| WINNER---RIC
FLAIR
This was the second most lopsided vote in any of the
categories. Coming back from the horrible plane crash in
Wilmington, N.C. so soon, and performing so remarkably well
in 1976, made Ric Flair the overwhelming choice of Gateway
voters in this race.
Robert Rigby, Jr., who cast his vote for Ric Flair in
this category, said he voted for Ric "just for having
the ability to even climb back into the ring, much less
wrestle at the level of ability he did after such a rapid
comeback from that devastating plane crash. And to see him
capture the NWA World Title just a few short years later
just boggles the mind. He says he’s the man and for him to
have achieved all those great accolades during his career
after such an injury that would have crippled most people, I
guess he can honestly say he is."
Well said Robert, and your thoughts echo the resounding
Gateway vote for Ric Flair, the runaway winner of Most
Inspirational Wrestler of 1976!
RUNNER’S-UP (TIE)---WAHOO McDANIEL
The "Chief" was seemingly always fighting
uphill battles against the "bad guys" in 1976, and
coming back from one injury or another at the hands of Ric
Flair. Wahoo always gave it his all, and no matter the odds
stacked against him he fought to the end. However, he was
only a distant second place in this category as the Gateway
voters were more impressed with Ric Flair’s real life
triumph over the Wilmington plane crash.
RUNNER’S-UP (TIE)---DUSTY RHODES
Dusty got some limited support in this category, even
though he was not a Mid-Atlantic regular in 1976. However,
Dusty was brought in by Jim Crockett to help the "good
guys" in some of their more heated bouts during 1976
and got great fan support. Rhodes appeared primarily in the
larger towns and arenas during his guest shots in 1976,
particularly Greensboro, North Carolina.
OTHERS RECEIVING VOTES
Ole Anderson.
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