#2 – Lou Thesz
The fact that we're having this conversation is ridiculous. This is Lou Thesz. Studying his career should be a qualification to calling yourself a hardcore pro wrestling fan. He helped put the NWA on the map. He held the NWA World Heavyweight Championship for more than 1,000 days – twice. One of the coolest things about Thesz is that, while the NWA went around the country unifying all brands under its umbrella, he defeated numerous other champions, slowly assimilating all titles into his own. During his first 1,941 day reign he was considered by many to be the first Undisputed Champion of Professional Wrestling since Frank Gotch, and the last in history. Thesz helped popularize wrestling all around the planet, including Japan. I understand that the WWE Hall of Fame is generally an honor for those who have worked for the McMahon family, but when names like Ernie Ladd, Peter Maivia, and Abdullah the Butcher are in the Hall, despite having very little interaction with a WWE-affiliated brand, it is an absolute mystery why Lou Thesz has been excluded from the WWE Hall of Fame.
