A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | CH | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9
 WWE Hall of Fame logo since 2019. | |
| Formation | March 22, 1993 |
|---|---|
Members | 245 total inductees 131 Individual inductees 46 Legacy inductees 19 Group inductees (52 wrestlers) (−7 inducted in multiple categories) 14 Celebrity inductees 9 Warrior Award inductees |
| Website | WWE Hall of Fame |
The WWE Hall of Fame is a hall of fame which honors professional wrestlers and professional wrestling personalities maintained by WWE. Originally known as the "WWF Hall of Fame", it was created in 1993 when André the Giant was posthumously inducted with a video package as the sole inductee that year. The 1994 and 1995 ceremonies were held in conjunction with the annual King of the Ring pay-per-view events and the 1996 ceremony was held with the Survivor Series event. After an eight-year hiatus and after the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) had been renamed to World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) in 2002, the promotion relaunched the Hall of Fame in 2004 and has held the ceremonies in conjunction with WrestleMania ever since. Since 2005, portions of the induction ceremonies have aired on television and since 2014, the entire ceremonies have aired on the WWE Network, which was extended to Peacock in 2021 after the American version of the WWE Network merged under Peacock that year.
As of 2024, there have been 245 inductees, with 131 wrestlers inducted individually, 46 Legacy inductees, 19 group inductions (consisting of 52 wrestlers within those groups), 14 celebrities, and 9 Warrior Award recipients. Seven wrestlers have been inducted twice in two categories: Ric Flair, Shawn Michaels, Booker T, Bret Hart, Hulk Hogan, Scott Hall, and Kevin Nash, while two two-time inductees were inducted twice as a member of a group, Sean Waltman (D-Generation X and The New World Order) and Barry Windham (The Four Horsemen and The U.S. Express). 64 members have been inducted posthumously.
History
The World Wrestling Federation (WWF) established the WWF Hall of Fame in 1993. It was first announced on the March 22, 1993, episode of Monday Night Raw where André the Giant, who had died nearly two months prior, was announced as the sole inductee.[1][2][3] In the proceeding two years, induction ceremonies were held in conjunction with the annual King of the Ring pay-per-view events. The 1996 ceremony was held with the Survivor Series event, for the first time in front of a paying audience as well as the wrestlers, after which, the Hall of Fame went on hiatus.[4]
In 2002, the WWF was renamed to World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) and the promotion relaunched the now WWE Hall of Fame in 2004 to coincide with WrestleMania XX.[5] This ceremony, like its predecessors, was not broadcast on television, though highlights were shown at the WrestleMania event followed by the inductees appearing on the entrance stage in a condensed ceremony, which would become a Hall of Fame tradition from that point forward. The full version was released on DVD on June 1, 2004.[6] Beginning with the 2005 ceremony, an edited version of the Hall of Fame was broadcast on Spike TV (2005)[7] and on the USA Network (2006[8]–present[9]); these were aired on tape delay. Since 2005, the entire Hall of Fame ceremony has been packaged as part of the annual WrestleMania DVD release,[10] and from 2014, has been broadcast live on the WWE Network streaming service.[11] The 2021 ceremony, however, was pre-taped on March 30 and April 1 and aired on April 6. In addition to the WWE Network in international markets, the event also aired on Peacock in the United States after the American version of the WWE Network had merged under Peacock in March that year.[12]
Although a building has never been built to represent the Hall of Fame, WWE has looked into constructing a facility. In 2008, Shane McMahon, then-Executive Vice President of Global Media of WWE, stated that WWE had been storing wrestling memorabilia in a warehouse for years, with all items categorized and dated in case a facility is created.[13] Ric Flair stated in 2020 that WWE was in the process of creating a building for the Hall of Fame and that it would be in Florida in the Orlando area,[14] but plans had been delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[15]
Specialty inductees
Celebrity wing
The "celebrity wing" of the Hall of Fame is dedicated to celebrities that have made memorable appearances on WWE programming, and/or have had longtime associations with WWE (or professional wrestling in general), who have been very successful in other fields.
Warrior Award
In 2015, WWE introduced the Warrior Award for those who have "exhibited unwavering strength and perseverance, and who live life with the courage and compassion that embodies the indomitable spirit of the Ultimate Warrior."[16]
While WWE promotes Warrior Award recipients as Hall of Fame inductees,[17][18] they are not included in the Hall of Fame section at WWE.com[19] and an image gallery which shows "every WWE Hall of Famer ever" does not contain any recipient.[20]
The award was created following the Ultimate Warrior's death. During his April 2014 Hall of Fame speech shortly before his death, he proposed that there be a special category called the "Jimmy Miranda Award" for WWE's behind-the-scenes employees.[21][22] Miranda, who died in 2002, was part of the WWE merchandise department for more than 20 years.[23] Former WWE ring announcer Justin Roberts expressed disappointment at how WWE used portions of Warrior's Hall of Fame speech to promote the award but left out Warrior's intentions of honoring WWE's off-screen employees.[24][25] WWE responded, "It is offensive to suggest that WWE and its executives had anything, but altruistic intentions in honoring Connor and his legacy with The Warrior Award", adding that "moving forward the award will be given annually to acknowledge other unsung heroes among WWE's employees and fans".[26] Since 2019 all recipients have been either current or former WWE employees.[27]
Traditionally, Dana Warrior, the widow of the Ultimate Warrior, presents the award. The 2024 Hall of Fame did not have a Warrior award entry.
Legacy inductees
In 2016, WWE introduced a new category for the Hall of Fame called the "Legacy" wing. Inductees in this category are from several eras of wrestling history, going back to the early 20th century.[28] All but two inductees, Hisashi Shinma and MSG Network creator Joseph Cohen, have been inducted posthumously. Legacy inductees are recognized with a video package at the ceremonies.[29][30]
The Legacy wing also has some criticism around it, specifically regarding the abbreviated way of the inductions. Journalist Dave Meltzer said "this is the category they (WWE) use to honor people who, for whatever reason, they don't feel are marketable names to the modern audience to put in their actual Hall of Fame".[31] Promoter and manager Jim Cornette criticized the fact that recognizable names like Jim Londos or El Santo were part of a video package.[32] Legacy inductees are not announced before the ceremonies and families of posthumous inductees are not notified of their inductions. This practice has been criticized by family members of Legacy inductees Bruiser Brody and Ethel Johnson.[33][34] The Legacy Wing was retired in 2021 and has since has not inducted anyone for the next three years
Classes
Class of 1993
| WWF Hall of Fame (1993) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Promotion | WWF | ||
| Date | March 22, 1993 | ||
| City | New York City, New York | ||
| Venue | Manhattan Center | ||
| WWE Hall of Fame chronology | |||
| |||
WWF Hall of Fame (1993) was the inaugural class of the WWE Hall of Fame. During the March 22, 1993, episode of Monday Night Raw a video package announcing André the Giant's induction was shown.[3] No ceremony took place, and André was inducted posthumously. In March 2015 a condensed version of the 1994 ceremony was added to the WWE Network.[35] Due to no original ceremony, the 1993 induction of André was discussed by Gene Okerlund and Renee Young as part of the 1994 commentary.
| Image | Ring name (Birth Name) |
Inducted by | WWE recognized accolades |
|---|---|---|---|
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|
André the Giant (André Roussimoff) |
None | One-time WWF World Heavyweight Champion One-time WWF World Tag Team Champion[3] |
Class of 1994
| WWF Hall of Fame (1994) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Promotion | WWF | ||
| Date | June 9, 1994 | ||
| City | Baltimore, Maryland | ||
| Venue | Omni Inner Harbor International Hotel | ||
| WWE Hall of Fame chronology | |||
| |||
WWF Hall of Fame (1994) was the event that featured the introduction of the second class to the WWE Hall of Fame. The event was produced by the WWF on June 9, 1994, from the Omni Inner Harbor International Hotel in Baltimore, Maryland.
In March 2015 a condensed version of the ceremony was added to the WWE Network.[35] Due to the original ceremony only being partially recorded and not originally intended to air, Gene Okerlund and Renee Young host the program with added commentary.
| Image | Ring name (Birth Name) |
Inducted by | WWE recognized accolades |
|---|---|---|---|
| "The Golden Boy" Arnold Skaaland | Shane McMahon | One-time WWWF United States Tag Team Champion and long-time manager of Bruno Sammartino and Bob Backlund in WWF[36] | |
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|
Bobo Brazil (Houston Harris) |
Ernie Ladd | Seven-time WWWF United States Heavyweight Champion One-time NWA United States Heavyweight Champion[37] |
|
"Nature Boy" Buddy Rogers (Herman Rohde Jr.) |
Bret Hart | Posthumous inductee: One-time NWA World Heavyweight Champion and first WWWF World Heavyweight Champion[38] |
|
Chief Jay Strongbow[39] (Luke Scarpa) |
Gorilla Monsoon | Four-time WWWF/WWF World Tag Team Champion[40] |
|
"Classy" Freddie Blassie | Regis Philbin | Held over 30 NWA regional championships. Long-time manager in WWF[41] |
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|
Gorilla Monsoon (Robert Marella) |
Killer Kowalski | Two-time WWWF United States Tag Team Champion Former WWF announcer and onscreen President[42] |
| — | James Dudley | Vince McMahon | First African American to run a major arena in the United States[43] |
Class of 1995
| WWF Hall of Fame (1995) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Promotion | WWF | ||
| Date | June 24, 1995 | ||
| City | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | ||
| Venue | Marriott Hotel | ||
| WWE Hall of Fame chronology | |||
| |||
WWF Hall of Fame (1995) was the event that featured the introduction of the third class to the WWE Hall of Fame. The event was produced by the WWF on June 24, 1995, from the Marriott Hotel in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The event took place the same weekend as King of the Ring.
In March 2015 a condensed version of the ceremony was added to the WWE Network.[35] Due to the original ceremony only being partially recorded and not originally intended to air, Gene Okerlund and Renee Young host the program with added commentary.
The 1995 class featured two posthumous inductees. Antonino Rocca was presented by his wife, and The Grand Wizard was represented by Bobby Harmon.
| Image | Ring name (Birth Name) |
Inducted by | WWE recognized accolades |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Antonino Rocca (Antonino Biasetton) |
Miguel Pérez | Posthumous inductee. One-time WWF International Heavyweight Champion Pioneer of the acrobatic wrestling style[44] |
|
"Big Cat" Ernie Ladd | "Cowboy" Bill Watts | Won several NWA regional titles, and was one of few professional wrestlers to have had a successful career in American football[45] |
|
George "The Animal" Steele (William Myers) |
Pat Myers | One of professional wrestling's first monster heels[46] |
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|
"Polish Power" Ivan Putski (Józef Bednarski) |
Scott Putski | One-time WWF Tag Team Champion[47] |
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|
The Fabulous Moolah (Mary Ellison) |
Alundra Blayze | A three-time WWF Women's Champion. Her first reign is recognized as lasting a record 28 years[48] The first woman to be inducted. In 1999 she won the Women's title one more time. |
|
The Grand Wizard (Ernie Roth) |
"Captain" Lou Albano | Posthumous inductee. Long-time heel manager in WWF[49] |
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|
Pedro Morales | Gorilla Monsoon | Savio Vega accepted the induction One-time WWWF World Heavyweight Champion whose reign lasted nearly three years The first WWF Triple Crown Champion[50] He was also the first Latino to win the world title[51] |
Class of 1996
| WWF Hall of Fame (1996) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Promotion | WWF | ||
| Date | November 16, 1996 | ||
| City | New York City, New York | ||
| Venue | Marriott Marquis | ||
| WWE Hall of Fame chronology | |||
| |||
WWF Hall of Fame (1996) was the event which featured the introduction of the fourth class to the WWE Hall of Fame. The event was produced by the WWF on November 16, 1996, from the Marriott Marquis in New York City, New York. The event took place the same weekend as Survivor Series.
In March 2015 a condensed version of the ceremony was added to the WWE Network.[35] Due to the original ceremony only being partially recorded and not originally intended to air, Gene Okerlund and Renee Young host the program with added commentary.
Due to Vincent J. McMahon's death in 1984, he was posthumously inducted by the McMahon family.
| Image | Ring name (Birth Name) |
Inducted by | WWE recognized accolades |
|---|---|---|---|
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|
"Baron" Mikel Scicluna | Gorilla Monsoon | One-time WWWF World Tag Team Champion One-time WWWF United States Tag Team Champion[52] |
|
"Captain" Lou Albano | Joe Franklin | One-time WWWF United States Tag Team Champion As a manager, he led 13 different tag teams to a record 17 tag team titles,[53] and four singles wrestlers to various championships His association with Cyndi Lauper was pivotal in turning professional wrestling into a mainstream phenomenon[54] |
|
Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka | Don Muraco | One-time NWA United States Heavyweight Champion Two-time NWA World Tag Team Champion Two-time ECW Heavyweight Champion[55] |
|
Johnny Rodz (John Rodriguez) |
Arnold Skaaland | Wrestled in WWF for nearly two decades[56] |
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|
Killer Kowalski (Edward Spulnik) |
Triple H | One-time WWWF World Tag Team Champion, held 17 NWA regional championships[57] |
|
Pat Patterson (Pierre Clermont)[58] |
Bret Hart | One-time and first WWF Intercontinental Heavyweight Champion, one-time AWA World Tag Team Champion and held over 20 NWA regional championships Credited as the creator of the Royal Rumble match Patterson won the WWF Hardcore Championship in 2000 and the WWE 24/7 Championship in 2020[59] |
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|
Vincent J. McMahon | Shane McMahon | Posthumous inductee. Founder and longtime promoter of the World (Wide) Wrestling Federation[60] |
| Group | Inducted by | WWE recognized accolades |
|---|---|---|
| The Valiant Brothers | Tony Garea | One-time WWWF World Tag Team Champions First tag team to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame[61] |
| Jimmy Valiant (James Fanning) – four-time NWA Television Champion Johnny Valiant (John Sullivan) – became a manager in the WWF and AWA during the 1980s | ||
Class of 2004
| WWE Hall of Fame (2004) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Promotion | WWE | ||
| Date | March 13, 2004 | ||
| City | New York City, New York | ||
| Venue | New York Hilton Midtown | ||
| WWE Hall of Fame chronology | |||
| |||
| Category | Inductee | Inducted by |
|---|---|---|
| Individual | Big John Studd[62] | Big Show |
| Don Muraco[63] | Mick Foley | |
| Greg Valentine[64] | Jimmy Hart | |
| Harley Race[65] | Ric Flair | |
| Jesse Ventura[66] | Tyrel Ventura | |
| Junkyard Dog[67] | Ernie Ladd | |
| Sgt. Slaughter[68] | Pat Patterson | |
| "Superstar" Billy Graham[69] | Triple H | |
| Tito Santana[70] | Shawn Michaels | |
| Bobby "The Brain" Heenan[71][72] [73] |
Blackjack Lanza | |
| Celebrity | Pete Rose[74] | Kane |
Class of 2005
| WWE Hall of Fame (2005) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Promotion | WWE | ||
| Date | April 2, 2005 | ||
| City | Los Angeles, California | ||
| Venue | Universal Amphitheatre | ||
| WWE Hall of Fame chronology | |||
| |||
- Class headliners appear in boldface