5 unexpected Hall of Famers we may see in the future
The WWE Hall of Fame is filled with a number of former champions from not just WWE, but promotions from all over the world. Since its inception, there have been several wrestlers inducted that fans thought would have nothing to do with WWE ever again.
However, whether it was Bruno Sammartino, Bret Hart or The Ultimate Warrior, it became important for all parties to let bygones be bygones and see the bigger picture, and let these incredible talents careers be immortalized.
One criticism that has been levied at the Hall of Fame has been the failure to induct some former men and women that blazed a trail outside WWE. The contributions of various founders and builders are crucial to acknowledge, and the careers of those people should be assigned great value.
Who should be inducted into the Hall of Fame, and who will WWE eventually welcome into their halls? Here are five unexpected Hall of Famers we may see in the future.
#5 Davey Boy Smith
As a former tag team, Intercontinental, European and Hardcore champion, Davey Boy Smith is most deserving of becoming a member of the Hall of Fame. He first joined the WWE alongside his cousin Tommy Billington as one-half of The British Bulldogs.
After his first departure from the company and subsequent return, Smith captured several championships, meaning that his absence from the Hall of Fame is a surprise.
His omission, when family members like Bret Hart are in there, has not gone unnoticed. A petition started a few years ago and is still in circulation, demanding Smith's induction into the Hall of Fame. With each passing day, the number of names that have signed it continues to grow.
Smith's legacy lives on today in his son, Harry Smith, who competes in Japan.
#4 Owen Hart
He was the King of Hearts and a Black Hart but, sadly, the younger brother of Bret Hart is yet to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.
Fans may or may not know that the late Owen Hart's widow Martha does not want her husband inducted, and in fact has not approved any decision moving forward to have any merchandise, especially DVDs, produced without her consent. The biography that was released about Owen wasn't approved by her and did not receive her endorsement either.
His tragic death has completely changed the way in which WWE handles stunts like the one that ended his life, as they have removed them altogether. Owen's absence from the Hall of Fame is a true shame, even though the wishes of his widow have to be respected.
Fans can still have hope that with enough support, and the ongoing recognition of everything that Owen accomplished, Martha may eventually approve his induction.
#3 Ivan Koloff
‘The Russian Bear' Ivan Koloff's induction into the WWE Hall of Fame has to be an eventuality. His recent passing was met with great sorrow, and his failure to be inducted is rather baffling.
For those unaware, Koloff holds the distinction of ending Bruno Sammartino's historic eight-year WWE championship reign. While Koloff lost the title a short time later to Pedro Morales, ending Sammartino's long reign remains his greatest accomplishment.
It is unfortunate that his induction will be posthumous, but the recognition of his career is long overdue. During a career that spanned over four decades, Ivan Koloff captures several championships all over North America, including the NWA Mid-Atlantic Heavyweight championship on four separate occasions.
Towards the later part of his career, he played the role of manager, as he led a team simply known as The Russians, which consisted of Nikita Koloff and Krusher Kruschev.
#2 Jim Crockett Jr
Anyone unfamiliar with the name Jim Crockett really should be. Before the rapid expansion in the 80s of the big wrestling company in the north, known as the WWF, Crockett was developing a number of talents in the south.
Crockett took over the promotion from his father, Jim Sr, and from 1973 until 1988, Jim Crockett Promotions was affiliated with the National Wrestling Alliance and operated in the mid-Atlantic region of the United States. Crockett was also a three-time President of the NWA.
He boasted quite the roster of talent that included Sting, Ric Flair, Dusty Rhodes, Lex Luger, Nikita Koloff and Magnum TA. He became known for establishing the foundation of a company that was considered a worthy alternative to the WWF.
While his promotion was sold to Ted Turner and later renamed World Championship Wrestling or WCW, he remained as the NWA President until the turn of the decade. Crockett's induction into the WWE Hall of fame could happen at some point, as his role in the early development of WCW cannot be denied.
#1 Steiner Brothers
Rick and Scott Steiner were among the greatest tag teams in WWE, WCW and around the world. Their look evolved over the years, as they started out looking like collegiate wrestlers, including the requisite headgear, into being much more punk looking with leather and spikes, Scott eventually became the Big Bad Booty Daddy, Big Poppa Pump.
During their time together, the Steiners captured tag team championships in both WCW and WWE. Once they split up, they went on to attain individual success, with Rick becoming a television champion while Scott captured the Television, United States, and World championship.
While Rick's wrestling career has ended and he has pursued other options, Scott has still remained prominent, doing interviews, wrestling (including with Impact Wrestling just this year,) and appearing on various wrestling related programs.
While their chances of being inducted into the Hall of Fame aren't high right now that isn't to say it won't happen at some point. Often, time heals wounds, and with some patience, a return to a working relationship with WWE could be possible sooner rather than later.
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