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
- 1982 Junkyard Dog def. Bob Roop for the MSW North American Heavyweight Title
- 1987 Al Perez def. The Dingo Warrior for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Title
- 2003 Kitty def. Manservant for the TPW Womens Title
- 2008 Tim Rockwell def. El Super Colibri for the ComPro Oklahoma X Division Title
- 2008 Li'l Joe def. Xavior for the GPCW Cruiserweight Title
- 2014 Buster Cherry def. Havoc for the SWCW All-American Title
- 2024 Big Sed def. Sam Adonis for the TexPro Heavyweight Title
- 2025 Dan Webber became the LCW Lionheart Champion
Week of Sun 06-21 to Sat: 06-27
- 06-21 1982 Junkyard Dog def. Bob Roop for the MSW North American Heavyweight Title
- 06-21 1987 Al Perez def. The Dingo Warrior for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Title
- 06-21 2003 Kitty def. Manservant for the TPW Womens Title
- 06-21 2008 Tim Rockwell def. El Super Colibri for the ComPro Oklahoma X Division Title
- 06-21 2008 Li'l Joe def. Xavior for the GPCW Cruiserweight Title
- 06-21 2014 Buster Cherry def. Havoc for the SWCW All-American Title
- 06-21 2024 Big Sed def. Sam Adonis for the TexPro Heavyweight Title
- 06-21 2025 Dan Webber became the LCW Lionheart Champion
- 06-22 2005 Phillip def. Se7en for the ACW Hardcore Title
- 06-22 2018 Joe Cuedo def. Brock Baker for the ComPro Oklahoma X Division Title
- 06-22 2024 Pastor Brent def. Daniel Aaron Michalles for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title
- 06-22 2024 Daniel Aaron Michalles def. Pastor Brent for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title
- 06-22 2025 Billie the Kiid def. Dan Webber for the ASP Heavyweight Title
- 06-23 1972 Billy Red Lyons def. The Spoiler for the WCCW American Heavyweight Title
- 06-23 1980 Mr. Hito & Mr. Sakurada def. Jose Lothario & Tiger Conway Jr. for the WCCW American Tag Team Titles
- 06-23 1982 Ted DiBiase def. Junkyard Dog for the MSW North American Heavyweight Title
- 06-23 1984 Gino Hernandez became the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Champion
- 06-23 1989 The Stud Stable (Robert Fuller & Brian Lee) def. Jeff Jarrett & Mil Mascaras for the WCCW World Tag Team Titles
- 06-23 2001 Big Daddy Moore def. Adam Lacroix for the OPW Oklahoma Television Title
- 06-23 2001 Grenade became the OPW Oklahoma Light Heavyweight Champion
- 06-23 2009 Joshua Michael & Epic became the ACW Tag Team Champions
- 06-23 2023 Dustin Tibbs def. Thrash for the WFC Prime Title
- 06-24 1972 Stan Stasiak def. Red Bastien for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Title
- 06-24 1974 Bull Ramos def. Rip Tyler for the TSW North American Title
- 06-24 1977 John Studd became the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Champion
- 06-24 1985 The Dynamic Duo (Gino Hernandez & Chris Adams) def. The Fantastics (Tommy Rogers & Bobby Fulton) for the WCCW American Tag Team Titles
- 06-24 2000 Great Bolo [2nd] def. Ichiban [2nd] for the OPW Oklahoma Light Heavyweight Title
- 06-24 2000 Ichiban [2nd] became the OPW Oklahoma Light Heavyweight Champion
- 06-24 2005 Spoiler 2000 became the NWA-U Television Champion
- 06-24 2006 Prophet SteVens became the AACW Television Champion
- 06-24 2007 Matt Garza became the MSWA Mid-South Cruiserweight Champion
- 06-24 2016 Dynamic Shields (Justin Dynamic & Shawn Shields) def. Terry Montana & Mighty Mouse for the ComPro Tag Team Titles
- 06-24 2016 Seth Angel def. Steven Cruze for the ComPro Showtime Title
- 06-24 2016 Adrian Dell def. Nathan Estrada for the ComPro Oklahoma X Division Title
- 06-24 2017 Drake Gallows became the ASP Heavyweight Champion
- 06-24 2017 Excellence Personified (Duke Swellington & Dustin Heritage) def. Shawn Hendrix & Aaron Anders (substituting for Anthony Andrews) for the ComPro Tag Team Titles
- 06-24 2017 Dynamic Shields (Justin Dynamic & Shawn Shields) def. Big Smooth & Zakk Sinizter for the UWE Tag Team Titles
- 06-24 2018 Shawn Sanders def. Chaz Sharpe for the ASP Inter-County Title
- 06-24 2018 Canadian Red Devil def. Adam Patrick for the ASP Mid-American Title
- 06-24 2020 Warren Powers def. Giganto for the BPW 365 Title
- 06-24 2023 Stage Dive Mafia (Rook Tyler & Axel Savage) became the BCW Tag Team Champions
- 06-24 2023 C. M. Burnham def. Lunchador for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title
- 06-24 2023 Lunchador def. C. M. Burnham for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title
- 06-25 2011 Sam Stackhouse def. Shane Morbid for the BYEW Heavyweight Title
- 06-25 2011 The Sons of Ireland (Devan Scott & Shane Scott) def. The New Age Syndicate (Scott Sanders & Shawn Sanders) for the BYEW Tag Team Titles
- 06-25 2011 Chris Chaos became the BYEW Caution Champion
- 06-25 2011 The Future Hall of Famers (John O'Malley & Brad Michaels) def. Bernie D & Aaron Neil (subbing for Max McGuirk) for the IZW Tag Team Titles
- 06-25 2016 Brian Breaker def. Zakk Sinizter for the UWE Heavyweight Title
- 06-25 2017 The Cub Scouts (Grizzly Gates & Brock Landers) became the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Champions
- 06-26 1961 The Bolos (Great Bolo 1st & Mighty Bolo) became the TSW Southwestern Tag Team Champions
- 06-26 1987 Frankie Lancaster & Eric Embry def. The Fantastics (Tommy Rogers & Bobby Fulton) for the WCCW World Tag Team Titles
- 06-26 1999 Tarantula def. Original Renegade for the OPW Oklahoma Light Heavyweight Title
- 06-26 2005 Li'l Joe def. Phillip for the ACW Hardcore Title
- 06-26 2009 Brandon Groom def. The Handsome Spoiler for the TOPW Oklahoma Heavyweight Title
- 06-26 2009 Kevin James Sanchez def. Bobby Starr for the BYEW Entertainment Title
- 06-26 2021 Most Wanted (Dan Webber & Reese) def. Los Loco Moscas (Elijah Sparks & El Greengo Loco) for the WAH Tag Team Titles
- 06-26 2025 Microman def. Mini Abismo Negro for the EDW Heavyweight Title
- 06-27 1969 Wahoo McDaniel & Thunderbolt Patterson became the WCCW American Tag Team Champions
- 06-27 1971 Johnny Valentine def. Toru Tanaka for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
- 06-27 1976 Jose Lothario def. The Mongolian Stomper for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
- 06-27 2009 Randy Price def. Dustin Heritage for the IZW Impact Division Title
- 06-27 2009 Martin Justice became the OECW Southwestern Champion
- Jeff the Ref Jun 21st Today!
- Rick Russo Jun 21st Today!
- Phantom Star Jun 21st Today!
- Milton Winkelman Jun 21st Today!
- Super Star Jun 21st Today!
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- Gabe Wilder Jun 24th
- Juan Sebastian Jun 24th
- Don Kent Jun 24th
- Kody Lane Jun 25th
- X-Storms Jun 25th
- Jax Samuel Jun 26th
- Sylvia Richmond Jun 26th
- Paul Rodriguez Jun 26th
- D. K. Bradley Jun 26th
- Jason Kirby Jun 27th
- Reckless Jun 27th
- Kuda Jun 27th
- Ignition Jun 27th
- Dan Barnhart Jun 27th
- Doc Hearon Jun 28th
- John Tidwell Jun 28th
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- Claire Jun 28th
- Malico Jun 28th
- Kenny Mack Jun 28th
- Damian Kincaid Jun 28th
- Boris Malenko Jun 28th
- Bill Dromo Jun 28th
- Voltio Santiago Jun 29th
- Barbara Galento Jun 29th
- Ed Lewis Jun 30th
- Terry Funk Jun 30th
- Kenneth Caine Jun 30th
- Tim WarCloud Jul 1st
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- Jake Hollister Jul 1st
- Sung Yung Kang Jul 1st
- Wrangler Rhett Jul 2nd
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- Dalton Smith Jul 2nd
- Crowson D. Calhoun Jul 2nd
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- Rachael Starz Jul 3rd
- Greatest American Bolo Jul 4th
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Card Results
- TexPro · Jun 20th 2026 · Ardmore
- UWO · Jun 18th 2026 · Norman
- UWO · Jun 14th 2026 · Oklahoma City
- UWO · Jun 13th 2026 · Oklahoma City
- BUW · Jun 12th 2026 · Tulsa
- UWO · Jun 11th 2026 · Oklahoma City
- WFC · Jun 6th 2026 · Broken Arrow
- UWO · Jun 5th 2026 · Oklahoma City
- CPW · Jun 5th 2026 · Sand Springs
- UWO · Jun 4th 2026 · Oklahoma City
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