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.

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.

When Andrew Martin passed away he got a brief mention on wwe.com.  The man who performed there as “Test” deserved a lot more, as he was a solid mid card performer there for years who may have been a program away from main event status.  Test had size, speed, the right look and wrestling skills to be a star; which for all intensive purposes he was.  Maybe if he was the one who married Stephanie instead of Triple H, he would be a former multi time WWE Champion?  Regardless, he was a key part of the Attitude Era and should not be forgotten.

If Debbie Miceli ever thought about the WWE Hall of Fame, would she have followed Eric Bischoff’s instructions and have thrown the WWE Women’s Championship on her shocking debut on WCW Nitro?  Regardless of that still talked event from the Monday Night War, Madusa (we refuse to call her Alundra Blayze) was one hell of a wrestler and one of the few American females of her day who could compete with super talented Japanese women and still have the looks to compete for a fickle American audience.  American women have struggled to show what they could do in a ring, but Madusa was still able to show plenty.  It can only be imagined what she would have done had the shackles been taken off of her.