WWE Hall of Fame: Difference between revisions
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|{{small|Various combinations of the family held several NWA regional and [[World Class Championship Wrestling|WCCW]] tag team championships, including the [[WCWA World Six-Man Tag Team Championship]].<br>[[Fritz Von Erich]]: One-time [[AWA World Heavyweight Championship|AWA World Heavyweight Champion]] and sixteen-time [[WCWA World Heavyweight Championship|NWA American Heavyweight Champion]] (later renamed the WCWA World Heavyweight Championship).<br>[[Kevin Von Erich]]: Five-time NWA American Heavyweight Champion and one-time WCWA World Heavyweight Champion<br>[[David Von Erich]]: Eight-time [[NWA Texas Heavyweight Championship|NWA Texas Heavyweight Champion]].<br>[[Kerry Von Erich]]: One-time NWA World Heavyweight Champion, five-time NWA American Heavyweight Champion, four-time WCWA World Heavyweight Champion and one-time [[WWE Intercontinental Championship|WWF Intercontinental Champion]] (as The Texas Tornado).<br>[[Mike Von Erich]]: One-time NWA American Heavyweight Champion.<!--<br>[[Chris Von Erich]]: Worked several backstage jobs for WCCW.-->}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/superstars/halloffame/vonerichs/bio/|title=The Von Erichs|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]|accessdate=2009-03-17}}</ref> |
|{{small|Various combinations of the family held several NWA regional and [[World Class Championship Wrestling|WCCW]] tag team championships, including the [[WCWA World Six-Man Tag Team Championship]].<br>[[Fritz Von Erich]]: One-time [[AWA World Heavyweight Championship|AWA World Heavyweight Champion]] and sixteen-time [[WCWA World Heavyweight Championship|NWA American Heavyweight Champion]] (later renamed the WCWA World Heavyweight Championship).<br>[[Kevin Von Erich]]: Five-time NWA American Heavyweight Champion and one-time WCWA World Heavyweight Champion<br>[[David Von Erich]]: Eight-time [[NWA Texas Heavyweight Championship|NWA Texas Heavyweight Champion]].<br>[[Kerry Von Erich]]: One-time NWA World Heavyweight Champion, five-time NWA American Heavyweight Champion, four-time WCWA World Heavyweight Champion and one-time [[WWE Intercontinental Championship|WWF Intercontinental Champion]] (as The Texas Tornado).<br>[[Mike Von Erich]]: One-time NWA American Heavyweight Champion.<!--<br>[[Chris Von Erich]]: Worked several backstage jobs for WCCW.-->}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/superstars/halloffame/vonerichs/bio/|title=The Von Erichs|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]|accessdate=2009-03-17}}</ref> |
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|Howard Finkel} |
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==Ceremony dates and locations== |
==Ceremony dates and locations== |
Revision as of 01:51, 25 March 2009
The World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) Hall of Fame is a hall of fame for professional wrestlers maintained by WWE. It was officially created on the January 30, 1993 episode of the World Wrestling Federation's (WWF) WWF Superstars of Wrestling, the predecessor of WWE,[1] Monday Night Raw television program.[2] On this episode, the sole induction of WWF alumnus André the Giant, who had died three days prior (January 27, 1993), was announced; his death was the reason for the creation of the Hall of Fame.[2][3] After André's induction, the WWF continued the process of inducting members into the Hall of Fame. For these inductions, ceremonies were held to formally induct the candidates from 1994 to 1996; no video footage has ever been released by WWE of these ceremonies. After the 1996 ceremony, the WWF stopped the inductions of wrestling personalities into the Hall of Fame without a formal announcement.
In 2004, WWE relaunched the Hall of Fame to coincide with the twentieth anniversary of WrestleMania.[4] This ceremony, like its predecessors, was not broadcasted on television, however, it was released on DVD on June 1, 2004.[5] Beginning with the 2005 ceremony, WWE broadcasted the final few inductions into the Hall of Fame on Spike TV (2005)[6] and on the USA Network (2006[7]-present[8]); these were aired on tape delay. The first inductions were broadcast on WWE's official website. The 2008 edition of the Hall of Fame was broadcasted live on the USA Network.[8] Since 2005, the Hall of Fame ceremony has been packaged as part of that year's WrestleMania DVD release.[9] Although a building has never been built to represent the Hall of Fame, WWE has sought into constructing a facility for the Hall of Fame. WWE's Executive Vice President of Global Media Shane McMahon has stated that the WWE has been storing wrestling memorabilia in a warehouse for years, and that all items are categorized and dated in case a facility is created.[10]
Induction into the Hall of Fame is dependent upon whether the candidate is on good terms with WWE. Former WWE employees who often criticize WWE or currently work with a different promotion have not been inducted.[11] Others, such as Bruno Sammartino, the longest-reigning WWE Champion in the title's history, are alienated from the promotion and refuse to be inducted, despite having been asked several times.[12]
As of 2008, there have been a total of 68 inductees, with 60 members inducted individually and four tag teams inducted.[13] Thirteen of the inductees have been inducted posthumously.[14] André's sole induction was the least amount of inductions into the Hall of Fame in one year, while 2004 had the most, with 11.
Inductees
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ea/Hulk_Hogan3.jpg/150px-Hulk_Hogan3.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/97/Iron_Shiek_Milwaukee_WI_031008.jpg/150px-Iron_Shiek_Milwaukee_WI_031008.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b8/Jimmy_Hart.jpg/150px-Jimmy_Hart.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/88/Eddie_Guerrero_with_belt.jpg/150px-Eddie_Guerrero_with_belt.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1c/Jerrylawler.jpg/150px-Jerrylawler.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/15/Jim_Ross_No_Mercy_2007.jpg/150px-Jim_Ross_No_Mercy_2007.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d6/Ric_Flair_in_Seoul%2C_South_Korea.jpg/150px-Ric_Flair_in_Seoul%2C_South_Korea.jpg)
Year | Ring name (Birth name) |
Inducted by | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1993 | André the Giant (André René Roussimoff) |
None | Posthumous inductee. One-time WWF Champion. There was no ceremony, only a video package that was played on an episode of WWF Superstars in 1993 that announced his induction.[3] |
1994 | Arnold Skaaland | Bob Backlund | One-time WWWF United States Tag Team Champion and long-time manager in WWF.[15] |
1994 | Bobo Brazil (Houston Harris) |
Ernie Ladd | One-time WWWF United States Champion, one-time NWA United States Heavyweight Champion and held over thirty NWA regional titles.[16] |
1994 | "Nature Boy" Buddy Rogers (Herman C. Rohde, Jr.) |
Bret Hart | Posthumous inductee, One-time NWA World Heavyweight Champion and first WWWF World Heavyweight Champion.[17] |
1994 | Chief Jay Strongbow (Joe Scarpa) |
Tatanka | Four-time WWWF/WWF World Tag Team Champion.[18] |
1994 | "Classy" Freddie Blassie | Shane McMahon | Held over thirty NWA regional championships. Long-time manager in WWF.[19] |
1994 | Gorilla Monsoon (Robert Marella) |
Jim Ross | Two-time WWWF United States Tag Team Champion. Former WWF announcer and onscreen President.[20] |
1994 | James Dudley | Vince McMahon | First African American to run a major arena in the United States.[21] |
1995 | Antonino Rocca (Antonino Biasetton) |
Diesel | Posthumous inductee. One-time WWF International Heavyweight Champion.[22] |
1995 | "Big Cat" Ernie Ladd | Bobo Brazil | Also a member of the WCW Hall of Fame, won several NWA regional titles.[23] |
1995 | George "The Animal" Steele (William James Myers) |
Doink the Clown | Also a member of the Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame.[24] |
1995 | Ivan Putski (Josef Bednarski) |
Scott Putski | One-time WWF Tag Team Champion.[25] |
1995 | The Fabulous Moolah (Lillian Ellison) |
Alundra Blayze | Three-time (and first) WWF Women's Champion prior to her induction. She won the title a fourth time four years after her induction and still holds the record for the longest single reign.[26] |
1995 | The Grand Wizard (Ernie Roth) |
Sgt. Slaughter | Postuhumous inductee. Long-time heel manager in WWF.[27] |
1995 | Pedro Morales | Savio Vega | One-time WWWF World Heavyweight Champion, first WWF Triple Crown Champion.[28] |
1996 | "Baron" Mikel Scicluna | Gorilla Monsoon | One-time WWWF World Tag Team Champion.[29] |
1996 | "Captain" Lou Albano | Joe Franklin | One-time WWWF United States Tag Team Champion. As a manager, he lead fifteen different tag teams and four singles wrestlers to various championships[30] |
1996 | Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka (James Edward Reiher) |
Don Muraco | One-time NWA United States Heavyweight Champion, two-time NWA World Tag Team Champion and two-time and first ECW Heavyweight Champion.[31] |
1996 | Johnny Rodz (Johnny Rodriguez) |
Arnold Skaaland | Wrestled in WWF for nearly two decades.[32] |
1996 | Killer Kowalski (Wladek Kowalski) |
Triple H | One-time WWWF World Tag Team Champion, held seventeen NWA regional championships.[33] |
1996 | Pat Patterson (Pierre Clemont) |
Bret Hart | One-time and first WWF Intercontinental Champion, one-time AWA World Tag Team Champion and held over twenty NWA regional championships.[34] |
1996 | Vincent J. McMahon | Shane McMahon | Posthumous inductee. Founder of and long time promoter for World Wrestling Entertainment.[35] |
2004 | Big John Studd (John Minton) |
The Big Show | Posthumous inductee, represented by his son John Minton, Jr. One-time WWWF World Tag Team Champion, held a dozen NWA regional championships.[36] |
2004 | Don Muraco | Mick Foley | Two-time WWF Intercontinental Champion. First winner of the King of the Ring.[37] |
2004 | Greg "The Hammer" Valentine (Gregory Wisniski) |
Jimmy Hart | Two-time NWA United States Heavyweight Champion, four-time NWA World Tag Team Champion, one-time WWF Intercontinental Champion and one-time WWF Tag Team Champion.[38] |
2004 | Harley Race | Ric Flair | Eight-time NWA World Heavyweight Champion, one-time and first NWA United States Heavyweight Champion, three-time AWA World Tag Team Champion and WWF King of the Ring winner in 1986.[39] |
2004 | Jesse "The Body" Ventura (James Janos) |
Tyrell Janos | One-time AWA World Tag Team Champion. Former commentator in WWF.[40] |
2004 | Junkyard Dog (Sylvester Ritter) |
Ernie Ladd | Posthumous inductee, represented by his daughter LaToya Ritter. Held fifteen championships while wrestling in "Cowboy" Bill Watts' Mid-South Wrestling Association including, four reigns as Mid-South North American Heavyweight Champion.[41] |
2004 | Sgt. Slaughter (Robert Remus) |
Pat Patterson | One-time WWF Champion and two-time NWA United States Heavyweight Champion[42] |
2004 | "Superstar" Billy Graham (Eldridge Wayne Coleman) |
Triple H | One-time WWWF World Heavyweight Champion.[43] |
2004 | Tito Santana (Merced Solis) |
Shawn Michaels | Two-time WWF Intercontinental Champion and two-time WWF Tag Team Champion.[44] |
2004 | Bobby "The Brain" Heenan (Raymond Heenan) |
Blackjack Lanza | Former commentator and long-time manager in WWF.[45] |
2004 | Pete Rose | Kane | Celebrity inductee.[46] |
2005 | Hulk Hogan (Terry Bollea) |
Sylvester Stallone | Six-time WWF/E Champion and six-time WCW World Heavyweight Champion.[47] |
2005 | "Rowdy" Roddy Piper (Roderick Toombs) |
Ric Flair | Two-time NWA United States Heavyweight Champion, held over two dozen NWA regional championships and one-time WWF Intercontinental Champion. Host of Piper's Pit.[48] |
2005 | "Cowboy" Bob Orton | Randy Orton | Held numerous NWA regional titles.[49] |
2005 | Jimmy Hart | Jerry Lawler | Long-time manager in WWF.[50] |
2005 | "Mr. Wonderful" Paul Orndorff | Bobby Heenan | Four-time NWA National Heavyweight Champion and two-time WCW World Tag Team Champion.[51] |
2005 | Nikolai Volkoff (Josip Peruzovic) |
Jim Ross | Three-time WWWF International Tag Team Champion and one-time WWF Tag Team Champion.[52] |
2005 | The Iron Sheik (Hossein Khosrow Ali Vaziri) |
Sgt. Slaughter | One-time WWF Champion and two-time WWF Tag Team Champion.[53] |
2006 | Bret "The Hitman" Hart | Steve Austin | Five-time WWF Champion, two-time WCW World Heavyweight Champion, two-time WWF Intecontinental Champion and two-time WWF Tag Team Champion.[54] |
2006 | Eddie Guerrero (Eduardo Guerrero) |
Chris Benoit, Rey Mysterio, and Chavo Guerrero | Posthumous inductee, represented by Vickie Guerrero and his two daughters. One-time WWE Champion, one-time WWE United States Champion and two-time WWE Intercontinental Champion.[55] |
2006 | "Mean" Gene Okerlund | Hulk Hogan | Long-time AWA, WCW, and WWF/E interviewer and announcer.[56] |
2006 | "Sensational" Sherri (Sherri Russell) |
Ted DiBiase | One-time WWF Women's Champion and four-time AWA World Women's Champion. Former manager. [57] |
2006 | Verne Gagne | Greg Gagne | Ten-time AWA World Heavyweight Champion and four-time AWA World Tag Team Champion.[58] |
2006 | "Mr. USA" Tony Atlas (Anthony White) |
S.D. Jones | One-time WWF Tag Team Champion, half of the first African American WWF World Tag Team Championship winning duo with Rocky Johnson.[59] |
2006 | William "The Refrigerator" Perry | John Cena | Celebrity inductee.[60] |
2007 | "The American Dream" Dusty Rhodes (Virgil Riley Runnels, Jr.) |
Cody and Dustin Runnels | Three-time NWA World Heavyweight Champion, one-time NWA United States Heavyweight Champion, two-time NWA World Tag Team Champion and held over forty NWA regional championships.[61] |
2007 | "Mr. Perfect" Curt Hennig | Wade Boggs | One-time AWA World Heavyweight Champion, one-time AWA World Tag Team Champion, two-time WWF Intercontinental Champion and one-time WCW United States Heavyweight Champion. Posthumous inductee, represented by his wife, his four children, his mother and his father Larry Hennig.[14] |
2007 | Jerry "The King" Lawler | William Shatner | One-time AWA World Heavyweight Champion, thirty-time AWA Southern Heavyweight Championship, three-time WCWA World Heavyweight Champion and current color commentator for RAW.[62] |
2007 | Nick Bockwinkel | Bobby Heenan | Six-time AWA World Heavyweight Champion and three-time AWA World Tag Team Champion.[63] |
2007 | Mr. Fuji (Harry Fujiwara) |
Don Muraco | Five-time WWWF/WWF World Tag Team Champion. Former manager.[64] |
2007 | The Sheik (Ed Farhat) |
Rob Van Dam and Sabu | Posthumous inductee, represented by his wife Joyce Farhat. Two-time WWWF United States Champion and held over twenty NWA regional championships.[65] |
2007 | Jim Ross | Steve Austin | Current play-by-play commentator for SmackDown!.[66] |
2008 | "Nature Boy" Ric Flair (Richard Fliehr) |
Triple H | Two-time WWF Champion, eight-time WCW World Heavyweight Champion,[67] and ten-time NWA World Heavyweight Champion.[68] Recognized by WWE as a sixteen-time World Heavyweight Champion. Flair was the first active WWE wrestler to be inducted in the WWE Hall of Fame.[69] |
2008 | "High Chief" Peter Maivia (Fanene Leifi Pita Maivia) |
The Rock | Posthumous inductee, represented by his daughter Ata Maivia Johnson. Held more than a dozen NWA regional championships.[70] |
2008 | "Soulman" Rocky Johnson (Wayde Bowles) |
The Rock | One-time WWF World Tag Team Champion, half of the first African American WWF World Tag Team Championship winning duo with Tony Atlas.[71] |
2008 | Mae Young (Johnnie Mae Young) |
Pat Patterson | First ever and one-time NWA United States Women's Champion.[72] |
2008 | Eddie Graham (Edward Gossett) |
Dusty Rhodes | Posthumous inductee, represented by his son Mike Graham. Promoter and booker for Championship Wrestling from Florida, held over thirty NWA regional championships including eighteen in CWF.[73] |
2008 | Gordon Solie (Jonard Frank Labiak) |
Jim Ross | Posthumous inductee, represented by his five children. Commentator, announcer and promoter for Championship Wrestling from Florida, later worked for World Championship Wrestling.[74] |
Tag teams and stables
To be inducted in 2009
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6e/Stone_Cold_Steve_Austin.jpg/150px-Stone_Cold_Steve_Austin.jpg)