| WINNER---WAHOO
McDANIEL
The great Indian Chief from Oklahoma won this race by
slightly more than a two to one margin over his sometimes
tag team partner, Paul Jones. Wahoo always seemed to be able
to stand up to the bullies of Jim Crockett Promotions, and
to hold his own with them and then some. McDaniel got most
of his affection by battling on even terms with the brash
and cocky Ric Flair throughout the bicentennial year of
1976.
Relatively soft spoken and humble outside the ring, the
Chief let his actions in the ring do most of his talking for
him. And the fans adored him! The possessor of the greatest
chop in the business, the fans packed the arenas in the
Mid-Atlantic area during 1976 to see Wahoo battle his young
adversary Flair, or the multitude of other top-flight stars
that Jim Crockett threw at him.
The Mid-Atlantic Gateway clearly votes in Wahoo McDaniel
as the best baby face, and most popular wrestler, in the
Mid-Atlantic area during the year of 1976!
RUNNER-UP---PAUL JONES
"Number One" Paul Jones garnered most of the
rest of the votes in this category. 1976 saw Paul primarily
battle wrestlers that were far larger than he was. His bouts
in 1976 with Blackjack Mulligan and Angelo Mosca gave the
fans an almost "David vs. Goliath" sense. But
Jones never seemed to take a backward step against these
huge foes, gaining him a solid following amongst the Gateway
voters.
OTHER RECEIVING VOTES
Dusty Rhodes.
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