Hektik 0 Report post Posted February 7, 2004 From The Wrestling Observer: Confirmed so far for the WWE Hall Of Fame are Jesse Ventura and Superstar Billy Grahm. Both will be inducted on 3/13, and introduced in Madison Square Garden the next day at Mania. The only other name that we know of that has been officialy contacted, and don't know where that stands, is Dusty Rhodes. Vince called Bret up about doing Mania. He hadn't suggested a specific role, and it may be the Hall of Fame as well. Hart was leaning against doing Mania this year, as he noted a few times in recent months. It was the feeling that he may get chocked up under the pressure of giving a speech in Madison Square Garden. He's had an understanding in the past with Vince that that he may come back one time only for a farwell speech and actualy wanted it at MSG. The other role I could see him offering him, would either be a ref in the match, or second in the match with Benoit vs HHH vs Michaels, because it plays well into the storylines, but I don't think he wants to come back to work a storyline anglr, even though he is tight with Benoit. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest KJ Brackish Report post Posted February 7, 2004 Just throwing an idea out, but this past Monday on Raw I heard JR spacifically say that, and I quote.... "This man [HBK] going to the HALL of FAME.....will be taking on The Legend....blah blah." Needless to say, maybe a HBK indictment which, even though I'm a HBK mark, might very well be a little pre-mature. Wait until he retires for hells sakes. :-D DFA Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Highland 0 Report post Posted February 7, 2004 I really don't think HBK has much time left, and it's a testiment to the incredible shape he is in that he was able to come back and still put on a decent match (for his buddy HHH). I wouldn't be at all surprised if WMXX was his last hurrah, if not Summer Slam '04. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Choken One Report post Posted February 7, 2004 It wasn't any different then when Baseball announcers go "Roger Clemens, Future Hall of Famer takes the mound"... When it's clear someone is a HOFer...You have all the rights to call him a HOFer even if he hasn't retired yet. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Czech Republic 0 Report post Posted February 7, 2004 indictment induction. We're talking Shawn Michaels, not Vince McMahon. Bah-zing! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cawthon777 0 Report post Posted February 7, 2004 I really wanted to go to the HOF but no way am I paying $200 to get in - especially when that's basically the same price I paid for my Mania ticket. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vern Gagne 0 Report post Posted February 8, 2004 Explain Dusty Rhodes in the WWE Hall of Fame? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Loss Report post Posted February 8, 2004 The only explanation I have for Dusty is that since we're in a monopolized era now, WWE may see it more as a 'wrestling' hall of fame than a WWE-specific one. I doubt that, given their conduct since acquiring WCW, but it's the only explanation I can garner. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vern Gagne 0 Report post Posted February 8, 2004 That would make the most sense. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Choken One Report post Posted February 8, 2004 there are about 25 people that should go before rhodes. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ISportsFan 0 Report post Posted February 8, 2004 Unless, of course, Vince thinks that the polka-dots were so revolutionary to the company that he must be admitted to the WWE Hall of Fame to showcase how great his impact was on WWE from 1989-1991. Jason Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Choken One Report post Posted February 8, 2004 Why did Vince waste Dusty anyways? He was still incredibly over but was he ever really a threat to Hogan? He should have just been Dusty Rhodes of old..not the American Dream in Polka Dots...was Vince Porposely trying to ruin Rhode's legancy? I mean they stuck him with two MAJOR heels in DiBiase and Savage but never seemed to PUSH him (though he didn't need it)...I don't even remember the details of his leaving the company...I remember him and Dustin going over at Rumble 1991 (one of the all time great mark out moments) and POOF! they were gone...Dustin of course emerged in WCW very shortly and become the most hyped and promoted mid-carder in WCW. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Loss Report post Posted February 8, 2004 Hall of Fames are just as political as anything else in wrestling. He probably thought about Dusty because he's one of the few old timers that doesn't hate Vince, even if there are others who are more deserving. "The Hall of Fame is for legends, and legends are dead. Ric Flair is not dead! Woooooo!" -- Flair, WCW Saturday Night, May 1995 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest DeputyHawk Report post Posted February 8, 2004 "The Hall of Fame is for legends, and legends are dead. Ric Flair is not dead! Woooooo!" -- Flair, WCW Saturday Night, May 1995 God I love Flair. Just rewathced this year's Rumble backstage segment with Benoit: (spurts champagne into his face) "WOOOOOO!" (points at Benoit, deadpan) "Second place." (turns away, walks off). Is Naitch in Vince's Hall of Fame? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TheOriginalOrangeGoblin 0 Report post Posted February 8, 2004 Fuck if they're bringing Jesse in why not hire him to commentate. I'm sure they'd induct Sammartino but he wouldn't show so thye don't want that embarrassment. I expect Heenan in too though. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest JumpinJackFlash Report post Posted February 8, 2004 I expect Heenan in too though.And Gene Okerlund, and Pat Patterson, and Fabulous Moolah, and Sgt. Slaughter. They're in the company, mainly. I don't know about Moolah, but she does show up every now and then. I thought I heard there will be 14 people getting inducted. Hey, what about Snuka? Backlund? Those were two people who helped the WWE become a larger promotion, oh and of course Hogan. But will Hogan show up? And what about Randy Savage? Roddy Piper? Ric Flair still wrestles, but will he be inducted? And what about Ricky Steamboat? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Ransome Report post Posted February 8, 2004 He should have just been Dusty Rhodes of old..not the American Dream in Polka Dots...was Vince Porposely trying to ruin Rhode's legancy? As I understand it, this was some friendly bet between Dusty and Vince, who wanted to see if Dusty could get "over" with such a ridiculous gimmick, which he arguably did. I don't think there was any animosity between the two nor a case of ruining his legacy. For the record heres the current inductees in the Hall of Fame: Andre the Giant Chief Jay Strongbow Arnold Skaaland Bobo Brazil Freddie Blassie Buddy Rogers Gorilla Monsoon James Dudley Ernie Ladd Fabulous Moolah Pedro Morales Ivan Putski Antonino Rocca George Steele Grand Wizard Killer Kowalski Captain Lou Albano Baron Mikel Scicluna Johnny Valiant Jimmy Valiant Unpredictable Johnny Rodz Jimmy Snuka Vince McMahon Sr Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cawthon777 0 Report post Posted February 8, 2004 Explain Dusty Rhodes in the WWE Hall of Fame? Did we forget Dusty's run in the late 70s / early 80s? Apparently so. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JHawk 0 Report post Posted February 8, 2004 Explain Dusty Rhodes in the WWE Hall of Fame? Did we forget Dusty's run in the late 70s / early 80s? Apparently so. Actually, outside of working MSG, did Dusty ever appear on W(W)WF TV before coming in in 1989? I know he made quite a few appearances at MSG before the WWF left the NWA for good in 1983, but who outside of tape collectors and MSG regulars would remember that? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Use Your Illusion 0 Report post Posted February 8, 2004 Who the hell is James Dudley? As for Dusty, I think the Flair DVD being released has given him a much bigger chance of being recognised as a 'legend' in WWE (which, now, is really a combination of all three major companies). Flair really put him over in the intro and he's also featured on another WWE DVD. I'm an huge Dusty mark, so I'm all for it, despite Dusty's real success being with the NWA. UYI Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TheOriginalOrangeGoblin 0 Report post Posted February 8, 2004 So after all is said and done will Bruno be the only deserving legend left out? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cawthon777 0 Report post Posted February 8, 2004 Explain Dusty Rhodes in the WWE Hall of Fame? Did we forget Dusty's run in the late 70s / early 80s? Apparently so. Actually, outside of working MSG, did Dusty ever appear on W(W)WF TV before coming in in 1989? I know he made quite a few appearances at MSG before the WWF left the NWA for good in 1983, but who outside of tape collectors and MSG regulars would remember that? Dusty worked the entire territory while feuding with Superstar in the late 70s, more than just MSG. I don't know if he worked the Hamburg and Allentown TV tapings but he was pushed pretty strong at the time and came close on more than one occasion to taking the title. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JHawk 0 Report post Posted February 8, 2004 Who the hell is James Dudley? James Dudley was a black manager who managed Bobo Brazil in the 1960s, and he was basically in charge of the Washington, DC ticket office. IIRC, he's in his mid-90s now and still on the WWE payroll (Vince Sr. absolutely loved the guy). Dudley made a brief on-air cameo on Raw about two years ago. Stephanie was trying to get reinstated (the first time) right before HHH returned from the quad injury, and she wheeled Dudley in on his wheelchair to try to get in the building. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RavishingRickRudo 0 Report post Posted February 8, 2004 If you pick up the WWE's 50 Greatest Wrestlers of All Time magazine, there's an article about the McMahons going from Jess McMahon to Vince Sr. to Vince Jr. which has James Dudley featured. If he is on pay-roll that makes a lot of sense, cause I can't imagine anyone from that era still saying good things about the WWE. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest DeputyHawk Report post Posted February 8, 2004 Hey, what about Snuka? Backlund? Those were two people who helped the WWE become a larger promotion, oh and of course Hogan. But will Hogan show up? And what about Randy Savage? Roddy Piper? Ric Flair still wrestles, but will he be inducted? And what about Ricky Steamboat? Hell, what about The Ultimate Warrior? He did carry the company as World champion for damn near a year. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest JumpinJackFlash Report post Posted February 8, 2004 Hell, what about The Ultimate Warrior? He did carry the company as World champion for damn near a year. Stealing from Joan of Arc: "Oops, the Ultimate Warrior! We forgottet about him!" Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Use Your Illusion 0 Report post Posted February 8, 2004 Any of Warrior's success will be credited to Hogan, bet you. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JJMc 0 Report post Posted February 8, 2004 indictment induction. We're talking Shawn Michaels, not Vince McMahon. Bah-zing! That was great. Didn't catch that the first time around! EDIT: and the Rhodes duo did NOT go over at Rumble '91. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
snuffbox 0 Report post Posted February 8, 2004 its good to see the Superstar Billy Graham getting some respect for everything hes done finally. The man deserves alot better than hes gotten. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cawthon777 0 Report post Posted February 8, 2004 Hell, what about The Ultimate Warrior? He did carry the company as World champion for damn near a year. Actually, attendance and ratings started to tank without Hogan as champ. It was so bad, in fact, that there was talk of putting the belt on Rude at Summer Slam so he could act as the transitional champion for Hulk. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
