I know im Lazy so that is why today im doing a Top 4 list for the very first time….This list isnt about wrestlers who died prematurely (Brian Pillman) or a wrestler that got injured and had to retire (Magnum TA). This list is about wrestlers who were destine for greater things but personal problems, Attitude and lack of passion derailed them. also this is not a list of people that were pushed down our throats and didn’t work (Lex Luger). So please in the comments section stay with in the guidelines of the article.
4. Low Ki
I personally got my first glimpse of Low Ki during the TNA Weekly PPVs, This was in the beginning of TNA. Low Ki was easily the most impressive talent TNA had at the time ( AJ Styles was a close second). Low Ki’s style was so different and he performed it so well. I then watched a DVD of ROH’s first show and Low Ki was in the main event against a green Bryan Danielson and a veteran Christopher Daniels. The match was fantasic and Low Ki was the star of the match. I always thought great things would come from Low Ki and I wasn’t the only one, many others seen a big future for Low Ki.
I remember Paul Heyman talking about Low Ki wanting a job in ECW and Heyman didn’t want to tie Low Ki down because he knew ECW was going to fold soon. Heyman went on to say that if ECW didn’t close down he would shift the focus of ECW from Hardcore wrestling to the hybrid style of guys like Low Ki even implying that Low Ki would be one of the featured guys of the promotion because Heyman was so impressed with Low Ki.
Recently I watched a episode of of the Kevin Steen show with his guest Gabe sapolsky. A fan question to Gabe was “What wrestler embodied what he thought wrestling should be”. Gabe without thinking said Low Ki. Gabe and Kevin put over of how great of a performer Low Ki was and how incredible he was in the ring.
So why was Low KI not a bigger star? Why didn’t Low Ki make it like Joe, Styles, Danielson, Punk and the rest of the work horses of the Indy circuit around that time?. That Question can be Easily answered, It was Low Ki’s attitude. Everyone put over Low Ki’s great performance in the ring and his awesome matches but almost everyone described Low Ki as hard to work with.Low Ki was never committed to a promotion long enough to get his big push. If Low Ki didn’t like what was going on in TNA he bailed, If Low Ki didn’t like what was going on in ROH he bailed, Same goes for WWE. This hurt Low Ki’s push in the long run, plus having heat with alot of guys also hurt Low Ki alot.
3. Terry Gordy
Terry Gordy without a doubt was the work horse of the Freebirds and was considered one of the most talented Big men during his era. After his time with the Freebirds Terry Gordy matured as a worker and Gordy would go on to form a highly acclaimed tag team with Steve Williams.The WIlliams and Gordy team was huge in Japan and even won the WCW tag title…… Gordys talented was appreciated in japan as well as the states, Gordy seemed poised for a big push in Japan and in WCW but in 1993 Gordy overdosed and went in to a coma suffering permanent brain damage and was never the same afterwards. Gordy was a shell of his former self, Gordy whos work was once praised was now hard to watch. Addiction got the best of him and Gordy never was as successful as he was before the overdose.
Gordy was a man who started wrestling at the age of 14 and was a seasoned veteran at the ripe age of 20. Terry Gordy passed away in 2001.
2. Bam Bam Bigelow
Bam Bam Bigelow had so much hype before he made his debut, Most insiders predicted multiple world title reigns for this agile big man and in his first year of wrestling WWF wasted no time in signing Bigelow to the company. Bigelow was a near 400 pound man that could do a moonsault, Combined with his unique look it look like Bigelow had a bright future ahead of him. The WWF put Bigelow over huge at the 1987 Survivor Series by being the last man against Andre the Giant.
Bigelow suffered from not staying in one place long enough. Bigelow was a great performer but seemed to lose his passion for wrestling early on. Bigelow was more in to the party life style that comes with being a prowrestler and his performances suffered….. Bigelow was huge in Japan along with his partner Vader. but Bigelows lack of passion and not being able to commit to one promotion hindered Bam Bams push and his partner Vader received the huge singles push and became multiple time IWPG champion.
Bam Bam did get a world title in ECW for a short time but Bam Bam never lived up to expectations. Bam Bam when motivated could be one of the best performers of any fed he was in. Sadly Bam Bam passed away at the age of 45 long after his main stream wrestling career was over.
1.Barry Windham
Most people know Barry Windham as a member of the Horseman, but Barry Windham is so much more….. Back in the 80’s Dusty Rhodes had big plans for Barry Windham but things didn’t go as planed. Barry (who was Very young in the business) wasn’t happy with a pay off of a few events, So instead of working it out with the promotion Barry quit and ran to the WWF and along with Mike Routundo they formed a tag team. The teams was very over in the WWF and Barry was happy with the huge amount of money he was making but he wasn’t happy with the schedule he was working. So again in a very unprofessional manner Barry Windham threw a tantrum backstage and quit the WWF….. It wasn’t till Magnum TA talked Dusty Rhodes in to giving Barry Windham another chance that Barry was given the opportunity to be back in the main event fold.
Barry Windham had the look, The size, The charisma and the ability. Barry at a young age could go toe to toe with greats like Ric Flair and Ricky Steamboat. Barry had everything going for him but somewhere down the line Barry lost his passion for wrestling. Barry gained a noticeable amount of weight and his conditioning was no where near what it once was and Barry became a shell of the performer he once was, Barry lost the hunger and desire he once had and it showed in his matches….. Barry’s family problems also contributed to Barry’s down fall. Barry’s father and Brother ran in to legal problems when they were arrested for producing counterfeit money. Barry was also heavily investigated for over a year and the FBI couldn’t find a connection between Barry and his father and brothers illegal activity.
Barry Windham had a great career but it could of been so much more. Barry was destine for greatness and he came pretty close but it just didnt work out for Barry the way it was suppose…. Barry Windham in no way is a tragic wrestling story. Barry married a girl who had a rich family and is very happy in his retirement from wrestling and enjoying his family.
Thank you so much for reading.
