WWE Hall of Fame 2005

[Guest Greg Valentine]

So I'm watching this year's Hall of Fame DVD and, after reading Vince's comments on Off the Record that Hogan would be a good inductee for the Class of 2005, I thought who exactly would be good for the next class of the Hall of Fame. Overall, the majority of this years class deserved to go in. Superstar Graham, Harley Race, Bobby Heenan, Jesse Ventura, JYD, Sgt. Slaughter and Big John Studd all warranted. While Greg deserves to be in the Hall, I hate to have to say that he shouldn't be in there before a few other people. Tito and Muraco are iffy on if they really deserve to be in there at all, much less before some other names. But, going by the usual 10-12 inductees, here's who I think SHOULD, not necessarily will, be inducted next year.

 

Ted Dibiase - If they keep this up on a yearly basis, he'll definitely go in eventually if he accepts the invite. One of the biggest heels of the 80s, one of the 2 or 3 guys known as the best to never win the World title. I think he will actually go in next year.

 

Ravising Rick Rude - Another great wrestler to never win the World title and another of the bigger stars of the 80s. Again I think he will actually go in next year.

 

Hulk Hogan - Vince said himself he'd like him to be inducted next year. But would Hogan actually go for the idea of not being an active competitor and instead a Hall of Famer? Time will tell, but there's no doubt he deserves to be and will be in the Hall eventually.

 

Rowdy Roddy Piper - One of the biggest stars of the WWF's first big boom period in the 80s and one of the best heels in history. Politics with the company will probably prevent his induction for a while, if ever, but he deserves to go in.

 

Ricky Steamboat - Like Harley Race, his greatest matches came apart from WWE, but he deserves recognition. Wouldn't be surprised to actually see him go in next year.

 

Ric Flair - Now, for all we know, Flair will probably be wrestling at WMXXI. Still, I think they should go ahead and put him in the Hall right next to arguably his greatest rival, Steamboat. Doubt that they'll put him in next year, but I think they should.

 

The Road Warriors - There's only one other tag team in the Hall (Jimmy and Johnny Valiant), so I think it's time for another. Only team to hold AWA, NWA, and WWE tag titles plus the inspiration for many tag teams to come. I wouldn't be shocked if they went in next year. I would put the Rock 'n Roll Express here but they only briefly worked for the company in 98 so I don't know if they would recognize them.

 

Stu Hart - Stu should go in before Bret. Bret will have his time but there are others that should go in first. Stu is one of them. While never wrestling for WWE, his accomplishments are so far reaching he deserves to be honored in their Hall. They could go and induct the Hart Family as a whole but I don't like that idea. Bret will probably be inducted next year to coincide with some DVD release and Stu won't get recognized. Stu SHOULD get it next year and Bret the next.

 

Bob Backlund - Don't know why he didn't go in this year, I read he was going to but I guess he didn't accept the invite? No doubt he'll go in, just a matter of time.

 

Dusty Rhodes - It'll NEVER happen, but it doesn't mean that it shouldn't happen. Again, his best days were away from WWE, but his accomplishments deserver recognition.

 

Bruno Sammartino - Again, like Backlund, thought he was going in this year. Again, just a matter of time before he goes in.

 

So that's my list. I'd expect King Kong Bundy, Adrian Adonis, maybe Paul Orndorff, maybe Iron Sheik to replace some of those I said wouldn't go in next year. Maybe the Brisco Brothers too, surprised they're not in yet. They could always do Mr. T or LT if they want to keep doing celebrities. What do you guys think? Who are your 10-12 for next year?

[Guest Man Of 1,004 Modes]

For some reason, I thought this was a gimmick topic when I first saw it.

 

But, I honestly wouldn't know who will be in the next induction (if there is a next). Bret, Hogan, Bruno should be in ahead of anyone, but probably won't.

[Guest Choken One]

Bruno will turn it down...again.

Hogan will ask for 500,000...Vince laughs at him.

 

 

I made this list a few days ago in another thread...

 

Bret Hart

Bruno Sammantino

Randy Savage

Hulk Hogan

Ted Dibiase

Curt Hening

Steve Austin

Rick Rude

Vader

Great Muta

Steiner Brothers

Sting

Bob Backlund

Road Warriors

Ricky Steamboat

Rock n Roll express

Arn Anderson

Sid

Roddy Piper

Terry Funk

Dory Funk Jr.

Paul Orndorff

Stan Hansen

Dusty Rhodes

Dynamite Kid

Larry Zybysko

Jerry "The King" Lawler

Brian Pillman

Abdullah the Butcher

Bob Orton

Brisco Brothers

Koloff Brothers

Wahoo McDaniel

Midnight express

Buddy Rogers

Pat O Conner

Eddie Gilbert

Art Barr

Jim Duggan

The Big Bossman

Jake Roberts

British Bulldog

Jushin Lyger

Owen Hart

 

 

Not all of those will make it...3-6 "BIG" names like Bret, Dibiase, Backlund, Steamboat, Terry Funk, Orton and a couple "medium" names like Duggan and Roberts will get in...and of course another "Celebrity" inductee...Likely Mike Tyson or Bob Uecker or Donald Trump.

[DMann2003 0]

Dynamite Kid

 

You know Benoit is leading the charge on that one

 

And Macho Man, why does everyone says McMahon will never let him in, I don't recall any major ripping done by either sides, hell in that IGN interview Savage says McMahon gave him a chance. It's Hogan Randy's got the real bad blood with, not Vince.

[Guest Choken One]

Exactly...Savage and Vince never could agree with the money...they never had PERSONAL issues with each as far as I know...Savage might have said some stuff at the height of the war but who didn't?

 

shit...I forgot Dynamite...allow me to edit the list.

[Guest Choken One]

I took that list and decided to split it into 5 different "classes" (so like the hypothetical 2005, 06, 07, 08, 09 classes)...No real method to it...I know they cant have a Bruno, Hart, Hogan, Savage, Backlund, Sting class...they need to spread it out.

 

Class of 2005

Bret Hart

Ted Dibiase

Bob Backlund

Terry Funk

Ricky Steamboat

Jim Duggan

Davey Boy Smith

Dynamite Kid

 

Class of 2006

Randy Savage

Jake Roberts

Owen Hart

Big Bossman

Arn Anderson

Bob Orton

Road Warriors

Wahoo McDaniel

Buddy Rogers

 

Class of 2007

Hulk Hogan (20th anniversy of WM3)

Curt Hening

Dory Funk Jr.

Art Barr

Eddie Gilbert

Jerry Lawler

Brisco Brothers

Stan Hansen

Abullah the Butcher

 

Class of 2008

Steve Austin

Rick Rude

Sting

Rock N Roll Express

Midnight Express

Larry Zybsyko

Jushin Lyger

Pat o Conner

 

Class of 2009

Bruno Sammantino (likely, vince will have to wait until bruno's death...and knowing bruno...he'll have it in his will "FUCK VINCE! I WILL NEVER ACCEPT BEING IN THE HOF!")

Vader

Steiner Brothers

Roddy Piper

Brian Pillman

Sid

Koloff Brothers

Great Muta

Dusty Rhodes...

[cawthon777 0]

Tito and Muraco are iffy on if they really deserve to be in there at all, much less before some other names.

If Johnny Rodz, Baron Mikel Scicluna, and Arnold Skaaland, who spent much of their career putting over other talent, are in there - Tito and Muraco are can't-miss pics.

 

The thing is, if you're only familiar with those two during the Hogan era, you're missing out on a lot - Muraco especially.

[SteakGrowsOnUecker 0]

I've got a feeling that Rocky Johnson will be inducted next year, especially if Johnny Rodz was inducted already. Hogan could be a good candidate for next year as well.

[Guest Choken One]

Good Call on the Rocky Johnson possibility...I can't believe i forgot him on the list.

[SteakGrowsOnUecker 0]

I thought of him while watching the 2004 HOF DVD and they showed the Rock a few times throughout the show. I can picture him inducting his dad, much as Venturas son did. I think it'd be fitting.

[Guest Choken One]

and it's in Hollywood too...Another good press piece for the rock...

 

I'm willing to bet HUNDREDS the rock will have another movie out by WMXI time...

[SteakGrowsOnUecker 0]

There's no doubt about that, it'd all fit so well. I really enjoyed the 2004 HOF DVD, hope it becomes a yearly traditions like this. Wonder if theyve thought of releasing the previous inductions on DVD or something, if they taped those at least...

 

Ya know, I just thought of crazy it would be if Savage and Hogan were inducted at the same time. Imagine the wackiness that would ensue.

[Guest Choken One]

Vince is a smart man...

 

Which means in his mind...He'll do it...I'm convinced Hogan is going to convince Vince to let Him and his group of buddies take over smackdown and use it as their own little playground.

[spman 0]

2004 Should be

 

Rocky Johnson

King Kong Bundy

Davey Boy Smith

Dynamite Kid

Rick Rude

Ted Debiase

Mr. T

Paul Orndorf

George the Animal Steele

Ricky Steamboat

[ChrisMWaters 0]

Steele's already in the Hall of Fame.

 

He's a more recent name...but how about Yokozuna?

[Guest Choken One]

Yokozuna and Rocky Johnson...?

 

Is there a big enough Arena to HOLD that family?

[Guest Greg Valentine]

Ohhh yeah, I forgot about Rocky Johnson, that's a good call. I think Yoko will go in at some point too, it's just a little early for him though. Judging by the 50 greatest of all time magazine, if they want all those to be in the Hall they still have to do:

 

Yoko

Hogan

Savage

Bret

HBK

Taker

Jericho

Kane

Stone Cold

Rock

Haystacks Calhoun

Orndorff

Bundy

Honky Tonk Man

Bruno

Razor Ramon

Flair

Steamboat

Warrior

Piper

Hart

Backlund

Foley

ken Patera

Iron Sheik

Wendi Richter

Lesnar

Triple H

Jake the Snake

Angle

 

Doubt all those will go in, especially Lesnar, Ricter, Pater, Honky, or Razor Ramon, but we shall see.

[Guest Greg Valentine]

Oh, and can somebody please fill me in on who exactly Johnny Rodz and Baron Mikel Sciluna are?

[cawthon777 0]

Guys who spent most of their careers putting over younger talent, even into the 1980s. Scicluna held the tag straps in the 60s and contended for Bruno's belt. Rodz was the Steve Lombardi of the 70s, and I mean that in the highest compliment. Piper fought him the first time Roddy was brought up to work MSG.

[UseTheSledgehammerUh 0]

Rick Rude's a two time WCW International World Heavyweight Champion.

[Guest Sturgis]

What about Mene Gene?

[spman 0]

They also should recognize the hardest workers of all, the jobbers, Carlos Colon, Barry Horowitz, SD Jones, Steve Lombardi in all his various forms, "Iron" Mike Sharpe, and all the rest should have their own special place in the hall of fame.

[cawthon777 0]

Carlos Colon was a jobber?

[ChrisMWaters 0]

spman: As long as for the Hall of Fame DVD of when Horowitz is inducted, they include Horowitz vs. Skip from Action Zone where...*deep breath*

 

HOROWITZ WINS! HOROWITZ WINS! HOROWITZ WINS!

[Guest Choken One]

Wouldn't that defeat the purpose of Horowitz's induction?

 

 

Just show another random job.

[Guest The Winter Of My Discontent]

Ravising Rick Rude - Another great wrestler to never win the World title and another of the bigger stars of the 80s. Again I think he will actually go in next year.

 

Hulk Hogan - Vince said himself he'd like him to be inducted next year. But would Hogan actually go for the idea of not being an active competitor and instead a Hall of Famer? Time will tell, but there's no doubt he deserves to be and will be in the Hall eventually.

 

Rowdy Roddy Piper - One of the biggest stars of the WWF's first big boom period in the 80s and one of the best heels in history. Politics with the company will probably prevent his induction for a while, if ever, but he deserves to go in.

 

Ricky Steamboat - Like Harley Race, his greatest matches came apart from WWE, but he deserves recognition. Wouldn't be surprised to actually see him go in next year.

 

Ric Flair - Now, for all we know, Flair will probably be wrestling at WMXXI. Still, I think they should go ahead and put him in the Hall right next to arguably his greatest rival, Steamboat. Doubt that they'll put him in next year, but I think they should.

 

The Road Warriors - There's only one other tag team in the Hall (Jimmy and Johnny Valiant), so I think it's time for another. Only team to hold AWA, NWA, and WWE tag titles plus the inspiration for many tag teams to come. I wouldn't be shocked if they went in next year. I would put the Rock 'n Roll Express here but they only briefly worked for the company in 98 so I don't know if they would recognize them.

 

Stu Hart - Stu should go in before Bret. Bret will have his time but there are others that should go in first. Stu is one of them. While never wrestling for WWE, his accomplishments are so far reaching he deserves to be honored in their Hall. They could go and induct the Hart Family as a whole but I don't like that idea. Bret will probably be inducted next year to coincide with some DVD release and Stu won't get recognized. Stu SHOULD get it next year and Bret the next.

 

Bob Backlund - Don't know why he didn't go in this year, I read he was going to but I guess he didn't accept the invite? No doubt he'll go in, just a matter of time.

 

Dusty Rhodes - It'll NEVER happen, but it doesn't mean that it shouldn't happen. Again, his best days were away from WWE, but his accomplishments deserver recognition.

 

Bruno Sammartino - Again, like Backlund, thought he was going in this year. Again, just a matter of time before he goes in.

This is the most realistic list. Rude, Rhodes, and Piper probably won't make it this time around. I wouldn't be shocked to see Owen, Stu, and Bret be honoured this year. AND, as long as Flair is still wrestling, Vince won't put him in the Hall of Fame. It would make him look too old...kinda like his saggy "tits".

[ChrisMWaters 0]

Here's another one that just came to mind...

 

Mr. Fuji

[cawthon777 0]

Wouldn't that defeat the purpose of Horowitz's induction?

 

 

Just show another random job.

If Horowitz gets in ... and I doubt he will for at least another 10 years ... they're not putting him solely because he lost all the time. So no, it wouldn't defeat the purpose.

[Guest cobainwasmurdered]

Owen will be in before Bret or Stu I'd wager.

[Guest The Winter Of My Discontent]

Owen will be in before Bret or Stu I'd wager.

Unfortunately your wager is wrong. There is no way that Vince would bypass Stu and Bret to induct Owen. No chance at all.