The 411 Wrestling Top 5 12.08.10: Week 104 – Heartwarming Wrestling Success Stories

Hello everyone and welcome to 411 Wrestling’s Top 5 List. What we are going to is take a topic each week and all the writers here on 411 wrestling will have the ability to give us their Top 5 on said topic, plus up to three honorable mentions. Most of our topics will be based on recent events in the Wrestling World, looking at those events that make us think of times past.

So, on to this week’s topic…

Top 5 Heartwarming Wrestling Success Stories

After last week’s topic, it was suggested that we look at the other side of the coin, so here it is.

So what did our group of writers select? Let’s find out…

Stephen Randle

HONORABLE MENTIONS

Eddie Guerrero – Came back from being fired for his drug addictions, beat his demons, got his family back, and became WWE Champion. If only it could have ended there.

Goldust – Caught in the shadow of a famous father, Dustin Rhodes managed to reinvent himself into Goldust (and then reinvented Goldust many, many times), a character which has endured for over a decade, won titles, earned a fan base, and given Dustin a legacy completely separate from that of his father.

Fit Finlay – Dragged out of his road agent position with the intent of making him a TV jobber to help out new talent, somehow managed to put on great matches, win titles, earn a full-time spot on the roster, and even main event a PPV, despite advanced age and severe nerve damage in one leg. He also introduced the world to Hornswoggle, but we can probably forgive that.

5. William Regal – Lost his job, twice, in both major companies, for being horrendously addicted to drugs. Managed to find his way back again, beat the habit, considered one of the most underrated wrestlers in the world. He also managed to amass a few titles, a King of the Ring victory, several non-consecutive stints as General Manager, and even wrote a very descriptive and very blunt book about his life and his battle with addictions. Will probably go down into the books as one of the best wrestlers to never hold a World title.

4. The Miz – He was just a wrestling fan, who got his fifteen minutes of fame on The Real World and decided that one day, he would be an actual pro wrestler. He trained, and managed to get a shot when WWE brought back Tough Enough. He didn’t win, but he showed enough promise (and I’m sure that “minor celebrity” rub didn’t hurt) to earn a developmental contract. From there, the man known only as “Miz” scratched and clawed his way onto the WWE roster, where he was mocked for his persona, his past, and the fact that he was clearly a green rookie in over his head. But he stuck around, and kept sticking around, absorbing all sorts of knowledge and skill, refining his personality, rising higher and higher on the ladder. Then, the Monday after Survivor Series, The Miz cashed in his Money in the Bank title shot and won his first ever WWE Championship, making him, for however long it lasts, the top guy on Monday Night Raw. And as he celebrated, tears running down his cheeks, it hit me: The Miz is living every pro wrestling fan’s dream.

3. Steve Austin – Seemingly doomed to a midcard position for life, told he had no personality and no charisma, and that a guy in black boots and black tights could never draw money, then fired while recovering from massive surgery, Steve Austin took his anger at his former WCW employer and turned it into the #1 biggest money-drawing wrestling star of all time. His post-wrestling life has had some bumps, but he seems to have settled into a comfortable role as a minor action star.

2. Bret Hart – Not because he became a massive wrestling star with his workrate in a company focused on gigantic monsters, and not because he’s an international superstar and Canadian hero. No, Bret Hart’s story is heartwarming because, after getting screwed in the middle of the ring by a man he saw as a father figure on a PPV in his home country, after having his career ended abruptly by a mistimed kick, after losing his youngest brother, his mother, his father, so many friends and contemporaries, after divorce and the splintering of his family, after a stroke left him paralyzed, after becoming a punchline and a memory to wrestling fans who cheered him growing up…Bret Hart somehow managed to find peace and happiness. And he even managed to find his way back to the ring, to be welcomed back by the industry that left him by the wayside, and even get that closure he’d wanted for over a decade.

1. Mick Foley – This guy was told that he would never be a World Champion. He didn’t have the look, his hardcore style wouldn’t fit the main event, and no company would ever get behind an ugly, one-eared crazy bastard like him. But he spent years scratching and clawing, living in the back seat of his car, driving and flying all over the world, determined to prove them wrong. Well, now he’s a three-time WWE Champion (the first of which is considered one of the major turning points in the Monday Night Wars), a certified wrestling legend, beloved by fans and wrestlers, he’s got a wife and many kids, and oh yeah, he’s a multiple time New York Times #1 Bestselling Author. And it truly couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy.

Marc Elusive

HONORABLE MENTIONS

Barry Horowitz – Jobber; but hey, he won a match at Summerslam.

Justin Credible – Survived Aldo Montoya and made a little something of himself.

5. “ECW Originals” – This is from WrestleMania 23 Sabu, Tommy Dreamer, Sandman and Rob Van Dam, finally made it. I know RVD had been at previous WMs but for the other three it was a long road “from the bingo halls”. They lived through the original ECW days and through the Monday Night Wars where the big two raided the ECW locker room plucking talent whenever they wanted. Then ECW went under; years later ECW experienced a rebirth (not the InVasion) and they all made it to the grandest stage and actually won. Being an original ECW watcher, seeing the four of them wrestle there in front of about 80,000 people, made me feel good.

4. The Miz – I have to admit I did not like Miz originally when he was the SmackDown host; but teaming him with John Morrison I began to find him entertaining. However, whatever I (or you) this guy is living his dream. He grew up a wrestling fan and became the WWE Champion; that is the description of feel good story.

3. 1-2-3 Kid – This is storyline only, as the Kid tried many different personas and got squashed match after match in the early days of Monday Night Raw. The Kid would FINALLY score a pinfall victory off a moonsault press on Razor Ramon in the biggest upset in Raw history (on one of the best Raws ever) and launch his career in the WWF. Things may not have gone as well as he had wanted it to later on in his career but this win provided the first real memorable Raw (feel good) moment (Ric Flair/Mr. Perfect career match notwithstanding).

2. Steve Austin – This one is pretty obvious. Eric Bishoff’s “I can’t push you in your simple black trunks. Austin worked his way out of WCW midcard hell and through the midcard in the WWF “New Generation” as Ringmaster to become one, if not the biggest star in professional wrestling history. The man led the charge against WCW and helped WWF win the “Monday Night Wars” and put WCW out of business.

1. Mick Foley – I feel this is partly because we are aware of all he went through, living in his car, fired from WCW, rebirth in WWE, etc…, because we all read his book. Makes you wonder what someone like Undertaker or Diamond Dallas Page went through to get where they are. As it is, Foley’s dream growing up was to make it in the WWF and he followed his dream and accomplished it; being of somewhat rotund stature in a world where Batistas ruled, proves anyone can do anything if they set their mind to it and that is what makes a feel good story.

Francisco Ramirez

5. Tommy Dreamer – In the world of the original ECW Tommy Dreamer stood out like a sore thumb. He was a pretty boy babyface in the world of Balls Mahoney, Taz, and Sandman. Tommy Dreamer obviously looked like he didn’t belong. Try as he might Tommy Dreamer would be hated by the fans until his feud with Raven. Tommy Dreamer would continue to stick with ECW all through to the end. Dreamer eventually found work with WWE. While he never became a world champion, in the WWE, he did hold the original ECW and WWECW Championship, he was always a respected member of the roster. Even to this day, while he isn’t on the level of Hulk Hogan when it comes to popularity, he is respected by fans and peers. If that isn’t a success story I don’t know what is.

4. Chris Jericho – In Mexico there is a term for luchadores that pay dues and slowly but surely work their way up the ladder learning all the ins and outs of the business. “Hecho a fuego” is the term, translated it means “Created by fire” as opposed to “Steam made.” Chris Jericho is the embodiment of that phrase. He started out in Canada, traveling to Mexico and finding success as “Corazon de Leon”. He then took his travels to Japan, and back to the states, learning as much as he could along the way. Once in the states, Jericho would have a stint with ECW, then he evolved in WCW. Once that was complete he was ready for the big times, where in WWE he achieved everything imaginable and became so much more than just a “superstar”. He took some time off and came back to the excitement of many, then he did the impossible, he evolved again. Chris Jericho is a person that can change with the times and adapt to any situation. Not bad for a skinny kid with a dream.

3. Mick Foley – Cactus Jack, Dude Love, Mankind, whatever name Mick Foley was wrestling under he always displayed such a raw passion for the business of pro wrestling. This guy looked more like he should be wearing a security shirt and on crowd control instead of in the ring winning world titles. Mick was never genetically gifted, but he had such a mind for the business that prevailed over his shortcomings giving Mick a career that many with the body of a Greek god would dream of having.

2. Rey Mysterio Jr. – Rey Mysterio Jr. is the complete opposite of what a WWE World Heavyweight Champion is usually modeled after. He doesn’t have the body of a Hulk Hogan, the microphone skills of The Rock. What Rey Mysterio does have is desire, talent and and charisma that makes so many people fall in love with him. Add to that one sweet lucha mask. With humble beginnings in San Diego, California and a start in the Tijuana lucha territories, Rey left his high school to train and start out as a rookie. He found some success in AAA and WCW and would eventually go to WWE. Although he was always a popular star, he never broke the glass ceiling towards a world title. That is until 2006, Rey went on to win the Royal Rumble and then the WWE World Championship. He would go on to hold the “big” belt a second time in 2010 when he won the Fatal 4-Way. Still as popular a superstar as ever, Rey Mysterio went on to show that hard work mattered more than size.

1. Fray Tormenta – Sergio Gutiérrez Benítez might not be a name that rings in the mind of many wrestling fans. The name that he uses when he dons a mask though, should be recognized world wide. Marked with a troubled youth and drug abuse, he looked to a higher power to help him out, he then became a priest. During his time as a priest, little by little Sergio Gutiérrez Benítez would pick up orphans and attempt to provide them with shelter. The little aid that was that received via his masses and donations didn’t amount to much after a while, the amount of orphans he housed grew immensely and his home then became a shelter. In Fray Tormentas own words he decided to become a luchadore in the 70’s thinking he could potentially become a millionaire “like Cassius Clay”. He has said he never wanted the glory, he wanted the money to sustain his shelter/orphanage. He figured he would wrestle 2 or 3 years and retire rich to run his orphanage. He never had the physique of an athlete, and when word leaked that he was also a priest fans would attend shows to see the priest take a beating. Little by little they would grow enamored by him and attend to support the priest. He never amassed millions like he intended to, but word spread out and the legend of Fray Tormenta grew, former Pope John Paul the 2nd once told him, “I wish there were more like you”. That alone is a hell of a statement. The legend of Fray Tormenta has grown immensely, his life story has been adapted into film even. His story being the source for Nacho Libre. Fray Tormentas success isn’t just measured in titles and money. He inherited his mask to one of his “cubs” as he likes to refer to his orphans. Aside from that Fray Tormenta also had a count of 3 doctors, 16 teachers, 2 accountants, 20 computer technicians, 7 lawyers, 1 priest, and various luchadores to have come from the streets to his orphanage and on to success. The amount of lives that have been changed for the better due to the actions of the luchadore priest, that to Fray Tormenta, is how his success is measured.

Michael Ornelas

HONORABLE MENTIONS

MVP – Yeah, he may have just left WWE, but from serving time in jail to holding his fair share of gold in the biggest wrestling promotion in North America, if not the world, is a great success in my book.

Booker T – Basically the same blurb as MVP’s, but in WCW and TNA as well. And the gold meant more.

Bryan Danielson/Daniel Bryan – I know, I’m just an indy fanboy mark, right? This guy has proven without a shadow of a doubt that HARD WORK can put you on the map in a very competitive industry that favors physiques over technique.

5. TNA – Despite adamantly disliking their current product, I have to admit that they make a profit and have their fan base. They made it through the early stages where they really had every reason in the world to fail, but they had some fantastic WRESTLING available on Pay-Per-View. This alone kept them going and they then got a deal on FSN. After that was canceled, they were off TV for a little bit, but stayed afloat while they landed a deal on Spike TV. Since then, they have gotten some great (and some not-so-great) talent acquisitions. I hope they pull their direction together and get behind something long enough for it to stick. Their talent is unmatched in goodness, but their booking is unmatched badness. Regardless. They’re a success story, and before anyone says WWE booking is bad, I LOVE the Swagger Soaring Eagle/Hornswoggle storyline.

4. Steve Austin – This wasn’t that surprising since this guy obviously had “it”. However, sticking with his passion and reaching those meteoric heights definitely shouts “success story”. He ended up being the guy that in my mind is the first name I think of when I hear the word “wrestling”. That’s got to be good for something, I think.

3. Mick Foley – Everyone has mentioned this man this week, and it’s hard to disagree. He did a lot to his body to get where he is, but he has proven to be an incredibly decent human being who supports good things, and loves to give back. Mick Foley had one goal his whole life and he achieved it. He’s a future WWE hall of famer, no doubt about that, and regardless of what you think about his physique or wrestling style, this man will do ANYTHING to entertain you. I say he deserves everything he’s achieved, and whether not it was a case of “right place, right time” isn’t that important to me. I respect the person and I think his body of work is very unique. Success story in my books.

2. Eddie Guerrero – This man paid his dues and worked his way up the ladder, ultimately winning what is perceived as the “grand prize” in the wrestling business – the WWE Championship. I actually met him at an autograph signing a couple days before Wrestlemania XX and he was one of the nicest people I’ve ever met. I was a shy 14 year-old boy, and he went out of his way to get a conversation out of me, just asking about me, not talking about himself. It was at this point that I went out of my way to look into his work from Japan, and WCW, and ECW, and it made me see how special his journey to the WWE Championship truly was. He’s had his demons, his problems, and he’s also a small guy, but he overcame all of it and beat Brock freaking Lesnar for the biggest prize the WWE can offer (I guess Brock likes jobbing to Latinos, huh?). In all seriousness though, Eddie Guerrero’s story, while ultimately tragic, was very heartwarming while he was rising to the top.

1. ECW – This is not the original version, but rather the WWE revival in 2006. Hehe, not. Anyways, this company ultimately did fail, but I consider it a huge success because of the rabid fan following, the match quality (once you sift through some of the garbage), the excitement, and the originality. ECW oozed originality that ended up being copied by the larger companies to create the Attitude Era of wrestling. The fact that it was revived shows how much of a success it was. If there was a better businessman in charge of ECW, it may very well be a close number 2 promotion in this half of the world, but that’s just speculation. The original ECW had heart and passion, and that’s what made it succeed to the extent that it did.

Aaron Hubbard

5. Fray Tormenta – I don’t think I could sum up the success of Fray Tormenta better than Fransisco Ramirez, but he’s got it right. Regardless of your religious beliefs, anybody who has helped so many people achieve success in life, be it wrestling or whatever, deserves a place on this list. Tormenta’s story has been told and retold in several different mediums because it IS one of wrestling’s most moving stories.

4. Booker T – From a tough childhood on the streets to prison, Booker Huffman was going nowhere fast when he and his brother went into the wrestling business. The future Harlem Heat went onto great success in WCW, becoming 10-Time Tag Team Champions. Booker’s unique strike-based offense and his charisma made him a fan-favorite in WCW and eventually he rose to the top of the mountain in the company. When he came to WWE, he was quickly pushed down to midcard status, despite sill being insanely popular. However, hard work and a lucky break with King of the Ring led to a career revival as King Booker and more championship gold. Booker T fought adversity throughout his life and career, and came out as one of the most decorated wrestlers of all time.

3. Steve Austin – Steve Austin was never supposed to be a success in this business. While such greats as Ric Flair, Ricky Steamboat and Arn Anderson were huge fans of his in WCW, the powers that be never saw him as anything more than a good mechanic. Even after his stellar promo work in ECW, the WWF only hired him as a guy to help other stars get over. However, do to some political issues, Steve Austin ended up winning the 1996 King of the Ring and cut the “Austin 3:16” promo that shocked the wrestling world and made the biggest star since Hulk Hogan. It was all a fluke, but oh what a fluke.

2. Mick Foley – Mick Foley had about as much natural athleticism and wrestling ability as Roderick Stong has natural mic skills. However, Foley’s passion for the business, gift for gab, heartwrenching facial expressions, willingness to sacrifice his body for our entertainment, and total commitment to playing whatever character he was playing made him one of wrestling’s biggest success stories. A multiple time world champion and a genuine Hardcore Legend, Foley is proof that if you follow your dreams and do the best you can with what you have, you can accomplish far more than people say you can.

1. Eddie Guerrero – At one point considered the best pound-for-pound performer in the business by many critics, it is no surprise that a man as talented and charismatic as Eddie Guerrero had success in the wrestling business. But what is surprising and heartwarming is how he came back into the business after hitting rock bottom with drug and alcohol issues. This is a man who at point lost his job, his wife, and his kids, was sitting in jail, all because of his addiction issues. Eddie managed to overcome those issues, fighting a hard fight and became a WWE Champion and one of the most beloved performers in WWE history. Eddie’s kind and generous nature and his passion for life, family and wrestling touched the lives of so many people. Genuinely one of the nicest guys in the business. May he rest in peace.

Greg DeMarco

HONORABLE MENTIONS

CM Punk – Internet darling. King of the Indies. Three time World Heavyweight Champion.

Samoa Joe – From fat Samoan wrestler to TNA World Heavyweight Champion.

Christian – The “Marty Jannetty” of Edge & Christian has gone on to hold more major singles titles than he held major tag team titles. Including two world titles.

5. Kurt Angle – Being an Olympic gold medalist is quite the accomplishment. But for Kurt Angle, it’s hardly what he’s most well known for. ECW, and later the WWF, took a shot on a guy who found amateur success and considered turning pro. But in wrestling, turning pro is much different than any other “sport.” When Kurt Angle made his WWF TV debut in November 1999, he wasn’t met with cheers, boos or even X-Pac heat. He was met with no heat. By the time he suffered his first loss to Taz at the January 2000 Royal Rumble, the pop was enormous. By October’s No Mercy PPV, Angle was the WWF Champion, less than 1 year after his TV debut. He won 7 World titles in the WWE, a King of the Ring and countless other championships. Add to that 5 world titles in TNA, plus numerous others there as well. And oh yeah, he’s an Olympic gold medalist. I almost forgot.

4. Eddie Guerrero – Eddie Guerrero hit the road hard as a young wrestler. Born into a heavy wrestling family, he likely couldn’t remember the first time he ever trained in a ring because it was likely so young. For him to make it to the level of WCW US Champion was an awesome accomplishment, one he should be proud of. But Eddie Guerrero didn’t stop there. He overcame heavy drug addictions, defeating all the demons in his life. He ascended all the way to the WWE Championship, and a successful WrestleMania title defense.

3. The Miz – The man said it himself. He took the hard road in: Tough Enough. He was told “No” time after time after time. He was kicked out of the locker room. He was brash. He was “the reality TV” guy. He had no right to even be in the WWE. Now he’s the WWE Champion. And he earned it. But he’s more important to the WWE then we even know. Watch the video packages the WWE loves to show. One great example is the WrestleMania reading program they do each year. The Miz is featured more in that promo than any other wrestler. And that’s just one example. He achieved his dream despite the fact that every single person he encountered in the WWE told him “No” at least once.

2. Chris Benoit – We all know what he did, and how his career (and life) ended. But let’s not forget that he was a former WCW World and WWE World Champ. He held numerous other titles. He’s also the inspiration for Kevin Nash’s “vanilla midget” comment he loves to put on smaller wrestlers. Chris Benoit paved the way for the smaller technical wrestler in the business. Daniel Bryan owes his success to Shawn Michaels, William Regal and Ring of Honor (not to mention his own hard work and dedication). But he also owes the fact that he could even get considered to Chris Benoit.

1. Diamond Dallas Page – DDP began his career as a manager. In the AWA. He was supposed to be nothing, a mere footnote on the business. He’s an anomaly. That’s not my word, it’s his. He cut a promo in WCW where this very thing was discussed. Hell, he joined WCW as a manager but took himself to the Power Plant to train, where he trained for 5 years. DDP trained at the Power Plant until 1996! Where did he end up? Three WCW Championships, two WCW US Championships, four WCW Tag Team Championships, one WCW TV Championship, one WWF Tag Team Championship and one WWF European Championship. Twelve championships. Now he gets to appear in movies, teach yoga and makes motivational speaking engagements. That’s one hell of a manager.

Chad Nevett

5. The Miz – No one thought he would last, but he has… and he’s risen to the top. A lot of people overlook how the Miz has lived one of those stories that you make ‘feel good’ sports movies out of because he’s such an obnoxious jerk. He’s worked his ass off to earn the respect of the fans, the company, and the boys, putting up with more derision and mockery than anyone else would have. And it’s paid off.

4. Jim Ross – People talk about wanting JR back on commentary and I’m with them, but I’m also mindful of the fact that we’re lucky to have gotten as much of Ross as we have. Bouts of Bell’s Palsy could have easily ended his announcing career, but Ross worked at it, adapted his style, and came back to do some of his best work ever. Illness couldn’t keep talent down and it’s weird to think of what the last decade or so would have been like without Ross calling the matches.

3. Mick Foley – Others have said it better than I could, but Foley is that ‘ultimate underdog’ sort of guy. The average guy who works his ass off to realize his dream and, when he does, he keeps that goodness and purity about him. A lot of guys get success and become jerks, but Foley remained Foley.

2. Ric Flair – Flair is hailed as the greatest of all time and he’s lucky to have even made it past being a rookie. In 1975, he suffered a broken back in a plane crash and was told he would never wrestle again. Instead, he came back from the injury to become the 16-time World Heavyweight Champion, have big runs in the NWA, WCW, and WWE. His return to the ring in the early ’00s could have been a disaster, but, instead, Flair showed he could still hang with the best of them and went out on his own terms in 2008… until he came back. It’s hard to ignore that comeback, but to think that he may not have even had a career and became the best ever? Wow.

1. Shawn Michaels – To put it simply, Michaels has had basically two careers: the first where he was a politicking, drug-abusing douchebag that had tons of potential and was pretty good in the ring until a back injury put him out of action, presumably forever. Then, there’s the Michaels that came back from that injury years later, clean and sober, married with kids, and more concerned with putting on a great show than being the number one guy in the company. He clearly had different priorities like just having some fun and leaving behind a body of work that could stand up against anyone else’s. And, then, he left on his own terms and will hopefully stay gone. The second part of Michaels’s career is amazing and definitely my favorite ‘feel good’ wrestling story.