HeadLocker–Jay Shannon
Hall of Fame: 2008
The J-Train stops at all the most interesting destinations. In this edition of HeadLocker, Jay makes his suggestions for the 2008 WWE Hall of Fame
Well, it’s been a long time since I’ve shared my thoughts with all of you. I wanted my first column after the extended break to be a fun one. Fun, but mind-taxing, as well. Over the next few weeks, Vinny Mac and the boys will start unveiling the Class of 2008, as it relates to the Hall of Fame. I’ve gone through my various classic and current DVDs and scoped out who I would choose to put in the Hall of Fame .
Bob Backlund
This is a landmark year for Backlund. 35 years ago (1973), Bob debuted as a pro wrestler in the old AWA. 30 years ago (1978), Backlund took the WWF title from “Superstar” Billy Graham. 25 years ago (1983), Backlund dropped the belt to the Iron Sheik. That final anniversary was the most significant to wrestling history. If Bob’s manager, Arnold Skaaland, had not thrown in the towel, Iron Sheik would likely have not faced Hulk Hogan in January of 1984. Hulkamania might have never come about. Backlund, in many people’s opinion, deserves at least some credit (or blame) for the creation of Hulkamania. Backlund took the WWF torch from Bruno Sammartino back in 1978. He passed it to Hogan in ‘84.
Backlund was also a key player in the Hart brothers feud of 1994. It was during a match against Bret Hart on November 23, 1994 that Backlund came full circle. He took the WWF title from Hart when Hart’s mother, Helen, in a managerial role, threw in the towel. That title reign would only last 3 days, as Diesel (Kevin Nash) took the title from Backlund in a mere 8 seconds. That was, at the time, the fastest title match in history and still ranks as one of the shortest matches ever in the WWE/WWF.
Many believe that, like Bruno Sammartino, Backlund will never gain admission into the Hall of Fame. Backlund’s appearance at the Raw 15th Anniversary has brought about speculation that Backlund might have a chance of admission. I hope he gets in, he deserves a spot.
Who would induct him? Well, I would say that one of three people should induct Backlund. Since Backlund passed the torch to Hulk Hogan, Hogan could bring Bob into the fold. However, I would have other plans for the Hulkster, that night. The Iron Sheik would be a great person to induct Backlund, but I’m not sure if he’s physically or mentally up to a long speech. My choice for the person to induct Bob Backlund would be a man that Backlund had many brutal battles with…Sgt. Slaughter. Slaughter came within an inch of taking the title off Backlund on several occasions.
Bruiser Brody
Brody is my all-time favorite wrestler. I was fortunate enough to meet him as a child and I’ll always remember his kindness. Brody was the ultimate Journeyman Wrestler. With the release of the World Class DVD, Vince will likely wish to induct one or more World Class people. Since Brody’s action figure was released by Jakks, not too long ago, it would make perfect sense to include him. Brody also had a short-lived, but nasty feud with Bruno Sammartino, back in the day. It was also 20 years ago (July 17, 1988) that Brody was murdered in Puerto Rico. Brody was regarded as a legend in Japan, Puerto Rico, and just about every territory in the U.S. and Canada. It would be a travesty if Brody were passed over.
Who would induct him? I can think of a couple of people. If Vince would want to tie in to the whole World Class acquisition, then I’d bring in Kevin Von Erich. If not, then the obvious choice, to me, would be JBL. JBL’s brutal style is often compared to Brody’s and both had great success in the Dallas market.
Ted DiBiase
It’s a shame that Ted isn’t already in the Hall of Fame. Since Ted was in the main event of Wrestlemania IV, then it would make logical sense to induct him, this year. When Ted was released from WWE recently, it looked unlikely that he would get a chance at the Hall of Fame. Like Bob Backlund, Ted made an appearance at the Raw 15th Anniversary, so options are open.
The most likely candidate to induct Ted would be his former tag team partner, and long-time friend, Mike Rotundo aka IRS. Very few people know Ted as well as Mike.
Randy Savage
Some might say that Randy will never get into the Hall of Fame. Until recently, I was one of them. Comments by Hulk Hogan changed my mind. At the Raw 15th Anniversary, Hogan said “Never say Never, Brother” in a perfect Randy Savage imitation. Most people just blew off that remark, but I got to thinking. Like DiBiase, Randy headlined Wrestlemania IV. It was Randy’s first World title win. Randy was the cornerstone of the company in 1988. He actually passed by Hogan, in many ways. Hogan spent most of the year locked in feuds with Andre and Earthquake, while Randy defended the gold against all comers.
Randy’s bad attitude alienated him from a lot of people, including Hogan and Vince McMahon. The dismal failure of his rap career and his non-existent acting career may have served to mellow the mind-set of the “Macho Man”. Plus, the untimely death of Elizabeth really shook Randy up. Maybe, just maybe, he’s ready to mend fences. Going into the Hall of Fame would be a great first step.
There is only one man who should induct Randy…Hulk Hogan. They were the closest of partners and the most bitter of enemies. While Savage has held a grudge against Hogan for many years, I feel that he could restrain himself for just one night. If Bret Hart could accept induction, why not Randy? If a confrontation were to break out at the Hall of Fame ceremony, Vince could use it as a launching pad for a last-minute match at Wrestlemania XXIV. Talk about sky-rocketing buy rates
Miss Elizabeth
Like Randy, Elizabeth was a fixture in mid-80’s WWF wrestling. She was the measuring stick for all future valet/managers. There would be no Sunny, Woman, Alexandra York/Marlena, Torrie Wilson, etc… were it not for Elizabeth. She set the bar for generations to come.
While she wasn’t quite as active in matches, as someone like Sunny, she was always there. She not only managed Savage and Hogan, but Lex Luger, Ric Flair and the Four Horsemen.
While Hogan might be the perfect choice to induct Elizabeth, he will be busy with Savage. I’d give the honor to one of a couple of people. Sunny would be a great choice. She was the “next generation” of valet/managers. She could explain how her career was shaped by what she saw through Elizabeth. If they wanted to go with a manager, then I’d give the nod to Jimmy Hart. Both Hart and Elizabeth have managed Savage and Hogan. Jimmy could compare his style with hers.
Either way, Elizabeth should have a spot of honor, right between Hogan and Savage, in the Hall of Fame.
Jake “The Snake” Roberts
Jake was one of the biggest “heels” in the WWF during his initial run. He battled just about everyone in the company, from Hogan and Savage down to jobbers like Barry Horowitz and the Brooklyn Brawler. His feuds with Savage, Honky Tonk Man and Andre were the stuff of legend.
Jake also has the distinction of helping to create the one of the biggest catch phrases in wrestling history. During the 1996 King of the Ring, Jake was battling “Stone Cold” Steve Austin. Jake was in the middle of a comeback. His character was a man who had found religion and gotten his life back on track. In the finals of the tournament, Austin destroyed an already-injured Jake Roberts. Austin was speaking with Doc Hendrix (Michael Hayes) after his win and he began to taunt Roberts for his religious leanings. “You talk about your John 3:16. Well, Austin 3:16 says I just kicked you a**”. The rest is history. Jake helped to create the character that Austin grew into. For that, as well as his earlier work, Jake Roberts deserves a spot of honor.
Who should bring Jake in? There can only be one choice, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin. Austin owes Jake a lot for the creation of the character of “Stone Cold”. Austin also adopted a lot of the attitude that Jake had used a decade before.
The Road Warriors
It was 1983 and two beasts came to the ring dressed in leather. They were Hawk and Animal, The Road Warriors. Named after a Mel Gibson movie, Hawk and Animal were devastating. Within weeks of their debut, the Road Warriors would capture gold. Hawk and Animal were eventually stabled with Jake “The Snake” Roberts, The Spoiler and King Kong Bundy as the Legion of Doom. According to the Road Warriors DVD, Hawk came up with the name after watching cartoons on Saturday morning while waiting to do some interviews for the NWA programs. The name comes from the unification of the greatest super-villians in the DC comic universe. From time to time, Hawk and Animal would use the team name Legion of Doom, mostly while in the WWE.
The Road Warriors went through several changes over the years. When Hawk was unable to compete, due to his personal demons, he was replaced by Droz/Puke (Darren Drozdov). Paul Ellering, the long-time manager of the Road Warriors, left wrestling to pursue other options. He was replaced by Sunny. After the death of Hawk, Animal was tapped to reform the Road Warriors. The original choice was Barry Darsow (Smash/Repo Man). Darsow had been in the same training group as Hawk, Animal and Rick Rude. Instead, Heidenreich was selected. This was widely seen as a bad idea. The team didn’t last long, as Heidenreich was released by the WWE.
For close to 20 years, the Road Warriors were seen as the premier tag team. Many consider them the greatest team in wrestling history. They deserve their place in the Hall of Fame. I could see Animal, Droz and Paul Ellering being the three brought to the awards ceremony.
My choice to induct them would be a man who both battled the Road Warriors and shared championship gold with them. Dusty Rhodes was one of the creative forces that molded the Road Warriors into the dynamo that they were. He should escort them into their place of honor.
Ric Flair
There are very few true icons in this business. Only a select few reach the pinnacle. Hogan, Sammartino, Backlund, and (Verne) Gagne were considered four of the five biggest stars in wrestling history. The fifth spot is reserved for a man who should have been out of wrestling in 1975, due to a plane crash. “The Nature Boy” Ric Flair began his wrestling career in 1972 and quickly rose to the top of the sport. Ironically, it was Gagne who trained Flair in the Minnesota-based AWA. From the AWA, Ric moved on to the NWA, based out of the Mid-Atlantic territory. He would win gold repeatedly over the years in the NWA. In 1991, Flair jumped ship from the NWA to the WWF. This move caused one of the largest uproars from fans, ever. It also caused a rather large legal battle when Flair appeared on WWF programs brandishing the WCW title. After threats of legal action, the belt was video distorted to prevent it from being seen clearly. Flair eventually came to terms with WCW and returned the belt.
In his almost 35 years in the business, Flair has been involved in some of the greatest feuds and storylines of all time. He has battled just about every wrestler who has laced up a pair of boots in the last 35 years. Flair has been the key player in several stables: The Four Horsemen, Evolution, the Millionaire’s Club and the Magnificent Seven.
Flair has also worked diligently behind the scenes. He’s been a booker, an advisor, and a locker room leader. He is both loved and hated in this business, but respected by almost everyone. Since this is seen as Flair’s final year of active competition, it seems appropriate that he’d finish his career by being inducted into the Hall of Fame.
When it comes to inducting Flair, there are numerous names that come to mind. Batista, Arn Anderson, and Jim Ross would all love the opportunity to elevate Flair to the ultimate level. I really see only one person that should get the chance to celebrate the “Nature Boy”. That man is Triple H. Flair and Trip are close friends, both in front of the camera and backstage. They’ve gone up and down the road together. Triple H was actually somewhat created by Flair, back when Hunter was know as Jean Paul Levesque in WCW. The “blue blood”, snooty European gimmick that Hunter Hearst Helmsley first used in WWF was the same character that Flair helped him create in WCW. Many expect Flair to end up as a manager, likely to Triple H. It seems only right that Triple H should get the pleasure of introducing the newest member of the
In Conclusion
There are a number of people who deserve a place in the WWE Hall of Fame. The list is a who’s who of wrestling superstars: Ricky Steamboat, the British Bulldogs, Jim Neidhart, Honky Tonk Man, Mike Rotundo, Barry Windham, Arn Anderson, Tully Blanchard, and the list goes on and on. What I present here are my choices for those I deem most deserving, this year, of getting their place in the sun.
–”J-Train” Jay Shannon
Boxworld@sbcglobal.net
(1/19/08)
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