By: Matt Vandenburgh, Staff Writer
Each year, before the biggest event on the WWE, formerly known as World Wrestling Entertainment, calendar, WrestleMania, the WWE honors professional wrestling’s past by inducting the men and women that helped pave the way for the current pro wrestlers to follow.
This year is no different, and so far there have been three people chosen to become the next Hall of Fame inductees. Currently, “Macho Man” Randy Savage, Rikishi and Arnold Schwarzenegger have been tabbed as the newest Hall of Famers, to be inducted on Saturday, Mar. 28 in the SAP Center, in San Jose, CA.
The first announced, “Macho Man” Randy Savage, is one the most accomplished professional wrestlers that had yet to be inducted. A two-time WWE World Champion, and four-time WCW World Champion, many industry experts had considered it a travesty that Savage had not yet been inducted before his untimely death in 2011. He will be inducted by another legend from the same era of wrestling, Hulk Hogan.
Savage began wrestling in 1973, and gained popularity across the country. He soon began wrestling for Vince McMahon’s World Wrestling Federation, which evolved into the current WWE. During this time, he was known for his flamboyant robes and outlandish personality.
He is considered one of the greatest performers ever, and is noted for having one of the most exciting matches of all time against Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat at WrestleMania III. With a gravelly voice, he enraptured the audience with his interviews and his signature catch phrase “OOH YEAH!” His top rope elbow drop is considered one of the more devastating maneuvers to hit opponents.
While fans got to see Savage perform in the ring, they were also privy to one of the more private moments in the “Macho Man’s” life, when he proposed to his longtime manager, Miss Elizabeth, and the two were married on WWE television.
The most recent announcement involved Rikishi, a performer from the 1990’s, who became popular during what is known as the “Attitude Era” of the WWE.
He wowed audiences with his size, being one of the most agile performers despite weighing over 300 pounds throughout his career. His size also belied his incredible comedic ability, as well as his dancing prowess. Along with Scotty “2” Hotty and “Too Sexy” Brian Christopher, his dancing and palling around with the group “Too Cool” was one of the highlights every time they were on WWE television.
A member of the esteemed Anoa’i wrestling family, he frequently wrestled against his cousin, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.
The Anoa’i family’s wrestling heritage continues through Rikishi’s cousin, Roman Reigns, and his sons, the current Tag Team Champions, Jimmy and Jey Uso.
“I’m honored to be inducted into the HOF by the WWE sic(and) included with such great company,” Rikishi posted on Twitter when the news was announced.
Arnold Schwarzenegger will be inducted into the celebrity wing of the WWE Hall of Fame. Schwarzenegger is a notable wrestling fan, and has been a part of WWE programming. Between his involvement in WWE storylines, as well as his friendships with many WWE legends, his enshrinement is fitting.
Along with his appearances on WWE Smackdown and WWE Monday Night Raw, he has acted in movies with wrestlers such as Jesse “The Body” Ventura and “Stone Cold” Steve Austin
“A quintessential immigrant success story, Arnold Schwarzenegger has already achieved the American Dream. And now, “The Governator” will be enshrined into the WWE Hall of Fame the night before WrestleMania 31, in the state that he once so proudly led,” WWE.com posted in an article confirming Schwarzenegger’s induction.
Although these three men are the only confirmed inductees so far, there are rumors of many others getting inducted this year as well. Wrestlingrumors.net, a reputable industry source, has suggested that both Ivan Koloff and Kevin Nash will be honored also. Other potential inductees are Japanese wrestling icon Genichiro Tenryu, according to NODQ.com, and Ray “The Crippler” Stevens, according to wrestlezone.com.
There are generally five to six inductees every year, so while it is unlikely that all of the rumored inductees will make it, there is a high probability that the 2015 Hall of Fame class will continue to grow in the coming weeks.
