First, let me say I generally like and agree with most of what Madden writes. He's been following the business professionally since the 1980s. In Pittsburgh I always the newspaper interviews he did with guys like Ric Flair, Terry Funk, & Shawn Michaels, among others. He gets the business, a soap opera where the storyline drives interest and the climax is the match. An OK match from a phsyical stand point is a classic with the right storyline (Hogan-Andre). A great match with a lousy or weak set up is a great athletic accomplishment few fans watch and fewer remember (Brett Hart vs The Lazor Tron guy, Nitro 1998).
A WWE HOF, especially if they are serious about doing a physical HOF like the NFL & MLB have, really is a sham without Bruno. Imagine the MLB HOF without Babe Ruth, or Ted Williams, or Cy Young. Imagine the NFL HOF without Johnny Unitas, Vince Lombardi, Jerry Rice. Regardless of wether or not you think Bruno was a bit bland, that he couldnt do as well crossing territories as Harley Race or Dusty Rhodes for example, or if you see him as virtual wrestling God, his accomplishments speak for themselves.
Bruno was the centerpiece for the entire company's creation. In essence he was bigger than Hulk Hogan was to the WWE machine. Without Bruno as an extremely popular, gate drawing, attraction there was no WWE. Before Hulka-Mania, WWE was doing quite well. They simply had not expanded as a global company and focussed mainly on their territorial area of the US. They were making money, lots of it, Hogan's success didnt save them, they were doing quite well, Hogan's success did provide the catalyst for VKM Jr's national and eventually international expansion plans. Fact is, thanks to TBS, Jim Crockett Jr was thinking much the same thing but his execution and marketing were not equal to McMahon's, although many would say he had a better roster and offered better stories and definately better matches.
Realistically, since the 1960s as pro wrestling, thanks to local TV, became a major entertainment attraction in the US, rivaling concerts, etc as a draw in mid size through arena size venues (and occassionally stadiums), Bruno's importance to the industry through his importance to WWE's growth is comparable to any super star of the past 50 years. If Hogan & Flair are absolute no brainers as HOF'ers, Bruno is right with them. Maybe Bruno did not reach the international acclaim those two did, he was not the marketing dream Hogan was or the influential figure Flair was, but his star shined brighter for a decade than just about anyone's in the US wrestling scene. Unlike guys like Harley Race who did a trememdous job carrying an established successful promotion, Bruno had to carry a brand new struggling promotion, a promotion who's very existence depended on his success as their top star and attraction.
Also living in Pgh (Bruno's hometwon) I am very familiar with his story and his long standing dislike for VM Jr. From his criticism of Hogan's drawing power and lack of wrestling skill, his accusations that Flair relied too heavily on certain spots in matches, and his contention that VM blackballed his son over drug issues while turning a blind eye to multiple other wrestlers on the roster with similair or worse issues, blackballing him only because Bruno refused to keep going on the road to help arena business, I've read and followed this for years. Bruno has also been a very outspoken critic of both the cartoon Disney-like promotional style of the Rock & Wrestling 1980s era and even more so the adult oriented, more vulgar late 90s Attitude/Monday Night Wars era, critical of the 80s as an unrealistic portrayl that made the performers look weak and the late 90s as being a bad influence on the many children who watch the product. On some things I agree with him, others I think he sounds bitter, and although VM Jr has never addressed it knowing what a cut throat industry this is (even more so back then) I can believe there is at least some truth in the David Sammartino story.
In the end, Bruno would probably sue WWE if they used his name or likeness in anyway associated with promoting or marketing the HOF. Certainly his inclusion and in a physical building any sort of display in his honor would be a draw for WWE and in that sense I would expect Bruno to seek litigation. With that in mind he probably will never be officially inducted in the HOF, a sad fact, especially when you consider Vince has put aside personall issues with the likes of Brett Hart & Dusty Rhodes among others to see them inducted (both derserving, although I say clearly as someone who is not a Hart fan).
As for references to Savage, is there some verification that his family wants to make sure Lanny & Angelo are inducted as well before Randy can go in ? Who ever said this or reported on it ? Fact is, Lanny is in no way deserving of a HOF spot, he was a semi entertaining mid card talent for a short period of time, mostly keeping a spot due to his association with Randy. If Lanny Poffo goes in then Brutus Beefcake cant be far behind due to his association with Hogan. Maybe Kenny Dykstra should be inducted as well, he did feud with both DX & Ric Flair and he was a tag team partner of Edge, all HOF'ers.
And Ultimate Warrior ?? Really ?? I know some non wrestling personalities have been inducted as part of the so called "celebrity" wing, Pete Rose, Mike Tyson, etc, simply for media attention. For the most part the wrestlers however were all major long term contributors to the industry. Warrior had a great run circa 1988-90. That was it. His 1992 re appearance and subsequent fued with Papa Shango was a bust, his injuring Flair and forcing him off the road derailed any chances of him getting the World Title, and his brief returns in 1996 & 1998 produced few moments worth mentioning. After his initial two year career peak (and it was a great two year peak), he was rarely around and spent little time as major factor. Goldberg had an equalling compelling run 97-99, including high profile wins over Hogan, Sting, Giant, & DDP. He also had major feuds vs Triple H & Evolution and Brock Lesnar, main eventing muliple PPVs and beating Trips for the World Title during his WWE run, which lasted about as long as Warrior's 92, 96, & 98 returns combined. If Warrior goes into the HOF based on 18 months and one WrestleMania where Hogan carried him, then Goldberg should be a shoe in with The Streak, The GA Dome Title Win, the mammoth Starrcade 98 Main Event, beating Tiple H at the height of his run, WCW & WWE Championships. I'd love to see someone argue the merits of Warrior being a worthy HOF'er while contending Goldberg is not.
Personally I dont think either of them should be in, but Goldberg is a better candidate.
