The WWE Hall of Fame induction ceremony has become a WrestleMania weekend staple, a WrestleMania eve tradition if you wiiilllllll. It'll be broadcast tonight on USA, and like WrestleMania itself is shaping up to be, this class is a good one. Let's break it down:
Ted DiBiase
The Million Dollar Man is perhaps the crown jewel of this Hall of Fame class, and for good reason - he's probably the best pure heel in WWF/E history. His kayfabe accomplishments come up short. HE never won a World Championship. His only singles title in the WWF was one he created and bought for himself. Still, you have to consider the times - the only real heel Champion in the the 1980s was one who began his reign as a babyface. Despite all that, he was important to the company, both as seen by the fans and by management. Think about it; he was the guy tasked with turning Andre the Giant, one of the most beloved wrestlers ever and a bona fide draw back in his salad days, into a heel. He was given loads of face time on TV into the mid '90s despite the fact that he couldn't wrestle due to injury. And the most important and honorable note on his resume - he was given the character that Vince McMahon would have played had he been an active character. Imagine that conversation, the chairman of the company coming up to you and telling you that you were going to be his surrogate in the company. Quite the honor. My only problem is that DiBiase wasn't inducted years ago. This is overdue, but still well-deserved.
Stu Hart
Another deserving candidate and possibly the co-headliner this year, Hart's influence on the business is indelible. THe sheer amount of guys he trained or had pass through Stampede are immense and influential in the grand scheme of the industry. I still would have loved to have seen Owen be inducted with his father this year though. Owen deserves to be there as much as anyone left to be inducted. It's not just because he died during a live show. Well, it is, but the guy gave so much to the industry, was well-liked by all and he was a complete professional. I mean, if his former tag partner Koko B. Ware is inducted, then we can stand to gather that kayfabe accomplishments aren't really that important in the grand scheme of things. I dunno, maybe they're saving Owen for the next time WrestleMania is in Canada.
Antonio Inoki
I like this induction a lot. Inoki has been known as the Vince McMahon of Japan, and honestly, McMahon himself has a debt of gratitude to Inoki for doing business with him in the early '80s. It's very rare that the worlds of sports entertainment and puroresu intersect, but when it does, it's very cool.
Mad Dog Vachon
He's a guy before my time, but from the footage I've seen of him, he seems like a guy I would have thoroughly enjoyed.
Gorgeous George
Another one before my time, George was probably one of the most important wrestlers of the '40s and '50s. He was the epitome of the cowardly heel, although his effeminate mannerisms seemed to have set the tone for homophobia keeping any gay character heel, but still, he was one of the greats. Long overdue.
Wendy Richter
I think it's hilarious that on the weekend where the most famous double-cross victim in WWF history gets his revenge in kayfabe, they're honoring another double-cross victim with a HOF induction. Peace offering for a woman who was a big part of WWF/E history, but ultimately up there with Koko B. Ware in terms of importance of induction.
Bob Uecker
I wonder if they'll have a celebrity be inducted every year. Be that as it may, Uecker's speech should at least be amusing.
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