Why These 5 Wrestlers Deserve to Be in the Hall of Fame
Wrestling fans, get ready to rumble! The WWE Hall of Fame honors the most prestigious wrestlers for their remarkable accomplishments and contributions to the wrestling world. Year after year, we eagerly anticipate the announcement of the newest members of this exclusive group. It's time to make a case for five wrestlers who merit inclusion in the illustrious Hall of Fame.
Before delving into our top selections, let's take a moment to appreciate the unique connection wrestling has with its audience. Fans find solace and inspiration in the sport, relating to wrestlers' struggles and drawing motivation from their journeys. Adding to the excitement, bookmakers featured in some of the best online sportsbook reviews offer competitive odds and intriguing prop bets, like predicting the next Hall of Fame inductee.
There are countless talented wrestlers with remarkable careers, but here, we will focus on our top five picks and why we believe they should join the WWE Hall of Fame.
1. Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson: The Charismatic Sportsman
The Rock's enthralling charisma and hypnotic orations seized the WWE Universe throughout the Attitude Era and beyond. As a leading Hollywood luminary, his seamless transition to the silver screen extended the WWE's mainstream prominence. Boasting a 10-time world champion status, The Rock's unforgettable clashes with Stone Cold Steve Austin, Triple H, and John Cena solidify his legendary status.
The reasons listed below clearly show his claim to a place in the Hall of Fame.
- Entrancing charisma and hypnotic orations
- Stellar silver screen success and crossover prowess
Transitioning into a flourishing Hollywood career, he rose to become one of the top-grossing actors.
- Illustrious championship pedigree
He accomplished a lot in the ring, being a 10-time world champion and having memorable rivalries with Stone Cold.
2. Big Show: The Colossal Ring Conqueror
Big Show's enormous stature and versatility across wrestling styles rendered him an unbeatable opponent. With a career spanning over two decades, his accolades include numerous championships and memorable moments. As a guiding light for emerging wrestlers, his seasoned expertise continues to mold future superstars.
The following points make a strong case for his rightful inclusion in the Hall of Fame.
- Titanic's presence
Big Show is a wrestler with an imposing 7ft stature and 400lb weight who has been in the industry for over two decades.
- Longevity and respect
He has held multiple championships, was highly agile and versatile, and earned his peers' respect.
- Role model and mentorship
He mentored many young wrestlers, providing knowledge and invaluable experience.
3. Vince McMahon: The Ingenious Orchestrator
As WWE's Chairman, McMahon transformed wrestling into a global entertainment juggernaut. Moreover, his enthralling on-screen identities and conflicts with industry titans made him an unforgettable wrestling figure as he pioneered concepts that have indelibly influenced the sport.
Vince's work ethic and relentless commitment to the sport have enabled him to reach the highest levels of management excellence, and the following reasons make him a Hall of Fame-worthy candidate.
- Visionary promoter and industry pioneer
His visionary ideas, promotional insight, and drive for success have transformed WWE into a global entertainment powerhouse.
- His on-screen characters
He has also made an impact playing the villainous character "Mr McMahon" and has been the driving force behind events such as WrestleMania.
4. Sable: Women's Wrestling Vanguard
A cherished icon during the Attitude Era, Sable revolutionized women's wrestling through her pioneering matches and bewitching charm. Gracing Playboy magazine's cover twice, her widespread appeal underscored her significance. As a Women's Champion, Sable's imprint has elevated generations of female wrestlers who have emulated her path.
These reasons support Sable's deserving status as a Hall of Fame inductee.
- A trailblazer in women's wrestling and her immense popularity
- Women's Champion and impact on future generations
She broke barriers by competing in match types previously reserved for men, and her reign as WWE Women's Champion raised the championship profile.
5. Owen Hart: An Unforgettable Heritage
Renowned for his prowess and skill, Owen Hart's matches against wrestling greats like Bret Hart, Shawn Michaels, and Triple H remain timeless classics. His character and sibling rivalry with Bret Hart forged some of the most interesting narratives. Despite his untimely demise in 1999, Owen Hart's imprint on the wrestling world perseveres, with many advocating for his WWE Hall of Fame inclusion.
Here are the compelling reasons that validate his Hall of Fame worthiness.
- Striking technique
Owen Hart was a famous wrestler known for his technical and in-ring prowess and innovative high-flying moves.
- Memorable conflicts
He exhibited a funny and naughty demeanor and was involved in unforgettable rivalries, notably with his sibling, Bret Hart.
- Abiding legacy
His tragic death in 1999 shocked the wrestling world, but his legacy lives on through those he inspired.
Martha Hart discusses Owen Hart and the WWE HOF
With Vice’s Dark Side of the Ring episode on the death of Owen Hart set to premiere tomorrow, Owen’s widow, Martha has been doing her media rounds. In an excellent interview with CBS Sports, she was asked about the possibility of Owen entering the WWE Hall of Fame, a hope that many WWE fans have been clamoring for. She had this to say:
“There's always been this talk that, 'Oh, we want to put Owen in the Hall of Fame. "Their Hall of Fame? They don't even have a Hallway of Fame. It doesn't exist. There's nothing. It's a fake entity. There's nothing real or tangible. It's just an event they have to make money. They put it on TV and have a celebration, and it's just so ridiculous. I would never even entertain it. It's garbage.”
Hart is correct in that there is no physical building, and there are no plans at present to create one. There are no set criteria for entry, and it is largely believed that Hall of Fame induction is based on the whims of their owner, Vince McMahon. Her opinion is not hers alone, as wrestlers such as Scott Steiner has echoed similar sentiment.
Most WWE wrestlers past and present are open about their desire to be inducted, and it was not that long ago that Mick Foley lobbied hard for Vader to be enshrined before he passed away. In his impassioned plea, he mentioned how much Vader himself wanted it to happen. Mark Henry openly pleaded for Martha to allow it to happen, and Owen’s older brother Bret also believes he should be inducted.
Owen is currently ranked #7 on our Notinhalloffame WWE List, and when we first put up the list we knew Owen was not likely to ever get in. That seems like an impossibility now.
Bret Hart discusses the WWE HOF and the Freebirds induction
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!
Bret Hart hopes Owen Hart will get into the WWE HOF next year
I’m hoping next year at WrestleMania that he’ll be inducted and I’ll be really sorely disappointed if he’s not. It’s really overdue.”
Many have speculated that the omission of Owen to the Hall is largely due t his widow, Martha, who has been very vocal about her dislike of the WWE and has previously been in multiple litigations with the “E”. Bret did not allude to this but did discuss how they had to tiptoe around her in the creation of the upcoming Owen Hart DVD and that she has made a fool out of herself in regards to trying to obliterate the legacy of Owen Hart in the WWE.
Bret would add that if Owen does not go into the WWE Hall of Fame next year, he won’t attend another one until the tag team of he and Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart were selected.
He would go on to add that he would like to see his fellow Hart Foundation faction members, The British Bulldog and Brian Pillman in, as well as former Tag Team Champions, Demolition.
Could Bret influence the powers that be (namely Vince McMahon) that an induction for Owen should happen next year? Considering the scandals involving Jimmy Snuka and Hulk Hogan that have taken place recently, it might be prudent not to rehash a dark day in wrestling history, even though the resume of Owen Hart shows he belongs and frankly would make us very happy.
5. Owen Hart
At one point wrestling prognosticators predicted that Owen would be the first Hart brother to be a World Champion. Needless to say, that didn’t happen, but when fans say that he was just as talented as his older brother Bret, few can argue.