5 Unsung Hall Of Fame Candidates

 

WWE has put together an impressive Hall Of Fame class this year, consisting of Paul Heyman (who unless something changes is for sure the headliner). Bull Nakano, Mike Rotunda and Barry Windham as the U.S. Express, Thunderbolt Patterson and the great Muhammad Ali posthumously. As they have been sticking to a leaner Hall of fame class in recent years, rumors suggest one more name will be announced but this maybe it.

I started thinking about some wrestlers or wrestling personalities who have strong cases to be in the hall of fame, that one would not automatically think of as a candidate for induction.  Now no disrespect to guys like KoKo B. Ware, Hillbilly Jim, and The Great Khali. If those guys can get inducted, I'm sure my choices have a chance. With that here are 5 potential hall of fame candidates you haven't thought about.

Rick Martel

Hailing from Canada with an amateur background in wrestling, Rick Martel had a very long career spanning multiple decades, territories, and championships. He wrestled for Stampede Wrestling and in Puerto Rico for World Wrestling Council. Spent some time in Japan, various NWA affiliated promotions across the Pacific Northwest of the U.S. Hawaii, and New Zealand. He then worked for the American Wrestling Association (AWA) where fans started taking notice. He won the AWA World Heavyweight Championship while with the promotion.

He then signed with the WWF spending some time in various tag teams, before gaining the most popularity in his career by taking on the narcissistic gimmick as The Model Rick Martel. Showing he could be entertaining as well as skilled in the ring. After leaving the WWF in '95, he worked in various promotions before signing with WCW in early 1998. He won the WCW TV championship once during that time, before sustaining an injury. After a 26 year career he retired in 1999, leaving behind an accomplished career across many promotions. He is prime for a hall of fame induction at this point.

Al Snow

Al Snow has always been a consistent and reliable wrestler, doing his best with whatever was thrown his way. Before finding success as a implied schiznophernia wrestler who consistently talked to his prized mannequin head affectionally called Head. Which led to the very attitude era chant "What does everybody want?" which the audience replies with head, "What does everybody need?" which would get the same response. And completely went over my head initially as a pre-teen. Anyway before that gimmick he suffered through several failed gimmicks in the WWF Avatar, Shinobi, and Leif Cassidy of the new rockers.

Which showed the WWF saw something in him it just took some time to get something that worked for him. In the ring he was a safe and quality wrestler, and charismatic. He was a steady hand in the Hardcore division being a 6 time champion, but most importantly he has been a very wonderful teacher of the business for future generations. As a trainer for 3 seasons of the reality show Tough Enough, during his time in TNA and their Gut Check segments. Finally becoming a trainer and the eventual owner of Ohio Valley Wrestling. His contributions to the business have exceeded his work inside the ring, and for that he should get the honor. 

2 Cold Scorpio

Whether you know him as 2 Cold Scorpio or Flash Funk, the brother was frankly cold inside the ring. He was one of the first guys that did not fit the traditional mold of a cruiserweight who was light on his feet in the ring, and had some amazing aerial moves. His 450 splash was always very crisp and awe inspiring even years later, while his moonsault could be in the discussion for a top ten move set. He had personality and kept the crowd engaged in his antics. 

He spent time in WCW, ECW, the WWF, and overseas for promotions like Noah, All Japan Pro Wrestling, and New Japan Pro Wrestling. He won the tag team championships once both in WCW and ECW, and was a four time ECW television champion. He has won multiple championships overseas. Wrestling since 1985, nearly forty years ago he is still actively wrestling today. Cold and funky Scorpio deserves a look into the hall of fame. 

Harvey Wippleman

Harvey Wippleman was a manager in the WWF during the early and mid 90's. The stereotypical weasel of a manager, annoying enough to make you want to swat him like a fly but really harmless. During his time as a manager he led figures such as Adam Bomb, Kamala, his "girlfriend" Bertha Faye and Sid Justice down to the ring, among lesser known figures. He also became a divas champion in 2000 on an episode of Sunday Night Heat defeating The Kat to win the title, under a wig with the name "Hervina". He subsequently lost it the next night on Monday Night Raw.

Where Wippleman has made his biggest impact on the business has been behind the scenes. During his 30 plus year career with the E he has seemingly done it all. Refereed matches, handled travel arrangements for wrestlers, logistics, a road agent it seems like you name it he has done it. He helped The Rock out early in his career while he was living in Memphis, which was depicted in the Young Rock sitcom. As a thank you The Rock gifted him a brand new pickup truck a couple years ago. He is a true unsung hero as his contributions behind the scenes helps keep the well oiled machine running, and he should be honored. 

Vickie Guerrero 

Vickie Guerrero for as much as we know was immersed in the world of professional wrestling, but was always on the sidelines. That was until the summer of 2005 when she made an appearance on Smackdown during the Eddie/Rey feud over custody of Dominik. After Eddie's unfortunate passing later that year, in the summer of 2006 she started appearing on WWE programming more and more starting a feud with Rey Mysterio over his leeching off of the Guerrero name. That led to a surprising natural on the mic and a heat magnet.

She became one of the most hated managers/authority figures in WWE history. From her role as a GM to a member of La Familia. Her famous screeching "Excuse ME!" line led fans to boo her out of the building each night. She was a Karen before that became a thing, and wore her cougar branding proudly when she managed Dolph Ziggler. She easily is in the conversation for top female manager of all time, top managers of the past 15 years, and actually in the conversation for top manager of all time. The amount of heat she was able to generate cannot be overlooked. For how well she portrayed her character, especially being thrown into the mix. She deserves an hall of famer honor besides Eddie one day.