Causion's Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame: 5th Class
Tomorrow is WWE Payback PPV, therefore it is time to unveil the next class of my Hall of Fame. Each month, the day before the monthly WWE PPV, we will reveal our inductees for the next class.
Be sure you have checked out Class 1, Class 2, Class 3, and Class 4.
This will continue until I have announced all the performers I feel are worthy. I chose not to do one class a year because a Hall of Fame should include all those who are really Hall of Fame worthy and those performers should not have to wait years if they are worthy now.
Just for a refresher, here is the criteria.
Criteria
Be sure you have checked out Class 1, Class 2, Class 3, and Class 4.
This will continue until I have announced all the performers I feel are worthy. I chose not to do one class a year because a Hall of Fame should include all those who are really Hall of Fame worthy and those performers should not have to wait years if they are worthy now.
Just for a refresher, here is the criteria.
Criteria
- No more than 10 U.S pro wrestlers will enter each class
- Must be at least 40 years old and not a current full time in ring performer
- Wrestlers must have been an attraction and drew money
- 1 Manager, 1 Promoters/Booker's and 2 foreign stars must be inducted
Causion Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame 2015
Gold Club Members
Gold Club Members
Pro Wrestlers
Gorgeous George - The superstar of network television. In 1949, Gorgeous George was the biggest television star in the country stemming from pro wrestling and his association with Bob Hope. Changed the face of pro wrestling around the world with the bleached blond hair, flamboyant robes, and semi-sissy ring style.
Pat Patterson - Started wrestling as a teenager in Montreal and developed into one of the best workers of the 60s and 70s. Tag team with Ray Stevens, which included runs as both NWA and AWA tag champions is generally considered among the all-time great teams. A major star everywhere he appeared. Vince McMahon's main booking assistant during the big run of the WWF as the first truly international wrestling promotion.
Kurt Angle – One of the greatest worker the business has ever seen. Transitioned from being a two time Olympic gold medalist in competition wresting, into being one of the greatest talent the sports entertainment/ pro wrestling business has ever seen in the ring and outside of it. Still is active and one of the best today but injuries continue to hamper is career.
Junkyard Dog - JYD was perhaps the most popular wrestler in the Mid South territory. JYD was abnormally quick on his feet for a big guy and extremely durable, often seeming impervious to pain, and he connected with the fans almost instantly. His rivalries with Ted DiBiase, The Fabulous Freebirds and Butch Reed -- among others -- were some of Mid-South's most legendary, and along the way he amassed numerous reigns as Mid-South North American Champion and Mid-South Tag Team Champion.
Jake "The Snake" Roberts - Known for his intense and cerebral promos, his dark charisma, his extensive use of psychology in his matches, and has been credited as inventor of the DDT.
Bruiser Brody - The classic brawler of his era. A major drawing card wherever he appeared in the United States and the most popular foreign wrestler in Japan when he was killed in 1988 after being stabbed in a Puerto Rico. He was 42.
Rey Mysterio, Jr. – One of the most unique and talented performers to ever be cross over from the Lucha Libre to American style of pro wrestling. Was a major part of the Cruiserweight revolution in WCW in the mid to late 1990’s. A huge star with children and the Mexican fan base in the WWE, and even won the world heavyweight championship there, in the land of the big man.
Tully Blanchard - Original member of the Four Horsemen group with Ric Flair, Arn and Ole Anderson. Had some memorable feuds with Dusty Rhodes, Magnum T.A., and Ricky Steamboat. Blanchard had a successful singles career, winning the United States Title as well as the World Television Championship. Had a classic battle with Magnum T.A. in a "I Quit" cage match at Starrcade '85. Teamed with Arn Anderson to win tag team titles in NWA, WCW, and WWF.
Wahoo McDaniel - Wahoo is often compared to Chief Jay Strongbow, who played a Native American wrestler at the time. Wahoo was respected by other wrestlers and football players for his toughness, physical style and his crazy antics outside of the ring. The respect as a legitimate athlete made it easy for him to go to different territories and be successful when many babyfaces had trouble doing so. McDaniel and Ric Flair had a legendary feud over the Mid-Atlantic Heavyweight Championship title throughout 1975 and 1976.
Chris Jericho – Wrestled all over the world before finding success in ECW and WCW. Became the first undisputed WWE champion when he defeated The Rock and Stone Cold Steve Austin on the same night. Jericho has won 30 championships between WWF/E, WCW, and ECW. Known for being one of the best all around performers in the business, from in ring ability and on the microphone.
Managers
JJ Dillion - Best known for being the strategic leader of the original Four Horsemen that consisted of Nature Boy Ric Flair, Tully Blanchard, Arn and Ole Anderson. He guided many wrestlers to singles and tag titles in the NWA. After leaving WCW in February 1989, Dillon served as a front office executive for the WWF until 1997.
Promoters
Paul Boesch - Former wrestler and promoter in Houston. One of the most well-liked and respected wrestling promoters in history. Longtime member of the National Wrestling Alliance, and was also a former professional wrestler.
Foreign Stars
Riki Choshu - Former Olympic wrestler who changed the face of Japanese pro wrestling with his 1982-83 feud with Tatsumi Fujinami. A charismatic wrestler who was a superstar in his heyday, and later arguably among the two or three most successful promoter/bookers in the history of wrestling. Held both the IWGP title three times and also UWA title.
Probably drew more $1 million plus gates than any wrestler in history.
Probably drew more $1 million plus gates than any wrestler in history.
Tiger Mask - Many would argue the greatest performing lighter weight wrestler ever and certainly the most influential ever as he was largely the one who took junior heavyweight wrestling in New Japan and brought it to the level that made it the staple it has become today. Had a short but storied pro wrestling career, as a phenom in Mexico and England before a 1981-83 run as Tiger Mask and 1984-85 run with the original UWF as Super Tiger. Perhaps the fastest wrestler ever to appear in a ring in his prime and stylistically many years ahead of his time.