WWE Hall of Fame

The WWE Hall of Fame is a group of noteworthy former professional wrestlers and other performers and employees of World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) during its existence. WWE management selected individuals to receive this honor annually from 1993-1996, and revived the practice in 2004 in honor of the company's 20th WrestleMania event. It was created in 1993 originally to honor André the Giant, who had died earlier that year.

Related Topics:
Professional wrestlers - World Wrestling Entertainment - 1993 - 1996 - 2004 - 20th - WrestleMania - André the Giant

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Since (living) recipients appear at a Hall of Fame acceptance event, receiving the award depends on the candidate being on good terms with WWE. Because of this, several notable absences exist, including Bruno Sammartino, the longest reigning WWE Champion, who, as recently as 2005, refuses to be inducted, Bret Hart, who has historically refused (though a recent thaw in his relations and with the company on a DVD project with WWE may suggest he is open to the idea), and The Ultimate Warrior, who has flatly refused claiming it would sully his reputation to accept. Although the Hall in theory includes those with the most important WWE careers, the inductees also include some who made their biggest mark outside of WWE, such as Harley Race.

Related Topics:
Bruno Sammartino - WWE Champion - 2005 - Bret Hart - The Ultimate Warrior - Harley Race

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The 2006 Class is already being rumoured, with Hart, Dusty Rhodes, Arn Anderson, the entire Four Horsemen and the entire Von Erich wrestling family all mentioned publicly by WWE as being considered. Ricky Steamboat was mentioned as a possible candidate prior to the 2005 Class but remains to be inducted.

Related Topics:
Dusty Rhodes - Arn Anderson - Four Horsemen - Von Erich wrestling family - Ricky Steamboat

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

WWE commentators regularly refer to the following wrestlers as 'future Hall of Famers': Kurt Angle, Shawn Michaels, the Undertaker, the Rock, Stone Cold Steve Austin, Triple H and Ric Flair.

Related Topics:
Kurt Angle - Shawn Michaels - The Undertaker - The Rock - Stone Cold Steve Austin - Triple H - Ric Flair

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

As of 2005, Harley Race ,"Big Cat" Ernie Ladd, and Big John Studd are the only three wrestlers to be inducted into both the WCW Hall of Fame and the WWE Hall of Fame.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~