Wrestling has always been built on what if situations and talent that never gets the chance to break through with the potential they clearly have. During the late 1970's and early 80's wrestling in the Texas area was going through a golden age with incredibly gifted young stars like the two seen below. Both Gino Hernandez & David Von Erich helped lay the foundation for the peak of Texas wrestling in the mid 1980's. In my opinion though this might be a tough choice based on what could've been and what was, but David Von Erich is by far the best talent from his family dynasty next to maybe his father. Unfortunately though his career was cut short during his prime in 1984 while touring in Japan it is unclear what David could've accomplished or how this would have changed things for Texas wrestling either way though David was extremely gifted in the ring. 

The man that was "217 pounds of twisted steel and sex appeal" Gino Hernandez would become a superstar in the state of Texas. From his time in Houston to Southwest to Dallas there is no doubt in my mind that had Gino not passed away on this day 33 years ago he would've become an international star in the world of wrestling. Not only would Gino have fit perfect as a talent in both WWF & WCW, but he could have helped provide a bit of stability in World Class had his feud with Chris Adams been able to happen. 

Overall I know I don't talk about these men enough as I have always been a fan of Gino Hernandez due to how gifted I believe he was and that he was just a complete package in my opinion. David & Gino both had untapped potential and clearly could've held the NWA Worlds Title at one point, but sadly that didn't happen. Either way though this does provide a glimpse into what could've been had things been a little different for wrestling if tragedy didn't strike. 

​As always wrestling gives us both great memories and memories we try and forget, but with the amount of moments worth remembering that have happened we are bound to forget some. The same could be said about some talent that were very much underrated during their career or never at the top of a company during a run this unfortunately makes it easier for fans to forget certain talent. These two are very different talent and had two very different careers while they worked in this great business. Also sometimes we encounter those that deserve to be remembered and acknowledged. I would like to wish a very big Happy Birthday to all who are celebrating their special day today and especially to the one featured below.

Recently I tweeted about the arrival of a new yearly award given to someone who has truly given there life to wrestling. Though it might be hard for some to believe there have been a number of people that have spent more time in the world of wrestling then they had out of it which is a testament to the passion and love they have for this profession. For example some talent even have ties to all over a generation by that I mean a son can be backstage as a kid with his father giving the kid a taste of the business. One of the families that fit this build is the Funk Family as both Terry & Dory Jr were able to witness the all facets of the business with there dad Dory Funk Sr. who was the promoter in Amarillo. 

Dory Funk Jr debuted in the wrestling business in 1963 and as of this day still active even at the age of 77 he is still giving to the wrestling business. Dory most recently competed in 2015 in Japan as a member of a six man tag match at the time he was 74 years old. Add to that for the last twenty plus years Dory has been training the stars of tomorrow at his Funking Conservatory wrestling school in Florida. Names like Kurt Angle, Edge, Lita, Jeff Hardy, Jumbo Tsuruta, Christian and others have come through the doors of this historic school. 

Overall the Funk family name has been within the wrestling business since the early 1940's and still today are the talk of wrestling maybe not as much as they were at one time; considering it seems like Terry has finally decided to retire. For almost the last 76 years the Funk name has gone hand in hand with the wrestling business and based on what he did during his active career & still continues to do today Dory Funk Jr was in my opinion the best selection for the first Wrestling Express Lifetime Achievement Award. 

​As always wrestling gives us both great memories and memories we try and forget, but with the amount of moments worth remembering that have happened we are bound to forget some. The same could be said about some talent that were very much underrated during their career or never at the top of a company during a run this unfortunately makes it easier for fans to forget certain talent. These two are very different talent and had two very different careers while they worked in this great business. Also sometimes we encounter those that deserve to be remembered and acknowledged. I would like to wish a very big Happy Birthday to all who are celebrating their special day today and especially to the one featured below.

As the new year has arrived it is time to wrap up award season and move onto what is next. At this point we have decided the Wrestler, Tag Team, Feud, and Match of the Year and now we move forward to the final award and in some cases the most interesting award. One thing that wrestling fans have really become known for is letting there opinions be known and that is mostly tied to there favorite wrestlers especially if said wrestler isn't in a the position that fans think they should be this is where the "Underrated Wrestler of the Year" comes to be. Not everyone agrees on what makes someone underrated, but I think most can agree that the names up for this award fit the mold. 

Musatafa Ali
Samoa Joe 
Fenix
​Finn Balor

The fact is that I think this is just as tough as to find the right matches that fit the specific credentials that a "Match of the Year" would fit. Right now more than ever a lot of fans believe that some matches deserve the credentials, but I think you have to narrow the focus to accurately compare the action. In reality some matches aren't on the same level as other matches and in my opinion the matches that are a level above are the matches that should be the ones that we focus on. 

Fact is that this is one of my favorite awards to give out, because I feel like this is one of those moments that we always remember. You know the last award we gave away was focused on the moments and this is very similar. Wrestling is a profession about the moments and the matches are among the top of the list when it comes to things you always remember.