JR's thoughts on the '09 HOF
 

From JR's blog:

- On the possible WWE Hall of Fame class of 2009: "Just glancing at the list of many, many viable and worthwhile candidates one preliminary list might include, in no particular order, Steve Austin, The Fabulous Freebirds, The Von Erich Family, The Funks, the late Houston Promoter Paul Boesch, The Million Dollar Man and Ricky Steamboat. How’s that for starters? Personally, I would add Danny Hodge, Scandar Akbar, and Bill Watts but I am not overly objective when it comes to those that I have admired since I was a kid or those that have helped me throughout my career.

I know it's early, but what do you guys think of JR's list? It'd be cool to see Austin get in, and I hope Bret Hart would induct him since he inducted Bret. I think it's time for Akbar & Gary Hart to get in, especially since Jimmy Hart already is, even though lots of you have probably never heard of those first two, and the Von Erichs & Funks are also are overdue for induction. What do you think?

Too early for Stone Cold. Owen Hart should go in before him.

Austin, Von Erics, Freebirds, and Funks sound like the plan.

I don't think it's too early at all. The man has been "retired" for quite a while now and he's MUCH more of an obvious choice than Owen. Why wait?

BRUISER BRODY:mad:

I'd rather hear Michael Cole's thoughts on the HOF '09.

Austin hasnt wrestled since WM 19 in early 2003. If it was done FB and Baseball style (5 yr wait for players after retirement) then Austin would be eligible.

With Austin not being able to wrestle anymore, I think it's definitely time for him to get in. I'd like to see Owen inducted too but I guess his bitter wife won't let that happen.

<font color=goldenrod>Yeah perfect time for Austin to get in, especially with it being in Texas and all.

I'd mark for most of those people getting in.</font> :cool:

So would you guys be ok with The Rock being inducted this year as well?

Rock last wrestled a year after Austin.

Well, it's in Texas first of all. Austin is older than Rock and it would be retarded to induct two of the biggest wrestlers in WWE history in the same year.

I'm talking in theory here. I think it's too soon for Steve, some of you disagree, which is fine, but I was wondering how you guys would feel IF The Rock was inducted also. The ceremony being in Texas notwithstanding.

Oh sorry, misunderstood ya. I think I would feel it's too early for the Rock and it wouldn't feel right. With Stone Cold I think it's alright since technically he's been in wrestling for like 19 years if you count his pre-WWE stuff, whereas Rock literally was only in wrestling for six years. So while it may be a little early for Austin, I think it's alright since it's in Texas. Even if it wasn't there, I think he should be inducted within the next few years. The dude retired from wrestling in 2003, so it's been like five years now.

Since it's Texas they should put in The Von Erichs, but only if the Freebirds go in. If it wasn't for the Freebirds, the Von Erichs wouldn't have gotten to where they were.
Also, while we're in Texas, put Steve Austin in there. What he did for the industry was nothing short of awesome.
I think The Million Dollar Man OR Ricky Steamboat should go in, and save the other one for next year. You don't want to put everyone in at once.

Also, The Rock and Owen Hart do not belong in the Hall of Fame.
The Rock was a huge draw, don't get me wrong, and it seemed he had no problems passing the title (since he never held the WWE title for more than 4 months) but the guy was in the industry for less than 10 years. He found a way to make more money with less work. I'm not going to knock him for getting a bigger payday for less work, but as a wrestler, I think The Brooklyn Brawler is above him on the Hall of Fame list.
As of Owen.... He could have been great. He could have been a world champion, no problem. However, he didn't have the chance to do all of that. I don't want to put someone's potential in the Hall of Fame. If Owen goes, so does Mike Awesome, Mass Transit, Bryan Adams, and Chris Benoit.

Fair enough.

Inductions that will NEVER happen, but should:

5. Ole Anderson (alone or in a team with Gene): Great tag team (with Gene), good talker. Problem is that he's too big of a douchebag.

4. Jim Cornette: Best Manager and mind the wrestling industry has ever had. Too much of a hot head and works for the competition.

3. Randy Savage: In his prime, he was a walking match of the night. Too bad he fooled around with Stephanie, YEAH!

2. Bruno Sammartino: One of the best WWWF champions of all time. hard feelings between him and Vince force an irreparable rift.

1. Kevin Sullivan: Had a long career, including a run at the top against Hogan. Contributed more to wrestling than people understand with the Army of Darkness. No Kevin Sullivan, no Undertaker, no dark storylines in general.

Honorable Mentions: Dennis Stamp and New Jack.

:shifty:

Did you seriously just say The Rock does not belong in the WWE Hall of Fame?

THE ROCK? The guy who got one of the highest votes to get into the WON Hall of Fame, doesn't belong in the WWE Hall of Fame that has Pete Rose in it?

uhh...

Well I think eventually he'll get in.

The Rock doesn't deserve to be in the HOF. He's had good fueds and matches with only what? 3 People?

Austin, Triple H, and Foley.

Truth is, he left too early.

So arguably the biggest name in the history of the WWE doesn't deserve to be in the WWE Hall of Fame, huh?

Huh? Austin is going into the HOF. The topic is about him, obviously you can't read.

Yeah, that does say "Austin doesn't deserve to be in the HOF".

My mistake.

lol. okay kid.

The Rock is the WON Hall of Fame for fuck sake, something Chris Jericho will never be in. What kind of an argument is this for Rock not deserving the Hall of Fame? He only had three good feuds? Uhh, what about the impact he had on the business? Pete Rose is in the fucking Hall of Fame yet The Rock doesn't deserve it? Wow.

This is beyond retarded.

That same logic can be used for Austin. He's only had what, 3 or 4 good feuds against Vince, Bret, Rock and Angle? Maybe HBK, but Rock has had good feuds with Lesnar and Jericho. If The Rock isn't in the WWE Hall of Fame than nobody except Hogan, Austin, Michaels, Bret and like... a select few others should be.

I do understand arguments against the Rock being in the hall of fame.

But realistically he will be inducted, and I think he deserves to. I understand that he may not have passion for the business like others and probably wouldn't be worthy to be inducted for a WRESTLING hall of fame.

But a WWE hall of fame is very different, in his WWE career, short as it may have been, he had many memorable matches, many great moments and especially great interviews. He was on top for a period where WWE was at it's highest ever. He has to be inducted.

Yep, time for Austin & Dibiase this year.

Although Bret won't have the balls to induct Austin. He won't make any cash out of it so it won't interest him.

If they have this list, I will freaking explode in my britches:

Stone Cold
Terry Funk
Ted DiBiase
Dory Funk Jr. & Sr.
The Von Erichs
The Freebirds
Gory Guerrero
Gary Hart

WWE should have waited on Dusty. If they induct this list with Dusty Rhodes then they could sell out the almost any decent size building they wanted to.

uhhh, why would the entire Von Erich family go in? I just don't get that at all. I've argued this before, but none of them are HOF's except Fritz and maybe David and Kerry.

and lol @ the Rock not deserving to go in. holy shit. how do you not put one of the biggest draws ever and the one guy in the business who actually succeded at something outside of wrestling. that's the most ludacris statement I've heard in a long while

Post this thread in the "Proof wrestling fans are fucking morons" super thread.

The same Bret Hart who is the only person since Andre The Giant who has been inducted into the HOF and refused to take any money for it?

Everyone else has been paid to appear. Inductees and their families. Bret Hart is the only person who hasn't been.

Suppose this is me riding his jock though.

Of course The Rock deserves to go in the HOF. I still think Rock will surprise us all one day and return, even if its just for a short while.

Even if he never returns he deserves to go in. If it wasn't for him most of the members of these boards wouldn't be here.

Haven't seen that reported. Searched for it as well.

Nothing to do with a DVD that was coming out shortly after either.

I hope he proves me wrong and inducts Austin, like he should.

Do you think he will Rob?

BTW, The Rock not being in the WWE HoF is absurd.

Rock would no show.

Von Erich's
Freebirds
Austin
Gary Hart
Akbar
Boesch

Solid list.

I'd like to add Stan the mother fucking Lariat Hansen to the list.

Good call on whoever mentioned Brody.

Mr. T needs to go in before The Rock goes in.

The fuck? I think you're the stupid one for coming in here and adding absolutely nothing of substance to this discussion. GTFO :mad:

I'm inclined to agree with Rob there though.