WWE Hall of Fame: 20 Wrestlers Who Should Follow Shawn Michaels
Posted: Jan 19th 2011 By: mikeiles
Some people think the WWE Hall of Fame means nothing. That it's "Vince McMahon's Hall of Fame" and has nothing to do with the best in wrestling history.
For those people I have a wake-up call, Vince McMahon made the pro wrestling we know today. Vince McMahon is pro wrestling, therefore his Hall of Fame is the Hall of Fame.
This year, the Class of 2011 will be inducted and to date, Shawn Michaels is the only announced name. There will certainly be others, and in this article we'll take a look at some possible candidates.
Obviously, there will not be 15 other people in the Class of 2011, however these are people who I, and most fans, I would imagine, feel should be inducted eventually.
As always leave a comment with your thoughts and who you think is WWE Hall of Fame material.
Arn Anderson
I'm starting with the obvious one.
There is a good chance Arn will be inducted as part of the Class of 2011, and for a good reason.
Anderson is 100% worthy of the WWE Hall of Fame, on top of being one of the best wrestlers of his time, he was a member of the Four Horsemen, one of the all-time great wrestling stables.
Goldberg
Bill Goldberg is another wrestler who very well may be inducted as part of the Class of 2011.
Although he didn't have the longest in-ring career, he did more than most during his time as a wrestler.
In his own right, he was a great wrestler who deserves a spot in the WWE Hall of Fame.
Jake Roberts
Jake Roberts played a large role in WWE during his heyday. He had an incredibly unique gimmick, and got the crowd's attention each and every time he came down to the ring.
While he may not be a "no-brainer" for the WWE Hall of Fame, he is definitely a possibility.
Lou Thesz
Lou Thesz, on the other hand, is a no brainer for the Hall of Fame.
He is simply one of the best wrestlers ever and deserves to be in the WWE Hall of Fame. He may not be around for his induction, but that doesn't mean he shouldn't be inducted.
Thesz should be a shoe-in, however WWE has yet to induct him into the WWE Hall of Fame.
The Honky Tonk Man
Another guy who not only should be inducted, but has a good chance of being inducted this very year.
The longest reigning Intercontinental Champion of all-time was one of the best of his era. While he was never on the level of Hulk Hogan or The Rock, he entertained the fans and was good at what he did.
Last year, it was reported that The Honky Tonk Man declined WWE's offer to be inducted because he had a prior commitment the day of the induction ceremony that paid better. Maybe if WWE isn't too offended by him last year, they will reach out again.
Jim Duggan
We may most recently remember him as the crazy old man in gym shorts running around in circles, screaming, and waving a flag and a 2 by 4.
But it doesn't take much to remember him as the first ever Royal Rumble winner and the great wrestler he was back in his day.
While he may not lead his class, Duggan definitely deserves a spot in the WWE Hall of Fame.
Stan Hansen
Stan Hansen is one of the meanest wrestlers ever. We all saw him at the WWE Hall of Fame induction ceremony in 2010 where he was an inductor.
It's now time for him to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame himself. While the likelihood of this happening is questionable, there is no question he deserves it.
Randy Savage
Randy Savage also has not exactly been in sync with WWE, however he also is 100% worthy of a spot in the WWe Hall of Fame.
He has accomplished more in the ring than most, and was one of the best talkers of his day. Like The Ultimate Warrior, Savage should not only be inducted, but he should be at the top of his class.
Sting
Sting is yet another possible 2011 inductee and someone WWE has a documented interest in.
While Sting never wrestled for WWE, he had quite the tenure in WCW, which was later bought out by Vince McMahon and since then, success in WCW was success in WWE.
Sting is one of the best wrestlers ever and should have a spot in the WWE Hall of Fame.
Jim Neidhart
The Hart Foundation was one of, if not the, best tag teams ever in professional wrestling. For his tag team accomplishments along, Jim Neidhart should have a spot in the WWE Hall of Fame.
Induct Jim Neidhart, and have Bret Hart and Natalya be his inductors. That would be picture-perfect.
Yokozuna
For a man of his size, Yokozuna was a surprisingly good wrestler.
Yokozuna was a former WWE Champion and was apart of some of the most memorable matches of the early '90s in WWE.
He's not around anymore and probably wouldn't lead his class, but Yokozuna would definitely fit into the WWE Hall of Fame.
Mick Foley
No matter which of his characters he was playing, Mick Foley was the definition of a hardcore wrestler. His matches rank among the best in wrestling history and Mick Foley, Mankind, Dude Love, and Cactus Jack all deserve one, collaborative spot in the WWE Hall of Fame.
He will obviously not be inducted while he is still under TNA Contract, however when he leaves TNA (and I'm not saying that will be soon), but when he is no longer signed to any promotion, he should be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.
Ron Simmons
Another likely candidate for induction in year as part of the Class of 2011.
Ron Simmons was a great wrestler, whether he was with the Nation of Domination, the APA, or just Ron Simmons.
We still see him every now and again on WWE TV, when he comes out to Raw to just say one single word that makes every single WWE fan go crazy.
If you don't know what word I'm talking about, I welcome you to exit the rock you've been living under for the past 10 years and watch the attached video.
The Rock
The most electrifying man is sports entertainment, and one of the greatest WWE Superstars ever is shoe-in for the WWE Hall of Fame...eventually.
One has to wonder what WWE is waiting for before they induct The Rock. Maybe one last match, maybe The Rock has declined offers, or maybe they are holding off for other reasons.
Regardless of the reason, eventually The Rock will be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.
The Ultimate Warrior
The Ultimate Warrior was one of the best during the Golden Era of wrestling back in the '80s. It's more-or-less a known fact that he isn't on the best of terms with WWE or Vince McMahon, but that doesn't change the fact that The Warrior is one of the best, ever.
He definitely deserves to not only be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame, but be the head of his class
Bruno Sammartino
It's been documented that WWE has reached out the Sammartino, however Bruno has declined the offer.
Maybe he will eventually change his mind and accept the offer to be inducted, as he is one of the best of all time and the longest reigning WWE Champion in history.
Attached is a video of Bruno talking about the WWE Hall of Fame and him, you know, not being in it.
Lex Luger
Lex Luger was one of the best wrestlers ever.
That's something I've been saying a lot on this slideshow, but this is a compilation of, well, the 15 wrestlers I think should be in the Hall of Fame (ie "best wrestlers ever").
Luger should, and most likely will be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame, and while he's not a shoe-in, this year isn't out of the question for a Luger induction.
Rick Rude
Rick Rude was another staple in the Golden Age of wrestling.
He was, by far, one of the most over heels in pro wrestling at the time, and few wrestlers have come close to being as successful as a heel as Rick Rude.
Match that with with wrestling abilities and you have a potential WWE Hall of Famer.
Bob Backlund
Why Bob Backlund is not in the WWE Hall of Fame yet has me stumped.
He was one the the most gifted wrestlers ever, and was the biggest box office draw of his day. Not to mention he is a 4-time WWE Champion, from a time when the title didn't change hands 4 times every month.
Owen Hart
Why Owen Hart has not been inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame by now is something most fans don't understand. Owen Hart was an amazing wrestler, and he even died doing what he loved.
Not only out of respect, but because he was simply one of the best wrestlers to ever live, Owen Hart is more than worthy of a spot in the WWE Hall of Fame.
Supplemental Information
Spotlight in History
- 1957 El Medico def. Duke Keomuka for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
- 1958 Angelo Savoldi def. Dory Funk for the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Title
- 1963 The Bolos (The Great Bolo [1st] & The Mighty Bolo) def. Bill Watts & Jerry Kozak for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
- 1967 The Von Erichs (Fritz Von Erich & Waldo Von Erich) def. Brute Bernard & Mike Paidousis for the WCCW American Tag Team Titles
- 1967 Danny Hodge & Skandar Akbar def. Chati Yokouchi & Togo Shikuma for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
- 1968 Danny Little Bear & Kit Fox def. Jack Dalton [1st] & Frank Dalton for the TSW Louisiana Tag Team Titles
- 1978 Bruiser Brody def. Fritz Von Erich for the WCCW American Heavyweight Title
- 2010 Ryan Reed became the NCW Heavyweight Champion
- 2010 The Unknown & Yoshi became the NCW Tag Team Champions
- 2010 Aerial Assault (Ky-ote Joe & Eric Rose) def. The Future Hall of Famers (Dane Griffin & Shane Rawls) for the IZW Tag Team Titles
- 2010 Team Shake It (Josh Evans & Martin Casaus) def. The D-Stinguished (Elias Castaneda & Arik Angel) for the ACW Tag Team Titles
- 2021 Warren Powers def. Drake Gallows for the EPW All-American Title
- 2021 Drake Gallows def. Warren Powers for the EPW Internet Television Title
- 2021 Revan became the RDW Iron Man Champion
- 2021 Most Wanted (Dan Webber & Reese & T-Arsenal) def. The Rejecs LM (Dr. Corvus & Elijah Sparks) for the WAH Tag Team Titles
Week of Sun 09-06 to Sat: 09-12
- 09-06 2008 The New York Express (Thomas Knight & Jeff Knight) def. The Untouchables (J. D. Rebel & The Enforcer) for the SECW Tag Team Titles
- 09-06 2008 Martin Justice became the SECW Cruiserweight Champion
- 09-06 2014 Spanish Wolf (Nathan Estrada & Michael Wolf) def. The New York Express (Jeff Knight & Thomas Knight) for the OECW Tag Team Titles
- 09-06 2025 Butcher def. Riker for the WFC Hometown Heroes Title
- 09-06 2025 Iron Mountain (Duke Blanchard & Jack Davenport) def. Toxic Masculinity (Johnny Lightning & Johnny Dynamite) for the WFC Tag Team Titles
- 09-06 2025 Phil Shark def. Franco D’Angelo for the TexPro Texas Title
- 09-07 1979 Mark Lewin def. Bruiser Brody for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
- 09-07 1980 Terry Gibbs became the TSW Tri-State Champion
- 09-07 1981 Frank Hill & Eric Embry def. Joel Deaton & David Deaton for the TSW Tag Team Titles
- 09-07 2004 Kenzo Suzuki & Rene Dupree def. Paul London & Billy Kidman for the WWE Smackdown World Tag Team Titles
- 09-07 2012 Brandon Walker def. Tim Rockwell for the ComPro Heavyweight Title
- 09-07 2014 Robert Lee def. Striker for the WFC Hometown Heroes Title
- 09-07 2018 Nikki Knight def. Erica for the MSWA Ladies Title
- 09-07 2019 Brian Dixon def. Tommy Dean for the BPW Oklahoma Title
- 09-07 2019 Luke Langley def. Brandon Groom for the BPW Lion Heart Title
- 09-07 2019 James Southard def. Lake Hefner for the ASP Inter-County Title
- 09-07 2024 The Subject (Cade Fite & Derek James) def. Toxic Masculinity (Johnny Lightning & Johnny Dynamite) for the WFC Tag Team Titles
- 09-07 2024 Wrangler Rhett def. Alex Royal for the WFC Prime Title
- 09-08 1947 Leroy McGuirk def. Buddy Rogers for the NWA Midwest World Title
- 09-08 1958 Danny McShain def. Mad Man Martin for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
- 09-08 1974 El Gran Markus def. Jose Lothario for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
- 09-08 1978 Rocky Johnson def. Bruiser Brody for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
- 09-08 2006 The Patriots (Bad Boy & Glen Steel) def. Aaron Neil & Alexander Lucas (Subbing for Se7en) for the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Titles
- 09-08 2007 Al Farat became the MSWA Mid-South Heavyweight Champion
- 09-08 2013 Robert Lee became the WFC Hometown Heroes Champion
- 09-08 2017 The Cursed (Blade [2nd] & Kuda) def. The Cub Scouts (Brock Landers & Grizzly Gates) for the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Titles
- 09-08 2018 Anarchy [2nd] def. Garrett Murphy for the NAW Lightweight Title
- 09-08 2018 Garrett Murphy def. Big Smooth for the NAW Heavyweight Title
- 09-09 1970 Waldo Von Erich def. Jack Curtis for the TSW Mississippi Title
- 09-09 1980 The Grappler def. Ted DiBiase for the MSW North American Heavyweight Title
- 09-09 2002 Papa Voodoo def. HIMM for the ACW Hardcore Title
- 09-09 2002 HIMM def. Papa Voodoo for the ACW Hardcore Title
- 09-09 2011 Michael Barry def. Dustin Heritage for the MWA MAX-Division Title
- 09-09 2016 One Man Sam def. Brock Landers for the MSWA Mid-South Cruiserweight Title
- 09-09 2017 Ray Martinez def. Brandon Groom for the BPPW Oklahoma Title
- 09-09 2017 Tristan Thorne became the ASP 5-Star Champion
- 09-09 2017 Michael Wolf def. Aaron Anders for the ComPro Heavyweight Title
- 09-09 2017 Michael Duplanti def. Garrett Murphy for the NAW Lightweight Title
- 09-09 2023 Johnny Lightning became the WFC Prime Champion
- 09-09 2023 Tino Valentino def. Derek James for the UWO Heavyweight Title
- 09-09 2023 Manico became the NAW Openweight Champion
- 09-09 2023 Manico def. Ryan Reed for the NAW Heavyweight Title
- 09-09 2023 Martin Justice def. Thomas Knight for the XDWF New GenX Title
- 09-09 2023 Thomas Knight def. Martin Justice for the XDWF New GenX Title
- 09-10 1968 The Spoiler & Gary Hart def. Fritz Von Erich & Grizzly Smith for the WCCW American Tag Team Titles
- 09-10 1971 Ramon Torres def. Roger Kirby for the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Title
- 09-10 1978 David Von Erich def. Bruiser Brody for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Title
- 09-10 1979 Oki Shikina & Sugar Bear Harris became the TSW United States Tag Team Champions
- 09-10 2011 Drake Gallows became the BYEW Entertainment Champion
- 09-10 2016 Psycho Sawyer def. Ray Martinez for the SRPW Heavyweight Title
- 09-10 2016 Psycho Sawyer def. Spyder for the SRPW United States Title
- 09-10 2021 Legend Has It (Thrash & Killbane) def. Two Man Sam (Sam Stackhouse & Samuel Savage) for the CPW Tag Team Titles
- 09-10 2022 Team Boner (Drake Gallows & MLP) def. Psychotic Messengers (Maniac Mike & Malachi) for the AIWF Tag Team Titles
- 09-10 2022 MLP def. Duncan Kincaid for the RDW Iron Man Title
- 09-10 2022 Nashoba def. Al Farat for the MajCW 24/7 On Call Title
- 09-11 1957 El Medico def. Duke Keomuka for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
- 09-11 1958 Angelo Savoldi def. Dory Funk for the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Title
- 09-11 1963 The Bolos (The Great Bolo [1st] & The Mighty Bolo) def. Bill Watts & Jerry Kozak for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
- 09-11 1967 The Von Erichs (Fritz Von Erich & Waldo Von Erich) def. Brute Bernard & Mike Paidousis for the WCCW American Tag Team Titles
- 09-11 1967 Danny Hodge & Skandar Akbar def. Chati Yokouchi & Togo Shikuma for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
- 09-11 1968 Danny Little Bear & Kit Fox def. Jack Dalton [1st] & Frank Dalton for the TSW Louisiana Tag Team Titles
- 09-11 1978 Bruiser Brody def. Fritz Von Erich for the WCCW American Heavyweight Title
- 09-11 2010 Ryan Reed became the NCW Heavyweight Champion
- 09-11 2010 The Unknown & Yoshi became the NCW Tag Team Champions
- 09-11 2010 Aerial Assault (Ky-ote Joe & Eric Rose) def. The Future Hall of Famers (Dane Griffin & Shane Rawls) for the IZW Tag Team Titles
- 09-11 2010 Team Shake It (Josh Evans & Martin Casaus) def. The D-Stinguished (Elias Castaneda & Arik Angel) for the ACW Tag Team Titles
- 09-11 2021 Warren Powers def. Drake Gallows for the EPW All-American Title
- 09-11 2021 Drake Gallows def. Warren Powers for the EPW Internet Television Title
- 09-11 2021 Revan became the RDW Iron Man Champion
- 09-11 2021 Most Wanted (Dan Webber & Reese & T-Arsenal) def. The Rejecs LM (Dr. Corvus & Elijah Sparks) for the WAH Tag Team Titles
- 09-12 1982 King Kong Bundy & Bill Irwin def. The Von Erichs (Kerry Von Erich & Kevin Von Erich) for the WCCW American Tag Team Titles
- 09-12 1983 Butch Reed & Jim Neidhart def. Magnum T. A. & Jim Duggan for the MSW Mid-South Tag Team Titles
- 09-12 1988 The Samoan SWAT Team (Samu & Fatu) def. John Tatum & Jimmy Jack Funk for the WCCW Texas Tag Team Titles
- 09-12 2004 Chris Matthews def. Brandon Bishop for the ACW Heavyweight Title
- 09-12 2009 Bobby Starr def. Kevin James Sanchez for the BYEW Entertainment Title
- 09-12 2010 Xavior def. Kevin Morgan for the MSWA Oklahoma Title
- 09-12 2015 Double D def. Aaron Neil for the IZW Impact Division Title
- 09-12 2015 Erica def. Paige Turner for the IZW Queens Title
- 09-12 2015 Brad Michaels def. Johnny Z for the IZW Heavyweight Title
- 09-12 2015 Richie Adams def. Jake O'Brien for the ComPro Heavyweight Title
- 09-12 2015 Shawn Hernandez became the DI2IW Intercontinenal Champion
- 09-12 2015 What Wrestling Should Be (Jermaine Johnson & Jordan Jacobs) def. Impact, Inc. (Damon Windsor & Johnny Z) for the IZW Tag Team Titles
- 09-12 2015 The K. C. Wolves (Graham Bell & Luke Langley) def. What Wrestling Should Be (Jermaine Johnson & Jordan Jacobs) for the IZW Tag Team Titles
- 09-12 2025 Floyd Maystorm def. Clover Botello for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title
- Summer Thunder Sep 11th Today!
- Vic Nichols Sep 11th Today!
- Bash Sep 12th
- Adrian Dell Sep 12th
- N'Zane Lee Happy Sep 12th
- Danni Bee Sep 12th
- Bob Kenaston Sep 12th
- Montego Seeka Sep 12th
- Bounty Hunter Sep 12th
- Animal Sep 12th
- American Anarchy Sep 12th
- K. P. Moore Sep 13th
- Poder Oriental Sep 13th
- Bobby Starr Sep 13th
- Danny Little Bear Sep 13th
- Angelina Love Sep 13th
- Bernie D Sep 14th
- Lunatic Lennie Sep 14th
- Eddie LeVaughn Sep 14th
- Kelsie Mae Sep 14th
- Waddy Young Sep 14th
- L. C. Green Sep 15th
- Korvin Sage Sep 15th
- Spoiler 2000 Sep 15th
- Daniel King Sep 15th
- Haru Sonada Sep 16th
- Colton Kinnamon Sep 17th
- Jake Swayze Sep 17th
- Dick Brower Sep 17th
- Rex Mori Sep 17th
- Jim Cornette Sep 17th
- Bill Irwin Sep 17th
- Titan Yin Sep 18th
- Angel Reed Sep 18th
- Cisco Grimaldi Sep 18th
- Billy Robinson Sep 18th
- Mr. Nabors Sep 18th
- Adam Asher Sep 19th
- Jerry Brisco Sep 19th
- Yoshiaki Yatsu Sep 19th
- Joey Stixx Sep 20th
- Chuck Singer Sep 20th
- Greg Valentine Sep 20th
- Bishop Simon Sep 20th
- Pepper Martin Sep 20th
- Randy Rhodes Sep 20th
- Ethan Page Sep 20th
- Boz Sep 20th
- Justin Lee Sep 20th
- Connor Jones Sep 21st
- Ricky Morton Sep 21st
- Jack Brisco Sep 21st
- Satine Sep 22nd
- Mike Chacoma Sep 22nd
- Red River Brawler Sep 22nd
- Doug Somers Sep 22nd
- Harley D Sep 22nd
- Rocco Valentino Sep 23rd
- O'Malley Sep 23rd
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- Clayton Bloodstone Sep 24th
- John J. Bishop Sep 24th
- Connor Crunk Sep 24th
- Jason Bruce Sep 24th
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