WWE Hall of Fame

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WWE Hall of Fame
250px
WWE Hall of Fame logo, used since 2015
Established March 22, 1993
Founder WWE
Members
 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]

Inductees

Individuals

Year Ring name
(Birth name)		 Inducted by WWE recognized accolades
1993 Andre in the late '80s.jpg 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 Freddie Blassie.jpg "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 1956.jpg 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]
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 Steele.jpg 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 Moolah20010402.jpg 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]
1995 Pedro Morales as the WWWF (WWE) Champion.jpg 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 Lou Albano and a fan crop.jpg "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 Paparazzo Photography.jpg 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]


As of September 2015, Jimmy Snuka's profile is no longer in the Hall of Fame section at WWE.com. However, this does not necessarily mean that Snuka has been removed from the WWE Hall of Fame completely. No statement has been made by WWE yet about this matter[33]
1996 Johnny Rodz.jpg Johnny Rodz
(Johnny Rodriguez)		 Arnold Skaaland Wrestled in WWF for nearly two decades.[34]
1996 Legend Killer Kowalski Training John Quinlan.jpg Killer Kowalski
(Wladek Kowalski)		 Triple H One-time WWWF World Tag Team Champion, held seventeen NWA regional championships.[35]
1996 Pat Patterson April 2014 crop.jpg 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]
2004 Big John Studd.jpg 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]
2004 Don Muraco Mick Foley Two-time WWF Intercontinental Champion. First winner of the King of the Ring tournament.[39]
2004 10.1.10GregValentineByLuigiNovi1.jpg 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 Ventura.jpg Jesse "The Body" Ventura
(James Janos)		 Tyrel Janos One-time AWA World Tag Team Champion. Former commentator in WWF and WCW.[42]
2004 Wrestling 1.jpg 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]
2004 Wwe wrestler sgt slaughter.jpg 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.jpg Superstar Billy Graham
(Eldridge Coleman)		 Triple H One-time WWWF World Heavyweight Champion.[45]
2004 Tito Santana in the late '80s.jpg 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 Brooklyn Brawler & Bobby Heenan.jpg 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 HOT ROD!.jpg "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 Orton vs. Snuka.jpg "Cowboy" Bob Orton Randy Orton Held numerous NWA regional titles.[51]
2005 Jimmy Hart.jpg Jimmy Hart Jerry Lawler Long-time manager in WWF and WCW.[52]
2005 Paul Orndorff.jpg "Mr. Wonderful" Paul Orndorff Bobby Heenan Four-time NWA National Heavyweight Champion and three-time WCW World Tag Team Champion.[53]
2005 Nikolai Volkoff.jpg Nikolai Volkoff
(Josip Peruzovic)		 Jim Ross Three-time WWWF International Tag Team Champion and one-time WWF Tag Team Champion.[54]
2005 Iron Shiek Milwaukee WI 031008.jpg The Iron Sheik
(Khosrow Vaziri)		 Sgt. Slaughter One-time WWF World Heavyweight Champion and one-time WWF Tag Team Champion.[55]
2006 Bret Hart in 1994.jpg 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 2008.jpg 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]
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 1964.jpg Verne Gagne Greg Gagne Co-founder of the American Wrestling Association, 10-time AWA World Heavyweight Champion.[60]
2006 Tony Atlas.jpg "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 Dusty.png "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 Hennig-wcw.jpg "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]
2007 10.9.10JerryLawlerByLuigiNovi.jpg 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.jpg 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 No Mercy 2007.jpg 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]
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 MaeYoung20010402.jpg 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]
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]
2009 Austinentrance.jpg 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 Steamboat2.jpg 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 Bill Watts Cropped.jpg "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 WrestleMania 28.jpg Howard Finkel Gene Okerlund WWE ring announcer since 1977 and first employee hired by the WWE in 1975.[80]
2009 Koko B Ware 2011.PNG Koko B. Ware
(James Ware)		 The Honky Tonk Man Held several NWA regional championships.[81]
2010 The Million Dollar Man - Ted DiBiase.jpg "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 IMG 0398-2 20121224.JPG 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.jpg 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]
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]
2011 Shawn Michaels WM24 shot.jpg "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 2011.PNG "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan Ted DiBiase Winner of the first Royal Rumble match in 1988, one-time WCW United States Champion.[90]
2011 Tommy Seigler & Bob Armstrong (cropped).jpg "Bullet" Bob Armstrong
(Joseph James)		 Scott, Brad and Brian Armstrong Held several NWA regional championships.[91]
2011 10.2.10TammyLynnSytchByLuigiNovi1.jpg Sunny
(Tammy Sytch)		 WWE Divas Billed by WWE as the first Diva.[92]
2011 AbdullahTheButcher.jpg 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 Mascaras 1.jpg Mil Máscaras
(Aaron Arellano)		 Alberto Del Rio Mexican luchador. Máscaras was the first masked wrestler to perform in Madison Square Garden.[94]
2012 Adam Copeland 2012.jpg 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 RonSimmons2012.png 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 walking.jpg 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]
2013 Mick Foley Hardcore Legend.jpg 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 Axxess 2014.jpg Bob Backlund Maria Menounos Two-time WWWF/WWF (World) Heavyweight Champion and one-time WWF Tag Team Champion.[99]
2013 Trish Stratus 03 (7560109668).jpg 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 BrunoSeasonParade.jpg 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.jpg 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 entrance April 7th 2014 Crop2.jpg The Ultimate Warrior
(James Hellwig)		 Linda McMahon One-time WWF World Heavyweight Champion and two-time WWF Intercontinental Champion.[103]
2014 Jake Snake Roberts Hall of Fame.jpg Jake "The Snake" Roberts
(Aurelian Smith Jr.)		 Diamond Dallas Page Credited as the inventor of the DDT, held several regional championships.[104]
2014 Lita WWE Hall of Fame.jpg Lita
(Amy Dumas)		 Trish Stratus Four-time WWF/E Women's Champion.[105]
2014 PaulBearerCage.jpg 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]
2014 Carlos Colón Hall of Fame (cropped).jpg 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 Scott Hall Hall of Fame.jpg 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 Randy Savage 1986.jpg "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]
2015 Rikishi Hall of Fame 2015.jpg 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 Madusa.jpg 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 HOF.jpg 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.jpg 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 Hall of Fame 2015.jpg 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
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
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
2007 The Wild Samoans Samu and Matt Anoaʻi Three-time WWF Tag Team Champions.[118]
Afa (Arthur Anoaʻi Sr.)
Sika (Leati Anoaʻi)
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]
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.
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.
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]
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.
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 2008.jpg 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 1962.png Bob Uecker Dick Ebersol Guest interviewer/ring announcer at WrestleMania III and IV.[129]
2011 DrewCareyNov08.jpg Drew Carey Kane Was an entry in the 2001 Royal Rumble.[130]
2012 Mike Tyson Portrait.jpg 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 WWE Hall of Fame 2014 (cropped).jpg 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 February 2015.jpg Arnold Schwarzenegger Triple H Has made numerous appearances on WWE programming.[134]

Warrior Award

Dana Warrior presents the inaugural Warrior Award at the 2015 Hall of Fame ceremony

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
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 March 2015.jpg 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

The induction of Bret Hart into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2006
WWE Hall of Fame 2009 ceremony
Date Location Venue Host WrestleMania[a]
June 9, 1994 Baltimore, Maryland[146] Omni Inner Harbor International Hotel —
June 24, 1995 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania[147] Marriott Hotel —
November 16, 1996 New York City, New York[148] Marriott Marquis —
March 13, 2004 New York City, New York[4] The Hilton Gene Okerlund XX
April 2, 2005 Los Angeles, California[6] Universal Amphitheatre Gene Okerlund 21
April 1, 2006 Rosemont, Illinois[149] Rosemont Theatre Jerry Lawler 22
March 31, 2007 Detroit, Michigan[150] Fox Theatre Todd Grisham 23
March 29, 2008 Orlando, Florida[151] Amway Arena Gene Okerlund and Todd Grisham XXIV
April 4, 2009 Houston, Texas[152] Toyota Center Jerry Lawler and Todd Grisham XXV
March 27, 2010 Phoenix, Arizona[153] Dodge Theater Jerry Lawler XXVI
April 2, 2011 Atlanta, Georgia[154][155] Philips Arena Jerry Lawler XXVII
March 31, 2012 Miami, Florida[156] American Airlines Arena[157] Jerry Lawler XXVIII
April 6, 2013 New York, New York Madison Square Garden Jerry Lawler 29
April 5, 2014 New Orleans, Louisiana Smoothie King Center Jerry Lawler XXX
March 28, 2015 San Jose, California SAP Center at San Jose[158] Jerry Lawler[159] 31
April 2, 2016 Dallas, Texas American Airlines Center 32

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

Footnotes

  • a Since 2004, the ceremony has taken place on the night before WrestleMania.

References

  1. ↑ 1993 WWF results, from TheHistoryOfWWE.com
  2. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  5. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  7. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  8. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  9. ↑ WrestleMania 21, 22, 23, and XXIV DVD's
  10. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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  30. ↑ The Wrestler magazine, various X-ray panels.
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  41. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  42. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  43. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  44. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  45. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  46. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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  139. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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  145. ↑ [1]
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  149. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  150. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  151. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  152. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  153. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  154. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  155. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  156. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  157. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  158. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  159. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  160. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  161. ↑ 161.0 161.1 161.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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  164. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.

External links

Retrieved from "https://infogalactic.com/w/index.php?title=WWE_Hall_of_Fame&oldid=3759633"