George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame
Established | 1999 |
---|---|
Location | Waterloo, Iowa, U.S. |
Director | Jim Miller |
Public transit access | 6 7 MET Transit |
Website | nwhof |
The George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame (TNTHOF)[1] is a professional wrestling hall of fame and museum located within the National Wrestling Hall of Fame's Dan Gable Museum. The hall of fame honors professional wrestlers with a strong amateur wrestling or shootfighting background who have made an impact on professional wrestling.[2] It is named after Lou Thesz, who helped create it,[3] and his trainer George Tragos.[4]
The hall of fame was founded in 1999 in Newton, Iowa, but moved to Waterloo, Iowa in 2007.[5] The museum suffered severe flooding in the Iowa flood of 2008,[6] but reopened in June 2009.[7] Wrestling historian and journalist Mike Chapman served as executive director of the museum until Kyle Klingman succeeded him in November 2009.[8] On July 1st, 2019, Jim Miller began work as director of the Hall of Fame succeeding Kyle Klingman. [9]
Inductions take place at a hall of fame induction ceremony. Other activities are held throughout the weekend in conjunction with the event, such as local independent promotion Impact Pro Wrestling's Hall of Fame Classic tournament in 2017 and 2018.[10][11]
Honorees
Inductees
Year | Image | Ring name (Birth name) |
Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1999 | Lou Thesz (Aloysius Thesz) |
One-time holder of the NWA World Heavyweight Champion[12]
| |
1999 | Ed "Strangler" Lewis (Robert Friedrich) |
Posthumous inductee: Four-time World Heavyweight Champion, two-time holder of the AWA World Heavyweight Championship (Boston version) and one-time NWA Florida Heavyweight Champion[12] | |
1999 | Frank Gotch | Posthumous inductee: One-time World Heavyweight Wrestling Champion and three-time American Heavyweight Champion[12] | |
1999 | George Tragos | Posthumous inductee: Won many amateur titles in Greece and competed for two Olympic teams there, trained Lou Thesz.[12][4] | |
1999 | Verne Gagne | Two-time NCAA champion, member of the U.S. wrestling team at the 1948 Summer Olympics. Co-founder of the American Wrestling Association, 10-time AWA World Heavyweight Champion[12] | |
2000 | Dick Hutton | Three-time NCAA champion, one-time NWA World Heavyweight Champion[12]
| |
2000 | Danny Hodge | Seven-time NWA World Junior Heavyweight Champion, three-time NCAA champion, Olympic silver medalist[12] | |
2000 | Joe Stecher | Posthumous inductee: Three-time World Heavyweight Wrestling Championship (original version)[12] | |
2000 | Earl Caddock | Posthumous inductee: One-time World Heavyweight Wrestling Championship (original version)[12] | |
2001 | William Muldoon | Posthumous inductee: First chairman of the New York State Athletic Commission, one-time World Greco-Roman Heavyweight Champion[12] | |
2001 | Martin "Farmer" Burns | Posthumous inductee: One-time American Heavyweight Champion[12] | |
2001 | Jack Brisco | Two-time NWA World Heavyweight Champion, three-time NWA World Tag Team Champion, NCAA champion[12]
| |
2001 | Tim Woods (George Woodin) |
Won two Big Ten Conference Championships in 1958 and 1959. Two-time NWA Florida Heavyweight Champion and one-time NWA Texas Heavyweight Champion[12] | |
2002 | Dick "The Destroyer" Beyer | Three-time WWA World Heavyweight Champion and one-time AWA World Heavyweight Champion[12]
| |
2002 | Bob Geigel | Three-time AWA World Tag Team Champion[12] | |
2002 | Baron von Raschke (James Raschke) |
Three time WWA World Heavyweight Champion, one-time NWA American Heavyweight Champion, one-time NWA Brass Knuckles Champion (Texas version), one-time NWA Georgia Heavyweight Champion[12]
| |
2002 | Ed Don George |
Posthumous inductee: Two-time World Heavyweight Wrestling Champion and one-time AWA World Heavyweight Champion (Boston version)[12]
| |
2002 | — | Peter Sauer |
Posthumous inductee: One-time NWA/NBA World Heavyweight Champion[12] |
2003 | Billy Robinson |
One-time PWF World Heavyweight Champion, two-time AWA World Tag Team Champion, and three-time AWA British Empire Heavyweight Champion[12] | |
2003 | Maurice "Mad Dog" Vachon |
Five-time AWA World Heavyweight Champion[12] | |
2003 | — | Joe Scarpello |
Posthumous inductee: Won several amateur titles before wrestling professionally for the American Wrestling Association[12] |
2003 | George Hackenschmidt (Georg Hackenschmidt) |
Posthumous inductee: One-time European Greco-Roman Heavyweight Champion and first ever World Heavyweight Wrestling Champion[12]
| |
2004 | Gene Kiniski | Held the | |
2004 | — | Leroy McGuirk | Posthumous inductee: Three-time |
2004 | Pat O'Connor | Posthumous inductee: One-time | |
2004 | Brad Rheingans | Member of the U.S. 1976 and 1980 Summer Olympic teams, won two gold medals in the 1975 and 1979 Pan American Games and a bronze medal in the 1979 World Wrestling Championships. Later wrestled professionally for NJPW, WWF, WCW, and AWA[13][14] | |
2005 | Antonio Inoki | Founder of New Japan Pro-Wrestling, two-time WWWF/WWF World Martial Arts Heavyweight Champion, and one-time IWGP Heavyweight Champion[15] | |
2005 | Harley Race | Eight-time NWA World Heavyweight Champion, one-time and first NWA United States Heavyweight Champion, three-time AWA World Tag Team Champion and WWF King of the Ring winner in 1986[15]
| |
2005 | Gerald Brisco | Three-time NWA World Tag Team Champion, one-time NWA World Junior Heavyweight Champion[15] | |
2005 | Earl McCready | Posthumous inductee: Competed for Canada in the 1928 Summer Olympics before becoming a professional wrestler[15] | |
2005 | — | Dr. Bill Miller | Posthumous inductee: One-time AWA World Heavyweight Champion[15]
|
2005 | — | John Pesek | Posthumous inductee: One-time NWA World Heavyweight Champion, one-time MWA World Heavyweight Champion[15]
|
2006 | Bret "Hitman" Hart | Five-time WWF World Heavyweight Champion, two-time WCW World Heavyweight Champion, was a Triple Crown winner in WWF and WCW.[16] | |
2006 | Larry "The Axe" Hennig | Four-time IWA World Tag Team Champion[16]
| |
2006 | — | Bob Roop | 1967 NCCA Champion. Four-time NWA Florida Heavyweight Champion[16] |
2006 | Dory Funk | Posthumous inductee: Won the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Championship and various NWA regional titles.[16] | |
2006 | — | "Iron" Mike DiBiase | Posthumous inductee: One-time NWA World Junior Heavyweight Champion.[16] |
2006 | Tom Jenkins | Posthumous inductee: Three-time American Heavyweight Champion[16] | |
2007 | Red Bastien (Roland Bastien) |
One-time NWA Texas Tag Team Champion[17] | |
2007 | "Dr. Death" Steve Williams | One-time UWF World Heavyweight Champion, four-time NCAA All-American[17]
| |
2007 | The Great Gama (Ghulam Mohammad Baksh) |
Posthumous inductee: Won the Indian version of the World Heavyweight Championship[17]
| |
2007 | "Mr. Perfect" Curt Hennig | Posthumous inductee: One-time AWA World Heavyweight Champion, two-time WWF Intercontinental Heavyweight Champion, one-time WCW United States Heavyweight Champion, one-time WCW World Tag Team Champion[17] | |
2007 | Dale Lewis | Posthumous inductee: Wrestled in the 1956 and 1960 Olympics. Later held the NWA Florida Heavyweight Championship once.[17] | |
2007 | "The Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase | Four-time Mid-South North American Heavyweight Champion and three-time WWF World Tag Team Champion.[17] | |
2008 | Masa Saito | One-time IWGP Tag Team Champion[6]
| |
2008 | Abe Jacobs | Won several regional championships[6] | |
2008 | — | Stu Hart | Posthumous inductee: Established Hart family[6]
|
2008 | "Rowdy" Roddy Piper (Roderick Toombs) |
One-time WWF Intercontinental Heavyweight Champion and three-time NWA/WCW United States Heavyweight Champion[6] | |
2008 | — | Ray Gunkel | Posthumous inductee: One-time NWA Georgia Heavyweight Champion and three-time NWA Texas Heavyweight Champion[6] |
2008 | — | Leo Nomellini | Posthumous inductee: One-time AWA World Tag Team Champion[6] |
2009 | Nick Bockwinkel | Four-time AWA World Heavyweight Champion and three-time AWA World Tag Team Champion[7] | |
2009 | — | Karl Gotch (Karl Istaz) |
Posthumous inductee: Won the IWA World Heavyweight Championship and WWWF World Tag Team Championship once each[7]
|
2009 | — | Luther Lindsay | Posthumous inductee: Won the NWA Hawaii Heavyweight Championship, NWA Pacific Northwest Heavyweight Championship, and the NWA Canadian Heavyweight Championship (Calgary version) once each[7] |
2009 | Bronko Nagurski | Posthumous inductee: Two-time NWA/NBA World Heavyweight Championship, one-time New York State Athletic Commission World Heavyweight Champion[7] | |
2009 | Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat (Richard Blood) |
One-time NWA World Heavyweight Champion, three-time NWA United States Heavyweight Champion, and one-time WWF Intercontinental Heavyweight Champion[7]
| |
2009 | Fritz Von Goering (John Gabor) |
One-time NWA Pacific Northwest Heavyweight Champion[18] | |
2010 | Stanislaus Zbyszko (Jan Stanisław Cyganiewicz) |
Posthumous inductee: Two-time World Heavyweight Wrestling Champion[19] | |
2010 | — | Warren Bockwinkel | Had high-profile feuds in the National Wrestling Alliance[19] |
2010 | — | George Gordienko | Posthumous inductee: One-time British Commonwealth Heavyweight Champion (New Zealand version), three-time NWA Canadian Heavyweight Champion (Calgary version).[19]
|
2010 | Paul "Butcher" Vachon | Two-time AWA World Tag Team Champion and three-time NWA International Tag Team Champion (Calgary version)[19] | |
2010 | Terry Funk | One-time ECW World Heavyweight Champion and one-time WWF Tag Team Champion[19]
| |
2011 | Dory Funk Jr. | One-time NWA World Heavyweight Champion[20]
| |
2011 | Gorilla Monsoon (Robert "Gino" Marella) |
Posthumous inductee: One-time IWA World Heavyweight Champion, and two-time WWC North American Heavyweight Champion[20]
| |
2012 | — | Don "The Buffalo Bomber" Curtis | Posthumous inductee: Won various NWA tag team championships[21] |
2012 | Kurt Angle | Named the greatest TNA World Heavyweight Champion[21]
| |
2013 | Chris Taylor | Posthumous inductee: Bronze winner in freestyle wrestling at the 1972 Summer Olympics, becoming the heaviest Olympian ever at that point. Later wrestled for the American Wrestling Association[22] | |
2013 | "Nature Boy" Ric Flair (Richard Fliehr) |
Two-time NWA World Heavyweight Champion[22]
| |
2013 | "Cowboy" Bill Watts | Former wrestling promoter in the mid-south United States, one-time WWWF United States Tag Team Champion and held over 20 NWA regional championships[22] | |
2014 | Scott Steiner (Scott Rechsteiner) |
One-time TNA Tag Team Champion, two-time IWGP Tag Team Champion and seven-time NWA (Mid-Atlantic version)/WCW Tag Team Champion[23]
| |
2014 | Rick Steiner (Robert Rechsteiner) |
One-time WWF Tag Team Champion, two-time IWGP Tag Team Champion and eight-time NWA (Mid-Atlantic version)/WCW Tag Team Champion[23]
| |
2014 | Wilbur Snyder | Posthumous inductee: Two-time World Heavyweight Champion (Omaha version), two-time AWA World Tag Team Champion[23] | |
2015 | — | The Great Wojo (Gregory Wojciechowski) |
Three-time WWA World Heavyweight Champion (Indianapolis version)[24]
|
2015 | Jim Londos (Christos Theofilou) |
Posthumous inductee: One-time World Heavyweight Wrestling Champion[24] | |
2016 | Bob Backlund | Two-time WWWF/WWF (World) Heavyweight Champion and one-time WWF Tag Team Champion[25] | |
2016 | The Iron Sheik (Khosrow Vaziri) |
1971 Amateur Athletic Union Greco-Roman wrestling champion and gold medalist. One-time WWF World Heavyweight Champion and one-time WWF Tag Team Champion[25] | |
2016 | — | Joe Blanchard | Posthumous inductee: One-time NWA Texas Heavyweight Champion. Later founded Southwest Championship Wrestling and served as a figurehead in the American Wrestling Association[25] |
2017 | "Mr. Wonderful" Paul Orndorff | One-time Memphis Wrestling Southern Heavyweight Champion, three-time NWA (Mid-Atlantic)/WCW World Tag Team Champion, one-time WCW World Television Champion[11]
| |
2017 | "The American Dream" Dusty Rhodes (Virgil Runnels Jr.) |
Posthumous inductee: Three-time NWA World Heavyweight Champion, ten-time NWA Florida Heavyweight Champion, seven-time NWA Southern Heavyweight Champion (Florida version), one-time NWA United States Heavyweight Champion[11]
| |
2018 | Owen Hart | Posthumous inductee: one-time Stampede British Commonwealth Mid-Heavyweight Champion, one-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion[26]
| |
2018 | Dan Severn | First three-time honoree: previously received the Frank Gotch Award in 2002 and the George Tragos Award in 2012. NWA World Heavyweight Champion[12]
| |
2019 | Beth Phoenix (Elizabeth Kociański) |
Second time honored, previously received the Frank Gotch Award in 2015. First woman inducted in the Hall of Fame. One-time WWE Divas Champion, three-time WWE Women's Champion[27] | |
2019 | Bruno Sammartino | Posthumous inductee: two-time WWWF/WWF (World) Heavyweight Champion and one-time WWF Tag Team Champion[27] | |
2021[a] | Adnan Al-Kaissie | One time WWWF World Tag Team Champion, one time NWA Pacific Northwest Heavyweight Champion and one time IWA World Heavyweight Champion (Australian version).[28]
| |
2021[a] | — | Earl Wampler | Posthumous inductee: An influence on Lou Thesz, Wampler wrestled for 40 years. He held the NWA Iowa Heavyweight Title and was the inaugural holder of the NWA Southern Tag Team Championship (Mid-Atlantic version) with Jack O'Brien.[28] |
2021 | — | Don Kernodle | Posthumous inductee:Three-time NWA World Tag Team Champion (Mid-Atlantic version)[29] |
2022 | Mike Rotunda | One time WWF Tag Team Champion.[30]
| |
2023 | Gary Albright | Posthumous inductee: Two time AJPW World Tag Team Champion and one time Stampede Wrestling International Tag Team Champion[1] |
Frank Gotch Award recipients
Named after hall of fame inductee Frank Gotch, this award honors people in professional wrestling who brought positive recognition to the industry through work outside of it.[11][12]
Year | Image | Ring name (Birth name) |
Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2000 | — | Bobby Managoff | One-time World Heavyweight Championship (National Wrestling Association)[12] |
2001 | — | Tom Drake | Also inducted into the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum[12] |
2002 | Dan Severn |
Later received the George Tragos Award in 2012 and inducted into the hall of fame in 2018[12] | |
2003 | Jesse Ventura (James Janos) |
One-time AWA World Tag Team Champion. Former commentator in WWF and WCW. 38th Governor of Minnesota.[12] | |
2004 | — | George Scott | Won several tag team championships with his brother, Sandy. Later served as an executive in WWF and Jim Crockett Promotions[13][14] |
2005 | — | Gene LeBell | Martial artist who later promoted NWA Hollywood Wrestling[15] |
2006 | Nikita Koloff (Nelson Simpson) |
One-time NWA National Heavyweight Champion, one-time NWA United States Heavyweight Champion, two-time NWA World Tag Team Champion (Mid-Atlantic Version)[16] | |
2008 | Penny Banner (Mary Ann Kostecki) |
One-time AWA World Women's Champion, Commissioner of the Professional Girl Wrestling Association (PGWA) from 1992 to 2008[6] | |
2009 | Ivan Koloff (Oreal Donald Perras) |
One-time WWWF World Heavyweight Champion[7]
| |
2010 | Mick Foley | Three-time TNA World Heavyweight Champion, eight-time WWF Tag Team Champion, two-time ECW World Tag Team Champion, one-time WCW World Tag Team Champion[19]
| |
2011 | "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan | Winner of the first Royal Rumble match in 1988, one-time WCW United States Champion[20] | |
2012 | Road Warrior Animal (Joe Laurinaitis) |
Along with his longtime tag team partner, Road Warrior Hawk, they were two-time WWF Tag Team Champions, one-time AWA World Tag Team Champions, and one-time NWA World Tag Team Champions (Mid-Atlantic)[31] | |
2013 | Jim Brunzell | Two-time AWA World Tag Team Champion[22] | |
2014 | "Diamond" Dallas Page | Three-time WWE European Champion and four-time WCW World Tag Team Champion[32]
| |
2015 | Beth Phoenix (Elizabeth Kociański) |
Later became the first woman inducted into the hall of fame in 2019[24] | |
2016 | Lex Luger (Lawrence Pfohl) |
Two-time NWA/WCW United States Heavyweight Champion[25]
| |
2017 | Stan "The Lariat" Hansen | Four-time Triple Crown Heavyweight Champion, four-time PWF World Heavyweight Champion, one-time AWA World Heavyweight Champion, one-time WCW United States Champion[11] | |
2018 | Bruiser Brody (Frank Goodish) |
Posthumous honoree: three-time WWA World Heavyweight Champion (Indianapolis version)[26]
| |
2019 | Sgt. Slaughter (Robert Rudolph Remus) |
One-time WWF World Heavyweight Champion and two-time NWA United States Heavyweight Champion[27] | |
2021[a] | Mark Henry | One-time World Heavyweight Champion (WWE), one-time ECW World Heavyweight Champion, one-time WWE European Champion[28] | |
2022 | Dan Spivey | One-time World Tag Team Champion (AJPW), one-time Florida Heavyweight Champion, one time UWF Americas Champion | |
2023 | — | Haku | Former WWF and WCW and is a former WWF World Tag Team Champion[1] |
James C. Melby Award recipients
James C. Melby was the first recipient of this award and it was subsequently named after him. It recognizes excellence in professional wrestling writing or historical preservation.[11][33]
Year | Ring name (Birth name) |
Notes |
---|---|---|
2006 | James C. Melby | Longtime professional wrestling journalist[16] |
2007 | Mike Chapman | Executive director of the Dan Gable Museum[17] |
2008 | Greg Oliver | Honored with Steven Johnson. Canadian author and journalist, founded SLAM! Wrestling[6]
|
2008 | Steven Johnson | Honored with Greg Oliver. Has written several books on professional wrestling[6] |
2009 | Mike Mooneyham | Author and columnist for The Post and Courier[7] |
2010 | J Michael Kenyon | Wrestling historian and director of the Cauliflower Alley Club[19] |
2011 | Scott Teal | Owner of Crowbar Press[20] |
2012 | Bill Apter | Photographer and journalist for several magazines, including Pro Wrestling Illustrated[21] |
2013 | George Napolitano | Professional wrestling photographer[22] |
2014 | Larry Matysik | Announcer for Wrestling at the Chase[32] |
2015 | Wade Keller | Journalist and founder of the Pro Wrestling Torch newsletter[24] |
2016 | Dave Meltzer | Editor and publisher of Wrestling Observer Newsletter[25] |
2017 | Scott Williams | Posthumous honoree: Wrestling historian and author[11] |
2018 | Koji Miyamoto | Japanese wrestling historian and author of 16 books[26] |
2019 | Brian Shields | Authored several WWE books[27] |
2021 | Mark James | Historian and author of several books about territorial professional wrestling[34] |
2022 | Dick Bourne | Written or co-written a number of books, including: Crown Jewel: The NWA Championship 1959–1973.[35] |
2023 | Tom Burke | Historian and journalist for numerous publications[1] |
Lou Thesz Award recipients
This award recognizes those in the professional wrestling industry who have used their skills in the realm of public service.[11]
Year | Image | Ring name (Birth name) |
Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2007 | — | Bill Murdock | Head of Eblen Charities[17][b] |
2008 | — | Father Jason Sanderson | Cauliflower Alley Club board member and promoter who held regional championships[6][38] |
2009 | — | Bill Kersten | Announcer for Kansas City Wrestling[7] |
2010 | Rene Goulet (Robert Bédard) |
One-time WWWF World Tag Team Champion[19] | |
2011 | Jim Ross | Longtime lead announcer for WWF/E, WCW and other regional promotions; Head of WWF Talent Relations during the Attitude Era, signing many well known wrestlers[20] | |
2012 | John "Bradshaw" Layfield | One-time WWE Champion, three-time WWF Tag Team Champion[21]
| |
2013 | Edge (Adam Copeland) |
Four-time WWE Tag Team Championships a combined 14 times, more than any other wrestler[22]
| |
2014 | Larry "The Axe" Hennig | Second time honored, previously inducted in 2006[32] | |
2015 | Brian Blair | Two-time NWA Florida Heavyweight Champion[24] | |
2016 | J. J. Dillon (James Morrison) |
Long-time manager in the NWA, former WCW onscreen commissioner[25] | |
2017 | Magnum T. A. (Terry Allen) |
Two-time Mid-South North American Champion, two-time NWA United States Heavyweight Champion[11]
| |
2018 | Booker T (Robert Huffman) |
Five-time WCW World Heavyweight Champion, one-time World Heavyweight Champion (WWE), a record six-time WCW World Television Champion, a record 11-time WCW World Tag Team Champion (10 of which came with his brother Stevie Ray as Harlem Heat)[26] | |
2019 | — | Thunderbolt Patterson (Claude Patterson) |
One-time CWA World Heavyweight Champion and one-time NWA Florida Heavyweight Champion[27]
|
2021[a] | Trish Stratus (Patricia Stratigias) |
A record seven-time WWF/E Women's Champion[39] | |
2023 | Bill DeMott (William Charles DeMott II) |
Two-times WCW United States Heavyweight Champion and one-time W*ING World Heavyweight Champion[1] |
George Tragos Award recipients
This award recognizes wrestlers who have excelled in mixed martial arts.[11]
Year | Image | Ring name (Birth name) |
Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2011 | Pat Miletich | Inaugural UFC Welterweight Champion and UFC 16 Welterweight Tournament Winner[20]
| |
2012 | Dan Severn | Second time honored, previously received the Frank Gotch Award in 2002[31] | |
2013 | Matt Hughes | Two-time NJCAA Hall of Fame inductee[22]
| |
2014 | Randy Couture | Three-time UFC Light Heavyweight Champion[32]
| |
2015 | Matt Lindland | Won a silver medal in wrestling at the 2000 Summer Olympics and later competed in mixed martial arts for several promotions[24] | |
2016 | Chael Sonnen | Amateur wrestler and mixed martial artist who has competed in UFC, WEC and Pancrase[25] | |
2017 | Mike van Arsdale | Mixed martial artist who has competed in the UFC, World Fighting Alliance, and the IVC[11] | |
2018 | Ben Askren | One-time Bellator Welterweight Champion[26]
| |
2019 | Daniel Cormier | One-time UFC Light Heavyweight Champion[27]
| |
2021[a] | Ken Shamrock | Inaugural WWF Tag Team Championship once each.[28]
|
Gordon Solie Award recipients
This award recognizes excellence in professional wrestling broadcasting.[40]
Year | Image | Ring name (Birth name) |
Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2021 | Gordon Solie (Francis Labiak) |
Posthumous honoree: commentator, announcer and promoter for Championship Wrestling from Florida, later worked for World Championship Wrestling[40] | |
2022 | Jim Ross |
Second time honored, previously received the Lou Thesz Award in 2011[40] | |
2023 | — | Conrad Thompson |
Professional wrestling promoter, and podcast host and promotes the Starrcast wrestling convention[40] |
Jack Brisco Spotlight Award recipients
Year | Image | Ring name (Birth name) |
Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2023 | Les Thatcher (Leslie Malady) |
Has performed various roles in the wrestling industry, including as a wrestler, trainer, promoter and announcer[1] |
Vern Gagne Trainer Award recipients
Introduced in 2023, this award recognizes excellence in the training of others for professional wrestling.[1] In the December 2023 newsletter published by the hall, it was announced this award would be renamed in honor of Vern Gagne.[41]
Year | Image | Ring name (Birth name) |
Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2023 | — | Boris Malenko (Lawrence J. Simon) |
Posthumous honoree: Held various regional championships[1] |
2024 | — | Tom Prichard (Tom Prichard) |
1 time WWF Tag Team Champion, 8 time Smokey Mountain Wrestling Tag Team Champion, trainer of Kurt Angle, The Rock, Randy Orton and others |
Notes
- ^ a b c d e These honorees were originally announced as being part of the 2020 ceremony but the event was postponed until 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[28]
- ^ In 2019, it was reported that Murdock had been convicted of taking indecent liberties with a child in 1988 and he has since been removed from the Hall of Fame's website.[36][37]
References
- ^ Pro Wrestling Insider. Retrieved July 4, 2023.
- ISBN 978-1429686822.
- ISBN 978-1617135996.
- ^ National Wrestling Hall of Fame. Retrieved August 28, 2018.
- Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the originalon July 23, 2017. Retrieved August 27, 2018.
- ^ Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the originalon July 23, 2017. Retrieved July 26, 2018.
- ^ Pro Wrestling Insider. Retrieved August 27, 2018.
- ^ "Chapman retires from Dan Gable Museum". The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier. November 25, 2009. Retrieved November 11, 2018.
- ^ Goodwin, Cody. "Wrestling: Former UNI wrestler and Wartburg coach Jim Miller named new Dan Gable Museum director". The Des Moines Register. Retrieved 2024-02-22.
- ^ "Big weekend on tap for local wrestling HOF". The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier. May 22, 2015. Retrieved July 26, 2018.
- ^ Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved May 22, 2015.
- ^ Canadian Online Explorer. August 4, 2003. Archived from the originalon July 31, 2018. Retrieved July 26, 2018.
- ^ Slam Wrestling. Retrieved August 28, 2018.
- ^ )
- ^ Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the originalon March 9, 2016. Retrieved August 27, 2018.
- ^ Pro Wrestling Torch. July 6, 2006. Retrieved August 27, 2018.
- ^ Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the originalon July 24, 2017. Retrieved August 27, 2018.
- Mercury News. Retrieved November 8, 2018.
- ^ Slam Wrestling. Retrieved July 13, 2023.
- ^ Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the originalon July 23, 2017. Retrieved August 28, 2018.
- ^ a b c d Alvarez, Bryan (November 15, 2011). "Tues update: Tons more from Raw, UFC vs. New York notes, more WWE Twitter madness, HDNet signs new MMA deal, MMA legend heading to ROH, tons more". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Archived from the original on December 19, 2011. Retrieved August 27, 2018.
- ^ Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved August 27, 2018.
- ^ Philly.com. Retrieved August 27, 2018.
- ^ WrestleView. Retrieved August 27, 2018.
- ^ Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved August 27, 2018.
- ^ Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved August 27, 2018.
- ^ Pro Wrestling Insider. Retrieved May 23, 2019.
- ^ 411Mania. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
- 411Mania. Retrieved March 17, 2021.
- Pro Wrestling Insider. Retrieved May 13, 2022.
- ^ Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the originalon July 25, 2017. Retrieved August 27, 2018.
- ^ Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the originalon July 22, 2015. Retrieved August 28, 2018.
- ^ Nason, Josh (January 5, 2016). "Dave Meltzer to Receive Honor From National Wrestling Hall of Fame". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved August 27, 2018.
- Slam Wrestling. Retrieved July 17, 2021.
- Slam Wrestling. Retrieved July 13, 2023.
- National Wrestling Hall of Fame. Retrieved July 21, 2020.
- ^ Fantz, Ashley (March 22, 2019). "Charity leader retires days after CNN reveals details of sex crime charge". CNN. Retrieved July 21, 2020.
- National Wrestling Hall of Fame. Retrieved November 6, 2018.
- ^ Krex, Azxa (January 23, 2020). "Aun retirada, Trish Stratus hace historia en la lucha libre". Súper Luchas (in Spanish). Retrieved January 28, 2020.
- ^ AL.COM. Retrieved July 28, 2023.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
2024a
was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
External links
- Bibliography of reports by Slam Wrestling
- Official website