Wrestler Profile #50: Brian Pillman
Name: "The Loose Cannon" Brian Pillman
Also Known As: Flyin' Brian
Famous For Working In: WCW, WWF, ECW, JCP, Stampede
Collection Matches: 2 (Entry #65 vs Jushin Liger, Entry #86 with Bret Hart, Owen Hart, Jim Neidhart, & The British Bulldog vs Steve Austin, Ken Shamrock, Goldust, & The Legion of Doom)
Accolades: 2-Time WCW Light Heavyweight Champion, WCW World Tag Team Champion, NWA World Tag Team Champion, NWA United States Tag Team Champion, 2-Time Stampede Wrestling International Tag Team Champion, Stampede Wrestling Hall of Fame, 1 Dave Meltzer Five-Star Match
One of the great innovators of North American pro wrestling in the '80s and '90s, the legendarily charismatic Brian Pillman made a huge mark in the eleven years he spent in the industry. Pillman first made his way to Canada during his brief career in American football, but when that came to an end, he began training with Stu Hart, becoming a star for Stampede. After a few years, he returned to the US to wrestle for JCP, and eventually its successor, WCW. The young athlete wowed fans with high-flying lucha libre-inspired offense that was especially rare to see in the States at the time, earning the name Flyin' Brian. Pillman became the inaugural WCW Light Heavyweight Champion, having several high-profile matches against Jushin Liger, including the very first match ever to air on Nitro. He also became well-known as one half of the Hollywood Blonds, teaming with another rising star by the name of Steve Austin.
Pillman's career continued to progress, and he even found himself among the ranks of the legendary Four Horsemen. However, as time went on, he began to become mentally unhinged, picking up the moniker of "the Rogue Horseman", and later "the Loose Cannon". He was no less clever, though; he convinced WCW to release him from his contract with the intention of bringing him back later to legitimize his insanity in the eyes of fans, but he used the opportunity to jump ship to the WWF. A car accident that had left him with a serious ankle injury forced him to drastically change his in-ring style, but he was still the same crafty son of a bitch that he had always been. He first realigned himself with Steve Austin, but he began to favor Austin's rival Bret Hart, and eventually joined up with his fellow Stampede alumni in the Hart Foundation.
The Loose Cannon had notable rivalries with both Austin and Goldust during his remaining time in the WWF, but that time was, unfortunately, cut short. An undetected heart condition led to his untimely death at the age of only 35, while still under contract with the company. Gone but not forgotten, the legacy of Brian Pillman had a major effect on the wrestling industry, and he continues to inspire wrestlers to this day. Current stars such as Dean Ambrose and Kenny Omega have turned to the impactful career of Flyin' Brian for ideas, and it seems his memory will last forever. Regardless, many fans wonder what might have been if the Rogue Horseman had truly been able to reach his peak.
