10 Best NJPW Wrestlers In WWE
7. Dick Murdoch
An outstandingly well-rounded worker in his heyday, Dick Murdoch was once considered among America's finest wrestlers. He was a tough, gritty brawler who was just as comfortable scrapping around ringside as he was in slick technical exchanges, and he wrestled all over the world, notching over 500 New Japan matches throughout his career.
Murdoch's WWE run lasted just over a year, but it was successful. He formed the North-South Connection with Adrian Adonis soon after debuting. They defeated Rocky Johnson and Tony Atlas to become World Tag Team Champions in what was just Dick's eighth match for the promotion at the time, notching 13 televised defences (including one on an NJPW show in December 1984) throughout their 279-day reign.
By the time it came to an end in January 1985, the North-South Connection's reign was the second longest in the titles' history. Murdoch lasted just one more month with WWE, and though his problematic personal views mean you'll never hear his name mentioned on company programming, but he was a solidly pushed midcard act throughout his tenure, and tasted more success than most New Japan imports.