WWE Hall of Fame
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WWE Hall of Fame logo, used since 2015
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Established | March 22, 1993 |
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Founder | WWE |
Members
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95 individuals 9 groups (25 members) 8 celebrities 1 fan (129 total inductees) |
The WWE Hall of Fame is a hall of fame for professional wrestling personalities maintained by WWE. It was officially created on the March 22, 1993 episode of Monday Night Raw where André the Giant, who had died nearly two months prior, was announced as the sole inductee.[1][2][3] The 1994 and 1995 ceremonies were held in conjunction with the annual King of the Ring pay-per-view events. In 1996, the ceremony was held with the Survivor Series event, for the first time in front of a paying audience as well as the wrestlers, after which, the Hall of Fame went on hiatus.
In 2004, WWE relaunched the Hall of Fame to coincide with WrestleMania XX.[4] This ceremony, like its predecessors, was not broadcast on television, however, it was released on DVD on June 1, 2004.[5] Beginning with the 2005 ceremony, an edited version of the Hall of Fame was broadcast on Spike TV (2005)[6] and on the USA Network (2006[7]–present[8]); these were aired on tape delay. Since 2005, the entire Hall of Fame ceremony has been packaged as part of the annual WrestleMania DVD release,[9] and from 2014, has been broadcast live on the WWE Network.[10] In 2015, historical WWE Hall of Fame ceremonies became available on the WWE Network.
Although a building has never been built to represent the Hall of Fame, WWE has looked into constructing a facility. In 2008, Shane McMahon, then-Executive Vice President of Global Media of WWE, stated that WWE had been storing wrestling memorabilia in a warehouse for years, with all items categorized and dated in case a facility is created.[11]
As of 2015, there have been a total of 129 inductees - with 95 wrestlers inducted individually, nine group inductions (consisting of 25 wrestlers within those groups), eight celebrities, and one fan. Ric Flair is the only Hall of Famer to be inducted twice, first individually in 2008, then as a member of The Four Horsemen in 2012.[12] 25 members were inducted posthumously.[13]
Contents
Inductees
Individuals
Year | Ring name (Birth name) |
Inducted by | WWE recognized accolades | |
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1993 | André the Giant (André Roussimoff) |
None | Posthumous inductee: One-time WWF World Heavyweight Champion, one-time WWF World Tag Team Champion. No ceremony took place. On the March 22, 1993 episode of WWF Monday Night Raw a video package announcing his induction was shown.[3] | |
1994 | Arnold Skaaland | Shane McMahon | One-time WWWF United States Tag Team Champion and long-time manager of Bruno Sammartino and Bob Backlund in WWF.[14] | |
1994 | Bobo Brazil (Houston Harris) |
Ernie Ladd | Seven-time WWWF United States Champion, one-time NWA United States Heavyweight Champion.[15] | |
1994 | "Nature Boy" Buddy Rogers (Herman Rohde Jr.) |
Bret Hart | Posthumous inductee: One-time NWA World Heavyweight Champion and first WWWF World Heavyweight Champion.[16] | |
1994 | Chief Jay Strongbow (Joseph Scarpa) |
Gorilla Monsoon | Four-time WWWF/WWF World Tag Team Champion.[17] | |
1994 | "Classy" Freddie Blassie | Regis Philbin | Held over 30 NWA regional championships. Long-time manager in WWF.[18] | |
1994 | Gorilla Monsoon (Robert Marella) |
Killer Kowalski | Two-time WWWF United States Tag Team Champion. Former WWF announcer and onscreen President.[19] | |
1994 | James Dudley | Vince McMahon | First African American to run a major arena in the United States.[20] | |
1995 | Antonino Rocca (Antonino Biasetton) |
Miguel Pérez | Posthumous inductee: Represented by his wife. One-time WWF International Heavyweight Champion. Pioneer of the acrobatic wrestling style.[21] |
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1995 | "Big Cat" Ernie Ladd | Bill Watts | Won several NWA regional titles, and was one of few professional wrestlers to have had a successful career in American football.[22] | |
1995 | George "The Animal" Steele (William Myers) |
Beth Myers | He was one of professional wrestling's first monster heels.[23] | |
1995 | Ivan Putski (Josef Bednarski) |
Scott Putski | One-time WWF Tag Team Champion.[24] | |
1995 | The Fabulous Moolah (Mary Ellison) |
Alundra Blayze | A four-time WWF Women's Champion prior to her induction, her first reign is recognized as lasting a record 28 years.[25] | |
1995 | The Grand Wizard (Ernie Roth) |
Sgt. Slaughter | Posthumous inductee: Represented by Bobby Harmon. Long-time heel manager in WWF.[26] |
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1995 | Pedro Morales | Gorilla Monsoon | Savio Vega accepted the induction. One-time WWWF World Heavyweight Champion whose reign lasted nearly three years, and the first WWF Triple Crown Champion.[27] He was also the first Latino to win the world title.[28] | |
1996 | "Baron" Mikel Scicluna | Gorilla Monsoon | One-time WWWF World Tag Team Champion and one-time WWWF United States Tag Team Champion.[29] | |
1996 | "Captain" Lou Albano | Joe Franklin | One-time WWWF United States Tag Team Champion. As a manager, he led 13 different tag teams to a record 17 tag team titles[30] and four singles wrestlers to various championships. His association with Cyndi Lauper was pivotal in turning professional wrestling into a mainstream phenomenon.[31] | |
1996 | Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka (James Smith) |
Don Muraco | One-time NWA United States Heavyweight Champion, two-time NWA World Tag Team Champion, two-time ECW Heavyweight Champion.[32]
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1996 | Johnny Rodz (Johnny Rodriguez) |
Arnold Skaaland | Wrestled in WWF for nearly two decades.[34] | |
1996 | Killer Kowalski (Wladek Kowalski) |
Triple H | One-time WWWF World Tag Team Champion, held seventeen NWA regional championships.[35] | |
1996 | Pat Patterson (Pierre Clermont) |
Bret Hart | One-time and first WWF Intercontinental Champion, one-time AWA World Tag Team Champion and held over 20 NWA regional championships. Credited as the creator of the Royal Rumble match[36] | |
1996 | Vincent J. McMahon | Shane McMahon | Posthumous inductee: Represented by the McMahon family. Founder and longtime promoter of the World (Wide) Wrestling Federation.[37] |
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2004 | Big John Studd (John Minton) |
Big Show | Posthumous inductee: Represented by his son John Minton Jr. One-time WWWF World Tag Team Champion, 1989 Royal Rumble winner.[38] |
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2004 | Don Muraco | Mick Foley | Two-time WWF Intercontinental Champion. First winner of the King of the Ring tournament.[39] | |
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.[40] | |
2004 | 75px | 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.[41] |
2004 | Jesse "The Body" Ventura (James Janos) |
Tyrel Janos | One-time AWA World Tag Team Champion. Former commentator in WWF and WCW.[42] | |
2004 | Junkyard Dog (Sylvester Ritter) |
Ernie Ladd | Posthumous inductee: Represented by his daughter LaToya Ritter. Held fifteen championships while wrestling in the Mid-South Wrestling Association including four reigns as Mid-South North American Heavyweight Champion.[43] |
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2004 | Sgt. Slaughter (Robert Remus) |
Pat Patterson | One-time WWF World Heavyweight Champion and two-time NWA United States Heavyweight Champion[44] | |
2004 | Superstar Billy Graham (Eldridge Coleman) |
Triple H | One-time WWWF World Heavyweight Champion.[45] | |
2004 | Tito Santana (Merced Solis) |
Shawn Michaels | Two-time WWF Intercontinental Champion, 1989 King of the Ring and two-time WWF Tag Team Champion.[46] | |
2004 | Bobby "The Brain" Heenan (Raymond Heenan) |
Blackjack Lanza | Former commentator and long-time manager in AWA, WWF and WCW.[47] | |
2005 | 75px | Hulk Hogan (Terry Bollea) |
Sylvester Stallone | Six-time WWF/E World Heavyweight Champion, six-time WCW World Heavyweight Champion, one-time WWE World Tag Team Champion and a two-time Royal Rumble winner (1990 and 1991).[48] As of July 2015, Hulk Hogan's profile is no longer in the Hall of Fame section at WWE.com. However, this does not necessarily mean that Hogan has been removed from the WWE Hall of Fame completely. No statement has been made by WWE yet about this matter. [49] |
2005 | "Rowdy" Roddy Piper (Roderick Toombs) |
Ric Flair | One-time WWF Intercontinental Champion and three-time NWA/WCW United States Heavyweight Champion. Host of Piper's Pit.[50] | |
2005 | "Cowboy" Bob Orton | Randy Orton | Held numerous NWA regional titles.[51] | |
2005 | Jimmy Hart | Jerry Lawler | Long-time manager in WWF and WCW.[52] | |
2005 | "Mr. Wonderful" Paul Orndorff | Bobby Heenan | Four-time NWA National Heavyweight Champion and three-time WCW World Tag Team Champion.[53] | |
2005 | Nikolai Volkoff (Josip Peruzovic) |
Jim Ross | Three-time WWWF International Tag Team Champion and one-time WWF Tag Team Champion.[54] | |
2005 | The Iron Sheik (Khosrow Vaziri) |
Sgt. Slaughter | One-time WWF World Heavyweight Champion and one-time WWF Tag Team Champion.[55] | |
2006 | Bret "Hit Man" Hart | Stone Cold Steve Austin | Five-time WWF World Heavyweight Champion, two-time WCW World Heavyweight Champion, co-winner of the 1994 Royal Rumble and a two-time King of the Ring winner (1991 and 1993).[56] | |
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, two-time WCW/WWE United States Champion and two-time WWF/WWE Intercontinental Champion.[57] |
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2006 | 75px | "Mean" Gene Okerlund | Hulk Hogan | Long-time AWA, WCW, and WWF/E interviewer and announcer.[58] |
2006 | Sensational Sherri (Sherri Russell) |
Ted DiBiase | One-time WWF Women's Champion and four-time AWA World Women's Champion. Former manager.[59] | |
2006 | Verne Gagne | Greg Gagne | Co-founder of the American Wrestling Association, 10-time AWA World Heavyweight Champion.[60] | |
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.[61] | |
2007 | "The American Dream" Dusty Rhodes (Virgil Runnels Jr.) |
Cody Rhodes and Dustin Rhodes | Three-time NWA World Heavyweight Champion, one-time NWA United States Heavyweight Champion two-time NWA World Tag Team Champion, two-time NWA World Six-Tag Team Champion, one-time NWA World Television Champion. Long-time lead booker for WCW.[62] | |
2007 | "Mr. Perfect" Curt Hennig | Wade Boggs | Posthumous inductee: Represented by his wife Leonice, his four children, his mother and his father Larry "The Axe" Hennig. One-time AWA World Heavyweight Champion, two-time WWF Intercontinental Champion, one-time WCW United States Heavyweight Champion, one-time WCW World Tag Team Champion.[13] |
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2007 | Jerry "The King" Lawler | William Shatner | One-time AWA World Heavyweight Champion, 35-time AWA Southern Heavyweight Champion, three-time WCWA World Heavyweight Champion 26 time USWA Unified Champion and longtime color commentator for WWE.[63] | |
2007 | Nick Bockwinkel | Bobby Heenan | Four-time AWA World Heavyweight Champion and three-time AWA World Tag Team Champion.[64] | |
2007 | Mr. Fuji (Harry Fujiwara) |
Don Muraco | Five-time WWWF/WWF World Tag Team Champion. Former manager.[65] | |
2007 | The Sheik (Edward Farhat) |
Rob Van Dam and Sabu | Posthumous inductee: Represented by his wife Joyce Farhat. Also known as "The Original Sheik", a two-time WWWF United States Champion, held over 20 NWA regional championships.[66] |
|
2007 | Jim Ross | Stone Cold Steve Austin | Longtime lead announcer for WWF/E, WCW and other regional promotions; Head of WWF Talent Relations during the Attitude Era, signing many well known wrestlers.[67] | |
2008 | 75px | "Nature Boy" Ric Flair (Richard Fliehr) |
Triple H | First active WWE wrestler to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. Two-time WWF World Heavyweight Champion, eight-time WCW World Heavyweight Champion,[68] and nine-time NWA World Heavyweight Champion.[69] Recognized by WWE as a 16-time World Heavyweight Champion. six-time NWA United States Heavyweight Champion, one time WWF Intercontinental Champion 1992 Royal Rumble winner.[70] |
2008 | "High Chief" Peter Maivia (Fanene Maivia) |
The Rock | Posthumous inductee: Represented by his daughter Ata Maivia Johnson. Held more than a dozen NWA regional championships.[71] |
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2008 | "Soulman" Rocky Johnson (Wayde Bowles) |
The Rock | One-time WWF World Tag Team Champion, half of the first black WWF World Tag Team Championship winning duo with Tony Atlas.[72] | |
2008 | Mae Young (Johnnie Mae Young) |
Pat Patterson | First ever and one-time NWA United States Women's Champion[73] and one-time NWA Women's World Tag Team Championship.[74] | |
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 30 NWA regional championships including 18 in CWF.[75] |
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2008 | Gordon Solie (Jonard 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.[76] |
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2009 | Stone Cold Steve Austin (Steven Anderson) |
Vince McMahon | Six-time WWF (World Heavyweight) Champion, 1996 King of the Ring, three-time Royal Rumble winner (1997, 1998 and 2001).[77] | |
2009 | Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat (Richard Blood) |
Ric Flair | One-time NWA World Heavyweight Champion, three-time NWA United States Heavyweight Champion, and one-time WWF Intercontinental Champion.[78] | |
2009 | "Cowboy" Bill Watts | Jim Ross | Former wrestling promoter in the mid-south United States, one-time WWWF United States Tag Team Champion and held over 20 NWA regional championships.[79] | |
2009 | Howard Finkel | Gene Okerlund | WWE ring announcer since 1977 and first employee hired by the WWE in 1975.[80] | |
2009 | Koko B. Ware (James Ware) |
The Honky Tonk Man | Held several NWA regional championships.[81] | |
2010 | "The Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase | Ted DiBiase Jr. and Brett DiBiase | Four-time Mid-South North American Heavyweight Champion, creator and two-time holder of the non-sanctioned Million Dollar Championship, three-time WWF World Tag Team Champion, 1988 King of the Ring.[82] | |
2010 | Antonio Inoki | Stan Hansen | Founder of New Japan Pro Wrestling, two-time WWWF/WWF World Martial Arts Heavyweight Champion, and one-time IWGP Heavyweight Champion.[83] | |
2010 | Wendi Richter | Roddy Piper | Two-time WWF Women's Champion, one-time AWA Women's Champion and two-time NWA Women's World Tag Team Champion.[84] | |
2010 | Maurice "Mad Dog" Vachon | Pat Patterson | Five-time AWA World Heavyweight Champion.[85] | |
2010 | Gorgeous George (George Wagner) |
Dick Beyer | Posthumous inductee: Represented by his ex-wife Betty Wagner.[86] One-time holder of the Boston version of the AWA World Heavyweight Championship. Portrayed as a flamboyant, arrogant, charismatic villain, George is credited with helping establish wrestling on television in the 1940s and 1950s.[87] |
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2010 | Stu Hart | Bret Hart | Posthumous inductee: Represented by Bret Hart and the Hart family. Established Stampede Wrestling in Calgary 1948, and ran it until 1984. Ran "The Dungeon" wrestling school and trained numerous WWE wrestlers. Patriarch of the Hart family.[88] |
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2011 | "The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels (Michael Hickenbottom) |
Triple H | Three-time WWF World Heavyweight Champion, one-time World Heavyweight Champion, three-time WWF Intercontinental Champion, two-time Royal Rumble winner (1995 and 1996), first WWE wrestler to achieve the "Grand Slam".[89] | |
2011 | "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan | Ted DiBiase | Winner of the first Royal Rumble match in 1988, one-time WCW United States Champion.[90] | |
2011 | "Bullet" Bob Armstrong (Joseph James) |
Scott, Brad and Brian Armstrong | Held several NWA regional championships.[91] | |
2011 | Sunny (Tammy Sytch) |
WWE Divas | Billed by WWE as the first Diva.[92] | |
2011 | Abdullah the Butcher (Lawrence Shreve) |
Terry Funk | A hardcore legend known for appearing in a number of wrestling territories, holding a variety of regional championships.[93] | |
2012 | Mil Máscaras (Aaron Arellano) |
Alberto Del Rio | Mexican luchador. Máscaras was the first masked wrestler to perform in Madison Square Garden.[94] | |
2012 | Edge (Adam Copeland) |
Christian | Four-time WWE Champion, a record seven-time World Heavyweight Champion, winner of the inaugural Money in the Bank ladder match and the 2010 Royal Rumble. He held the World and WWE Tag Team Championships a combined 14 times, more than any other wrestler.[95] | |
2012 | Ron Simmons | John "Bradshaw" Layfield | First Black World Heavyweight Champion having won the WCW World Heavyweight Championship once. Wrestled in WWF/E as "Faarooq" where he was a three-time World Tag Team Champion with Bradshaw as The APA.[96] | |
2012 | Yokozuna (Rodney Anoaʻi) |
Jimmy Uso and Jey Uso | Posthumous inductee: Represented by cousin Rikishi and his family. Two-time WWF World Heavyweight Champion, two-time WWF Tag Team Champion, 1993 Royal Rumble winner.[97] |
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2013 | Mick Foley | Terry Funk | Wrestled using various ring names, namely Cactus Jack, Mankind and Dude Love. Three-time WWF Champion, eight-time WWF Tag Team Champion, two-time ECW World Tag Team Champion, one-time WCW World Tag Team Champion and first WWF Hardcore Champion.[98] | |
2013 | Bob Backlund | Maria Menounos | Two-time WWWF/WWF (World) Heavyweight Champion and one-time WWF Tag Team Champion.[99] | |
2013 | Trish Stratus (Patricia Stratigias) |
Stephanie McMahon | A record seven-time WWF/E Women's Champion, three-time WWE Babe of the Year, voted Diva of the Decade during the Raw 10th Anniversary special.[100] | |
2013 | Bruno Sammartino | Arnold Schwarzenegger | Two-time WWWF World Heavyweight Champion who holds the records for longest consecutive and cumulative reigns of seven and 11 years, respectively.[101] | |
2013 | Booker T (Booker Huffman Jr.) |
Stevie Ray | Five-time WCW Champion, one-time World Heavyweight Champion, a record 11-time WCW World Tag Team Champion (10 of which came with his brother Stevie Ray as Harlem Heat).[102] | |
2014 | The Ultimate Warrior (James Hellwig) |
Linda McMahon | One-time WWF World Heavyweight Champion and two-time WWF Intercontinental Champion.[103] | |
2014 | Jake "The Snake" Roberts (Aurelian Smith Jr.) |
Diamond Dallas Page | Credited as the inventor of the DDT, held several regional championships.[104] | |
2014 | Lita (Amy Dumas) |
Trish Stratus | Four-time WWF/E Women's Champion.[105] | |
2014 | Paul Bearer (William Moody) |
Kane | Posthumous inductee: Represented by his sons Daniel and Michael. Longtime manager in WCCW (as Percy Pringle III) and in WWE (as Paul Bearer) most notably managing The Undertaker, Mankind and Kane.[106] |
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2014 | Carlos Colón (Carlos Colón González) |
Carlito, Eddie and Orlando Colón | Promoter of World Wrestling Council (WWC) in Puerto Rico,[107] 26-time WWC Universal Heavyweight Champion.[108] | |
2014 | Razor Ramon (Scott Hall) |
Kevin Nash | Four-time WWF Intercontinental Champion, two-time WCW United States Heavyweight Champion, seven-time WCW World Tag Team Champion and 1997 World War 3 winner.[109] | |
2015 | "Macho Man" Randy Savage (Randy Poffo) |
Hulk Hogan | Posthumous inductee: Represented by his brother Lanny Poffo. Two-time WWF World Heavyweight Champion, four-time WCW World Heavyweight Champion, one-time WWF Intercontinental Champion, 1987 King of the Ring, and 1995 World War 3 winner.[110] |
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2015 | Rikishi (Solofa Fatu Jr.) |
Jimmy Uso and Jey Uso | One-time WWF Intercontinental Champion, two-time World Tag Team Champion and one-time WWE Tag Team Champion.[111] | |
2015 | Alundra Blayze (Debrah Miceli) |
Natalya | Three-time WWF Women's Champion. Known in other companies as Madusa, she became the first woman to win the WCW Cruiserweight Championship and was a one-time AWA World Women's Champion.[112] | |
2015 | Larry Zbyszko (Lawrence Whistler) |
Bruno Sammartino | Two-time AWA World Heavyweight Champion, one-time WCW World Television Champion, one-time WCW World Tag Team Champion and one-time WWWF Tag Team Champion[113] | |
2015 | Tatsumi Fujinami | Ric Flair | Six-time IWGP Heavyweight Champion, one-time NWA World Heavyweight Champion and two-time WWF Junior Heavyweight Champion.[114] | |
2015 | Kevin Nash | Shawn Michaels | Also known as Diesel, he is a one-time WWF World Heavyweight Champion, five-time WCW World Heavyweight Champion, one-time WWF Intercontinental Champion, nine-time WCW World Tag Team Champion, two-time WWF Tag Team Champion, and 1998 World War 3 winner.[115] |
Group inductions
Year | Group | Inducted by | WWE recognized accolades |
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1996 | The Valiant Brothers | Tony Garea | One-time WWWF World Tag Team Champions, first tag team to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.[116] |
Jimmy Valiant (James Fanning) – four-time NWA Television Champion Johnny Valiant (John Sullivan) - became a manager in the WWF and AWA during the 1980s |
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2006 | The Blackjacks | Bobby Heenan | One-time WWWF World Tag Team Champions.[117] |
Blackjack Mulligan (Robert Windham) – three-time NWA United States Heavyweight Champion and one-time NWA World Tag Team Champion. Blackjack Lanza (Jack Lanza) – one-time AWA World Tag Team Champion |
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2007 | The Wild Samoans | Samu and Matt Anoaʻi | Three-time WWF Tag Team Champions.[118] |
Afa (Arthur Anoaʻi Sr.) Sika (Leati Anoaʻi) |
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2008 | The Brisco Brothers | John "Bradshaw" Layfield | Three-time NWA World Tag Team Champions, held over a dozen regional NWA tag team championships. |
Jack Brisco (Freddie Brisco) – two-time NWA World Heavyweight Champion.[119] Gerald Brisco (Floyd Brisco) – one-time NWA World Junior Heavyweight Champion, two-time WWF Hardcore Champion[120] |
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2009 | The Funks | Dusty Rhodes | Held several tag team championships, including the NWA International Tag Team Championship on three occasions.[121] |
Terry Funk – one-time NWA World Heavyweight Champion, two-time ECW World Heavyweight Champion and one-time WWF Tag Team Champion. Dory Funk Jr. – one-time NWA World Heavyweight Champion. |
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2009 | The Von Erichs | Michael Hayes | Noted wrestling family that spent many years wrestling in World Class Championship Wrestling (WCCW). Various combinations of the family held several NWA regional and WCCW tag team championships, including the WCWA World Tag Team and World Six-Man Tag Team Championship.[122] |
Fritz Von Erich (Jack Adkisson) – Posthumous inductee: Founder and longtime owner of WCCW, one-time AWA World Heavyweight Champion and 16-time NWA American Heavyweight Champion (later renamed the WCWA World Heavyweight Championship). Kevin Von Erich (Kevin Adkisson) – Six-time NWA American/WCWA World Heavyweight Champion. David Von Erich (David Adkisson) – Posthumous inductee: Eight-time NWA Texas Heavyweight Champion. Kerry Von Erich (Kerry Adkisson) – Posthumous inductee: One-time NWA World Heavyweight Champion, nine-time NWA American/WCWA World Heavyweight Champion. Wrestled in WWF as "The Texas Tornado" where he was a one-time WWF Intercontinental Champion. Mike Von Erich (Michael Adkisson) – Posthumous inductee: One-time NWA American Heavyweight Champion. Chris Von Erich (Chris Adkisson) – Posthumous inductee: Wrestled and worked several backstage jobs for WCCW. |
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2011 | The Road Warriors | Dusty Rhodes | Two-time WWF Tag Team Champions, one-time AWA World Tag Team Champions, four-time NWA National Tag Team Champion, one-time NWA International Tag Team Champions, three-time NWA World Six-Man Tag team Champions, one-time NWA World Tag Team Champions, (Mid-Atlantic version) .[123] |
Road Warrior Hawk (Michael Hegstrand) – Posthumous inductee: Two-time IWGP Tag Team Champion (without Animal) Road Warrior Animal (Joseph Laurinaitis) – One-time WWE Tag Team Champion (without Hawk) "Precious" Paul Ellering – Long-time manager in the AWA, NWA, WWF and AJPW. Inducted alongside the Road Warriors, who he managed for much of his career.[124] |
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2012 | The Four Horsemen | Dusty Rhodes | One of the top stables of the 1980s, they reached their peak in 1988 when the four members controlled all three major NWA Championships, (World, United States and Tag Team).[125] |
"Nature Boy" Ric Flair (Richard Fliehr) – First two-time inductee. Previously inducted in 2008 for his individual career. Barry Windham – One-time NWA World Heavyweight Champion, one-time NWA United States Heavyweight Champion, one-time WCW World Television Champion, four-time NWA/WCW World Tag Team Champion, and two-time WWF Tag Team Champion. "The Enforcer" Arn Anderson (Martin Lunde) – Four-time NWA/WCW World Television Champion, five-time NWA/WCW World Tag Team Champion, and one-time WWF Tag Team Champion. Tully Blanchard – One-time NWA United States Champion, three-time NWA World TV Champion, two-time NWA World Tag Team Champion, and one-time WWF Tag Team Champion. James J. Dillon (James Morrison) – Long-time manager in the NWA, former WCW onscreen commissioner. |
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2015 | The Bushwhackers | John Laurinaitis | Known as the Sheepherders prior to joining WWE, they won over 20 regional tag team championships in the AWA, NWA, UWF, and Stampede Wrestling during their 40 year career.[126] |
Luke Williams (Brian Wickens) Butch Miller (Robert Miller) |
Celebrity wing
The "celebrity wing" of the Hall of Fame is dedicated to celebrities that have made memorable appearances on WWE programming, and/or have had longtime associations with WWE.
Year | Ring name (Birth name) |
Inducted by | Appearances | |
---|---|---|---|---|
2004 | Pete Rose | Kane | Appeared at WrestleMania XIV, XV, and 2000.[127] | |
2006 | William "The Refrigerator" Perry | John Cena | Participated in the WWF vs NFL battle royal at WrestleMania 2.[128] | |
2010 | Bob Uecker | Dick Ebersol | Guest interviewer/ring announcer at WrestleMania III and IV.[129] | |
2011 | Drew Carey | Kane | Was an entry in the 2001 Royal Rumble.[130] | |
2012 | Mike Tyson | Shawn Michaels and Triple H | Was a special guest referee at Wrestlemania XIV, and a Raw guest host in 2010.[131] | |
2013 | 75px | Donald Trump | Vince McMahon | Hosted WrestleMania IV and WrestleMania V at Trump Plaza. Won the "Battle of the Billionaires" at WrestleMania 23.[132] |
2014 | Mr. T (Laurence Tureaud) |
Gene Okerlund | Headlined the first WrestleMania, co-headlined the second, and made appearances and wrestled in WCW (including a match at Starrcade in 1994).[133] | |
2015 | Arnold Schwarzenegger | Triple H | Has made numerous appearances on WWE programming.[134] |
Warrior Award
In 2015, WWE introduced the Warrior Award for those who have "exhibited unwavering strength and perseverance, and who lives life with the courage and compassion that embodies the indomitable spirit of the Ultimate Warrior."[135] WWE promotes Warrior Award recipients as Hall of Fame inductees, although Michalek is not included in the Hall of Fame section at their website.[136][137][138][139]
The award was created following The Ultimate Warrior's death. During his April 2014 Hall of Fame speech shortly before his death, he proposed that there be a special category called the "Jimmy Miranda Award" for WWE's behind-the-scenes employees.[140][141][142][143] Miranda, who died in 2002, was part of the WWE merchandise department for more than 20 years.[144] Former WWE ring announcer Justin Roberts expressed disappointment at how WWE used portions of Warrior's Hall of Fame speech to promote the award, but left out Warrior's intentions of honoring WWE's off-screen employees. WWE responded, "It is offensive to suggest that WWE and its executives had anything but altruistic intentions in honoring Connor (who died 17 days after the Ultimate Warrior died) and his legacy with The Warrior Award," adding that "moving forward the award will be given annually to acknowledge other unsung heroes among WWE's employees and fans."[142][143]
Year | Recipient | Presented by | Notes |
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2015 | Connor "The Crusher" Michalek | Dana Warrior and Daniel Bryan | Posthumous recipient/inductee: Represented by his father Steve and brother Jackson. Eight-year-old WWE fan who died of cancer. "Connor's Cure" cancer charity fund established in his honor by Triple H and Stephanie McMahon, run by Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh Foundation.[135] |
To be inducted in 2016
Ring name (Birth name) |
Inducted by | WWE recognized accolades | |
---|---|---|---|
Sting (Steve Borden) |
TBA | Second active WWE wrestler to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. Six-time WCW World Heavyweight Champion, two-time NWA World Heavyweight Champion, two-time WCW United States Heavyweight Champion, and three-time WCW World Tag Team Champion. [145] |
Ceremony dates and locations
Criticism
The WWE Hall of Fame has garnered criticism due to the inductions of questionable performers, and the omissions of major names within the industry.[160]
Bruno Sammartino, the longest reigning WWWF World Heavyweight Champion, was disapproving of celebrity inductees such as Pete Rose and William Perry, and said of the ceremony: "What's the point to a Hall of Fame? Is it a building I can actually go to? No. Give me a break".[161] Sammartino declined induction several times, due to the adult content presented by WWE during the late 1990s and 2000s,[161] before accepting in 2013.[162][163] Regarding Sammartino's derision of the Hall of Fame, Slam! Sports writer Matt MacKinder stated: "He's not alone".[161]
Dave Scherer of PWInsider has questioned how WWE can sustain the 2004–present Hall of Fame model, due to legends being rapidly inducted. He wrote: "There are only so many people that they can have headline a class. They really need to make more new stars to ensure that they can keep filling arenas for the ceremony".[164]
See also
- Hardcore Hall of Fame
- New England Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame
- NWA Hall of Fame
- Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame
- WCW Hall of Fame
- Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame
- St. Louis Wrestling Hall of Fame
- TNA Hall of Fame
- List of professional wrestling halls of fame
Footnotes
- a Since 2004, the ceremony has taken place on the night before WrestleMania.
References
- ↑ 1993 WWF results, from TheHistoryOfWWE.com
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- ↑ WrestleMania 21, 22, 23, and XXIV DVD's
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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- ↑ The Wrestler magazine, various X-ray panels.
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- ↑ [1]
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- ↑ 161.0 161.1 161.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
External links
- Use mdy dates from March 2015
- Pages with broken file links
- Pages using infobox organization with unsupported parameters
- Articles with hCards
- Featured lists
- Awards established in 1993
- Sports hall of fame inductees
- Professional wrestling halls of fame
- WrestleMania
- WWE Hall of Fame
- Professional wrestling-related lists