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As we inch closer to WrestleMania, we are also nearing another annual event which has grown substantially in popularity over the past decade or so. The annual event being referred to is the WWE Hall of Fame ceremony.
Each year, during the weekend of WrestleMania, WWE Superstars and fans alike come together for this storied occasion where we celebrate the careers and lives of those who have earned the right to be called WWE Hall of Famers.
In this column, we take a deeper look at the current WWE main roster and come up with a few of the current Superstars who we believe are sure-fire locks to becoming WWE Hall of Fame inductees. Here's a look at our list of 7 current WWE Superstars that are guaranteed to one day be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.
#7 Big Show
Early on in life, Big Show was diagnosed with Acromegaly, which is the same growth disorder that Andre The Giant and The Great Khali had. Many people with this disorder suffer from issues related to diabetes, joint pain and a host of other complications. Needless to say, it is something that would prevent most people from enjoying a normal life. However, Big Show is not your normal person. He was able to go on to have a tremendously successful career as a professional wrestler, which has now extended beyond 2 full decades.
At this point, Big Show has nothing left to prove. He has won titles in ECW, WCW, and WWE. He is also a triple crown, as well as a grand slam champion. This is one Superstar who has done it all, and now at 46 years old, it's time to step aside and enjoy his personal life, while letting some of the younger guys come up and attempt to fill his shoes.
#6 Goldust
At the ripe old age of 48, Goldust is still working a full schedule as a full-time WWE Superstar. Very few have ever been able to withstand the test of time quite like Goldust. Having made his initial WWE debut in 1990 as 'Dustin Rhodes,' he has been relevant in the industry ever since. Many fans remember him best for his original Goldust debut in 1995, and then his intricate part in the overall success of the "Attitude Era."
It's been nearly 30 years now since he made debut as a professional wrestler. Since that debut, Goldust has played a role in some of WWE's most intriguing storylines. Even today, Goldust remains active and appears to be as strong and quick as ever. With that said, no man can outlast father time. Many believe 2018 will be the end for Goldust and if that is the case, he has done enough throughout his storied career to justify a nod into the WWE Hall of Fame.
#5 Hardy Boyz
Matt and Jeff Hardy have come a long way since their time of wrestling on backyard trampolines. Over the course of their legendary careers, The Hardys have accumulated a plethora of championships. Not only have they won dozens of Tag Titles, but the brothers have also won titles in their own, respective singles careers.
After being away from the WWE for a number of years, Jeff and Matt made their return to the company at Wrestlemania 33, in front of a welcoming committee of 75,000 members of the WWE Universe in Orlando. Since returning, The Hardys have had a tremendous run, but their tag run was interrupted by a shoulder injury that Jeff sustained. However, Matt has been handling business just fine as he recently ushered in the 'Broken' gimmick, to the delight of fans who remember the persona from his Impact days.
#4 The Miz
In the summer of 2001, the world was introduced to Mike Mizanin, a 20-year old man-child from Ohio, with an extreme love for professional wrestling. Mike was a cast member on the hit MTV reality series called 'The Real World,' a program where 7 strangers are picked to live together, under one roof, for several months. During the show, Mike made it clear that he had a dream of becoming a professional wrestler. In fact, he even had an alternate persona that he would switch to from time-to-time when he wanted to display his infatuation with wrestling. This character was known as The Miz.
Many of Mike's friends and family probably laughed at the idea of this "Miz" character ever being taken seriously by anyone, much less someone from the WWE. Well, we know how that worked out.
The Miz has grown to be one of the most decorated Superstars of the current era. The Miz has a list of accolades which are a mile long, including 8 WWE Intercontinental Championship reigns, 6 Tag Titles, 2 United States Titles and of course, his 160 days run as the WWE Champion. He is also the twenty-fifth Triple Crown Champion, as well as the fifth Grand Slam Champion. The Miz could walk away right now and be more than qualified for Hall of Fame induction.
#3 Paul Heyman
Ladies and gentlemen, his name is Paul Heyman and he is a wrestling genius. Heyman had a knack for business at an early age, making money in various ways such as selling photographs and sports memorabilia.
By the time he was finished with high school, Paul had a job as a photographer for the famed New York City nightclub called Studio 54. But, it was his love for professional wrestling that would eventually trump all other aspirations in life.
By the time he was a teenager, Paul was selling wrestler photos and publishing his own newsletter 'The Wrestling Times Magazine.' This passion for the sport would remain with him as he grew older and as we all know now, he would go on to make a tremendous amount of positive contributions to the industry.
Maybe you started watching him when he was known as "Paul E. Dangerously," carrying the big brick-style phone, or maybe you started watching when ECW became popular, or perhaps you became familiar with Paul just recently as he advocates for the 'Beast Incarnate'. Regardless, Paul Heyman has contributed enough to the sport of professional wrestling, and he continues to do so, to justify an induction into the WWE Hall of Fame.
#2 Daniel Bryan
If there was ever a single individual in the sport of professional wrestling worth cheering for, it was Daniel Bryan. Throughout his career, Bryan has always been known as one of those guys who simply did things the right way, despite what you may have heard or seen during that whole Justin Roberts tie incident.
Right out of high school, Bryan started training with Dean Malenko before heading down to San Antonio where he would train under Shawn Michaels and Rudy Boy Gonzalez at the highly respected Texas Wrestling Academy.
It was in the early 2000's when Daniels career really started to take off. Daniel was picked up by top independent promotion Ring of Honor, which was ultimately the catalyst where his career went to the next level. Daniel's time in the WWE has been something you would read out of a fantasy book. Though the odds were always stacked against him, he always found a way to adjust and overcome, making him the ultimate overachiever.
Unfortunately, the injury bug would not leave Bryan alone. While he was able to overcome nearly everything thrown his way, the injuries eventually became too much for anyone, even for Superman himself to overcome, which would lead to Daniel's in-ring retirement speech in early 2016.
Thankfully, WWE has found a way to incorporate Bryan into WWE television, but it's still not the same. Nevertheless, the achievements and contributions Daniel Bryan has made inside and outside of the ring are more than enough to earn him a future bid into the WWE Hall of Fame.
#1 John Cena
The name "John Cena" is a name that carries far beyond the squared-circle. John Cena is a name that is known to small children, adults of all ages, as well as our elders. Regardless if you are a wrestling fan or not, you know who John Cena is and that in itself speaks volumes about the legitimacy and importance of this one name. I would argue that the last time we had a Superstar with such weight behind his name, it was probably Hulk Hogan.
John Cena has done and seen it all. His list of title victories and other accolades is entirely too much to list in this column. Cena has always been a positive and powerful voice all around the world, most notably his outstanding work with the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
John is still competing at the highest possible level and travelling full-time with the company. However, one would have to assume that with him now turning 41 years of age, in just a couple of months, will father time begin to take his fateful toll?
I find it hard to believe that Cena is leaving anytime soon. However, I do believe that his best years are behind him and there is absolutely nothing left to prove. John Cena is an icon. He is a timeless treasure that we will be able to enjoy for generations to come.
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