NCAAbbs

These aren't in any particular order, but these are five guys who I felt could have drawn huge money if they had been given a chance to hold the World heavyweight championship. They were simply never given the opportunity..

Ricky Morton-Everything that Shawn Michaels became after the Rockers split up, Ricky Morton could have been if he had chosen to break up the Rock n' Roll Express. He was INSANELY over with the fans, he had the look, he had all the skill in the world, and nobody played the role of "babyface in peril" better than he did. Ricky Morton could have easily been a babyface NWA champion in the same mold as a Ricky Steamboat or Sting. But he chose to stay with Robert Gibson for practically his entire career.

Ted DiBiase-There was NOBODY you hated more than the Million Dollar Man if you were watching the WWF around 1988. Word is he was lined up to win the WWF World title at WrestleMania IV, but for whatever reason, the belt ended up being awarded to Randy Savage that night. DiBiase could have been a classic heel champion that millions would have paid good money night after night in hopes of seeing him get the everloving snot beaten out of him.

Barry Windham-There was NOBODY in the NWA who was more deserving of an NWA World title run than this guy. Watching the Horsemen DVD, I found out that Windham was in line to become the champion, but when Flair signed his WWF contract, he took the NWA title with him. This was done to spite Jim Herd, the man in charge of the NWA at the time. Chaos ensued within the NWA, and Windham lost his chance to wear the big belt. Instead, Lex Luger was the man chosen to carry the title after Flair left, which was a joke in itself.

Tully Blanchard-This was a guy who was EVERYTHING Ric Flair was. He wore the suits, he had the women, he talked the smooth talk, he made you hate his guts. I would say that Blanchard was the most hated man in the Horsemen. He was the guy who took the worst beatings, and made the crowd explode night after night for it. I can still hear him and J.J. Dillon bragging about "Tully Blanchard Enterprises". If there was ever a guy who could have played the part of Ric Flair, and held the title just as proudly as Ric Flair did, it was Tully Blanchard.

"Rowdy" Roddy Piper-There may not have been a better heel in the history of professional wrestling than the Hot Rod, Roddy Piper. He was above holding the NWA or the WWF title. He didn't need them. But that sure isn't to say he couldn't have drawn huge money had he been given a run with the big belt, especially during the era of the first couple of WrestleMania's. Whether it be the night he kicked Cyndi Lauper while she was down on the mat, or smashing a coconut over "Superfly" Jimmy Snuka's head, Piper made the fans want to literally murder him. THAT is what a great professional wrestler does. He makes you believe it's real.

So what do ya'll think....?

Add some more names to the list.

Discuss!!!

Rick Rude
The Honky Tonk Man
Curt Henning
Brutis Beefcake

Rude and Hennig...I totally agree with.

I'm not sure if I could have pictured the Honky Tonk Man as the WWF World champion. He was perfect in his role with the IC belt.

Beefcake was an overrated piece of "talent" who used his friendship with Hogan to advance his career as far as he could take it. He could have been a decent IC champion, but as a World champion....no way. He had a little charisma as the Barber, but he just didn't have that "it" factor that makes a World champion.

In the mid 80s when HTM and Beefcake entered the WWF there wasn't but maybe 3-4 main event guys, that being Hogan, Savage, Steamboat and maybe Piper. If VinnyMac would have taken either the right way they could have broke the glass ceiling easy, and had a main event star for that generation. If I had to pick I would have taken HTM over Beefcake.

In the case of DiBiase not winning the Belt at WM IV if my history of injuries is serving me right a week before DiBiase tore a ligament in his hand and after the match at WM disappeared from the WWF for like 4 months. At that time they didn't tell you wrestlers were injured.

I wish WWE would start using the Belts right again. Like they did in the late 80s, early 90s. The IC title makes you number 1 contender for the WWE champion. The could do the same on Smackdown with the US title. Plus chuck one of the tag titles and put all the tagteams on 1 brand. Having 3 teams on each show is kind of stupid.

I agree about Ted DiBiase.

I think Jake Roberts should have won the 1996 King of the Ring instead of Stone Cold Steve Austin. Poor Jake had never held gold.

Hacksaw Jim Duggen and Superfly Jimmy Snuka also had never held gold

The most obvious, IMO, would be Arn Anderson.

-He was the role model on the mic for SCSA.
-He worked hard in the ring, using genuine moves that were fluid and powerful (his fireman's carries were great)
-He had an intimidating presence and look, I remember when he stared down Vader while standing in front of Flair...damn, he grew in size right befor your eyes.

DiBiase- I believe you're right about injuries. He had a neck injury at some point in his career, I think it came back and knocked him out of the business.

Morton- On the smallish side, IMO.

Piper- Agree.
Rude- Agree, but didn't have the presence to make a long run.
Jake the Snake- In his youth he was sharp and crisp.

What about Michael PS Hayes?
And one of my old favorites:
Kerry von Erich.

Hayes was another great heel.

Kerry was simply too drugged up to ever put together a successful run. The Von Erich's troubles have been well documented. Read Flair's book for an idea of how messed up Kerry was, if you ever get the chance.

Speaking of, WWE is releasing a DVD about World Class Championship Wrestling next month.

He looks like my dad's twin.