I'm looking forward to attending this year's WWE Hall of Fame banquet, which will be highlighted by the induction of Ric Flair. Others going in this year include Peter Maivia, Rocky Johnson, Mae Young, The Briscoes, Eddie Graham, and possibly Gordon Solie.
Disregarding the obvious nepotism and transparent political reasons behind some of the choices, I don't have a huge problem with any of those picks. But let me offer a few of my own.
While the qualifications may have been loosened in recent years, I'm going to try to stick with people who achieved fame in WWE/WWF. I'm also mostly choosing from wrestlers who competed more than 15 years ago, have long since retired, and/or are deceased. For political reasons, some of these people will obviously never get in, while, for others, it’s likely a matter of time.
I’m sure I’m leaving out some pretty obvious names. Feel free to post your own thoughts and suggestions in the comments field.
Rick Steamboat: He may have wrestled his best matches in the NWA before and after his WWF stint, but even during his three-year stint in the company, The Dragon stood above his peers for his ring work. Few others have mastered the art of telling a story like Steamboat - the Brando of playing babyface-in-peril. Ideal Person to Induct Him: Ric Flair.
Jake Roberts: His ring work was never anything special, but few were better at understanding the psychology of pro wrestling than the Snake. Despite being a relatively ordinary maneuver, Roberts got his DDT finisher over as one of the deadliest in wrestling. Ideal Person to Induct Him: Ted Dibiase, the Undertaker.
Bob Backlund: Backlund’s anchored the then-WWF during the late 1970s and 1980s, wearing the world championship for three years, and selling out his share of Madison Square Garden Shows. After years of strongmen champions like Bruno Sammartino and Billy Graham, Backlund’s athletic prowess and amateur wrestling credentials added another dimension to the title. Ideal Person to Induct Him: Billy Graham, Don Muraco.
The Road Warriors: Widely recognized as one of the greatest tag teams in wrestling history, Hawk and Animal may have achieved their biggest success in the AWA and NWA, but they had a few decent runs in WWE as well. With Road Warrior Animal’s brother, John Laurinitis, working in the WWE front office, it’s just a matter of time. Ideal Person to Induct Them: Paul Ellering
Randy “Macho Man” Savage: During the late 1980s and early 1990s, Savage was arguably the hottest WWF act besides Hulk Hogan. What’s more, while the WWF placed little importance in actual wrestling ability, Savage was a standout athlete during his run, carrying top stars like Hogan and the Ultimate Warrior to some of the best matches of their career. Few others could get across the intensity of a grudge like the Macho Man. Ideal Person to Induct Him: Hulk Hogan or Rick Steamboat.
The Ultimate Warrior: Yes, he was a terrible wrestler, and by all accounts, a jerk to deal with. But there was a reason he was chosen to be the man to dethrone Hulk Hogan. Warrior was exciting, colorful and charismatic, and sometimes those ingredients can make up for a lot of shortcomings. Ideal Person to Induct Him: Hulk Hogan, Sting.
Howard Finkel: Nothing gives a WWE match a sense of importance like the Fink’s voice announcing, “The following match is scheduled for one fall...” Beside Finkel’s announcing abilities, he has been a loyal WWE employee for more than 30 years, and is known as the company’s resident historian. Ideal Person to Induct Him: Lillian Garcia.
Bruno Sammartino: The biggest WWE act prior to Hulk Hogan is the Hall of Fame’s single most glaring omission. I’m sure Vince would love to have him in, if only for legitimacy’s sake, but the bitter Sammartino isn’t interested. Ideal Person to Induct Him: Larry Zbyszko.
Ted Dibiase: One of the best technicians of his time, and a top-drawing heel character during one of WWE’s most profitable eras. Ideal Person to Induct Him: Mike “Virgil” Jones, Mike “IRS” Rotundo.
Barry Windham and Mike Rotundo: Whether as singles stars or together as a tag team, Rotundo and Windham were popular acts who could really go in the ring. Both still work for WWE as agents. Ideal Person to Induct Them: Each other.
Rick Rude: A very good wrestler, who carried the Ultimate Warrior to some of his most watchable matches, and a terrifically arrogant heel. The “Ravishing One” died in 1999. Ideal Person To Induct Him: Bobby Heenan or Jake Roberts.
Owen Hart: The tragic circumstances of his death aside, Owen Hart was one of WWE’s most talented wrestlers during his time with the company, and one of the most beloved by his peers. His feud with his brother Bret helped solidify the Hitman as a worthy world champion. Ideal Person to Induct Him: Bret Hart.
The British Bulldogs: One of the most revolutionary tag teams of all time, the Bulldogs often were single-handedly responsible for the good-wrestling-quotient of some WWF cards in the mid 1980s. Davey Boy Smith also had several great matches with Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels in the 1990s. Ideal Person to Induct Them: Bret Hart and Jim Neidhardt.
Brian Pillman: The late “Loose Cannon” was a pioneer of the “Attitude” era, a master of blurring the lines between entertainment and reality, and one of the most compelling acts of the 1990s. Ideal Person to Induct Him: Steve Austin.
Ivan Koloff: Arguably the hottest “evil Russian” character ever portrayed, and an early WWF champion. Ideal Person to Induct Him: Nikita Koloff.
John Tenta: While he didn't have a stellar career, the former Earthquake was a well-regarded performer who had a run as the WWF’s top heel in the early 1990s and suffered a very tragic end. Ideal Person to Induct Him: Jimmy Hart, Fred “Typhoon” Ottman.
Bill Eadie and Barry Darsow: As Demolition, the two men were the dominant tag team of the late 1980s and early 1990s. Both also had some singles success, especially Eadie, whose Masked Superstar character was a big draw in the early 80s. Ideal Person to Induct Them: Joe “Animal” Laurinitis.
Rick Martel: Had early success in the WWF as a tag team champion with Tony Garea, and after having a run as AWA world champion, saw more success in the fed as half of the popular Can-Am Connection, and later Strike Force. As “The Model” he had a money feud with Jake Roberts. Ideal person to induct him: Tito Santana, Tony Garea.
Ray Traylor: The late “Big Bossman” was a main event level heel and babyface in the late 1980s and early 90s, and a noted philanthropist. Ideal Person to Induct Him: Bobby Heenan, Jacques Rougeau, or Slick.
The Honky Tonk Man: Drew some big houses in the 1980s as fans clamored to see his record-setting Intercontinental championship reign come to an end. Ideal Person to Induct Him: Jimmy Hart.
Adrian Adonis: As a member of the “East-West Connection” with Jesse Ventura, Adonis was an under rated worker, and a draw. As the “Adorable One,” the late Adonis riled fans and took part in some major feuds, including with Hogan, Piper and Sammartino. Ideal Person to Induct Him: Jesse Ventura.
Comments (34)
Wow, what a great list!
I can't understand why Owen Hart is not in the W.W.E. Hall of Fame. I’ll never forget Owen beating his brother at Wrestlemania X! Just a classic match!
Uhh, why don't we just induct the entire roster? How about Iron Mike Sharpe? I mean, he WAS Hamilton's greatest athlete! How about Steve Lombardi?
Like, c'mon man, I understand that nostalgia is great and all, but Adrian Adonis? The Big Boss Man? John Tenta? Rick Martel?
They are inducting Ric Flair at WM. Aside from Savage, Steamboat and Howard Finkel.. none of the others even remotely measure up.
I have to say, reading this list does make one want the WWE to induct these people, such as Tenta, Pillman, and Owen.
As I kept reading the list, it actually became depressing remembering all these great acts that are no longer with us. How sad...
I'm sure Steamboat will go in soon enough since he's an employee.
Meanwhile:
"Jake Roberts: His ring work was never anything special, but few were better at understanding the psychology of pro wrestling than the Snake"
Do you understand the inherent contradiction there?
I'm sure Steamboat will go in soon enough since he's an employee.
Meanwhile:
"Jake Roberts: His ring work was never anything special, but few were better at understanding the psychology of pro wrestling than the Snake"
Do you understand the inherent contradiction there?
I don't. To me, ring work largely refers to the athletic content of their matches. Psychology encompasses a lot more - how to work a crowd, how to pace a match, how to build suspense, etc.
To Angelo Mantzios: How can you saw the rest of them barely measure up? Bruno Sammartino is the longest reigning WWE champion in history. He deserves to be inducted instead of someone like Pete Rose, or William Perry.
What about Terry Funk? Or Bam Bam Bigelow?
Ray Traylor and the Honkey Tonk Man in the HoF? I'm not saying they're worse than the WWE choices, but if you put them in, you might as well put in anyone who achieved any fame whatsoever in the WWE. If this was a WWE museum, instead of a HoF, then I'd have no problem with it (and I do realize there's no physical structure involved), but a "Hall of Fame" should really warrant something extraordinary to deserve induction.
I don't see what the Bossman did that was extraordinary, nor, aside from having the longest IC reign of all time, one whose only significant note was how he lost, what Honky did either.
And if you're using predominately their WWE work, I don't see how Barry Windham and Mike Rotundo deserve an entry. I'm the biggest Barry mark there is, and feel he would deserve to go into a wrestling HoF, but his WWE work was mostly a footnote to his great NWA/WCW days.
The only person I'd induct that isn't on that list is
Big Van Vader - One of, if not the most, prolific big men of all time, Vader could do it all. Go blow for blow with Ric Flair, brawl with Cactus Jack or stiff the snot out of some of the most hard nosed wreslters of his era. I believe he is also considered a legend in Japan.
His WWF run was cut short by a new "Attitude" era which did not fit his character at all. He had several WCW Title runs and main evented with the best their roster had to offer.
The ideal person to induct him would be Harley Race or maybe Mick Foley.
The only person I'd induct that isn't on that list is
Big Van Vader - One of, if not the most, prolific big men of all time, Vader could do it all. Go blow for blow with Ric Flair, brawl with Cactus Jack or stiff the snot out of some of the most hard nosed wreslters of his era. I believe he is also considered a legend in Japan.
His WWF run was cut short by a new "Attitude" era which did not fit his character at all. He had several WCW Title runs and main evented with the best their roster had to offer.
The ideal person to induct him would be Harley Race or maybe Mick Foley.
I agree with every person on that list except for Rick Martel, because basically Strike Force was over as a tag team, but once Martel turned heel he was nothing but a Jobber to the Stars who put over Razor Ramon for his first IC title.
And just for the people who disagree with Adrian Adonis, he was a major draw during the regional territories and his East-West Connection with Jesse Ventura was classic stuff that you just don't see anymore.
The Ultimate Warrior is an ass who didn't appreciate anything he was given, but I guess he did dethrone Hogan. However, I would rather them just give him a live mic on television and let him go nuts because that would be far more entertaining than any of his matches.
I like the ideas of Terry Funk, Bigelow and Vader. There's a good argument for all of them, and all have competed in WWE.
JClark correctly noted that Rotunda and Windham did not do their best work in WWE, but I'm OK with using the WWE HOF as a forum to honor stars from across the business, as long as they did compete in WWE at one time. That's what WWE did with Harley Race, and really, even for Flair. That would also apply to Vader and Funk.
Wrestlers who have passed away, especially prematurely, deserve special consideration, for better or for worse. That's why I proposed guys like Tenta and Traylor, who had good, but not legendary careers. That said, I wouldn't induct guys like Dino Bravo, who died prematurely, but was mediocre at best during his career.
I know it's a touchy subject, but I believe the Rock was the best all-around in-ring performer I have ever seen, from both an athletic and psychological perspective...he looked great in the ring and could cut a promo with anybody, ever. When WWE is sure Rocky will never wrestle again (I am sure, but I think Vince is still holding out hope) they will surely induct The Great One to the HoF.Maybe by then they will have a building. A wrestling museum would be cool! I'dlove to stand next to a replica of Haystacks Calhoun, or between Andre and Big John Studd ala Wrestlemania I ...the Great Malenko, Mr. Fuji, Mr. Wrestling, Buddy Colt...a museum would be way cool.
But who would go? (Besides me?)
I know it's a touchy subject, but I believe the Rock was the best all-around in-ring performer I have ever seen, from both an athletic and psychological perspective...he looked great in the ring and could cut a promo with anybody, ever. When WWE is sure Rocky will never wrestle again (I am sure, but I think Vince is still holding out hope) they will surely induct The Great One to the HoF.Maybe by then they will have a building. A wrestling museum would be cool! I'dlove to stand next to a replica of Haystacks Calhoun, or between Andre and Big John Studd ala Wrestlemania I ...the Great Malenko, Mr. Fuji, Mr. Wrestling, Buddy Colt...a museum would be way cool.
But who would go? (Besides me?)
I'd like to see Ultimate Warrior go in just to hear his acceptance speech. That's a train wreck waiting to happen.
Didnt Backlund hold the title from 78 - 83? That is longer than 3 years. Demolition and HTM belong in the Hall Of Fame. They were long running champions when their titles meant something. I know it hasn't been a year yet, but based strictly on his career, Benoit belongs in there one day.
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Inducting him will be...the Iron Sheik.
To Zane: I missed Sammartino when reading the list. He definately should get the nod in.
To Sean Kilkelly:
The reason why Owen Hart isn't in is due to his wife. She sued then-WWF in a wrongful death lawsuit. They settled and I believe that it won't happen until she is gone from this world, and even then, it may have been so long that he may not get in at all.
In my opinion, he and any other wrestler who dies while an active wrestler should definitively be considered for the HoF ASAP, like Eddie Guerrero.
Great list man!!! To me the Macho Man is top five greatest ever. He is the only man to hold the title besides Hogan in the 80's during the Hulkamania era. That's saying something b/c Hogan dominated then and as the story has it, picked the Macho Man himself to be the champ along with McMahon. Who could forget his fueds: Ricky Steamboat, Warrior, Jake Roberts, Ric Flair (on numerous occasions), DDP. Those were all fun to watch. However, McMahon has a grudge against him for some reason so I don't know if his induction will take place anytime soon.
The other guy that I am surprised is not in is Owen Hart, he definitely deserves it.
Demolition, although they were made to be an LOD knockoff, was able to seperate themselves as a great tag team. They held the titles 3 times which was unheard of back then, and beat quality teams (Strike Force, Arn Anderson and Tully Blanchard, and Andre the Giant and Haku).
I always be a great fan of the Rabid Wolverine Chris Benoit, obviously, he never will be part of the Hall of Fame.
Yokozuna should be in the Hall of Fame. A great wrestler for his size.
Alfonso-
Work = working = psychology and all that. Wrestlers tend to use it this way more than hardcore fans, but it is the origin and thus "more correct."
Plus, Jake had lots of great matches, anyway, especially in Mid-South (though he did have great matches in Georgia w/ Ron Garvin and in the WWF with Ricky Steamboat, Ted DiBiase, and Randy Savage, as well).
Next year the Von Erichs will be in since Mania is going back to Texas in the Astrodome. They deserve to be in, tragic deaths aside, because they put World Class on the map and WCCW was a breeding ground for most of the big stars like Steve Austin, Rick Rude, The Ultimate Warrior, and tag teams like the Freebirds and even the Midnight Express had a run there.
Plus, the Von Erichs were all pretty good wrestlers, excpet for Chris, and David was destined to be NWA champ until his untimely death.
I say Vince should be the one to induct Howard Finkel, his most loyal employee and if I'm not mistaken he's the guy who came up with the name Wrestlemania
I wish there wasnt so much beef with Macho! I would love to see him in there and i would love a best of dvd! same with angle!
I wish there wasnt so much beef with Macho! I would love to see him in there and i would love a best of dvd! same with angle!
Owen Hart will be inducted into the hall sooner or later. The problem is, if you inducted the big stars all at once, the 2011 hall would be rubbish. So Owen will probably be the star inductee next year, with several other hart relations going in at the same time. Is Stu in there? Then you could induct a few of his trainees, and bulldog.
I think the goal is to have 60+ members by WM30. As long as by then they're all in, does it matter whether you're an actual hall of famer or a future hall of famer?
I agree with almost all of your nominees. LOD and Demolition and the Bulldogs should definently be in. Most will actually get in on your list, but one BIG omission was Vince McMahon himself. His dad got in the hall of fame, and we dont really ever think of Vince getting in but hes definently a hall of famer. Also, guys like Jimmy Hart, Arn Anderson, and Tully Blanchard are also notable snubs on your list.
Great list - especially with The Fink getting the nod!
I think Benoit should be in there along with Stu Hart
Maybe it's just me...but if Pete Rose is in the WWE HOF then those two should be in there for sure!
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