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The word pioneer is thrown around a lot in wrestling, and there are certain Superstars who have had the title bestowed upon them.
Vince McMahon is seen as a pioneer of promoting, whilst names like Steve Austin and The Rock are seen as pioneers of the Attitude Era.
And though these men deserve plenty of accolades, there are those who have flown under the radar.
These Superstars changed wrestling forever, and have helped bring WWE to where it is today, though you wouldn't know it according to the company.
Here are five WWE Superstars who deserve way more credit than they're given.
#5: Ivory deserved the glow of the spotlight
In the annals of WWE history, its stars like Trish Stratus and Lita who are seen as the original pioneers of the women’s revolution.
Both Superstars have no doubt earned their Hall of Fame status, with the duo being part of the first female main event in RAW history
However, it is obvious that Ivory, who has never been showcased by the company as much as Trish and Lita, deserves the spotlight just as much.
Debuting in 1999, Ivory started as just another Diva in the Locker room, before reaching her peak in the Right to Censor.
As part of the group, she became the opposite of what fans wanted from her, promoting abstinence at a time where the company were focussed on looks.
Establishing herself as their top female heel, Ivory backed up her bravado, becoming the best female wrestler of the time, even when she was sadly overlooked.
In an era where blonde hair was far more important than actual wrestling skill, Ivory stood out as a veteran talent who could both talk and grapple, leading to three turns as WWE Women’s Champion.
Despite being inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2018, it is a real shame that such a pioneering woman is often overlooked, and whilst others pushed to give Divas a Chance in 2015, it was Ivory who aimed to give women a chance.
#4: Buddy Rogers was the real Nature Boy
When you hear the name ‘Nature Boy’, you probably think of the incredible career of Ric Flair, who’s extravagant lifestyle and in-ring ability turned him into one of the greatest Superstars ever.
But before Flair was racking up World Championships and Hall of fame rings, it was Buddy Rogers who held the Nature Boy moniker, and rightly so.
A precursor to Flair, the original Nature Boy Buddy Rogers was an intensely charismatic performer, and perhaps one of the first wrestlers in history to value style over substance.
That’s not to say Rogers didn’t have the skills, as he became well known for his hard-fought main events against any and every opponent who dared to challenge him.
A huge star already in the NWA, Rogers made the jump to what would become the WWE, defeating Bruno Sammartino in just 48 seconds.
After hanging up his boots, the OG Nature Boy continued to give to the company, hosting talk show segments, and was rightly inducted posthumously into the WWE Hall of Fame in 1994
Whilst he may have lost the Nature Boy title to Flair, Rogers did cement his legacy in a way no-one else can match, becoming the first ever WWE Champion, an act that is proof that Buddy Rogers truly was, one of the greats.
#3: Bull Nakano tried bringing the Japanese style to America
In 2018, the WWE continues to promote equality over their roster, with the women of the company hosting their own revolution in recent years.
But long before the WWE’s women’s revolution, something similar had already happened in Japan, where many all-female promotions were being praised, and with Bull Nakano leading the way.
Winning her first championship aged ‘just’ 15, Nakano showed her determination to be a global star, leaving her spotlight in Japan to wrestle in the US for the WWE.
Alongside Alundra Blayze, who is appropriately respected by the company as a legend, Nakano wrestled some of the first truly great matches contested over the Women’s Championship throughout the winter of 1994.
Granted, Nakano wasn’t the first Japanese woman to go state-side, with the Jumping Bomb Angels making their presence known in the 1980s, though they too have been forgotten, as it has been decades since the company cared about Women’s tag wrestling.
As a former champion, who helped give fans their first glimpse of great female wrestling, Nakano could at least get a mention for the Hall of Fame, yet the company continues to never acknowledge her at all, despite it being obvious that Nakano paved the way to bring the Japanese style to America.
#2: Goldust helped usher in a new Attitude
A member of the legendary Rhodes Dynasty, Dustin Rhodes never reached the same highs as his father Dusty, even though his brother Cody is becoming one of the hottest stars in recent years.
But the bizarre one deserves more credit than he’s ever given, as whether fans realise it or not, this Grandson of a plumber helped WWF reached its most successful time.
In 1995, it was clear that the cartoonish, wacky characters of the New Generation weren’t working, with stars like Mantaur and Aldo Montoya failing to compete with the ever-growing presence of WCW.
Enter Goldust, decked head to toe in gold, spouting movie quotes and pushing the envelope of what was allowed on TV.
The character became an overnight sensation, with fans, and opponents constantly confused by what this strange man would do next.
The original envelope pusher, it wasn’t long before Goldust was overshadowed by bigger stars who also pushed the limits of what was allowed on TV, with the company’s new Attitude Era becoming arguably their most successful period in history.
After he established himself, it wasn’t long before Mankind came along, and took the idea of a crazy wrestler giving long speeches to what he believes was an intelligent audience even further.
Outside of the Attitude Era, Rhodes has continued to give to the company, working for the WWE for around 20 years, before recently leaving to join All Elite Wrestling.
#1: Billy Kidman keeps WWE running on time
As a wrestler, Billy Kidman gets pretty much the exact amount of credit he deserves.
Joining WCW in 1996, Billy Kidman remained loyal to the company during the Monday Night Wars, feuding with everyone from Perry Saturn to Hulk Hogan, with Kidman defeating the Hulkster in 2000, in what he claimed to be the true death of Hulkamania.
Spoilers: it wasn’t.
After the company folded in 2001, Kidman joined the WWE, capturing the Cruiserweight championship multiple times, before transitioning to a backstage role as a road agent and producer.
While the company has dozens of former Superstars in similar positions to Kidman, it is clear he has one of the toughest jobs in all of live Television.
Even though WWE works under the role of “anything can happen” the company does have to answer to networks, who have very strict rules on when the action needs to stop.
Shockingly, it is Kidman’s role to work out the timing backstage, a crucial position as even a few seconds too long can turn an intense stare down into an awkward moment.
Performing the same role the legendary Gerald Brisco once did, it is sorry that Kidman hasn’t received even half the same amount of respect, despite proving himself to be a true pro, in and out of the ring.
