| WINNER---RIC
FLAIR
This was the tightest race of all the categories, that
didn’t end up in an actual tie. Ric Flair squeaked out a
victory over Dino Bravo for the top spot.
The "Nature Boy" undoubtedly had his best year
as a pro in 1976. As good as Ric was in 1974 and 1975, he
was vastly improved in the bicentennial year of 1976. Fans
in the Mid-Atlantic area really saw Ric come of age in the
year 1976. Battling toe to toe in an extended program with
the great Wahoo McDaniel would have been difficult for the
youngster in his earlier time in the Mid-Atlantic area, but
his improvement in 1976 made that great feud blossom into a
reality before our eyes! Flair’s improvement during the
year of 1976 also garnered him his first World’s Title
(one half of the NWA World’s Tag Title) before the year
ended.
As good as he was in the Mid-Atlantic area before, Ric
Flair was even better in 1976. For that reason, the Gateway
votes Ric Flair as the Most Improved Wrestler of 1976!
RUNNER-UP---DINO BRAVO
Bravo nearly pulled out his second award’s win in this
category. Many fans in the Mid-Atlantic area remembered Dino’s
stint with the IWA in 1975. Bravo certainly stepped up his
wrestling from that time to when he entered the "major
leagues" of Jim Crockett Promotions and the
Mid-Atlantic area in 1976.
Even after he entered Jim Crockett Promotions in 1976,
one could see Bravo maturing and improving as the year wore
one. He was certainly a more confident and complete wrestler
at the end of 1976 compared to when he entered the
promotion. The promotion must have seen that as well, as
they would push Bravo into a major singles program in early
1977.
Unquestionably, Bravo was a solid choice for the runner’s-up
slot in this category.
OTHERS RECEIVING VOTES
The Masked Superstar, Angelo Mosca, Blackjack Mulligan,
Paul Jones, Tiger Conway, Jr.
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