"WCW" Theme at Wrestlemania 27?

[hatehabsforever]

I totally agree with those who think Sting should NOT be in the Hall of Fame. It's the WWE Hall of Fame. I do not know whether or not Inoki wrestled at all in the WWE but I'm pretty sure he did, just not for any extended amount of time.
If the WWE wants to change it to the Wrestling Hall of Fame, Sting should be in no brainer but again, it's the WWE Hall of Fame.
It would be like putting Sadaharu Oh in Cooperstown simply because he was a great Japanese Ball Player. He doesn't deserve to be in Cooperstown cause he never played in the MLB. I think the same premise here applies to Sting....

Finally, someone appears to be getting the point I have been trying to make. The baseball analogy states it perfectly.

It it were to be a Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame, put Sting in there. He wouldn't necessarily be my choice, but I can appreciate that I'm in the minority in this opinion. But it's the WWE Hall of Fame, and it should be exclusive to WWE people. I don't reallty care how many other guys are already in there with no WWE connection. Gordon Solie may have been superb, but if he wasn't affiliated with the WWF/WWE, he shouldn't be in there either.

 

[Swarles Barkley]

If it were a pro football Hall of Fame in general, sure, but not a NFL Hall of Fame.

Um, the Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, is actually called the Pro Football Hall of Fame. It's not the NFL Hall of Fame. Warren Moon was inducted in 2006 and got in somewhat on his five Grey Cup Championships with Edmonton. Just thought I'd point that out.

On topic, WCW guys, like Sting should be in the WWE Hall of Fame. Look at who's in the WWE Hall of Fame, not all of them wrestled extensively, or at all, for the WWF/WWE. Stu Hart will get in this year and he never wrestled for Vince. Inoki, Gagne and Bockwinkel never worked for Vince.

I think you're taking the WWE Hall of Fame too seriously.

 

[marklouis]

I really like the idea of a WCW theme to next year's HOF inductions. Now, to be fair, I've lived in the Atlanta area just about my entire life, so WCW was the first wresting promotion I watched on TV and saw live, at the Omni. Yeah, I'm biased-I still miss WCW. But you cannot deny that the company played an enormous role in the history of professional wrestling, and since Vince now owns the WCW property, I see nothing wrong with putting their top performers in the HOF. I hope Sting is retired by then, because he absolutely deserves to be inducted. I don't know about Luger, only because WWE has been been pretty hard on his personal life. Remember, they ran a story on that old "Confidential" show about the death of Miss Elizabeth that was brutal on Luger. The Steiners and Road Warriors definitely belong in the HOF, as do Ron Simmons and Arn Anderson. Actually, I'm surprised those last 3 aren't in already, considering they are connected to WWE. I wouldn't mind seeing the 4 Horsemen inducted as a group, considering how important they were to the history of the business. In any event, I think this is a great idea, and if it happens, I'd love to go to the event.

Let me add, I see people using the analogy of the Baseball Hall of Fame, but that doesn't work. The Baseball Hall of Fame is not the MLB Hall of Fame, it is the National Baseball HOF. There are Negro league players in it who never played in MLB. If the baseball writers wanted to put a Japanese legend in, they probably could. Just like the football HOF is not the NFL HOF, it is the Pro Football HOF, and the Basketball HOF is not the NBA HOF. There are people in the basketball HOF that have absolutely no connection to the NBA.

 

[hatehabsforever]

Because Gordon Solie is in. He was the original voice of WCW. Because there are numerous competitors of WWF/E already in. Vince wants to make it more a pro wrestling hall of fame. He never said it had to be WWF/E specific.

I think Sting deserves to be in. I don't think anyone would argue that a wrestling hall of fame without Sting is complete. I also don't think his credentials are up for debate, especially when Koko B. Ware is in. I don't know if he would accept though.

I agree that Schiavone should be inducted. He did amazing work for WCW, but his work for WWF wasn't bad either. Schiavone and Heenan are one of the top broadcast teams of all time, and it would be nice to get Tony in while Heenan is still alive.

The Road Warriors are an excellent choice. The only question about them is whether or not Hawk's personal issues get glossed over, or if you recognize the whole of the team.

I also don't think Scott Steiner has been critical of WWE to the point that he would get snubbed from an honor he deserves. He is the star of one of the greatest tag teams of all time and had a better than average singles career as well. Plus, how could you not want to watch his speech?

Just out of curiosity, why do you think that Sting might not accept the induction? Might it be because he himself would realize that he would not be deserving of being honored in the Hall of Fame of an organization that he never performed in. Or would it be another slap in the face at a gesture offered by Vince McMahon, of whom he's been openly critical on numerous occasions, which would be yet another reason why he shouldn't receive the offer in the first place.

 

[The Doctor]

First off, hatehabs, thanks for the semi-compliment. I'd rep you for your extremely good posts in this thread but I have to spread.

I see where you're coming from, I really do. You want to keep the WWE Hall for WWE wrestlers only. I understand.

However, I believe that WWE is trying to appear as unbiased. They have to have a certain amount of people for the hall each year, and how would it look if they gave such spots to people like Big Bully Busick and Bart Gunn? This isn't the old times anymore; people are aware that there is more wrestling out there than WWE. Plus, since they've started adding in people like Bill Watts and Gordon Solie, people will start clamoring for stars from other companies.

It's really the WWE's fault that they're inducting Sting. If they had never started inducting celebrities and non-WWE personalities I doubt this discussion would even be happening.

The way I see it is, if they must have non-WWE wrestlers in the hall, it makes sense to induct high profile ones. And Sting is just that.

 

[NaturallyPricele$$]

It would be like putting Sadaharu Oh in Cooperstown simply because he was a great Japanese Ball Player. He doesn't deserve to be in Cooperstown cause he never played in the MLB. I think the same premise here applies to Sting....

If you wanna use a baseball example, why do you allow Negro league players into Cooperstown? Many of these players did not play against Major League players yet they are allowed in.

I agree with a previous poster who said the WWE Hall of Fame is more like the Professional Hall of Fame sponsored by the WWE. In the past few years the WWE has evolved from pretending they are the only professional wrestling organization around to acknowledging the competition. Hence the reason Ric Flair is a 16 time World Champion rather than a two time WWF/E Champion. I for one think this is a good thing for the fans and for pro wrestling as a whole. It's ok to say your brand, organization, etc is superior to the competition however you don't pretend they don't exist.

 

[DL23]

I was just reading on the main site that supposedly the WWE is considering an all-WCW theme for the Hall of Fame inductions in Atlanta next year for Wrestlemania 27. People being considered include Sting (assuming he's not currently in TNA at the time), Lex Luger, the Steiner Brothers, the Road Warriors, and other notable WCW names.

Am I the only one who finds this idea ludicrous? Now I understand that Vince McMahon bought WCW and therefore owns its rights. But come on. Sting has never wrestled one day in the WWE. Despite being approached numerous times, supposedly, he has consistently said no. As well, he has consistently spoken very negatively of Vince McMahon and the WWF/WWE over the years. Regardless of who owns the rights to WCW, and regardless of Sting's accomplishments elsewhere, how could he be considered for the WWE Hall of Fame? And if so, how could he even consider accepting the nomination?

At least Lex Luger wrestled in the WWF for a while, and was pretty big during his time there. But he jumped ship in the infamous Monday Night Wars era, in a sneaky fashion as well, in a high profile defection that TNA could only dream of pulling off today. Because his time in the WWF was so short, and because of his lack of loyalty and integrity, again how could he be considered, and how could he have the face to accept?

The Steiner Brothers were a great tag team a really long time ago. But again, Scott Steiner especially has been so vocal in his contempt for Vince McMahon, HHH, HBK, and the WWF/WWE in general, in my opinion he gave up any consideration for the Hall of Fame. Plus, while they were a good team years ago, later tenures with the WWE were lacklustre at best.

Now the Road Warriors I could agree with but I consider them as relevant in the WWF as they were in WCW, I would have no problem with this.

And the "other notable WCW names?" If they were notable in WCW only, such as Bill Goldberg, I say no way, whereas if they were notable in both, such as Booker T, I say OK.

Regardless of who owns what, how can you induct someone into your Hall of Fame if they've never wrestled for you, or if they've displayed consistent contempt for you and the organization that would be inducting them?

Thoughts?

Dude I'm not discrediting the source (I've read the article) I'm not at all surprised by the rumours, it kind of goes hand in hand, I don't expect WWE to induct WCW only guys, however I can easily see them inducting say Macho Man and someone else who did amazing in WWE, and filling the other slots with former wcw guys.

 

[SickJames]

I say we get STING vs THE UNDERTAKER out of this next year!

Maybe a WCW Reunion (ECW ONE NIGHT STAND) like show

a storyline leading toward it or WWE/WCW mini thingy

or just the match itself


with Vince egging Sting on

 

[Zigglerfan227]

I really believe that WWE should just have a hall of fame for their wrestlers only because people like Sting never wrestled in WWE. Some other men that may have wrestled in WWE were not as big as they were in WCW. See, look at Ron Simmons (or farooq), did he do anything important in WWE/WWF? No not really. Did Scott Steiner really accomplish anything in WWE? No. Now, if the WWE just HAD to induct people from WCW then both of these men would be top choices because they atleast wrestled in the WWE and they were known names. The Roadwarriors would be a great choice, as we all know they were big names anyway in WWE. booker T would be a fine choice as well if they inducted people from WCW. He wrestled in the WWE and actually won a world title.

One other thing, if the WWE can iduct WCW stars into the Hall of fame, they can also induct ECW wrestlers in to it as well. ECW had its fair share of men to wrestle in the WWE. Wrestlers such as Tommy dreamer, Sandman, Rhino, and Sabu would be good choices for the Hall of fame. Tommy Dreamer held the ECW title and hardcore title while in the WWE and the other men listed were known names.

 

[ct_redneck]

I think its a great idea even if they don't induct sting there so many others they could go with. Such as Lex Luger, The Road Warriors, Arn Anderson, Tully Blanchard, Barry Windham, The Free Birds and so on

 

[Syborgg]

I'm going to fall into the group that DOES believe Sting should be in the HOF. First off, all of your 'other sports' comparisons have holes in them. Cooperstown I believe is the Baseball HOF not the MLB HOF, It's the Football HOF not the NFL HOF, and hell even the Hockey HOF has inducted Russian players and so forth who never competed in the NHL(they're even going to induct Women players at some point).

But the reason to consider inducting Sting is because of his impact on the industry. Sure he was the face of WCW, so how can you have a WCW theme without it's biggest(home grown) star?

As for Sting accepting the invitation, that's a different story. He may accept on the basis that it would give him a forum to speak to the fans and thank them for their support. Also, just because he's been critical of the McMahons and how they do business it doesn't mean much for a one night appearance, infact I think it would gain Sting's respect if after everything, WWE still wants to honor him. On the other side, he may respectfully decline the offer just because of the simple fact that he's never worked for WWE and wouldn't feel right about it.

Oh and I know it's a stretch, but Sting has appeared on WWE T.V. The very last Nitro was basically WWE Nitro the way they simulcasted everything.

 

[thegoat]

I don't know if anyone has mentioned them cuz I haven't read all of the posts, but what about The Midnight Express? Also if we're talking Atlanta, GA. we're talking Bad Street and there is NO WAY you leave out The Freebirds.

 

[Little Jerry Lawler]

I totally agree with those who think Sting should NOT be in the Hall of Fame. It's the WWE Hall of Fame. I do not know whether or not Inoki wrestled at all in the WWE but I'm pretty sure he did, just not for any extended amount of time.
If the WWE wants to change it to the Wrestling Hall of Fame, Sting should be in no brainer but again, it's the WWE Hall of Fame.
It would be like putting Sadaharu Oh in Cooperstown simply because he was a great Japanese Ball Player. He doesn't deserve to be in Cooperstown cause he never played in the MLB. I think the same premise here applies to Sting....

There's a big problem with that analogy my friend. Cooperstown is the National Baseball Hall of Fame, not the MLB Hall of Fame. I suppose we should kick out most of the Negro League players since they never played in the MLB.

The WWE Hall of Fame encompasses wrestlers who wrestled in WCW, NWA, AWA, etc. It really doesn't matter to me if Sting never wrestled in the WWE. He is one of the biggest legends in wrestling and deserve to be in the hall of fame no matter if they say it is the "WWE" Hall of Fame.

 

[Paragon of Virtue]

Along with the many others here, I think Sting should be in the WWE Hall of fame. If it was meant for WWE wrestlers exclusively, then that's the way it would have been. But obviously, they've been inducting other wrestlers too who haven't been with the WWE before. That's the approach that Vince McMahon wants to go and that's the way it is, so why would you even bother saying it should be for WWE wrestlers only? Yes Sting has said some negative things towards the WWE, but look at Bret Hart. He's another wrestler with long time problems with Vince McMahon and look whats happened now. Vince could easily forget anything negative that Sting has said towards them and still induct him because it would be a good decision because the attention he would bring to the Hall of Fame.

 

[LascoX]

Its obvious by some of the past selections into the WWE HOF that Vince wants to make the WWE HOF the main , most respected HOF. He wants it to be about wrestling , not just the WWE and you can't do that with out giving a nod to the other major tallent in the industry. As more than one person pointed out , Sting did wrestle for the WWE on the last night of Nitro so why not have him inducted. I think a WCW themed HOF is a good idea as the WWE / WCW monday night wars took wrestling to a new level. Vince likes to think he owns all things wrestling so who are we to argue with him if he wants to induct non WWE wrestlers and personalities into the HOF to give the WWE HOF credibility as the main HOF.

 

[Gifted Music]

Wrestlemania will be held in MY hometown of Atlanta Georgia next year..Being born and raised in Atlanta, obviously I was a big WCW fan growing up..I, for one, am greatful they're doing this..When the Football HOF inducts people, they say the "Pro Football Hall of Fame"...They don't say the "NFL Hall of Fame"...Same with Baseball and Basketball...Hall of Fames are to recognize your achievements within the industry and since there is no more WCW to recognize it, this is as close as it gets... I would love to see Eric Bischoff inducted since he basically CREATED the Monday Night Wars...However, I see him still being in TNA at the time...Other notable WCW names who have already been inducted include Ric Flair(who, by the way, did MOST of his HOF credentials in NWA/WCW, not WWE), and Hulk Hogan.

The WCW Hall of Fame will not be complete unless Sting is leading the class next year...He was THE Face of WCW for years...He was leading WCW against an Austin-led WWF...Theres other guys I would like to see included such as...


Booker T: I Could see a Harlem Heat induction but i'd rather see Booker inducted as a Singles Star... Considering he was trying to get back in WWE and is no longer in TNA, i'd consider this a lock... He's a 10 time WCW Tag Team Champion, US Champion, TV Champion, and a 5 time(including the last) WCW Champion..Why wouldn't he?...I can see Stevie Ray or Sharmell inducting Booker.

Scott Steiner: Again, I could see a Steiner Brothers induction..They're former multiple time Tag Champions and Scott himself is a former WCW Champion..I think his feelings toward the WWE may prevent this induction, however..If he is, I see brother Rick inducting him..If they're inducted together, who knows.

Macho Man Randy Savage: If Vince was willing to bury the hatchet with the Ultimate Warrior long enough to induct him, I don't see why he wouldn't induct Savage...Not only is he a multiple time WCW Champion, but he's also a former WWE Champion and one of the few faces who got the rub during the Hulkamania era.

Goldberg: The closest to Sting as being the face of WCW is Goldberg.The only reason I prefer Sting is longjevity..Goldberg had his undefeated streak..He's a former WCW Champion AND WWE Champion(some may forget)...He was a main player against Hulk Hogan's nWo...If he can put his feelings aside, I can see him headlining next years class if Sting is still in TNA...I can honestly see Steve Austin doing this induction..

Arn Anderson: Only if Ric Flair can induct him..Anderson was the Enforcer for the greatest faction in Professional Wrestling history, the Horsemen.. Former TV Champion, Tag Champion, the ONLY reason he was never WCW Champion was because Flair always either had the belt or was fighting for it during Anderson's prime.

DDP: He started late but still a former 3 time WCW Champion...Given his contributions, I say let him in...With Kimberly inducting.

The Outsiders: Scott Hall probably won't be in TNA by this time..I dunno about Kevin Nash but i'd love to see them inducted as a way to honor the nWo, who revolutionized WCW.. Nash himself was a former WCW Champion and The Outsiders were multiple time World Tag Team Champions...And Nash is good buddies with Triple H and Shawn Michaels so If he's not in TNA, I can bet he'll be here...Probably with Triple H or Shawn Michaels doing the inducting.

Lex Lugar: Like him or not...He has the credentials..Former US Champion, former TV Champion...Multiple time WCW Champion...

Ron Simmons: Simmons paved the way for Booker T to be WCW Champion...The first african american World Champion in HISTORY..Not to mention his WWE accomplishments they can throw in..Multiple time Tag Team Champion..Former WCW Champion..He's gotta go in, with JBL inducting him of course.

Jeff Jarrett:Given his status in TNA and his relationship with Vince, it's a lock that he Will NOT be here...But he is a former multiple time WCW Champion and would deserve it if he ever left TNA.


Mick Foley/Cactus Jack:Assuming hes not with TNA, I can see them inducting Foley in the HOF..He was big in WCW in the early 90's feuding with Vader and Sting...Plus, he's a 3 time WWE Champion...I say, put him in.

Road Warriors: Multiple time WCW and WWE Tag Team Champions...Just as big in both companies..I say put em in.


Rey Mysterio: I think it'd be a nice way to honor WCW's cruiserweight division by inducting the Face of all Cruiserweights...Plus, being a former WWE World Champion doesnt hurt his status...Retired or not, put him in.

And last but not least...

STING: If Sting is not inducted, the HOF won't have that same feel, even if they do induct Goldberg...Sting was the face of WCW for years...A Multiple time WCW Champion, Tag Champion, US Champion...Every belt you can think of..Sting had memorable feuds and matches with EVERY big name WCW Superstar...From Foley to Vader..From Lugar to Savage...From Flair to Hogan...If you had ANY name value in WCW from 1990-2000, you were in a program with Sting..He is the WCW equivelant of The Undertaker and It would be the biggest honor to induct him in the HOF in the place where he made the name Sting famous.Overrated? Yeah, if by overrated you mean carried WCW on your back before they even got Hogan... If Hulk Hogan was the heel of WCW, Sting was that face to rise up against the nWo...NOONE from WCW deserves an induction more than Sting.Nobody.


There you have it...My take from someone who was raised in ATL and witnessed some of the great WCW moments...I was there in 1998 as a 12 year old kid and watched Bill Goldberg defeat Hollywood Hulk Hogan for the WCW Championship...The place erupted...TV did not do the reaction justice as the roof nearly exploded off the GA Dome from the moment Goldberg lifted Hogan up to the moment he slammed him down with that Jackhammer...I'm proud to say I Am buying tickets to both the Wrestlemania 27 event next year AND the Hall of Fame ceremony...And it would be great to see WCW Superstars honored for their contributions to the Wrestling business.

 

[The Duke]

I totally disagree with you. The fact of the matter is, it's not a professional wrestling Hall of Fame, if it were, I wouldn't argue the point as much (although I may still argue whether or not Sting would deserve this, or is he just a big fish in a little pond for his entire career, but that's another discussion for another day). It's the WWE hall of fame. I cannot see how you honor a guy who never wrestled one day, one match, in the company, and in fact has consistently thumbed his nose at the company in a fairly vocal manner, just because you own the rights to the rival defunct company and because it's in Atlanta.

I hear what you are saying about Inoki. I would respectfully suggest he doesn't belong there either.

Let's say, hypothetically, that TNA were to fold tomorrow, and Vince bought the remains of the organization, keeping the wrestlers he wanted and ignoring the others. He wants Styles, but A.J. refuses to join WWE over and over again, wrestling the rest of his career in Japan, or Mexico, or wherever. All the while, Styles bashes the WWE, its lifestyle, its storylines, its morality, its owner, its wrestlers.

A decade or more passes, and Styles career is winding down. Would he deserve a WWE induction? I say no, and that's exactly the situation with Sting. Sting has had ample opportunity to step up to the big times and show whether or not he's Hall of Fame worthy, but he's chosen not to, which is certainly his right, but his choice, in my opinion, makes him ineligible for the WWE Hall of Fame.

If the CFL folded tomorrow, and NFL bought its rights, should Damon Allen or Anthony Calvillo (one former and one current CFL quarterback greats) be inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame, not having taken one snap in the NFL? Of course not. If it were a pro football Hall of Fame in general, sure, but not a NFL Hall of Fame.

You cannot be considered one of the legendary greats in the WWE if you never competed with the organization against its other legends. It's just not right, even for the over-rated Sting.

I think that if the CFL were to fold and the NFL bought it's rights, they would induct CFL legends into the PRO FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME. It's not the NFL Hall of Fame. Same deal with baseball. They induct negro league players and such into the hall.

I think Vince wants to make the E look less like it;s own entity and try to draw other superstars and fans from other companies and turn World Wrestling Entertainment into the "end all, be all" of pro wrestling, henceforth inducting guys who may have never stepped into a WWE ring into the Wrestling Hall Of Fame. He wants to make the E the epitome of professional wrestling. I think if Sting isn't with TNA next year officially Vince might ask him into the HOF in the E. Sting is one of the biggest names in wrestling history and he should be inducted in the hall of fame. Does Lex Luger deserve to be in the HOF? No. Sting? Yes, The Steiners? Maybe. The Road Warriors, yes. So I think this is a great idea but I'm sure Vince will turn it into something awful.

 

[hatehabsforever]

I'm just trying to get a mental image of this. Vince McMahon decides to take the plunge and make the Hall of Fame induction ceremony at WM27 in Atlanta a "WCW-themed" event. He offers Sting the prestigious induction, assuming he's no longer affiliated with TNA, assuming it still exists, and Sting accepts.

His name is announced, Sting stands up and proceeds to the stage to receive his honor. Past the Undertaker. And HHH. And HBK. And John Cena, Randy Orton, Dave Batista, Edge, etc., Past all of these guys who have devoted almost their entire careers to the WWF/WWE. Past all of these guys who have been supremely loyal to Vince and the company. Past all of these guys who he's never faced, likely never will face, on the night before Wrestlemania, which he has never competed in and never will.

What does he say? How does he look these guys in the eyes with a straight face? Does he say thank you? For what? How do you walk past these guys who could have been your peers, but weren't by your own choice. I think it would be extremely awkward and uncomfortable, like something's not right. Because it wouldn't be right.

He's not Gordon Solie, an announcer, he's a wrestler. He's not being inducted post-humously (sp?), he still very much alive and capable of going for years more if he wanted to (like Hogan or Flair). He'd have to have balls like grapefruits to get up on stage, in front of a who's who of the WWE world, to accept an award of this nature, one of the few accomplishments in the surreal world of the WWE that isn't and shouldn't be kayfabe.

 

[hatehabsforever]

I think that if the CFL were to fold and the NFL bought it's rights, they would induct CFL legends into the PRO FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME. It's not the NFL Hall of Fame. Same deal with baseball. They induct negro league players and such into the hall.

I think Vince wants to make the E look less like it;s own entity and try to draw other superstars and fans from other companies and turn World Wrestling Entertainment into the "end all, be all" of pro wrestling, henceforth inducting guys who may have never stepped into a WWE ring into the Wrestling Hall Of Fame. He wants to make the E the epitome of professional wrestling. I think if Sting isn't with TNA next year officially Vince might ask him into the HOF in the E. Sting is one of the biggest names in wrestling history and he should be inducted in the hall of fame. Does Lex Luger deserve to be in the HOF? No. Sting? Yes, The Steiners? Maybe. The Road Warriors, yes. So I think this is a great idea but I'm sure Vince will turn it into something awful.

OK, I think it's been well established by several posters that the football analogy and the baseball analogy have their flaws, but the basic premise of what I'm trying to say is still there. If it were an NFL Hall of Fame, CFL guys should not be eligible. The fact that it is, in actuality, a Pro Football Hall of Fame, making CFL guys eligible only makes my point even more. It would be appropriate to put CFL guys into a Pro Football Hall, but not an NFL Hall.

Likewise, if Cooperstown is actually a Baseball Hall, not a MLB Hall, then it would be OK to put a Japanese player, or someone from the Negro Leagues, in, but it wouldn't be correct if Cooperstown were exclusively MLB.

Likewise, Sting belongs in a Pro Wrestling Hall, just not in a WWE Hall of Fame.

 

[Little Jerry Lawler]

I'm just trying to get a mental image of this. Vince McMahon decides to take the plunge and make the Hall of Fame induction ceremony at WM27 in Atlanta a "WCW-themed" event. He offers Sting the prestigious induction, assuming he's no longer affiliated with TNA, assuming it still exists, and Sting accepts.

His name is announced, Sting stands up and proceeds to the stage to receive his honor. Past the Undertaker. And HHH. And HBK. And John Cena, Randy Orton, Dave Batista, Edge, etc., Past all of these guys who have devoted almost their entire careers to the WWF/WWE. Past all of these guys who have been supremely loyal to Vince and the company. Past all of these guys who he's never faced, likely never will face, on the night before Wrestlemania, which he has never competed in and never will.

What does he say? How does he look these guys in the eyes with a straight face? Does he say thank you? For what? How do you walk past these guys who could have been your peers, but weren't by your own choice. I think it would be extremely awkward and uncomfortable, like something's not right. Because it wouldn't be right.

He's not Gordon Solie, an announcer, he's a wrestler. He's not being inducted post-humously (sp?), he still very much alive and capable of going for years more if he wanted to (like Hogan or Flair). He'd have to have balls like grapefruits to get up on stage, in front of a who's who of the WWE world, to accept an award of this nature, one of the few accomplishments in the surreal world of the WWE that isn't and shouldn't be kayfabe.

Sting could say thank you for all the people who had given him a chance to succeed and all the fans for their love and support. I know HHH, HBK, Undertaker, and Cena are respectful of the business enough to know that Sting is one of the all-time greats even though he never wrestled in WWE.

 

[The Revelation]

I agree that the Hall of Fame seems much more like a Wrestling HOF these days. Vince owns WCW and men like Sting deserve to be inducted. Inoki is going in this year, Verne Gagne has been inducted... WCW definitley shouldn't ve left out.
FOR THE RECORD... STING can be seen in many interviews PRAISING how WWE and Vince treated him. He has spoken very well of WWE, he only said he wouldn't wrestle there cause they wouldn't use him right.

 

[It's...Baylariat!]

I never thought of it that way, but it does look like the WCW theme will be taking place next year for the WWE Hall of Fame. It'll be in the Georgia Dome, so I expect a LOT of the WCW stars to be inducted. Sting? I doubt it. He never wrestled in the WWE and who knows if he'll be working for TNA by then. So I say no on that.

Here's who will be inducted into the HOF, if they're not inducted this year.

1) Arn Anderson. NO doubt in my mind he's going in. He should have went in ages ago, but he'll get his due and be inducted and hopefully be introduced by Ric Flair. This has to happen. And it would be well deserved.

2) Tully Blanchard. Another no brainer. Second generation wrestler who perfected being a heel and contributed a lot to wrestling, and to the WWE as well. Despite his run ins with drugs, he still should be inducted, and Shawn Michaels should induct him. Because they're both from San Antonio, TX and his first start in wrestling was in Tully's dad's promotion in San Antonio.

3) Michael PS Hayes. I can't stand the guy, but he's no doubt going in. FROM Atlanta, was with THE first faction in pro wrestling and works for the WWE. He's going in. Wonder who will induct him?

4) Lex Luger. This may or may not happen. I don't see it happening, but I'm putting him down simply to help fill out the possibilities. Luger wrestled for WCW and the WWE, had great success in both promotions, and according to our admin SlyFox, is one of the greatest wrestlers of all time. Definitely not the case, but I wouldn't be shocked to see him in.

5) Stan Hansen. Just personal preference here. Done a lot in wrestling in general. Wrestled in WCW and WWE and put over WWWF talent back in the olden days, so he deserves a nod in my book.

DDP, Buff, Goldberg and others do NOT deserve a nod. So there you go.

 

[Swarles Barkley]

OK, I think it's been well established by several posters that the football analogy and the baseball analogy have their flaws, but the basic premise of what I'm trying to say is still there. If it were an NFL Hall of Fame, CFL guys should not be eligible. The fact that it is, in actuality, a Pro Football Hall of Fame, making CFL guys eligible only makes my point even more. It would be appropriate to put CFL guys into a Pro Football Hall, but not an NFL Hall.

Likewise, if Cooperstown is actually a Baseball Hall, not a MLB Hall, then it would be OK to put a Japanese player, or someone from the Negro Leagues, in, but it wouldn't be correct if Cooperstown were exclusively MLB.

Likewise, Sting belongs in a Pro Wrestling Hall, just not in a WWE Hall of Fame.

The day that they stopped inducting guys like Johnny Rodz and started letting people like Gagne, Bockwinkel and the like in, it ceased to be simply the WWE Hall of Fame and became more like a Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame. It's the WWE Hall of Fame in name only.

 

[WJDwjdWJDwjd]

You all put up a lot of really great names in here. I started watching Pro-Wrestling as a WCW fan when I was a kid back in 1996. I remember vividly the nWo and their feuds with WCW as a rival faction. I remember the Bischoff vs Larry Zbysyzko (another name that should be inducted!) match for control of Nitro, DDP being huge in company, the quality cruiserweight action and watching the first ever episode of Thunder! WCW was great during the Monday Night Wars. Staying up and watching it on Mondays was my favorite night of the week.

One name I don't think I've seen on here that deserves to be in is the "Iceman", "The Man of 1,000 Holds" Dean Malenko! Here's his track record as a professional wrestler.

* Extreme Championship Wrestling
o ECW World Television Championship (2 times)
o ECW World Tag Team Championship (1 time)– with Chris Benoit

* Pro Wrestling Illustrated
o PWI ranked him #1 in the PWI 500 in 1997

* World Championship Wrestling
o WCW Cruiserweight Championship (4 times)
o WCW United States Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
o WCW World Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Chris Benoit

* World Wrestling Federation
o WWF Light Heavyweight Championship (2 times)

He's also still with WWE as a Senior Road agent. He had one of the great feuds with Chris Jericho when Cruiserweight Wrestling was over big time with the crowd in WCW. Probably the the most high profile CW feud in WCW's history. He was also part of the last group of the Four Horseman. He came into WWF as part of the Radicalz which was a huge loss for WCW during the Monday Night Wars.

So, to add to that very long list of wrestlers we have compiled for consideration, I'd like to throw in Malenko.

I'd like to throw in one more name that deserves to be in if you're talking about inducting anyone... TED TURNER!

 

[itbewilly]

I totally disagree with you. The fact of the matter is, it's not a professional wrestling Hall of Fame, if it were, I wouldn't argue the point as much (although I may still argue whether or not Sting would deserve this, or is he just a big fish in a little pond for his entire career, but that's another discussion for another day). It's the WWE hall of fame. I cannot see how you honor a guy who never wrestled one day, one match, in the company, and in fact has consistently thumbed his nose at the company in a fairly vocal manner, just because you own the rights to the rival defunct company and because it's in Atlanta.

I hear what you are saying about Inoki. I would respectfully suggest he doesn't belong there either.

Let's say, hypothetically, that TNA were to fold tomorrow, and Vince bought the remains of the organization, keeping the wrestlers he wanted and ignoring the others. He wants Styles, but A.J. refuses to join WWE over and over again, wrestling the rest of his career in Japan, or Mexico, or wherever. All the while, Styles bashes the WWE, its lifestyle, its storylines, its morality, its owner, its wrestlers.

A decade or more passes, and Styles career is winding down. Would he deserve a WWE induction? I say no, and that's exactly the situation with Sting. Sting has had ample opportunity to step up to the big times and show whether or not he's Hall of Fame worthy, but he's chosen not to, which is certainly his right, but his choice, in my opinion, makes him ineligible for the WWE Hall of Fame.

If the CFL folded tomorrow, and NFL bought its rights, should Damon Allen or Anthony Calvillo (one former and one current CFL quarterback greats) be inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame, not having taken one snap in the NFL? Of course not. If it were a pro football Hall of Fame in general, sure, but not a NFL Hall of Fame.

You cannot be considered one of the legendary greats in the WWE if you never competed with the organization against its other legends. It's just not right, even for the over-rated Sting.

Did you rant and rave when names of AWA were announced? Fact is Vince has honored people before that he had little or no affiliation to.I think Vince is doing the right thing.To say someone in WCW doesn't deserve inducted in his WWE Hall of Fame is stupid.You do realize the people he intends to honor almost put his company out of business? I think it takes a lot of balls to honor a group of people who you probably hated at the time for almost running the company your father built out of business.

Plus it is in Atlanta and the theme does make sense since that was WCW's stomping ground.