A former professional Football player, Wilbur Snyder entered the pro wrestling ranks and made a mark for himself almost immediately.  Snyder competed primarily in the American Mid West and would eventually buy into the Indianapolis based WWA promotion.  While there, he was one of the top draws and constantly was holding championships there.  Although he was a former gridiron great, Snyder was a technical marvel and is largely credited with inventing the abdominal stretch.  Snyder never really competed under the WWE banner, but every now and then you will hear a commentator refer to the late Snyder when a grappler applies the abdominal stretch.  Sounds like an impact to us.

The first WWE run of Juan Rivera was not an impressive one as he was cast as masked ninja named Kwang.  When that persona thankfully ended, he was given the name of Savio Vega and embraced his Puerto Rican roots.  The fit was perfect and for years, Savio Vega was a solid mid card performer for the WWE.  After Vega left the WWE, and rehabbed his injuries he would again become a star in the Caribbean where he started his career.   Vega is still performing, but he has reached the end of his runs in the American spotlight.  Should Vega use his skills outside the ring (which he is more than capable of) on a higher profile, he could sneak into WWE Hall contention.

El Canek may not have made a dent in the United States, but he was the primary star for Mexico’s UWA promotion for nearly two decades.  As the multiple Heavyweight Title holder for UWA, Canek holds victories over a diverse group of Lou Thesz, Vader, Hulk Hogan and Andre the Giant.  In fact, he is one of the few who can boast body slamming the French giant.  Had Canek’s star shone outside of Mexico (like Mil Mascaras) or if the UWA was still around, perhaps the legacy of El Canek would have extended towards current WWE fans.

Although “Superstar” Bill Dundee was undersized and was rarely used in a National promotion, he was a huge star in the Memphis area and a great ally and foil of Jerry Lawler there.  The Superstar could be flashy, arrogant or modest depending on what character was needed in the area at the time.  His biggest taste on the big stage was a largely unremarkable performance as “Sir William”, Steven Regal’s manager in WCW where he barely spoke, and it is a shame that he was essentially muted in that role as he was a decent speaker.  If there was a Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame of Memphis, Dundee would be elected on the first or second ballot.