I have been contemplating a valid response to this and the only thing that has been in my head since reading the post is how would we compare 70s-80s wrestlers to the current ACC programs. Here is my stupid response:
Atlantic (The Crockett-in-Charlotte division)
FSU = Ric Flair (19-time world champion) They are the man, were the man, and perhaps might always be the man.
Clemson =
BC = Larry Zybyszko — Great in other regions long ago, but basically an over-glorified contender.
NC State = Black Jack Mulligan — 1979 was the last time this name meant much.
WF = Dusty Rhodes — There was a massive spot on Rhodes gut which galls me to this day. And he only won the title by technicality.
Louisville = Gene Anderson — Head twitch.
Syracuse = Angelo Mosca — Who?
Coastal (The Crocketts-Move-to-Dallas division)
UN* = Tommy ‘Wildfire’ Rich — The girls might love him, but he never won when it counted.
Duke = Ricky ‘the Dragon’ Steamboat — Not a true top dog but one most will pull for. Only challenged for the title a few times.
Miami = Nikita Koloff — The Russian Sickle was deadly (Miami of the 80s) but his disappearance from earth mirrors Miami’s irrelevance in our conference.
Va Tech = Harley Race — Great champion of yesteryear, but almost faded into complete obscurity. Hopefully resurgent, Race almost died but regained to championship form (read his book if you get a chance).
UVa = Greg ‘the Hammer’ Valentine — Best known for his ability to look inebriated, the Hammer was a staple in the NWA but never much challenged for the title (USHWT doesn’t count.)
Pitt = Johnny Valentine — Most don’t realize how much of a powerhouse they were. Now a forgotten champion.
Ga Tech = Johnny Weaver — The sleeper hold is perhaps the worst finishing move in wrestling history (much like the triple option in CFB)
Notre Dame = Haystacks Calhoun — Only good because he weighed 7 times what everyone else did (TV contract that no one else shares)!
