The evil German was a staple for decades in Professional Wrestling, but the first to really make money with it and terrorize opponents and fans was Hans Schmidt. The gimmick was money, and Schmidt played it perfectly (he was really a Quebecer) and was arguably the first great villain in the televised wrestling era. He hit opponents with his helmet, was hated by everybody and set the blueprint for the “foreign villain” that exists to this day. That should be worth something right?

Although he would receive mention on WWF and WWE broadcasts through the years for his innovation and popularity, Edouard Carpentier never has seemed to be a serious contender for the WWE Hall of Fame. Carpentier won the NWA World Heavyweight Championship in 1957, though the falling out with his promoter and the NWA led to a splintering of the championship.

The man who is probably the greatest American Amateur Wrestler of the 1950’s (and arguably among the greatest five of all-time), Danny Hodge was able to generate a very successful professional career. He would become one of the premier Junior Heavyweights of the National Wrestling Alliance, and would hold that title on eight occasions. On top of winning titles, he was a huge draw in the Midwest, where he remains a respected figure. Should his biggest advocate, Jim Ross have a say as to who gets inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame, could not Hodge get in despite having no real tie to the “E”?

Although El Santo may have been the first megastar of Lucha Libre, Gory Guerrero has to be considered the first great wrestler of Mexican history. As Santo’s former tag partner, Gory ascended in the ranks of popularity, but it was a brutal heel (Gory was so named for his “gory” ability to draw blood) that he truly shone. Despite that vicious reputation, he was a technical marvel and maybe of the moves that are still used today was created by the patriarch of the Guerrero clan. That innovation alone should make Gory Guerrero a contender for the WWE Hall of Fame.