The WWE Hall of Fame is a hall of fame for professional wrestlers maintained by WWE. It was officially created on the February 1, 1993 episode of the World Wrestling Federation's (WWF) (the predecessor of WWE)[1] Monday Night Raw television program.[2] On this episode, the sole induction of WWF alumnus André the Giant, who had died five days prior (January 27, 1993), was announced; his death was the reason for the creation of the Hall of Fame.[2][3]
In 2004, WWE relaunched the Hall of Fame to coincide with the twentieth WrestleMania.[4] This ceremony, like its predecessors, was not broadcast on television; however, it was released on DVD on June 1, 2004.[5] Beginning with the 2005 ceremony, WWE broadcast the final few inductions into the Hall of Fame on Spike TV (2005)[6] and on the USA Network (2006[7]–present[8]); these were aired on tape delay. The first inductions were broadcast on WWE's official website. The 2008 edition of the Hall of Fame was broadcast live on the USA Network.[8] Since 2005, the Hall of Fame ceremony has been packaged as part of that year's WrestleMania DVD release.[9] Although a building has never been built to represent the Hall of Fame, WWE has looked into constructing a facility for the Hall of Fame. In 2008, Shane McMahon, then-Executive Vice President of Global Media of WWE, stated that WWE had been storing wrestling memorabilia in a warehouse for years, with all items categorized and dated in case a facility is created.[10]
Induction into the Hall of Fame is dependent upon whether the candidate is on good terms with WWE. Former WWE employees who often criticize WWE or currently work with a different promotion have not been inducted.[11] Others, such as Bruno Sammartino, the longest-reigning WWE Champion in the title's history, have refused to be inducted, despite having been asked several times [12]. However, Sammartino has stated he would consider going into the Hall of Fame but would need to see more change from WWE.[13]
As of 2011, there have been a total of 97 inductees: 79 members inducted individually, six tag teams and one wrestling family.[14] Fifteen of the individual inductees have been inducted posthumously.[15]
Contents |
Year | Ring name (Birth name) |
Inducted by | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1993 | André the Giant (André René Roussimoff) |
None | Posthumous inductee. One-time WWF Champion. There was no ceremony, only a video package that was played on an episode of WWF Superstars in 1993 that announced his induction.[3] |
1994 | Arnold Skaaland | Shane McMahon | One-time WWWF United States Tag Team Champion and long-time manager in WWF.[16] |
1994 | Bobo Brazil (Houston Harris) |
Ernie Ladd | Four-time WWWF United States Champion, one-time NWA United States Heavyweight Champion and held over thirty NWA regional titles.[17] |
1994 | "Nature Boy" Buddy Rogers (Herman G. Rohde, Jr.) |
Bret Hart | Posthumous inductee, One-time NWA World Heavyweight Champion and first WWWF World Heavyweight Champion.[18] |
1994 | Chief Jay Strongbow (Joe Scarpa) |
Tatanka | Four-time WWWF/WWF World Tag Team Champion.[19] |
1994 | "Classy" Freddie Blassie | Shane McMahon | Held over thirty NWA regional championships. Long-time manager in WWF.[20] |
1994 | Gorilla Monsoon (Robert Marella) |
Jim Ross | Two-time WWWF United States Tag Team Champion. Former WWF announcer and onscreen President.[21] |
1994 | James Dudley | Vince McMahon | First African American to run a major arena in the United States.[22] |
1995 | Antonino Rocca (Antonino Biasetton) |
Diesel | Posthumous inductee. One-time WWF International Heavyweight Champion.[23] |
1995 | "Big Cat" Ernie Ladd | Bobo Brazil | Also a member of the WCW Hall of Fame, won several NWA regional titles.[24] |
1995 | George "The Animal" Steele (William James Myers) |
Doink the Clown | Also a member of the Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame.[25] |
1995 | Ivan Putski (Josef Bednarski) |
Scott Putski | One-time WWF Tag Team Champion.[26] |
1995 | The Fabulous Moolah (Lillian Ellison) |
Alundra Blayze | Three-time (and first) WWF Women's Champion prior to her induction. She won the title a fourth time four years after her induction and still holds the record for the longest single reign.[27] |
1995 | The Grand Wizard (Ernie Roth) |
Sgt. Slaughter | Posthumous inductee. Long-time heel manager in WWF.[28] |
1995 | Pedro Morales | Gorilla Monsoon (accepted by Savio Vega) | One-time WWWF World Heavyweight Champion, first WWF Triple Crown Champion.[29] Morales was the first Latino to win the world title.[30] He was also the first wrestler born and raised in a Hispanic country to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. |
1996 | "Baron" Mikel Scicluna | Gorilla Monsoon | One-time WWWF World Tag Team Champion.[31] |
1996 | "Captain" Lou Albano | Joe Franklin | One-time WWWF United States Tag Team Champion. As a manager, he led fifteen different tag teams and four singles wrestlers to various championships[32] |
1996 | Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka (James Edward Reiher) |
Don Muraco | One-time NWA United States Heavyweight Champion, two-time NWA World Tag Team Champion and first ECW Heavyweight Champion.[33] |
1996 | Johnny Rodz (Johnny Rodriguez) |
Arnold Skaaland | Wrestled in WWF for nearly two decades.[34] |
1996 | Killer Kowalski (Wladek Kowalski) |
Triple H | One-time WWWF World Tag Team Champion, held seventeen NWA regional championships.[35] |
1996 | Pat Patterson (Pierre Clemont) |
Bret Hart | One-time and first WWF Intercontinental Champion, one-time AWA World Tag Team Champion and held over twenty NWA regional championships.[36] |
1996 | Vincent J. McMahon | Shane McMahon | Posthumous inductee. Founder of and long time promoter for World Wrestling Entertainment.[37] |
2004 | Big John Studd (John Minton) |
The Big Show | Posthumous inductee, represented by his son John Minton, Jr. One-time WWWF World Tag Team Champion, held a dozen NWA regional championships.[38] |
2004 | Don Muraco | Mick Foley | Two-time WWF Intercontinental Champion. First winner of the King of the Ring.[39] |
2004 | Greg "The Hammer" Valentine (Gregory Wisniski) |
Jimmy Hart | Two-time NWA United States Heavyweight Champion, four-time NWA World Tag Team Champion, one-time WWF Intercontinental Champion and one-time WWF Tag Team Champion.[40] |
2004 | Harley Race | Ric Flair | Eight-time NWA World Heavyweight Champion, one-time and first NWA United States Heavyweight Champion, three-time AWA World Tag Team Champion and WWF King of the Ring winner in 1986.[41] |
2004 | Jesse "The Body" Ventura (James Janos) |
Tyrell Janos | One-time AWA World Tag Team Champion. Former commentator in WWF and WCW.[42] |
2004 | Junkyard Dog (Sylvester Ritter) |
Ernie Ladd | Posthumous inductee, represented by his daughter LaToya Ritter. Held fifteen championships while wrestling in "Cowboy" Bill Watts' Mid-South Wrestling Association including, four reigns as Mid-South North American Heavyweight Champion.[43] |
2004 | Sgt. Slaughter (Robert Remus) |
Pat Patterson | One-time WWF Champion and two-time NWA United States Heavyweight Champion[44] |
2004 | "Superstar" Billy Graham (Eldridge Wayne Coleman) |
Triple H | One-time WWWF World Heavyweight Champion.[45] In April, 2011, Graham requested his name to be removed from the Hall of fame, saying "It is a shameless organization to induct a bloodthirsty animal such as Abdullah The Butcher into their worthless and embarrassing Hall of Fame and I want the name of Superstar Billy Graham to be no part of it." |
2004 | Tito Santana (Merced Solis) |
Shawn Michaels | Two-time WWF Intercontinental Champion and two-time WWF Tag Team Champion.[46] |
2004 | Bobby "The Brain" Heenan (Raymond Heenan) |
Blackjack Lanza | Former commentator and long-time manager in WWF.[47] |
2004 | Pete Rose | Kane | Celebrity inductee.[48] |
2005 | Hulk Hogan (Terry Bollea) |
Sylvester Stallone | Six-time WWF/E Champion, six-time WCW World Heavyweight Champion, one-time WWE World Tag Team Champion and a two-time Royal Rumble winner (1990 and 1991).[49] |
2005 | "Rowdy" Roddy Piper (Roderick Toombs) |
Ric Flair | Two-time NWA United States Heavyweight Champion, held over two dozen NWA regional championships and one-time WWF Intercontinental Champion. Host of Piper's Pit.[50] |
2005 | "Cowboy" Bob Orton | Randy Orton | Held numerous NWA regional titles.[51] |
2005 | Jimmy Hart | Jerry Lawler | Long-time manager in WWF.[52] |
2005 | "Mr. Wonderful" Paul Orndorff | Bobby Heenan | Four-time NWA National Heavyweight Champion and two-time WCW World Tag Team Champion.[53] |
2005 | Nikolai Volkoff (Josip Peruzovic) |
Jim Ross | Three-time WWWF International Tag Team Champion and one-time WWF Tag Team Champion.[54] |
2005 | The Iron Sheik (Hossein Khosrow Ali Vaziri) |
Sgt. Slaughter | One-time WWF Champion and one-time WWF Tag Team Champion.[55] |
2006 | Bret "The Hitman" Hart | Steve Austin | Five-time WWF Champion, two-time WCW World Heavyweight Champion, two-time WWF Intecontinental Champion, two-time WWF Tag Team Champion and a two-time King of the Ring winner (1991 and 1993).[56] |
2006 | Eddie Guerrero (Eduardo Guerrero) |
Chris Benoit, Rey Mysterio, and Chavo Guerrero | Posthumous inductee, represented by Vickie Guerrero and his two daughters. One-time WWE Champion, two-time WCW/WWE United States Champion and two-time WWE Intercontinental Champion. First-ever Mexican-American WWE Champion.[57] |
2006 | "Mean" Gene Okerlund | Hulk Hogan | Long-time AWA, WCW, and WWF/E interviewer and announcer.[58] |
2006 | "Sensational" Sherri (Sherri Russell) |
"The Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase | One-time WWF Women's Champion and four-time AWA World Women's Champion. Former manager. [59] |
2006 | Verne Gagne | Greg Gagne | Co-founder of the American Wrestling Association, Ten-time AWA World Heavyweight Champion and four-time AWA World Tag Team Champion.[60] |
2006 | "Mr. USA" Tony Atlas (Anthony White) |
S.D. Jones | One-time WWF Tag Team Champion, half of the first African American WWF World Tag Team Championship winning duo with Rocky Johnson.[61] |
2006 | William "The Refrigerator" Perry | John Cena | Celebrity inductee.[62] |
2007 | "The American Dream" Dusty Rhodes (Virgil Riley Runnels, Jr.) |
Cody and Dustin Runnels | Three-time NWA World Heavyweight Champion, one-time NWA United States Heavyweight Champion, two-time NWA World Tag Team Champion and held over forty NWA regional championships.[63] |
2007 | "Mr. Perfect" Curt Hennig | Wade Boggs | Posthumous inductee, represented by his wife, his four children, his mother and his father Larry Hennig. One-time AWA World Heavyweight Champion, one-time AWA World Tag Team Champion, two-time WWF Intercontinental Champion and one-time WCW United States Heavyweight Champion.[15] |
2007 | Jerry "The King" Lawler | William Shatner | One-time AWA World Heavyweight Champion, thirty-time AWA Southern Heavyweight Champion, three-time WCWA World Heavyweight Champion and current color commentator for Raw.[64] |
2007 | Nick Bockwinkel | Bobby Heenan | Four-time AWA World Heavyweight Champion and three-time AWA World Tag Team Champion.[65] |
2007 | Mr. Fuji (Harry Fujiwara) |
Don Muraco | Five-time WWWF/WWF World Tag Team Champion. Former manager.[66] |
2007 | The Sheik (Ed Farhat) |
Rob Van Dam and Sabu | Posthumous inductee, represented by his wife Joyce Farhat. Also known as "The Original Sheik", a two-time WWWF United States Champion, held over twenty NWA regional championships.[67] |
2007 | Jim Ross | Steve Austin | Longtime lead announcer for WWF/E, WCW and other regional promotions; Head of WWF Talent Relations during the Attitude Era, signing many well known wrestlers.[68] |
2008 | "Nature Boy" Ric Flair (Richard Fliehr) |
Triple H | Two-time WWF Champion, eight-time WCW World Heavyweight Champion,[69] and seven-time NWA World Heavyweight Champion.[70] Recognized by WWE as a sixteen-time World Heavyweight Champion. Flair was the first active WWE wrestler to be inducted in the WWE Hall of Fame.[71] |
2008 | "High Chief" Peter Maivia (Fanene Leifi Pita Maivia) |
The Rock | Posthumous inductee, represented by his daughter Ata Maivia Johnson. Held more than a dozen NWA regional championships.[72] |
2008 | "Soulman" Rocky Johnson (Wayde Bowles) |
The Rock | One-time WWF World Tag Team Champion, half of the first African American WWF World Tag Team Championship winning duo with Tony Atlas.[73] |
2008 | Mae Young (Johnnie Mae Young) |
Pat Patterson | First ever and one-time NWA United States Women's Champion[74] and one-time NWA Women's World Tag Team Championship.[75] |
2008 | Eddie Graham (Edward Gossett) |
Dusty Rhodes | Posthumous inductee, represented by his son Mike Graham. Promoter and booker for Championship Wrestling from Florida, held over thirty NWA regional championships including eighteen in CWF.[76] |
2008 | Gordon Solie (Jonard Frank Labiak) |
Jim Ross | Posthumous inductee, represented by his five children. Commentator, announcer and promoter for Championship Wrestling from Florida, later worked for World Championship Wrestling.[77] |
2009 | "Stone Cold" Steve Austin (Steve Williams) |
Vince McMahon | Six-time WWF Champion, four-time WWF Tag Team Champion, 1996 King of the Ring, three-time Royal Rumble winner (1997, 1998 and 2001).[78] |
2009 | Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat (Richard Henry Blood) |
Ric Flair | One-time NWA World Heavyweight Champion, three-time NWA United States Heavyweight Champion, and one-time WWF Intercontinental Champion[79] |
2009 | "Cowboy" Bill Watts | Jim Ross | Former wrestling promoter in the mid-south United States, one-time WWWF United States Tag Team Champion and held over twenty NWA regional championships.[80] |
2009 | Koko B. Ware (James Ware) |
The Honky Tonk Man | Held several NWA regional championships.[81] |
2009 | Howard Finkel | Gene Okerlund | WWE ring announcer since 1975.[82] |
2010 | "The Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase | Ted DiBiase, Jr. and Brett DiBiase | Four-time Mid-South North American Heavyweight Champion, three-time WWF World Tag Team Champion, two-time NWA National Heavyweight and the 1988 King of the Ring winner.[83] |
2010 | Antonio Inoki | Stan Hansen | Founder of New Japan Pro Wrestling, two-time WWWF/WWF World Martial Arts Heavyweight Champion, and one-time IWGP Heavyweight Champion.[84] |
2010 | Wendi Richter | Roddy Piper | Two-time WWF Women's Champion, one-time AWA Women's Champion and two-time NWA Women's World Tag Team Champion.[85] |
2010 | Maurice "Mad Dog" Vachon | Pat Patterson | Five-time AWA World Heavyweight Champion.[86] |
2010 | Gorgeous George (George Wagner) |
Dick Beyer | Posthumous inductee, represented by his ex-wife Betty Wagner.[87] One-time holder of the Boston version of the AWA World Heavyweight Championship. Portrayed as a flamboyant, arrogant, charismatic villain, George is credited with helping establish wrestling on television in the 1940's and 1950's.[88] |
2010 | Stu Hart | Bret Hart | Posthumous inductee, represented by Bret Hart and the Hart family. Established Stampede Wrestling in Calgary 1948, and ran it until 1984. Ran "The Dungeon" wrestling school and trained numerous WWE wrestlers. Patriarch of the Hart family.[89] |
2010 | Bob Uecker | Dick Ebersol | Celebrity inductee.[90] |
2011 | "The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels (Michael Shawn Hickenbottom) |
Triple H | Three-time WWF Champion, one-time World Heavyweight Champion, three-time WWF Intercontinental Champion, two-time Royal Rumble winner (1995 and 1996), first WWE wrestler to achieve the "Grand Slam".[91] |
2011 | "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan (James Edward Duggan) |
"The Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase | Winner of the first Royal Rumble match in 1988, one-time WCW United States Champion, one time WCW World Television Champion.[92] |
2011 | "Bullet" Bob Armstrong (Joseph Melton James) |
The Armstrong Family (Scott, Brad, and Brian) | Held several NWA regional championships. Father of four wrestlers: Scott, Brad, Steve and Brian.[93] |
2011 | Sunny (Tammy Lynn Sytch) |
WWE Divas | Billed by WWE as the first Diva. Youngest Hall of Fame inductee.[94] |
2011 | Drew Carey | Kane | Celebrity inductee.[95] |
2011 | Abdullah the Butcher (Lawrence Robert Shreve) |
Terry Funk | A hardcore legend known for appearing in a number of wrestling territories, holding a variety of regional championships.[96] |
Year | Tag Team | Inducted by | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1996 | The Valiant Brothers | British Bulldog and Owen Hart | One-time WWWF World Tag Team Champions, first tag team to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.[97] |
Jimmy Valiant (James Harold Fanning) - four-time NWA Television Champion Johnny Valiant (John L. Sullivan) |
|||
2006 | The Blackjacks | Bobby Heenan | One-time WWWF World Tag Team Champions.[98] |
Blackjack Mulligan (Robert Deroy Windham) - three-time NWA United States Heavyweight Champion and one-time NWA World Tag Team Champion. Blackjack Lanza (Jack Lanza) - one-time AWA World Tag Team Champion |
|||
2007 | The Wild Samoans | Samu and Matt Anoa'i | Three-time WWF Tag Team Champions.[99] |
Afa (Arthur Anoa'i, Sr.) Sika (Leati Anoa'i) |
|||
2008 | The Brisco Brothers | John "Bradshaw" Layfield | Three-time NWA World Tag Team Championship and held over a dozen regional NWA tag team championships. |
Jack Brisco (Freddie Joe Brisco) - two-time NWA World Heavyweight Champion.[100] Gerald Brisco (Floyd Gerald Brisco) - one-time NWA World Junior Heavyweight Champion.[101] |
|||
2009 | The Funks | Dusty Rhodes | Held several tag team championships, including the NWA International Tag Team Championship on three occasions.[102] |
Terry Funk - one-time NWA World Heavyweight Champion, two-time ECW World Heavyweight Champion and one-time WWF Tag Team Champion. Dory Funk, Jr. - one-time NWA World Heavyweight Champion. |
|||
2009 | The Von Erichs | Michael Hayes | Noted wrestling family that spent many years wrestling in World Class Championship Wrestling. Various combinations of the family held several NWA regional and WCCW tag team championships, including the WCWA World Tag Team and World Six-Man Tag Team Championship.[103] |
Fritz Von Erich (Jack Adkisson) - One-time AWA World Heavyweight Champion and sixteen-time NWA American Heavyweight Champion (later renamed the WCWA World Heavyweight Championship). Kevin Von Erich (Kevin Adkisson) - Five-time NWA American Heavyweight Champion and one-time WCWA World Heavyweight Champion. David Von Erich (David Adkisson) - Eight-time NWA Texas Heavyweight Champion. Kerry Von Erich (Kerry Adkisson) - One-time NWA World Heavyweight Champion, five-time NWA American Heavyweight Champion and four-time WCWA World Heavyweight Champion. Wrestled in WWF as "The Texas Tornado" where he was a one-time WWF Intercontinental Champion. Mike Von Erich (Michael Adkisson) - One-time NWA American Heavyweight Champion. Chris Von Erich (Chris Adkisson) - Wrestled and worked several backstage jobs for WCCW. |
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2011 | The Road Warriors/Legion of Doom | Dusty Rhodes | Two-time WWF Tag Team Champions, one-time AWA World Tag Team Champions, one-time NWA International Tag Team Champions, one-time NWA World Tag Team Champions (Mid-Atlantic version).[104] |
Road Warrior Hawk (Michael Hegstrand) - Posthumous inductee, Two-time IWGP Tag Team Champion (without Animal) Road Warrior Animal (Joe Laurinaitis) - One-time WWE Tag Team Champion (without Hawk) "Precious" Paul Ellering - Long-time manager in the AWA, NWA, WWF and AJPW. Inducted alongside the Road Warriors, who he managed for much of his career.[105] |
Ring name (Birth name) |
To be inducted by | Notes |
---|---|---|
Mil Máscaras (Aaron Rodriguez Arellano) |
Alberto Del Rio | A lucha libre legend.[106] |
Date | Location | Venue | WrestleMania[a] |
---|---|---|---|
June 18, 1994 | Baltimore, Maryland[107] | Omni Inner Harbor International Hotel | — |
June 24, 1995 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania[108] | Marriott Hotel | — |
November 16, 1996 | New York, New York[109] | Marriott Marquis | — |
March 13, 2004 | New York, New York[4] | The Hilton | XX |
April 2, 2005 | Los Angeles, California[6] | Universal Amphitheatre | 21 |
April 1, 2006 | Rosemont, Illinois[110] | Rosemont Theatre | 22 |
March 31, 2007 | Detroit, Michigan[111] | Fox Theatre | 23 |
March 29, 2008 | Orlando, Florida[112] | Amway Arena | XXIV |
April 4, 2009 | Houston, Texas[113] | Toyota Center | XXV |
March 27, 2010 | Phoenix, Arizona[114] | Dodge Theater | XXVI |
April 2, 2011 | Atlanta, Georgia[115][116] | Philips Arena | XXVII |
March 31, 2012 | Miami, Florida[117] | American Airlines Arena[118] | XXVIII |
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