The Von Erichs being inducted into WWE Hall of Fame
The news that the Von Erichs will be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame next month is not a surprise. The understated manner in which it was announced, however, was surprising.
Unlike the other announcements for the 2009 class, this one was made on wwe.com rather than on television. The obvious assumption is that, in light of Andrew “Test” Martin’s death over the weekend, WWE did not want to draw attention to the fact that four of the five Von Erich brothers who wrestled all died young. There was no graphic at the beginning of the show acknowledging Martin’s death, either.
As a fan, I'm disappointed in those decisions. From the standpoint of a company being protective of its image, I can understand it.
In regard to the Von Erichs going into the Hall of Fame, I have not read which members of the family are actually being inducted. I would assume it's Fritz, David, Kerry and Kevin.
I think as a group they deserve the honor, but as individuals, I don't know that I would put any of the brothers in. Patriarch Fritz Von Erich, however, absolutely is a Hall of Famer. There's no way that Mike and Chris should even be in the conversation. Then again, if Koko B. Ware and Johnny Rodz are in, an argument can be made for just about anyone.
Comments
While I don't really have an opinion how the announcement was made , I do think that it's long over - due that at least Fritz be entered into the HOF for his contributions as a wrestler and promoter , especially when looking at some of the others that are enshrined .
The wrestling HOF like the other sports HOF's lose some luster when being a "significant alumnus" translates into HOF.
Posted by: the artist formerly known as jack in hebron | March 17, 2009 5:08 PM
I hate the fact that they didn't pay some sort of tribute to Test but at the same time I can understand why they didn't. I'll give them a free pass because from what I understand, the WWE worked with Test to get him into rehab and they stayed in close contact with him. The Von Erich advertisement should have been on TV. I'm willing to bet that Kevin Von Erich doesn't make it on the 1 hour HOF special. That's pretty sad when you consider how many wrestlers died around the same time the WWE was promoting the hell out of the World Class DVD.
Posted by: jt | March 17, 2009 5:53 PM
While I thank the wwe for inducting the Von Erich's into the HOF, I'm disappointed that they weren't given the same respect as the other inductees. The Von Erich's treated us (fans) like family, and we love them as our own. I know the business has changed-it seems like every aspect of it has., but there's alot of us still out here, holding out for the good, decent family wrestling shows that the Von Erich's gave us. Please give us & Kevin, Ms. Doris and the rest of the family some good memories-and a chance to let them know we appreciate all they did for us.
Posted by: ada | March 17, 2009 10:34 PM
I wonder if they're gonna announce any other HOF inductees next week. How hard would it have been to just switcheroo next week's and this week's, this moving the Von Erichs away from the death of Test?
Posted by: Marko50 | March 18, 2009 6:18 AM
I grew up a fan of the Von Erich's, watching them in syndication here in the northeast. I was looking forward to see their induction video this past week on RAW. I disapointed that it was not shown. I also think it's inexcuseable that there was not so much as a graphic for Andrew (Test) Martin. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.
Posted by: Angie | March 18, 2009 4:48 PM
i read the smackdown spoilers for this week and they are going to give a video package for the von erichs this week on smackdown
Posted by: paul19 | March 18, 2009 10:55 PM
Why do you even care about the Hall of Fame? The criteria for admission are absurd. Until the WWF (or WWE as it's now called) inducts its 2nd biggest star of the 1985-1995 era, the Hall should be seen for what it really is: A momumental dedication to Vincent McMahon's ego
Posted by: Mike | March 19, 2009 1:41 PM
i would have to agree i don't think the whole family should get in Fritz definatly should Kerry is Borderline but i would givwe him the benefit of the doubt Kevin i loved in the ring but i never saw him really out of World Class david Harley race thought he should have been a H of F so I will go with him. but definatly not Chris or Mike if your gonna do them they should put cousin lance in to as far as Koko goes he did real well in World class as PYT and same in Memphis in the early 80's and the USWA in the 90's which everybody just wants to count his WWE work because he was in the wrong era if you ask me because he was not that tall but he did get a little bit of a run despite that in the days of Hulk,Andre,Gang etc.
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