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- No pointless posting of smilies or one word posts. Only post if you are looking to debate or add something to the thread.
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All Hall of Fame bio's taken directly from http://www.wwe.com/superstars/halloffame/.

Name: Andre the Giant
Height: 7 foot 4
From: Grenoble, France
WWE Debut: 1973



He was the largest athlete the world had ever seen, and was professional wrestling’s most famous attraction throughout the 1970s and much of the 1980s. Standing 7’4” and weighing between 475 and 540 pounds over the course of his career, he truly earned his nickname of “The Eighth Wonder of the World”.
By the time he was 12, the boy stood 6’3” and weighed in at 200 pounds. This was due to the fact that he was born with acromegaly, a disorder that causes the bones to grow at an accelerated rate, and to continue to grow beyond the age of physical maturity.

Determined to use his abnormal size to his advantage, Andre entered the world of professional wrestling as a very young man. At the beginning of 1973, the 27-year-old Rousimoff came under the wing of Vincent K. McMahon and the World Wide Wrestling Federation. Though the company would change dramatically, Andre would remain with the McMahon family for the next 20 years.

In an era when the sport was very regionalized, Andre the Giant became one of the rare exceptions: a performer who was at the top of the card wherever he went, a major star who was known to fans in every territory. His crossover celebrity status was such that he appeared as a guest on the Tonite Show, and even had a cameo role on the Six-Million Dollar Man playing Bigfoot.

His rivalries with the likes of “Big Cat” Ernie Ladd, Don Leo Jonathan and Blackjack Mulligan are the stuff of legend. At the WWE’s 1976 Shea Stadium event, he engaged in a boxer vs. wrestler confrontation with Chuck Wepner, in which he hurled the “Bayonne Bleeder” out of the ring and into the third row. Four years later, he had his first encounter with Hogan when the WWE returned to Shea. One of the most memorable rivalries of the time was with Killer Khan, who broke Andre’s ankle in 1981, leading to the infamous “Mongolian Stretcher Match” between the two. Through it all, Andre maintained an incredible undefeated streak the likes of which has never been seen before or since.

By the mid ‘80s, his condition was beginning to take its toll on his body. He was slowing down and putting on more and more weight. Still, he remained an integral part of the WWE’s national expansion. He was victorious over Big John Studd in the Bodyslam Challenge at the first WrestleMania in 1985, and added to his record for most battle royals won by surviving just such a match the following year at WrestleMania 2.
His career took an alarming turn in 1987 when he turned on his long-time friend Hogan and hired Bobby “The Brain” Heenan as his manager. The result was his first-ever shot at the WWE Championship. With 93,173 fans in attendance, Andre clashed with Hogan at WrestleMania III in the biggest match of all time.

Andre did finally win the title from Hogan in a controversial match the following year, only to give it up moments later. He also held the World Tag Team Championship with Haku for a few months in 1990. But much more than those accomplishments, Andre will be remembered for the years he reigned supreme as the most famous Superstar wrestling had ever produced. He finally succumbed to his life-long illness in 1993, and shortly thereafter became the first inductee of the WWE Hall of Fame. Truly a fitting honor for the one and only Andre the Giant, the Eighth Wonder of the World.

Source: http://www.wwe.com/superstars/halloffame/a...egiant/profile/

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Name: Big John Studd
Height: 6 foot 10
Trained By: Killer Kowalski



When looking back on the goliaths of WWE, the name of John Minton, aka Big John Studd, is one that ranks with the likes of Andre the Giant, Gorilla Monsoon and Big Show. Standing 6 foot 10 and weighing in at 364 pounds, Studd was a mountain of a man who dominated WWE competition throughout the 1970s and ’80s. He first came to prominence in the early ’70s under the name Chuck O’Connor, but it was once he adopted his more famous ring name that he reached his greatest heights. He competed in numerous territories, including the NWA’s Carolinas region, where he held the Mid-Atlantic Tag Team Championship with a rookie Ric Flair.

In WWE, he was a serious threat to WWE Champion Bob Backlund and gave Hogan the first major challenge of his championship run. His feud with Andre over the title of “wrestling’s true giant” is among WWE’s most storied conflicts, and it culminated in the $15,000 Bodyslam Challenge match at the first WrestleMania. During the mid-1980s, he formed a regular tag team with fellow behemoth King Kong Bundy that is to this day the most gargantuan duo in WWE history. Studd made a brief comeback to WWE in 1989 that saw him win the first Royal Rumble ever broadcast on pay-per-view. In March 1995, after a 17-month struggle with Hodgkins’s disease, John Minton succumbed to liver cancer at the age of 46, robbing the sport of one of its true giants.

Source: http://www.wwe.com/superstars/halloffame/b...nstudd/profile/

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Name: Billy Graham
From: Paradise Valley, Arizona
Finishing Move: Bear Hug



“The man of the hour, the man with the power, too sweet to be sour!” That was how Superstar Billy Graham described himself, and who could argue? Graham was perhaps the single most influential performer of the past 30 years, and the mark of that influence can be found in Superstars ranging from Hogan to Scott Steiner. His outrageous ring attire and Muhammad Ali-style interviews were a breath of fresh air during an era when sports entertainment was much more bare-bones than it is today. Just as fans flocked to see the Superstar compete in the ring, so did they love to listen to him pontificate on the microphone, even if he was bad-mouthing the Superstars they held dear. With his equally colorful manager the Grand Wizard at his side, Graham toppled Bruno Sammartino from his WWE Championship perch for the last time on April 30, 1977. He went on to hold the prize for nearly 10 months, the longest reign for any ring villain in WWE history to this day.

Clad in tie-dye and feathered boas, the Superstar was a sign of things to come, and boasted a chiseled, muscular physique that was very unique at the time. During the late 1980s, he made a brief return to WWE competition, and even enjoyed stints as a manager and broadcaster.

Source: http://www.wwe.com/superstars/halloffame/s...graham/profile/

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Name: Bob Orton, Jr.
From: Kansas City, KS
Finishing Move: Superplex



“Cowboy” Bob Orton, Jr. wasn’t an active participant in the main event of the original WrestleMania. Orton was simply in the corner of “Rowdy” Roddy Piper and “Mr. Wonderful” Paul Orndorff. But no one played a bigger role in the match’s outcome than Orton. The second generation Superstar attempted to wallop Mr. T to help Piper and Orndorff get the win, but he missed and hit Orndorff instead, leading to Hollywood Hogan and Mr. T picking up the first main event win in WrestleMania history.

Orton, whose son Randy Orton is currently making a name for himself in WWE, turned the simple plaster cast into one of the most deadly foreign objects in WWE history. Orton, who injured his arm during the mid 1980s, was forced to wear a cast to help his arm heal. But unlike most people who have their cast removed after a period of a few months or so, Orton milked the injury and wore the cast for a few years! Orton convinced officials that the cast was needed to help his arm heal, and every chance he got, he used it as a weapon to lay out his opponents.

Orton is probably best known for his time as one of Piper’s closest allies. Not only did he stand in the corner of Piper at the first WrestleMania, he was also Hot Rod’s corner man for his boxing match against Mr. T at WrestleMania 2. But once Piper became a fan favorite, Orton just couldn’t bring himself to follow. Instead, he swore his allegiance to “Adorable” Adrian Adonis and traded in his classic style cowboy hat for a more flamboyant pink one.

Orton also formed an imposing tag team with Hall of Famer Don Muraco. The tandem actually opened WrestleMania III from the Pontiac Silverdome. The duo squared off against the Can-Am Connection and helped get the record-breaking crowd into a frenzy, even though they came up short in the match.

Ace, as he later came to be known, was also one of the first Superstars to utilize the ropes for his finishing maneuver. Although it’s used with a lot more frequency today, Orton was one of the first wrestlers to use the Superplex as his finishing maneuver. It was very uncommon to see the Superstars of Orton’s day go to the ropes to finish off an opponent, making the maneuver one of the most deadly of his day. With his son Randy now carrying the torch for the Orton family, he can only hope to achieve the same legendary status of his father, who now has a deserved spot in the WWE Hall of Fame.

Source: http://www.wwe.com/superstars/halloffame/bobortonjr/profile/

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Name: Bobby Heenan
From: Beverly Hills, CA



Some of the sport’s historians have called him the greatest manager of all time, and by all accounts, Bobby Heenan was a master of every aspect of his role. He could talk a blue streak on the mic like no one before or since, making himself a valuable mouthpiece for anyone he represented. His comedic talents were priceless. And when it came time to pay the piper for all his evil deeds, no one could take a beating like “The Brain.”

Over the years, his numerous protégés included a virtual “Who’s Who” of legends, including the likes of AWA Champion Nick Bockwinkel, the Blackjacks, Big John Studd, King Kong Bundy, “Ravishing” Rick Rude, “Mr. Perfect” Curt Hennig, Arn Anderson & Tully Blanchard, Harley Race, and of course, the first WWE Hall of Famer, Andre the Giant—whom Heenan led to the ring at WrestleMania III before 93,173 fans at the Pontiac Silverdome in 1987.

Just as indispensable as he was a manager, so was he also as an announcer. Glorifying himself as a “broadcast journalist,” Heenan formed a classic combination with Gorilla Monsoon, and the two are generally regarded as the Abbott & Costello of sports entertainment. He was part of the original broadcast team for Monday Night RAW in 1993, and is the only person to have sat in the broadcast booth for both RAW and Monday Nitro. In 2001, he made a triumphant return to WWE to call the action in WrestleMania X-Seven’s Gimmick Battle Royal alongside “Mean” Gene Okerlund.

Source: http://www.wwe.com/superstars/halloffame/b...heenan/profile/

Name: Captain Lou Albano



"Often imitated, never duplicated,” was the way Lou Albano described his wrestling career. Despite his penchant for outlandish claims, this boast was fairly accurate. The disheveled, bearded manager with rubber bands pierced through his face was one of a kind.

As a member of The Sicilians, with Tony Altimore, Albano became co-holder of WWE’s United States Tag Team Championship in 1967. But it was as a manager that he truly attained Superstar status, guiding Ivan Koloff to the WWE championship in 1971, and more than a dozen duos to the tag team gold – including the Valiant Brothers, Wild Samoans, Mr. Fuji and Masa Saito and British Bulldogs.

His greatest contribution to the sport of kings occurred when he met pop star Cyndi Lauper on an airplane, and she decided to include him in her seminal Girls Just Wanna Have Fun video. Soon, Lauper was appearing on WWE broadcasts with Albano, and became a lightning rod in what was dubbed “The Rock’n’Wrestling Connection.”

Source: http://www.wwe.com/superstars/halloffame/c...albano/profile/

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Name: Don Muraco
Height: 6 foot 3
From: Hawaii



The Magnificent Muraco is well remembered by anyone who followed WWE during the 1980s as one of the truly elite Superstars, as well as one of the most hated competitors the game has ever seen. His arrogant demeanor and total disregard for the rules drew him the instant disdain of fans far and wide, who greeted him with chants of “Beach Bum” as he did battle with their favorite heroes. Whether under the management of the late Grand Wizard, Capt. Lou Albano (both WWE Hall of Famers) or Mr. Fuji, Muraco was a force to be reckoned with. He was a two-time Intercontinental Champion, holding the title longer than nearly any other competitor, and his wars for that title with Pedro Morales are the stuff of legend. His 60-minute classics with WWE Champion Bob Backlund are among WWE’s most revered matchups, as is his famous 1983 steel-cage bout with Jimmy “Superfly” Snuka at MSG.

Later in his WWE career, Muraco finally won over the hearts of the masses, taking on Superstar Billy Graham as his manager and hearing the cheers of the crowd for the first time. The first WWE Superstar to be called “The Rock,” he took part in the WWE Championship tournament held at WrestleMania IV. In 1996, Muraco inducted his longtime rival Snuka into the WWE Hall of Fame.

Source: http://www.wwe.com/superstars/halloffame/donmuraco/profile/

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Name: Fabulous Moolah
From: Columbia, SC
Trained By: Mildred Burke



In the world of women’s wrestling, there will always be one irrefutable legend that stands head and shoulders above the rest: The Fabulous Moolah. She was the longest reigning champion in the history of her chosen sport, or any sport for that matter. With more than 50 years in the business to her credit, she has established a legacy that will never be forgotten, making her name synonymous with female wrestling.
Born Lillian Ellison, she was trained for the ring in the 1940s by then-Women’s Champion Mildred Burke, the sport’s biggest female star at the time. But her career actually began outside the ring, where she served as one of wrestling’s first female valets. Dubbed “Slave Girl Moolah” by promoter Jack Pfeffer, she was an alluring presence at ringside for competitors such as the gruesome Elephant Boy and the United States Champion, “Nature Boy” Buddy Rogers.

Her in-ring career began hitting its stride by the mid 1950s, when she began calling herself “The Fabulous Moolah”. In 1956, she defeated Judy Grable in a tournament final for the vacant Women’s Championship of the world. She would go on to hold the title for the next 28 years, a feat unprecedented in the annals of human achievement.

One of the greatest achievements of this period came in 1972, when she and Vincent J. McMahon successfully beat the ban against women’s wrestling at Madison Square Garden.

In July 1984, her 28-year reign was ended in Madison Square Garden by Wendi Richter, a young competitor managed by pop star Cyndi Lauper who was at the time the female equivalent of Hogan.

Moolah began phasing out her in-ring exploits, choosing instead to manage Hawaiin Superstar Leilani Kai. With Moolah’s guidance, Kai beat Richter for the Women’s title, setting up a match between the two at the first WrestleMania in 1985. Richter would regain the gold, and it would be Moolah herself, under a mask as the “Spider Lady”, who would finally take back the championship from Wendi not long after.
After trading the title back and forth with Australian grappler Velvet McIntyre, she returned from a tour down under with her gold intact. It would be while competing in Canada that Moolah was conclusively parted from her title once and for all, when she was beaten in 1987 by Sensational Sherri Martel. Following the loss, Moolah became less and less a part of the WWE scene, until she completely disappeared. It seemed that the queen of women’s wrestling had finally come to the end of her run.

Imagine the surprise of fans everywhere when in 1999, Moolah—by that time in her 70s—returned to WWE television, this time with long-time friend and fellow competitor Mae Young by her side. Then in October, at No Mercy ’99, the unthinkable happened: Moolah defeated reigning WWE Women’s Champion Ivory to win the title for the fourth time and become the oldest titleholder in the history of the sport.

She didn’t hold it long, but it was a testament to her amazing tenacity and ability that she was able to make such a miraculous comeback in the first place. She and Mae Young continue to be a part of the extended WWE family to this day.

Source: http://www.wwe.com/superstars/halloffame/f...moolah/profile/

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Name: Freddie Blassie
From: St, Louis, MO



In the world of sports entertainment there are heels … and then there is “Classy” Freddie Blassie. While the heels of today may experience the boo-birds, some name calling, and the occasional sign to mock him, none of them will ever experience the repercussions that Blassie experienced thanks to his heel status. While one would think that frequent death threats, 21 stab wounds, and an acid dousing by irate fans would encourage an individual to change vocations, for Blassie the experiences did not deter him from his passion – competing in the ring and gaining incredible attention for doing so.

In short, “Classy” Freddie Blassie was the heel. Often, he would bite his opponents and then spit out their blood for all of the fans to see. He would “file” his teeth during interviews. And there are even reports of fans suffering fatal heart attacks after seeing Blassie bloody an opponent in the ring.

Blassie developed his toughness from growing up in a working-class neighborhood in south St, Louis. While he was pushed towards all sorts of different careers, it was wrestling for which Blassie developed a passion and from the age of 17 on, Blassie was almost always in the ring. He worked on cards promoted by all three generations of McMahons – Jess, Vincent James, and Vincent Kennedy, the current Chairman of World Wrestling Entertainment – and was always considered one of the top heels in the company.

After Blassie’s in-ring career ended, he remained active with WWE as he became the successful manager of heels. “The Hollywood Fashion Plate,” Blassie was renowned for going to ringside dressed in the loudest of outfits and using his equally loud voice to mock others as “pencil neck geeks.” He managed the Iron Shiek to a victory over Bob Backlund for the WWE Championship in 1984 and managed several top tag teams as well.

Sadly, “Classy” Freddie Blassie died on June 2, 2003 at the age of 85, but not before leaving behind a legacy that will never be forgotten in World Wrestling Entertainment. His Autobiography, “Listen, You Pencil Neck Geeks” – released shortly before his death – was an instant best-seller, a tribute to a true legend of sports entertainment.

Source: http://www.wwe.com/superstars/halloffame/f...lassie/profile/

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Name: George Steele
Height: 6 foot 1



His very name still evokes terror, on one hand, and sympathy on the other. Of all the unusual people that have plied their trade in WWE, perhaps no one was stranger than George “The Animal” Steele. With his trademark green tongue, hairy torso and penchant for eating turnbuckles, Steele captured the spotlight without ever winning a major WWE title. There was never anyone like him before or since.

Steele first came to WWE in the late 1960s and was managed over the years by the Grand Wizard, “Classy” Freddie Blassie, Capt. Lou Albano, Mr. Fuji and even Johnny Valentine. He had classic rivalries with Bruno Sammartino, Gorilla Monsoon, Pedro Morales and Bob Backlund. In 1984, Steele re-hired Albano and ended his rulebreaking ways. His transformation was remarkable, as one of the most hated men in the sport became one of its most beloved figures.

His style was unique, to say the least. Like a true animal, he was virtually impossible to contain. At times, his various managers were able to control him, but for the most part, Steele did whatever he pleased. He clawed at opponents, bit them, and used just about every illegal maneuver ever concocted. His most devastating hold, however, was his vaunted Flying Hammerlock, which could separate an opponent’s shoulder in mere seconds. The looks of pain on his foes’ faces when he applied the hold remain among the most indelible impressions in the mat game’s history.

In a sport where speaking skills sometimes overshadow athletic ability, it’s a testament to Steele that he had such an impact without talking. This is not to say that he didn’t use his mouth, of course. When he wasn’t biting his opponents, he could often be seen eating turnbuckles, much to the amusement of the fans. His opponents would then be summarily tossed headfirst into the exposed steel bolt that secured the ropes to the ring post.

In 1986, just when many thought Steele’s career might be winding down, he once again rose to prominence. He developed a crush on Miss Elizabeth and feuded with her charge “Macho Man” Randy Savage, eventually costing him the Intercontinental Champion-ship in his classic bout with Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat at WrestleMania III.
“The Animal” had one last run in WWE during the “Attitude” era of the late 1990s, when he came out of retirement to be a part of the Oddities—a fitting return if ever there was one.

Since Steele left WWE, his legend has only grown. Today, there are few grapplers who have such an unorthodox persona, and Steele’s talents are appreciated more than ever. He remains one of the most recognizable men outside sports-entertainment, and he is the standard bearer for all the monsters who have ever set foot in a wrestling ring.

Source: http://www.wwe.com/superstars/halloffame/g...steele/profile/

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Name: Gorilla Monsoon
Height: 6 foot 5



Robert Marella entered the wrestling business in 1959, working for northeastern promoters Vincent J. McMahon and Joseph “Toots” Mondt. He debuted as Gorilla Monsoon, a “former Asiatic Champion” billed as hailing from Manchuria. With manager “Wild” Red Berry at his side to do all the talking, Monsoon was instantly one of the most hated heels in the country.

On November 14, 1963, Monsoon teamed with fellow rulebreaker Killer Kowalski to win the United States Tag Team Championship from Skull Murphy and Brute Bernard in Washington, DC. Then, on November 18, with his first professional title wrapped around his waist, Monsoon stepped into the ring with World Champion Bruno Sammartino at the old Madison Square Garden in a match that both men would later cite as the toughest of their careers. It went the full 90-minute time limit without a winner decided.

Monsoon and Kowalski lost their tag team title to the Tolos Brothers on December 28 in Teaneck, NJ. He regained the United States Tag Team Championship in April of 1965, this time teaming with “Cowboy” Bill Watts to defeat Gene Kiniski and Waldo Von Erich in DC. The duo dropped the title to the Miller Brothers three months later.

In 1969, Gorilla Monsoon was mercilessly attacked on television by the Sheik, a wrestler even more vicious and hated than he. Coming to his rescue was former arch-rival Sammartino; thus was Monsoon reborn as a “good guy”, a role he filled for the remainder of his career. The 1970s saw Monsoon go through a complete reversal; one of the most despised heels of the previous decade became one of the most beloved faces of the next one.

The most high-profile incident of his wrestling career occurred in 1976 when he was challenged by Heavyweight Boxing Champion Muhammad Ali. The challenge resulted in Monsoon hoisting the champ into an airplane spin and slamming him to the canvas.
In 1981, Monsoon officially retired. Vincent K. McMahon, who had bought the company from his father, put Monsoon behind the mic, making him the WWE’s top play-by-play man. He and Jesse “The Body” Ventura are considered by many to have been the greatest commentary team in the history of televised wrestling. Monsoon also formed a winning duo with Bobby “The Brain” Heenan, playing the exasperated straight man to great effect.

Gorilla Monsoon was named WWE President in 1995. In his role as President, Monsoon played a key role in many storylines. In 1997, he stepped down as president, and spent most of his time as a road agent and coordinator, working backstage at live events and keeping a low profile. His last public appearance was at WrestleMania XV in Philadelphia on March 28, 1999. On October 4, 1999, Robert Marella passed away at the age of 62.

For 40 years, he entertained audiences and dedicated himself to the business like few others. No one was ever a member of WWE for a longer period of time. Robert “Gorilla Monsoon” Marella will always be remembered as one of the great ones, and stands out as a true giant, both in size and reputation.

Source: http://www.wwe.com/superstars/halloffame/g...onsoon/profile/

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Name: Greg Valentine
Height: 6 foot
From: Seattle, WA
Finishing Move: Figure Four Leglock



One of the toughest, most rugged competitors ever to come down the pike, Greg Valentine more than carried on the tradition first established by his legendary father, the late Johnny Valentine. A top-ranked Superstar during the 1970s, ’80s and ’90s, his is a career that encompasses several different eras of the sport’s history.

In the NWA’s Mid-Atlantic territory, he was a frequent tag-team partner and World Tag Team Champion with Ric Flair, and held the United States Championship as well. In WWE, he captured the World Tag Team Championship in 1985 as part of the Dream Team with Brutus Beefcake, and defended that title at WrestleMania 2. Prior to that, Valentine enjoyed a lengthy reign in 1985 as Intercontinental Champion, defending that title against the late Junkyard Dog at the first WrestleMania and waging countless battles with fellow 2004 inductee Tito Santana. Valentine was a thorn in the side of WWE Champions Bob Backlund and Hogan, and later formed one-half of the Rhythm & Blues tag team with the one and only Honky Tonk Man. Valentine also spent time in WCW, where he held the U.S. Tag Team Championship with Terry Taylor and made frequent appearances on Monday Nitro. His hard-hitting style in the ring will never be forgotten by those who saw him, and along with Flair and Hall of Famer Buddy Rogers, he helped make the figure-four leglock a household word.

Source: http://www.wwe.com/superstars/halloffame/g...entine/profile/

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Name: Harley Race
Height: 6 foot 1
From: Kansas City



A seven-time holder of the NWA World Heavyweight Championship between 1973 and 1983, Harley Race set a record that stood until Ric Flair broke it in 1991. To this day, only a handful of individuals can claim to have won more World Championships than Harley Race. He earned those titles at the expense of such greats as Dory Funk Jr., Giant Baba, Terry Funk, Dusty Rhodes and Flair.

During the 1970s and early ’80s, Race was the NWA’s most dominant champion, representing the sport’s oldest World title with pride and defending it with his raw-boned and rugged mat style. His impact was so great that despite having its own World Champion, WWE chose to recognize his title status as well, and he was the first NWA World Champion to engage in title unification matchups against WWE Champions like Superstar Billy Graham and Bob Backlund. He finally joined WWE during the company’s national expansion, and was introduced to a new generation of sports-entertainment fans worldwide as “The King” Harley Race. Clad in regal robes and a crown, he faced the late Junkyard Dog in a memorable encounter at WrestleMania III, and was the one of the earliest King of the Ring winners, years before that event became an annual pay-per-view spectacular.

Source: http://www.wwe.com/superstars/halloffame/harleyrace/profile/

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Name: Hulk Hogan
Height: 6 foot 7
From: Venice Beach, CA
Finishing Move: Leg Drop



Hulk Hogan is arguably the most famous WWE Superstar of all time. World Wrestling Entertainment was never the same after Hogan replaced an injured Bob Backlund and defeated The Iron Sheik for the WWE Championship on January 23, 1984, at Madison Square Garden. A phenomenon was born.

The blonde and muscle-bound Hogan, sporting his trademark 24-inch pythons, urged youngsters to say their prayers and eat their vitamins. His historic championship run would last nearly four years, a reign nobody has even come close to matching in the last two decades. Hogan’s success brought unprecedented mainstream attention to wrestling, even landing Hogan in television and movie roles.

He took on all comers and soundly defeated the likes of Greg "The Hammer" Valentine, "Mr. Wonderful" Paul Orndorff and King Kong Bundy. Then at WrestleMania III, in front of a record-breaking crowd at the Pontiac Silverdome, Hogan met his toughest challenge to date. Hogan was forced to defend the WWE Championship against his former friend, the undefeated Andre the Giant. In one of the most memorable moments in professional wrestling history, Hogan lifted the mighty Giant in the air for a bodyslam before pinning the Hall of Famer for the win.

Hogan would eventually lose the championship to Andre the Giant in 1988 in a controversial match, but would regain it in April 1989 when he defeated another former friend, Randy "Macho Man" Savage. Between 1989 and 1993, Hogan, known for his powerful and often imitated leg drop, would hold the championship four more times.

Amazingly, Hogan headlined eight of the first nine WrestleManias, highlighted by his WrestleMania III victory over Andre the Giant at the Pontiac Silverdome before more than 90,000 fans. Hogan, who also had memorable rivalries with Ultimate Warrior, Undertaker and Sgt. Slaughter, also won the Royal Rumble in 1990 and 1991.
He left for WCW in 1994, where he shocked the world and helped form the New World Order with Scott Hall and Kevin Nash. Hogan won the WCW Championship six times between 1994 and 1999.

Hogan returned to WWE in January 2002, eventually facing The Rock at WrestleMania X8 in Toronto. Hogan returned to WWE donning the black and white colors of the nWo, but the fans demanded that he go back to his traditional colors of red and yellow, and Hogan was more than happy to oblige. During his final run, he also picked up his sixth WWE Championship and his first-ever World Tag Team Championship when he teamed up with Edge.

Before he left, Hogan bridged a generation gap by having notable rivalries with present-day Superstars like Chris Jericho, Triple H and The Rock.

Source: http://www.wwe.com/superstars/halloffame/hulkhogan/profile/

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Name: Ivan Putski
From: Krakow, Poland
Finishing Move: Polish Hammer



There have been many powerhouses who competed in the ring, but few were any stronger than the native of Krakow, Poland who was known as “The Polish Power.” Although he was relatively short by sports entertainment standards, Ivan Putski’s tremendous strength, power and quickness allowed him to go toe-to-toe with the sport’s best and usually come out on top. His longtime rivalries with some of the dirtiest grapplers in the game, including Bruiser Brody, Stan Hansen and Ivan Koloff, established him as one of the most popular grapplers of the 1970’s. More often than not, his opponents would challenge him to some type of strength competition, and usually, they would come out on the short end of the stick.

Putski fed off his fans, and whenever he was in trouble, their strength and spirit got him through hard times. Summoning “Polish Power” and finishing his opponents off with the Polish Hammer, a devastating two-handed punch to the chest, Putski had the uncanny ability to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. While his opponents often made fun of his Polish accent before a match started, they never made fun of him once the match concluded. Simply being in a headlock and having their craniums squeezed between his massive arms was enough to make even the worst loud-mouths shut their traps.
While primarily a singles star, Putski won his only WWE championship in the tag-team division, teaming up with Tito Santana to defeat the conniving Jerry & Johnny Valiant in October 1979. Putski and Santana held the titles for nearly six months before losing to the unpredictable Wild Samoans.

Perhaps what is most noteworthy about Putski’s career is the list of grapplers who he has victories over. Koloff, Ken Patera, Killer Khan and Blackjack Mulligan are just a few of the great names to fall victim to the Polish Hammer at one point. Putski did not receive many title shots during his career, but he did have epic battles with “Superstar” Billy Graham and nearly became WWE Champion on several occasions.

Like many top stars of the ‘70s, Putski was able to push back Father Time and remain a top hand into the early 80’s. As his wrestling career began to wind down, he spent more time competing in Strong Man competitions. There, Putski established himself as not only one of the strongest wrestlers in the world, but one of the strongest people, period. His ripped, muscular physique was revolutionary, and inspired many of the hard bodies in today’s WWE.

Ivan Putski was one of those rare individuals that could draw a crowd by simply smiling and being himself, and as a result will go down in history as one of the most beloved and greatest Superstars of all time.

Source: http://www.wwe.com/superstars/halloffame/ivanputski/profile/

Name: James Dudley



In the 1950s and ‘60s, when fans tuned into WWE’s weekly TV show, few realized the enormous role James Dudley was playing behind the scenes.
Dudley had started in the wrestling trade by working for current owner, Vince McMahon’s grandfather, Jess, before becoming a close confidant of Vince’s father, Vincent James McMahon – known as Vince, Sr. to his associates. When Vince, Sr. asked Dudley to manager the site of WWE’s broadcasts, the Turner Arena in Washington, DC, history was made. No other African-American had ever run a major arena in the United States.

In the nation’s capitol, Dudley became a psuedo-celebrity, exciting crowds when he ran out to the ring, waving a towel, before fellow Hall of Famer Bobo Brazil’s matches there.

Source: http://www.wwe.com/superstars/halloffame/j...dudley/profile/

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Name: Jesse Ventura
Height: 6 foot 2
From: Brooklyn Park, MN



Colorful and influential Superstar. Groundbreaking television commentator. Navy SEAL and Vietnam veteran. Governor of Minnesota. Jesse Ventura has been all these things during his amazing career. His election in 1998 was the political news story of the year, and from 1999 to 2002, he was one of the most-talked-about public figures in America. Prior to that, of course, “The Body” made his name punishing opponents on the mat and trash-talking on the mic.

As an in-ring competitor, he is remembered for his legendary tag team—the East-West Connection—with the late Adrian Adonis in the early 1980s, as well as his feuds with the likes of Tony Atlas, Ivan Putski and WWE Champion Bob Backlund. From 1985 to 1990, he was the most controversial announcer in WWE, calling it like he saw it on a weekly basis, no matter what political correctness might dictate. His broadcasts with Vince McMahon and the legendary Gorilla Monsoon are fondly remembered to this day. He first entered the political arena in 1990 when he was elected mayor of Brooklyn Park, Minn.

He would later use that experience to pull off the political upset of the decade, beating St. Paul mayor Norm Coleman and Hubert Humphrey III, son of the former U.S. Vice President. The remarkable charisma he displayed in the ring served him well during his years in office, and his gubernatorial term stands as a testament to the power the American votership can wield.

Source: http://www.wwe.com/superstars/halloffame/j...entura/profile/

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Name: Jimmy Hart
From: Memphis, TN



When it comes to wrestling managers, few can claim the success of Jimmy Hart. Known as “The Mouth of the South,” Hart arrived in WWE just prior to the first WrestleMania where he stood in the corners of Hall of Famer and Intercontinental Champion Greg "The Hammer" Valentine and King Kong Bundy.. At WrestleMania, not only was Hart in Valentine’s corner for his title defense against Hall of Famer Junkyard Dog, but he also seconded King Kong Bundy to the ring for his lightning quick match against S.D. Jones (nine seconds).

It wasn’t long before Superstars came knocking on Hart’s door, as he became known as a manager of champions. He also became known for his trademark megaphone that he brought to the ring to shout instructions to his Superstars. On more than one occasion that same megaphone was used as a foreign object to produce wins. In addition to leading Valentine to the Intercontinental Championship, Hart managed the Honky Tonk Man to the same title. With Hart in his corner, the Honky Tonk Man held the Intercontinental Championship for a record 15 months.

Additionally, Hart led tag teams like the Hart Foundation, the Nasty Boys and Money, Inc. to the World Tag Team Championship. He was even the manager of the Glamour Girls when they captured the Women’s Tag Team Championship.

When Hollywood Hogan signed with WCW, so did Jimmy Hart. The move proved to be a fruitful one for “The Mouth of the South,” as he soon managed Hogan all the way to the top of the company, winning the WCW Championship. Hart also worked hard behind the scenes for WCW. He was responsible for many of their Superstars’ entrance themes.

Source: http://www.wwe.com/superstars/halloffame/jimmyhart/profile/

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Name: Jimmy Snuka
From: Fiji Islands
WWE Debut: 1982



Few Superstars can be said to have single-handedly influenced the development of sports-entertainment, but Jimmy Snuka is one of them. His innovative high-flying style was the precursor to much of what fans see each week on RAW and SmackDown! from the likes of Jeff Hardy, Rob Van Dam and Rey Mysterio. He was the man who popularized maneuvers from the top rope, and was at one time the most popular competitor in the WWE.

He took to referring to himself as “Superfly”, in reference to his incredible aerial style of wrestling. Most notable of all was the leap off the top turnbuckle which he had perfected. Now a commonplace maneuver, back then it was truly unique, and led to countless wins for Snuka.

In 1982, he made his debut in the WWE under the management of Capt. Lou Albano. Instantly rocketing to the top of contention, he challenged WWE World Champion Bob Backlund in three consecutive main events at Madison Square Garden, culminating in a historic steel cage match on June 28, 1982, in which he leapt from the top of the 15-foot cage, only to miss his opponent and consequently lose the match.

Later in the year, the course of Snuka’s WWE career was altered when he discovered, thanks to the legendary Buddy Rogers (then working as a WWE announcer) that his manager Albano was ripping him off. Snuka fired Albano and hired Rogers as his new representation, winning the fans over in the process. He was the target of a bloody attack by Albano and his new charge Ray Stevens, which led to one of the early ‘80s’ most violent rivalries.

The following year, Snuka pursued Don Muraco’s Intercontinental Championship. Their war was highlighted by another MSG steel cage match. This time, Snuka hit with his leap off the top of the cage, but it was unfortunately after he had already lost the match. By this time, Snuka was hands down the most popular Superstar in the WWE.
Next came Rowdy Roddy Piper, who drew the ire of the Superfly by smashing a coconut on his head during a segment of Piper’s Pit in January 1984. After settling up with the Rowdy Scot, Snuka made an appearance at the first WrestleMania, where he was the corner man for Hogan & Mr. T in the main event.

Not long after, Snuka disappeared from the WWE scene, just as the company was going national. He missed out on much of the glory days of the ‘80s, but made a return to action in 1989 at WrestleMania V. He was no longer the Superfly of old, but still enjoyed a few more years in the spotlight, including a match with the rookie Undertaker in 1991 at WrestleMania VII. He appeared in his final WWE match to date at the 1996 Survivor Series, where he returned to the Garden to take to the air once again.

Source: http://www.wwe.com/superstars/halloffame/jimmysnuka/profile/

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Name: Junkyard Dog
Height: 6 foot 3
From: Charlotte, NC
Finishing Move: Powerslam (Thump)
WWE Debut: 1984



There may never have been a smoother or more successful transition from the gridiron to the ring than that of the late Sylvester Ritter. The near 300-pound ruffian was an All-American football standout from North Carolina's Fayetteville State University before trading in his helmet and shoulder pads for a pair of wrestling trunks and becoming the Junkyard Dog. Despite his massive frame, JYD was abnormally quick on his feet and extremely durable. He seemed impervious to pain. Throughout the early '80s, the Dog was the biggest star in the Mid-South Wrestling territory.

When he arrived in WWE in 1984, his popularity hit an all-time peak, rivaling only that of Hogan at the time. Although he never won a title in WWE, JYD was a consistent top contender and a force to be reckoned with. He challenged Intercontinental Champion and fellow 2004 WWE Hall of Fame inductee Greg “The Hammer” Valentine at the first WrestleMania. In late 1985, he defeated "Macho Man" Randy Savage in the finals of a King of the Ring-style tournament known as the Wrestling Classic. At WrestleMania III, he battled another fellow 2004 inductee, “The King” Harley Race.

Source: http://www.wwe.com/superstars/halloffame/j...arddog/profile/

Name: Nikolai Volkoff
Height: 6 foot 4
From: Moscow, Russia
Career Highlights: World Tag Team Championship



Nikolai Volkoff has certainly stood the test of time. Although Volkoff is probably best known as the evil Russian who teamed up with The Iron Sheik to become a World Tag Team Champion, he actually had his first match in 1968 against Bruno Sammartino.

Volkoff went on to become a major player in the early 1970s when WWE was still known as WWWF under the ownership of Vince McMahon, Sr. He began his tenure as a part of the team called the Mongols. The Mongols were guided by the legendary Captain Lou Albano, and they soon captured the WWWF Tag Team Championship. Volkoff then branched out into a singles career and went on to have a couple of memorable draws with Sammartino. Volkoff later went on to wrestle under a mask as a member of the Executioners, joining Hall of Famers Big John Studd and Killer Kowalski.

After a brief hiatus, he came back to WWE, and this time Vincent K. McMahon was in charge of the company. Shortly after his return, he was paired with The Iron Sheik to form one of the most-hated tag team duos in WWE history. It was during this time that Volkoff introduced what became one of his trademarks. He insisted that the audience rise to their feet out of respect as he would go on to deliver an ear-piercing rendition of the Soviet National Anthem. The duo went on to infuriate WWE fans when they defeated the U.S. Express, Barry Windham and Mike Rotundo, for the World Tag Team Championship at the first WrestleMania.

After a successful run as tag team champs, Volkoff once again went back to singles competition and engaged in a memorable rivalry with the American patriot Corporal Kirschner. The two Superstars had a series of great matches, including some of the first-ever Flag Matches, before they met at WrestleMania 2 to resolve their differences once and for all.
Volkoff and The Iron Sheik reunited for another brief run as a tag team, but soon after Volkoff joined forces with fellow Russian Boris Zhukov to form the Bolsheviks. The Bolsheviks were under the guidance of the Doctor of Style, Slick. Although the Bolsheviks never achieved tag team gold, Volkov continued to get under fans' skins by singing his Soviet National Anthem.

In 1990, Volkoff shocked fans everywhere and began supporting the United States. He formed a tag team with 'Hacksaw' Jim Duggan to take on Sgt. Slaughter, who was an Iraqi sympathizer at the time. Volkoff left WWE in the early 1990s, but came back one last time in 1995 as a part of 'Million Dollar Man' Ted DiBiase's Million Dollar Corporation.

Volkoff will go down in history as one of the greatest villains of all time. His singing of the Soviet National Anthem has paved the way for other foreign Superstars such as La Resistance who now sing their national anthem as well. Although Volkoff's actions can be imitated, they will never be duplicated.

Source:
http://www.wwe.com/superstars/halloffame/n...olkoff/profile/

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Name: Pat Patterson
From: Montreal, Quebec
WWE Debut: 1979



It was on a sultry September evening in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, that Pat Patterson became a WWE legend. He was already the WWE North American Champion, but he was hardly a household name yet in the northeast. On this September night, however, he emerged victorious after a grueling tournament to become WWE’s first Intercontinental Champion.
Of course, Patterson was a huge star and one of the most respected grapplers in the business long before he came to WWE. He first made a name for himself in the Pacific Northwest. He moved to the San Francisco area, where he dominated the tag team scene and won multiple championships with partners Rocky Johnson and Ray Stevens. Many consider Patterson & Stevens the greatest tag team ever.

Despite having accomplished so much, when he came to WWE, fans didn’t realize how good a wrestler he was. That quickly changed when he defeated Ted DiBiase to become the North American Champion. Then, when he won the tournament in Rio de Janeiro and laid claim to the brand-new Intercontinental Championship, his name was instantly placed among the sport’s immortals.

Patterson held the title for about eight months before he lost it to former Olympic strongman Ken Patera. Patterson was far from finished, however, as he became embroiled in a bitter rivalry with the most-hated grappler in the world at the time, Sgt. Slaughter. The Slaughter-Patterson Alley Fight at Madison Square Garden in April 1981 is considered one of the greatest, and certainly one of the bloodiest, matches in the sport’s history.

After he retired from full-time competition in WWE, Patterson made the transition to announcer, providing color commentary alongside Vince McMahon on WWE broadcasts. Patterson went on to become Vince’s right-hand man, playing a very important role in the transformation of WWE from a wrestling company into an international entertainment sensation.

Patterson reappeared on television in the late 1990s as one of Vince McMahon’s “stooges.” Along with fellow stooge Jerry Brisco, Patterson proved that he could still entertain the masses, and his appearances alongside his maniacal boss made for some of the funniest episodes in WWE history.
Patterson’s legacy will be felt as long as men lace up their boots and go toe-to-toe. In the ring, he was a master of both the physical and psychological aspects of the sport, while behind the scenes, he has had a hand in making and developing dozens of great Superstars and matches. In a business where respect is hard to come by, perhaps no one has ever been more respected that Pat Patterson.

Source: http://www.wwe.com/superstars/halloffame/p...terson/profile/

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Name: Paul Orndorff
From: Brandon, FL
Finishing Move: Piledriver



It is every wrestler’s dream to compete in a WrestleMania main event. Paul Orndorff is one of the few competitors that can say he has done so. At the first-ever WrestleMania, Mr. Wonderful teamed up with “Rowdy” Roddy Piper to take on Hollywood Hogan and Mr. T.

That match paved the way for some of the greatest main events in the history of sports-entertainment. But before all this, Orndorff honed his skills in smaller wrestling promotions in the mid-south, where he often found himself on the opposite side of the ring with such greats as Ted DiBiase, Junkyard Dog and Jake “The Snake” Roberts.

When WWE came calling, Orndorff jumped at the opportunity to compete on a national stage. Besides his monumental WrestleMania main event match, Orndorff is also remembered for one of the greatest steel cage matches in WWE history when he challenged Hollywood Hogan for the WWE Championship on Saturday Night’s Main Event. The match ended in controversial fashion when it appeared as though both Superstars’ feet touched the arena floor at the exact same time.

In the early 1990s, Mr. Wonderful began competing for WCW. It was here that Orndorff captured his first major championship when he defeated Erik Watts in a tournament final on March 2, 1993, to become Television Champion. Orndorff’s championship reigns did not stop here, though, as he was also a two-time WCW Tag Team Champion with Paul Roma in 1994.

When Orndorff’s in-ring days came to an end, the former master of the piledriver became a trainer for WCW’s Power Plant. As a trainer, Orndorff molded many of the top stars seen in wrestling rings across the country today, including Mark Jindrak, Stacy Keibler and Goldberg.

Source: http://www.wwe.com/superstars/halloffame/p...ndorff/profile/

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Name: Pedro Morales
From: Culebra Island, Puerto Rico



Hailing from Culebra Island, Puerto Rico, Pedro Morales was the first wrestler to win all three major WWE titles: the WWE Championship, the Intercontinental crown, and World Tag Team Championships. He began wrestling in 1959 and his glorious career spanned nearly three decades before he retired in the late 1980s.

Morales burst onto the national scene when he defeated Ivan Koloff in 1971 to win the WWE Championship. Although he had previously held a regional championship in Southern California, Morales did not capture worldwide attention until he won the WWE title.

Morales held the belt nearly three years. During that time, he drew huge crowds and was incredibly popular in New York City, which had a large and loyal Puerto Rican fan base. This does not mean that he did not travel. Morales took on all comers anywhere he could.

In the ring, his style could be described as workmanlike, that is, until he lost his temper. Then, all bets were off, and his opponents were in trouble. A tremendously powerful puncher, Morales was also well versed in the technical aspects of the game and utilized the Boston Crab better than anyone in the business. He prided himself on being in tremendous condition and often won his bouts after he wore out his opponents.

In 1972, the fiery Puerto Rican wrestled Bruno Sammartino at Shea Stadium in one of the all-time classics. After 76 minutes, the showdown was declared a draw. Eight years later, also at Shea, he teamed with Bob Backlund to defeat The Wild Samoans to win the World Tag Team Championship. Since Backlund was the WWE Champion and could only hold one title at the time, the two were forced to relinquish the belt.
Toward the end of 1981, Morales became embroiled in a bitter feud with Intercontinental Champion Ken Patera. On December 8, the two squared off and Pedro bested Patera for the title. With the victory, he became the first man to win all three major WWE championships. He lost the title six months later to the Magnificent Muraco, but avenged the loss in November 1981, before he lost to Muraco again a few months later.

Because Pedro Morales was a soft-spoken man who didn’t do outrageous things, he is sometimes overlooked when the names of the all-time greats are mentioned. And that is a shame, for Pedro Morales was everything a champion should be. He was loved by the public, respected by his peers, and always played within the rules. He fought all the top contenders of his time, and though only 235 pounds, proved that he could defeat anyone, no matter how large they might be.

Source: http://www.wwe.com/superstars/halloffame/p...orales/profile/

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Name: Roddy Piper
Height: 6 foot 2
From: Scotland
Finishing Move: Sleeperhold



“Rowdy” Roddy Piper is one of the most colorful personalities ever to hit World Wrestling Entertainment. The Hot Rod, as he came to be known, began his WWE career as one of the most-hated villains WWE fans have ever seen. Although Piper got his start in the NWA in the late 1970s, Piper rose to new heights when he battled with Hollywood Hogan in the 1980s. Piper became Hogan’s main rival, and the two engaged in some of the most-entertaining interview segments WWE has ever seen.

The two Superstars also had some classic battles in the ring. They had a memorable encounter at the War to Settle the Score on MTV, which set up their even more famous main event at the first-ever WrestleMania. Piper teamed up with “Mr. Wonderful” Paul Orndorff and had "Cowboy" Bob Orton in his corner, and their opponents were Hollywood Hogan and Mr. T. Piper’s team came up on the short end of the stick, but the match lived up to the hype and will go down as one of the marquee moments in WWE history.

Piper also hosted perhaps the most memorable interview segment in WWE history: Piper’s Pit. An unforgettable moment in Piper’s Pit history came when Hot Rod brutally attacked his guest, Jimmy Snuka, and laid him out with a coconut. This set off a brutal and bloody rivalry, which WWE fans still talk about today. Piper had another memorable contest at WrestleMania III, but this time he was adored by the fans. Hot Rod was set to meet the late “Adorable” Adrian Adonis at the Pontiac Silverdome, and in the weeks leading up to the match, he announced it would be his last time in the ring. Piper defeated the adorable one with a Sleeper Hold and shaved his nemesis’ head, earning him one of the biggest ovations in WWE history as the record-breaking crowd at the Silverdome erupted.

Piper went on to pursue a career in acting, but even the glitz and glamour of Hollywood couldn’t keep Hot Rod away from the squared circle. On Jan. 19, 1992, Piper defeated The Mountie for the Intercontinental Championship. This was Piper’s first-and-only taste of WWE gold in his career. His title reign wasn’t a lengthy one, but he couldn’t have lost it in more impressive fashion. He took on Bret “Hit Man” Hart in another classic match at WrestleMania VIII. Piper almost reverted back to his dastardly tactics, as he contemplated using the ring bell once the referee was knocked out, but the fans steered him in the right direction and he played by the rules. Hart ended up winning the match, but Piper was still a winner in the fans’ hearts.

After another brief hiatus, Piper came back as interim President of WWE in 1996. He went on that same year to face the bizarre Goldust in a Hollywood Backlot Brawl at WrestleMania XII. Piper beat Goldust from pillar to post as Hot Rod once again seemed to hold the crowd in the palm of his hand. It’s very rare that a Superstar can be versatile enough to be one of the most-hated Superstars in WWE history, as well as one of the most beloved. But Piper pulled it off, and he now has a spot in the WWE Hall of Fame.

Source: http://www.wwe.com/superstars/halloffame/roddypiper/profile/

Name: Sgt. Slaughter
From: Parris Island, SC
Finishing Move: Cobra Clutch
WWE Debut: 1980



With one of the most instantly recognizable monikers of any grappler in history, Sgt. Slaughter is truly one of a kind. A former U.S. Marine, he earned his famous ring name during the service. Once he began his professional career, he would certainly solidify that name, intimidating adversaries and fans alike in his trademark drill sergeant attire. He was a top contender to Bob Backlund’s WWE Championship, and faced Bruno Sammartino in the Italian legend’s final Madison Square Garden appearance prior to his 1981 retirement. He was an NWA United States Champion, as well as NWA World Tag Team Champion with Don Kernodle. Sarge experienced a popularity explosion that coincided with Hogan's in 1984. Along with Hogan and “Superfly” Jimmy Snuka, Slaughter was one of WWE’s most beloved Superstars of the mid-1980s.

After departing WWE, he became the celebrity spokesman for Hasbro’s "G.I. Joe" TV cartoon and toy line, and even appeared on screen as a "G.I. Joe" animated character, further cementing his position as an icon of popular culture. He returned to WWE in 1990, playing the controversial role of an Iraqi sympathizer. It was during this time that he captured the WWE Championship from the Ultimate Warrior at the 1991 Royal Rumble and headlined WrestleMania VII against Hogan. Following his retirement from full-time competition, he spent some time as WWE Commissioner, and then went on to become one of the company’s most trusted and respected road agents, a position he continues to hold to this day.

Source:
http://www.wwe.com/superstars/halloffame/s...ughter/profile/

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Name: The Iron Sheik
Height: 6 foot
From: Tehran, Iran
Finishing Move: Camel Clutch



The Iron Sheik became WWE Champion the day after Christmas in 1983 when he defeated Bob Backlund at Madison Square Garden. The victory was a controversial one, as Backlund's manager Arnold Skaaland threw in the towel, as Backlund refused to submit.

The Iron Sheik held the title for just under a month before losing the championship to Hollywood Hogan on January 23, 1984 in one of the most-famous matches of all time. Although The Iron Sheik lost, he was involved in the match that launched the career of Hollywood Hogan, which put professional wrestling in the mainstream light for the first time.

A former amateur wrestler in his native Iran, The Iron Sheik was a master of the suplex, although he was best known for his crippling Camel Clutch maneuver. After losing the WWE Championship, The Iron Sheik engaged in one of the most famous and nationalistic rivalries in wrestling history when he butted heads with Sgt. Slaughter. Slaughter beat The Iron Sheik in a famous Boot Camp Match at Madison Square Garden.

Soon after, The Iron Sheik moved to the tag team division and teamed with Nikolai Volkoff. The foreign pairing went on to win the World Tag Team Championship in 1985 at WrestleMania, defeating the U.S. Express.

The Iron Sheik left WWE in 1988, and popped up in WCW in 1989 for a brief period of time. He then reappeared in WWE in 1991 by the side of former enemy Sgt. Slaughter as Colonal Mustafa. After that brief stint, he reappeared again in 1997 as a manager of The Sultan. His last appearance was at WrestleMania X-Seven as The Iron Sheik returned for one night only, winning a Gimmick Battle Royal and re-igniting his rivalry with Slaughter in the process.

Source: http://www.wwe.com/superstars/halloffame/t...nsheik/profile/

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Name: Tito Santana
From: Tocula, Mexico
Finishing Move: Flying Forearm



Few Superstars have ever enjoyed the kind of lengthy tenure in WWE that Tito Santana did. From the late 1970s to the early 1990s, Santana was one of the company’s top competitors. No matter how times changed, he always found a way to keep himself in the mix. He first made his name by winning the World Tag Team Championship with Hall of Famer Ivan Putski in 1979, but that was just the beginning. During WWE’s mainstream renaissance in the mid-1980s, Santana was right there as one of the company’s most popular Intercontinental Champions ever. In January 1984, he ended the yearlong reign of Don Muraco, and even managed to regain the gold from Greg Valentine after being dethroned later in the year.

Santana and Hogan are the only individuals to have competed at each of the first nine WrestleManias, and his battles included wars with the likes of the Funk Brothers, the Hart Foundation, Demolition, “The Mountie” Jacques Rougeau and Shawn Michaels. In 1987, he and Rick Martel teamed up to form Strike Force and win the World Tag Team Championship. At the beginning of the 1990s, he would breathe new life into his career by adopting the persona of “El Matador,” entertaining a whole new generation of WWE fans. Whether it was WWE’s regional days in the Northeast, the “Rock ‘n’ Wrestling Era,” or the ’90s “New Generation,” Tito Santana was there.

Source: http://www.wwe.com/superstars/halloffame/t...antana/profile/

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Name: Valiant Bros.



Some consider the Valiant Brothers the premier tag team of the 1970s. With their bleached blond hair, rugged ring moves and over-all flamboyance, the Valiants were revolutionary, giving fans a taste of what sports-entertainment would look like in the future.

Handsome Jimmy and Luscious Johnny seemed unbeatable at times, holding the World Tag Team Championship for an entire year in 1974 and 1975. Despite the fact that the fans were always cheering their opponents like Tony Garea, Dean Ho and Chief Jay Strongbow, the Valiants generally left the ring snickering.

Later on, another Valiant brother, Gentleman Jerry, would be added into the mix. Jimmy would go on to become “the Boogy Woogy Man” in other promotions, while Johnny transformed himself into manager Johnny V and, later, a popular New York comedian.

Source:
http://www.wwe.com/superstars/halloffame/j...aliant/profile/

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Name: Vince McMahon



The father of current WWE head, Vince McMahon, learned the wrestling business from his own father, Jess McMahon, a wrestling and boxing promoter based in New York. Vince, Sr. played in Madison Square Garden as a child, accurately believing that, in some way, the building belonged to him.

In 1963 – after many successful years of presenting shows in the northeastern United States -- McMahon and his partner, Toots Mondt, broke away from a national confederation of wrestling promoters, and officially formed WWE. In the days of regional wrestling territories, WWE was the largest, stretching from Maine to Washington, DC.

In time, the organization gained so much respect that McMahon’s former rivals again coveted him as a business associate. Meanwhile, the distinguished business titan was schooling his son on the fine points of the industry. But when the elder McMahon sold his company to Vincent Kennedy McMahon and daughter-in-law, Linda McMahon, in 1982, both sports and entertainment were altered more than anyone ever imagined.

Source:
http://www.wwe.com/superstars/halloffame/v...cmahon/profile/

I think after the last five years or so in wrestling maybe The Rock deserves to be here.

My favourite all time legend is probably the likes of Shawn Michaels or maybe Owen Heart

I just saw the thread in your sig and how on earth can you miss out the heart brake kid? and austin? and mick foley/dudelove/cactus jack?

I plan on adding more wrestlers to the thread.
Ive only added a selection of Wrestlers from the Hall of Fame so far...

Name: Mick Foley


Height: 6 foot 2
Weight: 287 pounds
From: Long Island, New York
Finishing Move: Mandible Claw; Double Arm DDT
Career Highlights: WWE Champion; World Tag Team Champion; Hardcore Champion; WWE Commissioner; Co-General Manager of RAW
Current Events: The bestselling author is touring for his new novel, "Scooter," which is now available everywhere.



Mick Foley’s name is legend in the sports-entertainment industry. The story of how he became involved transcends the business. His inspiration came when he hitchhiked to Madison Square Garden and watched as Jimmy “Superfly” Snuka soar off the top of a 15-foot high steel cage onto Don Muraco. At that moment, Foley knew exactly what he wanted to do with his life. He compiled a video full of vignettes, including one where he flew off the roof of his home, crashing onto a bed of mattresses and cushions, all in the dream of how he would one day become WWE Champion.

After training with former WWE star and Tag Team Champion Dominic DeNucci, Foley began to compete using the name Cactus Jack in various regions of the United States, before making his way to Japan. Returning to the United States, he joined with WCW, and then after a few years, aligned himself with Extreme Championship Wrestling, where Foley’s name would become recognized as a cult icon. Performing in front of smaller crowds, Foley put his body and soul to the limits. Many of Foley’s actions resulted in severe bruises and broken bones, but his legacy for never quitting, continuing to press toward his dream of becoming a WWE Superstar.

In 1996, he finally made it. Mick Foley was now with World Wrestling Entertainment. His performances in various matches are remembered by all who saw them either live or on television. Who can forget the unbelievable sight of Foley being thrown off the top of a cell and crash through an announcing table in a Hell in the Cell Match at the 1998 King of the Ring pay-per-view event. Later on, he formed The Rock N Sock Connection, one of the most popular tag teams in WWE history with The Rock. They went on to win the World Tag Team Championship three times. Individually, he captured the WWE Championship three times, once in ’98, and twice in ’99. His stamina to perform day after day garnered the attention and loyalty of millions of fans worldwide.



News just in eddie guerrero has died.

RIP

(sorry for the double post but it will make more of a impact)

Good choice.

I've read a few of the books he's wrote, he is actually an extremely smart person.

Name: Eddie Guerrero
Height: 5 foot 8
Weight: 220 pounds
From: El Paso, Texas
Finishing Move: Frog Splash; Lasso from El Paso
Career Highlights: WWE World Heavyweight Title (defeated Brock Lesnar at No Way Out on February 15, 2004); WWE Tag Team Titles (3 times); WWE Intercontinental title (2 times); WWE United States Title (defeated Chris Benoit in tournament final at Vengeance 2003); WWE European Title (2 times); WCW United States Title, WCW Cruiserweight Title, ECW Television Title (2 times)


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Eddie Guerrero was born into Mexico’s first family of professional wrestling in 1967. The son of the legendary Gory Guerrero, it was only natural that Eddie, along with his three older brothers, would pursue a career in sports-entertainment. With wrestling flowing through his veins, Eddie began his in-ring training at a very young age. In fact, Guerrero had mastered the dropkick by his third birthday.



Eddie moved from his family’s backyard ring to the professional circuit in 1987 when he debuted as “Mascara Magica” or “Magic Mask” in Mexico. After teaming with his brothers, Guerrero broke out on his own, crafting his skills in the lucha libre world. Eddie then moved on to Japan, wrestling as Black Tiger. It was there that Guerrero first met good friend Chris Benoit.



After moving back to Mexico full time, Eddie began teaming with El Hijo del Santo, who was the son of Gory Guerrero’s long-time associate El Santo. Eddie and Santo eventually broke up, with Eddie forming a duo with Art Barr. The pair would feud with Santo in one of the most heated rivalries in lucha libre history, which culminated in Guerrero and Barr losing a hair vs. mask match to Santo and Octagon in November 1994.



Eddie then moved on to ECW, where he gained his first full exposure in the United States. Not long after his ECW debut, Guerrero defeated 2 Cold Scorpio for the ECW Television Championship, a title he held twice before moving to WCW. Guerrero's ECW stay will always be remembered for the amazing match he had with Dean Malenko before leaving the promotion. After the match, which many consider to be one of the greatest ECW matches ever, the crowd showed their appreciation for Guerrero by giving him a standing ovation.



Guerrero spent four years competing in WCW. While there, he was a part of numerous memorable rivalries with the likes of Booker T, Rey Mysterio, Dean Malenko, Ric Flair and nephew Chavo.



On Dec. 29, 1996, Guerrero defeated Diamond Dallas Page in the finals of a tournament to crown a new United States Champion. He also went on to capture the Cruiserweight Championship on two separate occasions before leaving WCW.



On Jan. 31, 2000, four new faces showed up on Monday Night RAW and shocked the sports-entertainment world. They were former WCW wrestlers Benoit, Malenko, Perry Saturn and Eddie Guerrero – The Radicalz. The faction immediately got involved in a match between the New Age Outlaws and Al Snow & Steve Blackman, marking the beginning of Guerrero’s amazing WWE career.



Over the next five years, Eddie Guerrero overcame many obstacles to reach the top. In his first WWE match against the Outlaws, Eddie suffered a dislocated elbow, but returned to action in a short time. On April 3, 2000, he claimed his first piece of WWE gold, defeating Chris Jericho to win the European Championship. He would go on to win that championship one more time in 2001.



After The Radicalz went their separate ways, Eddie began a relationship with his “Mamacita,” Chyna. In fact, it was Chyna that Eddie defeated in September 2000 to claim the Intercontinental Championship. After their split, Eddie’s demons got the best of him. He subsequently took time off from the ring in 2001 to deal with his personal issues.



Upon his return in 2002, Eddie’s career skyrocketed to new heights. He won the Intercontinental Championship again in May 2002, this time from Rob Van Dam. Eventually, Eddie moved to SmackDown where he teamed with nephew Chavo to capture the WWE Tag Team Championship. He would win that championship three more times, as well as the United States Championship, but his greatest moment came in February 2004.

On Feb. 15, 2004 in San Francisco, Guerrero defeated Brock Lesnar at No Way Out to become WWE Champion. He had reached the pinnacle of the industry, and went on to headline WrestleMania XX against Kurt Angle. No one will ever forget the scene at the end of the show, when Eddie joined long-time friend Benoit in the ring to celebrate moments after Benoit won the World Heavyweight Championship.



Eddie later formed an alliance with another old friend, Rey Mysterio, and the duo would win the WWE Tag Team Championship in early 2005. This was Eddie’s final run as a champion, as the duo split up after WrestleMania 21 and began a bitter rivalry, highlighted by numerous breath-taking matches.



At No Mercy on Oct. 9, 2005, Eddie’s 38th birthday, Eddie squared off against a new amigo, Batista. He was unable to win the World Heavyweight Championship from the Animal, but their friendship was cemented when Batista led the crowd in singing Happy Birthday to Latino Heat afterwards. A little more than one month later, Guerrero competed in his final televised match on the Nov. 11 edition of Friday Night SmackDown where he defeated Mr. Kennedy.
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Did anybody see the Eddie montage they had on Raw? the song was Johnny Cash's version of "hurt" in case you were wondering, a powerful powerful song.

And totally off topic but I read that Mick Foley had the most votes for Time Magazines person of the year in 1998 but then they took him out of the contest, what assholes dont you think?

Eddie Gierrero RAW tribute video

http://www2.uploadsend.com/d.php?file=true&filepath=2072

Eddie vs Lesnar (Championship match)

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=30XMUV47

I feel very sad for WWE. even though i don watch it - i always thought he added sumthing special to the show

My favourite wrestler of all time.....(well tied with Austin andUltimate Warrior)

Bret The HitMan Hart





Bret Hart biography

Bret "Hitman" Hart is one of the greatest pro wrestlers of all time. Bret Hart had it all, and was the foundation of the WWF for many years. Bret is a true legend of pro wrestling, and will be remembered as one of the greatest legends ever.

- Bret Hart began his career in Stu Hart's Calgary Stampede promotion.
- In 1978, Hart and brother Smith captured the WWC (World Wrestling Council) Caribbean Tag Team title from the Castillo brothers.
- From December 1978 to 1980, Hart and brother Keith won four Stampede International Tag Team titles.
- Hart captured two Stampede British Commonwealth Mid-Heavyweight titles; one in 1978, and the other in 1979.
- Between 1980 and 1983, Hart won six Stampede North American titles.
- In 1984, Hart entered the WWF.
- Hart eventually was teamed with his brother-in-law, Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart in the Hart Foundation. "The Mouth of the South" Jimmy Hart became their manager.
- On January 26, 1987, Hart captured the WWF World Tag Team title with Neidhart from the British Bulldogs. Heel referee, Danny Davis, allowed both members of the Hart Foundation to remain in the ring and even use Jimmy Hart's megaphone.
- At Wrestlemania IV, Hart and Neidhart ditched "The Mouth of the South" and became babyfaces.
- The Hart Foundation teamed with Hacksaw Jim Duggan to defeat Dino Bravo and The Rougeaus in a best-of-three-falls match at the 1989 Royal Rumble.
- Hart and Neidhart beat Greg Valentine and The Honky Tonk Man at Wrestlemania V in Atlantic, NJ.
- Hart and "The Anvil" made short work of The Bolsheviks at Wrestlemania VI, defeating them in a mere nineteen seconds.
- Later in 1990, the Hart Foundation recaptured the WWF Tag Team belts from Demolition at Summerslam '90 in Philadelphia, PA.
- On October 30, 1990, it appeared the Hart Foundation had dropped the Tag Team title to The Rockers (Marty Jannetty & Shawn Michaels), but since it was not acknowledged on television, the belts remained with the Hart Foundation.
- A short time later, Hart took on a singles career and began using the now infamous "sharpshooter."
- At Summerslam '91, Hart captured the WWF Intercontinental title from Mr. Perfect (Curt Henning) in New York, NY.
- "The Hitman" defeated "Rowdy" Roddy Piper for his second Intercontinental title at Wrestlemania VIII in Indianapolis, IN.
- On October 12, 1992, Hart defeated "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair for the WWF title.
- Hart beat Michaels at the 1992 Survivor Series by submission and defeated Razor Ramon (Scott Hall) with the "sharpshooter" at the 1993 Royal Rumble.
- Hart won the 1993 King of the Ring tournament.
- At the 1993 Survivor Series, Hart teamed with brothers Owen, Keith, and Bruce to defeat Michaels (replacing Jerry Lawler) and the Three Knights.
- At Wrestlemania X, Bret lost to Owen cleanly, but came back later to defeat Yokozuna for the WWF title.
- Hart defeated Owen in a steel cage match at Summerslam '94 in Chicago, IL.
- Hart battled Diesel (Kevin Nash) to a draw at the 1995 Royal Rumble.
- Hart beat Bob Backlund in a submission match at Wrestlemania XI with Backlund's own finisher, the "chickenwing."
- At the 1995 King of the Ring, Hart beat "The King" in a "Kiss-My-Foot" match.
- Hart won the WWF title for a third time by defeating Diesel at the 1995 Survivor Series.
- After a hiatus, Bret returned at the 1996 Survivor Series and beat "Stone Cold" Steve Austin.
- Michaels forfeited the title in February 1997, and Hart won the WWF title for a fourth time in the "Final Four" match on February 16, 1997.
- Hart beat a bloody Austin in a submission match at Wrestlemania XIII in Chicago, IL.
- Hart, with Brian Pillman, Neidhart, Owen and Davey Boy Smith to beat Austin, The Legion of Doom, Ken Shamrock and Goldust at the '97 Calgary Stampede.
- Hart regained the WWF title for a fifth time at Summerslam '97 in E. Rutherford, NJ by dethroning The Undertaker, with a little help from Michaels who served as the special guest referee.
- At the 1997 Survivor Series in Montreal, Hart was "screwed" out of the WWF title by Vince McMahon, who pulled off the famed double cross.
- Hart signed a lucrative contract with WCW.
- On July 20, 1998, Hart captured the WCW United States title in Salt Lake City, UT.
- Hart recaptured the U.S. title from Lex Luger on August 13, 1998 in Fargo, SD.
- On November 30, 1998, Hart defeated Diamond Dallas Page to win his third U.S. title.
- Hart faced Chris Benoit on October 4, 1999 at the Kemper Arena is Kansas City, MO. The "Nitro" match was dedicated to the memory of Owen Hart. Bret won with his sharpshooter.
- Hart handed Goldberg only his second defeat on October 25, 1999, and in the process captured his fourth U.S. title.
- Hart defeated Goldberg for the WCW title on November 21, 1999, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
- Hart fought Goldberg to a no contest at the 1999 Starrcade. In the match, Hart suffered a career threatening concussion.
- Hart, Scott Hall, Kevin Nash, and Jeff Jarrett re-formed the nWo the day after Starrcade '99.
- Following a lengthy absence from WCW television, Hart returned on the August 28, 2000 episode of "Nitro," and turned on Goldberg.
- On October 20, 2000, Hart received his termination notice from WCW.
- Hart announced his retirement from professional wrestling on October 26th.
- In October 2001, Hart embarked on a tour of Australia with such superstars as Jarrett, Lawler, and Buff Bagwell. Hart served as the commissioner for the tour.

Updates:

2003

For updates see: Brett Harts Sharpshooter column & BretHart.com

June 2002

In late-breaking news today it has been revealed that Bret Hart suffered a mild stroke following his bicycle accident. As we reported earlier today the wrestling legend landed on his head Monday near his Calgary home when he rode his (mountain) bike into a pothole. Hart, 44, was admitted to Foothills Hospital and is being treated in the hospital's intensive care unit. The stroke was caused by a damaged blood vessel in the back of the neck--a condition caused by what is termed 'rock 'n' roll neck,' the repeated whiplash motion of the head and neck. Hart will now undergo an arduous rehab program. Doctors are hopeful he'll be able to make a full recovery.

June 2002

- Bret Hart Suffers Stroke

Credit: Canadian Press

Calgary — Legendary Calgary wrestler Bret (The Hitman) Hart has suffered a mild stroke and was in stable condition in a Calgary hospital, his personal assistant said Thursday.

"He's making phenomenal progress," Marcy Engelstein told the Calgary Herald.

Wrestling historian and author Dave Meltzer reported on his Website that Mr. Hart's stroke resulted from a bicycle accident Monday.

Mr. Meltzer said Mr. Hart, who turns 45 on Wednesday, was riding on a city bike path when his bicycle hit a pothole. The wrestler flew over the handlebars and landed on the back of his head.

Ms. Engelstein said Mr. Hart called for help on his cellphone and an ambulance picked him up, taking him to an undisclosed Calgary hospital. After a battery of tests, he was told he had suffered a stroke on the right side of his brain.

"We'll never be absolutely sure whether the stroke caused the fall or the fall caused the stroke," Ms. Engelstein said. "Bret has maintained all along, and he remembers it clearly, that the pothole caused the fall."

Ms. Engelstein said doctors anticipate "a 100 per cent recovery," although that "may take a few months" and a lengthy hospital stay.

"Doctors have told the family that because he is in such good condition, it's helping him recover," she said.

Mr. Hart, a former world wrestling champion with both the World Wrestling Federation and Ted Turner's now defunct World Championship Wrestling, was forced to retire in 2000 after he suffered a concussion during a match with the wrestler Goldberg.

Mr. Hart was warned that he could suffer a stroke if he took another blow to the head.

When contacted Thursday evening, Bret's father, Stu Hart said: "He did have an accident while riding his bike and he's in the hospital."

Ms. Engelstein said Mr. Hart has limited control of the left side of his body and will require therapy to walk and to use his left arm.

The Hart family has seen more than its share of tragedy in recent years.

In May, Mr. Hart's brother-in-law, 39-year-old wrestler Davey Boy Smith died of a heart attack at a British Columbia resort, and last November Mr. Hart's 76-year-old mother died after complications with diabetes.

Mr. Hart's brother, Owen, plunged to his death on pay-per-view television while performing for the World Wrestling Federation in Kansas City, Mo. in May, 1999.

Another brother, Dean, died in 1990 of kidney failure. The family also lost a young member of their clan when Matthew Annis died in 1996 of flesh-eating disease.

Bret Hart calls Hulk Hogan a hero! The Warrior, formally known as The Ultimate Warrior, comments on this!

STARDOM HAS NEVER SPOILED GOOD OL' TERRY BOLLEA (June 2002)

"Hulk Hogan.
He hasn't changed a whole heck of a lot from the way he was the first time I met him back in 1979.

The first time I met Terry Bollea, we were both working for Georgia Championship Wrestling, which eventually evolved into the WCW.

Back then, he was known as Sterling Golden. He was very green. And very impressive. On the day I left Atlanta to come home, I knocked on his door to say goodbye and told him if he ever wanted to learn to wrestle, he was welcome to come up and work for my dad any time.

He thanked me and meant it, saying he'd keep it in mind.

The next time I saw him was in Japan. He'd just shot his cameo for Rocky III and was on the verge of mega-stardom that nobody could have even begun to imagine.

Still, the same guy.

When I started with the WWF, in August of '84, he was on his way to being the biggest name in the history of wrestling.

I can remember, even during the glory days of Hulkamania, how Terry would come into the dressing room and say 'hi' to every single wrestler. Every night he headlined, there was a sellout and, throughout the night, all the wrestlers would come up to him and thank them both for the house, for putting food on their tables and making wrestling something worth respecting.

Hulk Hogan was not only a hero to millions of Hulkamaniacs but to all the wrestlers, too.

If Vince McMahon was Julius Caesar, then Hulk Hogan was Alexander the Great".

Have you guy's ever heard of Draw's, well i really dont like the new wrestling but i love the only way from 1990 will 2002 i hate the new wrestling type i love Ecw & Wcw and wwf i love watchen the show's called Monday night War's or Main Event or Metal every Saturday and Thursday and Monday's, I loveed Watchen Ecw but i hate the new Wrestling, Stone Cold Was Great and the Rock and Dude love or Cactus Jack or Mankind lol Well and i love how the rival's between Vince Mcman and Stone Cold.

Just read that Bret 'The Hitman' Heart is going to be inducted into the WWE's Hall Of Fame on the day before WrestleMania 21.

Great news as he was the best ever IMO.

2006 Hall of Fame update

Bret "Hitman" Hart will be inducted by Stone Cold Steve Austin.

Eddie Guerrero will be inducted by Chris Benoit, Rey Mysterio, and Chavo Guerrero.

"Mean" Gene Okerlund will be inducted by Hulk Hogan.

"Sensational Sherri" (Sherri Martel) has been accounced as the latest inductee into the Hall of Fame.

Is this all the people that are being inducted into the HOF?

the Best there is the best there was and the best there ever will be , i read somewhere that he said if he were still wrestling the person he would like to face the most is Angle.

Could you imagine Hart and Angle in like a Iron man Match

Thats the list so far, more will be added to the list before the event for sure. I'll keep this thread updated.

Seeing Bret Hart wrestle again would make my day i tell ya.

Update
Verne Gagne will be inducted into the 2006 WWE Hall of Fame on April 1, by his son Greg Gagne.

Interesting considering that he was the former owner/promoter of the old AWA

Although Sensational Sherri has already been announced as one of the inductee's this year....its now been announced that she will be inducted by "The Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase.

If memory serves me right she used to be the manager for him back in the late 80's early 90's

I only remember her being manager of Shawn Michaels, but yeah, she did manage DiBiase in the late 80's early 90's, as you said.

i guess that makes me old then, as i remember her being Brutus 'The Barber' Beefcake's manager as well for a short time

Update

William "The Refrigerator" Perry will be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame on April 1, 2006.

Tony Atlas will be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame on April 1, 2006.

Bobby "The Brain" Heenan will induct The Blackjacks into the WWE Hall of Fame on April 1, 2006.

I don't follow wrestling half as much as I used to nowdays. IMO the WWE has decreased greatly in terms of quality, it's still very entertaining but not half as good as say the 'Attitude Era' imo.

Among wrestling fans this is a very controversial topic. Going into Survivor Series 97 Bret Hart was the reigning WWF Champion and was set to face Shawn Michaels in a championship match. Hart, who had been told by WWE owner Vince McMahon that he was not in his long term plans, had a greed a contract to move to WCW. Hart and Michales ahd personal problems and so the Hitman stated he woul not lose the strap to Michales, he insisted that the match be ended in disqualifcication and that he vacate the title on the following RAW. McMahon agreed to this and so Hart was meant to retai the title until RAW. However McMahon beleived Hart would appear on a WCW show with the title, thus pullig in exuberant ratings for WCW, even though this was technically impossible seeing as Hart's contract would end a few weeks after Survivor Series.

During the match Shawn Michales applied the Sharpshooter, Bret Hart's signature finisher. A few seconds later and McMahon ordered Earl Hebner (the match's referee) to call for the end of the match and thus awarding Shawn Michales with the WWF Championship. This was not a storyline and this was not Kayfabe, Hart had been screwed by McMahon in real life, citing that it was good for the company.

Now morally this was wrong imo. I know professional wrestling is scripted (for the most part) but the wrestlers still have to work their asses off to win the gold and do feel proudd at this achievment. Hart was not only screwed but also lied to. However I also believe this move was good for the business, not for the shit reason that McMahon gave but for another, one that I shall explain now.

The WWE's most succesful period came during the mid 1990's till the early 2000's. Ifeel this move kickstarted the Attitude era as it gave the WWE it's first real external (non wrestiling) heel, someone who could be hated by everyone. Up until then McMahon had been a crappy commentator (in kayfabe anyway not behind the scenes) but suddenly he became a huge hate figure, and one that allowed anyone who opposed him to have a huge push as a face. Stone Cold Steve Austin for example is well remembered for his feuds with Vince McMahon while facing and I believe not half this heel heat would have come McMahon's way had he not taken part in the 'Montreal Screwjob'. So in closing I feel the Screwjob was good for the WWE in the long run, however I cannot condone it as morally it was nothing short of wrong. Just my opinion on the matter and I'd love to hear other's.

Oh yea, in case you don't know, Kurt Angle has been released from WWE. The reasoning was to rest his much injured body, solve his pain killer addiction and sort out his marrige/impending divorce. The rest is much needed imo and we should be seeing Kurt back in around 4 - 12 months (big time scale I know) with a reduced shedule.

Mataay, when were those people inducted?, because I saw Wrestlemania 21 and they didn't induct those, maybe Wrestlemania 22?.
Also I think it's about time they inducted Razor Ramon, Undertaker, Kevin Nash, The Rock, Stone Cold, Shawn Michaels, Triple H. All these people took the WWE to a new level because of their excellent feats.

They'll more than likely induct those later on, when a few years have gone by after their careers have finished. Hart waited 6 years to be inducted so assume it'll something similar to that timescale. Keep in mind Undertaker, Austi, Michaels and Triple H are still with the compnay while Nash is still wrestling with TNA (though his contract expires sonn. ) Also regarding Razor Ramos (btw have you noticed how Carlito is a carbon copy of him?) I don't think WWE watns anything to do with him for the time being, what with all his troubles such as alcoholism and shit.

They dont induct them at Wrestlemania, the Hall of Fame induction ceremony is held the night before Wrestlemania. They usually show clips of it at Wrestlemania, and usually have the new inductee's come to the ring or whatever, but yeah, the show is the night before (usually televised too).

I cant believe i forgot to reply to this topic

Anyway, the Montreal Screwjob is a landmark in wrestling, and no doubt one of the most controversial moments in sports entertainment history. I remember watching it live. I was only 10/11 at the time, and i didnt realise what happened at all. It was only a few years ago i heard about what really happened, and i honestly had no idea.

Two of the greatest wrestlers in WWF history, in a match for the WWF title....its what you want to see. As for the screwjob, it was described as 'good for the company', which i agree 100% with. As you said, this kickstarted the attidude era, and the heel character of 'Mr.McMahon', who was a huge success as a heel, in his feuds with Stone Cold for example. I agree that the 'attitude' era was when the WWF was at its all time high, and the storylines kept everyone entertained. The groups that were around were top quality too. D-Generation X, the Nation, DOA, the Ministry, the Union, etc... made it excellent viewing entertainment. The tag teams were also far superior to what they're like these days. Matches such as TLC between the Hardyz, Edge and Christian, and the Dudleys, just kicked it all off, and brought a new feel to wrestling, bringing the hardcore/high flying matches in.

They still dont know for sure who knew about the screwjob, but they thi