Owe It All To: Stu Hart

[Mr. TM]

This is a thread that people should make every so often in the Old School Wrestling. It's a thread where we as fans think back to one person who shaped wrestling to what it is today. You can write about one person in particular that this person has influenced of created. Then the next person can write about either the same person, spreading their knowledge on that person, or list another wrestler that was influenced by the person at hand.

Stu Hart was huge in influencing people during his almost fifty years in the wrestling business. He was known for his promotion Stampede Wrestling in Calgary that shaped many Wrestlers, and in turn, modern day Wrestling.

"Superstar" Billy Graham

Without Stu Hart, there may have never been a Superstar Billy Graham. That would also mean there probably would not have been a Hulk Hogan, at least not as successful. Without Billy Graham, the WWE would never be as big as it is today. Stu Hart found Billy Graham, than known as Wayne Coleman, when he was being touted by the Calgary Stampeders. He took this massive weightlifter, with arms as big as tree trunks, and gave him a chance in the ring. Later on in his career he took over his Superstar Billy Graham persona. Billy always thanked Stu Hart for giving him a chance to prove himself in the ring. Even after the steroids had riddled his body, Stu was the one who influenced him positively throughout his career.

So who else did Stu Hart help create? Do you agree that without Stu Hart, Billy Graham, as well as many other wrestlers would not be here?

 

[klunderbunker]

Stu Hart has no doubt contributed as much as any trainer ever has. Look at the list of talent he has taught. Beginning with but certainly not limited to: Bret Hart, Owen Hart, Chris Benoit, Honky Tonk Man, both British Bulldogs, Chris Jericho and the list goes on and on. He's never been that well known for his in ring abilities but his training is legendary. He was a master of submissions and passed so many on to his students. From everything I've heard, the amount of holds and moves that were lost when he passed away is amazingly high. Without this guy wrestling would be a very different place with several wrestlers that we know and love being nowhere near what they are today.