Every Wrestling Rookie Of The Year: Where Are They Now?

42. 1981: Brad Armstrong

Essa Rios Lita
WWE

After breaking out in the early 1980s, Brad Armstrong was tagged with the dreaded "great hand" stigma deeper into his run.

Mechanically excellent, exceptional on the sell to an extent that it felt like something had actually gone awry in his matches, and boasting a just gorgeous counter arm drag, Armstrong's run in the 1990s was difficult to judge: did he lack the intangibles to succeed at a higher level, or was WCW just drastically incompetent?

He was dealt something worse as the decade progressed, even playing the Vincent-adjacent 'Buzzkill' character, parodying his own brother Road Dogg.

He passed away aged 50 in 2012 after doing producing work for WWE post-retirement.

(According to Wikpedia, Brad Rheingans co-won the award; after breaking out in the AWA, he experienced some success in NJPW before opening a wrestling school.)

Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!