Looking Back: Who Do You Miss The Most?

[Low_Ki]

As a kid, all my friends had idols, people that they looked up to. For most in my year, it was a footballer by the name of Eric Cantona. (For my cousins in the USA, google him). Then it was Alan Shearer, and so on. But as much as these footballing greats meant to me, there was always one man who was head and shoulders above everyone as far as my idolisation went. His name was 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin.

I mean, when I started working, I was the anti-authority, in your face bad ass because I wanted so much to be like him. Although, that is precisely why the first two years of my working life had me in 5 jobs. But I related to Austin. He was angry at the system, and I was just angry.

As I grew up, I started looking up to other wrestlers. One man who stood out amoungst the mass was Eddie Guerrero. I watched him in WCW and enjoyed his amazig lucha style. And then in his stint in the WWE, the Latino Heat character gave him a whole new dimension. Now I am not going to be one of those people who say they 'knew' he would make it to the top because I genuinely didn't. But when they paired him with Chavo, I knew they were onto a winner. Los Guerrero's were the funniest thing about WWE programming at that time, and I loved the idea of Eddie helping to give Chavo the rub I felt he needed. They eventually split, and Eddie went his own way.

My most vivid memory of Eddie is not of him winning the WWE title from Brock Lesnar, nor is it the excellent match with Kurt Angle, or the hug with Benoit at Wrestlemania XX. Strangely, and I have no idea why, but my most vivid memory of him was during a match with JBL, at the Great American Bash, JBL hit him with the hilt of a steel chair which busted Eddie open. Within seconds, blood was shooting from his wound over his pecs, and within 30 seconds, you couldn't see his face. I genuinely thought that he was going to pass out from blood loss. But he didn't, and he finished the match and then I think they went on to have an okay 'cow bell' match at the next PPV.

The day Eddie died, I cried. The only times in my life that I have ever really cried is when something has affected something or someone I love. The tribute shows were truly classy and to this day, I truly miss Eddie the performer.

With so much negativity surrounding the wrestling world at the moment, and so many opinions from people who think they can do better, I think we sometimes overlook that we, as fans, love this industry no matter how bad it may get at times. This is my reflection period I guess.

Which wrestlers/superstars that are no longer with us do you miss the most and why?

 

[Hollywood Naitch]

I think my pick would also have to be Eddie Guerrero.

Eddie was a very special talent, and his tragic passing was made even sadder by the fact that he had fought back so many personal addiction issues to finally make it to the top of the business he loved, against all odds and without anyone really believing he would do it.

There was no favouritism from the office, he was never the "Golden Boy" with everything handed to him on a plate (see Orton, Randy), Eddie did it himself through his immense in-ring ability, charisma and desire. It was a joy to see him holding that WWE title aloft having defeated Brock Lesnar and finally getting his time in the spotlight.

Eddie was capable of working with performers of all styles and sizes, the sign of a world class wrestler. He could mat wrestle, he could fly and he could play any role that he was required to do. Loved by pretty much everyone, but respected by all, Eddie Guerrero passing away at such a young age was a huge loss to the wrestling business and came as a complete shock to me. I remember seeing the news come up on Sky Sports News and just feeling my stomach drop, I couldn't believe it.

I wonder what Eddie would be doing today if he was still with us. Still probably giving us that special brand of Latino Heat, I'd expect!

R.I.P Eddie Guerrero

 

[Mustang Sally]

The Macho Man, Randy Savage.

Problem is, I've been missing him for years. The stubborn attitudes of Savage and Vince McMahon cost all of us the opportunity to see him in a WWE ring one more time. It was something to look forward to, and even as we speculated whether or not it would happen, I always figured that somewhere along the line it would. After all, if Bret Hart came back, anything was possible, right?

With Macho's passing, that chance no longer exists and we realize the futility of holding grudges, or whatever the hell it was that kept Savage and McMahon from doing business again.

It would have been great to see him show up one more time. The only good thing about all this is that he can now go into the WWE Hall of Fame without reconcilement with McMahon as a stumbling block. As long as Leaping Lanny Poffo has no objections, his brother will probably be enshrined in the next year or so. Unfortunately, it's easier to induct a dead man than a live one with a grudge.

Too bad.....for all of us.

 

[justtxyank]

Savage didn't have a grudge against Vince. He openly stated multiple times that he had nothing against Vince, was willing to work for him again, etc. His website publicly campaigned to have him enshrined in the Hall of Fame. He did shoot interviews praising McMahon.

His exclusion from the WWF was all on McMahon, for whatever reason.

And I echo your vote for him. I miss Savage.

 

[Larry]

As much as I loved Savage, he was out of wrestling long enough that I had grown used to not seeing him. His time had passed technically and he already enjoyed a long celebrated career. His career wasn't cut short due to his death or anything which is my point there.

Now, someone who I feel did have their career cut short due to their untimely death, and my pick in this conversation is none other than Mr. Perfect/Curt Hennig. When I was a little kid, the first move I ever saw that really made me go "WOW, how did he do that!" was the Perfect Plex and it was my favorite move along with the Sharpshooter. I always like the bad guys just as much as the good guys and he was one of the best bad guys, no strike that, he was the PERFECT bad guy.

 

[HBsam31]

Easily the Macho Man. I am guessing we will never really truly know why Vince would not work with him, but damn we as fans sure did miss out because of it. How great would it have been to see him return for one last run like Hogan did when he came back to face the Rock. Grudges are pointless, and now we will never ever get to see Macho man in the ring again.
RIP Macho Man

 

[DetectiveZelix]

I personally miss Benoit the most. The son of a Bitch was vicious as hell and extremely underrated one of the greatest wrestlers to hit the squared circle. I miss him teaming with Angle and dominating. I miss his amazing Dynamite kid imitations. The man could you in any hold in any position at any time. I dont care what people have to say about his last days I miss this talent and he was irreplaceable

 

[Waylon Mercy]

There are so many that I miss. If I had to pick a top five, it would be these select few:
1.) Owen Hart: It still hits me hard every time the anniversary of his tragic death comes around. In a way, it is easier to understand when a wrestler dies due to years of abuse. In Owen's case, his death was so senseless.
2.) Eddie Guerrero:I miss him just as much as Owen, but in a different way. Eddie was the consummate performer, and he lived and breathed wrestling. His enthusiasm was infectious, and that is why he was adored by all.
3.) Chris Benoit: As controversial a figure as he has become, there is no denying how awesome he was as a wrestler. In the ring, he made it all look legit. He was tough as nails, able to both dish out and take punishment over and over again. Like Eddie, there was no doubt how much he loved his craft, and he laid it all out there in the middle of the ring.
4.) Randy Savage: Ooooh Yeaaaah! The Macho Man gave us so many memorable moments, mainly in his WWF days. Didn't care for his later years in WCW too much. The Mega Powers, Miss Elizabeth, WM III against Ricky Steamboat, The Macho King......too many to recount. He also had some of the most wonderfully nonsensical promos, which made him all the more compelling to watch.
5.) Curt Hennig: Mr. Perfect was exactly what he claimed to be - perfect. In an age of cartoon gimmicks, Hennig was a true ring technician. I remember how much Bret Hart valued and admired him, for putting him over despite a chronic back injury. I can't remember the event, but I do remember the match vividly. It was obvious by looking at Hennig's face that he was in constant pain throughout the match. However, he sold every move perfectly for Bret. That match turned out to be a classic, and it spoke volumes about Hennig's passion and professionalism.

 

[Lowdown]

For me, its definitely Chris Benoit. I'm not gonna get into the whole massacre thing. I instantly connected with him during his WCW tenure, particularly his feud with Kevin Sullivan. Despite his size, he just had this amazing intensity that you rarely saw during that time, especially with a lot of the focus on NWO. The man could just plain flat out wrestle, didn't need a lot of mic skills because his talent spoke volumes for him in the ring. This carried over to his WWF/E days, and put one classics against guys like Jericho, HHH, Austin, and Angle.

 

[Matisyahu]

Owen Hart and The British Bulldog when I think of one, I think of the other. They were two of my favorites growing up. they were part of that rare bunch that could have a great match with anybody

Yokozuna One of the absolute greatest, most agile, most dominating and most entertaining big men ever! Second only to Vader as the best big man ever to me at least.

Crash Holly just pure comedy! Still cant believe a tiny guy like that weigh over 600 lbs

Brian Pillman if not for injuries and a very untimely death, he could have been a legend. The guy had a great gimmick with the ''loose cannon''', awesome matches with Liger that rival any cruiserweight match, a just a great presence on screen. I just really enjoyed watching this guy act crazy

Umaga It kills me not knowing if he would have came back to the WWE to be a bigger star. The guy was BRUTAL and hard hitting. Best of all, he was believable. You could believe that he could destroy anyone on any given night.

Ravishing Rick Rude I used to love watching this guy with the ugliest mug around, gyrate and act like God's gift to women. ''to all you fat greasy pigs out there..'' great stuff. And his neck breaker was awesome

Gorilla Monsoon Simply one of my absolute favorite commentators of all time. He and The Brain defined wrestling for me as a kid on the mic. So many fond memories hearing these two bicker during matches.

 

[MINISTRYrising]

the wrestler i miss the most is the texas tornado. he was such a great talent and if he had not been taken away from us so early i think he would have gone on to be world champ.

 

[GiantKiller]

As controversial as it maybe be it has to be Chris Benoit. He could have wrestled into his fifties and so many matches and feuds we will never see. Samoa Joe, Daniel Bryan, CM Punk, etc.

 

[whoopin' ass]

for those who have passed away, Savage, Owen, Benoit and Eddie for sure. not to say guys like Hennig and others weren't good but i just never watched them as much as these guys. for guys due to injury and such, Bret Hart. can't help but think wwe missed out on a great opportunity when Bret left to push Owen and prove they had the better Hart. now that would have been a Monday Night war - Owen as the WWF champ and Bret as the WCW champ. might sound silly but i think that could have helped WCW out as it would have forced them to use Bret in a better way than they did.

 

[One to Remember]

I personally miss Savage just because I loved his energy and everything about his persona. I would quote him and mimic him regardless of who laughed because he was tht great and inspiring him, i could feel his energy.

As far as guys who I think lost a chapter due to death I am going to go with Owen and Rude. I've wondered for a decade now what Rude was going to give WCW in the late 90s since he was going to try to make a return. I think Owen would had suffered in the WWF but I wonder how WCW would had treated him and how he would had interacted with his brother or the NWO.

I suspect Umaga would had been held down if he came back but sometimes i think maybe WWE was ready for a new Samoan king of the hill. Candido might had rose to prominence in TNA too, who knows.

 

[DreamZ]

I'd also probably have to go with Benoit circa 2001. The feuds with the Rock when he had Shane O Mac as his mouthpiece were what re-ignited my faith in wrestling at a time when I was ready to just switch to being a football fanatic.

 

[supernatural1981]

all the names mentioned here mean a lot to me as ive been watching wrestling since the mid 80's and the wwf/e since around 89/90 so i grew up with all these guys and have witnessed them all come and go.

Pillman was one of my first faves who i remember when he was flying brian and i still have his wrestling figure in my mums house in a box with all my other figures from when i was growing up.


Macho man was a beast when i was a kid and my first big memory of him was wrestlemania 7 and the retirement match with warrior, damn i miss macho man.


Benoit was a master in the ring who was respected throughout the buisness cos he could put a mtch on with anyone.

EDDIE used to piss me off back in wcw when he ran the LWO i used to really hate him which means he was doing his job as a heel, once he went to wwf/e he grew on me to the point where he ended up being one of my top 3 wrestlers of all time.

but the guy i miss the most is mr perfect, he was brilliant and could put on a match with anyone and his summerslam 91 match with bret hart was amazing. Its a shame he knackered his back up but the pop he got on his last royal rumble apperance showed how much he was loved even after all those years.