Ravishing Rick Rude to be inducted into the WWE HOF
Mar 06, 2017
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Let’s take another big name off of the list.
As broken by Ryan Dilbert at Bleacher Report, the late “Ravishing” Rick Rude will be inducted into this year’s class at the WWE Hall of Fame. Dilbert was granted an exclusive interview with Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat, who has been given the honor of inducting Rude this year.
Born Richard Rood in 1958, Rude grew up in Robbinsdale, Minnesota, where he went to the same high school (at the same time with fellow future professional wrestlers, Curt Hennig, Nikita Koloff, John Nord and Barry Darsow. Rude would become a professional wrestler in 1982, after getting a college degree in Physical Education (Anoka-Ramsey CC) and would bounce around from varying territories, and with each jump, he would rise up the card.
Rude would find himself working for Fritz Von Erich in World Class Championship Wrestling, where he would become the promotion’s champion. The year after, the would move to Jim Crockett Promotions, where under the management of Paul Jones, he would begin a tag team with Manny Fernandez and would become the NWA World Tag Team Championship. Rude would be lured by the World Wrestling Federation, and he lost the tag team title in a phantom title switch to the Rock and Roll Express.
Now aligned with Bobby “The Brain” Heenan, Rude’s first feud when he entered the WWF in ’87 was against former Heenan client, “Mr. Wonderful” Paul Orndorff, though that would be replaced by a much hotter feud with Jake “The Snake” Roberts the following year. That program started when Rude tried to give the “Rude Awakening Kiss” to Jake’s wife, Cheryl, who was sitting at ringside. Rude would then move on and feud with the Ultimate Warrior, and would win the Intercontinental Championship at Wrestlemania V, a match that to date was the best of the Warrior’s career and showcased Rude’s ability to make his opponent to look good.
Warrior would reclaim the championship at that year’s Summer Slam, which would then see Rude feud with a returning Roddy Piper. Following Warrior’s WWF World Championship win over Hulk Hogan, Rude was named the #1 Contender and though he received many world title shots, he was not able to wrest the belt against him. Following his last major championship shot at SummerSlam, Rick Rude would leave the WWF shortly after.
Rude would make a major return on the national stage, debuting under a mask (a very bad one) as the Halloween Phantom at Halloween Havoc 1991. He would unmask near the end of the show and would become the cornerstone of the Dangerous Alliance, a heel stable led by Paul E. Dangerously. Rude would promptly take the United States Title from Sting and embroil in a long feud with Ricky Steamboat and later Dustin Rhodes.
Following this, Rude would go after the NWA World Heavyweight Title, which was back under the fold of WCW. Rude would defeat Ric Flair for the belt, but it following the withdrawal of the NWA from WCW, the belt would be renamed the WCW International Title. Rude would become a three-time champion, the last of which he never lost, due to Rude suffering a career ending injury in Japan where his back crashed into a raised platform while receiving a suicide dive from the ring.
The ravishing one would retire and cash in on his Lloyd’s of London insurance policy, though the wrestling bug would come biting once again.
In 1997, Rude would make sporadic appearances in ECW in a brief program with Shane Douglas, but he would be a surprise return aligning himself with the new faction, D-Generation X. That too was brief, as he would join WCW following the Montreal Screwjob and in one night he appeared on both RAW (which was taped) and Nitro as a member of both DX and the New World Order. He would leave WCW in 1999 and was allegedly training for a potential return to the ring.
That would never happen as Rude would pass away at the age of 40 due to heart failure.
With Steamboat’s announcement, the Dragon is the only known presenter for this year’s Hall of Fame Class.
This will necessitate the removal of Rick Ride from our list where he was ranked #20 on our list. Following the induction ceremony, we will work on redoing our new Notinhalloffame.com wrestling list.
The ceremony will take place on Friday Night, March 31, two days before Wrestlemania.
As broken by Ryan Dilbert at Bleacher Report, the late “Ravishing” Rick Rude will be inducted into this year’s class at the WWE Hall of Fame. Dilbert was granted an exclusive interview with Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat, who has been given the honor of inducting Rude this year.
Born Richard Rood in 1958, Rude grew up in Robbinsdale, Minnesota, where he went to the same high school (at the same time with fellow future professional wrestlers, Curt Hennig, Nikita Koloff, John Nord and Barry Darsow. Rude would become a professional wrestler in 1982, after getting a college degree in Physical Education (Anoka-Ramsey CC) and would bounce around from varying territories, and with each jump, he would rise up the card.
Rude would find himself working for Fritz Von Erich in World Class Championship Wrestling, where he would become the promotion’s champion. The year after, the would move to Jim Crockett Promotions, where under the management of Paul Jones, he would begin a tag team with Manny Fernandez and would become the NWA World Tag Team Championship. Rude would be lured by the World Wrestling Federation, and he lost the tag team title in a phantom title switch to the Rock and Roll Express.
Now aligned with Bobby “The Brain” Heenan, Rude’s first feud when he entered the WWF in ’87 was against former Heenan client, “Mr. Wonderful” Paul Orndorff, though that would be replaced by a much hotter feud with Jake “The Snake” Roberts the following year. That program started when Rude tried to give the “Rude Awakening Kiss” to Jake’s wife, Cheryl, who was sitting at ringside. Rude would then move on and feud with the Ultimate Warrior, and would win the Intercontinental Championship at Wrestlemania V, a match that to date was the best of the Warrior’s career and showcased Rude’s ability to make his opponent to look good.
Warrior would reclaim the championship at that year’s Summer Slam, which would then see Rude feud with a returning Roddy Piper. Following Warrior’s WWF World Championship win over Hulk Hogan, Rude was named the #1 Contender and though he received many world title shots, he was not able to wrest the belt against him. Following his last major championship shot at SummerSlam, Rick Rude would leave the WWF shortly after.
Rude would make a major return on the national stage, debuting under a mask (a very bad one) as the Halloween Phantom at Halloween Havoc 1991. He would unmask near the end of the show and would become the cornerstone of the Dangerous Alliance, a heel stable led by Paul E. Dangerously. Rude would promptly take the United States Title from Sting and embroil in a long feud with Ricky Steamboat and later Dustin Rhodes.
Following this, Rude would go after the NWA World Heavyweight Title, which was back under the fold of WCW. Rude would defeat Ric Flair for the belt, but it following the withdrawal of the NWA from WCW, the belt would be renamed the WCW International Title. Rude would become a three-time champion, the last of which he never lost, due to Rude suffering a career ending injury in Japan where his back crashed into a raised platform while receiving a suicide dive from the ring.
The ravishing one would retire and cash in on his Lloyd’s of London insurance policy, though the wrestling bug would come biting once again.
In 1997, Rude would make sporadic appearances in ECW in a brief program with Shane Douglas, but he would be a surprise return aligning himself with the new faction, D-Generation X. That too was brief, as he would join WCW following the Montreal Screwjob and in one night he appeared on both RAW (which was taped) and Nitro as a member of both DX and the New World Order. He would leave WCW in 1999 and was allegedly training for a potential return to the ring.
That would never happen as Rude would pass away at the age of 40 due to heart failure.
With Steamboat’s announcement, the Dragon is the only known presenter for this year’s Hall of Fame Class.
This will necessitate the removal of Rick Ride from our list where he was ranked #20 on our list. Following the induction ceremony, we will work on redoing our new Notinhalloffame.com wrestling list.
The ceremony will take place on Friday Night, March 31, two days before Wrestlemania.
Beth Phoenix named to the WWE HOF
Feb 28, 2017
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The WWE Hall of Fame has announced another member of their Hall of Fame, and as projected by many sources, it is former Diva’s Champion, Beth Phoenix.
After a run in the developmental territory, OVW, where she was their women’s champion, Phoenix would debut in the WWE in May of 2006 as an ally of Trish Stratus who was then feuding with Mickie James. It would be a shirt run, as Phoenix suffered a mandible injury that kept her out of action for nearly a year. She would return in July of 2009, though this time as a heel and adopting the “Glamazon” persona.
Over the next five years, Phoenix would be regarded as one of the strongest and most athletically gifted women on the roster. She would become a one time WWE Diva’s Champion and three time WWE Women’s Champion, though her most notable WWE memory for most was appearing in the 2010 Royal Rumble where she eliminated The Great Khali.
The induction of Beth Phoenix continues the tradition of the WWE Hall of Fame inducting one female per year.
We here at Notinhalloffame.com would like to congratulate Beth Phoenix for earning this honor.
After a run in the developmental territory, OVW, where she was their women’s champion, Phoenix would debut in the WWE in May of 2006 as an ally of Trish Stratus who was then feuding with Mickie James. It would be a shirt run, as Phoenix suffered a mandible injury that kept her out of action for nearly a year. She would return in July of 2009, though this time as a heel and adopting the “Glamazon” persona.
Over the next five years, Phoenix would be regarded as one of the strongest and most athletically gifted women on the roster. She would become a one time WWE Diva’s Champion and three time WWE Women’s Champion, though her most notable WWE memory for most was appearing in the 2010 Royal Rumble where she eliminated The Great Khali.
The induction of Beth Phoenix continues the tradition of the WWE Hall of Fame inducting one female per year.
We here at Notinhalloffame.com would like to congratulate Beth Phoenix for earning this honor.
Teddy Long named to the WWE HOF
Feb 13, 2017
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Speculated over the last month, Teddy Long has officially been named to the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2017, joining already named inductees, Kurt Angle and the Rock and Roll Express.
Getting his start in Georgia Championship Wrestling as part of the ring crew, Long got into the ring as a last minute replacement for a referee, a role he would have for years and was regular fixture at NWA events. Long would segue into managing after a fast count pin costing the Road Warriors the Tag Team Championship. He was fired as a referee and became the manager of the Skyscrapers, the tandem of Danny Spivey and Sid Vicious who would feud with the Road Warriors.
Long would later manage Norman and following the dismantling of the Skyscrapers, he took over the reigns of Ron Simmons and Butch Reed (Doom) who would become the first African-American World Tag Team Championship. Doom would break up in early 1991 and after the his remaining protégé, Johnny B. Badd turned face, Long would occasionally be used as a broadcaster.
Long would be in the corner often for Ron Simmons during his championship run and in the mid 90’s he was a face manager for lower card workers, but was never in another major angle in WCW again. He would leave WCW for the WWF and would become a referee again.
History would repeat itself as after four years, Long would once again come back as a heel manager. His charges included D-Lo Brown, Rodney Mack, Jazz, Christopher Nowinski, Mark Henry and Mark Jindrak. While Long was entertaining, he did not have any major storylines, but in 2004, that would change when he would be named the General Manager of Smackdown.
Often, these positions don’t last long, but Teddy was in that role off and on for nearly ten years. He was involved in major angles with Edge, Vickie Guerrero, the Undertaker and John Laurinitis. It is unlikely if we will ever see a non-McMahon in an on-screen authority role longer with a tenure that reached Teddy Long’s.
We here would like to congratulate Teddy Long on earning this honor.
Getting his start in Georgia Championship Wrestling as part of the ring crew, Long got into the ring as a last minute replacement for a referee, a role he would have for years and was regular fixture at NWA events. Long would segue into managing after a fast count pin costing the Road Warriors the Tag Team Championship. He was fired as a referee and became the manager of the Skyscrapers, the tandem of Danny Spivey and Sid Vicious who would feud with the Road Warriors.
Long would later manage Norman and following the dismantling of the Skyscrapers, he took over the reigns of Ron Simmons and Butch Reed (Doom) who would become the first African-American World Tag Team Championship. Doom would break up in early 1991 and after the his remaining protégé, Johnny B. Badd turned face, Long would occasionally be used as a broadcaster.
Long would be in the corner often for Ron Simmons during his championship run and in the mid 90’s he was a face manager for lower card workers, but was never in another major angle in WCW again. He would leave WCW for the WWF and would become a referee again.
History would repeat itself as after four years, Long would once again come back as a heel manager. His charges included D-Lo Brown, Rodney Mack, Jazz, Christopher Nowinski, Mark Henry and Mark Jindrak. While Long was entertaining, he did not have any major storylines, but in 2004, that would change when he would be named the General Manager of Smackdown.
Often, these positions don’t last long, but Teddy was in that role off and on for nearly ten years. He was involved in major angles with Edge, Vickie Guerrero, the Undertaker and John Laurinitis. It is unlikely if we will ever see a non-McMahon in an on-screen authority role longer with a tenure that reached Teddy Long’s.
We here would like to congratulate Teddy Long on earning this honor.
The Rock and Roll Express headed to the WWEHOF
Feb 03, 2017
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According to the reputable pro wrestling website, Pwinsider.com, The Rock and Roll Express will be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.
While the team comprising Ricky Morton and Robert Gibson did not have the most prosperous runs in the then named World Wrestling Federation, the tandem is considered a revolutionary force in tag team wrestling and is still held in very high regard today.
Formed in 1983 in Memphis from the mind of head booker, Jerry Lawler, The Rock and Roll Express were an instant hit in the area. Showcasing their love of Rock and Roll and high flying ability, Ricky and Robert were fan favorites and especially loved by the female demographic. The Rock and Roll Express would become stars in Tennessee, but a move to the Mid-South territory would see them meet their greatest rivals, the Midnight Express. The two teams would tear the house down in show after show, but before long both duos would travel work and begin work for Jim Crockett Promotions.
In the NWA, Morton and Gibson would achieve their greatest success. Four times they would hold the NWA World Tag Team Championship. They would have notable feuds with the Midnights, the Russians (Ivan Koloff, Nikita Koloff & Khrusher Khruschev), Rick Rude and Manny Fernandez and The Four Horsemen. With the exception of the Road Warriors, the Rock and Roll Express were the most popular in the territory and one of the most successful.
Following a run in the AWA, the Rock and Roll Express would return to the NWA, though they were used more in a mid-card role. The two would feud with each other in 1991 in the now named World Championship Wrestling, but they would reunite for a healthy run in Smoky Mountain Wrestling, where they would be 10 time Tag Team Champions. In the latter half of the 1990’s, they would compete for the USWA, WCW and were in the WWF as part of the Jim Cornette’s NWA stable.
It has been reported that the WWE Performance Center has made watching tapes of the Rock and Roll Express required viewing, especially the selling of Ricky Morton as the “face in peril”.
If this is true, we here at Notinhalloffame.com would like to congratulate Rocky Morton and Robert Gibson for earning this accolade.
While the team comprising Ricky Morton and Robert Gibson did not have the most prosperous runs in the then named World Wrestling Federation, the tandem is considered a revolutionary force in tag team wrestling and is still held in very high regard today.
Formed in 1983 in Memphis from the mind of head booker, Jerry Lawler, The Rock and Roll Express were an instant hit in the area. Showcasing their love of Rock and Roll and high flying ability, Ricky and Robert were fan favorites and especially loved by the female demographic. The Rock and Roll Express would become stars in Tennessee, but a move to the Mid-South territory would see them meet their greatest rivals, the Midnight Express. The two teams would tear the house down in show after show, but before long both duos would travel work and begin work for Jim Crockett Promotions.
In the NWA, Morton and Gibson would achieve their greatest success. Four times they would hold the NWA World Tag Team Championship. They would have notable feuds with the Midnights, the Russians (Ivan Koloff, Nikita Koloff & Khrusher Khruschev), Rick Rude and Manny Fernandez and The Four Horsemen. With the exception of the Road Warriors, the Rock and Roll Express were the most popular in the territory and one of the most successful.
Following a run in the AWA, the Rock and Roll Express would return to the NWA, though they were used more in a mid-card role. The two would feud with each other in 1991 in the now named World Championship Wrestling, but they would reunite for a healthy run in Smoky Mountain Wrestling, where they would be 10 time Tag Team Champions. In the latter half of the 1990’s, they would compete for the USWA, WCW and were in the WWF as part of the Jim Cornette’s NWA stable.
It has been reported that the WWE Performance Center has made watching tapes of the Rock and Roll Express required viewing, especially the selling of Ricky Morton as the “face in peril”.
If this is true, we here at Notinhalloffame.com would like to congratulate Rocky Morton and Robert Gibson for earning this accolade.
Hodge Podge of HOF News
Jan 25, 2017
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Let’s try something new here.
We’ll combine a few news items that we think our noteworthy in the “Hall of Fame” world.
Let’s start with the WWE.
In an interview with Sports Illustrated’s Extra Mustard, former ECW World Heavyweight Champion was asked if he ever saw himself in the WWE Hall of Fame in the future. He didn’t exactly imply he wanted in, nor did he have kind words to say about the institution itself:
“It’s such a fake Hall of Fame. I’d only do it because I need the money. I don’t know if I would mother--- everyone or if I would take it graciously, but I don’t consider it a real Hall of Fame. It’s not like the Baseball Hall of Fame or the Football Hall of Fame. They let anybody in it, anybody who could draw money. The real wrestling Hall of Fames are in Iowa and Amsterdam, New York. They look for donations because they’re so broke, but they have s--- from the 1800s.
Vince’s Hall of Fame only has s--- from Vince’s company. If you didn’t work for his company, you’re not in the Hall of Fame. That’s nothing to do with how good you are, it only matters who owned them.”
Notably, Sabu inducted his uncle, The Original Sheik into the WWE Hall of Fame, and he is ranked currently #79 on our Notinhalloffame.com WWE List.
In what is our constant news from the world of Curt Schilling, he told TMZ that he doesn’t care about the Baseball Hall of Fame anymore.
Whether or not he means that or not, the fact will remain that he will be intertwined with Cooperstown until he gets in. Ironically, he will be less associated with the Baseball Hall of Fame if he were to get in.
As we have stated many times before, we know this story isn’t going away soon
Going to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, former Head Coach, Lovie Smith has said that his former player, Devin Hester, who is expected to formally retire soon, goes down as one of the most prolific Returner in NFL history. He is a three time First Team All Pro Selection, is 8th all-time in Return Yards and 3rd all-time in Punt Return Yards. Hester was considered a game changer for years during his time as a Chicago Bear.
Should Hester retire, he will be eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2022.
As always, the world of Halls of Fames continue, and we will always be paying attention!
We’ll combine a few news items that we think our noteworthy in the “Hall of Fame” world.
Let’s start with the WWE.
In an interview with Sports Illustrated’s Extra Mustard, former ECW World Heavyweight Champion was asked if he ever saw himself in the WWE Hall of Fame in the future. He didn’t exactly imply he wanted in, nor did he have kind words to say about the institution itself:
“It’s such a fake Hall of Fame. I’d only do it because I need the money. I don’t know if I would mother--- everyone or if I would take it graciously, but I don’t consider it a real Hall of Fame. It’s not like the Baseball Hall of Fame or the Football Hall of Fame. They let anybody in it, anybody who could draw money. The real wrestling Hall of Fames are in Iowa and Amsterdam, New York. They look for donations because they’re so broke, but they have s--- from the 1800s.
Vince’s Hall of Fame only has s--- from Vince’s company. If you didn’t work for his company, you’re not in the Hall of Fame. That’s nothing to do with how good you are, it only matters who owned them.”
Notably, Sabu inducted his uncle, The Original Sheik into the WWE Hall of Fame, and he is ranked currently #79 on our Notinhalloffame.com WWE List.
In what is our constant news from the world of Curt Schilling, he told TMZ that he doesn’t care about the Baseball Hall of Fame anymore.
Whether or not he means that or not, the fact will remain that he will be intertwined with Cooperstown until he gets in. Ironically, he will be less associated with the Baseball Hall of Fame if he were to get in.
As we have stated many times before, we know this story isn’t going away soon
Going to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, former Head Coach, Lovie Smith has said that his former player, Devin Hester, who is expected to formally retire soon, goes down as one of the most prolific Returner in NFL history. He is a three time First Team All Pro Selection, is 8th all-time in Return Yards and 3rd all-time in Punt Return Yards. Hester was considered a game changer for years during his time as a Chicago Bear.
Should Hester retire, he will be eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2022.
As always, the world of Halls of Fames continue, and we will always be paying attention!
Kurt Angle to the WWE HOF
Jan 16, 2017
Published in
Not in Hall of Fame News
This one makes us very happy.
It was announced today that the WWE Hall of Fame will be inducting Kurt Angle into this year’s class, where he is likely to be the headliner.
A two time NCAA Champion, Angle won the Olympic Freestyle Wrestling Gold Medal at the 1996 Olympic Games. He would translate that ability and arguable took to the Professional Wrestling game quicker than anyone in the past thirty years. Angle would debut on WWE Television in 1999 and in a twelve month period would win the WWF European, Intercontinental and World Heavyweight Championship.
He would stay with the WWE until 2005 and is a six time World Champion with the promotion. He has main event multiple pay per views, including Wrestleania 19, where defended his belt against Brock Lesnar.
Angle has also been a champion in TNA and IWGP.
As Angle did not leave the WWE on the best of terms, this day must feel especially sweet. Angle has been lobbying to get back to the WWE in an in ring capacity, which the WWE is likely fearful of due to the severe wear and tear of the former Olympian.
Regardless, we are absolutely thrilled to see Kurt Angle enter the WWE Hall of Fame and return home regardless of the capacity.
It was announced today that the WWE Hall of Fame will be inducting Kurt Angle into this year’s class, where he is likely to be the headliner.
A two time NCAA Champion, Angle won the Olympic Freestyle Wrestling Gold Medal at the 1996 Olympic Games. He would translate that ability and arguable took to the Professional Wrestling game quicker than anyone in the past thirty years. Angle would debut on WWE Television in 1999 and in a twelve month period would win the WWF European, Intercontinental and World Heavyweight Championship.
He would stay with the WWE until 2005 and is a six time World Champion with the promotion. He has main event multiple pay per views, including Wrestleania 19, where defended his belt against Brock Lesnar.
Angle has also been a champion in TNA and IWGP.
As Angle did not leave the WWE on the best of terms, this day must feel especially sweet. Angle has been lobbying to get back to the WWE in an in ring capacity, which the WWE is likely fearful of due to the severe wear and tear of the former Olympian.
Regardless, we are absolutely thrilled to see Kurt Angle enter the WWE Hall of Fame and return home regardless of the capacity.
RIP: Jimmy Snuka
Jan 15, 2017
Published in
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It is a very sad day for the WWE, as one of their greatest superstars of all-time, Jimmy “Superfly” Snuka passed away today. He was 73 years old
Before we get to what has dominated news about Snuka in recent years, let’s take a quick look at his decorated in ring career:
Born in Fiji in 1943, Snuka did not wrestling until 1970. His first taste of true success in the wrestling industry took place in ’73 when he went to work for Don Owen in NWA Pacific Northwest. He would win that regional championship six times as well as their version of the tag team titles multiple times with Portland mainstay, Dutch Savage.
He would spend the bulk of the 1970’s wrestling across various NWA territories. Superfly would win the Texas Title in 1977 but achieved a higher profile in Mid Atlantic with a tag team with fellow future WWE superstar, “Mr. Wonderful” Paul Orndorff. Snuka would also win the United States Title from Ricky Steamboat. Following a run in Georgia he would travel north to New York and become a top performer for Vince McMahon and the World Wrestling Federation.
Debuting in 1982 as a dastardly heel with his manager, Captain Lou Albano, Snuka would main event quickly, receiving title shots against the then World Champion, Bob Backlund. In a notable steel cage match in Madison Square Gardens, Snuka would attempt a “superfly splash” off the top of the cage, missing the champion but dazzling the fans. He was just a great athlete and his pioneering aerial skills made it hard for him not to turn face, which he did later in the year, aligning with former Champion Buddy Rogers and then feuding with Albano’s other charge, “The Magnificent Muraco, who was the promotion’s Intercontinental Champion.
The feud with Muraco, culminated again at MSG, where this time Snuka hit the splash from the top of the steel cage (albeit after the match, which he lost), which even today remain one of the most iconic moments in WWE history.
Jimmy Snuka would feud with “Rowdy” Roddy Piper for the next year, and at this time Snuka was one of the top faces in the company, and for many fans the top star. He would appear in the corner of Hulk Hogan and Mr. T at the first Wrestlemania, though he would depart the promotion later in the year and work for Verne Gagne’s American Wrestling Association before returning in 1989.
By this point, in his 40’s, Snuka was still popular but no longer a main event player. His next three years saw him put over stars, such as The Undertaker, Rick Rude and others, and he would join Eastern Championship Wrestling (the eventual Extreme Championship Wrestling) and become their champion.
In 1996, the World Wrestling Federation inducted him into their Hall of Fame, and he even performed in that weekend’s Survivor Series. He would continue to wrestle sporadically after, and even appeared at Wrestlemania 25, teaming with Piper and Steamboat in a 3 on 1 handicap match against Chris Jericho. Even in declining health, he wrestled in independents and was a fixture at signings and conventions, however late in his life he was known for a near 34 year old death of his former girlfriend, Nancy Argentino.
Argentino died in 1983, and while Snuka was the prime suspect in her death, no charges were ever laid, though Snuka did lose a civil suit (which he never paid) to the Argentino family. He was finally charged in late 2014 with third degree murder, but only twelve days ago, he was found mentally unfit to stand trial.
While the last few years of Snuka’s life was certainly controversial, the wrestling fan in us would like to remember the great in-ring moments.
We here at Notinhalloffame.com would like to extend our condolences to the family, friends and fans of Jimmy Snuka at this time.
Before we get to what has dominated news about Snuka in recent years, let’s take a quick look at his decorated in ring career:
Born in Fiji in 1943, Snuka did not wrestling until 1970. His first taste of true success in the wrestling industry took place in ’73 when he went to work for Don Owen in NWA Pacific Northwest. He would win that regional championship six times as well as their version of the tag team titles multiple times with Portland mainstay, Dutch Savage.
He would spend the bulk of the 1970’s wrestling across various NWA territories. Superfly would win the Texas Title in 1977 but achieved a higher profile in Mid Atlantic with a tag team with fellow future WWE superstar, “Mr. Wonderful” Paul Orndorff. Snuka would also win the United States Title from Ricky Steamboat. Following a run in Georgia he would travel north to New York and become a top performer for Vince McMahon and the World Wrestling Federation.
Debuting in 1982 as a dastardly heel with his manager, Captain Lou Albano, Snuka would main event quickly, receiving title shots against the then World Champion, Bob Backlund. In a notable steel cage match in Madison Square Gardens, Snuka would attempt a “superfly splash” off the top of the cage, missing the champion but dazzling the fans. He was just a great athlete and his pioneering aerial skills made it hard for him not to turn face, which he did later in the year, aligning with former Champion Buddy Rogers and then feuding with Albano’s other charge, “The Magnificent Muraco, who was the promotion’s Intercontinental Champion.
The feud with Muraco, culminated again at MSG, where this time Snuka hit the splash from the top of the steel cage (albeit after the match, which he lost), which even today remain one of the most iconic moments in WWE history.
Jimmy Snuka would feud with “Rowdy” Roddy Piper for the next year, and at this time Snuka was one of the top faces in the company, and for many fans the top star. He would appear in the corner of Hulk Hogan and Mr. T at the first Wrestlemania, though he would depart the promotion later in the year and work for Verne Gagne’s American Wrestling Association before returning in 1989.
By this point, in his 40’s, Snuka was still popular but no longer a main event player. His next three years saw him put over stars, such as The Undertaker, Rick Rude and others, and he would join Eastern Championship Wrestling (the eventual Extreme Championship Wrestling) and become their champion.
In 1996, the World Wrestling Federation inducted him into their Hall of Fame, and he even performed in that weekend’s Survivor Series. He would continue to wrestle sporadically after, and even appeared at Wrestlemania 25, teaming with Piper and Steamboat in a 3 on 1 handicap match against Chris Jericho. Even in declining health, he wrestled in independents and was a fixture at signings and conventions, however late in his life he was known for a near 34 year old death of his former girlfriend, Nancy Argentino.
Argentino died in 1983, and while Snuka was the prime suspect in her death, no charges were ever laid, though Snuka did lose a civil suit (which he never paid) to the Argentino family. He was finally charged in late 2014 with third degree murder, but only twelve days ago, he was found mentally unfit to stand trial.
While the last few years of Snuka’s life was certainly controversial, the wrestling fan in us would like to remember the great in-ring moments.
We here at Notinhalloffame.com would like to extend our condolences to the family, friends and fans of Jimmy Snuka at this time.
Diamond Dallas Page to enter the WWE HOF
Jan 06, 2017
Published in
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It has been leaked and reported by multiple sources that Diamond Dallas Page will be entering the WWE Hall of Fame this Wrestlemania weekend.
Page is (or soon to be was) ranked #47 on our Notinhalloffame.com WWE list.
The first time that DDP entered the wrestling scene was as a manager in the American Wrestling Association in 1988. He would manage the tag team of Bad Company (Paul Diamond and Pat Tanaka) to the AWA World Tag Team Champions, and while this was a promotion that was deep into its decline, it was still national exposure.
When the AWA folded, Page returned to Florida where he was a club manager and did sporadic work for Florida based independent promotions. Most notably his love of professional wrestling was evident as he drove his pink Cadillac to Toronto so that he could appear as the chauffeur for Rhythm & Blues at Wrestlemania VI.
Page would be signed by World Championship Wrestling in 1991 and would manage the Fabulous Freebirds and the Diamond Studd (Scott Hall), however he noticed that he was as large if not larger than the people he managed. In his late 30’s, DDP decided to train to become a professional wrestler. His peers scoffed at him. Fans ignored him. However a funny thing started to happen. He was getting to be pretty good.
By 1995 Dallas was a regular performer on Pay Per View and would win his first championship, the WCW Television Title. He would feud with Johnny B. Badd over the title eventually losing the belt to him and was forced to leave WCW when he lost a loser leaves town match to the Booty Man.
Page would be back shortly after and would win the “Lord of the Ring” at Slamboree 1996, however it was that winter when his star really began to shine. He was asked to join the New World Order by his friends, Scott Hall and Kevin Nash, which he declined, setting him on track to become one of the top faces in the company.
1997 would see Page ascend to the main event where he feuded with Randy Savage and would later with the United States Title. He would also have a memorable and high drawing main event where he tagged with basketball star, Karl Malone against Hulk Hogan and Dennis Rodman. The only thing that Dallas Page hadn’t done yet was win the WCW World Heavyweight Championship.
At War Games 1998, Page would win the match to earn a title shot against Bill Goldberg at Halloween Havoc. DDP didn’t win, but he took Goldberg to what was believed to be his best match at the time. The following year, Page would win the title in a four corners match.
World Championship Wrestling would suffer a serious decline through horrible booking decisions, but Diamond Dallas Page remained a highlight of the company to the bitter end. He would win the Word Title twice more and the Tag Team Titles on multiple occasions prior to the organization being sold to the WWE.
Page had a lofty contract that he could have sat on and made money without wrestling. That wasn’t the type of guy that he accepted a buyout of his AOL contract. He would make his debut as the “stalker” of the Undertaker’s wife, Sara, and while Page was used poorly in the WWE, he did win a title (European) and competed at Wrestlemania.
He was forced to retire due to injury, and while he made sporadic appearances elsewhere, arguably his biggest contribution in wrestling and in lifestyle in general; DDP Yoga.
Dallas began yoga in the 90’s and found that it helped him so much that he developed a program called “Yoga for Regular Guys”. This would evolve into DDP Yoga, which has not just become a go to for professional wrestlers but has exploded into a huge workout phenomenon.
Going back to wrestling, this was the man who put a program that saved the life of WWE Hall of Famers, Jake “The Snake Roberts and Scott Hall. Had it not been for the efforts of Page, it is certain that Hall and Roberts would not have been inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame and very possible that those two would not be alive today.
We had the pleasure of interviewing Dallas Page last year and in our conversation with him, we know that he was happier when Scott Hall and Jake Roberts were chosen then when he was (or in that case, would have been) selected.
We here at Notinhalloffame.com would like to congratulate Diamond Dallas Page for this honor and we can not wait to see who will join him in the 2017 WWE Hall of Fame Class.
Page is (or soon to be was) ranked #47 on our Notinhalloffame.com WWE list.
The first time that DDP entered the wrestling scene was as a manager in the American Wrestling Association in 1988. He would manage the tag team of Bad Company (Paul Diamond and Pat Tanaka) to the AWA World Tag Team Champions, and while this was a promotion that was deep into its decline, it was still national exposure.
When the AWA folded, Page returned to Florida where he was a club manager and did sporadic work for Florida based independent promotions. Most notably his love of professional wrestling was evident as he drove his pink Cadillac to Toronto so that he could appear as the chauffeur for Rhythm & Blues at Wrestlemania VI.
Page would be signed by World Championship Wrestling in 1991 and would manage the Fabulous Freebirds and the Diamond Studd (Scott Hall), however he noticed that he was as large if not larger than the people he managed. In his late 30’s, DDP decided to train to become a professional wrestler. His peers scoffed at him. Fans ignored him. However a funny thing started to happen. He was getting to be pretty good.
By 1995 Dallas was a regular performer on Pay Per View and would win his first championship, the WCW Television Title. He would feud with Johnny B. Badd over the title eventually losing the belt to him and was forced to leave WCW when he lost a loser leaves town match to the Booty Man.
Page would be back shortly after and would win the “Lord of the Ring” at Slamboree 1996, however it was that winter when his star really began to shine. He was asked to join the New World Order by his friends, Scott Hall and Kevin Nash, which he declined, setting him on track to become one of the top faces in the company.
1997 would see Page ascend to the main event where he feuded with Randy Savage and would later with the United States Title. He would also have a memorable and high drawing main event where he tagged with basketball star, Karl Malone against Hulk Hogan and Dennis Rodman. The only thing that Dallas Page hadn’t done yet was win the WCW World Heavyweight Championship.
At War Games 1998, Page would win the match to earn a title shot against Bill Goldberg at Halloween Havoc. DDP didn’t win, but he took Goldberg to what was believed to be his best match at the time. The following year, Page would win the title in a four corners match.
World Championship Wrestling would suffer a serious decline through horrible booking decisions, but Diamond Dallas Page remained a highlight of the company to the bitter end. He would win the Word Title twice more and the Tag Team Titles on multiple occasions prior to the organization being sold to the WWE.
Page had a lofty contract that he could have sat on and made money without wrestling. That wasn’t the type of guy that he accepted a buyout of his AOL contract. He would make his debut as the “stalker” of the Undertaker’s wife, Sara, and while Page was used poorly in the WWE, he did win a title (European) and competed at Wrestlemania.
He was forced to retire due to injury, and while he made sporadic appearances elsewhere, arguably his biggest contribution in wrestling and in lifestyle in general; DDP Yoga.
Dallas began yoga in the 90’s and found that it helped him so much that he developed a program called “Yoga for Regular Guys”. This would evolve into DDP Yoga, which has not just become a go to for professional wrestlers but has exploded into a huge workout phenomenon.
Going back to wrestling, this was the man who put a program that saved the life of WWE Hall of Famers, Jake “The Snake Roberts and Scott Hall. Had it not been for the efforts of Page, it is certain that Hall and Roberts would not have been inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame and very possible that those two would not be alive today.
We had the pleasure of interviewing Dallas Page last year and in our conversation with him, we know that he was happier when Scott Hall and Jake Roberts were chosen then when he was (or in that case, would have been) selected.
We here at Notinhalloffame.com would like to congratulate Diamond Dallas Page for this honor and we can not wait to see who will join him in the 2017 WWE Hall of Fame Class.
Mick Foley wants to see Vader in the WWE HOF
Nov 15, 2016
Published in
Not in Hall of Fame News
On his official Facebook page, Mick Foley campaigned for Vader to get into the WWE Hall of Fame. Our apologies, as generally we do not include an entire quote form a Facebook page, but we thought it would be relevant in this case.
From Mick Foley:
“IT'S TIME...TO PUT VADER IN THE HALL OF FAME
I have been talking with Leon White the past few weeks, so I knew the news might be coming. But seeing it in print this morning was a shock nonetheless. Leon is dying. He has been told by doctors that he may have less than two years left to live. His legacy is so important to him, and he has told me that being inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame would mean so much on both a personal and professional level. On a global level, Vader was one of the greatest attractions the pro wrestling business has ever seen. I have talked with people at the highest levels at WWE, and hope and pray that Leon's name will be included in the class of 2017 Hall of Fame inductees.”
From our take, Vader, who while he succeeded more in the WCW and in Japan, is a WWE Hall of Famer through and through. He is currently ranked #24 on our Notinhalloffame.com list.
In our eyes, this is not a case of Vader getting fast tracked to the WWE Hall because he may not be with us in two years, rather it is a scenario where this is a performer who deserves to be in period.
We are hoping that Leon White will get to see this wish come true.
From Mick Foley:
“IT'S TIME...TO PUT VADER IN THE HALL OF FAME
I have been talking with Leon White the past few weeks, so I knew the news might be coming. But seeing it in print this morning was a shock nonetheless. Leon is dying. He has been told by doctors that he may have less than two years left to live. His legacy is so important to him, and he has told me that being inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame would mean so much on both a personal and professional level. On a global level, Vader was one of the greatest attractions the pro wrestling business has ever seen. I have talked with people at the highest levels at WWE, and hope and pray that Leon's name will be included in the class of 2017 Hall of Fame inductees.”
From our take, Vader, who while he succeeded more in the WCW and in Japan, is a WWE Hall of Famer through and through. He is currently ranked #24 on our Notinhalloffame.com list.
In our eyes, this is not a case of Vader getting fast tracked to the WWE Hall because he may not be with us in two years, rather it is a scenario where this is a performer who deserves to be in period.
We are hoping that Leon White will get to see this wish come true.
Bill Goldberg to the WWE HOF?
Oct 22, 2016
Published in
Not in Hall of Fame News
There has been a lot of speculation that the return of Bill Goldberg will culminate in him headlining the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2017.
As WWE fans know, Goldberg returned to the WWE after a twelve year absence and will be facing the last man he wrestled, Brock Lesnar.
Fans may remember that their contest at Wrestlemania XX was far from a classic. Goldberg’s contract was set to expire and he had made it clear that he would not be resigning. It had also leaked that Lesnar would be leaving to try a career in the NFL and you had a match between two people who were on their way out and leaving the WWE on acrimonious terms. The two were booed out of the building and the highlight of the match was special referee, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin stunning them both.
However that was 12 years ago.
Goldberg remains in great physical shape and Lesnar would become a UFC Heavyweight Champion and you now have a match that fans are looking forward to, which will take place at the Survivor Series in Toronto.
The former WWE and WCW Champion was brought back in slowly as a downloadable character for WWE2K17, the video game. In the past, this has brought the Ultimate Warrior to the fold and brought Sting in to the “E” for the first time. Both of whom would be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame shortly after. There is a lot of reason to think that this could happen with Bill Goldberg.
Currently ranked #29 on our Notinhalloffame.com WWE ranking, he would be a bona fide headliner for the next WWE Class. While this is not official, we are expecting this to happen.
As WWE fans know, Goldberg returned to the WWE after a twelve year absence and will be facing the last man he wrestled, Brock Lesnar.
Fans may remember that their contest at Wrestlemania XX was far from a classic. Goldberg’s contract was set to expire and he had made it clear that he would not be resigning. It had also leaked that Lesnar would be leaving to try a career in the NFL and you had a match between two people who were on their way out and leaving the WWE on acrimonious terms. The two were booed out of the building and the highlight of the match was special referee, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin stunning them both.
However that was 12 years ago.
Goldberg remains in great physical shape and Lesnar would become a UFC Heavyweight Champion and you now have a match that fans are looking forward to, which will take place at the Survivor Series in Toronto.
The former WWE and WCW Champion was brought back in slowly as a downloadable character for WWE2K17, the video game. In the past, this has brought the Ultimate Warrior to the fold and brought Sting in to the “E” for the first time. Both of whom would be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame shortly after. There is a lot of reason to think that this could happen with Bill Goldberg.
Currently ranked #29 on our Notinhalloffame.com WWE ranking, he would be a bona fide headliner for the next WWE Class. While this is not official, we are expecting this to happen.
Bret Hart discusses the WWE HOF and the Freebirds induction
Oct 08, 2016
Published in
Not in Hall of Fame News
Bret Hart has never been shy to let his opinions be heard and he had some interesting things to say regarding the WWE Hall of Fame.
Of course, that is news to us!
In an interview with House Money Studios, Bret Hart, who was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2006 cited that he was “embarrassed that there’s so many great wrestlers out there that have never been given their credit”. He cited specifically Rick Rude, Demolition, The Rougeau Brothers and most specifically his younger brother, Owen Hart, who died in the ring in 1999.
Bret is actually lobbying for the entire Hart Foundation to get inducted and is urging his fans to sign at HartFoundationforHalloffFame.com, though we know that with Owen’s widow, Martha, being fervently against the WWE, it is difficult to see that happening.
While Bret was vocal about who he would like to see inducted with him, he was equally outspoken as to whom he is not fond of being WWE Hall of Fame inductees, namely, the Fabulous Freebirds, who were inducted last year:
“Why have they been overlooked when you can induct the Freebirds, who never did squat in WWE? Ever. Never drew any money, never did anything. When I remember the Freebirds, they were all drunk and passed out at the gate at one of the airports in my first day in WWF. None of them even made the show that day, they were too drunk to make their plane.”
Hart isn’t wrong in that the Freebirds were barely in the WWE, however the WWE Hall of Fame has inducted many wrestlers who have not competed there.
We await the next from Bret Hart regarding the WWE Hall of Fame.
We are sure he will have a lot more to say about in the future!
Of course, that is news to us!
In an interview with House Money Studios, Bret Hart, who was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2006 cited that he was “embarrassed that there’s so many great wrestlers out there that have never been given their credit”. He cited specifically Rick Rude, Demolition, The Rougeau Brothers and most specifically his younger brother, Owen Hart, who died in the ring in 1999.
Bret is actually lobbying for the entire Hart Foundation to get inducted and is urging his fans to sign at HartFoundationforHalloffFame.com, though we know that with Owen’s widow, Martha, being fervently against the WWE, it is difficult to see that happening.
While Bret was vocal about who he would like to see inducted with him, he was equally outspoken as to whom he is not fond of being WWE Hall of Fame inductees, namely, the Fabulous Freebirds, who were inducted last year:
“Why have they been overlooked when you can induct the Freebirds, who never did squat in WWE? Ever. Never drew any money, never did anything. When I remember the Freebirds, they were all drunk and passed out at the gate at one of the airports in my first day in WWF. None of them even made the show that day, they were too drunk to make their plane.”
Hart isn’t wrong in that the Freebirds were barely in the WWE, however the WWE Hall of Fame has inducted many wrestlers who have not competed there.
We await the next from Bret Hart regarding the WWE Hall of Fame.
We are sure he will have a lot more to say about in the future!
The WWE Futures Expand
Jul 18, 2016
Published in
Not in Hall of Fame News
We have a minor update here at Notinhalloffame.com regarding our WWE section.
We have added several names to our WWE Futures section, this being the performers with whom will likely move to the main list in upcoming years.
They are:
The Bella Twins
The Miz
Cesaro
Michael Cole
A.J. Lee
Christopher Daniels
Wade Barrett
The entire list of Future Candidates for the WWE Hall of Fame can be found here and as always we encourage your votes and comments.
We have added several names to our WWE Futures section, this being the performers with whom will likely move to the main list in upcoming years.
They are:
The Bella Twins
The Miz
Cesaro
Michael Cole
A.J. Lee
Christopher Daniels
Wade Barrett
The entire list of Future Candidates for the WWE Hall of Fame can be found here and as always we encourage your votes and comments.
Our WWE Celebrity List gets a major overhaul.
Jul 04, 2016
Published in
Not in Hall of Fame News
We here at Notinhalloffame.com have put in a lot of effort in regards to the WWE section, but we have not exactly given as much attention as we should to the Celebrity Wing.
That has changed today.
We have had in the past seen celebrities enter the WWE Hall of Fame who frankly were not on our radar (namely Snoop Dogg) so expansion seemed like the natural thing to do. As such, our top 10 has expanded to 29, and here is the necessary information to the new entrants.
Here is the 29 Celebrity possibilities for the WWE Hall of Fame:
1. Muhammad Ali
2. Cyndi Lauper
3. Andy Kaufman
4. Floyd Mayweather
5. Lawrence Taylor
6. Regis Philbin
7. Shaquille O’Neal
8. Maria Menounos
9. William Shatner
10. Hugh Jackman
11, Stephen Amell
12. David Arquette
13. Dennis Rodman
14. Tom “Tiny” Lister
15. Motorhead
16. Jon Stewart
17. Ronda Rousey
18. Bob Barker
19. Ozzy Osbourne
20. Pamela Anderson
21. Alice Cooper
22. Seth Green
23. Jerry Springer
24. Chuck Norris
25. Mickey Rourke
26. Snooki
27. Limp Bizkit
28. Kevin Federline
29. Kid Rock
The entire list can be found here and we encourage all of you to cast a vote and give us your opinion.
We will be working on our future WWE section next, but rest assured we will have a lot more to do here.
Thank you again for all of your support and look soon for our next WWE section.
That has changed today.
We have had in the past seen celebrities enter the WWE Hall of Fame who frankly were not on our radar (namely Snoop Dogg) so expansion seemed like the natural thing to do. As such, our top 10 has expanded to 29, and here is the necessary information to the new entrants.
Here is the 29 Celebrity possibilities for the WWE Hall of Fame:
1. Muhammad Ali
2. Cyndi Lauper
3. Andy Kaufman
4. Floyd Mayweather
5. Lawrence Taylor
6. Regis Philbin
7. Shaquille O’Neal
8. Maria Menounos
9. William Shatner
10. Hugh Jackman
11, Stephen Amell
12. David Arquette
13. Dennis Rodman
14. Tom “Tiny” Lister
15. Motorhead
16. Jon Stewart
17. Ronda Rousey
18. Bob Barker
19. Ozzy Osbourne
20. Pamela Anderson
21. Alice Cooper
22. Seth Green
23. Jerry Springer
24. Chuck Norris
25. Mickey Rourke
26. Snooki
27. Limp Bizkit
28. Kevin Federline
29. Kid Rock
The entire list can be found here and we encourage all of you to cast a vote and give us your opinion.
We will be working on our future WWE section next, but rest assured we will have a lot more to do here.
Thank you again for all of your support and look soon for our next WWE section.
Our WWE List has been revised. Daniel Bryan and Chris Jericho added
Jun 08, 2016
Published in
Not in Hall of Fame News
We have another major update here at Notinhalloffame.com.
Our Notinhalloffame.com WWE list has finally been updated and as has happened every year has expanded. This year we have gone from 333 to 365.
Why the 10 percent increase in entries? Simply put, the creation of the WWE Legends Wing has opened up a large amount of pre-WWE wrestlers who were not previously considered to be recognized on our list.
First off, let’s get to the new Top Ten, which has showcases some new entries.
#1. Vince McMahon
McMahon returns to the top spot and love him or hate him nobody can deny that he belongs.
#2. The Undertaker
This is about as close to a lock as it gets.
#3. The Rock
See above. How can he not get in?
#4. Triple H
The only thing keeping Triple H out of the HOF is Triple H. As an existing executive, it is his whenever he wants.
#5. Bruiser Brody
Every year, Brody climbs in the rankings. This is his first year in our top five.
#6. Kurt Angle
Angle may never work for the WWE again as an in ring worker, but he has done more than enough to be a Hall of Famer for the WWE.
#7. Ivan Koloff
The former WWWF World Heavyweight Champion is at his highest rank.
#8. Chris Jericho
While Jericho is as of this writing an active WWE competitor, his age (45) brings him to our automatic threshold for the active WWE Notinhalloffame.com list.
#9. Dave Batista
The former World Champion and climbing actor comes in at number 9.
#10. Daniel Bryan
The former three-time World Champion breaks through to the top-ten with the surprising retirement. This is his debut on the Notinhalloffame.com WWE list.
There are a plethora of other new entries into our WWE Hall of Fame countdown.
They are:
22. Rob Van Dam
“RVD” is a former World Champion and a major star of both the 90’s and 00’s.
46. Jim Londos
Londos is a former World Champion from the 1930’s.
59. Joe Stecher
Stecher is a former World Champion from the 1910’s and 20’s.
77. Wild Bill Longson
Longson is a former World Champion from the World War II era.
85. Stanislaus Zbyszko
Zbyszko is a former World Heavyweight Champion and major star from the 1920’s.
94. Whipper Billy Watson
Watson was an icon in Toronto and a former World Heavyweight Champion from the 1950’s.
114. Bronko Nagurski
Nagurski is a former NFL Champion and a former World Heavyweight Champion from the 1930’s and 40’s.
127. Ray Steele
Steele is another former World Champion from the 1930’s.
152. Yvon Robert
Robert was the World Champion in the 40’s and was a large star from Quebec.
174. The Great Gama
Gama was a legend in India and popularized the business there.
185. Santino Marella
The former Intercontinental Champion recently retired and was one of the best “comedic” wrestlers of all-time.
199. June Byers
Byers is a former Women’s Champion who took over the mantle from Mildred Burke in the 1950’s.
212. Bob Orton Sr.
The patriarch of the Orton family won a plethora of regional titles throughout his career.
227. The Great Khali
Khali is a former World Heavyweight Champion and remains a major star in India.
240. Beth Phoenix
Phoenix is a former WWE Women’s Champion
246. John Pesek
Pesek was a former World Champion from the 1910’s and 20’s.
257. Orville Brown
Brown was a former multi-time champion from the 1940’s.
283. Everett Marshall
Marshall was a former champion from the 1930’s and 40’s.
294. Bert Assirati
Assirati was a British strongman who was a star in the U.K. for decades.
296. Dick Shikat
Shikat won the world title twice in the 1930’s.
301. Steve Casey
Casey was a major force in the business in the Boston area in the late 1930’s.
305. Missy Hyatt
Hyatt was the “First Lady of WCW” at one time and a top heel in the UWF.
309. Gus Sonnenberg
Sonnenberg was the World Champion in the 1930’s.
314. Baron Michele Leone
Leone was a major star in Southern California for years.
322. Michelle McCool
McCool is a former Diva’s Champion.
326. Steve Blackman
“The Lethal Weapon” is a former six-time WWE Hardcore Champion.
327. Ed Don George
Ed Don George was a champion in the 1930’s.
330. New Jack
The ECW veteran was a three time Tag Team Champion.
331. Terri Runnels
Terri was a WWE Diva for nearly seven years.
335. Layla
Layla was a former WWE Diva’s Champion
340. Danny McShain
McShain was a multi-time former Light Heavyweight Champion.
342. Earl McCready
McCready was a solid performer in the British Commonwealth throughout the 30’s, 40’s and 50’s.
344. Bill Apter
Apter was the owner of a series of magazines that took pictures that are still used today.
346. Candice Michelle
The former Godaddy spokesgirl was WWE Women’s Champion.
349. Danno O’Mahoney
O’Mahoney was a fixture in wrestling in the 1930’s.
351. Sandor Szabo
Szabo was a star in California for well over a decade.
354. Lillian Garcia
Garcia is one of the longest tenured employees in WWE history.
363. Rockin’ Robin
Robin was a former WWF Women’s Champion.
In the Fall of this year we intend to expand this to an even 400.
We think you all know what we want you to do!
Take a look at this list, the new entries and cast your votes and opinions!
As always, we here at Notinhalloffame.com thank you for your time and your support.
Our Notinhalloffame.com WWE list has finally been updated and as has happened every year has expanded. This year we have gone from 333 to 365.
Why the 10 percent increase in entries? Simply put, the creation of the WWE Legends Wing has opened up a large amount of pre-WWE wrestlers who were not previously considered to be recognized on our list.
First off, let’s get to the new Top Ten, which has showcases some new entries.
#1. Vince McMahon
McMahon returns to the top spot and love him or hate him nobody can deny that he belongs.
#2. The Undertaker
This is about as close to a lock as it gets.
#3. The Rock
See above. How can he not get in?
#4. Triple H
The only thing keeping Triple H out of the HOF is Triple H. As an existing executive, it is his whenever he wants.
#5. Bruiser Brody
Every year, Brody climbs in the rankings. This is his first year in our top five.
#6. Kurt Angle
Angle may never work for the WWE again as an in ring worker, but he has done more than enough to be a Hall of Famer for the WWE.
#7. Ivan Koloff
The former WWWF World Heavyweight Champion is at his highest rank.
#8. Chris Jericho
While Jericho is as of this writing an active WWE competitor, his age (45) brings him to our automatic threshold for the active WWE Notinhalloffame.com list.
#9. Dave Batista
The former World Champion and climbing actor comes in at number 9.
#10. Daniel Bryan
The former three-time World Champion breaks through to the top-ten with the surprising retirement. This is his debut on the Notinhalloffame.com WWE list.
There are a plethora of other new entries into our WWE Hall of Fame countdown.
They are:
22. Rob Van Dam
“RVD” is a former World Champion and a major star of both the 90’s and 00’s.
46. Jim Londos
Londos is a former World Champion from the 1930’s.
59. Joe Stecher
Stecher is a former World Champion from the 1910’s and 20’s.
77. Wild Bill Longson
Longson is a former World Champion from the World War II era.
85. Stanislaus Zbyszko
Zbyszko is a former World Heavyweight Champion and major star from the 1920’s.
94. Whipper Billy Watson
Watson was an icon in Toronto and a former World Heavyweight Champion from the 1950’s.
114. Bronko Nagurski
Nagurski is a former NFL Champion and a former World Heavyweight Champion from the 1930’s and 40’s.
127. Ray Steele
Steele is another former World Champion from the 1930’s.
152. Yvon Robert
Robert was the World Champion in the 40’s and was a large star from Quebec.
174. The Great Gama
Gama was a legend in India and popularized the business there.
185. Santino Marella
The former Intercontinental Champion recently retired and was one of the best “comedic” wrestlers of all-time.
199. June Byers
Byers is a former Women’s Champion who took over the mantle from Mildred Burke in the 1950’s.
212. Bob Orton Sr.
The patriarch of the Orton family won a plethora of regional titles throughout his career.
227. The Great Khali
Khali is a former World Heavyweight Champion and remains a major star in India.
240. Beth Phoenix
Phoenix is a former WWE Women’s Champion
246. John Pesek
Pesek was a former World Champion from the 1910’s and 20’s.
257. Orville Brown
Brown was a former multi-time champion from the 1940’s.
283. Everett Marshall
Marshall was a former champion from the 1930’s and 40’s.
294. Bert Assirati
Assirati was a British strongman who was a star in the U.K. for decades.
296. Dick Shikat
Shikat won the world title twice in the 1930’s.
301. Steve Casey
Casey was a major force in the business in the Boston area in the late 1930’s.
305. Missy Hyatt
Hyatt was the “First Lady of WCW” at one time and a top heel in the UWF.
309. Gus Sonnenberg
Sonnenberg was the World Champion in the 1930’s.
314. Baron Michele Leone
Leone was a major star in Southern California for years.
322. Michelle McCool
McCool is a former Diva’s Champion.
326. Steve Blackman
“The Lethal Weapon” is a former six-time WWE Hardcore Champion.
327. Ed Don George
Ed Don George was a champion in the 1930’s.
330. New Jack
The ECW veteran was a three time Tag Team Champion.
331. Terri Runnels
Terri was a WWE Diva for nearly seven years.
335. Layla
Layla was a former WWE Diva’s Champion
340. Danny McShain
McShain was a multi-time former Light Heavyweight Champion.
342. Earl McCready
McCready was a solid performer in the British Commonwealth throughout the 30’s, 40’s and 50’s.
344. Bill Apter
Apter was the owner of a series of magazines that took pictures that are still used today.
346. Candice Michelle
The former Godaddy spokesgirl was WWE Women’s Champion.
349. Danno O’Mahoney
O’Mahoney was a fixture in wrestling in the 1930’s.
351. Sandor Szabo
Szabo was a star in California for well over a decade.
354. Lillian Garcia
Garcia is one of the longest tenured employees in WWE history.
363. Rockin’ Robin
Robin was a former WWF Women’s Champion.
In the Fall of this year we intend to expand this to an even 400.
We think you all know what we want you to do!
Take a look at this list, the new entries and cast your votes and opinions!
As always, we here at Notinhalloffame.com thank you for your time and your support.
Stephanie McMahon comments on Chyna and the WWE HOF
May 07, 2016
Published in
Not in Hall of Fame News
This is interesting.
Today TMZ asked Stephanie McMahon whether the recently deceased Joanie Laurer (Chyna) would ever get into the WWE Hall of Fame. Her answer alluded to a strong possibility that the “9th Wonder of the World” will enter the Hall:
“I’m SURE that we will see Chyna in the Hall of Fame at some point in the future. I’m not sure exactly what year that will be, but there’s no denying her contributions to WWE.”
As known by most of you, the history between Stephanie and Laurer is a personal one as Stephanie’s husband, Jean Levesque (Triple H), was formally with Chyna and left the latter for the former. Shortly after this occurred, the contract of Laurer was not renewed, and many have argued that it was a downward spiral for her ever since.
A year ago on Steve Austin’s Podcast, Triple H was asked directly if he felt that Chyna should be in the WWE Hall of Fame, and his answer reflected her career in pornography and essentially that a publically traded company would have a hard time inducting her into the Hall. That being said, many of her peers (including Austin) have stated that Chyna should be in the Hall and prior to her death she was campaigning for a future induction.
As the WWE has been enshrining a female every year, a posthumous induction for Chyna could be possible, especially considering the clamoring for it to happen.
Based on how they handled Randy Savage’s death (and eventual induction) we suspect that she will not get in next year, but perhaps in the year after.
Either way, we know it will be fascinating!
Today TMZ asked Stephanie McMahon whether the recently deceased Joanie Laurer (Chyna) would ever get into the WWE Hall of Fame. Her answer alluded to a strong possibility that the “9th Wonder of the World” will enter the Hall:
“I’m SURE that we will see Chyna in the Hall of Fame at some point in the future. I’m not sure exactly what year that will be, but there’s no denying her contributions to WWE.”
As known by most of you, the history between Stephanie and Laurer is a personal one as Stephanie’s husband, Jean Levesque (Triple H), was formally with Chyna and left the latter for the former. Shortly after this occurred, the contract of Laurer was not renewed, and many have argued that it was a downward spiral for her ever since.
A year ago on Steve Austin’s Podcast, Triple H was asked directly if he felt that Chyna should be in the WWE Hall of Fame, and his answer reflected her career in pornography and essentially that a publically traded company would have a hard time inducting her into the Hall. That being said, many of her peers (including Austin) have stated that Chyna should be in the Hall and prior to her death she was campaigning for a future induction.
As the WWE has been enshrining a female every year, a posthumous induction for Chyna could be possible, especially considering the clamoring for it to happen.
Based on how they handled Randy Savage’s death (and eventual induction) we suspect that she will not get in next year, but perhaps in the year after.
Either way, we know it will be fascinating!
RIP: Chyna
Apr 22, 2016
Published in
Not in Hall of Fame News
At the age of 45, groundbreaking professional wrestler Joanie Laurer, who performed professionally as “Chyna”, was found dead in her home in California. It has been speculated that she died from a drug overdose and was already dead for nearly two days when her body was found.
When she entered the WWF in the late 90’s as the bodyguard of Hunter Hearst Helmsley, the wrestling world had never seen anything like her. Chyna did not look like any other woman who had previously been associated with the industry and she was a physical match for many of the men, so much so, that she began to wrestle against them.
In the process of becoming the first female (and only) Intercontinental Champion, Chyna embarked on facial reconstruction and breast augmentation surgery and became a sex symbol. Arguably, at one point she was amongst the top five in popularity in the WWE. She was not able to come up with a contract agreeable with the WWE in 2001 and she would part ways with the organization, though the story had been put out that she felt forced out following her former boyfriend’s (Triple H) tryst and eventual marriage with the owner’s daughter, Stephanie McMahon.
Chyna’s career would spiral downward including a stint in pornographic films, which as per a podcast with Steve Austin, indicated that this is what would keep her out of the WWE Hall of Fame, though he did refer to her as a Hall of Famer following her death. Chyna has been lobbying hard in the past year to get into the Hall.
We here at Notinhalloffame.com offer our condolences to the friends and family of Joanie Lauer at this time.
When she entered the WWF in the late 90’s as the bodyguard of Hunter Hearst Helmsley, the wrestling world had never seen anything like her. Chyna did not look like any other woman who had previously been associated with the industry and she was a physical match for many of the men, so much so, that she began to wrestle against them.
In the process of becoming the first female (and only) Intercontinental Champion, Chyna embarked on facial reconstruction and breast augmentation surgery and became a sex symbol. Arguably, at one point she was amongst the top five in popularity in the WWE. She was not able to come up with a contract agreeable with the WWE in 2001 and she would part ways with the organization, though the story had been put out that she felt forced out following her former boyfriend’s (Triple H) tryst and eventual marriage with the owner’s daughter, Stephanie McMahon.
Chyna’s career would spiral downward including a stint in pornographic films, which as per a podcast with Steve Austin, indicated that this is what would keep her out of the WWE Hall of Fame, though he did refer to her as a Hall of Famer following her death. Chyna has been lobbying hard in the past year to get into the Hall.
We here at Notinhalloffame.com offer our condolences to the friends and family of Joanie Lauer at this time.
RIP: Black Jack Mulligan
Apr 09, 2016
Published in
Not in Hall of Fame News
One of the greatest and most respected professional wrestlers passed away this week as Black Jack Mulligan passed away at the age of 73.
Born Robert Windham, Mulligan was a former star at UTEP and had a cup of coffee in the NFL. Encouraged by Wahoo McDaniel to try his hand at professional wrestling, Mulligan was meant for the business. A native Texan, Mulligan played up that persona and was christened Black Jack Mulligan when he entered the then named World Wide Wrestling Federation.
As Black Jack Mulligan, he would done a black hat, a black glove and would use the Iron Claw as his finisher. He would feud with Pedro Morales and Bruno Sammartino but his greatest success in New York would be in a tag team with Black Jack Lanza and he would win the Tag Team Title there. The duo would also win regional championships across the United States in the 1970’s.
Mulligan would have success across the States again as a single, highlighted by his four United States Championships in the Mid Atlantic Territory. Mulligan would return to the WWF in the early 1980’s and would wrestle there as late as 1987, where he would wrestle in a mask as the “Big Machine” teaming with Andre the Giant and Bill Eadie who were the “Giant Machine” and the “Super Machine” respectively.
The legacy of Black Jack continues to this day. His son was Barry Windham and his daughter married Mike Rotunda, the father of WWE Superstars, Bray Wyatt and Bo Dallas.
We here at Notinhalloffame.com would like to offer our condolences to the friends and family of Black Jack Mulligan.
Born Robert Windham, Mulligan was a former star at UTEP and had a cup of coffee in the NFL. Encouraged by Wahoo McDaniel to try his hand at professional wrestling, Mulligan was meant for the business. A native Texan, Mulligan played up that persona and was christened Black Jack Mulligan when he entered the then named World Wide Wrestling Federation.
As Black Jack Mulligan, he would done a black hat, a black glove and would use the Iron Claw as his finisher. He would feud with Pedro Morales and Bruno Sammartino but his greatest success in New York would be in a tag team with Black Jack Lanza and he would win the Tag Team Title there. The duo would also win regional championships across the United States in the 1970’s.
Mulligan would have success across the States again as a single, highlighted by his four United States Championships in the Mid Atlantic Territory. Mulligan would return to the WWF in the early 1980’s and would wrestle there as late as 1987, where he would wrestle in a mask as the “Big Machine” teaming with Andre the Giant and Bill Eadie who were the “Giant Machine” and the “Super Machine” respectively.
The legacy of Black Jack continues to this day. His son was Barry Windham and his daughter married Mike Rotunda, the father of WWE Superstars, Bray Wyatt and Bo Dallas.
We here at Notinhalloffame.com would like to offer our condolences to the friends and family of Black Jack Mulligan.
What the WWE Legacy Wing means to us
Apr 04, 2016
Published in
Not in Hall of Fame News
The Legacy Hall of Fame.
Seriously, this changes everything for us in regards to our WWE Hall of Fame list, especially when it comes to our revised rankings, which we will unveil next month.
As announced during the WWE Hall of Fame ceremony, a Legacy Wing has been created which officially inducted former wrestlers such as Lou Thesz, “Sailor” Art Thomas, Frank Gotch, Mildred Burker, Ed “Strangler” Lewis, Pat O’Connor and George Hackenschmidt.
We have not ranked any wrestler whose career was in its prime prior to 1950 for two specific reasons:
1: The WWE (or then WWWF) did not exist until 1961.
2: Those competitors had little if any association to the WWE product.
Now that the WWE has gone this route, this means clearly that with our revised ranking you will see many new entries that will predate most of you who visit our website.
Either way, you know we will have fun doing it!
Seriously, this changes everything for us in regards to our WWE Hall of Fame list, especially when it comes to our revised rankings, which we will unveil next month.
As announced during the WWE Hall of Fame ceremony, a Legacy Wing has been created which officially inducted former wrestlers such as Lou Thesz, “Sailor” Art Thomas, Frank Gotch, Mildred Burker, Ed “Strangler” Lewis, Pat O’Connor and George Hackenschmidt.
We have not ranked any wrestler whose career was in its prime prior to 1950 for two specific reasons:
1: The WWE (or then WWWF) did not exist until 1961.
2: Those competitors had little if any association to the WWE product.
Now that the WWE has gone this route, this means clearly that with our revised ranking you will see many new entries that will predate most of you who visit our website.
Either way, you know we will have fun doing it!
Snoop Dogg to the WWE HOF
Mar 29, 2016
Published in
Not in Hall of Fame News
Another day, another series of news about the WWE Hall of Fame.
While it was speculated that Regis Philbin would be this year’s celebrity WWE HOF inductee, it was announced that rapper, Snoop Dogg will be the one receiving the honor.
Snoop, the cousin of WWE Diva, Sasha Banks has made numerous appearances on WWE Television. He appeared on two Wrestlemnias’, most notably as the Master of Ceremonies in the Wrestlemania 24 “Lumberjill Match” and was also seen on RAW knocking out former WWE Superstar, Chavo Guerrero.
While this would not be one we here at Notinhalloffame.com would have chosen, Snoop is a fan of the product and we expect him to appreciate the accolade.
While it was speculated that Regis Philbin would be this year’s celebrity WWE HOF inductee, it was announced that rapper, Snoop Dogg will be the one receiving the honor.
Snoop, the cousin of WWE Diva, Sasha Banks has made numerous appearances on WWE Television. He appeared on two Wrestlemnias’, most notably as the Master of Ceremonies in the Wrestlemania 24 “Lumberjill Match” and was also seen on RAW knocking out former WWE Superstar, Chavo Guerrero.
While this would not be one we here at Notinhalloffame.com would have chosen, Snoop is a fan of the product and we expect him to appreciate the accolade.
The Dudleys to induct Jacqueline
Mar 26, 2016
Published in
Not in Hall of Fame News
There is more news in the WWE Hall of Fame front as the Dudley Boyz have been revealed as the inductors for Jacqueline.
While in terms of WWE storylines, Jacqueline and the Dudleys had little interaction however the “brothers” were friends of Jacqueline and it was her choice to have them as her inductors.
It was also reported that Ted DiBiase will induct the Big Boss Man. The two feuded in the WWE in 1990 and were in the UWF together previously.
The WWE Hall of Fame ceremony will be held this Saturday.
While in terms of WWE storylines, Jacqueline and the Dudleys had little interaction however the “brothers” were friends of Jacqueline and it was her choice to have them as her inductors.
It was also reported that Ted DiBiase will induct the Big Boss Man. The two feuded in the WWE in 1990 and were in the UWF together previously.
The WWE Hall of Fame ceremony will be held this Saturday.