gold star for USAHOF
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289. Paul “Butcher” Vachon

“The Butcher” Paul Vachon may have been in the shadow of his brother Maurice “Mad Dog” Vachon, but despite being the latter’s tag team partner, Paul Vachon held his own in the tandem.  Vachon would hold many tag belts (many with Maurice) and would adopt the same type of vicious heel style.  With that said, his stint in the WWE was not the best showcase of his abilities and if he didn’t get inducted with Maurice he likely won’t get inducted at all.

184. Tatanka

His second run in the WWE was largely uneventful, but when Chris Chavis debuted as Tatanka in the early 90’s, he actually climbed the ladder to near the top of the babyface food chain.  For the first year and a half of his career, he never lost a match (at least on television).  He scored victories over major stars and even after he suffered his first televised loss (to Ludvig Borga), he was still a near main event player.  Tatanka slow decent would come from an ill advised heel turn and he never fit as a member of the Million Dollar Corporation.  It wasn’t long before he was used to get others over and he quietly departed the company.  Tatanka’s wrestling may have been basic, but it was very effective.  Had he remained a face, he could have remained a top star for at least a couple more years.

111. Dutch Mantel

Dutch Mantel was a major star in the southern promotions throughout the 70’s and 80’s.  He wasn’t a tall or well built wrestler, but he had the art of wrestling psychology down and could always deliver a good match.  Mantel’s greatest gift to wrestling was what he did outside of the ring utilizing his mind as a booker (he has booked numerous promotions) and as a commentator.  Dutch did perform in the WWE, but it was a waste of his talents where he was dubbed “Uncle Zebekiah” and managed the Blu twins and later Justin “Hawk” Bradshaw.  Had Mantel had more of a WWE presence be it in the ring or out, he would have been a serious Hall of Fame contender.

199. Matt Borne

It may be forgotten that Matt Borne was at the first Wrestlemania in a losing effort to Ricky Steamboat, but his first WWE run was largely forgettable anyway.  Borne had previously competed in Pacific Northwest Wrestling and would later do well in World Class and the USWA but he would later prove his worth on a National scale as Big Josh, a loveable woodsman from Oregon.  The gimmick was silly, but he got it over, though it would be his return to the WWE that would see one of the most unique characters of all time, Doink the Clown.  Borne portrayed the first incarnation; the evil Doink which remains a favorite of wrestling fans.  When Evil Doink gave way to the good version, Borne left the WWE, and though the Doink character remained (and still shows up) in the WWE, it was Borne’s portrayal that stood out.  If they ever induct Doink to the WWE, it has to be the Matt Borne version.