Most Notable Late Bloomers in Wrestling

Most Notable Late Bloomers in Wrestling

June 21, 2025

By Ryan Porzl

When it comes to professional wrestling, many all time greats achieve their peak or debut at different points. There are wrestlers like Kerry Von Erich, Yokozuna, and The Rock who make it to the top of the mountain or their peak in their 20s. Most do it in their 30s. However, there are wrestlers who take the long road to the top. Wrestlers who either debut much later than normal like in their 30s or hit their peak much later like their 40s. In this article, we'll look at the most notable late bloomers in wrestling. This list will include wrestlers who either turned pro in their 30s or later and/or hit their peak in their late 30s/40s when most begin to exit their prime.

I don't own any photos. Credit to WWE, All Japan, Pro Wrestling NOAH, or whomever owns them.

A Look At Promotions WWE Has Partnered With Before

A Look At Promotions WWE Has Partnered With Before
June 3, 2025

By Ryan Porzl

For decades, the WWE was known for many things and one was "an island to themselves". From the time Vince bought the WWE in 1982 till he sold it to Endeavor in 2023, the WWE usually was a promotion that many looked as one that kept to itself while being in it's own bubble. Since Endeavor took over, we've seen a more open door policy with WWE having partnerships with TNA, AAA, GCW, and NOAH. However, Endeavor/TKO's ownership is actually not the first time the WWE worked with other promotions. In fact, Vince would actually form partnerships with various promotions over the decades. In this article, we'll take a look at the promotions that WWE had partnerships with in the past.

Note: I don't own any pictures. Credit to WWE, New Japan, All Japan, Ohio Valley Wrestling, IWA Puerto Rico, and whomever owns the pictures.

Paul Heyman's Biggest ECW Fumbles

Paul Heyman's Biggest ECW Fumbles

April 30, 2025

By Ryan Porzl

For over 40 years, one of wrestling's more colorful and famous individuals is Paul Heyman. Heyman has done a bit of everything in wrestling from managing to commentating to promoting to booking. He spent the last 40 year on and off as a manager under his own name and as Paul E. Dangerously where he managed some of the biggest names in the business. Modern day fans mostly know Heyman for his associations with acts like Brock Lesnar, CM Punk, and Roman Reigns. However, Heyman will likely be remembered by many for his time in ECW. Originally coming in as a manager, Heyman eventually became the promotion's booker and eventual owner. Heyman's time running ECW was largely praised making his share of stars and legends to his ability to come up with great storylines to his ability to get the best out of his talents. However, while Heyman had his successes with ECW, he was far from perfect. Even someone as praised as Heyman has made his share of bad mistakes from lackluster decisions to flat out bone headed and stupid ones. Here now, we'll look at the biggest fumbles Heyman made in ECW.

Note: I don't own any pictures. Credit to WWE or whomever owns them.

A Look At All Japan Pro Wrestling's 1999

A Look At All Japan Pro Wrestling's 1999

April 11, 2025

By Ryan Porzl

Anyone who is an expert on wrestling history knows All Japan Pro Wrestling and that it's one of wrestling's greatest promotions. Having it's first show on October 21, 1972, the promotion was founded by one of Japan's greatest legends in Shohei "Giant" Baba and as of writing, has lasted over 52 years making it one of wrestling's long running promotions. In fact, with the exception of promotions such as the WWE, the Mexican based CMLL, and fellow Japanese promotion New Japan, almost no promotion has lasted as long as the house that Baba built. However, it hasn't always been smooth sailing to say the least. With a promotion that's been around for more than half a century, it has experienced many highs and triumphs to hosting legendary shows featuring many of the greatest wrestlers and greatest matches the sport as ever had. At the same time, the promotion has seen it's shares of setbacks and turmoil, specifically three exoduses which either damaged or damn near killed the promotion. Obviously, when it comes to the latter, people look at the year 2000 as that was the year everything hit the fan when top star Mitsuharu Misawa left All Japan and took almost everyone from talent to crew with him as well as their main Television time slot to start Pro Wrestling NOAH. However, as fascinating as 2000 is, we're going to take a look at the previous year. 1999 was almost as big and tumultuous as 2000. The year featured some changes with some young talent beginning to get opportunities while established names would sort of take a step back. Backstage, the promotion's founder and patriarch would pass away, one of the all time greats bid farewell to the ring as well as the promotion, and two important figures would start a power struggle that led to the eventual NOAH exodus.

Note: I don't own the picture. Credit to All Japan

The Best Thrown Together Tag Teams In Wrestling

The Greatest Thrown Together Tag Teams In Wrestling
February 12, 2025

By Ryan Porzl

Professional wrestling has been around for more than a century and one of the things it's known for is tag teams. Outside of a start up promotion, it's almost impossible to find a wrestling promotion without a tag team division or a tag team championship. Over the decades, wrestling has seen it's share of legendary teams. Many teams usually have the same origin as either siblings/family members or were trained by the same trainer or have the same background. Then there are legendary teams that had humble beginnings. These teams were basically consisted of two wrestlers who a promotion didn't have any plans for and decided to put them together and hope for the best. In this article, we'll look at the greatest tag teams in wrestling history that were thrown together..

Note: I don't own the pictures. Credit to the WWE, AEW/ROH, and TNA

A Look At The Hulk Hogan Backlash and The Hypocrisy

A Look At The Hulk Hogan Backlash and The Hypocrisy
January 13, 2025
By Ryan Porzl

On January 6, 2025, Netflix would broadcast the WWE flagship show Monday Night RAW for the first time. The show was treated a special episode with big matches and big appearances including from The Rock to The Undertaker to Triple H. However, one of the big appearances was that of Hulk Hogan. In perhaps the most memorable moment of the show, Hogan was booed out of the building and many celebrated the occasion. It's no surprise to know Hogan has had his critics but obviously, things have grown since a 2006 sex tape was leaked in 2015 revealing Hogan going on a racist rant. To many, it was considered unforgivable while others also believed Hogan made little to no attempt to make up for it. Many also think there is more to it from Hogan's support of controversial US President Donald Trump to all the accusations of him playing backstage politics. For the record, I don't condone Hogan's words and I do believe WWE was in the right to fire him in 2015 and have him spend the next few years in the wilderness. That said, as a Hogan fan, I do believe the backlash is out of control and even hypocritical. Is Hogan being targeted because he deserves it or is there more to it? Is it because some want to score points with the Internet Wrestling Community or come off virtuous or because Hogan is low hanging fruit while others who can be as bad are considered untouchable? In this article we'll look at the controversies and how Hogan's critics are hypocrites savaging him while turning blind eyes to other wrestling legends misdeeds which, yes, includes racism.

Note: I don't own the picture. Credit to WWE.

TNA Wrestlers Who Overachieved In 2024

TNA Wrestlers Who Overachieved In 2024
January 6 2025
By Ryan Porzl

In my last article, I brought up TNA's 2024 and specifically wrestlers who had a disappointing year. Obviously, not everyone can have an amazing year. However, in that article, I brought up it was part of a two part article. In this article, we'll look back at the TNA wrestlers who overachieved and did better than many thought they would. Now keep in mind, this is for wrestlers who did better than many thought. As a result, don't expect to see Nic Nemeth or Jordynne Grace or ABC on this list since they did as well as you expect.

Note: I don't own any pictures. Credit to TNA or whomever owns them.

TNA Wrestlers Who Had A Disappointing 2024

TNA Wrestlers Who Had A Disappointing 2024
December 31, 2024
By Ryan Porzl

2024 was a huge year for TNA. After shedding the name in 2017, the promotion returned to the TNA name in 2024 and had a rollercoster ride in 2024 eventually seeing them enjoy the biggest success in a decade. As for the wrestlers, each have had varying degrees of success. With 2024 coming to a close, we'll take a look at two sets of TNA wrestlers in a two part article. In this article, we'll look at the TNA wrestlers who had a disappointing 2024 and either couldn't take that next step or didn't have the run most thought they would.

I don't own any photos. Credit to TNA or whoever owns them.

A Look At My TNA Article From Last Year

A Look At My TNA Article From Last Year
December 15, 2024
By Ryan Porzl

It was a year ago Impact Wrestling made the announcement they were returning to their old "TNA" name. Around this time last year, I wrote an article on things I would like to see TNA do in 2024 that I felt would improve the product. 2024 was a big year and a very successful year for TNA. Many changes were made on and off camera while the promotion intends to enter 2025 guns blazing. I figured with a year having passed, I look back on my article from a year ago and see what TNA did and didn't do in 2024.

Note: I don't own the graphic. Credit to TNA.

NXT Arrival: Where Are They Now?

NXT Arrival: Where Are They Now?

December 11, 2024

By Ryan Porzl

Many promotions have popped up this century from big ones like AEW, TNA, ROH, and MLW to popular indie promotions like PWG, SHIMMER, SHINE, GCW, among others. One of the bigger and popular ones would be NXT. Originally starting in 2010 as a goofy reality show type concept, NXT eventually settled into becoming WWE's developmental territory in 2012. Mostly operating out of Florida, the promotion has grown from cult like status on the WWE Network to occasionally being considered a third brand alongside RAW and Smackdown on national TV. Many of WWE's current stars had runs in NXT at one point before moving up to the main roster. However, despite NXT beginning in 2012, it wouldn't be until 2014 when they began running big PPV like cards. The first one would be called NXT Arrival and took place at Full Sail University on February 27, 2014. It's now been over ten years since that event so I figured it be fun to do one of my favorite type of articles which is a "Where Are They Now?" In this article, we'll take a look at some of the early stars of NXT and see where they ended up. Who went to big success? Who fell to obscurity? Let's find out.

Note: I don't own any photos. Credit to WWE or whomever owns them.

WWE Managers That Didn't Work Out

WWE Managers That Didn't Work Out

October 7, 2024

By Ryan Porzl

Professional Wrestling is known for their share of colorful and larger than life characters. However, not all these characters are wrestlers. Rather, some are managers. For decades, professional wrestling managers have played important parts in getting certain talent over whether it be cutting promos for them or getting involved in matches to get more heat from the crowd. The WWE has had their share of managers going back decades from "Wild" Red Berry in the 1960s to the Three Wise Men of the East ("Classy" Freddie Blassie, The Grand Wizard of Wrestling and "Captain" Lou Albano) of the 1970s to early 1980s to Bobby "The Brain" Heenan and "The Mouth of the South" Jimmy Hart in the 1980s to early 1990s to Paul Heyman in present day. However, for all the legendary managers that have come through the WWE, there are those that for whatever reason or another, it didn't work out with some even being long forgotten. In this article, we'll look at managers that appeared for the WWF/WWE but for some reason, would fizzle out with some fading into obscurity.

Note: I don't own any pictures. I found them on Google. Credit to WWE or whomever owns.

Interesting Facts about Kevin "Diesel" Nash

Interesting Facts about Kevin "Diesel" Nash

September 30, 2024

By Ryan Porzl

One of wrestling's most entertaining characters has been Kevin Nash. A seven foot tall giant who oozed charisma, swagger, and a cool factor, Nash was major name in the wrestling business throughout the 1990s and 2000s achieving legendary status for his times in the WWF/WWE, WCW, and TNA. He would leave his mark both on and off camera from being a founding father of the nWo to his meteoric rise in the WWF as "Big Daddy Cool" Diesel to his behind the scenes antics by himself and as a part of the backstage group called the Kliq. Many love him, many don't. Many would consider him an all time great while others would consider him a locker room cancer. Regardless, Nash has left behind a huge legacy that many couldn't come close to achieving. With his 65th birthday this past July 9th, it's time to look at some interesting fact about one of wrestling's greatest big men.

Note: I don't own the pictures. I found them on Google. Credit to WWE, TNA, the US Army, and/or whomever are their owners.

Interesting Facts about Sycho Sid

Interesting Facts about Sycho Sid

September 13, 2024

By Ryan Porzl

One of wrestling's biggest and most interesting names figuratively and literally was Sycho Sid. A combination of size, power, charisma, and intensity, Sid was one of wrestling's most unique names as well as one of their most successful from the late 1980s to early 2000s. During his career, the man who considered himself the master and ruler of the world did just about everything he could from multiple world title reigns between the two top American promotions to main eventing the premiere events of those promotions to feuding and facing the biggest names of his time. Sadly, I didn't anticipate doing an "Interesting Facts" on Sid, at least not now, but with his recent passing, I figured I do one. As a tribute to one of wrestling's greatest and most charismatic big men, we'll look at some interesting facts regarding Sycho Sid.

Note: I don't own any of the photos. I found them on Google. Credit to WWE, Youtube thumbnails, or whomever they belong to. I apologize for not knowing who exactly owns it.

Interesting Facts about Mitsuharu Misawa

Interesting Facts about Mitsuharu Misawa

July 29, 2024

By Ryan Porzl

If you talk to many hardcore wrestling fans and ask them who the greatest professional wrestler of all time is, many will say one name: Mitsuharu Misawa. After originally paying his dues and improving his craft during the 1980s as the second incarnation of Tiger Mask, he eventually would shine throughout the 1990s as the top star of All Japan Pro Wrestling where he engaged in one legendary match after another to the point where many would argue he was absolute best wrestler of the entire decade. During the later part of his career, he would also become known as a promoter as he founded Pro Wrestling NOAH. Sadly, despite his achievements, Misawa also became known for tragedy. The brutal King's Road style of wrestling he participated in which it along with bad luck and the pressure to press on in the ring at a time when he shouldn't have been even wrestling anymore would lead to his sad early death due to a cervical spinal cord injury he suffered during a match in 2009 at only 46 years old. This past June marked the fifteenth anniversary of Misawa's passing and I decided to pay tribute by looking back at some interesting facts.

Note: I don't own the pictures, I found them on Google. Credit to the owners.

Too Little Too Late. A Look At Wrestlers WWE Got Too Late

Too Little Too Late. A Look At Wrestlers WWE Got Too Late
July 8, 2024
By Ryan Porzl

Like everything in life, timing is everything in the world of professional wrestling and perhaps no one knows that more than Vince McMahon and the WWF/WWE. McMahon would have amazing timing throughout his promoting career whether it be the WWE's expansion to getting the right talent at the right time or even early. Unfortunately, McMahon and the WWE weren't perfect and for every Hulk Hogan or Steve Austin they got at the right time or even others like The Rock, who they got early, there are those wrestlers that came to the WWE too late for one reason or another be it age, personal issues, wear and tear, not fitting in with promotion at the time, etc. Here now, we'll look at various wrestlers and legends that WWE got too late to do much with.

Note: I don't own the pictures. I got them on Google. Credit to WWE or whomever owns them

Interesting Facts about The Ultimate Warrior

Interesting Facts about The Ultimate Warrior

June 16, 2024

By Ryan Porzl

One of wrestling's most colorful, charismatic, and controversial personalities is The Ultimate Warrior. During the late 1980s to early 1990s, few were as big and larger than life as Warrior. With his colorful face paint and tassels as well as his bombastic entrances, he was almost a superhero come to life. At his peak, he achieved many things most could only dream of. Unfortunately, as many fans as he had, he certainly had his detractors including hardcore wrestling fans who argue he lacked any talent or his own colleagues who he didn't always make friends with. Regardless of where you stand, it's hard to deny that The Warrior was a unique and special talent in the business and while his star burned brightly for a short time before issues backstage saw him usually disappear into the night, he'll always be remembered for his contributions. In the end, his journey and legacy is rocky but the final chapter would see redemption before his untimely passing in 2014. With this month marking what would've been his 65th birthday, I'll take a look at facts at a star who everyone had an opinion of: The Ultimate Warrior.

Note: I don't own the pictures, I found them on Google. Credit to WWE and whomever are the owners.

WWF Brawl For All: Where Are They Now?

WWF Brawl For All: Where Are They Now?

May 27, 2024

By Ryan Porzl

The Brawl For All. If you are a long time wrestling fan or at least an Attitude Era fan, you're well aware of this infamous concept. Created in the summer of 1998, the Brawl For All was a sixteen man tournament. However, instead of being a scripted wrestling tournament that you would expect from the WWF, it was actually a legit toughman contest where wrestlers would put on boxing gloves and attempt to legit knock out their opponents. To say the Brawl For All was a disaster would be an understatement. Just about every way you can think of to make something like this a disaster: injuries, lack of audience interest, wrestlers losing credibility, failing to produce stars, and the man the promotion wanted to win not only did not but saw his reputation go down the toilet just as he was starting, this tournament had it. The BFA was a disaster. However, there were some silver linings as it did produce good ratings especially with talent most fans didn't care about and the eventual winner found doors opened for opportunities in Japan when the WWF had no further use of him. This summer will mark 26 years since the infamous tournament took place and since I didn't think of this idea a year ago, I'll do it now as we'll take a look at the participants, their backgrounds, and what became of them.

Note: I don't own the pictures, I found them on Google. Credit to WWE or whoever the owners are. I apologize for not knowing who owns what.

Interesting Facts about Sting

Interesting Facts about Sting

March 21, 2024

By Ryan Porzl

Whether you love him or hate him, it's hard not to respect the man called Sting. For 39 years, Sting has entertained wrestling fans and created an amazing and enduring legacy. Few are as loved and respected as him. He was able to reinvent himself at times when it looked like he was getting stale and enjoyed comebacks when it looked like his career was down for the count. With his 65th birthday coming this month and with his recent retirement, I figured it be a nice time to look at some interesting facts you may or may not have known about The Stinger.

Note: I don't own the pictures. I found them on Google. Credit to WWE, AEW, or whoever owns them. I apologize for not knowing the exact owners.

Legends That Are Long Overdue For The WWE Hall of Fame

Legends That Are Long Overdue For The WWE Hall of Fame
February 9, 2024
By Ryan Porzl

It's that time again, with the dawn of a new year marks the WWE's first major event of the year which is The Royal Rumble which, for many years, has been billed as where the Road to Wrestlemania begins. During the road trip to the Showcase of the Immortals, the WWE also starts announcing who will be the next entries into the WWE Hall of Fame which usually takes place the night before the extravaganza. Everyone has their opinion of who should go in and I'm no different. Despite the HOF having been around on and off for 31 years, there's plenty of names shockingly still not in. In this article, we'll take a look at the legends that are long overdue for a Hall of Fame induction. For the record, I'm not including Owen Hart for obvious reasons. I know I'll obviously miss some names as I can't put everyone on the list.

Note: I don't own the pictures, I found them on Google. Credit to WWE or whoever the owners are. I apologize for not knowing who exactly owns what.

Interesting Facts about Giant Baba

Interesting Facts about Giant Baba
February 7, 2024

By Ryan Porzl

The professional wrestling world is filled with wrestlers and legends that can be considered "larger than life". Some wrestlers were even known not only universally in the wrestling industry but also in pop culture and mainstream. One man who checks those boxes is Shohei "Giant" Baba. Baba is one of wrestling's biggest names and one of the few to enjoy massive success as both a wrestler and promoter as the owner of All Japan Pro Wrestling. During his near 40 year career, Baba became the third biggest name in all of Japanese wrestling behind only his mentor Rikidozan and fellow Rikidozan trainee Antonio Inoki. By the time of his passing in 1999, he was a pop culture icon in all of Japan to the point where not only did the business mourn him but so did the entirety of the country. With Baba's 86th birthday having come on January 23rd and the 25th anniversary of his passing on January 31st, I'll take a look at one of wrestling's biggest names both figuratively and literally.

Note: I don't own any of the pictures as I found them on Google. Credit to their owners and I apologize for not knowing their names.