Analyzing the WWE Hall of Fame
After writing yesterday about the possibility of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson attending the WWE Hall of Fame ceremony next month to induct his father and grandfather, I started thinking about the Hall of Fame, specifically who isn’t in that should be, and who is in that shouldn’t be.
Unlike professional sports, professional wrestling doesn’t have an official Hall of Fame, although there are several of them. Because pro wrestling is entertainment and not actual athletic competition, the criteria for its Hall of Fame is less clear than it is for sports. The Wrestling Observer Hall of Fame is considered to have the most credibility among hardcore fans and many within the industry, but the WWE Hall of Fame has the highest profile.
The WWE Hall of Fame has been in existence since 1993, when Andre The Giant was posthumously honored as the first inductee. It currently has 57 members (I’m counting tag teams as one member). The selection process has never been explained, but it is believed that several people associated with WWE are polled about potential candidates, and then Vince McMahon makes the final decision.
Although the WWE Hall of Fame started out as a way to honor those who gained fame working primarily for the company, it became more of a Hall of Fame for all of pro wrestling in recent years after WWE was left as the last major U.S. organization standing.
When considering the list of wrestlers who I think deserve to be in, I focused mostly on former WWE stars rather than performers who made their marks in other companies. Also, I didn’t include Ric Flair, because it is almost a certainty that he is going to be inducted this year.
10 WHO SHOULD GET IN
Bruno Sammartino: Obviously, this is the biggest no-brainer. Wrestling’s “Living Legend” won the WWE world title from Buddy Rogers in 1963 a few months into the company’s existence and held it for nearly eight years. Then in 1973 he became the first man to regain the title and held it for more than three years. The problem is that Sammartino has been very outspoken about his disdain for McMahon and the direction that he has taken wrestling. WWE has contacted Sammartino on a few occasions about inducting him, but he has repeatedly said that he wants no part of it, and WWE simply won’t induct anyone who won’t cooperate. It’s a conflict that will probably never be resolved, which is a shame, because the WWE Hall of Fame will always take a credibility hit as long as Sammartino isn’t in.
Bob Backlund: “The All-American Boy” held the WWE world title for nearly six years, which is longer than anyone except Sammartino and Hulk Hogan. While he was never a huge draw before or after he won the title, Backlund was one of the biggest stars in wrestling from 1978-1983. Backlund, however, also has had his problems with McMahon, and has turned down past invitations to be inducted.
Lou Thesz: He never worked for WWE, but the six-time NWA world champion was considered the top wrestler in the business for several decades. He won his first world title in 1937 and remained an elite performer into the 1960s.
Randy Savage: “The Macho Man” was one of the biggest stars and most talented performers of the “Hulkamania” era through the Monday Night War era. He held the WWE world title on two occasions (and the WCW world title four times) and wrestled in the main event at WrestleMania in 1988, 1989 and 1992 (when he was part of a co-main event). He too has had a falling out with McMahon. I see a trend here.
Ricky Steamboat: A former NWA world and Intercontinental champion, he was one of the top stars and best workers in wrestling from the late ’70s to the mid ’90s. Steamboat, the ultimate babyface, is perhaps the only headliner of the past 30 years to never work as a heel. His rivalry with Flair, which spanned three decades, produced some of the greatest matches of all time, and his victory over Savage for the Intercontinental title in 1987 is regarded as perhaps the best WrestleMania match ever. Steamboat works as a producer (backstage agent) for WWE, so it is just a matter of time before he gets in.
The Ultimate Warrior: Yes, he is controversial. No, he wasn’t great in the ring. But there’s no denying that The Ultimate Warrior was a superstar when WWE was incredibly popular in the late ’80s and early ’90s. He made history at WrestleMania VI by scoring the first clean pinfall win over Hogan in nine years to capture the WWE world title and become the first man to hold the world and Intercontinental titles simultaneously. Here are three reasons why he won’t get in anytime soon: he also had a falling out with McMahon; he was the poster boy for steroid use in wrestling, and WWE wouldn’t want to be seen as glorifying that fact; and with a history of making homophobic and xenophobic comments, there’s no telling what he’d say in his induction speech.
The Road Warriors: Hawk and Animal formed one of the greatest and most influential tag teams of all time. The Road Warriors had their biggest success in the NWA, but they also made an impact in WWE. They are the only team to have held the WWE, NWA and AWA world tag-team titles.
Ivan Koloff: If for nothing else, “The Russian Bear” deserves to be in for being the man who ended Sammartino’s long first WWE world title reign in 1971. Although he held the belt for just a month, Koloff continued to be a frequent challenger to the title throughout the ’70s and was one of the biggest heels in the business during that time. He went on to form one of the top tag teams of the mid ’80s with “nephew” Nikita Koloff in the NWA.
Ted DiBiase: As “The Million Dollar Man,” DiBiase was one of WWE’s all-time great heels. The 1988 angle in which Andre The Giant sold the WWE world title belt to DiBiase after winning it from Hogan – with help from an “imposter” referee – is one of the most famous ever. DiBiase also was a star in several other promotions and was considered one of the best workers of his era.
Ken Patera: One of the top heels of the ’70s and early ’80s, Patera never won the WWE world title, but he was a top challenger to Sammartino, Backlund and Hogan. In fact, he was strongly considered by Vince McMahon Sr. to be the man to end Sammartino’s second reign, but the decision was made to go with “Superstar” Billy Graham instead. In addition to his WWE runs, Patera was a headliner in the AWA and several of the major NWA territories.
10 WHO SHOULDN’T BE IN
Pete Rose and William “Refrigerator” Perry: Obviously, these two were inducted to get mainstream publicity. From a business standpoint, I understand it. But as a wrestling fan, a Hall of Fame that includes Rose and Perry but not Sammartino and Thesz is hard to take seriously.
James Dudley: His induction shows that McMahon can be accused of many things, but not having a soft spot for people that were loyal to his father isn’t one of them. Dudley started out as Vince McMahon Sr.’s limousine driver in the ’50s, and went on to become McMahon Sr.’s confidante, working for him in various behind-the-scenes capacities. He also was occasionally the manager of Bobo Brazil, as well as the first African-American to run a major arena (Washington, D.C.’s Turner Arena). Although he was a loyal and beloved WWE employee, I think the Hall of Fame should be primarily for on-screen performers.
Johnny Rodz: “The Unpredictable” Rodz was one of WWE’s best enhancement talents in the ’70s and early ’80s. His job was to do “the job” and make the stars look good, and he did it well. But he was never anything more than a preliminary wrestler.
Baron Mike Scicluna: He had some success as a singles wrestler and was a co-holder of the WWE tag-team title in 1972, but he spent the better part of the ’70s and early ’80s as a jobber to the stars.
The Blackjacks: Blackjack Mulligan and Blackjack Lanza weren’t long-time partners, and they only held the WWE tag-team title for three months in 1975. Both had success as singles wrestlers, especially Mulligan, but there are many other tag teams far more deserving of inclusion.
Mr. Fuji: He was a five-time co-holder of the WWE tag-team title who had some success as a singles wrestler before becoming a heel manager and leading Yokozuna to two reigns as WWE world champion. Fuji had a fine career, but not a Hall-of-Fame career.
Nikolai Volkoff: Like Fuji, Volkoff had a long career in WWE that was noteworthy, but not Hall-of-Fame worthy. The Baltimore County resident never held a major singles title in WWE or any other promotion.
Tony Atlas: “Mr. USA” was a big star in the early ’80s, even pinning Hogan in a WWE match in 1981. He never won a major singles title, however, and he had already dropped a few notches down the card by the time “Hulkamania” exploded in WWE in 1984.
“Cowboy” Bob Orton: He was a good worker and had an accomplished career in WWE and the NWA Mid-Atlantic territory, but he was never a headliner. He is best remembered for being Roddy Piper’s henchman when WWE was hot in the mid ’80s.
Comments
I agree on every one in who shouldn't be in except for Fuji. To me he's one of THE managers. Jimmy Hart, Bobby Heenan and Mr. Fuji. The fact that he had a solid career as a wrestler too is just gravy.
Fuji rules!
Posted by: Joe | February 11, 2008 5:33 AM
I agree with you on your Hall of Fame blog, except for Mr. Fuji. Mr. Fuji have done a lot in the wrestling world and should be in the Hall of Fame. I would have put Tony Garea in Way Before putting in Bob Orton. Also, Ken Patera was on of the biggest heels in the wrestling world and should have been put in the hall a long time ago. But just like almost all the people who are not in, it's because of falling outs with Vince McMahon. Also, some names you left off the list to be inducted is:
1. Terry Funk
2. Tully Blanchard
3. Arn Anderson
4. Sky Low Low
5. Stan Hansen
6. Honky Tonk Man
And I wouldnt have inducted Eddie Guerrerro.
Posted by: Hubert Davis | February 11, 2008 6:55 AM
Speaking of Ken Patera, didn't he and Mr. Saito get in some sort of trouble in Wisconsin in the mid-eighties and actually wind up serving time?
Posted by: david elzey | February 11, 2008 7:26 AM
I find it odd that Bret Hart can bury the hatchet with Vince McMahon while others with much less reason for a grudge apparently can't. Pity.
I hope the Ultimate Warrior never gets inducted. He might have been a huge draw but for me, he epitomizes everything that was ever wrong with wrestling. All style and no substance.
I'd rather see the WWE induct wrestlers with a solid work rate who might never have drawn crowds on their own but who helped to established the stars that did.
A fairly obvious name that was not on your list would be Owen Hart. Eddie Gurrero was inducted at the first ceremony after his death but it's been over ten years now since Owen's death and still nothing. He should have been inducted last year after Bret Hart was in 2006.
I'm sure people like Stone Cold, The Rock and Mick Foley will all be inducted eventually. The only question is when.
Posted by: Din | February 11, 2008 9:27 AM
No gimmicks,no flash just someone that commanded respect in and out of the ring,that was Bruno. Hope he sticks to his guns.
Posted by: jack in hebron | February 11, 2008 10:32 AM
RE: d. elzey comment. - destruction of property and assaulting a police officer = 2 yrs.
Posted by: jack in hebron | February 11, 2008 2:23 PM
To Din:
"it's been over ten years now since Owen's death and still nothing"
Just splitting hairs here but he died May 23, 1999. Just under 9 years.
Posted by: mr. bronson | February 11, 2008 10:23 PM
I concur with Din about Hart; til this day it pains me when I think about Owen and the way he died. Not withstanding his work in the ring, he seemed to be a quality human being who would have done anything for the good of the WWF/E.
Posted by: Anthony | February 11, 2008 10:38 PM
My bad, I was thinking 1997 for some reason. Maybe because the Montreal Screwjob was on my mind when I was writing the post.
I can understand them not inducting Owen Hart if they haven't inducted Eddie Guerrero but they have so there's really no excuse ignoring Owen Hart's place in the Hall of Fame for so long now.
Posted by: Din | February 12, 2008 3:22 AM
I agree with Hubert on the Honky Tonk Man. He held the I-C title longer than anyone ( fourteen months ). The guy was a great entertainer. He could truly 'shake, rattle, and roll' like no one else except for the "King". No not that "King". Correct me if I'm wrong, isn't Honky a real life cousin of "Jerry the King"?
Posted by: david elzey | February 12, 2008 8:09 AM
The real problem is a lot of wrestlers these days are still going into their 50s and making fools of themselves. The WWE wants to have inductions on a yearly basis but there aren't enough headliners right now (besides the obvious McMahon feud ones).
Posted by: Eric | February 12, 2008 10:21 AM
"Little Beaver" inches out "Sky Low Low"
Posted by: jack in hebron | February 12, 2008 1:32 PM
Is there a chance that the "Haiti Kid" 'inches out' "Little Beaver"?
Posted by: david elzey | February 12, 2008 4:44 PM
Stewy Smoot on Big Kev's Analysis of the WWE HoF
Lou Thesz Great choice! But why stop there? Lets induct George Hackenshmidt! And for that matter Abraham Lincoln. His in-ring prowess won him a presidency. Better yet:
"And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day..."
Genesis 32:24
"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."
Ephesians 6:12
But enough about TNA....
Fuji and Rodz were from an era when storylines were told in the ring. The Unpredictable One helped push the talent on the Saturday morning shows so that peeps would go to the Balt Arena and watch Morales/Stasiak, Strongbow/Valiant, and an undercard featuring Rodz v the Master of Martial Arts - Lee Wong...
And Fuji, matched with Tanaka, were a Heel tag-team, non-pariel. Think Classic Road Warriors...with an anti-American feel thanks to WW2. They dominated.. and they were the tag-team which set up the Morales/Sammmartino split which culminated in the Morales/Sammmartino match at Shea Stadium in 1972 in front of 35000 fans...putting the Bee in promoters heads that "modern" pro wrestling could sell to large venues if the angles were played up right..
And the angle on this could not have been done without Fuji
Look past the Manager and the cartoon series and see how this wrestler helped transformed the sport.
Stunning Stewy Smoot
The Masqued Debateur
Posted by: Stunning Stewy Smoot | February 12, 2008 9:12 PM
Do you think The British Bulldog or Freebirds deserve to make it?
RESPONSE FROM KEVIN ECK: Yep. The Bulldogs and the Freebirds are both worthy.
Posted by: John | February 13, 2008 11:07 PM
Freebirds (First triple team),Von Erichs (First Family) and The Road Warriors! I dont think you could go wrong with any of them.
Posted by: Allan | February 16, 2008 3:02 AM
Totally agree on the Freebirds, Von Erichs, and Road Warriors. I think it is time for the WWE to start acknowledging the Macho Man Randy Savage. Besides being a great showman and unique talker, he was a great wrestler. Savage is right up there with Hogan and Flair in terms of longevity. WWE needs to recognize Savage for who he is in the business. The Hall of Fame is the best way for them to do that.
Also, as factions have taken on a huge role in professional wrestling in the last 25 years, I think it is time to induct the 4 Horsemen, I am not sure how they would do this being that there are members who should never be in any Hall of Fame. But certainly Flair, who will be this year they way it sounds. Also, Arn Anderson, Tully Blanchard. Also, one of my all-time favs is Barry Windham, but not sure if he has done enough, but would love to see it...and he works there already as a producer.
Great post, great topic to go rounds on!
Posted by: Dustin DeSanto | February 16, 2008 7:17 PM
I AGREE WITH ALL THE PEOPLE THAT SHOULDN'T BE IN EXCEPT FOR FUJI ...FUJI HAD A GREAT CAREER AS A WRESTLER AND MANAGER
ITS EASY TO MAKE IT TO THE HALL IF YOU WERE PART OF THE HOGAN ERA (ORTON AND ORNDORF) ...ALSO IF YOU GET ALONG WITH VINCE YOU HAVE A BETTER SHOT IN GETTING IN....
NIKOLAI VOLKOFF IN THE HALL AND IVAN KOLOFF NOT !! WHOA !!!! THATS A DISGRACE TO RUSSIANS
VON ERICHS, FREEBIRDS, 4 HORSEMAN, TERRY FUNK, ULTIMATE WARRIOR, DAVEY BOY SMITH, MAE YOUNG, GORDON SOLIE, MACHO MAN, BOB BACKLUND, BRUNO SAMARTINO, RICK MARTEL, RICKY STEAMBOAT, BRISCO BROTHERS, VACHON BROTHERS, TONY GAREA, TED DIBIASE, ROAD WARRIORS, HOWARD FINFEL, LOU THESZ, PETER MAIVIA, AND STU HART SHOULD ALL GO IN
HONKY TONK MAN GIVING ME A BREAK !!!!! ....ALSO THE HALL OF FAME IS THE VINCE MCMAHON KISS MY A-- CLUB !!!!
IF OWEN HART MAKES THE HALL ITS BECAUSE HE WAS A LOVEABLE GUY, FUNNY AND IS BRET HARTS BROTHER AND HE PASSED AWAY
Posted by: KERVIN | February 21, 2008 8:05 PM
Bruno was more of a lumbering oaf than a great wrestler. The ethnic mix in the northeast is what kept Bruno on top as long as he was. He was Hulk Hogan before there was Hulk Hogan.
As far as this year's WWE hall of fame, besides Flair, the inductees should be Gary Hart (greatest manager of all time, not Jimmy Hart),
The Freebirds, The Von Erichs, Bob Backlund, Ricky Steamboat and Baron Von Raschke. All champions and all great wrestlers. Yes, wrestlers, not sports entertainers.
As for the Honky Tonk Man, the only reason he had the IC title was because of Bonnie Steamboat's difficult pregnancy. Does anyone honestly believe Steamboat would have dropped the belt in under 6 minutes on the Saturday morning program to someone like Honky?
Posted by: Keith Okie | February 25, 2008 1:49 PM
I think that no one can argue that Owen definately deserves to be in the Hall. And especially after Ediie passed and was inducted. I think the main reason they havent done anything yet as far as inducting him is simply because it brings up and very controversial issue. Owen's passing was WWEs fault...unlike all the other deaths..like Eddie and Benoit...WWE was directly blamed with the passing of Owen and it brings up a topic that even after almost 9 years I think people are still afriad. I really hope it happens this year...or sometime soon....he deserves it. I just think some people would be uncomfortable bringing it up...but if they can settle ties with Bret..then I have faith it will happen someday.
Posted by: Victoria | February 26, 2008 10:03 PM
Tito Santana falls into the Steamboat category as a wrestler who was always a babyface. As for other HOF candidates, how about Adrian Adonis, Dick Murdoch, Carlos Colon, Bruiser Brody, Ray Stevens, any of the influential Japanese wrestlers (Baba,Inoki), Mr. Wrestling I and II, once the LOD goes in, then the Midnight Express, Rock and Roll Express can go. And the Crockett Family.
Posted by: G | February 29, 2008 6:20 PM
I hope that Bob Backlund finally gets in. He appreed at the RAW anniversary show, so he and the McMahon's might be on speaking terms. He deserves it.
Posted by: David | March 1, 2008 9:13 AM
Eddie Guerrero deserved the hall of fame they had to put him in because of his death and the guys that should really be in the hall of fame are IRS because he was a 5 time tag team champion Ultimate Warrior because he was the first ever WWF and Intercontinental champions Randy Savage because he was 1 of the greatest wrestlers ever The Mountie because he is a former Intercontinental champion
RESPONSE FROM KEVIN ECK: You had me until The Mountie.
Posted by: Brett | July 11, 2008 8:52 AM