Barry Windham: An All-Time Great (and What Might Have Been)

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Barry Windham was as naturally gifted a wrestler as ever set foot in a ring. But with a checkered career of starts, stops, and frequent jumps to and from the NWA and WWE (then-WWF), there’s always that nagging thought: should the former NWA champ have been an even bigger star? Learn more

The U.S. Express

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In Barry Windham and Mike Rotunda, you had a good-looking, well-built, charismatic team who were also great workers. The WWF saw money in them when they made their debut in the Fall of 1984.

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Barry Windham in WCW

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Vince McMahon, who just loved silly gimmicks, morphed Barry Windham into the Widowmaker, an ill-defined heel cowboy role. He went unbeaten for four months, but when Barry’s family met with legal issues (which you can learn more about here), he left once again.

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Barry Windham in the Four Horsemen and as NWA Champ

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He was part of the classic beloved faction with Tully Blanchard, Arn Anderson, Ric Flair, and JJ Dillon leading. A revolving door, the massive Sid Vicious was also part of the crew during Windham’s tenure.

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”In WWE, Vince McMahon morphed Barry Windham into an ill-defined role. He went unbeaten for four months, but when Barry’s family met with legal issues, he left once again. He would soon have what would arguably be his greatest run.” Learn more

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