WrestleCorp Hall of Fame Class of 2017

 

  “Stone Cold” Steve Austin

Stone Cold became the WWE’s last effort to topple the WCW in the mid-late 90’s and ultimately helped them succeed, becoming their most financially successful wrestler of all time.  He was known for his feuds with The Rock, Vince McMahon, The Undertaker, and Kurt Angle all to great success. He headlined three straight WrestleMania’s that he was able to work (14,15 and 17). Top draw of the Attitude era.

Highlights:
– Six time WWE Champion
– Five time WWE/WCW Tag Team Champion with Shawn Michaels, Mick Foley, The Undertaker, Triple H and Brian Pullman
– Two time Intercontinental Champion
– Two time United States Champion
– Three time Royal Rumble Winner

 

 

 

Eddie Guerrero

Was known for being a great hand in WCW before finding a successful and popular personality in the WWE.  He notably feuded with Chris Benoit, Kurt Angle, Rey Mysterio and JBL.   He was once apart of World Wrestling All-Stars, before returning to the WWE.   Eventually becoming a huge draw with the Mexican fans of WWE and WCW.

Highlights:
– One time WWE Champion
– Two time Intercontinental Champion
– Two time United States Champion (WWE/WCW)
– Four time World Tag Team Champion with Chavo (2), Tajiri and Rey Mysterio
– Two time Cruiserweight champion in WCW

 

 

 

Stan Hansen

Hansen was a major name in Japanese wrestling for most of his time as an active wrestler, becoming one of their most respected workers of all time. He was considered a draw in Japan and dominated most of the tours over there.   During his time there, his legacy as a physical worker helped his perosna.  He then helped establish Kenta Kobashi in a five star classic in 1993. He also feuded with Kenta, Vader and Mitsuharu Misawa during his prime.

Highlights:
– Four time Triple Crown Champion in All Japan Pro Wrestling
– Won 23 titles while in AJPW
– Won the World Strongest Tag Determination League four times
– One time AWA World Heavyweight Champion

 

 

 

Hulk Hogan

Hogan had major feuds with Randy Savage, the Ultimate Warrior, Sting, Ric Flair, and even Vince McMahon duirng his run in the WWE.  He’s credited as being the man who’s single handily propelled wrestling in the states to new heights.   One of the few people to work matches for the WWE, WCW, AWA, TNA, and NJPW in their career. One of the biggest names ever in wrestling.

Highlights:
-12 World Heavyweight Champion in WCW and WWE
– Two time Royal Rumble winner

 

 

 

 

Kenta Kobashi

He’s most famous for being the centerpiece of Pro Wrestling NOAH after an exodus of talent from All Japan.  He feuded and helped establish KENTA/Hideo Itami during their time in NOAH together. He’s achieved 23 Five Star Match3 from the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.  He established a long time feud with Mitshuaru Misawa that many credit to keeping Japanese Pro Wrestling afloat during a rough time period.

 

Highlights:
– One time GHC Heavyweight Champion
– Three time AJPW Triple Crown Champion
– Six Time World Tag Team Champion with Mitusharu Misawa(2), Jun Akiyama (c) and yes, Johnny “People Power” Ace (2)
– Two Time GHC Tag Team Champion with Tamon Honda
– Five time Worlds Strongest Tag Determination League winner

 

 

 

Shawn Michaels

Shawn Michaels formed the legendary tag team The Rockers, most known for their breakup than anything else. He’s also wrestled in the first United States televised ladder match. Along with Bret Hart, helped keep the WWE afloat during a tumultuous time.   He’s also credited for being one of the best in ring workers of all time, and is deemed “Mr. WrestleMania”.

Highlights:
– Four time WWE World Champion
– Three time Intercontinental Champion
– Two time Royal Rumble winner
– First ever WWE Grand Slam Champion
– Five time WWE World Tag Team Champion with Kevin Nash (2), Stone Cold, John Cena and Triple H
– Eleven time Match of the Year Award recipient by Pro Wrestling Illustrated

 

 

Ricky Steamboat

Steamboat feuded with Ric Flair, Randy Savage and the Four Horsemen made him a legend.   He has a rare “Six Star” award from Dave Meltzer, which he shares with a Mitsuharu Misawa/Toshiaki Kawada and Kenny Omega/Kazuchika Okada match. His early WrestleMania match at WrestleMania III is considered to be part of the best matches in the show’s history.  He returned to action after fifteen years of retirement at WrestleMania 25 to steal the show.

Highlights:
– One time NWA/WCW World Champion
– Two Time Mid-Atlantic Heavyweight Champion
– Four time NWA/WCW United States Champion
– Four time NWA/WCW Television Champion
– Eight time NWA/WCW world Tag Team Champion with Jay Youngblood (5), Paul Jones, Dustin Rhodes and Shane Douglas
– One time WWE Intercontinental Champion

 

 

Ron Simmons

His feuds with the Hardy’s, Edge and Christian, and The Dudley’s during the late 90’s and early 00’s helped establish the WWE’s best tag team division ever. He also holds the honor of being the first black man to ever win a world title between the two biggest American promotions.   He’s also known for having stellar single feuds with Vader, The Rock and Cactus Jack.

Highlights:
– One time WCW World Heavyweight Champion
– First black man to win the WCW World Title
– Four time WWE/WCW World Tag Team Champion with Bradshaw (3) and Butch Reed
– One time WCW United States Tag Team Champion with Big Josh

 

 

Harlem Heat

Harlem Heat is widely regarded as one of the best tag teams ever, in any company of any era.  They feuded with The Outsiders, The Steiners, The Nasty Boys and Public Enemies during their prime.  They were a major player in the WCW/nWo feud, which saw Booker spin off and win the WCW Television title as an active member of the Harlem Heat tag team.  They then feuded in 2000, and reformed in 2015 for a final title win.

Highlights:
– Ten time WCW World Tag Team Champion
– Most Tag Titles in WCW history

 

 

The Road Warriors

One of the most popular tag teams of all time, the team became the inspiration for the ‘Road Warrior Pop’.  Their gimmick was inspired by the Mad Max franchise., thus ingraining them in pop culture lore.  They’re also one of the only tag teams to have wrestled in WWE, WCW, AJPW, NJPW, ECW, and Impact Wrestling.

Highlights:
– Three time Mid-Atlantic Tag Team Champions
– Two time WWE World Tag Team Champions
– One time NWA International Tag Team Champions (AJPW)

 

 

The Steiners

Along with Harlem Heat, The Outsiders and The Road Warriors; The Steiners were considered a pillar of the tag team wrestling scene for most of the 1990’s. One of the few teams to win gold in three major promotions.  Their style and talent propelled them to in demand heights.  At one point, before his back injury in the mid 90’s, Scott Steiner was considered the best all around worker in the business.

Highlights:
– Seven time WCW World Tag Team Champion
– One time WCW United States Tag Team Champion
– Two time WWE Tag Team champion
– Two time IWGP Tag Team champion

 

 

Bobby Heenan

He’s most famous fr being part of the legendary announce teams for both the WWE and WCW.  He was also a staple with Gorilla Monsoon in the late 80’s for the WWE, and then again with Tony Schiavone and Larry Zbyszko for the 90’s with WCW.   He’s also known as a great manager, having worked with some of the the most major heels of the 1980’s, including Andre the Giant, Ric Flair, Curt Hennig and others. He even lead the rallying cry against Hulk Hogan on television for most of Hogan’s career.

– Four time Pro Wrestling Illustrated Manager of the Year Award recipient.

 

 

Paul Heyman

He’s the former owner of Extreme Championship Wrestling, and had stints as a writer, announcer, booker and even as head talent developer.   He brought the manager back to the prominence, decreeing himself an “advocate” for Brock Lesnar.   He’s considered by many to be one of the best mic workers of all time.