Al

Daniel Bryan was at points considered both the best performer (by the WON readers), and the most popular performer in wrestling. I don't think there's a comparable wrestler not in the Hall of Fame. Mistico if forced upon a decision is probably a Hall of Famer. But there are three "50% or else" performers in the Mexico category I would stump for first. I don't dislike Mistico, there are just other factors in play.

I keep telling myself that I'll break down each candidate, but I'll never have time for that. Quick impressions... Historical Performers: A lot of good performers. Some excellent candidates and a few that wouldn't stick out in a Hall of Fame, but it's awfully difficult to stand out in a field of 22 candidates. Modern Performers: This is where a kind of reality check comes into play. There are 25-30 HOFers born in the 1960s. Seven were born in the '70s, one in the '80s. Eventually a lot of these performers are going to get in. If not guys on Edge and Randy Orton's level, then who? I wouldn't object to waiting a couple years on those guys and CM Punk and gaining a little perspective. Daniel Bryan should be a mortal lock. Sentimentally I would also support Sting. Japan: I would like to hear the argument for CIMA. I don't know who separates themselves from the rest of the pack, though Volk Han seems like a strong candidate. Masahiko Tamura is intriguing as well because very few of Japan's pioneers are in. I'm far from an expert though. Mexico: Villano III, Cien Caras and Blue Panther should all be in. Probably Dr. Wagner Jr. and Karloff Lagarde. The lucha trios are strong candidates though I don't know which is better and inducting both is a longshot. I'd listen to arguments for L.A. Park and Huracan Ramirez as well. That's nine before we start discussing Mistico, which is a sign that we probably need more perspective on him. World: Big Daddy and/or Jim Breaks. I feel the U.K. should get at least another inductee this year. Electing either would make it easier to induct more British workers in the future. (Breaks because it sets a precedent, Daddy because it gets the literal elephant out of the way.) Non-wrestlers: Howard Finkel, because he's clearly more visible in wrestling history than Jimmy Lennon, who is in. Jimmy Hart. I also think Jim Crockett Jr. doesn't get enough credit for 1983-86. He got buried by Vince McMahon, but EVERY promoter got crushed by Vince.

There's a part of me that thinks WWE simply didn't want two non-native speakers in the finals.

He was older than both. Wikipedia only has Carlos Rocha as older.

This probably ruins Punk's chances of ever working for Bill Watts.

He had been the oldest living wrestler to compete at a Wrestlemania.

Realistically and in all seriousness, isn't Foxcatcher a similar story?

Like most stories of its type, this is something I have no desire to relive. Even if it's done well.

I enjoyed that Ellering had wrestling tights on and Ole Anderson didn't. Talk about having/not having faith in your respective wrestlers!

What are the Memphis Death Match and Star of Death Cage matches? Is there any possibility of Gotch/Hackenschmidt existing? I wonder because most boxing matches of that era of similar stature were filmed.

Thank god Nelson isn't as skilled a negotiator.

I think the Marella-Ruhl match has aired on WWE 24/7 before.

The Kindle version of Patterson's book is on sale for $4.99.

When ESPN Classic aired Chicago wrestling, Chene was a favorite. Terrific comedy wrestler.

The '80s were a time when people in the states really became conscious of crowd control. Sports teams were conscious of drunken louts spoiling things for families, they started controlling alcohol consumption, early intervention, etc. I'm sure that filtered down to smaller arenas by the early '90s.

It seems insane to me that you can't take growth hormones, but you can literally have a surgeon tie your arm back together with a dead man's ligament.

Wrestlemania X's percentage would've fared better if the heels picked a captain.

ESPN has the same problem that Fox News, CNN, etc. have. They present news and they present opinion shows and the line is often blurred between which is which.

Bobby Eaton was pudgy, pasty, had a mullet and wasn't a particularly good promo. That he was given multiple titles in multiple promotions should tell you what kind of worker he was.

Anyone who broke their leg the way Sid did is entitled to half-ass every match the rest of their career.

The invasion was as good as it was going to get. The law of diminishing returns indicated stacking the card wouldn't draw the monster numbers people expect. The high price tag of the big name talent would make bringing in a lot of them at once unprofitable. Politics were inevitable, there were only so many wrestlers wwe could employ and some were going to lose their jobs. And if you put the invasion on full blast, your business will fall off afterwards when you can't follow it up with anything half as big. WWE's strategy of bringing talent in gradually over two years was disappointing to fans, but much better for their bottom line long term.

Second the choice of the League of Nations. That group simultaneously reduced the stock of four heels, a remarkable feat. Da Baldies in ECW The Hillbillies in WWF in 1985. There is no reason why a wrestling promotion needed to make a special effort to keep Uncle Elmer employed.

I liked Da Mack, though it struck me as very much a JTTS type of act.

There's one match from that run on Youtube...

I loved Ranallo joking about Michael Hayes getting namedropped on a cruiserweight show.