Kurt Angle, known as one of the top wrestlers in WWE history, achieved four WWE Championship titles and earned a spot in the prestigious WWE Hall of Fame. However, during his Hall of Fame induction in 2017, he highlighted a forgotten figure he regarded as an “unsung hero.”
Steve James Bisson, professionally known as Steve Bradley, emerged as a promising talent in WWE after starting his wrestling career at the young age of 15 in Boston, Massachusetts. Despite an early setback in a tag team match against former WWF Tag Team Champions, The Bodydonnas, Bradley’s talent caught the attention of WWF executives, leading to a developmental deal at just 22 years old in 1998.
Teaming up with Kurt Angle, Bradley trained in Connecticut and competed in Power Pro Wrestling, where he eventually defeated Angle for the PPW Heavyweight Championship in August 1999. Their rivalry was recognized by Pro Wrestling Illustrated as the “Underrated Feud of the Year.”
Despite high expectations, Bradley struggled to maintain momentum in various organizations, including Ohio Valley Wrestling, where he crossed paths with future wrestling stars. He later transitioned to coaching, establishing the Top Rope Wrestling Academy in Manchester, New Hampshire, but tragically passed away at the age of 32 in the academy’s former location.
Bradley’s untimely death left a void in the wrestling community, with Angle crediting him for his rapid improvement and success in WWE. Bradley’s battle with drug addiction and legal issues overshadowed his wrestling career, culminating in an inconclusive autopsy following his death.
Angle expressed regret over Bradley’s unrealized potential, emphasizing his impact on his own wrestling journey and acknowledging the unfulfilled promise of a talent that could have captivated audiences worldwide.