As WWE continues down the road to WrestleMania, they are fast approaching the final stop before they perform on the “Grandest Stage of Them All”; the Hall of Fame induction ceremony. It’s a night meant to honor the WWE legends who helped define wrestling. WWE has not announced anyone from the class of 2023 yet as of this writing. Rumors are already swirling that the headliner is finally expected to be Batista.
Batista falls easily into the first-ballot Hall of Famer category for WWE fans. He was a significant figure in wrestling history, and his success outside further bolsters his resume. However, Batista will be joined by his fellow class of 2023 if he is indeed the headliner, and the last few years have highlighted a growing issue with the Hall of Fame undercard.
WWE Hall of Fame: What is a Wrestling Legend?
Past Inductees Have Varied
With 2022 being an exception, the WWE Hall of Fame has included some interesting choices from 2015 to 2021. The headliners like Undertaker, NWO, and Kurt Angle make perfect sense. It is the other acts like The Bushwackers, Rock ‘N’ Roll Express, Hillbilly Jim, and Torrie Wilson. Even fans of these stars will admit none match the level of success of headliners like Undertaker, Trish Stratus, or presumably Batista in 2023.
The question, then, is, what makes a wrestling legend? What do Undertaker and Hillbilly Jim have in common, or how does Trish Stratus match up with Torrie Wilson? The answer is difficult to pin down. It can’t just be title reigns, as some certified legends like Roddy Piper have just two titles and not a single world championship. If you need crossover appeal, then an inductee like Rob Van Dam, who was only a wrestler for their entire career, wouldn’t make sense, though fans were universally excited that he returned for his induction. It could be about the length of their career in the WWE, but Japanese wrestling icon and 2021 Hall of Famer Juishin Thunder Liger has just two WWE matches in total.
Just a Business Decision?
Cynically you could say that it is simply a contracting designation. In fact, WWE just recently made an announcement that could support that perspective. It was announced that former NXT stand-out superstar Tyler Breeze would be a WWE Legend in the new 2k23 game. As an inactive wrestler, including him as a legend makes sense and allows them to use him to help promote the GM Mode he helped make famous. The inclusion of stars like Goldberg did coincide nicely with the release of a new video game DLC, a return to television, or other merchandise at WWE Shop, lending credence to the idea that money motivates who becomes a legend in WWE. However, even that view only covers some of the angles.
Stars like Vader were included posthumously, and aside from a DLC character in a video game, he provided little monetary value. Also, Sting will likely retire with a rival promotion. No wrestling fan would question his iconic status regardless of their preferred promotion. However, his time in WWE really wasn’t all that great. Vader and Sting’s inclusion as legends and Hall of Famers is well warranted, even if it does nothing for the company’s profits. In truth, making a wrestling legend is more of an art form than a science.
No Formula For Greatness
Realistically, men and women organically reach the status of wrestling legends; but the common trait so many legends share is how they often appear in memorable moments. Jushin Liger elevated wrestling overseas, which has had an incalculable impact on generations of WWE performers. His involvement in NXT excited fans because a performer who changed the game was finally on their screens again. Sting led the WCW side in the Monday Night Wars. Although he had a lackluster WWE run, he was pivotal in evolving wrestling into its modern-day form. Torrie Wilson was not a talented worker and never won a Women’s or Diva’s title. Still, Tori has her supporters, and the major reaction she received during the first-ever women’s royal rumble was evidence that fans remembered her entertaining and, at times, sultry performances fondly. The character added positively to the fabric of WWE programming from the invasion angle through the entire ruthless aggression era.
Even Tyler Breeze helped make the WWE 2K series a big hit with his involvement in Xavier Woods’ YouTube channel. He was also an early staple of the original NXT brand. His matches and character work outline a blueprint that some NXT stars use today. Additionally, his work as a trainer may also produce a new star in the future. While NXT, a local wrestling school, and Up Up Down Down aren’t Raw or Smackdown, they hold a special place for many fans.
What Makes a WWE Hall of Famer: In Conclusion
A wrestling legend can’t just be created on a whim. If they could, promotions like WWE would apply the steps to everyone on the roster to maximize their profits. Being a legend and Hall of Famer is an admission by WWE that you succeeded. The way you performed and how it entertained millions of people matters. Although the rules remain unwritten, fans know a few things about the performers honored on March 31st in Los Angeles at the Crypto.com Arena. Each one stood out and ensured they had fun memories of their favorite show that would last a lifetime.
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