WWE Hall of Fame



The WWE Hall of Fame is a hall of fame which honors professional wrestlers and professional wrestling personalities maintained by WWE. Originally known as the "WWF Hall of Fame", it was created in 1993, when André the Giant was posthumously inducted with a video package. The 1994 and 1995 ceremonies were held in conjunction with the annual King of the Ring pay-per-view events and the 1996 ceremony was held with the Survivor Series event. After an eight year hiatus, WWE relaunched the Hall of Fame in 2004 and has held the ceremonies in conjunction with WrestleMania ever since. Since 2005, portions of the induction ceremonies have aired on television and since 2014 the entire ceremonies have aired on the WWE Network.
As of 2019, there have been 204 inductees, with 113 wrestlers inducted individually, 36 Legacy Inductees, 15 group inductions, 10 celebrities and 5 Warrior Award recipients. Four wrestlers have been inducted twice : Ric Flair, Shawn Michaels, Booker T, and Bret Hart, with four more to receive a second induction in 2020. Waltman's two inductions are both as a member of a group, D-Generation X and the New World Order. 57 members have been inducted posthumously.

History

The World Wrestling Federation Hall of Fame was created in 1993. It was first announced 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. In the proceeding two years, induction ceremonies were held in conjunction with the annual King of the Ring pay-per-view events. The 1996 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.
WWE relaunched the Hall of Fame in 2004 to coincide with WrestleMania XX. This ceremony, like its predecessors, was not broadcast on television. However, it was released on DVD on June 1, 2004. Beginning with the 2005 ceremony, an edited version of the Hall of Fame was broadcast on Spike TV and on the USA Network ; 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, and from 2014, has been broadcast live on the WWE Network. 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.

Specialty inductees

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.

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."
While WWE promotes Warrior Award recipients as Hall of Fame inductees, they are not included in the Hall of Fame section at WWE.com. and an image gallery which shows "every WWE Hall of Famer ever" does not contain any recipient.
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. Miranda, who died in 2002, was part of the WWE merchandise department for more than 20 years 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 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". 2019's recipient, Sue Aitchison, is the only WWE employee to receive the award thus far.
Traditionally, Dana Warrior presents the award.

Legacy inductees

In 2016, WWE introduced a new category for the Hall of Fame called the "Legacy" wing. Inductees in this category are from several eras of wrestling history, going back to the early 20th century. All but two inductees, Hisashi Shinma and MSG Network creator Joseph Cohen, have been inducted posthumously. Legacy inductees are recognized with a video package at the ceremonies.
The Legacy wing also has some criticism around it, specifically regarding the abbreviated way of the inductions. Professional wrestling journalist Dave Meltzer said "this is the category they use to honor people who, for whatever reason, they don't feel are marketable names to the modern audience to put in their actual Hall of Fame". In contrast, long time pro wrestling promoter and manager Jim Cornette critiziced the fact that recognizable names like Jim Londos or El Santo were part of a video package. Bruiser Brody's widow stated that she did not know her husband was going to be inducted into the 2019 class until the day of the event and that she was not invited to the ceremony.

Classes

Class of 1993

WWF Hall of Fame was the inaugural class of the WWE Hall of Fame. During the March 22, 1993 episode of Monday Night Raw a video package announcing André the Giant's induction was shown. No ceremony took place, and André was inducted posthumously. In March 2015 a condensed version of the 1994 ceremony was added to the WWE Network. Due to no original ceremony, the 1993 induction of André was discussed by Gene Okerlund and Renee Young as part of the 1994 commentary.
ImageRing name
Inducted byWWE recognized accolades

-One-time WWF World Heavyweight Champion, one-time WWF World Tag Team Champion.

Class of 1994

WWF Hall of Fame was the event which featured introduction of the second class to the WWE Hall of Fame. The event was produced by the WWF on June 6, 1994 from the Omni Inner Harbor International Hotel in Baltimore, Maryland. The event took place the same weekend as King of the Ring.
In March 2015 a condensed version of the ceremony was added to the WWE Network. Due to the original ceremony only being partially recorded and not originally intended to air, Gene Okerlund and Renee Young host the program with added commentary.
ImageRing name
Inducted byWWE recognized accolades
One-time WWWF United States Tag Team Champion and long-time manager of Bruno Sammartino and Bob Backlund in WWF

Seven-time WWWF United States Heavyweight Champion, one-time NWA United States Heavyweight Champion

Posthumous inductee: One-time NWA World Heavyweight Champion and first WWWF World Heavyweight Champion

TatankaFour-time WWWF/WWF World Tag Team Champion
Regis PhilbinHeld over 30 NWA regional championships. Long-time manager in WWF

Two-time WWWF United States Tag Team Champion. Former WWF announcer and onscreen President
First African American to run a major arena in the United States

Class of 1995

WWF Hall of Fame was the event which featured the introduction of the third class to the WWE Hall of Fame. The event was produced by the WWF on June 24, 1995 from the Marriott Hotel in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The event took place the same weekend as King of the Ring.
In March 2015 a condensed version of the ceremony was added to the WWE Network. Due to the original ceremony only being partially recorded and not originally intended to air, Gene Okerlund and Renee Young host the program with added commentary.
The 1995 class featured two posthumous inductees. Antonino Rocca was presented by his wife, and The Grand Wizard was represented by Bobby Harmon.
ImageRing name
Inducted byWWE recognized accolades

DieselPosthumous inductee. One-time WWF International Heavyweight Champion. Pioneer of the acrobatic wrestling style
Won several NWA regional titles, and was one of few professional wrestlers to have had a successful career in American football

Doink the ClownOne of professional wrestling's first monster heels

One-time WWF Tag Team Champion

A four-time WWF Women's Champion prior to her induction, her first reign is recognized as lasting a record 28 years

Posthumous inductee.
Long-time heel manager in WWF
Savio Vega accepted the induction. One-time WWWF World Heavyweight Champion whose reign lasted nearly three years, and the first WWF Triple Crown Champion He was also the first Latino to win the world title

Class of 1996

WWF Hall of Fame was the event which featured the introduction of the fourth class to the WWE Hall of Fame. The event was produced by the WWF on November 16, 1996 from the Marriott Marquis in New York City, New York. The event took place the same weekend as Survivor Series.
In March 2015 a condensed version of the ceremony was added to the WWE Network. Due to the original ceremony only being partially recorded and not originally intended to air, Gene Okerlund and Renee Young host the program with added commentary.
Due to Vincent J. McMahon's passing in 1984, he was posthumously inducted by the McMahon family.
ImageRing name
Inducted byWWE recognized accolades
One-time WWWF World Tag Team Champion and one-time WWWF United States Tag Team Champion
One-time WWWF United States Tag Team Champion. As a manager, he led 13 different tag teams to a record 17 tag team titles, and four singles wrestlers to various championships. His association with Cyndi Lauper was pivotal in turning professional wrestling into a mainstream phenomenon
One-time NWA United States Heavyweight Champion, two-time NWA World Tag Team Champion, two-time ECW Heavyweight Champion

Wrestled in WWF for nearly two decades

Triple HOne-time WWWF World Tag Team Champion, held seventeen NWA regional championships

One-time and first WWF Intercontinental Heavyweight Champion, one-time AWA World Tag Team Champion and held over 20 NWA regional championships. Credited as the creator of the Royal Rumble match
Posthumous inductee. Founder and longtime promoter of the World Wrestling Federation

Class of 2004

CategoryInducteeInducted by
IndividualBig Show
Individual
Individual
Individual
IndividualTyrel Ventura
IndividualJunkyard Dog
Individual
Individual
Individual
Individual
CelebrityKane

Class of 2005

CategoryInducteeInducted by
Individual'
Individual
Individual
Individual
Individual
Individual
Individual

Class of 2006

CategoryInducteeInducted by
Individual'
Individual,, and
Individual
Individual
Individual
Individual
GroupThe Blackjacks
CelebrityJohn Cena

Class of 2007

CategoryInducteeInducted by
Individual' and
Individual
Individual
Individual
Individual
Individual and Sabu
Individual
GroupThe Wild Samoans
and

Class of 2008

CategoryInducteeInducted by
Individual'
Individual
Individual
Individual
Individual
Individual
GroupThe Brisco Brothers

Class of 2009

CategoryInducteeInducted by
Individual'
Individual
Individual
Individual
Individual
GroupThe Funks
Dusty Rhodes
GroupThe Von Erichs
Michael Hayes

Class of 2010

CategoryInducteeInducted by
Individual' and
Individual
Individual
Individual
Individual
Individual
Celebrity

Class of 2011

CategoryInducteeInducted by
Individual'
Individual
Individual
IndividualSunnyWWE Divas
IndividualAbdullah the Butcher
GroupThe Road Warriors
Dusty Rhodes
CelebrityKane

Class of 2012

CategoryInducteeInducted by
IndividualEdgeChristian
Individual
Individual
IndividualYokozunaJimmy Uso and Jey Uso
GroupThe Four Horsemen
Dusty Rhodes
CelebrityD-Generation X

Class of 2013

CategoryInducteeInducted by
Individual
Individual
IndividualTrish Stratus
Individual'
IndividualBooker TStevie Ray
Celebrity

Class of 2014

CategoryInducteeInducted by
IndividualThe Ultimate WarriorLinda McMahon
IndividualJake "The Snake" RobertsDiamond Dallas Page
IndividualLitaTrish Stratus
IndividualPaul BearerKane
IndividualCarlos Colón Sr.Carlito, Eddie, and Orlando Colón
IndividualRazor RamonKevin Nash
CelebrityGene Okerlund

Class of 2015

CategoryInducteeInducted by
Individual"Macho Man" Randy Savage Hulk Hogan
IndividualRikishiThe Usos
IndividualAlundra BlayzeNatalya Neidhart
IndividualLarry ZbyszkoBruno Sammartino
IndividualTatsumi FujinamiRic Flair
IndividualKevin NashShawn Michaels
GroupThe Bushwhackers
John Laurinaitis
CelebrityTriple H
Warrior AwardConnor "The Crusher" MichalekDana Warrior and Daniel Bryan

Class of 2016

CategoryInducteeInducted by
IndividualStingRic Flair
IndividualThe GodfatherThe Acolytes Protection Agency
IndividualBig Boss Man Slick
IndividualJacquelineThe Dudley Boyz
IndividualStan HansenVader
GroupThe Fabulous Freebirds
The New Day
CelebritySnoop DoggJohn Cena
Warrior AwardJoan LundenDana Warrior
LegacyN/A
LegacyN/A
LegacyN/A
LegacyN/A
LegacyN/A
LegacyN/A
LegacyN/A

Class of 2017

CategoryInducteeInducted by
IndividualKurt AngleJohn Cena
IndividualTheodore LongThe Acolytes Protection Agency
IndividualDiamond Dallas PageEric Bischoff
IndividualBeth PhoenixNatalya Neidhart
Individual"Ravishing" Rick Rude Ricky Steamboat
GroupThe Rock 'n' Roll Express
Jim Cornette
Warrior AwardEric LeGrandDana Warrior
LegacyN/A
LegacyN/A
LegacyN/A
LegacyN/A
LegacyN/A
LegacyN/A
LegacyN/A
LegacyN/A
LegacyN/A

Class of 2018

CategoryInducteeInducted by
IndividualGoldberg'Paul Heyman
IndividualIvoryMolly Holly
IndividualJeff JarrettRoad Dogg
IndividualHillbilly JimJimmy Hart
IndividualMark HenryBig Show
GroupThe Dudley Boyz
Edge and Christian
Warrior AwardJarrius "JJ" RobertsonDana Warrior
CelebrityKid RockTriple H
LegacyStan StasiakN/A
LegacyLord Alfred HayesN/A
LegacyDara SinghN/A
LegacyCora CombsN/A
LegacyEl SantoN/A
LegacyJim LondosN/A
LegacyRufus R. JonesN/A
LegacySputnik MonroeN/A
LegacyBoris MalenkoN/A
LegacyHiro MatsudaN/A

Class of 2019

CategoryInducteeInducted by
IndividualThe Honky Tonk ManJimmy Hart
IndividualTorrie WilsonStacy Keibler
IndividualBrutus "The Barber" BeefcakeHulk Hogan
GroupD-Generation X'
'
N/A
GroupHarlem Heat
N/A
GroupThe Hart Foundation
Natalya
Warrior AwardSue AitchisonDana Warrior and John Cena
LegacyBruiser BrodyN/A
LegacyWahoo McDanielN/A
LegacyLuna VachonN/A
LegacyS.D. JonesN/A
LegacyProfessor Toru TanakaN/A
LegacyPrimo CarneraN/A
LegacyJoseph CohenN/A
LegacyHisashi ShinmaN/A
LegacyBuddy RoseN/A
LegacyJim BarnettN/A

To be inducted in 2020

Class Headliners appear in Boldface
CategoryInducteeInducted by
IndividualBatista
IndividualJohn "Bradshaw" Layfield
IndividualThe British Bulldog
IndividualJushin "Thunder" Liger
GroupNew World Order
GroupThe Bella Twins

Ceremony dates and locations

DateLocationVenueHostAssociated Event
Baltimore, MarylandOmni Inner Harbor International HotelN/AKing of the Ring
Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaMarriott HotelN/AKing of the Ring
New York City, New YorkMarriott MarquisN/ASurvivor Series
New York City, New YorkThe HiltonGene Okerlund
Los Angeles, CaliforniaUniversal AmphitheatreGene Okerlund
Rosemont, IllinoisRosemont TheatreJerry Lawler
Detroit, MichiganFox TheatreTodd Grisham
Orlando, FloridaAmway ArenaGene Okerlund and Todd Grisham
Houston, TexasToyota CenterJerry Lawler and Todd Grisham
Phoenix, ArizonaDodge TheaterJerry Lawler
Atlanta, GeorgiaPhillips ArenaJerry Lawler
Miami, FloridaAmerican Airlines ArenaJerry Lawler
New York City, New YorkMadison Square GardenJerry Lawler
New Orleans, LouisianaSmoothie King CenterJerry Lawler
San Jose, CaliforniaSAP CenterJerry Lawler
Dallas, TexasAmerican Airlines CenterJerry Lawler
Orlando, FloridaAmway CenterJerry Lawler
New Orleans, LouisianaSmoothie King CenterJerry Lawler
Brooklyn, New YorkBarclays CenterCorey Graves and Renee Young
2021WrestleMania 37

Reception

In 2012, The Post and Courier columnist Mike Mooneyham noted that the Hall has garnered criticism due to the inductions of questionable performers, and the omissions of major names within the industry. Bob Backlund declined induction multiple times, and The Ultimate Warrior wrote that he refused the honor in 2010; they were eventually inducted in 2013 and 2014, respectively. Randy Savage was long recognized as being noticeably absent; Chris Jericho said that the Hall achieved a level of legitimacy by inducting him in 2015.
Bruno Sammartino, the longest reigning WWWF World Heavyweight Champion, was once critical of the Hall of Fame. Sammartino disapproved 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". Sammartino declined previous induction offers, before accepting in 2013. Paul Levesque said that it was important for Sammartino to be inducted from a "legitimacy standpoint" and ESPN said that his induction was an opportunity to legitimize the Hall of Fame. After being announced as an inductee, Sammartino said he considered the Hall to be legitimate.
Ric Flair has stated there are several wrestlers in the Hall of Fame that didn't deserve it, but he didn't name names. Koko B. Ware, who worked as an undercard wrestler in WWF, is often billed as a controversial inductee since he was selected before wrestlers such as Randy Savage or Bruno Sammartino. Caleb Smith of Slam Wrestling questioned how Ware was inducted, but former WWWF World Heavyweight Champion Ivan Koloff never was before his 2017 death, while 411Mania writer Steve Cook defended his Hall of Fame status since he was very popular with fans and some of his losses were historic, and Kevin Pantoja described him as "the floor for inductees". Superstar Billy Graham publicly slammed the hall and demanded that WWE remove him from it, due to the 2011 induction of Abdullah the Butcher. Graham wrote: "It is a shameless organization to induct a bloodthirsty animal such as Abdullah the Butcher into their worthless and embarrassing Hall of Fame and I want the name of Superstar Billy Graham to be no part of it". In 2018, Bret Hart, who headlined the 2006 ceremony, criticized the omissions of several wrestlers, primarily Dynamite Kid and his brother Owen, as well as the inductions of the likes of The Rock 'n' Roll Express and The Fabulous Freebirds, who experienced little success in WWE. Hart said he would not go to another ceremony until WWE inducts "proper, deserving candidates". However, Hart attended the 2019 ceremony as he was inducted for a second time as part of The Hart Foundation.
Mark Henry has also lobbied for Owen Hart to be inducted and encouraged Hart's widow, Martha Hart, to allow for his induction during his hall of fame speech. Martha Hart responded by stating "They don’t even have a Hallway of Fame. It doesn’t exist. There’s nothing. It’s a fake entity. There’s nothing real or tangible. It’s just an event they have to make money. They put it on TV and have a celebration, and it’s just so ridiculous. I would never even entertain it. It’s garbage." Sabu also criticized the Hall of Fame, saying "I'd only do it because I need the money... I don't consider it a real Hall of Fame."
Others have offered praise for the Hall of Fame. World Wrestling Council promoter and 26-time WWC Universal Heavyweight Champion Carlos Colón Sr. said that his 2014 induction was a "realization of a dream". 2015 Hall of Fame headliner Kevin Nash stated that two things in the professional wrestling business are real: "When you win your first championship and when you get inducted into the Hall of Fame." Nash claimed this is a sentiment to which colleague Ric Flair also subscribes. During his 2013 induction, future U.S. president Donald Trump said that the honor meant more than "having the highest ratings in TV, being a best-selling author or getting a spot on the Hollywood Walk of Fame."
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".
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