WWE Hall of Fame
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In professional wrestling, the WWE Hall of Fame (formerly WWF Hall of Fame) is an institution that honors selected former employees of World Wrestling Entertainment (formerly the World Wrestling Federation) and other influential figures in the wrestling business.
History
The Hall of Fame was created in 1993 with the induction of WWF alumnus André the Giant, who had died earlier that year. The Hall inducted additional members annually thereafter until 1996 with the 1994 and 1995 ceremonies held as part of the King of the Ring weekend, then went dormant until it was revived in 2004 to commemorate the company's twentieth WrestleMania event.
Since living inductees appear at a Hall of Fame acceptance event, induction is contingent upon the candidate being on good terms with WWE. As a result, several notable alumni have not been inducted, including Bruno Sammartino (the longest reigning WWF Champion, who, as recently as 2007, refuses to be inducted as he sees the Hall as a joke due to the inductions of Johnny Rodz (a jobber for most of his career despite later becoming a successful trainer), James Dudley (a promoter and manager) and non-wrestler Pete Rose). The Ultimate Warrior has declined to be inducted as well, claiming it would sully his reputation to accept. Bret Hart was long opposed to being inducted to the Hall, but after a thaw in the relations between him and the WWE due to a joint DVD project and other discussions, he accepted. The process by which inductees are selected is not transparent; the criteria for induction have never been disclosed. Although the Hall in theory honors those with important WWE careers, some inductees, such as Harley Race and Verne Gagne, achieved much of their success outside of WWE, though the companies where they did achieve their success are now largely part of the WWE.
As of 2007, Harley Race, "Big Cat" Ernie Ladd, Verne Gagne, Dusty Rhodes and Big John Studd are the only wrestlers to be inducted into both the WCW Hall of Fame and the WWE Hall of Fame.
Inductees
1993
- André the Giant was inducted. There was no ceremony, only a video package that was played on an episode of WWF Superstars in 1993 that announced his induction.
1994
June 9, 1994, Omni Inner Harbor International Hotel, Baltimore, Maryland
- Arnold Skaaland inducted by Bob Backlund
- Bobo Brazil inducted by Ernie Ladd
- "Nature Boy" Buddy Rogers inducted by Bret Hart
- Chief Jay Strongbow inducted by Tatanka
- "Classy" Freddie Blassie inducted by Shane McMahon
- Gorilla Monsoon inducted by Jim Ross
- James Dudley inducted by Vince McMahon
1995
June 24, 1995, Marriott Hotel, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Antonino Rocca inducted by Diesel
- "Big Cat" Ernie Ladd inducted by Bobo Brazil
- George "The Animal" Steele inducted by Doink The Clown
- Ivan Putski
- The Fabulous Moolah inducted by Alundra Blayze
- The Grand Wizard inducted by Sgt. Slaughter
- Pedro Morales inducted by Savio Vega
1996
November 16, 1996, Marriott Marquis, New York, New York
- "Baron" Mikel Scicluna
- "Captain" Lou Albano
- Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka inducted by Don Muraco
- The Valiant Brothers (Jimmy Valiant and Johnny Valiant) inducted by The British Bulldog and Owen Hart
- Johnny Rodz inducted by The Brooklyn Brawler
- Killer Kowalski inducted by Hunter Hearst Helmsley
- Pat Patterson inducted by Bret Hart
- Vincent J. McMahon inducted by Shane McMahon
2004
March 13, 2004, The Hilton, New York City, New York
- Big John Studd inducted by The Big Show, represented by his son John Minton, Jr.
- Bobby "The Brain" Heenan inducted by Blackjack Lanza
- Don Muraco inducted by Mick Foley
- Greg "The Hammer" Valentine inducted by Jimmy Hart
- Harley Race inducted by Ric Flair
- Jesse "The Body" Ventura inducted by his son Tyrell Janos
- Junkyard Dog inducted by Ernie Ladd, represented by his daughter LaToya Ritter
- Sgt. Slaughter inducted by Pat Patterson
- "Superstar" Billy Graham inducted by Triple H
- Tito Santana inducted by Shawn Michaels
- Pete Rose (celebrity inductee) inducted by Kane
2005
April 2, 2005, Universal Amphitheatre, Los Angeles, California
- Hulk Hogan inducted by Sylvester Stallone
- "Rowdy" Roddy Piper inducted by Ric Flair
- "Cowboy" Bob Orton inducted by Randy Orton
- "The Mouth of the South" Jimmy Hart inducted by Jerry Lawler
- "Mr. Wonderful" Paul Orndorff inducted by Bobby Heenan
- Nikolai Volkoff inducted by Jim Ross
- The Iron Sheik inducted by Sgt. Slaughter
2006
April 1, 2006, Rosemont Theatre, Rosemont, Illinois
- Bret "The Hitman" Hart inducted by Steve Austin
- Eddie Guerrero inducted by Rey Mysterio, Chavo Guerrero and Chris Benoit, represented by Vickie Guerrero
- "Mean" Gene Okerlund inducted by Hulk Hogan
- "Sensational" Sherri inducted by Ted DiBiase
- Verne Gagne inducted by Greg Gagne
- The Blackjacks (Blackjack Mulligan and Blackjack Lanza) inducted by Bobby "The Brain" Heenan
- "Mr. USA" Tony Atlas inducted by S.D. Jones
- William "The Refrigerator" Perry (celebrity inductee) inducted by John Cena
2007
March 31, 2007, Fox Theatre, Detroit, Michigan
Trivia
- Set pieces from the Slammy Awards from 1986, 1987, 1996, and 1997 are used as a part of the Hall of Fame awards show set.