WWE Hall of Fame Categories
As you should know, here at Causioncreations.com, we have created our own Pro wrestling Hall of Fame, which honors all the greats who have graced the wrestling business across the world. I believe that our Hall of Fame is the premier Hall of Fame because unlike the WWE or even publications like the Wrestling Observer, the Causion Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame is all about inclusion, due to the hard work and dedication given to the fans and the business by the performer.
Other Hall of Fames are mostly a political exercise to pay homage to performers the selectors subjectively like or have fond memories of. I try to include people who contributed to making the business more entertaining, popular, as well as profitable. I believe sometimes, others put too much weight behind one category or another, when in fact all are important.
But Today i want to focus on the WWE Hall of Fame. It has been rumored for years, and finally confirmed this week that the WWE will open a physical Hall of Fame at Universal Studios in Orlando, by next years Wrestlemania. For any wrestling fan this should be great news. But many are so highly critical of the WWE Hall of Fame, that they have become jaded.
I'm kind of over the scrutiny of the WWE Hall of Fame. Clearly politics are involved, but its also filling certain criteria so that different types of performers are represented. I think separating the inductees up into categories would really stop all this yearly criticism of the performers who are being honored. Most contributed to our entertainment value in some way.
Of course Ric Flair and KoKo B Ware don't belong mentioned in the same breath. But you put Flair in a separate wing and KoKo in a memorable characters wing, at least there is a distinction for younger fans.
As for categories, I would divide them into: All time great performers, memorable characters, women, tag teams, managers, celebrities and maybe "the world", for guys who made their mark outside of the WWE.
So, just taking the guys currently in, whether we agree with that or not, this is how I would split it up.
Other Hall of Fames are mostly a political exercise to pay homage to performers the selectors subjectively like or have fond memories of. I try to include people who contributed to making the business more entertaining, popular, as well as profitable. I believe sometimes, others put too much weight behind one category or another, when in fact all are important.
But Today i want to focus on the WWE Hall of Fame. It has been rumored for years, and finally confirmed this week that the WWE will open a physical Hall of Fame at Universal Studios in Orlando, by next years Wrestlemania. For any wrestling fan this should be great news. But many are so highly critical of the WWE Hall of Fame, that they have become jaded.
I'm kind of over the scrutiny of the WWE Hall of Fame. Clearly politics are involved, but its also filling certain criteria so that different types of performers are represented. I think separating the inductees up into categories would really stop all this yearly criticism of the performers who are being honored. Most contributed to our entertainment value in some way.
Of course Ric Flair and KoKo B Ware don't belong mentioned in the same breath. But you put Flair in a separate wing and KoKo in a memorable characters wing, at least there is a distinction for younger fans.
As for categories, I would divide them into: All time great performers, memorable characters, women, tag teams, managers, celebrities and maybe "the world", for guys who made their mark outside of the WWE.
So, just taking the guys currently in, whether we agree with that or not, this is how I would split it up.
WWE Headliners
Andre the Giant, "Nature Boy" Buddy Rogers, Pedro Morales, Harley Race, "Superstar" Billy Graham, Hulk Hogan, "Rowdy" Roddy Piper, Bret Hart, "The American Dream" Dusty Rhodes, Jerry "The King" Lawler,"Nature Boy" Ric Flair, "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, Shawn Michaels, Edge, Mick Foley, Bob Backlund, Bruno Sammartino, Ultimate Warrior, Randy Savage, Kevin Nash, Sting
Andre the Giant, "Nature Boy" Buddy Rogers, Pedro Morales, Harley Race, "Superstar" Billy Graham, Hulk Hogan, "Rowdy" Roddy Piper, Bret Hart, "The American Dream" Dusty Rhodes, Jerry "The King" Lawler,"Nature Boy" Ric Flair, "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, Shawn Michaels, Edge, Mick Foley, Bob Backlund, Bruno Sammartino, Ultimate Warrior, Randy Savage, Kevin Nash, Sting
Ring Generals
Antonino Rocca, Pat Patterson, Greg "The Hammer" Valentine, Eddie Guerrero, "Mr. Perfect" Curt Hennig, Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat, The "Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase, Larry Zbyszko
Antonino Rocca, Pat Patterson, Greg "The Hammer" Valentine, Eddie Guerrero, "Mr. Perfect" Curt Hennig, Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat, The "Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase, Larry Zbyszko
Classic characters
Bobo Brazil, Chief Jay Strongbow, Gorilla Monsoon, "Big Cat" Ernie Ladd, George "The Animal" Steele, "Baron" Mikel Scicluna, Ivan Putski, "Superfly" Jimmy Snuka, Killer Kowalski, "Big" John Studd, Don Muraco, Jesse "The Body" Ventura, Junkyard Dog, Sgt. Slaughter, Tito Santana, "Cowboy" Bob Orton, "Mr. Wonderful" Paul Orndorff, Nikolai Volkoff, The Iron Sheik, "Mr. USA" Tony Atlas,"High Chief" Peter Maivia, Rocky Johnson, Koko B. Ware, Maurice "Mad Dog" Vachon, Jim Duggan, Ron Simmons, Yokozuna, Booker T, Jake Roberts, Scott Hall, Rikishi, The Godfather, The Big Boss Man
Bobo Brazil, Chief Jay Strongbow, Gorilla Monsoon, "Big Cat" Ernie Ladd, George "The Animal" Steele, "Baron" Mikel Scicluna, Ivan Putski, "Superfly" Jimmy Snuka, Killer Kowalski, "Big" John Studd, Don Muraco, Jesse "The Body" Ventura, Junkyard Dog, Sgt. Slaughter, Tito Santana, "Cowboy" Bob Orton, "Mr. Wonderful" Paul Orndorff, Nikolai Volkoff, The Iron Sheik, "Mr. USA" Tony Atlas,"High Chief" Peter Maivia, Rocky Johnson, Koko B. Ware, Maurice "Mad Dog" Vachon, Jim Duggan, Ron Simmons, Yokozuna, Booker T, Jake Roberts, Scott Hall, Rikishi, The Godfather, The Big Boss Man
Managers
"Classy" Freddie Blassie, The Grand Wizard, "Captain" Lou Albano, Bobby "The Brain" Heenan, "The Mouth of the South" Jimmy Hart, Mr. Fuji, Paul Ellering,Paul Bearer
"Classy" Freddie Blassie, The Grand Wizard, "Captain" Lou Albano, Bobby "The Brain" Heenan, "The Mouth of the South" Jimmy Hart, Mr. Fuji, Paul Ellering,Paul Bearer
Tag Teams/Factions
The Valiant Brothers (Jimmy Valiant & Johnny Valiant), The Blackjacks (Blackjack Mulligan & Jack Lanza), The Wild Samoans (Afa & Sika), The Brisco Brothers (Jack and Gerald), The Funks (Dory Funk, Jr. & Terry Funk),The Von Erichs (Fritz Von Erich, Kerry Von Erich, Kevin Von Erich, David Von Erich, Mike Von Erich, Chris Von Erich), Legion of Doom, Four Horsemen,The Bushwhackers (Butch and Luke), The Freebirds (Michael Hayes, Terry "Bam Bam" Gordy, Buddy Roberts, and Jimmy Garvin)
The Valiant Brothers (Jimmy Valiant & Johnny Valiant), The Blackjacks (Blackjack Mulligan & Jack Lanza), The Wild Samoans (Afa & Sika), The Brisco Brothers (Jack and Gerald), The Funks (Dory Funk, Jr. & Terry Funk),The Von Erichs (Fritz Von Erich, Kerry Von Erich, Kevin Von Erich, David Von Erich, Mike Von Erich, Chris Von Erich), Legion of Doom, Four Horsemen,The Bushwhackers (Butch and Luke), The Freebirds (Michael Hayes, Terry "Bam Bam" Gordy, Buddy Roberts, and Jimmy Garvin)
From Around the World
Verne Gagne, Nick Bockwinkel, The Sheik, "High Chief" Peter Maivia, Eddie Graham, Gordon Solie,"Cowboy" Bill Watts, Antonio Inoki, Gorgeous George, Stu Hart, Bob Armstrong, Abdullah the Butcher, Mil Máscaras, Carlos Colón, Tatsumi Fujinami
Verne Gagne, Nick Bockwinkel, The Sheik, "High Chief" Peter Maivia, Eddie Graham, Gordon Solie,"Cowboy" Bill Watts, Antonio Inoki, Gorgeous George, Stu Hart, Bob Armstrong, Abdullah the Butcher, Mil Máscaras, Carlos Colón, Tatsumi Fujinami
Women Stars
The Fabulous Moolah, "Sensational" Sherri Martel, Mae Young,Wendi Richter, Sunny,Trish Stratus, Lita, Alundra Blayze
The Fabulous Moolah, "Sensational" Sherri Martel, Mae Young,Wendi Richter, Sunny,Trish Stratus, Lita, Alundra Blayze
WWE Special Contributors
James Dudley, Johnny Rodz, Vincent J. McMahon, "Mean" Gene Okerlund, Jim Ross, Howard Finkel
James Dudley, Johnny Rodz, Vincent J. McMahon, "Mean" Gene Okerlund, Jim Ross, Howard Finkel
Celebrities
Pete Rose, William "The Refrigerator" Perry, Bob Uecker, Drew Carey, Mike Tyson, Donald Trump, Mr. T, Arnold Schwarzenegger
Pete Rose, William "The Refrigerator" Perry, Bob Uecker, Drew Carey, Mike Tyson, Donald Trump, Mr. T, Arnold Schwarzenegger
Remember, all I did was take every person they have deemed a Hall Famer so far, and put them in a certain category that Vince wouldn't mind them being presented as. Of course if it were my Hall of Fame, certain guys would be categorized differently, like Jack Briscoe, who is a sure fire headliner, but knowing Vince, he would lump him together with his brother like he did when he inducted him.
Either way, I'm happy the WWE is getting a physical Hall of Fame and I'm excited to visit it next year when I attend Wrestlemania 33 in Orlando.
Either way, I'm happy the WWE is getting a physical Hall of Fame and I'm excited to visit it next year when I attend Wrestlemania 33 in Orlando.