Hulk Hogan regained the WWF belt from Savage. I hated this WrestleMania because Savage lost the title. What can I say? I had "Macho Madness." WrestleMania VI was the first WrestleMania outside of the United States, and the first one back in a dome stadium since Mania III. All I need to say about WrestleMania VI is Hulk Hogan vs. the Ultimate Warrior. That says it all. Face vs. face. Champion vs. Champion. Title vs. title.

The early WrestleManias were awesome in the fact that they always provided new or fresh match-ups in the main events. Most were considered "dream matches" at the time. Hogan/Mr. T vs. Orndorff/Piper, Hogan vs. Andre, the MegaPowers exploding, and Hogan vs. Warrior.

The next three WrestleManias, I consider as the lost WrestleManias. These WrestleManias lost the "special" feeling, as the WWF could have given the fans so much more. WrestleMania VII was supposed to be held in the 100,000 seat Los Angeles Coliseum. Most expected to be witnessing Hogan vs. Warrior II. Instead, we got Hogan vs. Slaughter. UGH! Then, due to "security concerns" (really lack of ticket sales), the event gets moved to the 18,000 seat LA Sports Arena. Luckily, we also got Randy Savage facing the Ultimate Warrior in a tremendous match.

WrestleMania VIII was supposed to be the most anticipated Mania since number three. Forget Hogan vs. Andre. This WrestleMania was supposed to feature the face of the NWA, Ric Flair, against the face of the WWF, Hulk Hogan. It was the dream match to end all dream matches. Instead, we got Hogan vs. Sid and Ric Flair vs. Randy Savage. Sure, both were dream matches in their own right. However, neither could pale in comparison to a Hulk Hogan vs. Ric Flair showdown at WrestleMania.

At WrestleMania IX, Hulk Hogan returned to the ring after nearly a year's absence. Instead of getting a Hogan vs. Bret Hart dream match, or a wrestling classic with Bret facing someone like Curt Henning, we get Bret vs. Yokozuna and Hogan vs. Yokozuna.

WrestleMania X will always have a special place in my heart. It was the first WestleMania card that I attended live. I remember attending an MSG house show where they handed out pre-sale order forms for WrestleMania X. Me and one of my friends were definitely going to order tickets. The first 5 rows cost $300 a piece. I remember my friend telling me that I should send out the form for the $150 seats. He told me this numerous times. I had the form sitting on desk in my college dorm for days. I would stare at it, knowing that I just had to get the most expensive seats. I checked the box for the $300 seats. I later told my friend that I ordered the $300 seats, but I would pay for half of his. We wound up getting second row seats near the wrestler's entrance. When my friend saw the seats he excitedly said "forget paying half, I'll pay the whole $300.00." We were on TV more then Vince McMahon was. At the time, this was arguably the greatest WrestleMania in the history of the supercard. The WWF may have taken a hit by having WrestleMania X being the first Mania without Hulk Hogan. However, they made up for it by having two of the greatest Mania matches in history. Bret Hart vs. Owen Hart and Shawn Michaels vs. Razor Ramon in a ladder match stole the show. Plus, you had two World title matches. It was a night I will never forget.

WrestleMania XI means one thing. ROAD TRIP! My same friend, who went to WrestleMania X, went with me to Mania XI. We arrived on Friday morning, and stayed until Monday morning. It was awesome. Another second row seat. This time it was behind the announcer's table. The worst part of those seats was that due to the Lawrence Taylor/Bam Bam Bigelow, the WWF had a large number non-wrestling photographers stationed around the ring. Unfortunately, these photographers didn't know how to position themselves. Every time there was mat wrestling, you couldn't see. Awful. The card, not so much, although Diesel vs. Shawn Michaels was really good. However, they had a WrestleMania fan festival all weekend. We went to every fan festival show they had. I met just about every wrestler on the roster, and even some that were about to come up, like Chris Candido and Tammy Sytch (Sunny). I always took a lot of pictures when I would go to wrestling events. I decided to blow up a bunch into 8 x 10s, and a Lex Luger photo into a poster. I had each autographed, with the exception of Bob Backlund. He was playing the "crazy Bob" gimmick, and refused to sign any autographs until you could name every president of the United States in order. I harassed Bob all weekend, and left without his signature.

WrestleMania XII was special for me for one reason: Shawn Michaels. My all-time favorite wrestler finally reached his "childhood dream," and captured the WWF World title. WrestleMania 13 would have probably been the worst WrestleMania in history if not for Bret vs. Austin. This is probably the greatest match in WrestleMania history, and it was the match that made "Stone Cold's" career.

WrestleMania XIV was bitter sweet for me. The WWF was starting to catch fire thanks to the signing of Mike Tyson, the birth of Mr. McMahon, and the rise of Steve Austin. However, it will always be a depressing Mania for me. Shawn's back was toast. He was done. His career appeared to be over, and it was for years to come.

WrestleMania XV was the first WrestleMania of the "Attitude Era." I was also back at a live WrestleMania for the first time since WrestleMania XI. This time, I had front row. The highlight for me was The Rock, who was an awesome heel Corporate Champion, against Steve Austin. The night before they held a special WrestleMania Party. It was cool, but the highlight of that night was after the event, I went to the hotel were the wrestlers were staying, and hung out with them in the hotel bar. I didn't leave till 4am, and had to go back to Philly hours later for the show.

WrestleMania 2000 is another of my favorite shows. One of the reasons why is because of the WrestleMania all day pay per view, where they talked about each past WrestleMania for 30 minutes each. I viewed this Mania at the WWF New York restaurant. That was cool. The crowd was insane throughout. You had the unbelievable ladder match between the Dudleys/Edge-Christain/Hardys. The Euro-continental title match between Kurt Angle, Chris Jericho, and Chris Benoit. I was disappointed in the main event match-up. Sure, it was nice to have Mick Foley get a WrestleMania main event spot, as he deserved one. However, that match should have been nothing but The Rock vs. Triple H. Forget the Big Show, and a McMahon in every corner. Although, the ending was surprising. Triple H, who I feel was at his peak as a heel won the main event at WrestleMania. That is unheard of. 2000 was a great show.

As good as WrestleMania 2000 was, WrestleMania X- Seven is the standard by which all WrestleManias are judged when it comes to the "greatest WrestleMania of all-time." The event was the first Mania following the end of the Monday Night Wars and the destruction of ECW. This show marked the end of an era in wrestling history. There were several exciting matches. Plus, the broadcast team of Jim Ross and Paul Heyman was probably the best announcing team, from a pure calling wrestling as a sport standpoint, in WrestleMania history. Kurt Angle fought Chris Benoit in a singles contest. Shane and Vince fought in a surprisingly entertaining street fight. Edge-Christian, the Dudleys, and the Hardys topped last year's ladder match with TLC II. Steve Austin and The Rock battled in perhaps their greatest WrestleMania battle, despite the ill-advised Austin heel turn.

For me, WrestleMania X-8 will be all about one wrestler: Hulk Hogan. The last appearance for the Hulkster at WrestleMania took place in 1993. Hogan vs. The Rock was magical. Everything about it was unforgettable. The build-up to the match was awesome. The New World Order was acting like their pre-"half the WCW roster is now" selves. It was built as Icon vs. Icon, and I still have the WrestleMania poster with the two shaking hands from the RAW where Hogan accepted The Rock's challenge. While the match wasn't Bret/Austin from a work standpoint, the match had the audience, and the crowd at WWF NY standing on its feet. Jericho and Triple H may have closed the show, but Hogan vs. The Rock WAS the show.

WrestleMania XIX was the first WrestleMania since the brand split and the WWF became World Wrestling Entertainment. WrestleMania XIX was the first WrestleMania since XI to featured two performers close the show that had never main evented a WrestleMania before. This WrestleMania pitted Kurt Angle against future UFC Heavyweight Champion Brock Lesnar in a match most famous for Brock failed attempt at a shooting star press. This card featured Steve Austin's final wrestling match, as he went one-on-one with the "Great One," The Rock. Also on the show, Hulk Hogan fought Vince McMahon. However, the highlight for me was the in-ring WrestleMania return of Shawn Michaels, as he fought Chris Jericho in a very underrated match-up.

I couldn't wait for WrestleMania XX. I was a little disappointed that the WWE didn't use the opportunity to pay homage to the wrestlers of the past at the show, with the exception of the Hall of Fame ceremony. Like XXV this year, I felt that the 20th show should have paid more homage to the performers of past WrestleManias. I mean, where was Hulk Hogan? For the first 9 years, he WAS Mr. WrestleMania, before Shawn Michaels turned it into his moniker. As a show though, it was really, really good. The Rock had his final match. Chris Jericho fought Christian in a great match that featured an awesome Trish Stratus heel turn. There was the infamous Goldberg-Lesnar match where the fans at MSG turned on both competitors for leaving the WWE. Eddie Guerrero fought Kurt Angle for the WWE World title. While, Chris Benoit made Triple H tap out in a triple threat match, that also featured Shawn Michaels to close the show. It was probably the greatest Triple Threat match in history. However, I still think it should have been Triple H vs. Chris Benoit in a singles match. The end of the show featured the greatest moment in WrestleMania history, as Eddie Guerrero joined his long time friend Chris Benoit in celebration. It was in image of two men, who struggled and sacrificed for years in a sport that they were too "small" to ever be considered true main event stars. They were finally being recognized for all of their hard work. It's a shame how that moment will never be looked at the same way again, due to the horrible actions of Chris Benoit in June 2007.

WrestleMania 21 meant the return of Hulk Hogan to me. This time as the Hall of Famer, Hulk Hogan. While his presence was made known in an angle between Eugene and Muhammad Hussan. This show was all about the wrestling though. The card was stacked with major matches. Rey Mysterio vs. Eddie Guerrero, in what turned out to be Eddie's final WrestleMania. The Undertaker fought Randy Orton, in what many believed would be a real threat to Taker finally losing his first Mania match. Triple H battled former Evolution member Batista. John Cena captured his first WWE World title. Edge won the first Money in the Bank contest to start his accession into the main event scene.
The highlight was one of the best WrestleMania matches, and one of the great "dream matches" ever, in Shawn Michaels vs. Kurt Angle.

The next year, Mick Foley finally had his WrestleMania moment in a match against Edge. Rob Van Dam captured the Money in the Bank contest. In a really good match, Shawn Michaels beat Vince McMahon. Rey Mysterio won one for Eddie when he won the World Heavyweight championship in a Triple Threat match featuring Kurt Angle and Randy Orton. Surprisingly, John Cena beat Triple H in the main event; I remember being disappointed in this match. Not only was it an average match, but I though something was missing. That something was Edge. Edge deserved to be in that match, and should have been in that match. WrestleMania 22 will always be looked at with disappointment, because the show could have been better.

WrestleMania 23 was supposed to feature Cena-Triple H II. Instead, Triple H suffered a quad injury that kept him out of the show. Shawn Michaels was given Triple H's spot. That was for the better, as it was a really good match, worthy of a WrestleMania main event. Unfortunately, John Cena found his inner Hulk Hogan, and beat Shawn Michaels. At this point, I felt that Cena was getting more annoying then Triple H at WrestleMania. The best match of the night surprisingly was the Undertaker vs. Batista. However, the match that had the greatest publicity was an underwhelming Bobby Lashley (with Donald Trump in his corner) vs. Umaga (with Vince in his). This match was originally rumored to be Hulk Hogan vs. the Big Show in an effort to recreate WrestleMania III's Hogan-Andre clash.

WrestleMania XXIV was a pretty cool looking show. The outdoor stadium look was very sharp. The biggest surprise of the show was that Randy Orton kept the WWE World title in a match against John Cena and Triple H. The media had Floyd Mayweather vs. The Big Show, in a surprisingly entertaining match, to sink their teeth into. Edge finally got his WrestleMania main event in a match against the Undertaker. CM Punk became the latest Money in the Bank winner. However, the highlight of the show was Ric Flair's retirement match against Shawn Michaels.

This leads us to WrestleMania XXV this Sunday. So far the build up has been up and down. Just when it looks like the show could be great, the WWE does something stupid to make you question why you would even want to send $55.00 on the show. Then the night week they do something to get interested again. Usually WrestleMania is built over a 3-month period. However, this year the WWE tried something different. They added some mystery, so you didn't know which direction WrestleMania would go in. At first I liked that. It made things interesting. However, as they continued to botch angle after angle, this year's WrestleMania feels like your average pay per view. With that in mind, I won't kill the pay per view until after I see it first. Until then, here are my predictions:

Chris Jericho vs. Ricky Steamboat/Jimmy Snuka/Roddy Piper: The most interesting part of this match for me is how will Steamboat look in this match. I hope my memories of him will not be tarnished. I like the "Legends" in this match thanks to interference from Ric Flair and Mickey Rourke.

JBL vs. Rey Mysterio: They promise a post-match surprise. According to rumors, JBL may announce his retirement after the match. If he does, I see him retiring as the IC champion.

The Colons vs. The Miz/John Morrison: The Miz and Morrison are the best team in the business. Unless the WWE will be splitting the two up, I can't see of any other reason for the two NOT to be crowned the unified tag team champions.

Matt Hardy vs. Jeff Hardy: Given time, this could be an awesome Mania match. Brother vs. Brother. Unlike the greatest Brother vs. Brother WrestleMania match, in Bret vs. Owen, I cannot see the heel winning this one. Jeff Hardy wins.

25-Diva Battle Royal: If she's in the contest, Trish Stratus. If not, Sunny. If neither is there, who cares?

Money in the Bank match: This match could have been so much better with the right participants. Mark Henry? UGH! While I wouldn't mind seeing CM Punk win the briefcase again. I think Christian should get the luggage. What would make things even better is if Edge retained, and Christian cashed the briefcase in later in the show.

The Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels: This is the real main event of WrestleMania, and probably the show stealer of the card. I could see the WWE having Shawn win to throw us a curve. However, that would be a stupid reason for Taker's streak to end. I think the Undertaker's streak goes to 17-0.

Edge vs. John Cena vs. the Big Show: I'm going for the upset here. Everybody probably feels John Cena will win the title again. However, I'm going with Edge. I think either Cena or Show will have the other guy pinned, and Edge will come out of nowhere to pin the other.

Triple H vs. Randy Orton: The way this has been built up, it can only end in one way. Triple H gaining his revenge and closing the show as the champion.

Before I start the tournament news, I want to clear up several controversies regarding match-ups, seeding, and entrants in the tournament. First, the seedings were strictly by picking the names out of a hat. Due to a lot of "old school" wrestlers in the tournament, I didn't feel I was qualified enough to rank these wrestlers 1 to 64, without being overly biased to wrestlers from my era. The first round pairings were made by having the #1 overall seed take on the 64 wrestler picked out of the hat. Like in the NCAA Tournament, the worst #2 seed was in the Hogan Bracket with the top #1 seed. The third best number 4 seed was in this bracket, as well as the second best number 3 seed. This was done to balance out the brackets. Although since it was via "pick of the hat," some brackets were loaded with the best wrestlers.

Now, on to the biggest controversy, what determines a World Champion as some felt certain men belonged, and others did not. First off, Scott Hall was NEVER the AWA World Heavyweight Champion. He was one half of their World Tag Team Champions with Curt Henning, but never held the big belt himself. Next, is the Rick Rude situation. Sure, he won, what we thought was, the NWA title from Ric Flair. However, that was AFTER the NWA-WCW business relationship ended for a second time. Even the NWA itself doesn't recognize Rick Rude as a past World champion of theirs. Go on their website, nwawrestling.com, they do not list Rick Rude as an NWA World Champion. Ric Flair's 10th NWA World title reign ended in September 1993 when WCW withdrew from NWA. Since WCW was no longer using the NWA name, they changed the title's name to the WCW International Heavyweight championship. When Rude defended that belt, it was NEVER viewed in the same light as the WCW title. Compare the two titles to the WWE's World Heavyweight, and WWE World titles. Since the advent of the split World Championships in the WWE, sometimes the WWE World title has felt like the more important belt, other times it was the World Heavyweight championship. Thus, we have 2 World titles in one promotion. Plus, the NWA World title lost all true World title recognition and relevance once the WCW withdrew from the NWA the first time. From then on, it was just the top indy belt.

Another argument being made was of wrestlers, like Freddie Blassie, holding numerous World titles. Well, unless they held the AWA, NWA, or WWWF World titles, all those other belts were just regional titles that had the word "World" in it, perhaps because they were not a member of the NWA, WWWF, or the AWA.

This leads me to World Class Championship Wrestling. When they succeeded from the NWA, they turned their NWA American Heavyweight Championship belt into the WCCW World Heavyweight title. Now, I ask you how can a title be a true "World" title when it was really a regional belt? How often was the belt defended outside of the Texas, Oklahoma, Louisianna, and later the Lawler-Jarrett territory? Even the biggest "mark" magazine in wrestling, Pro Wrestling Illustrated didn't recognize the championship's status as a "World" title as it had with the AWA, NWA, and WWF titles.

Another area of concern is ECW. I am only included ECW as a World title from the time they were no longer Eastern Championship Wrestling up until the time Paul Heyman closed the company's doors in 2001. Sorry Jimmy Snuka and Don Muraco, but when the "E" stood for "Eastern," it was a regional "indy" belt. Once they went "extreme," ECW started to be viewed as the #3 promotion in the country. They eventually went to pay per view, and had a national television show on TNN. They were no longer an "indy" company. When the WWE brought back ECW as a separate brand, this version is not a true World title belt, as event though the WWE included the word "World" in the name, they treat it as a secondary title on their main shows. If it was considered a true World title, the WWE would treat it as such. At this time, that title is NOT even being defended at WrestleMania! If it was, the champion would be featured in a high profile match.

The biggest argument in including ECW, under the set parameters, is that Ring of Honor should be included as well. Here is the reason why I don't include the ROH belt as a World title. While it has been defended overseas, and the company is looked at as the #3 promotion in the country, the group is an indy group. At one point, it could have been argued that CZW was the #2 group in the US once ECW and WCW folded. Would anyone ever consider the Combat Zone Wrestling champion as a World champion? Of course not! Just because a company calls their champion a "World Champion," doesn't make them one. Now, it a year or two, I believe that the Ring of Honor belt will be looked at as a true World Championship. They have been airing taped shows on PPV, and now have a national TV show. That will help in legitimizing the belt as a World title. Not just now, though.

Finally, some have mentioned the belts in Japan, like New Japan and All-Japan. Sadly, when it comes to Japanese wrestling, I admit that I have very, very little knowledge. I wouldn't know what World titles are true World titles over there, and which wrestlers in Japan that never held one of their titles would be worthy to be included in this tourney.

Now, onto the tournament.

The field is now narrowed down to the Elite Eight wrestlers in the tournament. Before the results are given, I would like to thank everyone who has voted thus far. I have received 307 e-mails voting on the tournament. Thank you again.

Along with the results, I will be including how many votes each wrestler received in parenthesis. Next, will come the FOURTH ROUND match-up, which I will need you to vote on. I will end the column with the wrestlers I had picked to win in the third round.

PLEASE E-MAIL ME WHO YOU THINK WILL WIN THE ROUND FOUR MATCHES BY WRESTLEMANIA SUNDAY, APRIL 5th, 2009 at [e-mail] or by entering your choices in the Comments Section.

ROUND THREE RESULTS

HOGAN REGION
1. Davey Boy Smith (70) over 12. Magnum T.A. (49)
2. Paul Orndorff (60) over 3. William Regal (58)

BRUNO SAMMARTINO REGION
1. Arn Anderson (99) over 13. Tully Blanchard (20)
10. Owen Hart (66) over 3. Rick Rude (53)

LOU THESZ REGION
9. Lance Storm (63) over 13. Jesse Ventura (55)
7. Greg Valentine (75) over 3. Abdullah the Butcher (42)

RIC FLAIR REGION
1. Jake Roberts (93) over 5. Bruiser Brody (25)
7. Ted DiBiase, Sr.(94) over 11. Scott Hall (25)

ROUND FOUR MATCH-UPS
HOGAN REGION
1. Davey Boy Smith vs. 2. Paul Orndorff

BRUNO SAMMARTINO REGION
1. Arn Anderson vs. 10. Owen Hart

LOU THESZ REGION
9. Lance Storm vs. 7. Greg Valentine

RIC FLAIR REGION
1. Jake Roberts vs. 7. Ted DiBiase, Sr.

MY THIRD ROUND PICKS
HOGAN REGION
12. Magnum T.A. over 1. Davey Boy Smith
2. Paul Orndorff over 3. William Regal

BRUNO SAMMARTINO REGION
1. Arn Anderson over 13. Tully Blanchard
3. Rick Rude over 10. Owen Hart

LOU THESZ REGION
13. Jesse Ventura over 9. Lance Storm
7. Greg Valentine over 3. Abdullah the Butcher

RIC FLAIR REGION
1. Jake Roberts over 5. Bruiser Brody
7. Ted DiBiase, Sr. over 3. Dustin Rhodes

Lance Storm: Storm was one of the most underrated wrestlers in the past twenty years. Despite not being over six feet tall, Lance was able to find success in every federation that he competed in. One of the things that made Storm unique was the fact that he never really cared about whether he won titles. Despite not caring about championships, Lance was a Triple Crown champion in WCW. Titles and honors include: Canadian Rocky Mountain Wrestling Commonwealth Mid-Heavyweight Championship (4 times), CRMW International/North American Championship, Catch Wrestling Association Catch Junior Heavyweight Championship (2 times), Pro Wrestling Illustrated PWI ranked him #13 of the top 500 singles wrestlers in the PWI 500 in 2001, Smoky Mountain Wrestling Beat the Champ Television Championship, World Championship Wrestling Cruiserweight Championship, WCW Hardcore Championship, WCW United States Heavyweight Championship (3 times), World Wrestling Entertainment Intercontinental Championship, Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards- Most Underrated Wrestler (2001).

Paul Orndorff: Played football for the University of Tampa, where he was inducted into their Hall of Fame in 1986. During the mid-eighties, Orndorff was arguably Hulk Hogan's greatest rival in the pre-pay per view day. Major titles includes: AWF Heavyweight Championship, NWA National Heavyweight Championship (4 times), WCW World Television Championship, AWA Southern Heavyweight Championship, NWA Southern Heavyweight Championship, Mid-South North American Heavyweight Championship, NWA North American Heavyweight Championship (2 times), Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum (Class of 2009), Pro Wrestling Illustrated Feud of the Year award in 1986 - vs. Hulk Hogan, PWI Match of the Year award in 1985 - with Roddy Piper, versus Hulk Hogan and Mr. T at WrestleMania, PWI Most Hated Wrestler of the Year award in 1986, PWI ranked him # 38 of the 500 best singles wrestlers in the PWI 500 in 1993, UWF Southern States Championship, WWE Hall of Fame (Class of 2005), Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards- Feud of the Year in 1986 - vs. Hulk Hogan.

Greg Valentine: "The Hammer" was a very good worker. While never considered for the top spot in the company that he worker for, he was usually given the second top spot in the organization. When he wasn't working as one of the top singles heels, he usually was involved in the tag team division. Titles and accolades include: International World Class Championship Wrestling Heavyweight Championship, NWA Canadian Heavyweight Championship (Toronto version), NWA Mid-Atlantic Heavyweight Championship (2 times), NWA Mid-Atlantic Television Championship (2 times), NWA Television Championship (2 times), NWA United States Heavyweight Championship (2 times), NWA North American Heavyweight Championship, NWA Hollywood Wrestling NWA Americas Heavyweight Championship (2 times), NWA Beat the Champ Television Championship (2 times), NWA North American Heavyweight Championship, Pro Wrestling Illustrated Most Hated Wrestler of the Year (1975, 1979, 1983), World Wrestling Council Caribbean Heavyweight Championship, WWC Universal Heavyweight Championship, WWF Intercontinental Championship, WWE Hall of Fame (Class of 2004).

Davey Boy Smith: His first national exposure came as part of the tag team with the Dynamite Kid, the "British Bulldogs." Once the team disbanded, Davey Boy became an underrated, solid worker in both the WWF and WCW. Titles and accomplishments include: Pro Wrestling Illustrated Match of the Year (1992) vs. Bret Hart at SummerSlam, PWI ranked him # 5 of the 100 best tag teams of the PWI Years, with The Dynamite Kid in 2003, Stampede British Commonwealth Mid-Heavyweight Championship, Stampede North American Heavyweight Championship (2 times), Stampede World Mid-Heavyweight Championship, Stampede Wrestling Hall of Fame, WWF European Championship (2 times), WWF Hardcore Championship (2 times), WWF Intercontinental Championship, Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards- Best Wrestling Maneuver (1984) Power clean dropkick , Feud of the Year (1997) with Bret Hart, Owen Hart, Jim Neidhart, and Brian Pillman vs. Stone Cold Steve Austin, Tag Team of the Year (1985) with The Dynamite Kid.

Jake Roberts: This second generation wrestler is known as much for his out of the ring "demons," as he is for being a master at "ring pyschology. When he was on the top of his game, Roberts was one of the best performers in the industry. Titles and honors include: All-Star Wrestling Network (Georgia) World Heavyweight Champion, Americas Wrestling Federation Puerto Rican Heavyweight Championship, NWA National Television Championship, NWA World Television Championship (Georgia version) (2 times), Pro Wrestling Illustrated Most Inspirational Wrestler of the Year (1996), PWI ranked him # 100 of the 500 best singles wrestlers of the PWI Years in 2003, Mid-South Louisiana Heavyweight Championship, Mid-South North American Heavyweight Championship (2 times), Mid-South Television Championship, Smoky Mountain Wrestling Heavyweight Championship, Stampede North American Heavyweight Championship, World Class Championship Wrestling Television Championship.

Owen Hart: The brother of Bret Hart, Owen was originally known as one of the best up and coming high flying wrestlers in the business. Owen came into his own in an angle where he turned on Bret Hart. Owen surprised many people with his great portrayal as a heel wrestler, after a career as a fan favorite. Unfortunately, Owen will probably be most remembered for falling from the rafters of the Kemper Arena to his death on May 23rd, 1999. Titles and awards include: New Japan Pro Wrestling IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship, Pro Wrestling Illustrated Editor's Award (1999), PWI Feud of the Year (1994) vs. Bret Hart, PWI Rookie of the Year (1987), PWI ranked him #10 of the 500 singles wrestlers in the PWI 500 in 1994, PWI ranked him # 84 of the 100 best tag teams of the PWI Years with Davey Boy Smith in 2003, Stampede British Commonwealth Mid-Heavyweight Championship, Stampede North American Heavyweight Championship (2 times), Stampede Wrestling Hall of Fame, United States Wrestling Association Unified World Heavyweight Championship, World Wrestling Federation Slammy Award winner (2 times - Squared Circle Shocker, 1996; Best Bow Tie, 1997), European Championship, Intercontinental Championship (2 times), 1994 King of the Ring, Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards- 5 Star Match (1994) vs. Bret Hart in a cage match at SummerSlam 1994, Best Flying Wrestler (1987, 1988), Feud of the Year (1997) with Bret Hart, Jim Neidhart, Davey Boy Smith, and Brian Pillman vs. Steve Austin.

Ted DiBiase, Sr.: Best known as the "Million Dollar Man" in the World Wrestling Federation, Ted DiBiase was a complete wrestler. He had the working ability, charisma, and promo skills to hold a World championship. If it wasn't for the Honky Tonk Man refusing to drop the Intercontinental championship to Randy Savage in February 1988, DiBiase would have become the WWF World champion at WrestleMania IV. Titles and awards include: NWA United National Championship, NWA Central States Heavyweight Championship, NWA National Heavyweight Championship (2 times), Mid-South North American Heavyweight Championship (4 times), NWA North American Heavyweight Championship (Tri-State version), Pro Wrestling Illustrated Most Hated Wrestler of the Year (1982), PWI ranked him # 17 of the 500 best singles wrestlers of the year in the PWI 500 in 1991, Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame (Class of 2007), NWA Missouri Heavyweight Championship (2 times), Texas All-Star Wrestling Heavyweight Championship, World Wrestling Federation North American Heavyweight Championship, Million Dollar Championship (2 times), WWF King of the Ring (1988), Slammy Award for Humanitarian of the Year (1987), Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards- Best Heel (1987, 1988), Best Technical Wrestler (1981), Feud of the Year (1982) vs. Junkyard Dog, Feud of the Year (1985) vs. Jim Duggan, Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame (Class of 1996).

Arn Anderson: After arriving in the Carolina territory, Arn was billed as being a member of wrestling's Anderson family. Instead of caving under the pressure of being given such a grand spot at a young age, Arn thrived. The "Anderson" name may have given Arn credibility. However, the crowd would have seen through his "name" if Arn could not bring in the goods to the ring. Arn Anderson was a very solid worker. His workrate was one of the factors that led to Anderson getting the biggest break of his career. Arn became the "enforcer" member of arguably the greatest heel faction in wrestling history. Titles and acheivments include: Pro Wrestling Illustrated Feud of the Year (1987) Four Horsemen vs. Super Powers and the Road Warriors, PWI Tag Team of the Year (1989) with Tully Blanchard, PWI Tag Team of the Year (1991) with Larry Zybszko, PWI Stanley Weston Award (1997), NWA World Television Championship (2 times), WCW World Television Championship (2 times), Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards- 5 Star Match (1992) with Rick Rude, Steve Austin, Bobby Eaton, & Larry Zbyszko vs. Nikita Koloff, Sting, Ricky Steamboat, Barry Windham, & Dustin Rhodes (May 17, WarGames match, WrestleWar), Best on Interviews (1990), Worst Worked Match of the Year (1996) with Ric Flair, Meng, The Barbarian, Lex Luger, Kevin Sullivan, Z-Gangsta and The Ultimate Solution vs. Hulk Hogan and Randy Savage, WCW Uncensored, Towers of Doom match, Tupelo, MS, March 24.