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WRESTLING COLUMNS

The Hallowed Hall of Fame - Part 1
March 15, 2006 - by Ite Lemalu


Andre the Giant
Andre the Giant was the first person to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. In 1973, WWWF Promoter Vince McMahon Sr. signed Andre the Giant to work the northeast territory. Andre's gigantic physicality drew massive exposure, which expanded beyond the world of professional wrestling. Andre appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated, and was a guest on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. His television and movie roles include playing the character Big Foot in The Six Million Dollar Man, and Fezzik, in the 1987 movie the Princess Bride. Outside of his WWWF commitments, Andre competed all over the world, in Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Japan, as well as touring the territories throughout the United States. Andre was indeed a valuable asset during his 17-year stay with the WWWF/WWF. At WrestleMania III, Andre officially passed the torch to Hulk Hogan. Towards the end of the match, Andre told Hogan to lift him up for a body slam before pinning him. To this day, Hulk Hogan shows his gratitude towards Andre every time he humbly acknowledges that special moment in history. Andre remained with the WWF until 1990. His tenure with the WWF ended as he once again became a beloved fan favourite at WrestleMania VI. Andre returned briefly in 1991 as a corner-man for fellow fan favourites such as the Big Bossman, Davey Boy Smith, the Rockers and the Bushwhackers to prevent heels from interfering in their matches. Andre the Giant was admired and respected by peers and will always hold a soft spot with the McMahon family.

  • International Wrestling Alliance (IWA) Tag Team Titles (1970)
  • NWA Australasian Tag Team Titles (1978)
  • NWA Tri-State US Tag Team Titles (1978)
  • NWA Florida Tag Team Titles (1981)
  • WWF World Heavyweight Title (1988)
  • WWF World Tag Team Titles (1989)
  • PWI 1977 Most Popular Wrestler
  • PWI 1981 Match of the Year (vs. Killer Khan)
  • PWI 1982 Most Popular Wrestler
  • PWI 1988 Most Hated Wrestler
  • PWI 1988 Match of the Year (vs. Hulk Hogan)
  • PWI 1993 Editors' Award
  • Wrestling Observer 1996 Hall of Fame

  • Antonino Rocca
    Antonino Rocca was a pioneer in the art of pro wrestling, ethnic acceptance in American wrestling, and the origins of the WWE. He brought an amazing range of highflying holds into the world of pro wrestling. This innovative style was unimaginable to the masses that flocked out to see Antonino Rocca in Texas. During the 1940s, Antonino caught the attention of New York promoter Joseph 'Toots' Mondt. Under Mondt's promoting, Antonino's drawing power multiplied as he pulled in more Latino and Italian fans. Antonino's shaky relationship with Toots Mondt allowed Washington, DC based promoter Vince McMahon Sr. to woo him away from Toots, and join Capitol Sports Wrestling. Rocca's fame increased to greater heights as McMahon used television to gain enormous exposure. Antonino Rocca was one of the few wrestlers in his day to sell main event wrestling cards without ever winning a world title. Antonino Rocca remained with Capitol Sports as it evolved into the World Wide Wrestling Federation. Rocca served as a WWWF announcer during the 1970s until his untimely death in 1977. In 1995, Antonino Rocca was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. His widow accepted the honour in an emotional speech.

  • Texas Heavyweight Title (June 1948, November 1948)
  • American Wrestling Association World Title (AWA Ohio) (1953)
  • World Heavyweight Title (Montreal) (1954)
  • WWC North American Tag Team Titles


  • Arnold Skaaland
    'Golden Boy' Arnold Skaaland was a professional wrestler for many years, before retiring from in ring competition. Skaaland owned shares in the World Wide Wrestling Federation, and helped with the daily running of the company. Skaaland's only title came during 1967, when he captured the WWWF US Tag Team Titles with Spiros Arion. Arnold Skaaland would occasionally make his way out of retirement to substitute for a no-show wrestler or to lose to up and coming wrestlers. Skaaland moved into the managerial role in the 1970s, where he managed Bruno Sammartino during his WWWF title reign. He would later manage Bob Backlund during his WWWF Title run. In 1997, Arnold Skaaland was honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award.

  • WWWF Tag Team Titles (1967)
  • PWI 1978 Manager of the Year
  • PWI 1979 Manager of the Year


  • Baron Mikel Scicluna
    Baron Mikel Scicluna's wrestling career began during the early 1950's, making his pro debut wrestling in Frank Tunney's Maple Leaf Gardens. He wrestled frequently around the world, but was primarily a mainstay in Canada for years. In 1965, the Baron moved to the United States where he wrestled for the WWWF. He quickly established himself as a ruthless villain, and challenged Bruno Sammartino for the WWWF Title in 1966. In 1966, Scicluna teamed with Smasher Sloan to win the WWWF US Tag Team Titles from Johnny Valentine and Tony Parisi. Scicluna ventured off wrestle in Canada and Australia, before returning to the WWWF. Once again, the Baron challenged Bruno Sammartino for the WWWF Title in 1969. On February 1st, 1972, Scicluna and King Curtis Iaukea defeated Karl Gotch & Rene Goulet to win the WWWF Tag Team Titles. Scicluna also challenged Pedro Morales for the WWWF Title, and proved to quite a threat. Baron Mikel Scicluna excelled in using foreign objects during his matches, specifically roll of coins, he would rarely get caught using them from the referee. Baron Mikel Scicluna remained with the WWF up until the early 80's.

  • IWA Champion
  • Australian Heavyweight Title
  • WWWF Tag Team Titles (1966, 1972)


  • Big Cat Ernie Ladd
    Ernie Ladd is one of very few people who has made the transition from a successful football player, to being a successful wrestler. Ernie Ladd stood at 6 foot 9, and weighed in at 320 pounds, his statistics were befitting of a pro wrestler. Ladd played pro football for 5 years, before making the transition to wrestling. He wrestled part time, while still playing football. Ernie played a villain, which many considered a dangerous move, as he was the first African-American to play a heel. Ernie Ladd joined the WWWF in 1968, and acquired the managerial services of the rand Wizard. Ladd became a constant challenger for the WWWF Title over the 12 years he was with the company, and feuded with fellow big men Andre the Giant, Haystacks Calhoun, and Gorilla Monsoon. After retiring from wrestling, Ladd ventured out to smaller wrestling territories where he became a manager. He managed Afa and Sika - the Wild Samoans to the Mid-South Tag Team Titles. Ernie was also a trusted employee by Mid-South promoter Bill Watts, and had a high position with the company. Ernie Ladd returned briefly to the WWF as a commentator, before retiring from wrestling all together.

  • AFL San Diego Chargers (1961-1965)
  • AFL Houston Oilers (1966)
  • AFL Kansas City Chiefs (1967)
  • AFL Houston Oilers (1967)
  • AFL Kansas City Chiefs (1968)
  • NWA Texas Title (1965)
  • IWF Heavyweight Title (1972)
  • WWA Tag Team Titles (1973)
  • WWC North American Title (1974)
  • NWA Florida Title (1977)
  • NWA Southern Title (1979)
  • NWA Central States Tag Team Titles (1980)
  • NWA Louisiana Title (1980, 1981)
  • NWA Texas Brass Knuckles Title (1981)
  • NWA American Title (1981)
  • 1994 WCW Hall of Fame Inductee


  • Big John Studd
    Big John Studd was a major WWE wrestler during the 1970's and 80's. Studd's immense size puts him in a league of big men alongside Andre the Giant, Gorilla Monsoon, Ernie Ladd, to the present Big Show and Kane. On May 11th, 1976, Studd teamed up with Killer Kowalski as the masked Executioners, and became the WWWF Tag Team champions. The Executioners were stripped the titles and awarded to Chief Jay Strongbow & Billy White Wolf. As a singles competitor, he easily became a top contender for the WWF Title. Studd would receive a series of title matches against Bob Backlund, and then Hulk Hogan. During 1983, Big John Studd offered any wrestler money if they could lift him up for a bodyslam. It became known as the Bodyslam Challenge. Many wrestlers accepted Studd's challenge, and fell unsuccessfully. This Bodyslam challenge would lay the foundation for what was going to be, one of the most popular feuds in WWE history when Andre the Giant accepted the challenge. Big John Studd and Andre the Giant fought in the Battle of the Giants. Andre came close to lifting Studd over before he raked Andre's eyes and executed an attack with stable mate Ken Patera at his side. The feud was to escalate onto the first WrestleMania when Andre bodyslammed Studd and won 15,000. Big John Studd and Andre continued to feud in both singles and tag team as Studd and Heenan Family stable mate King Kong Bundy tagged regularly. John Studd left the WWF in the mid 1980's, and returned to the in 1989 as a full-fledged fan favourite to win the Royal Rumble. The Studd/Andre feud was relived one last time before suddenly leaving the WWF.

  • WWA Indiana Tag Team Titles (1976)
  • WWWF Tag Team Titles (1976)
  • NWA American Title (1977)
  • NWA Texas Tag Team Title (1978)
  • NWA Hawaii Tag Team Titles (1978)
  • NWA Hawaii North American Title (1978)
  • NWA Pacific International Title (1978)
  • NWA Mid-Atlantic Tag Team Titles (1978, 1979, 1980)
  • NWA Knoxville Southern Title (1981)
  • NWA Canadian Title (1981)
  • NWA National Tag Team Titles (1982)
  • NWA Florida Global Tag Team Titles (1982)
  • 1989 Royal Rumble Winner
  • PWI 1976 Tag Team of the Year (Executioners)
  • 1995 WCW Hall of Fame Inductee


  • Bobby Heenan
    Bobby Heenan's pro wrestling career began in 1965 as a wrestler. It didn't take long before he found his true calling as a manager. Bobby Heenan gained his reputation in the AWA, where he founded the Heenan Family stable. The stable consisted of who's who in pro wrestling. Heenan started wars with many of the AWA's top fan favourites, but one that stood out from the rest and boosted his managerial career was against Hulk Hogan. Bobby Heenan later joined the WWF in 1984, where his first acquisition was Big John Studd. Heenan also continued his rivalry with Hogan, which became one of WWF's most successful feuds. His presence further complimented his charges and the storylines whether he was managing Paul Orndorff, Big John Studd, Harley Race, King Kong Bundy or Andre the Giant. In 1989, Bobby Heenan managed Rick Rude to the Intercontinental Title, and in that same year, he guided Tully Blanchard & Arn Anderson to win the WWF Tag Team Titles. Towards the end of 1989, Heenan led Andre the Giant & Haku to the WWF Tag Team Titles. A year later, Heenan once again lured gold into the Family when he managed Curt Hennig to win the vacant Intercontinental Title. Bobby Heenan retired from managing in 1991, but briefly returned to manage Ric Flair. Bobby Heenan spent the next two years concentrating on his announcing duties, teaming with Gorilla Monsoon as the hosts of Wrestling Challenge, and commentating for pay per view events. He became one of the original announcers of Monday Night Raw in 1993, before leaving the in early 1994 to work for WCW. Heenan was given the same exclusive announcing duties that he had in the WWF as a member of the lead announce team for WCW Nitro and monthly pay per views. Not long after the demise of WCW, Bobby Heenan was diagnosed with throat cancer. Bobby Heenan returned to wrestling when he was honoured at the 2004 Hall of Fame. Pat Patterson described Bobby Heenan as the best wrestling manager ever; fellow manager/announcer Paul Heyman complimented Heenan as the Johnny Carson of the sports entertainment world. Without a doubt, Bobby Heenan is highly regarded by his colleagues, and is a great addition to the Hall of Fame.

  • AWA Manager
  • GCW Manager
  • WWF Manager (1984-1991)
  • WWF Announcer (1987-1994)
  • WCW Announcer (1994-2000)
  • PWI 1972 Manager of the Year
  • PWI 1976 Manager of the Year
  • PWI 1989 Manager of the Year
  • PWI 1991 Manager of the Year


  • Bobo Brazil
    Bobo Brazil was the first African-American to break down the racial barriers in pro wrestling. Bobo Brazil gained huge fan support in his hometown of Detroit, and Los Angeles. His following consisted of a strong African-American fan base, which slowly increased as mainstream society became more open-minded. Bobo Brazil's popularity brought him to Vince McMahon's Capitol Sports Wrestling, where he came close to winning the NWA World Title from Buddy Rogers. In the very first WWWF Title match (January 25, 1963), Bobo Brazil lost to WWWF Champion Buddy Rogers. Even though it was unthinkable at the time to have an African-American as a world champion, Bobo's wrestling talent and immense popularity established himself as credible contender, and a huge draw. Bobo was also instrumental in making his headbutt finisher - the Coco Butt a popular manuver. His popularity was overwhelming to the point where he would often team with the equally loved Bruno Sammartino, and headline cards where Sammartino was not available. Bobo worked frequently with the WWWF over the years teaming regularly with S.D Jones and helping other African-American wrestlers gain exposure. During the WWF's expansion in the early 1980's, Brazil returned to help put future talent over. He remained an active wrestler up until the early 1990's.

  • NWA Detroit Tag Team Titles
  • NWA San Francisco Tag Team Titles (1956, 1957)
  • NWA Canadian Open Tag Team Titles (1958)
  • WWWF United States Title (1963, 1963, 1976)
  • NWA Tag Team Titles (7 Times)
  • WWA Heavyweight Title (1966, 1968)
  • NWA International Title (1968, 1972)
  • North American Title (1969)
  • NWA Canada US Title (1977)
  • NWA Florida Tag Team Titles (1980)


  • Buddy Rogers
    Buddy Rogers is the first wrestler in history to win the NWA World Title and the WWWF World Title - an honour he held alone for 30 years. Rogers was among one of the top wrestlers in the Golden Age Era of wrestling. Buddy Rogers won regional NWA titles throughout the US before capturing the NWA World Title from Pat O'Conner in 1961. Rogers defended the NWA World Title on almost a nightly basis during his 2-year reign. When the WWWF was created, Buddy Rogers was recognised as the WWWF's first World Champion. After dropping the WWWF Title to Bruno Sammartino, Rogers left the company. In 1979, Buddy Rogers showed up in the NWA Mid-Atlantic, where he feuded with the Nature Boy Ric Flair in the 'Battle of the Nature Boys'. The war came to an end when Flair succeeded his childhood idol. Buddy Rogers later made the transition to a manager. His services were offered to top heels such as Jimmy Snuka and Ray Stevens. Rogers returned to the WWF in the early 1980s, where he hosted his own interview segment Rogers' Corner. He later became a face and was reunited with Jimmy Snuka. Rogers retired from wrestling all together before the WWF expansion. In 1992, Buddy Rogers was scheduled to wrestle Buddy Landell, but died suddenly after suffering a heart attack.

  • NWA Texas Heavyweight Title (1945, 45, 45, 46, 56)
  • NWA Texas Tag Team Titles (1945)
  • Montreal World Heavyweight Title (1951, 1959)
  • NWA San Francisco Tag Team Titles (1958)
  • NWA Amarillo North American Title (1958)
  • AWA Ohio Heavyweight Title (1952, 1953, 1953)
  • NWA Chicago US Title (1960)
  • NWA World Heavyweight Title (1962)
  • PWI 1990 Editors' Award


  • Capt Lou Albano
    Before he made the change over as a manager, Lou Albano was a wrestler with limited skill. His career began in the 1950's. Albano & Tony Altimore formed the tag team; the Sicilians. They won the Mid-West Tag Team Titles in Chicago. This helped prepare the Sicilians for a shot at the WWWF US Tag Team Titles, which they won in 1967. After the break up of the Sicilians, Lou Albano decided to make the transition to a manager. Albano's charismatic microphone skills came into greater use, as he used his gift to push his clients. In 1971, he managed Ivan Koloff to capture the WWWF Heavyweight Title from Bruno Sammartino. Lou Albano remained as a prominent manager through out his lengthy WWWF stay, as he enlisted the services of the top heels in an attempt to dethrone Bruno Sammartino, and later Bob Backlund. Albano had greater success managing tag teams, as he guided 13 different tag teams to the Tag Titles. Lou Albano was vital part in the WWF's expansion in the early 1980's when he formed an impressive association with Cyndi Lauper and launched the Rock 'n' Wrestling era.

  • WWWF US Tag Team Titles (1967)
  • PWI 1974 Manager of the Year
  • PWI 1981 Manager of the Year
  • PWI 1986 Manager of the Year
  • PWI 1994 Editors' Award


  • Chief Jay Strongbow
    Chief Jay Strongbow's career began with the WWWF. He was primarily the WWWF's own Native American superstar throughout the 1960's, 70's, and early 80's. Strongbow competed in the Main Eventer, and as a Midcarder, though he found championship gold through the Tag Team division. On May 22, 1972, Chief Jay Strongbow & Sonny King defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna & King Kurtis Iaukea to win the WWWF Tag Team Titles. Strongbow's second Tag Team Title reign came on December 7, 1976, when he teamed with Billy White Wolf to defeat the Executions, and Nikolai Volkoff & Tor Kamata in a 3 Team Tournament. In his singles career, the Chief grappled against WWWF heels Greg Valentine, Ken Patera, Billy Graham and Ernie Ladd among others. Strongbow had the responsibility of elevating wrestlers up the ladder; this did not bother the Chief at all. As he understood the purpose of his role which he executed with the utmost humility. Chief Jay Strongbow remained loyal to the Vince McMahon Sr. Strongbow's devotion to the WWWF earned him a position rewarded to him by WWF owner Vince McMahon Jr. as a Road Agent. This was of course Vince Jr's way of thanking Strongbow. The Chief remained as a Road Agent for 10 years, before he officially retired from the wrestling industry in 1994.

  • NWA Tennessee & Alabama Mid-America Tag Team Titles
  • NWA Florida Tag Team Titles
  • NWA Florida Heavyweight Title
  • WWWF Tag Team Titles (1972, 1976)
  • WWF Road Agent


  • Classy Freddie Blassie
    Classy Freddie Blassie made his wrestling debut in 1935, as a young teenager. Blassie set a remarkable standard as a wrestling heel. Lassie's villainous actions infuriated fans to the extent where he would receive death threats in the mail, and endure an endless amount of verbal and physical abuse everywhere he wrestled throughout the United States. During the 1950's and 60's, Blassie gathered up an impressive collection of titles he captured throughout the NWA territories. He also made an impact in the Los Angeles based promotion WWA. Blassie's fame grew immensely all over the West Coast, even amongst celebrities. He finally arrived in the WWWF, where he took on Capt Lou Albano as his manager. Blassie became a threat to WWWF Champion Bruno Sammartino. He would soon retire as a wrestler due to his knees being in a bad state. Blassie crossed over to managing and formed an alliance with fellow managers Capt Lou Albano and the Grand Wizard, calling themselves the Evil Trinity. He specialised in managing anti-American foreign talent such as Mr. Fuji, Peter Maivia, Mr. Saito, the Iron Sheik and others. On occasion, Blassie would manage the American wrestlers like George the Animal Steele, Hercules Hernandez, Jesse Ventura and Hulk Hogan. On December 26, 1983, Freddie Blassie managed the Iron Sheik to win the WWF World Title, and at the first WrestleMania, he guided the Iron Sheik & Nikolai Volkoff to the WWF Tag Team Titles. Classy Freddie Blassie retired from wrestling in 1986, selling the contracts of Nikolai Volkoff, the Iron Sheik and Hercules Hernandez to the Doctor of Style Slick. Blassie stayed on the WWF payroll, making rare public appearance for the company. In 1998, Blassie appeared on the WWF Attitude Era Legends commerial, he also narrated the WrestleMania XV and 17 opening clips. Fred Blassie released his long awaited auto-biography in 2003, only weeks before his passing.

  • WWA Heavyweight Title (1961, 1962, 1963, 1964)
  • NWA Southern Heavyweight Title (14 Times)
  • NWA Florida Southern Title (1954)
  • WWA Tag Team Titles (1964, 1967)
  • NWA Junior Heavyweight Title (1957)
  • NWA Americas Brass Knuckles Title (1969)
  • NWA Georgia Heavyweight Title (1970)
  • NWA Americas Title (1970)
  • 1996 Wrestling Observer Hall of Fame Inductee
  • 2000 PWI Editors' Award


  • Cowboy Bob Orton
    As a teenager, Bob Orton Jr. wanted to follow in his father's footsteps by becoming a professional wrestler. Even though his father felt strongly against the idea, Orton went ahead and pursued his dream. Orton dropped out of the Missouri University, and moved to Florida where he was trained by Hiro Matsuda, while also getting mentored from Jack and Jerry Brisco. Under Matsuda and Brisco's combined expertise, Orton was moulded into an immaculate ring technician. Orton would later team up with his father, winning the NWA Florida Tag Team Titles. Orton wrestled mainly in Florida and Georgia, picking up a number of titles in the territories. Bob Orton occasionally travelled to other NWA regions making a name for himself. He even had a stint in the pre-expanded WWF, where he became a threat to WWF Champion Bob Backlund. On January 8, 1984, Bob Orton and Don Kernodle defeated Dory Funk Jr. and Jimmy Valiant in a tournament final to win the vacant NWA Tag Team Titles. Orton found himself back in the WWF that same year as an exclusive member of their growing roster. Orton became aligned with Rowdy Roddy Piper as Piper's bodyguard. Together, Piper and Orton became the most hated duo in the WWF. The fans had so much animosity towards Piper and Orton, that riots would almost break out at monthly Madison Square Garden events. To add more fuel to the fire, Orton began wearing the infamous cast on his arm, and used it as a weapon during matches and sneak attacks. Probably one of Bob Orton's career highlights took place at WrestleMania in 1985, where he was in the corner of Rowdy Roddy Piper and Mr. Wonderful Paul Orndorff for their main event match against Hulk Hogan and Mr. T. Towards the end of the match, Orton interfered by jumping off the top rope and accidentally hitting Orndorff in the head, costing his team the main event. During the rest of 1985, Orton wrestled more frequently on Piper's behalf. Orton wrestled Hulk Hogan in the first instalment of Saturday Night's Main Event in May. Orton remained with Piper, up until mid 1986 when Piper left temporarily for Hollywood. Orton was then managed by Mr. Fuji and formed a tag team with Don Muraco. Orton & Muraco wrestled the Can-Am Connection in the opening match at WrestleMania III. The Orton-Muraco partnership ended as they started to feud. Orton remained with the WWF until late 1987. From then Orton went onto work for the AWA and the NWA before retiring from wrestling.

  • PWI Rookie of the Year (1973)
  • ICW Television Title
  • NWA Georgia Wildside Tag Team Title
  • NWA Florida Tag Team Titles (3)
  • NWA Florida Heavyweight Title
  • NWA Amarillo Southwest Heavyweight Title
  • NWA Mid-Atlantic Tag Team Titles
  • NWA Southeastern Tag Team Titles (4)
  • NWA Georgia Junior Heavyweight title
  • NWA Ohio United States Tag Team Titles
  • NWA North American Tag Team Titles
  • NWA Missouri Heavyweight Title
  • NWA Florida Tag Team Titles
  • AWA Midwest Heavyweight Title
  • AWA Heart of America Heavyweight Title
  • AWA Omaha Midwest Tag Team Titles
  • AWF Heavyweight Title


  • Don Muraco
    Don Muraco captured his first Intercontinental Title on June 20, 1981 defeating Pedro Morales. Muraco would lose the IC Title back to Morales 6 months later, before regaining the title on the 22nd of January 1983. Muraco became involved in a number of battles over the Intercontinental Title. One particular feud, which stood out from the rest, was against Superfly Jimmy Snuka. This six-month feud displayed a combination of timeless, unmatched interviews (especially from Muraco's part), excellent wrestling craftsmanship, and a mutual hatred that was almost authentic enough to believe. Muraco's ability to enrage fans through his rule-breaking demeanor helped to elevate the credibility of the Intercontinental Title. This set a high standard for future battles over the Intercontinental Title to uphold throughout the 1980's to the mid 1990's. Muraco also proved to be a huge threat to WWF Champion Bob Backlund, and later Hulk Hogan, as he once claimed a count-out victory over the Hulkster. Don Muraco spent the remainder of his WWF career putting over fan favourites, before becoming one himself in 1987. Don Muraco was honoured at the 2004 Hall of Fame ceremonies, and is still active in wrestling as a promoter/booker in Hawaii.

  • NWA San Francisco Tag Team Titles (1976)
  • NWA New Zealand British Empire/Commonwealth Title (1977)
  • NWA Pacific International Title (1978)
  • NWA San Francisco US Title (1978)
  • NWA Hawaii Heavyweight Title (1978, 1978, 1979)
  • NWA Pacific International Title (1978)
  • Polynesian Pacific Heavyweight Title (1980)
  • NWA Florida Heavyweight Title (1980)
  • NWA Florida TV Title (1981)
  • WWF Intercontinental Title (1980, 1983)
  • Stampede North American Title (1988)
  • ECW Heavyweight Title (1992, 1993)


  • Hall of Fame - Part 2 Biographies to include
  • George the Animal Steele
  • Gorilla Monsoon
  • Greg Valentine
  • Harley Race
  • Hulk Hogan
  • Iron Sheik
  • Ivan Putski
  • James Dudley
  • Jesse Ventura
  • Jimmy Hart
  • Jimmy Snuka
  • Jimmy & Johnny Valiant
  • Johnny Rodz

    by Ite Lemalu

    Steve Tripp wrote:
    The WWE Hall of Fame is completely ridiculous. I've been watching WWWF, WWF, and WWE since the 1960's. There are lots of wrestlers who deserve to be inducted before the crop of new inductees that have been named over the past couple of years. In the past couple of years they have inducted many wrestlers from the 1980's. What about the many greats from the 1960's and 1970's who have been bypassed? Bruno Sammartino is the most glaring example of someone who should be inducted. He was champion for many years, not like the bums of today who do title changes every other week. Sammartino's feud with Vince McMahon means that will probably never happen. It's like having a baseball Hall of Fame and not inducting Babe Ruth. What about Professor Toru Tanaka, Spiros Arion, Haystacks Calhoun, Dominic Denucci, Victor Rivera, Bulldog Brower, Eduard Carpentier, Ivan Koloff, Mr. Fuji, Crazy Luke Graham, and I could name many others from the 1960's and 1970's. Verne Gagne was inducted and never wrestled in the WWWF, WWF, or WWE. Cowboy Bob Orton had a very short career in the WWF compared to the wrestlers I named above, but he gets inducted because he's Randy Orton's dad. Black Jack Lanza is related to JBL. Harley Race had a great career, but wrestled in the WWF only at the end of his career, when he was old. How did he get in? The Hall of Fame is a great idea but too bad they didn't make it meaningful, instead of the joke that it has become.
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