HeadLocker–Jay Shannon
The worst Hall of Fame Exclusions.
Our resident philosopher, Jay Shannon, looks at some top wrestling personalities that have been repeatedly snubbed by the WWE Hall of Fame.
Being honored is such a subjective thing. In college, I won a public speaking contest in the opinions of everyone who heard me, except the judges. My trophy ended up in someone else’s hands. I say this, not because I am bitter, but to illustrate a point. Every year, the WWE picks several people to induct into their Hall of Fame. These are men and women that the WWE feels deserve honoring. While I agree with their choices, most of the time, I do feel that they pass over some people that should have been included. In this special edition of HeadLocker, I want to highlight a few men and women that have been ignored by the Hall of Fame. I’ll give my reasoning behind the snubs and the likelihood that they will make it in, someday.
Bruno Sammartino
Bruno was the longest-reigning WWWF/WWF champion of all time. He fought dozens of men who are already in the Hall of Fame. Bruno was, in most fans’ opinion, the “Hulk Hogan” of his era. Then why isn’t he in the Hall of Fame? Because he refuses to go in.
The WWE and Bruno have some deep philosophical issues as it relates to the current product. The WWE did offer to induct Bruno, but he refused. Since he snubbed them, the WWE has continued this mini-war by not bringing his name up for consideration. Many fans have begged, for years, for the WWE to include Bruno, even if he won’t accept. VInce is just as stubborn as Bruno, so as long as Bruno is alive, he will likely continue to be passed over for induction.
Odds of Induction:
While alive: 500 to 1
After death: 2 to 1
Wendi Richter
She was the woman who finally ended the championship streak of the Fabulous Moolah after 28 years. Richter helped kick off the Rock and Wrestling Connection, due to her association with Cyndi Lauper. She was the most popular female in the WWF during the MTV Era.
Why isn’t she already in the Hall of Fame? Politics is the only answer that I could come up with. Richter left the WWF on very bad terms. She is barely mentioned when talk comes around to the women’s division. She is even more of a non-person in the WWE than Madusa Miceli/Alundra Blayze. Rumors run from one extreme to the other as to why she is so cast out of the world of wrestling. Some say she spurned advances from Vince McMahon (though that has never been proven). Other rumors claim that she refused to do several racy angles (including nudity and/or lesbianism). Regardless of the reason(s) for her rejection, Wendi will likely never be included in the Hall of Fame. Then again, remember Hulk Hogan’s words: “Never say never, brother.”
Odds of Induction: 1000 to 1
Randy “Macho Man” Savage
He was the number two man in the WWE during the Hulkamania era. He bounced back and forth between most loved and most hated, numerous times. He was involved in what many feel was the greatest Wrestlemania match of all time (Savage v Steamboat-IC Title match-WM III). He feuded with dozens of stars, including Hogan, Ultimate Warrior, Ted DiBiase, Sgt. Slaughter, Earthquake, Jake “The Snake” Roberts, Crush, Yokozuna, and the Undertaker.
The main reason that Savage hasn’t been placed in the Hall of Fame is his bad attitude. Savage has done public rants against Hogan, McMahon, and wrestling in general. He has burned every bridge possible. He is one of the only Legends-level stars not to have an action figure. Even his brother, Lanny Poffo, got an action figure. Vince McMahon personally pulled the plug on a Savage figure, according to various sources.
Hogan has pushed for Savage to be included in the Hall of Fame. Savage was a central player in several angles in major storylines in the mid 80 through the late 90s. He was the key player in both Wrestlemania IV and Wrestlemania V. He was also a supporting character in the nWo. It was believed that Hogan would get his wish in 2008 and be able to induct Savage into the Hall of Fame. It appears that the negotiations have fallen through. It may happen, eventually, but it’s not likely in the near future.
Odds of Induction: 250 to 1
“The Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase
He is one of the most respected men in the industry. He has been a tag team champion with IRS. He has been involved in some of the most high-profile feuds in wrestling history (Andre v Hogan, the nWo, etc…). He’s also the man who introduced both The Undertaker and “Ringmaster” Steve Austin to the WWE.
It boggles the mind as to why he’s been passed over for the Hall of Fame. DiBiase actually inducted Sherri Martel into the Hall of Fame, last year. (Shawn Michaels was set to induct her, but Bret Hart threatened to boycott the ceremony if Shawn showed up). DiBiase was released by the WWE, not too long ago, so it’s unlikely that he will be inducted in the near future. DiBiase should have been inducted, last year. It is a crime that DiBiase has been snubbed.
Hopefully, someone will finally correct this over-sight and induct one of the most deserving superstars in the industry.
Odds of Induction: 3 to 1
Bam Bam Bigelow
The WWE has had a habit of inducting stars who died recently into the Hall of Fame (Curt Hennig, Eddie Guerrero, etc…). Bigelow should have been considered for induction, this year. He was not. The circumstances regarding his death may have played a significant role in his being over-looked for induction.
Bam Bam was a former ECW stand-out. He was one of the original Triple Threat members in ECW. He was also involved in a memorable, if lousy, match against Lawrence Taylor at Wrestlemania XI. Bigelow was also a stand-out in WCW and World Class (as Crusher Yurkov). Bigelow also had bit parts in several films (most notable in Major Payne). Bam Bam will likely go into the Hall of Fame, but it will take a few years. The backlash of the steroids/Benoit/deaths scandals will likely delay a lot of inductions.
Odds of Induction: 5 to 1
Miss Elizabeth
The “First Lady of Wrestling” was one of the most recognizable figures in the history of wrestling. She managed Randy Savage and Hulk Hogan during her WWE run in the 1980s. After her divorce from Savage, Elizabeth disappeared for awhile.
She showed up in WCW with her new love, Lex Luger. She also managed the nWo, sort of. Her image hardened in WCW. She went from the “prom queen” to the wise vixenish businesswoman who could handle herself in tough situations.
Elizabeth’s exclusion from the Hall of Fame is likely based on two different situations. She is possibly catching some over-flow heat from the Savage situation. Also, Elizabeth’s death was related to an accidental drug overdose. Vince doesn’t dare to promote someone that the media might latch onto as the WWE showing overdoses in any kind of positive light. Obviously, Vince would never be foolish enough to even passingly give a positive nod to use of drugs. The latest round of Public Service Announcements from the WWE promote a drug-free lifestyle.
Once the media witchhunt of the WWE finally dies down, Miss Elizabeth will likely be inducted by either Hulk Hogan or Sunny.
Odds of Induction: 2 to 1
Bob Backlund
Bob was a multi-time WWE champion. He held the championship for the better part of six years, before losing to the Iron Sheik. Many feel that Backlund’s loss of the then-WWF title led to the creation of Hulkamania. Many also feel that had Backlund not lost the title, the expansion of the WWE might not have taken place when it did.
Backlund was also a key player in the Hart family feud in the 90s. He took the WWE title from Bret Hart in a contraversial match, when Bret’s mother, Helen, threw in the towel. Backlund then lost the title, a few days later, in one of the shortest title matches of all time (9 seconds v Kevin “Diesel” Nash).
Backlund’s recent association with TNA prevented him from consideration for the past couple of years. Many felt that since this was the 25th anniversary of Backlund’s loss of the WWE title, Bob would get inducted, this year. It doesn’t appear that it will happen. It is looking very likely than Bob will never go into the Hall of Fame. He is in the same boat as Bruno Sammartino.
Odds of Induction: 500 to 1
Ivan Koloff
Ivan shocked the entire wrestling world when he ended Bruno Sammartino’s record-breaking hold on the WWF title. Ivan didn’t hold the title very long, but he did move forward to being one of the top superstars in the 70s, 80s and 90s.
Ivan was 1/3 of the Russian tandem in WCW, along with “nephew” Nikita Koloff and fellow countryman, Krusher Khrushchev (Barry Darsow). Ivan feuded with every face in the country. He was brutal and unstoppable. Ivan is another star that should have been inducted many years ago. Again, it appears that politics have played a large part in his omission from the Hall of Fame. His association with Bruno may be playing a big part in his being over-looked. It is difficult to guess when, if ever, that Ivan will get the nod.
Odds of Induction: 500 to 1
Stan Hansen
He was and is one of the toughest fighters in all of wrestling. He is a certified legend in Japan and North America. Stan’s big claim to fame with the WWE is that he is the man who broke Bruno Sammartino’s neck with his Lariat finisher. That very fact may be what he caused his non-existence with the WWE.
Hansen has never been considered seriously for induction, though he is a member in good standing in just about every other wrestling Hall of Fame. He is a former AWA World Champion and NWA United States champion. He has held numerous regional titles all over the world.
It is a travesty that someone with the level of talent of a Stan Hansen should be ignored for a place of honor, just because of a vendetta against someone else. That is, most likely, the reason that Hansen has been ignored for so many years. He will likely remain just a footnote in the wrestling textbooks, as written by the WWE. He deserves a place of honor, but will likely never get it.
Odds of Inductions: 2000 to 1
Rick Martel
The former AWA champion was expected to go in with the same group as Nick Bockwinkel and Verne Gagne. He was left out of the group. No one knows why this former superstar has been constantly over-looked.
Rick Martel held the tag team title with two different partners (Tito Santana and Tony Garea). Both of his partners are in the Hall of Fame. Why isn’t Rick Martel? That is a question that I just couldn’t find a answer to. There were no reports of hard feelings between Rick and the hierarchy of the WWE. I couldn’t find any examples of bad behavior or scandal. Martel has just been simply passed over. Much like DiBiase, Martel has been insulted and denied. I hope someone will fix this situation in the near future.
Odds of Induction: 10 to 1
In Conclusion:
I was amazed at the number of stars that still haven’t received the honor of joining the Hall of Fame. Mike Rotunda, The British Bulldogs, Jim Neidhart, Ken Patera and Honky Tonk Man are just a few of those that have also been excluded from glory. The WWE Hall of Fame needs to clean house and get rid of the undeserving members, like Pete Rose, William Perry, Verne Gagne and James Dudley. Maybe then they will have room for some of the stars that should be there.
– Jay Shannon
JayofPWD@SBCGlobal.net
(3/7/08)
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