"WCW" Theme at Wrestlemania 27?

[latinoheat8979]

Personally I'd love to see the WCW theme HOF happen at next years WM. I really don't see what the big deal is, granted it is a WWE HOF but how many current HOF'ers wrestled in WWE? It seems as Vince is trying to make it a real pro wrestling HOF which is a good thing because it pays respect to those that gave their all to this business yet never wrestled in WWE. As a lifelong fan it'll be great to see this happen and see all those old faces that graced my TV when I was younger kinda like watching Bret in WWE now. As for the Sting debate he should be the main attraction as he was the face, the franchise of WCW.

 

[Shocky]

Not only is the show taking place in Atlanta, but it's going to be within days of the tenth anniversay of when Vinnice Mac and company put WCW out of business. There is a method to the madness of Vince McMahon.

To clarify the Hall of Fame situation, in regards to Sting. WCW, ECW, AWA, some of the NWA, the WWWF, WWF, WWE are all apart of the WWE Universe. WCW is an intellectual property of the WWE, like it or not. All of that history that we divide up in our minds, all of the Monday Night Wars, it's all the property of one WWE and Vince mcMahon.

Stings legacy is in the WWE now, and if he wants it to be properly displayed, he will acccept the WWE Hall of Fame. The WWE will make a DVD of him, and Sting will make bank. Regardless of his involvement, there is money to be made on a Sting DVD.

Also, where is the mention of Goldberg. He's a sure fire hall of famer from WCW if there ever was one.

And to answer the next question about the TNA hall of fame. If the WWE folds and TNA buys the WWE's library, then yes, TNA can invite anyone in they damn well please because they own the history of that company.

 

[jazzua]

I guess it all depends on how you define a "casual wrestling fan." I consider a casual fan as one who really doesn't watch the product involving any of the organizations or brands, and just would recognize names or faces from mainstream attention over and above the wrestling world. These people would recognize the Rock from his movies, or his TV interviews on Leno or shows like this, becasue they don't watch wrestling. They would know Hogan because he transcended the wrestling business. And by this definition, no, these casual wrestling fans wouldn't know who the hell Sting is, because they have likely never watched or heard of WCW, TNA, or ECW. If they have heard of these other groups, I wouldn't consider them "casual" fans.

How old are you? You wouldn't consider anyone who has heard of WCW a "casual fan"? Are you stupid? WCW was huge during the Monday Night War. Most of the friends I have who "casually watched" wrestling when they were younger watched WCW. Sting is often the name brought up of their favorite wrestlers when they watched. Do you just not realized how big WCW was? Or do you just not think that people who were casual watchers in the late 90's aren't casual watchers now? I guess I'm just lost on how ignorant your post is in respect to the Brand recognition of WCW. You are acting like it was a TNA/ECW size wrestling company. It wasn't. It was very popular and the main reason for the Monday Night Wars. Because of the NWO, it was basically the reason for the huge spike in ratings that happened due to their ability to turn "casual" wrestling fans into dedicated wrestling fans because of people like Sting.

 

[hatehabsforever]

I guess it all depends on how you define a "casual wrestling fan." I consider a casual fan as one who really doesn't watch the product involving any of the organizations or brands, and just would recognize names or faces from mainstream attention over and above the wrestling world. These people would recognize the Rock from his movies, or his TV interviews on Leno or shows like this, becasue they don't watch wrestling. They would know Hogan because he transcended the wrestling business. And by this definition, no, these casual wrestling fans wouldn't know who the hell Sting is, because they have likely never watched or heard of WCW, TNA, or ECW. If they have heard of these other groups, I wouldn't consider them "casual" fans.QUOTE]

How old are you? You wouldn't consider anyone who has heard of WCW a "casual fan"? Are you stupid? WCW was huge during the Monday Night War. Most of the friends I have who "casually watched" wrestling when they were younger watched WCW. Sting is often the name brought up of their favorite wrestlers when they watched. Do you just not realized how big WCW was? Or do you just not think that people who were casual watchers in the late 90's aren't casual watchers now? I guess I'm just lost on how ignorant your post is in respect to the Brand recognition of WCW. You are acting like it was a TNA/ECW size wrestling company. It wasn't. It was very popular and the main reason for the Monday Night Wars. Because of the NWO, it was basically the reason for the huge spike in ratings that happened due to their ability to turn "casual" wrestling fans into dedicated wrestling fans because of people like Sting.

I'd be willing to bet you that I am considerably older than you are, but I hardly see how that's relevant. And for the record, this is a forum for the free expression back and forth of thoughts, whether on not you agree with them. I've received a lot of feedback in this thread, and most of it not in agreement with my point of view. You're the first person to respond with nonsense like name calling and insults. But I really could care less about that, that's a typical response from someone who is unable to discuss an issue logically and hear both sides of the argument.

I am well aware of how big WCW was back in the day, I have been watching wrestling since long before the Monday Night Wars. And people back then who were watching WCW were not casual fans. I already defined how I viewed a casual fan, and apparently you have a different definition of it than I do.

Hardly the point anyway. I still say the same thing. I don't care how big WCW was for the 82 weeks it was relevant. It still wasn't the WWE, and as such, anyone on its roster who has not participated in the WWE has no business belonging in the WWE Hall of Fame.

 

[jazzua]

I'd be willing to bet you that I am considerably older than you are, but I hardly see how that's relevant. And for the record, this is a forum for the free expression back and forth of thoughts, whether on not you agree with them. I've received a lot of feedback in this thread, and most of it not in agreement with my point of view. You're the first person to respond with nonsense like name calling and insults. But I really could care less about that, that's a typical response from someone who is unable to discuss an issue logically and hear both sides of the argument.

I am well aware of how big WCW was back in the day, I have been watching wrestling since long before the Monday Night Wars. And people back then who were watching WCW were not casual fans. I already defined how I viewed a casual fan, and apparently you have a different definition of it than I do.

Hardly the point anyway. I still say the same thing. I don't care how big WCW was for the 82 weeks it was relevant. It still wasn't the WWE, and as such, anyone on its roster who has not participated in the WWE has no business belonging in the WWE Hall of Fame.

Name calling? Is this high school? I'm well aware of the purpose of this forum. I didn't here myself say that you can't express your opinion. Express away, fantastic. I also love how it doesn't matter how old you are, yet you felt it necessary to say you are older than me? However, to say that I can't argue an issue logically is silly. I explained exactly why saying that a casual fan wouldn't know WCW is down right ridiculous. Whatever your definition of a casual fan may be, it doesn't mean it's accuarate. Making up a definition for a term that suits your position, which is this, is the problem I have with it. One doesn't need to go into such detail as to what a "casual" wrestling fan is. I think that it is fairly obvious it means someone who watches casually, wouldn't you? Detailing exactly what one is, that amazingly fits your position, is the great part. None of my friends have ever been dedicated wrestling fans, yet they all know who Sting is. Even friends who aren't and never have been friends, know what WCW was. That, is my point.

Honestly, I'm not trying to be rude. I just really think your position on a casual fan, Sting, and the WWE HOF is silly. As you said, this is a place to exchange free expression and thoughts (ok...), which is what I was doing. It has already been established within the WWE HOF that you didn't technically have to wrestle there to be a part of it. Numerous members are examples of this. Most of the time, people are concerned with how little WWE does recognize other Feds and wrestling groups. Yet, here they are thinking about trying to and it causes a mini online ruckus. I'm sorry, I just don't get it.

Sting is probably the most notable homegrown WCW talent outside of Flair and possibly Golberg. While Flair and Sting were both apart of the NWA, most people in our time think of Ric with WCW. To beleive a man with the career of Sting doesn't deserve the honor of the WWE HOF "is stupid". The argument can be made against many other WCW talents, but definatly not against Sting. He was WCW through and through. Yet, WWE has shown that doesn't matter necessarily when it comes to the HOF.

 

[hatehabsforever]

I really don't feel like bickering about the fine details, JAZZUA, we can choose to disagree about the issue of the casual fan, it's all good.

Let me ask you, once Sting has been inducted, if in fact he has this honor bestowed upon him, what next?

How about Bill Goldberg? Does Goldberg deserve a spot in the WWE Hall of Fame? After the fiasco of the finale of his WWE career in the match with Lesnar, and the venom with which he has consistently spoken of Vince McMahon and his tenure with the WWE, does Bill Goldberg deserve to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame? Where do you draw the line in terms of who makes it and who doesn't. At least Goldberg competed in the WWE, something which Sting did not do.

 

[jazzua]

I really don't feel like bickering about the fine details, JAZZUA, we can choose to disagree about the issue of the casual fan, it's all good.

Let me ask you, once Sting has been inducted, if in fact he has this honor bestowed upon him, what next?

How about Bill Goldberg? Does Goldberg deserve a spot in the WWE Hall of Fame? After the fiasco of the finale of his WWE career in the match with Lesnar, and the venom with which he has consistently spoken of Vince McMahon and his tenure with the WWE, does Bill Goldberg deserve to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame? Where do you draw the line in terms of who makes it and who doesn't. At least Goldberg competed in the WWE, something which Sting did not do.

This is two different things entirely. Golberg is not anywhere on Stings level, however, if given the nod, I have no problem with it. I truly don't like Golberg, never understood the hype, and have always stood out against his ability. However, one cannot deny his impact. He was a huge success, albeit for a very short period. Do I think he deserves the honor? Compared to some of the people who are already in, it's obvious that he does. If, for nothing else, making Hogan realize his time was numbered.

You draw the line the same way they do with everyone else. Not all people who competed in the WWE are in, or will be in the HOF. It's no different in reference to WCW. Some may deserve it, some don't. Actually, most don't. Their main event roster was so much compromised of WWE guys that this is certainly a narrow subject. However, there are a few. Sting, Golberg, DDP, Harlem Heat, and of course Buff Bagwell. Okay, kidding about Bagwell. All are valid possibilites, and I'm sure there are others as well.

 

[wbuqed]

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.

You nailed it with that point, the WWE backed itself into a corner with these novelty acts that they inducted into the hall and I hate to challenge him on this because I do have unlimited respect for the man but do you really put Ric Flair in on his WWF credentials? or Do you put him in for his 7 time world title reigns in the NWA and 7 world title reigns for WCW?

The OP for some reason has a awkward vendetta or exclusivity issue with outside promotions and because of that I believe if he did run the HOF for the WWE we'd be seeing doink the clown in the HOF before Sting who if he wrestled one dark match in the WWF/E would have been in the hall years ago

 

[hatehabsforever]

You nailed it with that point, the WWE backed itself into a corner with these novelty acts that they inducted into the hall and I hate to challenge him on this because I do have unlimited respect for the man but do you really put Ric Flair in on his WWF credentials? or Do you put him in for his 7 time world title reigns in the NWA and 7 world title reigns for WCW?

The OP for some reason has a awkward vendetta or exclusivity issue with outside promotions and because of that I believe if he did run the HOF for the WWE we'd be seeing doink the clown in the HOF before Sting who if he wrestled one dark match in the WWF/E would have been in the hall years ago

I don't have an "awkward vendetta or exclusivity issue" with other promotions. I respect the accomplishments of other wrestlers from all of the other organizations. I just don't think their accomplishments elsewhere warrant recognition by the WWE. There should be a Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame, and guys like Sting belong there. I just think it's ludicrous to induct a guy into the Hall of Fame of a company he's never been associated with in any manner other than the fact that Vince bought his company.

Let's not be silly and compare the wrestling prowess of Sting to Doink the Clown, no one is making this comparison. The WWE has a "novelty" wing which is known by everyone as being just that. So inducting Pete Rose or William Perry is not the same as debating Sting's merits, it's a totally different wing of the Hall.

With regards to Ric Flair, of course most of his accomplishments were outside of the WWE, but he did have several extended runs in the WWF/WWE as well, and as such deserves to be in the WWE Hall of Fame. Quite honestly, with all of Flair's accolades, I wouldn't put him in the WWE Hall of Fame either if he hadn't spent sufficient time in the WWE to earn it. If his only accomplishments were in the NWA or WCW and he had never been in the WWE, he'd be out in my opinion as well.

 

[Arkham Noir]

I don't think I'm ever going to agree with someone who is know as hatehabsforever

I think they really tore down any argument about non-WWE guys being inducted when they inducted Verne Gagne. The point of the Hall of fame is to honor those who have left a positive mark on the fans. Inducting WCW stars to me is a classy move and shows that Vince isn't the grudge holding, vendetta fueled man people think he is.

 

[TBaker34]

I really hope you are joking about not inducting Flair if never wrestled in the WWE. You really need to get off the WWE's jock and notice the other great wrestlers that paved the way for John Cena, HHH, the Rock, Batista, Edge, and all other WWE entertainers!

I really dont understand why you cant realize that the WWE HOF isnt restricted to just WWE ppl...go look up who is in the Hall and you will clearly see many people who never stepped foot in the WWE.

 

[UranageBackbreaker]

I believe Verne Gagne was one of those men who never worked for the WWE, as hinted at by TBaker.

On the ontopic, I'd love to see a WCW theme. Maybe they could pull out some props from the WCW PPV's like Bash at the Beach, Souled Out, and Halloween Havoc?

If they do do a WCW theme, they've gotta induct Diamond Dallas Page. Why? Because he's awesome. Simply awesome.

BANG! Yo. It's me, it's me, it's D. D. P.

 

[Mantaur Rodeo Clown]

Am I the only one who finds this idea ludicrous?

Not at all. You're in Georgia. You own all of the video libraries and the company WCW per se. You want to acknowledge all of the great wrestlers who have spent their lives in this business. Whats wrong with that?

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.

This is actually untrue, and you're most likely pulling stuff out of your ass. Sting is actually on good terms with the McMahon family, and the reason they pursued him so fervently after WCW's collapse is because of his professionalism and the fact that he never slandered the WWF or the McMahons. He didn't go to the WWE because of how he saw some WCW stars being mistreated and booked weakly rather than some personal blood feud with Vince McMahon.

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?

The Hall of Fame isn't exclusive to the WWF/E at all. Look at the list of past inductees and that would be clear. Antonio Inoki isn't known for wrestling in the WWF (even if he did win the title). Verne Gagne was inducted because of everything he did in the AWA, as with Nick Bockwinkle. In fact, Verne Gagne offered money to wrestlers for them to ruin WWF events. Even with a dirty business tactic like that, he was still inducted. Sting has never had any sort of grudge or feud with the WWE, so there is absolutely no reason for him not to be inducted. The Hall Of Fame isn't restrictive, nor should it be, as it recognizes accomplishments all over the business, as it should. Sting is a legend, and thus he should be inducted.

 

[hatehabsforever]

Maybe for me it's a simple case of semantics. The WWE Hall of Fame, as opposed to the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame. I just feel that calling it the WWE Hall implies a certain exclusivity, or at least it should. If it's truly going to represent non-WWE talent and their contributions to the business, perhaps it should be renamed, and not affiliated with Wrestlemania, of all events.

I'm surprised and quite pleased with the response this thread has achieved, even if the overwhelming majority of it has not been in agreement with me. I respect everyone else's opinions and hear what you all are saying. I just don't agree with you in principle.

Look, I'm a big wrestling fan like all of you. I'm well aware of Verne Gagne, Gordon Solie, and other non-WWE guys being in the Hall already, and I'm equally aware that Inoki is going in this year. Multiple guys have pointed this out, and these facts are not lost upon me, I get it, I really do. I just don't agree with it.

MRC, I hear what you are saying about the relationship between the McMahons and Sting, and I'm sure you are correct. No one is questioning Sting's professionalism, and this thread was by no means intended to be a Sting-bashing (even if he isn't one of my personal favorites). But I have seen shoot interviews on YouTube and read online interviews where he has been very critical of Vince and the WWE. Perhaps they have a great repoire, but all I can tell you is what I've read and seen.

To TBAKER, no, I'm not joking about Flair, no more than I was about Sting. No disrespect intended to either man, as no one would remotely criticize Flair's contribution to the business. But in the interests of consistency, my opinion stays the same across the board. IF Ric Flair had never appeared in a WWF/WWE ring (irrelevant because he has), I would exclude him. Not to question his greatness, not to detract from him, but simply because with this hypothetical he shouldn't be honored by a company he never belonged to, regardless of rights of ownership.

It's all academic anyway, because personally I don't expect it to happen. And if Sting is the professional that I think he is, with the morals he always preaches about, he'll turn any nomination down. He won't take a spot away from some guy who has dedicated his whole career to the WWF/WWE, just to be honored by a company that he has consistently stated he wants nothing to do with.

 

[wbuqed]

For you it does seem like the ultimate case of semantics to the extreme. Its beneficial to Vince to keep the doors open for those in the business who didn't pass through a WWE locker room and actually habs you are openly questioning flair's credentials and quite frankly questioning the legacy of NWA and WCW and vince's intelligence when you say he shouldn't be a HOF'er cause his legacy was built outside WWE. Opening the HOF to non-WWF people proves as I believe another poster stated that vince doesn't hold a grudge over his competition.

 

[hatehabsforever]

For you it does seem like the ultimate case of semantics to the extreme. Its beneficial to Vince to keep the doors open for those in the business who didn't pass through a WWE locker room and actually habs you are openly questioning flair's credentials and quite frankly questioning the legacy of NWA and WCW and vince's intelligence when you say he shouldn't be a HOF'er cause his legacy was built outside WWE. Opening the HOF to non-WWF people proves as I believe another poster stated that vince doesn't hold a grudge over his competition.

Jesus, man, are you even reading my posts, or are you interested in the debate that you are choosing to mis-quote me. You say I am "openly questioning Flair's credentials and quite frankly questioning the legacy of NWA and WCW..."

However, did I not actually say: "no disrespect intended to either man, as no one would remotely question Flair's contribution to the business. ... Not to question his greatness, not to detract from him, ..."

I am not questioning Flair's legacy, no more than I was questioning Sting's. I'm not detracting from the NWA, WCW, ECW, or anyone else. It's just that Sting's legacy does not involve the WWE (and if the Flair hypothetical were true, which it's not, it wouldn't either).

It would be like raising Bobby Orr's jersey to the rafters of the Bell Centre in Montreal, just because you purchased the right to do so and technically could (bad analogy I know) due to his contributions to the NHL and hockey in general. Blasphemy, and disrespectful to former Habs who would be overlooked in favour of Orr. No one would be questioning his legacy, the Bell Centre just wouldn't be the place to celebrate it. Same goes for Sting.

Now, if Sting wanted to go on the grandest stage of them all, and wrestle for a year or so, against the Undertaker, or HBK, or HHH, or Cena, taking the good with the bad as all others before him have done, then sure, open the doors of the WWE Hall of Fame to him no questions asked. But until he does so, he doesn't belong there.

 

[saundo]

Well next year is the 10 year anniversary of the demise of WCW. I saw that too on here and figured Lex Luger would never be inducted to the WWE Hall of Fame. Rude, Windham, Road Warriors all should already be in the HOF, if they are going to indcut WCW guys, well Sting is at the top of the list, The Steiner Brothers, Tully Banchard and Arn Anderson either singuly or together, Kevin Sullivan, The Greta Muta, Diamond Dallas Page and arguably the biggest influence ever in WCW...Erci Bischoff. But im sure WWE will find a way to make it look inferior

 

[Arkham Noir]

It would be like raising Bobby Orr's jersey to the rafters of the Bell Centre in Montreal, just because you purchased the right to do so and technically could (bad analogy I know) due to his contributions to the NHL and hockey in general. Blasphemy, and disrespectful to former Habs who would be overlooked in favour of Orr. No one would be questioning his legacy, the Bell Centre just wouldn't be the place to celebrate it. Same goes for Sting.

That was indeed a bad analogy but I see your reasoning.

I can only speak for myself here but the reason I don't see the idea of a WCW themed Hall Of Fame as "ludicrous" is due to how the WWE has chosen guys/women in the past. I whole-heartedly agree with your logic and you are correct, but going with past examples I don't see a WCW theme as far fetched.

 

[hatehabsforever]

That was indeed a bad analogy but I see your reasoning.

I can only speak for myself here but the reason I don't see the idea of a WCW themed Hall Of Fame as "ludicrous" is due to how the WWE has chosen guys/women in the past. I whole-heartedly agree with your logic and you are correct, but going with past examples I don't see a WCW theme as far fetched.

Wouldn't it be great if he just got off his high horse and came to the WWE for 6-12 months. culminating in a match at WM27? Have some matches with the likes of the Undertaker, HHH, HBK, or John Cena. Then he could be inducted onto the WWE Hall of Fame without any question.

Meanwhile, a WCW-themed WM27 WWE Hall of Fame induction ceremony would be a good idea for such guys as Ron Simmons, DDP, and even reluctantly the Steiners or Lex Luger, because they all spent significant time in both companies.

Nice avatar, by the way. Great taste!

 

[Arkham Noir]

Wouldn't it be great if he just got off his high horse and came to the WWE for 6-12 months. culminating in a match at WM27? Have some matches with the likes of the Undertaker, HHH, HBK, or John Cena. Then he could be inducted onto the WWE Hall of Fame without any question.

Meanwhile, a WCW-themed WM27 WWE Hall of Fame induction ceremony would be a good idea for such guys as Ron Simmons, DDP, and even reluctantly the Steiners or Lex Luger, because they all spent significant time in both companies.

Nice avatar, by the way. Great taste!

Yes.They could even tie it into a story line with the aformentioned fact of some of the WWE guys feeling resentful that a guy who's never competed in their company(better yet tried to put it out of buisness)is being honoured in their Hall Of Fame.Ultimatly there really is no greater place to be honoured then in the meca of pro-wrestling's Hall Of Fame. We'll see.

And thanks, she is very attractive. You have great taste as well.

 

[Avrusha92]

I think WWE should do this, it sounds great..they bought WCW and now they want to do something to honor it..after all WCW had the best wrestlers.
I think they should induct:
1) Sting maybe even have him wrestle at WrestleMania in his last match in Wrestling...(there are so many wrestlers he should face in the WWE: Undertaker, Shawn Michaels, Chris Jericho, maybe even John Cena)
2) Goldberg (This guy was an icon in WCW everybody loved him..he was the Cena/Batista of WCW he worked as a face most of his career)
3) maybe even the L.o.D they were in WCW as well as WWF and I dont think they have been inducted yet
4) Steiner Brothers ( No doubt about it)
5) Nitro Girls
6) DDP
7) Lex Luger

 

[Tenta]

Well sure, why the fuck not? I mean, if you're going to be the standard bearer of history on all things American wrestling, and you have all the resources at your fingertips, I'm totally for making a buck off of it. Atlanta was a WCW hotbed for so long, and I don't see any reason as to why you can't acknowledge what was done for the wrestling business. I'd surely pick some of the guys who wrestled in the old WCW days, somewhere between the late 80s, and early 90s. It's a lost era that got mired in poor booking, but it truly is worthy to be recognized.

Has anyone fucking said Vader yet? I haven't seen his name brought up yet. Why not include this guy? He was WCW's top heel for so long, and carried the promotion with Sting, Rick Rude, Lex Luger, and Ric Flair for so long. These were the guys that kept WCW alive for so long, and Vader was always a good draw as the heel you wanted to see lose. Plus, he has recent ties with the WWE, and to the best of my knowledge, has no bad blood with Vince and Co.

I don't see any reason why you can't put in Ron Simmons. He was the first black WCW Champion, an accomplishment in the deep south that still holds merit. He, too, has worked with the WWE recently, has a long, storied career, and while not having the most decorated career, I can see why he would warrant a spot.

As much as I hate his booking, I don't see why you can't induct Ole in with his brother Arn. The Minnesota Wrecking Crew was a fixture in WCW, as they were as members of the Four Horsemen. Hell, the more I think about that, are any other members of the Horsemen in either than Flair? How about a group induction of Tully, Arn, Ole, and JJ Dillon? The Four Horsemen were so key to WCW's success. WWE has already harped on how bad a booker Ole was, and now it's time to give him some sense of a due, and give him a spot in the HOF.

Finally, why not give a spot to Brian Pillman? The guy revolutionized the concept of Cruiserweight wrestling, which was so important to WCW. You have to include the Cruiserweight Division, and in a battle between Dean Malenko and Brian, I'd probably induct Flyin' Brian for his work with Liger, and his overall introduction for what WCW would call the Cruiserweight Division.

Finally, you'd have to acknowledge The Monday Night War. And the best name I can think of that hasn't already been done, or doesn't work for the competition, is DDP. This would have been Eric's spot, before he went over to TNA. There's really no one else to get that was from that era aside from Goldberg, and I'm sorry; I'm not putting Goldberg in yet. Maybe four or five years down the line, but not now. DDP was always a professional, worked well with the E when he was there, and had plenty of great matches with Savage, Benoit, Guerrero, and all the big names of WCW. This is who I'd give the induction to.

 

[shooter_mcgavin]

If WM27 will have a WCW Theme it's a given either Goldberg and Sting are guys heavily considered to be in the HOF and even in the card.

Though I am surprised people are not mentioning Dean Malenko as a HOF inductee (if someone did sorry this is a 8 page thread) the guy was the man of a thousand holds and was one of the better workers during WCW's most lucrative run. Plus we could see Chris Jericho as the one to induct Malenko and brings things to full circle considering the other two Radicalz recently passed away.

 

[IrishCanadian25]

How have I not been in this thread yet?

First off, thank you Tenta for carrying the gospel according to Vader. It's no secret that he's one of my all time favorites and that I feel he's the greatest Superheavyweight Wrestler in history, so the idea of him being included in some form of WCW-themed Wrestlemania makes me happy.

Sting is another story. Would he agree to become "the only WWE hall of famer to never work for / with Vince McMahon?" Would Vince even allow it to happen? Hell, Vince never made a dime off Sting, but made millions on Warrior and Savage, and they're not in the hall.

That being said, if Vinnie Mac wrote the check, a Sting / Undertaker franchise vs franchise match would draw sick numbers.

Harley Race is another who had a shit run in WWF but was a legend in NWA/WCW. He was an 8-time NWA World Champion and a highly regarded manager of Vader in WCW. He's the man whom Triple H is most often compared to.

shooter_mcgavin makes a great point about Malenko. Family lineage, a defining cruiser / lightheavyweight with WCW and WWF, and a top notch scout for WWE since coming over.

There are loads of WWE talent who got their starts in WCW, so a DVD chronicling the WCW history of WWE's top stars could be a great WM-27 release. A look at the WCW careers and matches of guys like Chris Jericho, Triple H, WillIam Regal, Steve Austin, etc. would be a big seller. It would also stroke the Vince McEgo by showing fans "here's how WCW wasted top talent, and how we made them stars here."

A lot of routes you can take here, but I'd bet the farm Vince would screw it up by refusing to give WCW enough credit.

 

[hatehabsforever]

I started this thread a while back with the opinion that a WCW-themed WWE Hall of Fame induction ceremony was a bad idea, stating that guys like Sting, Luger, the Steiners, etc., did not deserve to be in the WWE Hall of Fame. Many excellent responses later, I have softened my stance somewhat and could probably be convinced that the whole WCW-themed idea may actually have some merit. But it would have to be for guys who competed in the WWE for at least a portion of their career, even if the bulk of their career and the majority of their accomplishments were in WCW rather than WWE.

Vader, DDP, Brian Pillman, Dean Malenko, Ron Simmons, and a few others may have been better known for their exploits in WCW rather than WWE, but because they competed to a significant degree in the WWF/WWE, I guess I could be convinced of their eligibility.

I would have a fundamental problem inducting Lex Luger or Medusa, simply because of the way they left WWE in a high profile jump which flew in the faces of McMahon and the WWE. I don't feel that the WWE should feel any pressure to reward anyone for the Monday Night Wars era from WCW's perspective; these were dark days for the WWE and it could have been much worse if not for some gross mismanagement and huge egos.

I have a problem inducting Goldberg or Scott Steiner as well, simply because they have been so vocally critical of McMahon, several wrestlers, and the WWE in general. If they are publically so disenchanted with the WWE, they probably don't belong in their Hall of Fame.

Having said this, I could probably be convinced to induct the guys from the last two paragraphs, or even Bischoff for that matter if he weren't currently affiliated with TNA.

And then there's Sting. I stand by my original position that Sting has no place in a WWE Hall of Fame. Having not participated for one day in the WWE, having never appeared on their TV shows or PPV's, he shouldn't be even considered for the WWE Hall of Fame. A pro wrestling Hall of Fame, yes, just not a WWE Hall of Fame.

Now if he were to consider the program with the Undertaker that IC mentions and we all salivate about, sure, he would earn his position in the WWE Hall of Fame. But until he sets foot in a WWE ring and wrestles current WWE talent, regardless of what rights of ownership McMahon has, he does not deserve a position in the WWE Hall of Fame. He cannot be recognized as one of the best of the WWE if he hasn't demonstrated it directly in their ring.