Opinion by Bone`rT

Okay I may not be the greatest opinionist you've ever met but I sure have some! Like a bad memory of a chick you should have never laid, everyone has one.
What does wrestling need? It needs a man of intensity! Intelligence! Integrity is needed too! You guessed it folks, we need Mantaur! And now I intend to present to you this great mammoth of wrestling history.

It is a little known fact that until 1996, the role of Mantaur was played by multiple WWF Superstars. Before becoming a WWF Champ, and a pain in the rear to backstage crew rivaled only by the time that Steve Austin shoved an enema of Vince's ass, he paid his dues as Shawntaur.
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Shawntaur flopped imediately however and the world was introduced to Austaur!

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Thats right folks, before achieving the level of fame that he achieved later on, Stone Cold played Austaur! Talk about paying your dues!

There were many more Taurs to come, they even went over the top with Johntaur!

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The angle was so embarassing for the WWE that John Cena wouldn't be given a push until 2002, Lillian Garcia would be allowed to work for WWE sometime earlier.

These men however were never actually famous for the gimmick. It would be one man who would take this character to the great heights that he would bring to us.

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Oh yeah it would be Mankind who would land the role of Mantaur and go on to levels of wrestling superstardom previously thought to be only achieved by Gillberg and Kwee Wee.

This guy had it all! Mantaur mania was in full swing, and a full line of Mantaur products were sweeping throughout America.

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Everything from shirts

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Cups were taking America by storm.

Now as a kid I know I had a nice Hulk Hogan lunch box with a cool Hulk Hogan Thermos. I even had a killer Hulk Hogan tanning kit! I couldn't quite understand the mad giberrish with brother ending every sentence and eventually became a brother myself. Either way I quickly trashed all of that Hogan junk as soon as the Mantaur line of products hit stores.

As for Mantaur's in-ring career here was a guy with all the acolades needed for wrestling greatness.

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It was at the 1997 Royal Rumble that Mantaur defeated Andre The Giant to secure his spot in wrestling history! Mantuar then went on to win the 1994 King of The Ring. A man who deserves your respect? I think so.

So why not bring back Mantaur? Now that you know who he is, and know that he defeated Andre The Giant you too should believe that he has what it takes to make it in the wrestling world!

Last Edited: Sunday, September 8th, 2002 - 08:14 am EDT