Meltzer began the Hall of Fame by choosing a list of 120 inaugural inductees in 1996. Since then, wrestlers from past and present, others employed in the professional wrestling industry, and wrestling journalists and historians have been selected by Meltzer to cast secret ballots to determine annual groups of inductees. Voting criteria include the length of time spent in wrestling, historical significance, ability to attract viewers, and wrestling ability.[1] Inductees must have at least 15 years of experience in the wrestling business or be over 35 years old and have 10 years of experience. To gain membership in the hall, potential inductees must receive 60% support on the ballots from their geographic region.[2] There are 185 inductees, including the five tag teams.
# |
Year |
Ring name
(Birth name) |
Inducted for |
Notes |
001 !1 |
1996 |
Abdullah the Butcher !Abdullah the Butcher
(Larry Shreve)[5] |
Wrestling |
Won the WWC Universal Heavyweight Championship (3 times), NWA United National Championship (1 time), and PWF World Heavyweight Championship (1 time)[5] |
002 !2 |
1996 |
Aguayo, PerroPerro Aguayo
(Pedro Aguayo Damián)[6] |
Wrestling |
Won the Mexican National Heavyweight Championship (1 time), Mexican National Middleweight Championship (1 time), and Mexican National Tag Team Championship (2 times)[7][8][9] |
003 !3 |
1996 |
André the Giant !André the Giant
(André Roussimoff)[10] |
Wrestling |
Posthumous inductee; won the WWF Championship (1 time) and WWF Tag Team Championship (1 time)[11] |
004 !4 |
1996 |
Assirati, BertBert Assirati |
Wrestling |
Posthumous inductee; won the British Heavyweight Championship (1 time) and European Heavyweight Championship (1 time)[12] |
005 !5 |
1996 |
Baba, ShoheiShohei Baba |
Wrestling |
Won the NWA World Heavyweight Championship (3 times) and PWF World Heavyweight Championship (4 times); founded All Japan Pro Wrestling[13] |
006 !6 |
1996 |
Barnett, JimJim Barnett |
Promoting |
Founded Australia's World Championship Wrestling; owned Georgia Championship Wrestling[14][15] |
007 !7 |
1996 |
Berry, RedRed Berry
(Ralph Berry)[16] |
Wrestling |
Posthumous inductee; won the NWA World Light Heavyweight Championship (9 times) and NWA Texas Heavyweight Championship (2 times)[16][17] |
008 !8 |
1996 |
Destroyer, TheThe Destroyer
(Dick Beyer)[18] |
Wrestling |
Won the WWA World Heavyweight Championship (3 times) and AWA World Heavyweight Championship (1 time)[18][19] |
009 !9 |
1996 |
Blassie, FreddieFreddie Blassie |
Wrestling and Managing |
Won the NWA Southern Heavyweight Championship (14 times) and NAWA/WWA World Heavyweight Championship (4 times); worked as manager after retiring as a competitor[20] |
010 !10 |
1996 |
Demon, BlueBlue Demon
(Alexander Muñoz Moreno)[21] |
Wrestling |
Won the Mexican National Welterweight Championship (3 times) and appeared in several luchador films[22][23][24] |
011 !11 |
1996 |
Bockwinkel, NickNick Bockwinkel |
Wrestling |
Won the AWA World Heavyweight Championship (6 times), AWA World Tag Team Championship (3 times), and NWA World Tag Team Championship (2 times)[25] |
012 !12 |
1996 |
Boesch, PaulPaul Boesch |
Commentating and Promoting |
Posthumous inductee; promoted the Houston, Texas territory of National Wrestling Alliance[26] |
013 !13 |
1996 |
Brazil, BoboBobo Brazil
(Houston Harris)[27] |
Wrestling |
Won the Detroit version of NWA United States Heavyweight Championship (9 times) and Mid-Atlantic version (1 time)[28][29] |
014 !14 |
1996 |
Brisco, JackJack Brisco
(Fred Joe Brisco)[30] |
Wrestling |
Won the NWA World Heavyweight Championship (2 times), NWA World Tag Team Championship (3 times), and NWA National Heavyweight Championship (1 time)[31][32] |
015 !15 |
1996 |
Brody, BruiserBruiser Brody
(Frank Goodish)[33] |
Wrestling |
Posthumous inductee; won the WCWA World Heavyweight Championship (3 times), and PWF World Tag Team Championship (1 time)[34] |
016 !16 |
1996 |
Burke, MildredMildred Burke
(Mildred Bliss)[35] |
Women's wrestling and Promoting |
Posthumous inductee; won the NWA World Women's Championship (1 time) and WWWA World Heavyweight Championship (1 time); founded World Women's Wrestling Association.[35] |
017 !17 |
1996 |
Canek, ElEl Canek |
Wrestling |
Won the UWA World Heavyweight Championship multiple times[36] |
018 !18 |
1996 |
Casas, NegroNegro Casas
(José Casas Ruiz)[37] |
Wrestling |
Won the UWA World Lightweight Championship (1 time) and UWA World Middleweight Championship (1 time)[38][39] |
019 !19 |
1996 |
Chōshū, RikiRiki Chōshū
(Mitsuo Yoshida)[40] |
Wrestling |
Won the PWF World Heavyweight Championship (1 time), IWGP Heavyweight Championship (3 times), and IWGP Tag Team Championship (3 times)[40][41] |
020 !20 |
1996 |
Cornette, JimJim Cornette |
Promoting and managing |
Founded Smoky Mountain Wrestling and managed wrestlers in National Wrestling Alliance, World Championship Wrestling, and the World Wrestling Federation[42][43] |
021 !21 |
1996 |
Crusher, TheThe Crusher
(Reginald Lisowski)[44] |
Wrestling |
Won the AWA World Heavyweight Championship (3 times), AWA World Tag Team Championship (9 times), and WWA World Tag Team Championship (6 times)[45][46] |
022 !22 |
1996 |
DiBiase, TedTed DiBiase |
Wrestling and Managing |
Won the NWA/Mid-South North American Heavyweight Championship (5 times), PWF World Tag Team Championship (1 time), NWA National Heavyweight Championship (2 times), and WWF World Tag Team Championship (3 times); managed the Million Dollar Corporation and New World Order stables[47][48] |
023 !23 |
1996 |
Dick the Bruiser !Dick the Bruiser
(William Richard Afflis)[49] |
Wrestling and Promoting |
Posthumous inductee; won the AWA World Heavyweight Championship (1 time) and AWA World Tag Team Championship (5 times); owned and promoted the World Wrestling Association in Indianapolis, Indiana[50][51] |
024 !24 |
1996 |
Dantés, AlfonsoAlfonso Dantés
(Jose Luis Amezcua Diaz)[52] |
Wrestling |
Won the NWA World Light Heavyweight Championship (5 times), Mexican National Heavyweight Championship (2 times), and Mexican National Light Heavyweight Championship (3 times)[52][53] |
025 !25 |
1996 |
Dusek Family !The Dusek Family
(The Hason Family)[54] |
Wrestling and Promoting |
Emil and Ernie Dusek won the NWA World Tag Team Championship (Central States version) (3 times) and NWA World Tag Team Championship (San Francisco version) (1 times); Joe Dusek promoted wrestling events in Omaha, Nebraska[54] |
026 !26 |
1996 |
Dynamite Kid !Dynamite Kid
(Tom Billington)[55] |
Wrestling |
Won the AJPW All Asia Tag Team Championship (1 time), Stampede North American Heavyweight Championship (1 time), and WWF Tag Team Championship (1 time)[55][56] |
027 !27 |
1996 |
Fabulous Kangaroos !The Fabulous Kangaroos (Al Costello, Roy Heffernan, and Don Kent)
(Giacoma Costa, Laurence Roy Heffernan, and Leo Smith, Jr.)[57][58][59] |
Wrestling |
Won the Northeast version of the NWA United States Tag Team Championship (3 times) and Mid-America version of NWA World Tag Team Championship (3 times)[57][60] |
028 !28 |
1996 |
Fargo, JackieJackie Fargo
(Henry Faggart)[61] |
Wrestling |
Won the Mid-America version of the NWA World Tag Team Championship (10 times) and Mid-America version of NWA Southern Tag Team Championship (22 times)[60][62] |
029 !29 |
1996 |
Flair, RicRic Flair
(Richard Morgan Fliehr)[63] |
Wrestling |
Won the WWF Championship (2 times), NWA World Heavyweight Championship (8 times), and WCW World Heavyweight Championship (6 times)[64] |
030 !30 |
1996 |
Fujinami, TatsumiTatsumi Fujinami |
Wrestling |
Won the IWGP Heavyweight Championship (6 times), NWA World Heavyweight Championship (1 time), and WWF Junior Heavyweight Championship (1 time)[32][65][66] |
031 !31 |
1996 |
Funk, DoryDory Funk |
Wrestling and Promoting |
Posthumous inductee; won the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Championship (1 time) and NWA North American Heavyweight Championship multiple times; promoted for the National Wrestling Alliance[67][68] |
032 !32 |
1996 |
Funk, Jr., DoryDory Funk, Jr. |
Wrestling |
Won the NWA World Heavyweight Championship (1 time), NWA Mid-Atlantic Heavyweight Championship (2 times), and NWA Florida Heavyweight Championship (3 times)[67][69] |
033 !33 |
1996 |
Funk, TerryTerry Funk |
Wrestling |
Won the NWA World Heavyweight Championship (1 time), ECW Championship (2 times), and WWF Tag Team Championship (1 time)[70][71][72] |
034 !34 |
1996 |
Gagne, VerneVerne Gagne |
Wrestling and Promoting |
Founded the American Wrestling Associationl; won the AWA World Heavyweight Championship (10 times)[73] |
035 !35 |
1996 |
Galindo, CavernarioCavernario Galindo
(Rodolfo Galindo Ramírez)[74] |
Wrestling |
Won the Mexican Light Heavyweight Championship (1 time); appeared in several luchador films[74][75] |
036 !36 |
1996 |
George, Ed DonEd Don George |
Wrestling |
Posthumous inductee; won the World Heavyweight Wrestling Championship (2 times) and Boston's AWA World Heavyweight Championship (1 time)[76] |
037 !37 |
1996 |
Gorgeous George !Gorgeous George
(George Raymond Wagner)[77] |
Wrestling |
Posthumous inductee; won the NWA Southern Heavyweight Championship (1 time), NWA Southeastern Heavyweight Championship (1 time), and Boston's AWA World Heavyweight Championship (1 time)[77] |
038 !38 |
1996 |
Gotch, FrankFrank Gotch |
Wrestling |
Posthumous inductee; won the World Heavyweight Wrestling Championship (1 time) and American Heavyweight Championship (3 times)[78] |
039 !39 |
1996 |
Gotch, KarlKarl Gotch
(Karl Istaz)[79] |
Wrestling |
Won the IWA World Heavyweight Championship (1 time), WWWF World Tag Team Championship (1 time), and Ohio's AWA World Heavyweight Championship (1 time)[79] |
040 !40 |
1996 |
Graham, BillyBilly Graham
(Wayne Coleman)[80] |
Wrestling |
Won the WWWF World Heavyweight Championship (1 time) and NWA World Tag Team Championship (2 times)[81][82] |
041 !41 |
1996 |
Graham, EddieEddie Graham
(Edward Gossett)[83] |
Wrestling and Promoting |
Posthumous inductee; won the NWA World Tag Team Championship (7 times) and NWA United States Tag Team Championship (4 times); owned Championship Wrestling from Florida and served as president of National Wrestling Alliance[83] |
042 !42 |
1996 |
Guajardo, RenéRené Guajardo |
Wrestling |
Posthumous inductee; competed in the middleweight division in Mexico[84][85] |
043 !43 |
1996 |
Guerrero, GoryGory Guerrero
(Salvador Guerrero Quesada)[86] |
Wrestling |
Posthumous inductee; won the NWA World Welterweight Championship (1 time), NWA World Middleweight Championship (1 time), and Mexican National Middleweight Championship (1 time)[86] |
044 !44 |
1996 |
Hackenschmidt, GeorgGeorg Hackenschmidt |
Wrestling |
Posthumous inductee; won the European Greco-Roman Heavyweight Championship (1 time) and World Heavyweight Wrestling Championship (1 time)[87] |
045 !45 |
1996 |
Hansen, StanStan Hansen
(John Stanley Hansen)[88] |
Wrestling |
Won the AJPW Triple Crown Heavyweight Championship (4 times) and AWA World Heavyweight Championship (1 time)[88][89] |
046 !46 |
1996 |
Hart, BretBret Hart |
Wrestling |
Won the WWF Championship (5 times), WWF Tag Team Championship (2 times), and WCW World Heavyweight Championship (2 times)[90][91][92] |
047 !47 |
1996 |
Hart, StuStu Hart |
Wrestling, Promoting, and Training |
Owned and promoted Stampede Wrestling; trained many well-known wrestlers[93] |
048 !48 |
1996 |
Heenan, BobbyBobby Heenan
(Raymond Louis Heenan)[94] |
Managing and Commentating |
Managed wrestlers in the American Wrestling Association, Georgia Championship Wrestling, and the World Wrestling Federation; provided color commentary for the World Wrestling Federation and World Championship Wrestling[94] |
049 !49 |
1996 |
Hodge, DannyDanny Hodge |
Wrestling |
Won the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Championship (7 times)[95] |
050 !50 |
1996 |
Hogan, HulkHulk Hogan
(Terrence Gene Bollea)[96] |
Wrestling |
Won the WWF/WWE Championship (6 times) and WCW World Heavyweight Championship (6 times)[90][92] |
051 !51 |
1996 |
Inoki, AntonioAntonio Inoki
(Kanji Inoki)[97] |
Wrestling and Promoting |
Won the AJPW All Asia Tag Team Championship (3 times), NWA International Tag Team Championship (4 times), and IWGP Heavyweight Championship (1 time); founded New Japan Pro Wrestling[98] |
052 !52 |
1996 |
Jalisco, Sr., Rayo deRayo de Jalisco, Sr.
(Maximino Linares Moreno)[99] |
Wrestling |
Won the Mexican National Tag Team Championship (2 times) and appeared in luchador films[100][101][102] |
053 !53 |
1996 |
Jenkins, TomTom Jenkins |
Wrestling |
Posthumous inductee; won the American Heavyweight Championship (3 times)[103] |
054 !54 |
1996 |
Jonathan, Don LeoDon Leo Jonathan
(Don Heaton)[104] |
Wrestling |
Won the NWA Canadian Tag Team Championship (15 times) and Omaha's World Heavyweight Championship (2 times)[104] |
055 !55 |
1996 |
Kiniski, GeneGene Kiniski |
Wrestling |
Won the AWA World Heavyweight Championship (1 time), NWA World Heavyweight Championship (1 time), and WWA World Heavyweight Championship (1 time)[105] |
056 !56 |
1996 |
Kohler, FredFred Kohler
(Fred Koch)[59] |
Promoting |
Posthumous inductee; promoted wrestling events in Chicago, Illinois and helped popularize tag team wrestling in the United States[106] |
057 !57 |
1996 |
Kowalski, KillerKiller Kowalski
(Edward Walter Spulnik)[107] |
Wrestling and Training |
Won the IWA World Heavyweight Championship (6 times) and WWWF World Tag Team Championship (1 time); trained many well-known wrestlers[108] |
058 !58 |
1996 |
Ladd, ErnieErnie Ladd |
Wrestling |
Won the Mid-South North American Heavyweight Championship (4 times), WWA World Heavyweight Championship (1 time), and NWF Heavyweight Championship (1 time)[109] |
059 !59 |
1996 |
Lane, DickDick Lane |
Commentating |
Posthumous inductee; worked as commentator for wrestling shows in Southern California[110] |
060 !60 |
1996 |
Lawler, JerryJerry Lawler |
Wrestling and Promoting |
Won the AWA World Heavyweight Championship (1 time), USWA Unified World Heavyweight Championship (27 times), and Memphis Wrestling Southern Heavyweight Championship (40 times)[111] |
061 !61 |
1996 |
Lewis, EdEd Lewis |
Wrestling |
Posthumous inductee; won the World Heavyweight Wrestling Championship (5 times)[112] |
061 !61 |
1996 |
Londos, JimJim Londos
(Chris Theophelos)[113] |
Wrestling |
Posthumous inductee; won the World Heavyweight Wrestling Championship (1 time) and NWA/NBA World Heavyweight Championship (1 time)[113] |
062 !62 |
1996 |
Lutteroth, SalvadorSalvador Lutteroth
(Salvador Lutteroth Gonzalez)[114] |
Promoting |
Posthumous inductee; founded Empresa Mexicana de la Lucha Libre[115] |
063 !63 |
1996 |
Maeda, AkiraAkira Maeda |
Wrestling and Promoting |
Competed in Europe and Japan; founded Fighting Network RINGS and an incarnation of Universal Wrestling Federation[116][117][118] |
064 !64 |
1996 |
Masami, DevilDevil Masami
(Masami Yoshida)[119] |
Women's wrestling |
Competed in Canada's Stampede Wrestling as well as Japan; trained several well-known wrestlers[120][121] |
065 !65 |
1996 |
Máscaras, MilMil Máscaras
(Aaron Rodríguez)[122] |
Wrestling |
Won the WWA/NWA Americas Heavyweight Championship (4 times), Mexican National Light Heavyweight Championship (2 times), and Georgia's IWA World Heavyweight Championship (1 time)[122] |
066 !66 |
1996 |
Matsumoto, DumpDump Matsumoto
(Kaoru Matsumoto)[123] |
Women's wrestling |
Competed in All Japan Women's Pro-Wrestling and the World Wrestling Federation; held several tag team titles with Bull Nakano[123][124] |
067 !67 |
1996 |
McCready, EarlEarl McCready |
Wrestling |
Posthumous inductee; won the NWA British Empire Heavyweight Championship (2 times)[125] |
068 !68 |
1996 |
McGuirk, LeroyLeroy McGuirk |
Wrestling and Promoting |
Posthumous inductee; won the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Championship (1 time) and World Light Heavyweight Championship (2 times); promoted shows for National Wrestling Alliance in Oklahoma[68][126][127] |
069 !69 |
1996 |
McMahon, Vincent J.Vincent J. McMahon |
Promoting |
Posthumous inductee; founded the World Wide Wrestling Federation[128] |
070 !70 |
1996 |
McMahon, Vincent K.Vincent K. McMahon |
Promoting |
Owned and provided commentary for the World Wrestling Federation/World Wrestling Entertainment; won the WWE Championship (1 time) and ECW Championship (1 time)[90][129][130] |
071 !71 |
1996 |
McShain, DannyDanny McShain |
Wrestling |
Posthumous inductee; won the World Light Heavyweight Championship (11 times) and NWA Texas Heavyweight Championship (9 times)[17][131] |
072 !72 |
1996 |
Mendoza, RayRay Mendoza
(Jose Diaz)[132] |
Wrestling |
Won the NWA World Light Heavyweight Championship (6 times) and UWA World Light Heavyweight Championship (4 times)[132] |
073 !73 |
1996 |
Misawa, MitsuharuMitsuharu Misawa |
Wrestling |
Won the AJPW Triple Crown Heavyweight Championship (5 times); founded Pro Wrestling NOAH[133][134] |
074 !74 |
1996 |
Mondt, Joe "Toots"Joe "Toots" Mondt |
Promoting |
Posthumous inductee; founded the World Wide Wrestling Federation[135] |
075 !75 |
1996 |
Muchnick, SamSam Muchnick |
Promoting |
Founded the National Wrestling Alliance and served as its president from 1950 to 1960 and from 1963 to 1975; owned and promoted the St. Louis Wrestling Club[136][137] |
076 !76 |
1996 |
Nagurski, BronkoBronko Nagurski
(Bronislau Nagurski)[138] |
Wrestling |
Posthumous inductee; won the NWA/NBA World Heavyweight Championship (2 times)[138] |
077 !77 |
1996 |
O'Connor, PatPat O'Connor |
Wrestling |
Posthumous inductee; won the AWA World Heavyweight Championship (1 time) and NWA World Heavyweight Championship (1 time)[139] |
078 !78 |
1996 |
Oki, KintaroKintaro Oki |
Wrestling |
Won the JWA/AJPW All Asia Heavyweight Championship (4 times) and NWA International Heavyweight Championship (1 time)[140] |
079 !79 |
1996 |
Onita, AtsushiAtsushi Onita |
Wrestling and Promoting |
Competed in Japan and founded Frontier Martial-Arts Wrestling[141] |
080 !80 |
1996 |
Patterson, PatPat Patterson
(Pierre Clermont)[82] |
Wrestling |
Won the NWA World Tag Team Championship (San Francisco version) (11 times), AWA World Tag Team Championship (1 time), and WWF Intercontinental Championship (1 time)[82] |
081 !81 |
1996 |
Peña, AntonioAntonio Peña
(Antonio Peña Herrada)[140] |
Promoting |
Founded Asistencia Asesoría y Administración[140] |
082 !82 |
1996 |
Pesek, JohnJohn Pesek |
Wrestling |
Posthumous inductee; won the NWA/NBA World Heavyweight Championship (1 time)[68] |
083 !83 |
1996 |
Piper, RoddyRoddy Piper
(Roderick Toombs)[142] |
Wrestling |
Won the NWA/WCW United States Championship (3 times) and WWF Intercontinental Championship (1 time)[142] |
084 !84 |
1996 |
Race, HarleyHarley Race |
Wrestling |
Won the NWA World Heavyweight Championship (8 times); founded World League Wrestling[68] |
085 !85 |
1996 |
Rhodes, DustyDusty Rhodes
(Virgil Runnels, Jr.)[143] |
Wrestling |
Won the NWA World Heavyweight Championship (3 times) and NWA Florida Heavyweight Championship (10 times)[144] |
086 !86 |
1996 |
Rikidōzan !Rikidōzan
(Kim Sin-Nak)[145] |
Wrestling |
Posthumous inductee; won the NWA International Heavyweight Championship (1 time), NWA World Tag Team Championship (1 time), and JWA All Asia Tag Team Championship (4 times)[145] |
087 !87 |
1996 |
Road Warriors !Road Warriors (Hawk and Animal)
(Michael Hegstrand and Joseph Laurinaitis)[146] |
Wrestling |
Won the AWA World Tag Team Championship (1 time), NWA World Tag Team Championship (1 time), and WWF Tag Team Championship (2 times)[91][146] |
088 !88 |
1996 |
Robert, YvonYvon Robert |
Wrestling |
Posthumous inductee; won the NWA/NBA World Heavyweight Championship (1 time) and Boston's AWA World Heavyweight Championship (1 time)[147] |
089 !89 |
1996 |
Robinson, BillyBilly Robinson |
Wrestling |
Won the PWF World Heavyweight Championship (1 time), AWA World Tag Team Championship (2 times), and AWA British Empire Heavyweight Championship multiple times[5][148][149] |
090 !90 |
1996 |
Rocca, AntoninoAntonino Rocca
(Antonino Biasetton)[150] |
Wrestling |
Posthumous inductee; won the NWA North American Tag Team Championship (1 time) and WWWF International Heavyweight Championship (1 time)[151] |
091 !91 |
1996 |
Rogers, BuddyBuddy Rogers
(Herman Rohde)[152] |
Wrestling |
Posthumous inductee; won the NWA World Heavyweight Championship (1 time) and WWWF World Heavyweight Championship (1 time)[32][90] |
092 !92 |
1996 |
Russell, LanceLance Russell |
Commentating |
Worked as commentator for wrestling shows in Memphis[153] |
093 !93 |
1996 |
Sammartino, BrunoBruno Sammartino |
Wrestling |
Won the WWWF World Heavyweight Championship (2 times), WWWF United States Tag Team Championship (1 time), and WWA World Tag Team Championship (1 time)[154] |
094 !94 |
1996 |
Sandow, BillyBilly Sandow |
Promoting and Managing |
Posthumous inductee; managed Ed "Strangler" Lewis and was an influential promoter in the early twentieth century[155] |
095 !95 |
1996 |
Santo, ElEl Santo
(Rodolfo Guzmán Huerta)[101] |
Wrestling |
Posthumous inductee; won the Mexican National Welterweight Championship (2 times), Mexican National Middleweight Championship (4 times), and Mexican National Light Heavyweight Championship (1 time); appeared in several luchador films[8][22][101][156] |
096 !96 |
1996 |
Sato, JackieJackie Sato
(Naoko Sato)[157] |
Women's wrestling |
Won the WWWA World Heavyweight Championship (2 times)[157] |
097 !97 |
1996 |
Savage, RandyRandy Savage
(Randy Poffo)[158] |
Wrestling |
Won the WWF Championship (2 times), WWE Intercontinental Championship (1 time), and WCW World Heavyweight Championship (4 times)[90][92][159] |
098 !98 |
1996 |
Sheik, TheThe Sheik
(Ed Farhat)[160] |
Wrestling and Promoting |
Won Detroit's NWA United States Heavyweight Championship (12 times) and NWA Americas Heavyweight Championship (2 times); owned and promoted Big Time Wrestling[160][161] |
099 !99 |
1996 |
Shinma, HisashiHisashi Shinma |
Promoting |
Was active in Japanese professional wrestling and served as president of the World Wrestling Federation[98][162] |
100 !100 |
1996 |
Singh, DaraDara Singh
(Dara Singh Randhawa)[163] |
Wrestling |
Competed in India, England, and Canada; held the Canadian Open Tag Team Championship (1 time)[41][164] |
101 !101 |
1996 |
Solie, GordonGordon Solie
(Francis Jonard Labiak)[165] |
Commentating |
Worked as commentator for the National Wrestling Alliance and World Championship Wrestling[166] |
102 !102 |
1996 |
Solitario, ElEl Solitario
(Roberto González Cruz)[167] |
Wrestling |
Won the NWA World Light Heavyweight Championship (1 time) and NWA World Middleweight Championship (1 time)[167][168] |
103 !103 |
1996 |
Steamboat, RickyRicky Steamboat[169]
(Richard Henry Blood) |
Wrestling |
Won the NWA/WCW United States Championship (4 times), NWA World Heavyweight Championship (1 time), and WWF Intercontinental Championship (1 time)[169][170] |
104 !104 |
1996 |
Stecher, JoeJoe Stecher |
Wrestling |
Posthumous inductee; won the World Heavyweight Wrestling Championship (4 times)[171] |
105 !105 |
1996 |
Stecher, TonyTony Stecher
(Anton Charles Stecher)[171] |
Wrestling and Promoting |
Posthumous inductee; won several regional championships; co-founded the National Wrestling Alliance[171] |
106 !106 |
1996 |
Steele, RayRay Steele
(Peter Sauer)[172] |
Wrestling |
Posthumous inductee; won the NWA/NBA World Heavyweight Championship (1 time)[68] |
107 !107 |
1996 |
Stevens, RayRay Stevens |
Wrestling |
Posthumous inductee; won the NWA United States Heavyweight Championship (San Francisco version) (2 times), the NWA World Tag Team Championship (San Francisco version) (3 times) and the AWA United States Heavyweight Championship (7 times)[68] |
108 !108 |
1996 |
Takada, NobuhikoNobuhiko Takada |
Wrestling and Promoting |
Won the IWGP Heavyweight Championship (1 time); founded the Union of Wrestling Forces International[66][173] |
109 !109 |
1996 |
Tenryu, GenichiroGenichiro Tenryu
(Genichiro Shimada)[174] |
Wrestling |
Won the IWGP Heavyweight Championship (1 time) and AJPW Triple Crown Heavyweight Championship (3 times)[175][176][177] |
110 !110 |
1996 |
Thesz, LouLou Thesz
(Aloysius Martiz Thesz)[178] |
Wrestling |
Won the NWA World Heavyweight Championship (6 times)[178] |
111 !111 |
1996 |
Tiger Mask !Satoru Sayama
(Satoru Sayama)[179] |
Wrestling |
Wrested as "Tiger Mask", won the WWF Junior Heavyweight Championship (2 times) and NWA World Junior Heavyweight Championship (2 times)[179] |
112 !112 |
1996 |
Tsuruta, JumboJumbo Tsuruta
(Tomomi Tsuruta)[180] |
Wrestling |
Won the AJPW Triple Crown Heavyweight Championship (3 times) and AWA World Heavyweight Championship (1 time)[180] |
113 !113 |
1996 |
Tunney, FrankFrank Tunney |
Promoting |
Posthumous inductee; promoted wrestling events in Toronto, Ontario and served as president of the National Wrestling Alliance[181] |
114 !114 |
1996 |
Vachon, MauriceMaurice Vachon |
Wrestling |
Won the AWA World Heavyweight Championship (5 times), AWA World Tag Team Championship (2 times), and Central States version of the NWA World Tag Team Championship (1 time)[182] |
115 !115 |
1996 |
Vader, Big VanBig Van Vader
(Leon White)[183] |
Wrestling |
Won the AJPW Triple Crown Heavyweight Championship (2 times) and WCW World Heavyweight Championship (3 times)[92][184] |
116 !116 |
1996 |
Valentine, JohnnyJohnny Valentine
(Jonathan Wisniski)[185] |
Wrestling |
Won the NWF Heavyweight Championship (2 times) and NWA/WWWF United States Tag Team Championship (4 times)[186] |
117 !117 |
1996 |
Von Erich, FritzFritz Von Erich
(Jack Adkisson)[187] |
Wrestling and Promoting |
Won the AWA World Heavyweight Championship (1 time) and NWA American Heavyweight Championship (13 times); served as president of the National Wrestling Alliance and founded World Class Championship Wrestling[187][188] |
118 !118 |
1996 |
Watson, Whipper BillyWhipper Billy Watson
(William Potts)[189] |
Wrestling |
Posthumous inductee; won the NWA/NBA World Heavyweight Championship (2 times) and NWA British Empire Heavyweight Championship (12 times)[189] |
119 !119 |
1996 |
Watts, BillBill Watts |
Wrestling and Promoting |
Won the AWA United States Heavyweight Championship (1 time) and WWWF United States Tag Team Championship (1 time); founded Universal Wrestling Federation and served as president of World Championship Wrestling[190][191][192] |
120 !120 |
1996 |
Yokota, JaguarJaguar Yokota
(Rimi Yokota)[193] |
Women's wrestling |
Won UWA World Women's Championship (1 time)[194] |
121 !121 |
1996 |
Zbyszko, StanislausStanislaus Zbyszko |
Wrestling |
Posthumous inductee; won the World Heavyweight Wrestling Championship (2 times)[195] |
122 !122 |
1997 |
Carpentier, ÉdouardÉdouard Carpentier
(Edouard Wiercowicz)[196] |
Wrestling |
Won the Boston's Atlantic Athletic Commission World Heavyweight Championship (1 time), Omaha's World Heavyweight Championship (1 time), and NAWA/WWA World Heavyweight Championship (2 times)[196] |
123 !123 |
1997 |
Hijo del Santo, ElEl Hijo del Santo
(Jorge Guzmán)[197] |
Wrestling |
Won the AAA World Tag Team Championship (1 time), Mexican National Middleweight Championship (1 time), and Mexican National Welterweight Championship (1 time)[8][22][198] |
124 !124 |
1997 |
Kawada, ToshiakiToshiaki Kawada |
Wrestling |
Won the AJPW Triple Crown Heavyweight Championship (5 times)[175] |
125 !125 |
1997 |
Lennon, JimmyJimmy Lennon |
Ring announcing |
Posthumous inductee; worked as a ring announcer in Los Angeles[199] |
126 !126 |
1997 |
Muldoon, WilliamWilliam Muldoon |
Wrestling |
Posthumous inductee; won American Greco-Roman Heavyweight Championship (1 time)[200] |
127 !127 |
1997 |
Nagayo, ChigusaChigusa Nagayo |
Women's wrestling |
Founded GAEA Japan; won the AAAW Singles Championship (2 times)[201][202] |
128 !128 |
1998 |
Dos Caras !Dos Caras
(José Rodríguez) |
Wrestling |
Won the Mexican National Light Heavyweight Championship (1 time) and Mexican National Trios Championship (1 time)[156][203] |
129 !129 |
1999 |
Asuka, LionessLioness Asuka
(Tomoko Kitamura) |
Women's wrestling |
Competed in Japan and the United States[204] |
130 !130 |
1999 |
Liger, JushinJushin Liger
(Keiichi Yamada)[205] |
Wrestling |
Won the J-Crown (1 time) and WCW Cruiserweight Championship (1 time)[206][207] |
131 !131 |
1999 |
Mutoh, KeijiKeiji Mutoh |
Wrestling |
Won the AJPW Triple Crown Heavyweight Championship (3 times) and IWGP Heavyweight Championship (4 times)[117][175][208] |
132 !132 |
1999 |
Ross, JimJim Ross |
Commentating |
Worked as commentator for Universal Wrestling Federation, WCW, and WWF/WWE[209] |
133 !133 |
2000 |
Austin, SteveSteve Austin
(Steve Williams)[210] |
Wrestling |
Won the WWF Championship (6 times), WWF Intercontinental Championship (2 times), and WCW United States Championship (2 times)[90][159][170] |
134 !134 |
2000 |
Foley, MickMick Foley |
Wrestling |
Won the WWF Championship (3 times) and TNA World Heavyweight Championship (1 time)[90] |
135 !135 |
2000 |
Hashimoto, ShinyaShinya Hashimoto |
Wrestling |
Won the NWA World Heavyweight Championship (1 time), IWGP Heavyweight Championship (3 times), and AJPW Triple Crown Heavyweight Championship (1 time)[175][211][212] |
136 !136 |
2000 |
Hokuto, AkiraAkira Hokuto
(Hisako Uno Sasaki) |
Women's wrestling |
Competed in Japan and the United States; won the WCW Women's Championship (1 time)[213] |
137 !137 |
2000 |
Longson, BillBill Longson |
Wrestling |
Posthumous inductee; won the National Wrestling Alliance World Heavyweight Championship (3 times) and NWA Central States Heavyweight Championship (1 time)[214] |
138 !138 |
2000 |
Sexton, FrankFrank Sexton |
Wrestling |
Won the Boston-based AWA World Heavyweight Champion (2 times)[215] |
139 !139 |
2000 |
Szabo, SandorSandor Szabo |
Wrestling |
Posthumous inductee; won the NWA/NBA World Heavyweight Championship (1 time)[216] |
140 !140 |
2001 |
Black Shadow !Black Shadow
(Alejandro Cruz Ortíz)[59] |
Wrestling |
Won the Mexican National Tag Team Championship (1 time) and Mexican National Lightweight Championship (1 time)[100][217] |
141 !141 |
2001 |
Velasco, DiabloDiablo Velasco
(Cuahutémoc Velasco)[59] |
Training |
Posthumous inductee; trained many well-known wrestlers[68][218] |
142 !142 |
2001 |
Lizmark !Lizmark |
Wrestling |
Won the Mexican National Light Heavyweight Championship (1 time), Mexican National Middleweight Championship (2 times), and Mexican National Welterweight Championship (1 time)[8][22][156] |
143 !143 |
2001 |
Nakano, BullBull Nakano
(Keiko Nakano)[219] |
Women's wrestling |
Won the WWWA World Championship (1 time) and WWE Women's Championship (1 time)[123] |
144 !144 |
2001 |
Satanico !El Satánico
(Daniel López)[220] |
Wrestling |
Won the Mexican National Middleweight Championship (3 times) and Mexican National Trios Championship (3 times)[8][203] |
145 !145 |
2002 |
Burns, MartinMartin Burns |
Wrestling and Training |
Posthumous inductee; won the American Heavyweight Championship (1 time); trained many well-known wrestlers[221][222] |
146 !146 |
2002 |
Curley, JackJack Curley
(Jacques Armand Schuel)[223] |
Promoting |
Posthumous inductee; promoted wrestling events and helped popularize professional wrestling in the United States[223] |
147 !147 |
2002 |
Kobashi, KentaKenta Kobashi |
Wrestling |
Won the AJPW Triple Crown Heavyweight Championship (3 times) and GHC Heavyweight Championship (1 time)[175][224] |
148 !148 |
2002 |
McDaniel, WahooWahoo McDaniel
(Edward McDaniel)[225] |
Wrestling |
Posthumous inductee; won the NWA United States Championship (5 times), NWA Mid-Atlantic Heavyweight Championship (5 times), and NWA National Heavyweight Championship (1 time)[226] |
149 !149 |
2002 |
Toyota, ManamiManami Toyota |
Women's wrestling |
Won the AAAW Singles Championship (1 time)[202] |
150 !150 |
2003 |
Benoit, ChrisChris Benoit |
Wrestling |
Won the WWE World Heavyweight Championship (1 time) and WCW World Heavyweight Championship (1 time)[227] |
151 !151 |
2003 |
Caddock, EarlEarl Caddock |
Wrestling |
Posthumous inductee; won the World Heavyweight Wrestling Championship (1 time)[228] |
152 !152 |
2003 |
Flores, FranciscoFrancisco Flores |
Promoting |
Promoted wrestling events in Mexico[229] |
153 !153 |
2003 |
Michaels, ShawnShawn Michaels
(Michael Hickenbottom)[230] |
Wrestling |
Won the WWF Championship (3 times), WWE World Heavyweight Championship (1 time), and WWF/WWE Tag Team Championship (4 times)[90][91][231] |
154 !154 |
2004 |
Angle, KurtKurt Angle |
Wrestling |
Won the WWF/WWE Championship (4 times) and WWE World Heavyweight Championship (1 time)[90][231] |
155 !155 |
2004 |
Backlund, BobBob Backlund |
Wrestling |
Won the WWF Championship (2 times) and WWF Tag Team Championship (1 time)[90][91] |
156 !156 |
2004 |
Chono, MasahiroMasahiro Chono |
Wrestling |
Won the NWA World Heavyweight Championship (1 time)[211] |
157 !157 |
2004 |
Lόpez, TarzánTarzán Lόpez
(Carlos Lόpez Tovar)[59] |
Wrestling |
Posthumous inductee; won the Mexican National Light Heavyweight Championship (3 times), Mexican National Middleweight Championship (1 time), and Mexican National Welterweight Championship (1 time)[8][22][156] |
158 !158 |
2004 |
Sakuraba, KazushiKazushi Sakuraba |
Wrestling |
Competed in several professional wrestling organizations as well as mixed martial arts fighting[232] |
159 !159 |
2004 |
Dragón, ÚltimoÚltimo Dragón
(Yoshihiro Asai)[233] |
Wrestling |
Won the J-Crown (1 time) and WCW Cruiserweight Championship (2 times)[206][207] |
160 !160 |
2004 |
Undertaker, TheThe Undertaker
(Mark Calaway)[234] |
Wrestling |
Won the WWF/WWE Championship (4 times), WWE World Heavyweight Championship (3 times) and WWF/WWE Tag Team Championship (6 times)[90][91][231] |
161 !161 |
2005 |
Fabulous Freebirds !The Fabulous Freebirds (Michael Hayes, Terry Gordy, and Buddy Roberts)
(Michael Seitz, Terry Gordy, and Dale Hey)[235][236] |
Wrestling |
Won the WCWA World Six-Man Tag Team Championship/Texas version of the NWA World Six-Man Tag Team Championship (6 times)[237] |
162 !162 |
2005 |
Heyman, PaulPaul Heyman |
Promoting |
Owned and promoted Extreme Championship Wrestling; managed in American Wrestling Association, National Wrestling Alliance, and World Championship Wrestling[238] |
163 !163 |
2005 |
Triple H !Triple H
(Paul Michael Levesque)[239] |
Wrestling |
Won the WWF/WWE Championship (8 times) - WWE World Heavyweight Championship (5 times)[90][231] WWF/E Intercontinental Championship (5 times) and WWF European Championship (2 times) |
164 !164 |
2006 |
Bowser, PaulPaul Bowser |
Promoting |
Posthumous inductee; promoted Boston's American Wrestling Association[240] |
165 !165 |
2006 |
Guerrero, EddieEddie Guerrero |
Wrestling |
Posthumous inductee; won the WWE Championship (1 time), WWF/WWE Intercontinental Championship (2 times), and WCW/WWE United States Championship (2 times)[241] |
166 !166 |
2006 |
Hase, HiroshiHiroshi Hase |
Wrestling |
Won the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship (2 times) and IWGP Tag Team Championship (4 times)[242][243] |
167 !167 |
2006 |
Funaki, MasakatsuMasakatsu Funaki |
Wrestling and Promoting |
Competed for New Japan Pro Wrestling and as a mixed martial artist; founded Pancrase Hybrid Wrestling[244][245][246] |
168 !168 |
2006 |
Kong, AjaAja Kong
(Erika Shishido) |
Women's wrestling |
Competed in Japan and the United States; won the AAAW Singles Championship (3 times)[202][247] |
169 !169 |
2007 |
Rock !The Rock
(Dwayne Johnson)[248] |
Wrestling |
Won the WWF/WWE Championship (7 times) and WCW Championship (2 times)[90][249] |
170 !170 |
2007 |
Lewis, EvanEvan Lewis |
Wrestling |
Posthumous inductee; won the American Heavyweight Championship (1 time)[221] |
171 !171 |
2007 |
Packs, TomTom Packs |
Promoting |
Posthumous inductee; promoted wrestling events in St. Louis, Missouri and the Midwestern United States[250] |
172 !172 |
2008 |
Alonso, PacoPaco Alonso
(Francisco Alonso) |
Promoting |
Promoted the Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre[251] |
173 !173 |
2008 |
Karadagian, MartínMartín Karadagian |
Wrestling |
Posthumous inductee; competed in Argentina[252] |
174 !174 |
2009 |
Konnan
(Charles Ashenoff) |
Wrestling |
Won the AAA Americas Heavyweight Championship (1 time), NWA World Tag Team Championship (2 times), WCW United States Heavyweight Championship (1 time), WCW World Tag Team Championship (2 times), WCW World Television Championship (1 time)[68] |
175 !175 |
2009 |
Marshall, EverettEverett Marshall |
Wrestling |
[68] |
176 !176 |
2009 |
Midnight Express !The Midnight Express (Bobby Eaton, Stan Lane and Dennis Condrey) |
Wrestling |
[68] |
177 !177 |
2009 |
Miller, BillBill Miller |
Wrestling |
One-time AWA United States Heavyweight Champion, one-time AWA World Heavyweight Champion, one-time WWWF United States Tag Team Champion |
178 !178 |
2009 |
Saito, MasaMasa Saito |
Wrestling |
One-time AWA World Heavyweight Champion, one-time NWA Florida Heavyweight Champion, two-times WWF World Tag Team Champion[68] |
179 !179 |
2009 |
Shire, RoyRoy Shire |
Promoting |
[68] |
180 !180 |
2010 |
Jericho, ChrisChris Jericho
(Christopher Irvine) |
Wrestling |
One-time Undisputed Champion, three-time WWE World Heavyweight Champion, two-time WCW World Champion, nine-time WWF/E Intercontinental Championship[68] |
181 !181 |
2010 |
Mysterio, Jr., ReyRey Mysterio, Jr.
(Oscar Gutierrez) |
Wrestling |
Two-time WWE World Heavyweight Champion, one-time WWE Champion, eight-time WCW/WWE Cruiserweight Champion, 2006 Royal Rumble winner[68] |
182 !182 |
2010 |
Zbyszko, WladekWladek Zbyszko
(Wladek Cyganiewicz) |
Wrestling |
Posthumous inductee. One-time AWA World Heavyweight Champion (Boston version)[68] |
183 !183 |
2011 |
Williams, SteveSteve Williams |
Wrestling |
Posthumous inductee. One-time AJPW Triple Crown Heavyweight Champion, one-time UWF World Heavyweight Champion[253] |
184 !184 |
2011 |
Iaukea, CurtisCurtis Iaukea |
Wrestling |
Posthumous inductee. One-time WWWF World Tag Team Champion[253] |
185 !185 |
2011 |
Walton, KentKent Walton |
Commentating |
Posthumous inductee. World of Sport commentator[253] |