Causion's Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame:
Inaugural Class of 2015
A Hall of Fame consist of a collection of individuals that are considered the elite of a particular organization or genre. Most Hall of Fame's are located in a structure housing memorials to famous or illustrious individuals usually chosen by a group of electors.
In Pro wrestling, the most famous Hall of Fame is obviously the WWE Hall of Fame. The inductees are purely up to the discretion of Vince McMahon, and there are multiple reasons, mostly personal, that determine why certain people are not inducted. Many wrestling legends have been excluded due to personal vendettas and many non legends have been included due to favoritism.
Some inductions are held off for future years so that future Hall of Fame induction ceremonies have available headliners.
While there are other Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame's that have given wrestlers their due, I feel it is necessary that I begin my own Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame.
Instead of waiting a year, I will unveil a new class the Saturday before each monthly WWE PPV, in an attempt to catch up, while still categorizing performers properly.
Criteria
In Pro wrestling, the most famous Hall of Fame is obviously the WWE Hall of Fame. The inductees are purely up to the discretion of Vince McMahon, and there are multiple reasons, mostly personal, that determine why certain people are not inducted. Many wrestling legends have been excluded due to personal vendettas and many non legends have been included due to favoritism.
Some inductions are held off for future years so that future Hall of Fame induction ceremonies have available headliners.
While there are other Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame's that have given wrestlers their due, I feel it is necessary that I begin my own Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame.
Instead of waiting a year, I will unveil a new class the Saturday before each monthly WWE PPV, in an attempt to catch up, while still categorizing performers properly.
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, 2 Promoters/Booker's and 2 foreign stars must be inducted
Causion Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame 2015
Platinum Club
Pro Wrestlers
Lou Thesz - Before Ric Flair, Thez was the first wrestler known as the greatest in pro wrestling history. Thez was an innovator in the ring and was a multiple time heavy weight champion.
Andre the Giant - Billed at 7-4 and as much at 550 pounds, one of the great drawing cards in history, probably one of the two biggest draws internationally of all-time. Though he was never a great in the ring, Andre was an attraction like non other. Andre holds the all-time U.S. record drawing more than 78,000 to Pontiac Silver dome for his 1987 Wrestlemania 3 match against Hulk Hogan.
Bruno Sammartino - WWF champion from 1963-71 and 1973-77. The biggest drawing card in the United States during the 60's and 70's, and certainly the most popular wrestler in the Northeast during that time.
Hulk Hogan - The biggest drawing card and star of all-time on an international basis. Hogan led wrestling into a main stream entertainment market and led the WWF to the top of the pro wrestling business in the 80's. Hogan helped boost WCW in the mid 90's into the number wrestling company in the United States. Most recognizable star the industry has ever had.
Ric Flair - Arguably the greatest wrestling performer of all-time. Held World titles wherever he went and was the banner carrier for the NWA and WCW. The leader of the greatest wrestling faction of all time, the four horsemen.
Randy Savage - One of the most recognizable stars to ever and one of the greatest performers to ever hold the WWF title. Savage was able to keep business consistent as WWF champion after Hulk Hogan, a feat that others failed at. As part of the Mega Powers, Savage drew the biggest PPV buy rate of the 80's With his Wrestlemania 5 match with Hulk Hogan.
Steve Austin - Behind only Hogan, Austin is the biggest draw in the history of the business. From 98-99, Austin the Attitude era i making more money than any other 2 years in wrestling history. His edgy and controversial delivery and no respect for authority persona elevated him to the top of the industry and he transcended the business.
Bret Hart - Second-generation wrestler who became one of the best
workers of the 90's. His reign as WWF champion changed the face of the organization
as one being dominated by large bodybuilders to its current form based
around more athletic types. Great in ring technician and the controversy surrounding his exit from the WWF led to the biggest boom period in wrestling.
Shawn Michaels - Regarded by many as the greatest in ring performer of all time. Michaels and Hart led the new generation , were smaller, more athletic wrestlers were established as main eventers and allowed to shine based on in ring ability in the WWF. After returning from retirement, Michaels went on to have many classic matches, gaining him the name Mr. Wrestlemania.
The Rock - Possibly the charismatic performer in the history of the business. The Rock used his personality and connection with the fans to propel into one of the biggest stars ever, only behind Hogan and Austin. Rock transitioned into Hollywood and has made it as a real star, while still returning to the ring.
Managers
Bobby "The Brain" Heenan - The greatest manager of all-time in a career that started in the mid-60's and continued through 1991. Transitioned into one of the most entertaining and funny television announcers ever as well.
Among his most famous clients in the AWA and WWF were Nick Bockwinkel, Ray Stevens, Blackjack Lanza, Ric Flair, Andre the Giant, John Studd, Mr. Perfect, and Ravishing Rick Rude. Perhaps the single most important heel figure in the glory days of the AWA and WWF in feuds with Hulk Hogan.
Among his most famous clients in the AWA and WWF were Nick Bockwinkel, Ray Stevens, Blackjack Lanza, Ric Flair, Andre the Giant, John Studd, Mr. Perfect, and Ravishing Rick Rude. Perhaps the single most important heel figure in the glory days of the AWA and WWF in feuds with Hulk Hogan.
Promoters
Vince McMahon Jr. - The single greatest wrestling promoter ever when it comes to the pure promotion aspect. A controversial figure who made many enemies along the way, but also brought pro wrestling to a new level monetarily through introducing merchandising aspects, getting in on the ground floor of PPV and turning Hulk Hogan from a wrestling star to a celebrity. A third generation wrestling promoter.
Bill Watts - While he was a tremendous interview as a performer, Watts is a Hall of Famer for his run as a booker in places like Georgia, Florida, New Orleans, and a promoter from the late 70's through 1987 for his own territory, Mid South Championship Wrestling. Watts created and booked some of the biggest talent in the history of the business and had a creative mind like none other. McMahon raided much of Watts talent and used it to build his empire.
Foreign Stars
Giant Baba - One of the two biggest wrestling stars in Japan of the 60's and 70's, and one of pro wrestling's historically most successful promoters. Promoted and led All Japan Pro Wrestling and made it a top wrestling company in the world. Had three brief runs as NWA champion, and more lengthy runs dominating International title in 1963-72 and PWF title from 1973-84.
Antonio Inoki - The most popular wrestler in the world in the early to mid 90's.
A very fast athlete with great conditioning and reflexes who, through manipulation, convinced Japan he was the greatest shooter in the world, but became one of its two biggest draws ever as a result. Leader of New Japan Pro Wrestling, where he turned his relationship with Vince McMahon Jr., helped propel NJPW into the number wrestling company outside the United States.
A very fast athlete with great conditioning and reflexes who, through manipulation, convinced Japan he was the greatest shooter in the world, but became one of its two biggest draws ever as a result. Leader of New Japan Pro Wrestling, where he turned his relationship with Vince McMahon Jr., helped propel NJPW into the number wrestling company outside the United States.