In his current best seller, Ric Flair makes the boast that he could’ve filled Hulk Hogan’s shoes in 1984 and the WWF would’ve been every bit as successful as it was. People have often debated whether Hogan was the key to success or just the right man in the right place at the right time. Hogan believes only he could’ve done what he did, Vince thinks it was all down to his own genius. So, with this topic once more of current interest, I thought I’d make a list of ten men who were around at the time and could, in theory, have been chosen by Vince McMahon to be the figurehead of the new look WWF.

Paul Orndorff

Pros – Orndorff was a golden haired muscleman with a deep, husky voice, California tan and simple but effective gimmick. His interviews were as straightforward and gravely as Hogan’s and his lengthy programme with Hulk was the most lucrative of the latter’s first title reign. He was smaller than Hogan but many in 1983 thought that Hogan would never work as a baby face champion because no one would view a smaller challenger as a threat to his reign. Mr Wonderful was a better worker than Hogan and could’ve helped retain a lot of the loyal wrestling fans who deserted during the Hulkamania era. He proved he had determination and guts when, despite a serious neck injury, he kept on wrestling for months when doctors were advising him to retire.

Cons – His career as a main eventer was short – the neck injury in 1986 ultimately ended his time as a factor in the business. Comebacks in 1987 and 1990 failed because nerve damage meant he had one good arm and one thin, weak arm. Vince had no confidence in him as a talker as he was brought in with Roddy Piper as his manager and then used Bobby Heenan during his big run with Hogan. There are indications that he also had attitude problems as his runs with both WWF and WCW were comparatively short each time. And he wasn’t even booked at Wrestlemania III when everyone else in the company was.

Verdict – He had the right look and that was what Vince was after. Whether he could’ve been a consistent draw is hard to tell as he never had a high profile feud against anyone other than Hogan. The neck injury was one of those things that could’ve happened to anyone and the fact that he gutted it out for so long (for the money rather than out of loyalty) suggests he could’ve been a good choice to build around. 5/10

Jesse Ventura

Pros – His nick name was “The Body” and it’s a no brainer to work out why. Vince always loved the big steroid… the big, hard training and sensible eating guys. Jesse was also colourful and very charismatic. The receding hairline was no great problem as Hogan’s was just as bad. He modelled himself on Superstar Billy Graham (as Hogan did) and the Superstar just happened to be Vince’s favourite wrestler. Jesse was larger than life and could connect with fans either as a heel or a baby face seemingly without trying. His interviews were worlds ahead of Hogan’s and subsequent events have shown that he had far greater cross-genre appeal than the Hulkster. His more recent career in politics has shown just how determined Jesse is to succeed in whatever he sets his mind to so there is little doubt he could’ve talked and fought his way to the top of the WWF.

Cons – Unlike Orndorff, Jesse’s career didn’t end because of an in-ring injury that could’ve happened to anyone at any time. His lungs had been damaged in Vietnam and once blood clots were discovered around 1986 he was done. The diagnosis apparently came as a surprise to everyone as he was booked to wrestle all over the country and those dates had to be cancelled at short notice. The effect of this had he been the central figure in the company would’ve been disastrous. He was also a dreadful wrestler – even worse than Hogan. His time at the top would’ve been short but stained with dire matches. Perhaps Randy Savage would’ve got good bouts out of him but I shudder to think of all those anti-classics with the likes of Big John Studd and Rowdy Roddy Piper. Jesse vs Piper would’ve been classic build up but no delivery. Rather than Hogan-Piper but with better promos.

Verdict – It might’ve seemed like a great idea in 1983 but the writing was already on the wall. Not even Vince McMahon himself could do anything about lungs burned by poisoned gas. Had McMahon faced panic control upon learning that Jesse was done it might’ve made WWF less predictable but it might also have lead to a rookie Lex Luger or Rick Rude getting pushed down our throats. It might also have irreparably damaged the company and prevented a wrestling monopoly. But those are other What Ifs for other columns. Jesse would’ve been a disastrous choice with hindsight. 1/10

To be continued...