A motley crew of legends we think should be enshrined, including a bikini icon.
With Daniel Bryan officially retired, there’s rumors of him going directly into the WWE Hall of Fame. The Class of 2016 currently just has one selection, and it’s the man they call Sting! Stinger’s induction is a no-brainer and while Daniel Bryan certainly has the accolades to get in, it might be a year too soon.
The WWE Hall of Fame, for all intents and purposes, is the one that everyone goes by. Sure there’s others but we’re talking WWE. Getting into the Hall is a tricky thing seeing how Vince McMahon has final say.
You’re either on his good list or his shit list.
With names like JBL and The Fabulous Freebirds being kicked around as possibilities, here’s 5 picks that make the most sense for this year.
OWEN HART
“Well enough is enough and it’s time for a change”…or at least time for Owen to join his brother Bret and his father Stu, as a hall of famer.
Most people know Owen for his tragic death in 1999, which took place inside the ring (during The Blue Blazer stunt). Thankfully there were better times. A great mat technician, Hart served as the perfect foil to his older brother Bret Hart. The Jan to Bret’s Marcia if you will. Their feud put Owen on the map, creating many memorable bouts including their fight at WrestleMania X.
Owen also had a great feud with “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, in which Hart infamously broke Austin’s neck at SummerSlam 1997.
Playing the “bad guy” role most of his career, Hart was known as one of the good guys in the business. Ask any wrestler who knew him and they all have nothing but praise for the man.
The WWE released Owen Hart: Hart of Gold, a DVD retrospective of his career and life, so his much deserved induction may be inching closer.
RAVISHING RICK RUDE
“What I’d like to have right now is for all you fat, ugly, [insert city] sweat hogs, is to keep the noise down, while I take off my robe and show the ladies what a real man looks like.”
The Ravishing One should get into the Hall just based on that catch phrase alone.
One of the great heels of the '80s and '90s, Rude was known as the sexiest wrestler alive and a fierce competitor. A legit tough guy, Rick had all of the elements needed for wrestling success: looks, ring work, mic skills and charisma.
During his time in the WWE, he feuded with the likes of Jake “The Snake” Roberts and The Ultimate Warrior. Some of you may forget that Rick was an original member of DX and the only person to appear on RAW and WCW Nitro on the same night (due to Raw being taped).
As cool as he was, his wrestling tights took him to another level. Hands down the best tights in the business! Strutting to the ring, he wore airbrushed spandex, his own personal lewd canvas that featured the faces of opponent’s wives (Mrs. Jake Roberts), insults, and reminders of how ravishing he truly was.
PAMELA ANDERSON
Every year the WWE adds somebody to their “celebrity wing,” so why not former bombshell Pamela Anderson?! Donald Trump and Drew Carey are members for crying out loud!
This selection might be a head scratcher to some who had no idea that the Baywatch babe played a part in the WWE. But in 1995, Anderson made special appearances at the Royal Rumble and WrestleMania 11.
Her role was that of valet to Big Daddy Cool Diesel at Mania, but the best thing about her time in sports entertainment were the promo videos announcing her Royal Rumble appearance.
Skits like this one had wrestlers vying for the Playmate’s attention:
Seeing how the “celebrity wing” is an all male group, adding some beauty in the form of Anderson will get no objections from me.
DEMOLITION
Some people have crapped on this tag team for being Road Warrior knockoffs, but they’re far from it. Axe and Smash (sans Crush for this pick) may have started as the WWE’s answer to painted face tough guys, but they grew into a dominant team with a great look and a scream-a-long theme song. Demolition started off as heels with Mr. Fuji as their manager, but soon became “good guys.”
The WWE missed a golden opportunity of not creating a feud between Demolition and the Legion of Doom, when LOD finally made their way to the WWE. A WrestleMania dream-match that never was.
Go on YouTube and check out their promos. Pure gold!
The paint covered maniacs are straight out of a Rob Zombie horror film. Smash is losing his mind, screaming at the camera, while Axe with his raspy, killer voice, describes how they’re gonna mangle opponents.
THE UNDERTAKER
The once imposing Phenom is now a shell of his former self, so much so that my buddies and I refer to him as "The Undertaker’s Father."
Looking past his age, there’s no denying that the man from Death Valley should have his own wing in the Hall of Fame. He’s created a character unlike any other, having done so much for the business that he’s earned a spot on pro-wrestling’s Mount Rushmore (who the others are is a debate for another time).
Growing up, The Undertaker was my go-to selection when my friends and I would pretend to be our favorite brawlers, battling it out in a makeshift ring.
I always preferred this early incarnation of the dead man over other versions.
It would have been nice seeing him go in with Paul Bearer (who was inducted in 2014) but having him inducted at WrestleMania 32 in his home state of Texas, in front of that massive AT&T Stadium audience is fitting. What would make it even better is if the Deadman came out in his classic grey and black ring attire, riding on the back of a hearse. Rest…in…peace!
