 |
Just a few short days ago, the SLAM! Wrestling staff made their choices for a first class of inductees into a Canadian Wrestling Hall of Fame. Now our readers have their say. Let's see who you would vote into the Hall.
Vicky
Of course my pick would have to be Bret Hart. He deserves it most definitely!
Robert Verdon
a few names that have to be considerd are of course Stu Hart(how many wrestlers owe him big??) and sons Bret, and Owen.
There was also one of my personal fav's growing up, that has to be the loveable loser, Iron Mike Sharpe! He was "Canada's greatest athlete" and who could ever forget that even if he was standing still, he managed to entertain the fans with the sound effects!
We have had lots of amazing talent through the years. Mr. McMahon WWE owes a lot of his "billions" to our country as we send him our best talent, and twice filled the Skydone for a pay per view event - as well as sell out all the places that they perform.
John Campbell
There is one wrestler who stands out in my mind...Archie "The Stomper" Gouldie. He was the biggest star that Stampede Wrestling promotion ever had. Yes, Archie was bigger than Bret Hart, bigger than the Dynamite Kid, Davey Boy, Owen and Bad News Allen. And Bret agrees with me!
Archie started around 1961 and had his last match around 1995 I think. That's a hell of a record. He was always in excellent shape and always tore down the house. His oppenents included Gene Kiniski, Waldo Von Erich, Ox Baker, Dory Funk Jr., Harley Race, Bad News Allen, Bret Hart and many more. After he left Stampede he was a star in the southern U.S. (as the "Mongolian Stomper") for many years. I have a tape of him destroying a young Hulk Hogan in Memphis.
Martin Rioux
If there was a Canadian Hall of Fame for wrestling, one of the first wrestler I would induct is Johnny Rougeau. This is one of those guys that help make Montreal one of the hotbeds of professional wrestling. His whole family gave us so many good memories over the years and if it wasn't for Johnny i wouldn't be watching wrestling today.
Mari Maginn
I would like to nominate Stu Hart, because without him we would not have the majority of Canadian wrestlers in the industry. He trained the greats like Chris Benoit, Chris Jericho, Edge, Christian, etc., but also without him we wouldn't have his sons (Owen & Bret), and son-in-laws The British Bulldog and The Anvil (Jim Neidhart). He is truly a legend and brought Canadian wrestling to the forefront. His influence can be seen anywhere in the ring among those who know about his training and the amount of heart he had for the business.
-- compiled by Jon Waldman