WWE 2012 Hall Of Fame *OFFICIAL THREAD* - KEEP IT ALL IN HERE!

[DJ Kyo]

I'm excited to see EDGE inducted. Actually it's made me decide to go to the ceremony that Saturday night before Mania. Been debating it for awhile depending on who's going to be inducted, etc.. but with EDGE and the 4 Horseman, should be a great night with a lot of great clips as well.

Now just gotta figure out what the dang pre-sale password is!!!!

 

[The Champ]

For everyone saying they should have waited until Mania was in Canada, maybe they're doing it now because plans for a Mania in Canada are off the table.

As for the question, no. There is no such thing as "too early." Edge is retired and his accomplishments more than deem him worthy for the Hall of Fame.

The one problem I would have with it is that he's going to take a backseat to Rock and possibly even Savage if both end up getting inducted. Now, Edge's induction might mean they decided not to induct one or both, we don't know yet. But the guy is deserving of headlining his class from where I stand. I'm not complaining though, as his induction should be great anyway, especially if Christian does it as rumored.

 

[Pay Per Ghost]

(Note: I humbly expect this thread to be merged with any thread that appears if/when this news is confirmed)

Ladies and Gentlemen, from the main site, through semi-almost reliable sources we have the news that this year's HOF might get...BANZAIIIIID!

YOKOZUNA​

The monster of monster heels. I was not around to witness the glory of a heel Andre but I very clearly remember the terror and sheer monstrosity known as Yokozuna. His feud with Taker is one I have fond fond memories of and the infamous match with Luger that had everyone talking.

What mostly impressed me about the man was his agility and his side kick is something that still has me in awe. I later learned that he was Samoan and very recently learned that he is related to The Rock. Maybe this is a built up to get The Great One inducted but this thread, this thread is all about the marvel that was Yoko.

Share your memories and thoughts on his rumored induction.

 

[mdj2010]

I would love to see Yoko inducted into the HOF. He had better movement than guys half his size and was such a great heel throughout his career. In an era when jobbers were TV regulars, Yoko was certainly involved in some of the most literal squash matches I have ever seen - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdu_p3nDFbE

The Samoans have such an incredible legacy in the WWE(F) and Yokozuna was one of their very best!

 

[dRAIL2K3]

This is definitely a great choice by the WWE. Yokozuna was a beast and even though I hated him when I was young he turned out to be one of my favorites. Hell the dude gave me an autograph while I was backstage at Raw in San Antonio in 1996. I was 12 and he was a nice guy. I will never forget that. Congrats to Yoko on his selection. Would've been great to hear him give a speech. R.I.P. I wonder who will induct him?

 

[thebarber]

Yep, no complaints or arguments with Yokozuna being inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame, joining The Rock, Mil Mascaras, Carlos Colon, Edge and the Four Horseman. Quite an impressive line up thus far. What it also confirms is that Yoko wil be the only posthumous inductee this year, unless Vince goes for shock value this year. Probably only leaves one or two spots open for this year, and maybe a celebrity inductee.

 

[SPR*VLN]

I'm surprized Yoko wasn't already in the WWE HOF. I was probably 5 when he was WWF Champion I remember my cousins going nuts when Luger put him in the torture rack.

In my opinion he doesn't get the recognition he deserves. I think nothing like Yoko will ever step foot in the ring today. I'm glad to see him in the HOF and RIP Yokozuna!

 

[DexVendetta88]

If the rumors are true, then Yoko's induction into the HOF is long overdue but well deserved. I felt that his induction should have happened a lot earlier considering how big of a draw he was in the '90s. Either way, if it is true then I'm very happy about it. The question now is who will be the one inducting him into the HOF?

 

[thebromm]

I'm 100% behind this induction. It will probably either be Rock or Rikishi inducting him, but, as a wildcard I'm going with Undertaker. Taker had much love for the big man. Even wore a Yokozuna shirt to the ring after his death. Would be cool, but it won't happen.

 

[THTRobtaylor]

Rock will likely induct him as they are cousins... Perhaps they will bring Luger our or Bret as those are his two most notable opponents, maybe James E. Cornette as an outside choice.

If the HOF continues to form, there will be a jobber (The Koko Spot) and manager/diva type go in... Remember the Horsemen by definition includes Pillman, Benoit (though they will skate over that) and Hennig.

So I see Lita going in with Edge, kinda makes sense really as they were a double act for so long (live sex celebration at the HOF?) and maybe Ron Simmons (as he had the football past in Florida)

 

[dd23beatlesfan1]

To be honest, I'm not too happy about it. It's nothing against Edge, Edge is clearly a HOF wrestler and deserve it, but I'm gonna join the camp and say "it's too early."

Truth be told, I actually wouldn't even have a problem if Edge got inducted his first year, if Macho Man Randy Savage was in the HOF, or hopefully gets announced as the final inductee this year. While it seems odd that Edge is going in before Triple H, the Undertaker, Mick Foley, and the Rock, unfortunately that's the way their careers have turned out, as all Rock, Taker, and Triple H are still wrestling (though only on special occasions), and Foley could still wrestle of the opportunity presents itself, but Edge unfortunately cannot wrestle again. So while "it doesn't feel quite right" it does make sense.

However, it doesn't make sense for him to get in before Macho Man Randy Savage, this should've been his year.

Frankly when it was first announced Monday night, I was pretty mad honestly. But as I've had more time to think about it and more time to get more "wishful thinking" on my part lol, I'm hoping that maybe Macho Man will still go in this year after all. It makes perfect sense to have a strong, "headlining" inductee who can be there and provide a feel good moment to counter the depressing, sad moment we'll get with an induction for Macho Man Randy Savage, and Edge provides that role. If Macho Man does get inducted this year, I'd much rather him go in with Edge than the Rock. Because the Rock would clearly overshadow Macho Man, whereas Edge doesn't really (sorry to Edge fans, I'm an Edge fan myself, but Edge was never at the level of stardom or even greatness that Macho Man was in his prime). So I am still hoping that Macho Man will instead be the final inductee announced. The biggest inductees are usually the first and last announced. I'm hoping that's the case this year.

As for those that think it doesn't make sense for him to go in this year, apparently reports have come out that next year's Wrestlemania will not be in Toronto (nor Dallas, nor New Orleans, hopefully we'll get it in Indianapolis ), so WWE probably didn't want to wait 3-4 years to get Edge in (which makes good business sense), so if they're not gonna go to Toronto anytime soon, then why not induct him?

As for the Four Horsemen, that's awesome. The Four Horsemen as an entitity is one of the most important pieces of pro wresting history. This does set a highly interesting precedent though. Ric Flair will become the first person in the HOF's history to be inducted twice. Until this year, every inductee was inducted once. But Ric Flair changes that (it's fitting that Flair, arguably the greatest of all-time breaks this mold). This is pretty common in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as in addition to Michael Jackson who was already brought up, the likes of Paul McCartney, John Lennon, George Harrison, Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page, Neil Young, and this year, Rod Stewart and Ron Wood have been inducted multiple times. So this does set a precedent. Can tag teams like the Hart Foundation, and the Rockers, and groups like the 2nd Hart Foundation, the NWO, and D-Generation X get induted in the future. Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels are already in which didn't look good for Jim Neidhart and Marty Janetty never had HOF worthy singles careers, but the fact that now wrestlers can get inducted twice, hopefully inductions for the Hart Foundation and the Rockers can happen eventually. As far as which Horsemen get in, I think they picked the right group overall. Other than the Flair/Anderson/Blanchard/Windham group, the original group with Ole Anderson, or the second group with Lex Luger would be the only other groups I would say are worthy. Sid was a pretty prominent member in 1990/1991, but the Horsemen were about done at that point. Obviously Paul Roma isn't worthwhile. Neither is Steve McMichael. Dean Malenko, Brian Pillman, and of course Chris Benoit were good members, but the three are HOFers on their own and really weren't part of the definitive lineups of the group (like the original one and the third one with Barry Windham). And Ole Anderson would likely refuse an induction as he hates everyone like Bruno Sammartino, so he wouldn't show up likely anyway. Good choice here.

Of course Carlos Colon and Mil Mascaras I have no problem with whatsoever, as both are legends outside of America (Carlos Colon IS PRO WRESTING in Puerto Rico), and both further legitimize the WWE HOF as more than just simply a WWE HOF, but a legitimate pro wrestling HOF.

Now there are lots of rumors that Yokozuna is going. I have no problems with this whatsoever. He was one of the greats of the 1990's during the New Generation Era, and other than the Rock is the greatest Samoan wrestler of all-time. The Wild Samoans and Peter Maivia are in, the Rock will be in at some point, get Yoko in, and you've got all the worthy Samoans in.

That'll be five inductees leaving room perhaps for a female inductee, a celebrity inductee, or a tag team, though I think the Four Horsemen fit the "tag team spot" I don't really picture any female inductees getting the nod this year. Trish Stratus and Lita seem like the two most likely picks, but I wouldn't think they'd go for them already as Trish is still somewhat active, and Lita could be active if she chose to. Then again I wasn't expecting them to induct Edge so early, so who knows. And they may not induct a celebrity this year. There have been years where the WWE didn't have a celebrity inductee (2005, 2007, 2008, and I believe 2009), so maybe they'll skip out on the celebrities this year?

But if Yoko goes in with Edge, the Four Horsemen, Carlos Colon, and Mil Mascaras, and female or celebrity inductee, to me none of those are a "headlining act." Edge was one of the greats of his era, but I just can't picture him headlining a HOF class. This lineup to me is missing something. There has to be someone "bigger" in stature to headline. To me the only two choices are the Rock and Macho Man Randy Savage. I still have a feeling that the final inductee announced will be one of these two. I hope immensely it is Macho Man. We'll have to see. If neither are announced, I'm gonna be quite disappointed honestly, considering this will be the second HOF induction ceremony I will have attended (I also went to the one in Detroit in 2007).

 

[daddyJ_t]

dude, wtf. some of yall are overlookin the obvious. if yoko was going in and inducted by family. it would be the usos. they are also his cousins. secondly, lugar never had yoko in the rack, there is no pretty sure and if your cousins went nuts when they saw lugar put yoko in the rack, what fuckin drugs were they on, cause i used to do alot and i neeeever saw hallucination that great.(in other words) never happened. lita will not go in with edge. and i assure you the definition of the horsemen did not include benoit or pillman, or steve mcmicheals. other wise it wouldve showed one of the other founding horsemen like ollie anderson. cuase i doubt they will be covering the sting incarnation of the horsemen. that covers most of these posts so far, but overall, i do agree with yoko............ by the way if a celeb goes in this year. it will be shaq. his time and involvement with wwe and more so with the city of miami itself will draw

 

[berlinbrawler]

I haven't read most posts, but I'm confident I will be echoing the opinion of many:

The Four Horsemen belong in the Hall of Fame. The only problem here is that it hasn't happened YEARS AGO! I was actually really surprised to realize that Arn Anderson wasn't in it already. WTF
Well, no, there is one other problem: Ric Flair won't be there to induct them. That really sucks, but it can't be helped.

As for Edge. Sigh. There can be no doubt whatsoever that he is deserving of the Hall of Fame. Anyone who doubts it suffers from serious brain damage. But I also agree with everyone who says that it's just too soon. It would be more meaningful and have a bigger impact if they waited another year or two. I think I read somewhere that Wrestlemania will be held in Canada in one of the coming years. THAT would be the time to do it.
But whatever. Fact remains that Edge has a much better case for him deserving to be in the Hall of Fame than at least 90% of the guys who are in there already, so might as well get it over with.

Rumor has it Yokozuna will join this class. Fully deserving and long overdue. The only reason he isn't in there already is because the WWE doesn't want to induct too many dead guys at the same time (which is understandable).

 

[ElliotOxford]

I agree with a lot of the comments in this post. There are a lot of people who have yet to be inducted that deserve it long before Edge. Miss Elizabeth, Savage, Rick Martel, Rick Rude, Owen, or Bulldog.

Do you guys think RVD will ever make the HOF? Speaking of people who will go in eventually, when do you think Mick Foley, The Undertaker, Stone Cold, and/or Vince McMahon Jr be inducted?

 

[LSN80]

People, there's no one more deserving to be a First Ballot Hall of Famer then Edge.

In what I'll simply refer to as the John Cena era, Edge is easily the second biggest name. Edge rose to main event status during the beginning of the Cena era, but there's not a major player that Edge didn't outshine during this time. Even in comparison with the remaining stars from the Attitude era, such as Triple H, Kane, Rey Mysterio and The Undertaker, Edge outshined them all in the past five years. In his feuds with aforementioned Superstars, Edge was the bright spot, the one who truly made these feuds work. Aside from Cena, no one has had near the impact during the past five years then Edge. Randy Orton? Please. Edge helped make Randy Orton relevant again during their Rated RKO time. Another example? Christian. He became more then the "Face of the New ECW", with a huge assist from Edge. Everyone that has feuded with Edge, win or lose, has benefited from being around Edge. Regardless of where Edge was placed on the card, he made it work.

When people think back to this era, John Cena is who they'll remember the most. Edge will be a closer second then most realize now. Having to retire because of health, his career cut short, presents no reason to hold off his inclusion. While I doubt this will happen, Edge would be the suitable headliner for this class. To see a fairly young man be able to give his own speech will be a refreshing thing as well.

Absolutely the right decision here.

 

[ECW Sandman]

Everyone keeps saying The Rock is going in The Hall Of Fame because Wrestle Mania is in Miami, Fl this year, how do we know he is really going in yes Edge is in but Edge maybe the big name that ends the show granted when Eddie went in he was not the big name to end the show, now don't get me wrong I like The Rock but I feel that Edge is the man who should be the last inductee and the last one to end the 2012 Hall Of Fame on USA.

 

[RD_21]

Drew Carey is in the Hall of Fame.

It's not all Ric Flairs, Bret Harts and Shawn Michaels in the Hall.

Since you obviously didn't read it well the first time I will repost my paragraph for you to read and get what you missed the first time.

"First for Edge I think it's too soon and that he is not quite hall of fame material in my head (don't compare to other bad hall of famers, I am just saying if it was a serious 100% legit hall of fame I don't think Edge would be there, not that quick at least. I also can't help but think they did this because his DVD is coming out)."

 

[dd23beatlesfan1]

People, there's no one more deserving to be a First Ballot Hall of Famer then Edge.

In what I'll simply refer to as the John Cena era, Edge is easily the second biggest name. Edge rose to main event status during the beginning of the Cena era, but there's not a major player that Edge didn't outshine during this time. Even in comparison with the remaining stars from the Attitude era, such as Triple H, Kane, Rey Mysterio and The Undertaker, Edge outshined them all in the past five years. In his feuds with aforementioned Superstars, Edge was the bright spot, the one who truly made these feuds work. Aside from Cena, no one has had near the impact during the past five years then Edge. Randy Orton? Please. Edge helped make Randy Orton relevant again during their Rated RKO time. Another example? Christian. He became more then the "Face of the New ECW", with a huge assist from Edge. Everyone that has feuded with Edge, win or lose, has benefited from being around Edge. Regardless of where Edge was placed on the card, he made it work.

When people think back to this era, John Cena is who they'll remember the most. Edge will be a closer second then most realize now. Having to retire because of health, his career cut short, presents no reason to hold off his inclusion. While I doubt this will happen, Edge would be the suitable headliner for this class. To see a fairly young man be able to give his own speech will be a refreshing thing as well.

Absolutely the right decision here.

When it comes to the "John Cena Era," sure Edge is more worthy than anyone else of that time of being a "first ballot HOFer" though there is no such thing as "first ballot" as there are no set ground rules at all about who's eligible for the HOF. But yeah, anyways lol.

The problem is that there are still many iconic, superstars that were way bigger in their prime than Edge was in his that still aren't in. I'm sure people are annoyed at me constantly bringing up Randy Savage, but it's true, Savage is more deserving than Edge, especially considering Randy Savage was on the verge of starting his wrestling career when Edge was born. Edge was never as big a star in his era as Savage was in his. Edge is not a pop culture icon. If you ask people that aren't wrestling fans, do they know who Edge is, I'll bet at least 8/10 people would say no. But ask anyone that's over 10-12 years old if they know who Macho Man Randy Savage is, I'll bet you'll get a yes answer with 8/10 people.

Randy Savage's death made it on the biggest news channels in the country and even in the world. Few wrestlers get that treatment unless it's a sensational, drug-induced death that gives the eager media another chance to shit on pro wrestling.

When you wanna talk about "first ballot HOFer's" Randy Savage should've been in long ago, and I just can't be happy about the fact that Edge who didn't mean near as much to the company or the wrestling business as Randy Savage did gets in, 10 months after he retires, and yet Randy Savage can't get in 10 months after he dies (and it wasn't a controversial death that would give the WWE a bad name unlike Benoit or these other wrestlers that die of steroids and drugs).

It's nothing againt Edge, it really isn't. It just doesn't feel right. At all.

Other examples of headlining main event, superstar wrestlers that deserve in before Edge are Bruno Sammartino, Bob Backlund, and the Ultimate Warrior, but that's their own faults as they turned down inductions. So I don't have a problem with Edge going in before them. I also don't have a problem with Edge going on before guys like Rick Rude, Jake Roberts, the Honky Tonk Man, the Big Boss Man, Owen Hart, and the British Bulldog. Because Edge did accomplish far more in his career than they did. But Macho Man was the 2nd top guy of the company in his run, just as Edge was one of the top guys in his era.

I'm sorry, but no one can convince me that Edge is more deserving than Randy Savage. End of story.

But, to counter everything I've said, we have not heard all of the inductees, so hopefully there's a chance that Savage will be getting inducted as well. It's looking like a longshot, but who knows? If Drew Carey can get in the HOF, than anybody can (except Chris Benoit).

 

[dd23beatlesfan1]

Since you obviously didn't read it well the first time I will repost my paragraph for you to read and get what you missed the first time.

"First for Edge I think it's too soon and that he is not quite hall of fame material in my head (don't compare to other bad hall of famers, I am just saying if it was a serious 100% legit hall of fame I don't think Edge would be there, not that quick at least. I also can't help but think they did this because his DVD is coming out)."

As much I've been speaking out against Edge getting inducted, I am not dumb enough to think that Edge is not HOF material. Edge has won every title in the WWE. He has won more world championships in WWE history besides Triple H. He's the only wrestler to win the King of the Ring, the Royal Rumble, and the Money in the Bank. He was the top heel during the majority of his main event run from 2005-2011. He's headlined a Wrestlemania event. He has been in some of the greatest matches in WWE and pro wrestling history.

Edge is obviously HOF material. How anyone can think he isn't is crazy or oblivious to everything that has happened in the WWE over the last 10 years.

I just don't think he should go in before the Macho Man lol.

If you were meaning that Edge isn't worthy of being inducted this soon, then please disregard my response to your post, but from the looks of it you said he isn't "HOF material." That's insane.

 

[Black318]

i was looking at all of the people that are in the WWE HOF and i was wondering why Bam Bam was not in yet. Bam Bam imo is one of the best big men i seen wrestle in a long time and i feel he should be in what do the rest of you think?

 

[Elchicano15]

I was wondering the same thing about King Kong Bundy. He was in the main event for WM2. Is he on bad terms with WWE or still active. Mind you with or with out him, from the rumors I heard this year's class could be a solid one.

 

[THE SWAG]

very excited i got my tickets to the hall, i believe this is going to be the best class going in, the first 2 inductees are historic the 4 horsemen one of the first factions in wrestling, without them there would be no, nwo, dx, evolution, etc; Edge what can you say about him has more titles than anybody in the wwe, he obviously did something right, i do agree with everybody it is to early for him, but in such a short time he did so much for the sport, and like HBK, was involved in a lot of classic matches, the tlc matches, the cutting edge, rated rko, his feud with cena, the list goes on and on.

we already know yoko is getting in i wonder who else will get in, and how many

 

[DJ Kyo]

very excited i got my tickets to the hall, i believe this is going to be the best class going in, the first 2 inductees are historic the 4 horsemen one of the first factions in wrestling, without them there would be no, nwo, dx, evolution, etc; Edge what can you say about him has more titles than anybody in the wwe, he obviously did something right, i do agree with everybody it is to early for him, but in such a short time he did so much for the sport, and like HBK, was involved in a lot of classic matches, the tlc matches, the cutting edge, rated rko, his feud with cena, the list goes on and on.

we already know yoko is getting in i wonder who else will get in, and how many

I got my tickets as well. Very excited for this ceremony.

Honestly, while many are complaining about EDGE, the truth is that as you said, he did do a lot for this company during his career and it was cut extremely short. The guy could jump from heel to face to heel in a heartbeat and was so fluid about it, that almost no other personality could even begin to match what EDGE was able to do. Perhaps 1 year is short, but celebration of that career and what he did is not and for that I say I am very glad to be able to get to witness his induction.

 

[closet_fan]

Is there anything concrete as to who the 4th Horsemen will be outside of Flair, Blanchard and AA?

I would hope Ole, but I heard he absolutely HATES Flair to this day. I saw on WZ's front page that Lex Lugar isn't being considered because he is a jerk off who really didn't give an F about the business and was an enabler to Miss Elizabeth.

Barry Windham is another, but I doubt his health will allow him to go.

They going to induct the 3 main guys? Might as well. The 4th was usually a guy who didn't last very long after Ole broke off.

 

[Scofield]

How The British Bulldog & Dynamite Kid is not in the Hall of Fame absolutely blows my mind away, both long overdue in my opinion. What more else do you have to say about these two to be involved in the HOF?