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Hey everyone and welcome back to Zach's How To Guide – Chapter 11. I want to start off by thanking the readers who sent feedback from last week's Gail Kim column. One person had a real cool idea of putting together the first ever female Royal Rumble to reintroduce Gail Kim, and another person who wants to see more of a build-up to Kim and less exposure to the Bella Twins.
For this week, I'd like to take a look at something I think the WWE does a great job with every year, that being the WWE Hall of Fame. They began the honor in 1993 with Andre the Giant and sparingly put wrestlers in for the next few years. In 2004, they picked up again with the Hall of Fame idea. In recent years, the Hall's been built around one major superstar and several strong co-inductees.
Even more fun sometimes than guessing who will be inducted into the Hall is to find out who will be the ones doing the actual inducting. A few years back when Rowdy Roddy Piper was inducted, I remember that debate raged on as to who would induct him, as it went from Austin to Jericho to eventually Ric Flair.
Well anyways, obviously this year the focal point of the Hall of Fame is Stone Cold Steve Austin. Let's be honest though, once they announced that Wrestlemania 25 would take place in Texas, Stone Cold was a surefire bet to be inducted. I don't think he would have been announced so soon had it not been for what I like to think was a pissed off former WWE employee hacking into the Hall of Fame page and putting up the graphic of Austin, but that's another story for the rumor mill. Let's get to who I think will also get inducted and who will be the presenters.
Stone Cold Steve Austin
Who probably will do the induction: Ric Flair
- I believe J.R. said this would be like Babe Ruth inducting Mickey Mantle into the Hall, so if it ends up happening I would be all for it
Who probably should do the induction: Jim Ross/Vince McMahon/Bret Hart
- Who knows Stone Cold best than the man who has been linked to Stone Cold for the better part of a decade? He would be the best choice and would probably tell the best stories
- McMahon has had the biggest feud with him, but I think he likes to stay out of these ceremonies
- Hart would be awesome, but at last check his recent book tour seemed like the way he wanted to wrap up his U.S. wrestling career
Who would make for a fun induction: Mr. Kennedy
- Kennedy would be great as well, as apparently Austin is his idol, so it would obviously be a heart felt speech, but I think there are plenty of other candidates more worthy of Mr. … what the hell is his last name again?
The Million Dollar Man Ted Dibiase
Why? He was paired up with Stone Cold when he debuted, was one of the best characters the WWE had ever had, and has a long stretch of history with the company.
Who probably will do the induction: Ted Dibiase Jr.
- Seeing that he is the only person in Legacy to have a father not in the Hall, I think this would be the perfect year to induct him.
Who probably should do the induction: Ted Dibiase Jr.
Who would make for a fun induction: Virgil
- That's right I went there. His manservant Virgil spent the most time with him and probably has some fun stories to tell. And quick side story, I met him at the Freehold Raceway Mall three years ago. I told him I had his wrestling figure and could distinctly remember him beating Dibiase for the Million Dollar Belt at Summerslam '90. He said that's great kid, wanna buy my autograph for $25?
Owen Hart
Why? Sad as it is, it's been ten years already since his passing. He was a vastly underrated technical wrestler in my aspect, and the Hart Foundation's battles with Austin paved him to be the superstar he later became.
Who probably would do the induction: Natalya/DH Smith
- Just like Dibiase, many members have their family put them into the Hall. I would personally like to see the two of them induct their uncle
Who probably should do the induction: Bret Hart
Who would make for a fun induction: Edge
- I can remember the Raw post the Over the Edge PPV where Edge said Owen took him under his wing and made him laugh in the ring. I can see Edge taking this as a big honor and having fun with the induction.
The Von Erichs
Why? Because the Von Erichs are Texas wrestling. Hell a whole DVD was basically centered around them and their feud with the Fabulous Freebirds.
Who probably would do the induction – Michael Hayes
- Hayes would have been inducted himself had it not been for an incident with a certain silverback on ECW, but I digress. I gotta think that noone knew the Von Erich's better than Hayes and he would provide the most history and respect for the induction.
Who probably should do the induction – Michael Hayes
Who would make for a fun induction – Jerry Lawler
- I figure he also knows the clan pretty well, and I just recently saw a great matchup between him and Kerry Von Erich on the old AWA on ESPN Classic.
Now in just trying to rack my brain, I can think of a few other worthy candidates for this years Hall. Apparently Cowboy Bill Watts is a lock. I personally would like to see Terry Funk (to be inducted by Mick Foley….er Tommy Dreamer), Vader (J.R.), Miss Elizabeth (Trish Stratus) and Carlos Colon (Carlito and Primo) get inducted as well.
All that's left to do is sit back and listen and read for more names to pour in. Can't wait to see who gets inducted next.
Hope you all enjoyed reading. Please send any and all feedback to zachlevine86@gmail.com.
Stay tuned next week for Chapter 12 – How to put together Money in the Bank V
