Johnny Mantell

[4.0] "This guy was a decent enough worker in the ring and always seemed to find his way onto World Class Wrestling in the opening matches. Like I said, decent enough wrestler, but a charisma vacuum and I never really enjoyed watching him work. He jobbed a few times in the WWF and then pretty much ended his career in Texas once it became the GWF in the early '90s."

[7.0] "Based upon his 1982-1986: Got a great break in World Class when his brother Ken Mantell was the booker. Ah yes, Nepotism! This however, is an example of it done correctly. Johnny Mantell was kinda the king of the opening contest broadways. 10 to 20 minutes of straight/clean southern style 'rasslin ending in a draw. When he did lose against upper card heel talent, he gave them a tough battle usually lasting to the very final seconds. He was never given title runs, he was never pushed as a face of the company - he was curtain jerking and doing a fantastic job at keeping things engaging. Chemistry with everyone, could work solid stuff with anybody. He did "jobs" for Vince when Superstars & Challenge were starting up and I bet he made a bundle just from those. You see me singing his praises but the flaws were blatant, among them was his body conditioning was less than desirable. Good worker though. EDIT: A highlight of his "good work" can be found vs Buddy Roberts, World Class Jan 14 1984 (Season 3 Episode 2) at 27:07-27:12; so many, soooo many slopped through this spot over the years, almost everyone whiffed making the spin through look odd and unrealistic, these two did it so precision perfectly, it's beautiful work. "How it's supposed to be done"."