WrestleMania weekend is upon us and with that we got to witness who will be next to be enshrined in the WWE Hall of Fame. Since 2005, WrestleMania has been the site for all the stars of yesteryear to take their rightful place in the annals of WWE history.
Most years WWE enters anywhere from 5 to 10 wrestlers into the WWE Hall of Fame. It is a night when those wrestlers are recognized for their contribution to the company. This year, names like Paul Heyman, Bull Nakano, Thunderbolt Patterson, Lia Maivia, and The U.S Express were honored.
Now that the list of inductees has been inducted, the natural conversation will come up of who is left out. Some wrestlers need to be in the WWE Hall of Fame, and there are some whose spots should be given up. Below are some of these individuals.
Shouldn’t Be: The Bella Twins
Nikki and Brie Bella are an incredibly overrated duo. When they broke into the company, they clicked with anyone. Their acting was stunted, at best, and they couldn’t put together a decent match with any female on the roster. They were kept around because of how management felt about them.
As time went on their relationship, and mainstream exposure, ensured employment with the company. They were thrust into feuds that should have been handed to better talents on the roster. This is why there was such a shock when they were inducted, especially when another woman has been looked over year and year again.
Replacement: Miss Elizabeth
Look, we are all aware of the demons that Miss Elizabeth encountered during her life, but that shouldn’t shy the company away from putting her in the WWE Hall of Fame.
As Randy Savage’s valet Miss Elizabeth was one of the most popular figures of the Golden Era. Calling her a valet is a disservice to her character work.
Elizabeth was more than just a pretty face as she routinely got involved in Savage’s matches. It was a great subversion of the valet role and proved that Elizabeth was a force to be reckoned with. In a time of great managers, she was one of the best. It is high time WWE inducts her into the Hall of Fame.
Shouldn’t Be: Drew Carey
The Hall of Fame’s celerity wing will always be a bit iffy. Celebrities don’t stick around for very long so their influence can be challenged. Still, some deserve to be in the Hall of Fame, but Drew Carey is not one of them.
Carey had a one-off appearance with WWE. He entered the 2001 Royal Rumble, taking a spot away from someone else, and engaged in a comedy angle that didn’t hit. This could have been done in a smaller vignette instead of taking up time during a match. It wasn’t a great legacy for Carey to leave.
Replacement: Jim Johnston
Some might not instantly recognize the name Jim Johnston, but it’s a guarantee that almost everyone has heard his work. Johnston was the preeminent composter for WWE. He is responsible for some of the most iconic entrance songs in WWE history.
During his time with the company, Johnston was responsible for DX, Kurt Angle, The Rock, and Stone Cold entrances. Frankly those four just scratch the surface of the work that Johnston accomplished. He was the man who brought the WWE to our ears. It is nearly criminal that WWE hasn’t put him in the Hall of Fame.
Shouldn’t Be: Queen Sharmell
Booker T. was one of the best characters in WCW and WWE. As a tag, or singles, wrestler he experienced tremendous success and was most deserving of a Hall of Fame induction. His wife on the other hand should not have received that honor.
Queen Sharmell was a valet and not a good one at that. When she stepped in the ring, she wasn’t good and brought down the quality of matches. On top of that, her character was annoying and had the type of heat that no wrestler wanted. The Hall of Fame was no place for Queen Sharmell.
Replacement: Demolition
There is a lot of bad blood between the office and Demolition, but that is mainly in the lap of Vince McMahon. Now that the boss is out of the company a things are happening that many thought never would. Demolition getting into the Hall of Fame is one of those things.
Demolition is one of the greatest tag teams in WWE history. They were a cornerstone during the Golden Age of Tag Team wrestling. They provided the perfect heel tandem to legitimize the babyfaces of the era. If you look at the most iconic tag matches from that era Demolition is a participant.
Shouldn’t Be: The Great Khali
The Punjabi Giant has never had anything other than his size to hang his hat on. He was an imposing figure and one that provided a great visual opposite to other stars, but that was where his luster stopped.
He was terrible in the ring, and much worse on the stick. He was not able to do anything convincingly and his inclusion in the Hall of Fame is a political move, one that should be rectified.
Replacement: William Regal
William Regal is one of the most underappreciated wrestlers in history. While with WCW and WWE he was never used as well as he should be. Regal was a man who could pull off great comedy and drama. He could always get a great reaction from the crowd and could drag just about anyone to a good match.
The Blue Blood had mild success while with both companies, winning multiple championships but never reaching the top of the mountain. After wrestling he has become one of the best authority figures of all time. He has succeeded with everything that has been thrown in front of him. The fact that he isn’t in the Hall of Fame is a joke.
Shouldn’t Be: Koko B. Ware
The Birdman is fondly looked on by many. Growing up in that era children would love the colorful presentation and, of course, his parrot Frankie. Alas, this is where his luster ended, and Koko B. Ware was a dud.
He never managed to make it out of the lower-mid card. He was never a credible challenger for a title or against any other wrestler for that matter.
Ware was one of the more popular wrestlers, but popularity should not put him in the hall. He didn’t have much of an influence on his era and is a largely forgettable character nowadays.
Replacement: Owen Hart
Owen Hart will always be on this list until WWE decides to put him in the Hall of Fame. Owen built a career out of being the best. As a heel he was better than everyone, he was the best wrestler of his generation, even better than Bret Hart. Owen was fantastic on the microphone and could work any angle.
He was a mid-card champion and a consistent world title contender.
Sure, because of the events surrounding his death and his widow’s feelings toward WWE, it is hard to imagine him getting inducted. But with TKO Holdings in charge, this attitude could change. WWE needs to bridge the gap and get Owen in the Hall of Fame.
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