Express Hall of Fame Induction: Mick Foley
It is crazy to think that at this point Mick Foley has been in the sport of wrestling for 37 years and has never been away for to long. Mick was getting his feet wet in wrestling just the territory system hit it's peak and went down at the end of decade. Foley would pay his dues in WWF, Memphis, World Class Championship Wrestling, both versions of UWF, and Tri-State Wrestling. In 1989, Foley worked as an enhancement talent for WCW even having a match at Clash of Champions against Mil Mascaras. In the fall of 1991, Foley would make his official debut as a heel under his Cactus Jack persona from there his foundation in wrestling started to take shape and his reputation was being designed. Cactus would become one of the more feared and respected members of the WCW roster, but his time in WCW is also looked at as a waste of his talent. Cactus was one of the more underutilized stars in the history of the company never really getting a chance to be the measuring stick of the company and was always the complimentary piece.
Foley would be a early roster cut from Eric Bischoff once he assumed control of WCW and started taking the company in a new direction. From there Cactus would spend time with Extreme Championship Wrestling and Smokey Mountain Wrestling then Mick Foley would transform into a new persona he would become Mankind. Right from the outset he would jump into a feud with The Undertaker sparking what would become a career defining rivalry. At this point Foley's story has been told multiple times over the years and we know it like the back of hand in some cases from his feud with The Rock to Triple H and finding the right time to introduce all of his Three Faces of Foley in WWE. Foley did what nobody ever thought he could when he became WWE Champion on the January 4, 1999, edition of Monday Night Raw.
Foley put his body on the line and wasn't afraid of taking a risk if it was in the name of entertaining the fans. At this point in his life Foley has shown the effects of such a physical style for such a long period of time. Later in his career Foley took great pride in being to help new talents establish themselves mainly giving Randy Orton that extra push to become a main event star early in his career. Foley had wanted to help establish Jon Moxley the same way he did Orton, but it was a little too little to late as Foley was at a point where couldn't physically compete anymore. Based on his legendary feuds, classic matches, and putting his body on the line every time he entered the ring. Foley earned every thing his career brought him and the reputation he holds in the wild world of wrestling. It is for this reason that I have a humble to honor to welcome Mick Foley into the Wrestling Express Hall of Fame Class of 2020.
Foley would be a early roster cut from Eric Bischoff once he assumed control of WCW and started taking the company in a new direction. From there Cactus would spend time with Extreme Championship Wrestling and Smokey Mountain Wrestling then Mick Foley would transform into a new persona he would become Mankind. Right from the outset he would jump into a feud with The Undertaker sparking what would become a career defining rivalry. At this point Foley's story has been told multiple times over the years and we know it like the back of hand in some cases from his feud with The Rock to Triple H and finding the right time to introduce all of his Three Faces of Foley in WWE. Foley did what nobody ever thought he could when he became WWE Champion on the January 4, 1999, edition of Monday Night Raw.
Foley put his body on the line and wasn't afraid of taking a risk if it was in the name of entertaining the fans. At this point in his life Foley has shown the effects of such a physical style for such a long period of time. Later in his career Foley took great pride in being to help new talents establish themselves mainly giving Randy Orton that extra push to become a main event star early in his career. Foley had wanted to help establish Jon Moxley the same way he did Orton, but it was a little too little to late as Foley was at a point where couldn't physically compete anymore. Based on his legendary feuds, classic matches, and putting his body on the line every time he entered the ring. Foley earned every thing his career brought him and the reputation he holds in the wild world of wrestling. It is for this reason that I have a humble to honor to welcome Mick Foley into the Wrestling Express Hall of Fame Class of 2020.
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Express Hall of Fame Induction: Sting
It was the fall of 1985 when a freshed muscular kid walked through the door of the CWA, but that wasn't built to last. While working for Jerry Jarrett neither Sting nor Ultimate Warrior showed any signs of the stars they would both become in later years. However, things would change for at least one of them upon their move to the Universal Wrestling Federation in 1986. The team called the Blade Runners would be members of Eddie Gilbert's group called Hyatt & Hot Stuff International. Within a year Sting was the standout of the group, but it was bad timing for every because just as his stock began to rise that's when the company was sold to Jim Crockett.
Upon his arrival in Jim Crockett Promotions that's when booker Dusty Rhodes took to the young star and began pushing up the card slowly. Within a year Stinger was fighting on top of the card against Ric Flair at the first Clash of Champions in a 45 minute draw. After this match it was clear that Sting was destined to become a future star and World Champion in a company looking for a new identity. Sting also became one of the few bright spots from the purchase of UWF by Jim Crockett Promotions shining through a sea of mediocrity and missed opportunities. In early 1989, Sting would win his first major singles title defeating Mike Routunda for NWA Television Championship his most memorable feud with the title was with Great Muta over the summer of 1989.
Following a long recovery time from a severe knee injury Sting would resume his feud with Ric Flair over the NWA World Championship and it was at Great American Bash when he would finally break through. Stinger would defeat Flair for his first of nine total reigns as World Champion under the WCW banner, but this would be his only reign as NWA Worlds Heavyweight Champion. Though most would say his first reign was very mediocre it was the start of things to come for the still up and coming new main eventer. Over the years all fans know about Sting's never ending feud with Ric Flair & the horseman but everything would change upon the arrival of the New World Order in the WCW. In late 1996, Sting would mark himself as a free agent and his look this is when he adopted the legendary crow look that he still dawns today.
Sting would become the franchise of WCW leading the charge against the New World Order and even being the only top star that was booked well during the Monday Night Wars. Though near end of the company Sting would be taken off television in the fall of 2000 and wouldn't return until the final episode of Nitro when he would return for one more match against his long time rival Ric Flair. From their Sting would have a short run with the short lived World Wrestling All-Stars promotion based in Australia before finding his way to the new company NWA-TNA. Sting would come and go from TNA for the next ten years never really losing a step during his entire run with the company.
Sting would have game changing feuds with Jeff Jarrett, Kurt Angle, Christian Cage, and others. The one highlight that I think most can point to during his run with the company as highlight was his time in the Main Event Mafia, because he felt like the perfect member for the group and someone else might not have fit as well also there may not have been the built in tension with Kurt Angle from the start without Sting. However, once he would leave TNA and finally enter the WWE for the first time many believe not appearing sooner was a missed opportunity mostly due to him never being able to have the dream match against The Undertaker that all fans wanted to see. Either way though Sting has had a career that in the beginning nobody would've seen coming, but wrestling is always at it's best when you can expect the unexpected. I would like to welcome the "Icon" Sting to the Wrestling Express Hall of Fame Class of 2019.
Upon his arrival in Jim Crockett Promotions that's when booker Dusty Rhodes took to the young star and began pushing up the card slowly. Within a year Stinger was fighting on top of the card against Ric Flair at the first Clash of Champions in a 45 minute draw. After this match it was clear that Sting was destined to become a future star and World Champion in a company looking for a new identity. Sting also became one of the few bright spots from the purchase of UWF by Jim Crockett Promotions shining through a sea of mediocrity and missed opportunities. In early 1989, Sting would win his first major singles title defeating Mike Routunda for NWA Television Championship his most memorable feud with the title was with Great Muta over the summer of 1989.
Following a long recovery time from a severe knee injury Sting would resume his feud with Ric Flair over the NWA World Championship and it was at Great American Bash when he would finally break through. Stinger would defeat Flair for his first of nine total reigns as World Champion under the WCW banner, but this would be his only reign as NWA Worlds Heavyweight Champion. Though most would say his first reign was very mediocre it was the start of things to come for the still up and coming new main eventer. Over the years all fans know about Sting's never ending feud with Ric Flair & the horseman but everything would change upon the arrival of the New World Order in the WCW. In late 1996, Sting would mark himself as a free agent and his look this is when he adopted the legendary crow look that he still dawns today.
Sting would become the franchise of WCW leading the charge against the New World Order and even being the only top star that was booked well during the Monday Night Wars. Though near end of the company Sting would be taken off television in the fall of 2000 and wouldn't return until the final episode of Nitro when he would return for one more match against his long time rival Ric Flair. From their Sting would have a short run with the short lived World Wrestling All-Stars promotion based in Australia before finding his way to the new company NWA-TNA. Sting would come and go from TNA for the next ten years never really losing a step during his entire run with the company.
Sting would have game changing feuds with Jeff Jarrett, Kurt Angle, Christian Cage, and others. The one highlight that I think most can point to during his run with the company as highlight was his time in the Main Event Mafia, because he felt like the perfect member for the group and someone else might not have fit as well also there may not have been the built in tension with Kurt Angle from the start without Sting. However, once he would leave TNA and finally enter the WWE for the first time many believe not appearing sooner was a missed opportunity mostly due to him never being able to have the dream match against The Undertaker that all fans wanted to see. Either way though Sting has had a career that in the beginning nobody would've seen coming, but wrestling is always at it's best when you can expect the unexpected. I would like to welcome the "Icon" Sting to the Wrestling Express Hall of Fame Class of 2019.
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Express Hall of Fame: The Rock
At this point and time nobody has ever been able to make such a solid transition from the wrestling ring into the movie studio. For me the only person that really comes to mind is Roddy Piper or Terry Funk who had some success both in the ring and on the movie screen. Even though Rocky didn't have an extremely long wrestling career due to him making the move to Hollywood only seven years after his active wrestling career began. Though Rock would continue sparsely competing for many years after but following his feud with Goldberg he would pretty much end his full time in ring career.
With all this aside it is incredible to acknowledge the impact that the man named Dwayne had on the world of professional wrestling in such a short period of time. Rocky would begin his career in 1996 working in USWA under the terrible name of Flex Kavana. His time in "developmental" didn't last and would make his main roster debut at Survivor Series 1996 and would be on the winning side of things, but wasn't the sole survivor on his team. As history goes at the time going under the name Rocky Maivia things didn't work for long and a knee injury would come at the best time allowing for Rocky to be packaged. Upon his return in August 1997 it would be then when Rocky Maivia would become The Rock.
Following his name change it wouldn't be long until he really found his footing and it would be the greatest time for him as he would become a pillar of the company during the "Attitude Era." From his feuds with Ken Shamrock, Mankind, D-Generation X, and Vince McMahon there is no doubt that there is one feud that The Rock became known for in his career and that is the never ending feud he had with Steve Austin. Looking back at his achievements Rocky has won a Royal Rumble, headlined Wrestlemania more than once, and became one of the biggest box office draws in the history of wrestling. Now add his eight WWE Championship reigns, two WCW World title reigns, two Intercontinental title reigns, and five times with the Tag team titles it isn't hard to understand exactly why The Rock belongs in the Hall of Fame. An interesting note though is that I will be welcoming him in before the WWE and with that being said I would like to welcome the first inductee into the Class of 2019..... Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson.
With all this aside it is incredible to acknowledge the impact that the man named Dwayne had on the world of professional wrestling in such a short period of time. Rocky would begin his career in 1996 working in USWA under the terrible name of Flex Kavana. His time in "developmental" didn't last and would make his main roster debut at Survivor Series 1996 and would be on the winning side of things, but wasn't the sole survivor on his team. As history goes at the time going under the name Rocky Maivia things didn't work for long and a knee injury would come at the best time allowing for Rocky to be packaged. Upon his return in August 1997 it would be then when Rocky Maivia would become The Rock.
Following his name change it wouldn't be long until he really found his footing and it would be the greatest time for him as he would become a pillar of the company during the "Attitude Era." From his feuds with Ken Shamrock, Mankind, D-Generation X, and Vince McMahon there is no doubt that there is one feud that The Rock became known for in his career and that is the never ending feud he had with Steve Austin. Looking back at his achievements Rocky has won a Royal Rumble, headlined Wrestlemania more than once, and became one of the biggest box office draws in the history of wrestling. Now add his eight WWE Championship reigns, two WCW World title reigns, two Intercontinental title reigns, and five times with the Tag team titles it isn't hard to understand exactly why The Rock belongs in the Hall of Fame. An interesting note though is that I will be welcoming him in before the WWE and with that being said I would like to welcome the first inductee into the Class of 2019..... Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson.
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Express Hall of Fame: Shawn Michaels
Fact of the matter is very few talent could have more of a Hall of Fame career than the "Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels. Over his career he has had number of nicknames including "Mr. WrestleMania", "Showstoppa", The "Headliner", the "Icon." As of August 2018 it would be 20 years that I have been a wrestling fan and though during that time HBK has had his demons, but still remains by far the greatest in ring star in wrestling. Though my earliest childhood memory may be of a WCW event I still can say that for the last 19 years Shawn Michaels has been my favorite wrestler by far.
I think that of all my Hall of Fame choices I could pick have had their careers looked over from start to finish so many times that a number of fans know everything about Shawn. Fact of the matter is when he made his debut in the fall of 1984 to the end of his career at WrestleMania 26 against Undertaker nobody could've seen just how successful Shawn would be. Early on Shawn would spend time in territories like Mid-South, World Class, and local Southwest Championship Wrestling based in San Antonio. Though Shawn would begin to team with Marty Jannetty while they were together in Kansas City they wouldn't start to get noticed until they found their way to Verne and the AWA. Most fans know the story of his early run in the WWF not lasting and then him returning in 1988 and never leaving again until he was ready to hang it up.
In many ways The Rockers were a great team, but not one of the best teams of the "golden era" of tag team wrestling. In 1992, Shawn would go solo and it would be the best decision that Vince McMahon could've ever made as Shawn would find his way as a singles wrestler and would help lead the company into the next generation. In 1996, Shawn would hit the top of the mountain and never look back after fighting in the first ever 60 minute Ironman match at WrestleMania 12 against Bret Hart. Michaels would finally hit rock bottom following a serve back injury and would retire for four years before his highly anticipated return in 2002. From their HBK would give us so many classic matches and amazing moments that I have lost count from feuds with Undertaker to Triple H to Chris Jericho and others he made up for being gone four years by staying around for 9 upon his return. Overall I don't have to make a case for why Shawn is a Hall of Fame, but what I do have to say is there is no doubt in my mind that this is the rightful place for the "Heartbreak Kid."
I think that of all my Hall of Fame choices I could pick have had their careers looked over from start to finish so many times that a number of fans know everything about Shawn. Fact of the matter is when he made his debut in the fall of 1984 to the end of his career at WrestleMania 26 against Undertaker nobody could've seen just how successful Shawn would be. Early on Shawn would spend time in territories like Mid-South, World Class, and local Southwest Championship Wrestling based in San Antonio. Though Shawn would begin to team with Marty Jannetty while they were together in Kansas City they wouldn't start to get noticed until they found their way to Verne and the AWA. Most fans know the story of his early run in the WWF not lasting and then him returning in 1988 and never leaving again until he was ready to hang it up.
In many ways The Rockers were a great team, but not one of the best teams of the "golden era" of tag team wrestling. In 1992, Shawn would go solo and it would be the best decision that Vince McMahon could've ever made as Shawn would find his way as a singles wrestler and would help lead the company into the next generation. In 1996, Shawn would hit the top of the mountain and never look back after fighting in the first ever 60 minute Ironman match at WrestleMania 12 against Bret Hart. Michaels would finally hit rock bottom following a serve back injury and would retire for four years before his highly anticipated return in 2002. From their HBK would give us so many classic matches and amazing moments that I have lost count from feuds with Undertaker to Triple H to Chris Jericho and others he made up for being gone four years by staying around for 9 upon his return. Overall I don't have to make a case for why Shawn is a Hall of Fame, but what I do have to say is there is no doubt in my mind that this is the rightful place for the "Heartbreak Kid."
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Express Hall of Fame Induction: The Undertaker
Much like Steve Austin from last year, the man named Mark Callaway got into wrestling back in 1984 with World Class Championship Wrestling. At first I thought that Undertaker made his debut back in 1987, but he has been in the wrestling business for 34 years. Originally making his debut under the name Texas Red competing against Bruiser Brody and he did get his butt whipped. One thing that most fans aren't aware of is that Undertaker did actually work for WCW prior to arriving in the WWF. The name "Mean" Mark Callous may not have a long history, but was one half of the Skyscrapers with Dan Spivey. (One of the reasons he is getting inducted)
In November 1990, history was made when the man formerly known as Mark Callous would transform into the gimmick made his career. Though it took a little time for Undertaker to find his way he would quickly become one of the top stars in the WWF. The company gave Undertaker such a push right out of the gate that he actually defeated Hulk Hogan for the World Title at Survivor Series 1991. Over the years Undertaker has been plagued with bad years specifically pointing to 1993-1995 which involves his feuds with Giant Gonzales, Brain "Fake Undertaker" Lee, King Kong Bundy, & others. However, even with these weak feuds Undertaker showed off his willingness to be a company guy and someone that really was willing to make pretty much anything work no matter what it was.
This was never more evident with his gimmick changed during the "Attitude Era" as the company would allow Taker to switch things up and become more of a darker figure. Starting in 1998 the "Deadman" began to start a sort of cult like group known as the Ministry of Darkness, it was very early in this run that Undertaker had one of his better matches in years with Steve Austin at Summerslam 1998. Moving forward a few years The Undertaker didn't let up and would be the leader of Smackdown during the original brand split having legendary feuds with Batista, Edge, and an infamous feud with Great Khali once again proving just how much of a company guy he is. I don't really need to continue going through the career retrospective of the "Icon" as pretty much every fan knows The Undertaker's career. Overall nobody deserves to be placed into this years class of the Hall of Fame then the "Icon" the "Deadman" The Undertaker.
In November 1990, history was made when the man formerly known as Mark Callous would transform into the gimmick made his career. Though it took a little time for Undertaker to find his way he would quickly become one of the top stars in the WWF. The company gave Undertaker such a push right out of the gate that he actually defeated Hulk Hogan for the World Title at Survivor Series 1991. Over the years Undertaker has been plagued with bad years specifically pointing to 1993-1995 which involves his feuds with Giant Gonzales, Brain "Fake Undertaker" Lee, King Kong Bundy, & others. However, even with these weak feuds Undertaker showed off his willingness to be a company guy and someone that really was willing to make pretty much anything work no matter what it was.
This was never more evident with his gimmick changed during the "Attitude Era" as the company would allow Taker to switch things up and become more of a darker figure. Starting in 1998 the "Deadman" began to start a sort of cult like group known as the Ministry of Darkness, it was very early in this run that Undertaker had one of his better matches in years with Steve Austin at Summerslam 1998. Moving forward a few years The Undertaker didn't let up and would be the leader of Smackdown during the original brand split having legendary feuds with Batista, Edge, and an infamous feud with Great Khali once again proving just how much of a company guy he is. I don't really need to continue going through the career retrospective of the "Icon" as pretty much every fan knows The Undertaker's career. Overall nobody deserves to be placed into this years class of the Hall of Fame then the "Icon" the "Deadman" The Undertaker.
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Hall of Fame Induction: Steve Austin
Though his career started slow as one of the many trainees of Chris Adams. The reason that Austin started slow is because when he would make his debut it was at the tall end of WCCW and would later join USWA following the merger of CWA and World Class. In late 1990, Steve would leave USWA to join World Championship Wrestling. Things would pick up in 1993 when both Austin and Brian Pillman would be able to display there personality in there tag team known as the Hollywood Blondes, unfortunately WCW management would pull plug too soon.
Even Steve himself attributed ECW and Paul Heyman to allow to perfect the early days of the "Texas Rattlesnake" and even though he wasn't in the "Land of Extreme" that long he still left an impact. Let's just skip over The Ringmaster, even though his feud with Savio Vega was actually one of the few bright spots in a very dark period for WWE during the mid-1990's. Now we move to 1996 and things just started to fall into place from the King of the Ring to his feud with the "Hitman" everything seemed to going the way of Steve Austin from 1996-1997. I picked out 1997 because of the Survivor Series and when Austin took a botched pile-driver from Owen Hart and aggravated a pre-existing injury that would almost cost him his career. We all know the timeline of Steve's career and how well JR said it best when he said "The Austin Era has Begun" as WrestleMania 14 drew to close with Steve Austin as the new WWF Champion. Over the course of the next two years Austin would become the biggest star in the wrestling business and help spearhead the WWF's tremendous popularity growth into the millennium. Sadly, due to his neck injury catching up to him Steve would end his career following WrestleMania 19 and one more match with his greatest rival The Rock which finally saw "The Great One" defeat the "Rattlesnake" for the first time on the grand stage.
Though Austin's career may have been cut short a couple of years; nobody could've predicted that Steve would have achieved half the amount of success that he did. His feud with Vince McMahon swung the pendulum back in favor of the WWF in April 1998 to end Nitro's winning streak at 84 weeks in a row. There is no doubt that at some point Steve will get a statue made by WWE for all he gave to that company and just what he's done for the wrestling business. With that being said I didn't think that I could find anyone else better to be the final inductee into the Wrestling Express Hall of Fame Class of 2017. Welcome into another Hall of Fame the "Texas Rattlesnake"...... "Stone Cold" Steve Austin!!
Even Steve himself attributed ECW and Paul Heyman to allow to perfect the early days of the "Texas Rattlesnake" and even though he wasn't in the "Land of Extreme" that long he still left an impact. Let's just skip over The Ringmaster, even though his feud with Savio Vega was actually one of the few bright spots in a very dark period for WWE during the mid-1990's. Now we move to 1996 and things just started to fall into place from the King of the Ring to his feud with the "Hitman" everything seemed to going the way of Steve Austin from 1996-1997. I picked out 1997 because of the Survivor Series and when Austin took a botched pile-driver from Owen Hart and aggravated a pre-existing injury that would almost cost him his career. We all know the timeline of Steve's career and how well JR said it best when he said "The Austin Era has Begun" as WrestleMania 14 drew to close with Steve Austin as the new WWF Champion. Over the course of the next two years Austin would become the biggest star in the wrestling business and help spearhead the WWF's tremendous popularity growth into the millennium. Sadly, due to his neck injury catching up to him Steve would end his career following WrestleMania 19 and one more match with his greatest rival The Rock which finally saw "The Great One" defeat the "Rattlesnake" for the first time on the grand stage.
Though Austin's career may have been cut short a couple of years; nobody could've predicted that Steve would have achieved half the amount of success that he did. His feud with Vince McMahon swung the pendulum back in favor of the WWF in April 1998 to end Nitro's winning streak at 84 weeks in a row. There is no doubt that at some point Steve will get a statue made by WWE for all he gave to that company and just what he's done for the wrestling business. With that being said I didn't think that I could find anyone else better to be the final inductee into the Wrestling Express Hall of Fame Class of 2017. Welcome into another Hall of Fame the "Texas Rattlesnake"...... "Stone Cold" Steve Austin!!
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Hall of Fame Induction: Ric Flair
There is no doubt in my mind that very few people in the history of pro-wrestling are deserving to be first ballot Hall of Famers. Just based on the fact that Ric has been a member of the pro-wrestling world for the last 40 years in both inactive and active roles for a various during his career. It's funny to think that if two things had gone very differently then Naitch wouldn't even be talked about today, the first thing was Verne Gagne himself calling Ric and telling to come back to the training school even though Ric had quit and the other is that if Ric never switched spots on the plane with Johnny Valentine in 1975. In many ways without Ric Flair the WCW wouldn't have existed, because in the years before Hogan it was Flair carrying the brand by himself in some cases and being the one of the only reasons the WCW turned around.
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"Ramblin" Ricky Rhodes
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Though later in his tenure with WCW things got a little rocky, Flair proved to be the embodiment of a company man and always ended up doing what was best for WCW. Once he entered the WWE it was like stuff dreams were made of because we saw Ric finally go face to face with the likes of Jericho, McMahon, Michaels, and various others. Also Ric would take on the role mentor in one of the greatest stables in recent memory that being Evolution, because without that stable Batista and Randy Orton would have never became the stars they did. Though some of us have said over the years Ric's active wrestling went on for far too long nobody can dispute that when he did retire that his retirement ceremony wasn't fitting for the "Nature Boy."
At this point, Ric still has the gift to make people reach their potential and he proved it from his work with daughter and helping Charlotte not only get over as heel, but also be comfortable as one. Over the last 40 plus years Ric Flair's name has always been tied to pro-wrestling in some form or fashion and that is one thing that will never change because "Diamonds are Forever and so are the Horsemen." Welcome to another Hall of Fame Naitch!! WOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!
