With several of the recent class of Stampede wrestling talents moving on to bigger and better things, I figured it’s a good chance to give everyone a little introduction to some of those you might see in more prominent federations like ROH, TNA or even WWE. I’m not what you call an expert I guess, but I’ve seen these people in action well over a dozen times at various Stampede shows over the past 5 years or so, so I do have a bit of an idea what you can expect to see. A couple I’m sure most people have heard of at least by now, and maybe a couple you’ll read up on for the first time. Either way I hope this provides some useful information.
Harry Smith
Current Status: Haven’t seen many details, but rumor has had it (and he’s confirmed on his personal website) that he’s signed a deal with WWE.
If there was one man in Stampede in the past decade destined for something big, it’s Harry Smith. The son of The British Bulldog Davey Boy Smith has every tool you’re looking for. Young, good size, great charisma, very talented in the ring, and the name power from his famous dad. When I first saw him, the only knock I could notice against this guy was his lack of muscle at the time, but he was only 19. Over the past few years, he’s gotten a lot bigger. He’s pretty much a splitting image of his late father, both in looks and talent. He’s got the classic Hart Dungeon style down and has put on some very solid matches against various opponents. Fun Fact: Harry Smith was in a match at a WWF house show at the age of ten. TEN. His partner was a 16 year old Teddy Hart.
Career Potential: Sky could be the limit for this kid. As I’ve said, he’s got the package any promoter is looking for. I can see him having a career much like his father’s, an upper mid card guy who can put on solid matches against a range of opponents. Maybe not the next superstar of the business, but could be a solid contributer to any main event scene.
Nattie Neidhart
Current Status: Like Harry Smith, also rumored to have signed with WWE.
If there was one person in the entire company I felt really bad for, it was Nattie. The daughter of Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart was a girl in a guy’s federation. For the most part, her entire run in Stampede has been extremely short on female talent. She had a long, extended feud with Belle Lovitz, and the rest of the time was spend either feuding with someone brought in for a short time or even spending some time feuding with some of the smaller male members on the roster. A lot of her time was spent as a valet for some of the other Dungeon grads, and really it seemed a waste of someone as talented as she is. From the times I’ve seen her wrestle, she’s very solid in the ring and had some entertaining matches with some people who weren’t as good at all. Perhaps moving up to a place with a few more lady wrestlers will give her a chance to really show what she can do in the ring and grow even more as a wrestler.
Career Potential: If the current women’s division push continues in WWE, she could be a decent player in that. She’s not the typical “WWE Diva” sort of woman, but with her family name and her talent, there could easily be a spot for her to do well there.
Teddy Hart
Current Status: Who the hell knows. I think he pretty much only works JAPW, but I’ve heard rumors about just about anything by this point.
Two years ago, if you were familiar with indy wrestling in the US at all, you knew all about Teddy Hart. Nowadays he’s really faded more and more into obscurity as he doesn’t get many shots at glory anymore. If you’re new to the Teddy Hart story, let me sum it up: he’s insane. If you want proof, go hunt down some Teddy Hart shoot interviews. Pretty much any shoot will do the trick. It’s too bad too. This is a guy with a ton of talent, both as a high flyer and as a technical wrestler. But unfortunately, he just doesn’t seem right in the head. His attitude problems have slowed down or maybe even halted a very promising career. Still, when this guy goes in the ring, he can GO.
Career Potential: Again, who knows by this point. 5 years ago, he was right up there with Harry Smith. Now, he still has the potential to get to a place like WWE I suppose, but it seems more likely he’ll float around from federation to federation until he burns more bridges. Hopefully he eventually learns, the huge Teddy mark in me wants to see him on my TV.
TJ Wilson
Current Status: Still pretty committed to Stampede, but has made several trips to Japan and other indy feds.
If you’re into pure technical wrestling, Wilson is your man. He’s not as much a high flyer as some of the other young guys, but very technically sound. Only real fault he has is his size, or lack thereof (5’9, 195lbs). He’s been in some very good matches over the years though, and has been on several tours of Japan, hooking up with the likes of Jushin Lyger. From what I’ve heard, his tag team of the Stampede Bulldogs (with Harry Smith) have worked very well together overseas. But really, the problem is there’s nothing that stands out about him. Great technical wrestler, but nothing you haven’t seen before. Everything else is just sort of there. Give him another few inches and a few pounds, this kid could be something special. Pretty hard to do though.
Career Potential: With his size, I’d be very surprised to see him in a WWE or a TNA. But he’s good at what he does and could make a very good midcard technical guy for any indy company just about anywhere. He just doesn’t have anything really outstanding that makes him a can’t miss prospect.
Jack Evans
Current Status: Doing quite well in several indy feds, including ROH. Some rumblings from time to time about a possible WWE contract.
If you haven’t seen Jack Evans, go find yourself some. Honestly, I don’t know how this man can NOT entertain you. There’s lots out there. I think (hopefully I’m right) it was Justin T. who said Jack Evans does things other wrestlers can’t do. Not won’t, but can’t. And it’s very, very true. There’s not a man alive that can bend like Jack can, or fly like Jack can. If you like amazing flips and flying through the air, he can do it. If you like seeing a rubberman bend in half, he can do it. The downside with Jack is obviously the risks. He’s had some very scary moments already in his career and with the amazing moves he does, there’ll be more before he’s done. Hopefully nothing serious though. I will admit though, as time has gone on he’s gotten more and more smart with his work. A few years ago it was simply spot, spot, spot, spot, spot, end match. Now he’s worked a lot more psychology into his matches and taken less risks. Not less dangerous risks, just less in total. But yeah, go see this man by any means necessary. He’ll amaze you.
Career Potential: As long as he can stay healthy, he can become maybe the greatest high flyer of all time. But the risks will no doubt catch up at some point.
Apocalypse
Current Status: Still one of the mainstays and favorites in Stampede wrestling, also appearing more and more in ROH matches.
If there’s one guy pretty much universally loved by Stampede fans, it’s this guy. He was always the most complete and well rounded of the class of new Stampede wrestlers since I got into the fed. As a face or a heel, he’s always been great at getting crowds into his character and his matches, and is able to back it all up by being solid in the ring. But he’s probably about as limited as they come in terms of flexibility. I honestly try picturing him without the look and without the “Apocalypse” character he’s played since day 1, and really I don’t know how good he could be. Like I said, very solid in the ring, but the character has really been the selling point so far in his career. Maybe if he got a chance outside of that to shine he could pull it off, but I don’t see that happening anytime soon.
Career Potential: Sadly for a man as talented as he is, not very good. Just looking at him he has the look of the stereotypical indy wrestler. He can be a good worker for about any indy fed around and gather a following, but that’s probably the most we’ll see from him.
Well, there’s the best of the best Calgary has to offer over the past few years. Guys like Hart and Evans haven’t been around for some time, and some like Apocalypse are still around most shows. But with a storied history of the company and the Hart Dungeon, hopefully some people out there who have a chance to see some stuff from there guys will go ahead and check it out. I’ll leave you to judge them for yourselves, but I don’t think you’ll be disappointed. With some of these talents on the way out for good, who knows who will step up next? It will be fun to watch it all unfold over the next few years, and we can all hope the talent keeps flowing out of Calgary like it always has.
Thanks for reading!
mikesawaryn@hotmail.com
