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Wednesday, March 23, 2016

MVPs of WrestleMania #9


By Kevin Hunsperger & Chad Smart
@kevinhunsperger, @chadsmart, @my123cents

Last year I had the idea to do an MVPs of WrestleMania blog, but came up with it a day or two before the big event.  So I held my list waiting for WrestleMania 32 to roll around.  Admittedly I've made a couple of minor tweaks to the original list and debated internally over the quality of my list.  I invited Chad to play along too.  While the lists aren't perfect (he's not in our top ten), I hope you enjoy.  A new blog will be posted daily until March 31, the day I leave for Dallas.

Austin beats HBK at WrestleMania XIV
Courtesy: WWE
Kevin's pick:

9) "Stone Cold" Steve Austin:  
When a newly named "Stone Cold" Steve Austin appeared at his first WrestleMania (XII) 20 years ago I had no idea he'd become one of the biggest stars the business would ever see. I had liked Austin from the start of his career and his "Stunning" days back in World Class Championship Wrestling.

But in WWE Stone Cold truly heated things up, really breaking out in his match at 'Mania 13 against Bret Hart.  He "lost" the contest but won over fans everywhere.  He went on to capture the top prize in back to back WrestleManias (14 & 15) and again at 17, beating Shawn Michaels and the Rock twice. Even in retirement, Austin has had an impact on WrestleMania, playing the role of special enforcer referee for matches like Goldberg vs. Brock Lesnar and Jerry "The King" Lawler vs. Michael Cole.  I'll never forget his presence at WrestleMania XXX and the opening segment with fellow legends Hulk Hogan and The Rock.  

Piper gets stunned and it's the pits...
Courtesy: WWE
Ironically my pick met Chad's pick in a showdown of sorts at WrestleMania XXI in Los Angeles...

Piper vs. Hogan
Courtesy: WWE
Chad's pick:

9)  "Rowdy" Roddy Piper:  For the initial WrestleMania to be a success, there had to not only be a great hero for the fans to cheer for, but also a great villain for the fans  to want to see get his comeuppance. That villain was “Rowdy” Roddy Piper.  Piper was the perfect foil to ultimate good guy, Hulk Hogan.  The rowdy one may have only won one match at WrestleMania but that doesn’t negate the importance he had for the impact of WrestleMania 1.

In case you missed any...


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