Paul Ellering

Paul Ellering is one of those guys who flew under the radar during his wrestling career, despite being an absolute powerhouse in the ring and a trailblazer behind the scenes. Born in 1953, Ellering spent nearly two decades cutting a swath through various promotions, from the AWA to WCW to the WWF (now WWE). And yet, despite his impressive physique – a chiseled 210 pounds of pure muscle on a 5'10" frame – and his dominant wrestling style, he remains somewhat of an afterthought in the pantheon of professional wrestling greats.

But don't get me wrong: Ellering was no slouch. A true powerhouse, he could crush opponents with ease, and his Gewichtheben background (that's German for "weightlifting," folks) gave him a strength that bordered on superhuman. And let's not forget his versatility – the man could manage just as well as he could wrestle, often playing the lovable "Precious" character to great comedic effect.

Ellering's claim to fame came in the late 1970s and early 1980s, when he formed a tag team with Larry Hennig (a.k.a. Mr. Wonderful) that dominated the AWA scene. The two won multiple championships, including the IWA World Tag Team Championship and the AWA Southern Tag Team Championship – no small feat.

But Ellering's impact went far beyond just his in-ring accomplishments. He was a trailblazer for powerlifting in professional wrestling, paving the way for others to incorporate their strength training into their performances. And as a manager, he brought a level of charisma and showmanship that few could match.

So why do we remember some of Ellering's contemporaries – guys like Hulk Hogan or "Macho Man" Randy Savage – so much more fondly? Maybe it's because they got the big push from Vince McMahon Sr. (or Jr., depending on your era). Maybe it's because their personalities shone brighter, like a supernova exploding across the wrestling galaxy.

Whatever the reason, Paul Ellering remains an unsung hero of professional wrestling – a man who left an indelible mark on the sport, even if his name doesn't come up as often as some of his more famous peers. Still, for fans of old-school powerlifting and no-nonsense in-ring action, Ellering is the real deal – a Precious gem worth cherishing.