142. Mark Lewin

Although Mark Lewin never really had much to do with the WWE, he had a twenty five year plus career that saw him acquire many belts over many territories. Lewin’s start in wrestling actually dates back to the late 50’s and with his good looks he was a natural for the baby face role. Like so many wrestlers, Lewin wanted to be a heel and he developed a “Maniac” character that drew him money. He would also book in New Zealand and was a mentor to many younger wrestlers. Had Lewin’s modern televised era gone beyond his “Purple Haze” character he may be more on the radar despite his lack of direct WWE exposure.

Should Mark Lewin be in the Hall of Fame?

Definitely put him in! - 76%

Maybe, but others deserve it first. - 6%

Probably not, but it wouldn't be the end of the world. - 10%

No opinion. - 0%

No way! - 8%

The Bullet Points

Other Aliases: “Maniac” Mark Lewin
“Mad” Mark Lewin
The Purple Haze
Billed From: U.S.A. (Buffalo, NY)
Key Championships Held: NWA Georgia International Tag Team w/Donn Lewin
NWA Capital United States Tag Team (2) w/Don Curtis
NWA Florida Tag Team (2) w/Don Curtis
NWA Texas Heavyweight (3)
IWA (Australia) Tag Team (8) 2w/Curtis Iaukea, 1w/Bearcat Wright, 1w/Domenic DeNucci, 1w/Spiros Arion, 1w/Mario Milano, 1w/Killer Kowalski, 1w/Antonio Pugilese
IWA (Australia) Heavyweight (2)
WWA (Los Angeles) Heavyweight
NWA Americas Heavyweight
NWA (Toronto) International Tag Team w/Whipper Billy Watson
NWA Pacific Coast Heavyweight (2)
NWA (Texas) American Tag Team (2) w/The Spoiler
NWA Florida Southern Heavyweight
NWA (Detroit) United States Heavyweight (2)
NWA Texas Brass Knuckles (5)
NWA Austral-Asian Tag Team (3) 2w/Steve Rickard, 1w/Spiros Arion
Why they will get in: He was a regional star virtually everywhere he went.
Why they won't get in: He wasn’t known to a WWE audience.
Five Greatest Matches/Moments: 1. Wins his first IWA Australian Heavyweight Title beating Toru Tanaka (7/9/66)
2. Beat Lou Thesz for the WWA Title in Los Angeles (10/28/66)
3. Beat the Sheik for the United States Title in Detroit (9/27/75)
4. Defeated Kevin Von Erich for the Texas Heavyweight Title (9/10/79)
5. Joined Kevin Sullivan’s Cult as the “Purple Haze” (1983)