WWE have added three more names to their growing list of inductees for the 2025 Hall of Fame. Triple H, who was announced as the first inductee for the Class of 2025, commented on the legacies of the three wrestlers on social media. “Each one of these performers left an indelible mark on the history of WWE. It is an absolute privilege to honor each of them and their bodies of work.”
The well-deserved names in question are Kamala, Dory Funk Sr., and Ivan Koloff. WWE announced that they will be inducted into the Legacy Wing during the Hall of Fame ceremony on April 18th – the night before WrestleMania 41.
A Closer Look at the WWE Hall of Fame Careers of Kamala, Funk, and Koloff
The Ugandan Giant
Nicknamed “The Ugandan Giant”, Kamala struck fear into opponents and fans alike throughout his storied career. While Kamala never won a title in WWE, he did challenge for the world title several times. He is often remembered for his feuds with Hulk Hogan, Jake ‘The Snake’ Roberts, and The Undertaker. Kamala also made history when he lost to Undertaker at Survivor Series 6 in the first televised casket match. In 2006, Kamala also challenged a then 24-year-old Bryan Danielson for the ROH World Championship that ended in a no-contest.
Like Father, Like Sons
Dory Funk Sr., father of now fellow Hall of Famers Dory Jr. and Terry, was a respected wrestler in his own right. However, he left a huge mark on the landscape of professional wrestling with his promotion of Western States Sports in the 1960s/70s. His success with the promotion led to the development of many future world champions and Hall of Famers. These included Harley Race, Ted DiBiase, Tito Santana, Bruiser Brody, Jumbo Tsurata, and Tully Blanchard to name a few.
The Russian Bear
Ivan Koloff, known as ‘The Russian Bear’, is best remembered for ending Bruno Sammartino’s nearly eight-year reign as WWE Champion. Defeating Sammartino at Madison Square Garden in 1971, Koloff became just the third wrestler and the first Canadian to hold the WWE Championship. Koloff also held the World Heavyweight Championship three times in NWA. He also notably feuded with Dusty Rhodes, father of current WWE Champion Cody, in NWA in the 1980s.
Triple H Continues to Play Peacemaker in the Post-McMahon Era
The inductions of Kamala and Koloff continue a change in direction under Triple H regarding ex-communicated legends from the past. In February, the highly-respected tag team Demolition were signed to a Legends deal despite their troubled relationships with WWE. Demolition were infamously named in the 2016 CTE lawsuit, leading to severed relations with WWE during Vince McMahon’s tenure. Triple H has mended relations with other notable WWE alumni, helping to get Bruno Sammartino and Ultimate Warrior inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2013 and 2014, respectively.
Kamala and Koloff were named in the same lawsuit in 2016. Mike Johnson of PWInsider reported at the time that the association with the lawsuit likely prevented Kamala from being inducted into the Hall of Fame. It would not be too far of a stretch to suggest that Koloff may have been treated similarly. Positively, the WWE 2025 Hall of Fame will be remembered as a turning point for wrestlers who have been controversially distanced from the company in the past.
Funk, Kamala, and Koloff are the first Legacy Wing inductees since 2021. Alongside Triple H, they’ll join Michelle McCool, Lex Luger, and The Natural Disasters as fellow members of the 2025 Class. In a Hall of Fame first, Stone Cold Steve Austin and Bret Hart’s WrestleMania 13 match will also be recognized. The match, which featured Ken Shamrock as special guest referee, is the first ‘WWE Immortal Moment’ to be inducted.
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