The story of Kenji Shibuya mirrors that of so many other Japanese-American professional wrestlers in that Shibuya was born in the U.S. but for the purposes of pro wrestling business he was born and bred in Japan.

A master of the sleeper hold who cut his teeth in the Ohio territory and the Pacific Northwest, Ed Francis would become better known for his role in performing and promoting the Hawaii territory throughout the 1960’s. and the 1970’s. 

When Richard Garza broke into professional wrestling he did so with the pedigree of being a legitimate strongman and bodybuilding competitor.  He had modest success but when Verne Gagne in the AWA repackaged him as “The Mighty Igor Vodik” he found a persona that fit him like a glove.

It is not a stretch by any means to state that Nick Mangold was the greatest New York Jets center ever.  We could easily go a step further and state that he is one of the best offensive linemen in franchise history.

From Ohio State, Mangold started immediately at quarterback as a rookie, and he would start and play 164 Games, all for the Jets.  Mangold made his first of seven Pro Bowls in 2008, and he was also named to two First Team All-Pro rosters (2009 & 2010).  Mangold will likely receive consideration for the Pro Football Hall of Fame, but he might be a bubble candidate.