Never Appeared in The WWF/WWE

I know what you are thinking, they are thousands of wrestlers that have never appeared in the WWWF, WWF, and WWE in their careers.  I'm going to focus on those that had significant territory runs in the 1970's and 1980's but never found their way into a New York ring.  While Kerry Von Erich had a run as the Texas Tornado, his brothers David and Kevin Von Erich had matches at Madison Square Garden.  I wrote about it in my post from 2017 They Wrestled in The WWE?

The Midnight Express

"Loverboy" Dennis Condrey, "Beautiful" Bobby Eaton, and "Sweet" Stan Lane

Bobby Eaton was the inspiration for this blog post.  Bobby debuted in 1976 and wrestled a full time schedule through early 2000 and continued to wrestle regularly until his last match in 2016.  He was a member of the Midnight Express from 1983 through last 1990.  He held multiple tag team championships and a few singles titles.  He was signed by the WWF as a trainer in their developmental territories of Power Pro Wrestling, Heartland Wrestling Association and Ohio Valley Wrestling, and even had matches, but never in a WWE ring.

Dennis Condrey began his wrestling career in 1973, wrestling full time until 1989, returning to ring in 2004 wrestling periodically through 2011.  An original member of the Midnight Express in 1980, Eaton joined the team in 1983, competing in the infamous Starrcade 86 Skywalkers match.  He left the team in 1987.  He won numerous regional tag team championships and is thought of one of the best tag team wrestlers.

Stan Lane debuted in 1978 and first retired from the ring in 1993.  Returning to the ring in 1999 wrestling periodically through 2008.  Lane was a member of numerous successful tag teams including The Fabulous Ones, The Midnight Express, and The Heavenly Bodies winning numerous tag team championships including NWA World and Unites States tag team championship.  Stan Lane was a member of the WWF broadcast team from 1993 - 1995 providing color commentary on WWF Superstars and WWF Wrestling Challenge, and doing voice over work for Coliseum Home Video exclusive matches.  However, never competed in a WWF ring.

Jimmy "Jam" Garvin

Jimmy Garvin began his wrestling career in 1968 wrestling steady through 1994 and having his final match in 2000.  For much of his career he was accompanied to the ring by his wife Precious.  He became a member of the Fabulous Freebirds in 1989 capturing the NWA & WCW World and WCW United States Tag Team Championships with Michael Hayes.  He competed in numerous territories including Florida, Georgia, Jim Crockett Promotions, World Class, the AWA and more.  Even though he never competed in a WWE ring he was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2016 as a member of the Fabulous Freebirds.

Ole Anderson

Proud member of the Minnesota Wrecking Crew and one of the original members of the Four Horsemen, Ole began his career in 1967 tour the territories of the NWA and competing in the AWA.  Granted when Vince Jr. bought the WWF and began his expansion in 1983 and how he "stole" Georgia Championship Wrestling from him there was no way he was going to compete for McMahon.  However there was plenty of time for him to wrestle for Vince Sr. and he did not.  Ole held numerous tag team championships, and is a legendary figure in the NWA.

Nikita Koloff

The Russian Nightmare wrestled from 1984 - 1992, was a top attraction in Jim Crockett Promotions as the heel in his feud with Magnum TA and their best of 7 series for the NWA United States Championship, and later a babyface teaming with Dusty Rhodes after Magnum's career ending car crash.  Koloff also a multi-time NWA World Tag Team Champion.  Even though he never competed in the WWE he is recognized in their United States Championship title history. 

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