Don Owen took over the Portland territory in 1952 and for a four decade time frame made it a reputable area for wrestlers.   Owen would become known as a great payoff man and develop the area accordingly and if Wrestlemania was ever in Oregon would have a shot.   Since it won’t, this is not likely to happen.

Former three time NCAA Champion, Dick Hutton became the NWA World Heavyweight Champion defeating the great Lou Thesz in 1957.  Dick Hutton was a technical master but in the televised age of wrestling was ill equipped to deal with the personalities that came with it.  He may have been World Champion, but remains one of the most forgotten ones ever. 

A huge NBC executive best known for his work in the Sports and Late Night divisions, Dick Ebersol was the producer for the Saturday Night’s Main Event series that became an unexpected smash hit for both the WWE and NBC.  Ebersol was not a “paper” producer and by bringing professional wrestling back to network television proved to be a huge boom for the business.  His bigwig status in network television and recent Hall of Fame appearance inducting Bob Uecker may mean that Ebersol is not as much of a fringe candidate as one would think.

Another great early Light Heavyweight, Danny McShain was a multi time NWA Light Heavyweight Champion and one of the best natural heels of his day.  His tough guy exterior was matched with a cocky attitude and he was hated, though respected, everywhere he performed.