Since the relaunch alongside WrestleMania XX in 2004, the WWE Hall of Fame remains a yearly tradition to honor the legends of wrestling past for their contributions to the art form and to showcase the respect for everything they have done for the business. As of 2018, there have been 183 inductees — with 110 wrestlers inducted individually, 26 Legacy Inductees, 12 group inductions, 10 celebrities and four Warrior Award recipients. This year, we add a who’s who to the list of bonafide Hall of Famers.
The following list of Superstars, all in their own right, will become immortalized the night of April 6, 2019, live from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. The Hall of Fame is the hottest ticket in town that night, so be sure to check out this list of accomplishments, famous matches, and bios before history is made that Saturday night.
D-Generation X
One of the three main contributing factors (along with Stone Cold Steve Austin and The Rock) of the onset of the Attitude Era, this group of rebels broke the rules, acted and spoke as they pleased, and wrestled whomever they wanted no matter how provocative and insulting it may be.
Born out of the friendship between Kliq mates Shawn Michaels and Triple H, along with their muscle Chyna and the “insurance policy” Rick Rude, D-Generation X quickly established dominance in the World Wrestling Federation in a blood feud with the morally-opposing Bret “The Hitman” Hart. DX often found themselves across the ring from members of the Hart Foundation – culminating with the infamous Montreal Screwjob that led to Shawn Michaels’ third WWE Championship reign.
With the addition of world-famous boxer Mike Tyson in the group, D-Generation X rode a big wave of momentum heading a clash of titans between Shawn Michaels and Stone Cold Steve Austin in the main event of WrestleMania XIV. The internationally broadcasted match saw the end of the Tyson partnership when “The Baddest Man on the Planet” costs Michaels the match.
The next night, however, changed everything for the group of rule-breakers. Triple H proclaimed himself the leader of DX and ejected his best friend for “dropping the ball” at WrestleMania. It was time to bring forth the DX Army – solidifying the unit with the recruitment of X-Pac and The New Age Outlaws. While initially vilified by the Federation fans at the time, D-Generation X became hugely popular in wars against The Rock’s Nation of Domination and Vince McMahon’s Corporation.
D-Generation X fired a critical hit in the Monday Night Wars against World Championship Wrestling in Norfolk, Virginia – it only took a truck. DX had invaded WCW and they only one two words for the wrasslin’ corporation: Suck It!
While the group enjoyed great success, egos within the ranks reared their ugly head and D-Generation X eventually went their separate ways in the World Wrestling Federation. But history repeats itself, and in 2006, Triple H and Shawn Michaels reunited and brought back the famed neon green DX initials for one cause: to make Mr. McMahon’s life a living hell.
Even though they didn’t have the entire band of misfits with them, the two troublemakers wreaked chaos on the WWE roster by capturing the WWE Tag Team Championship while vandalizing limos, jets, and leaving their mark on WWE’s Titan Towers.
The reputation of the band of badasses will always be remembered fondly in wrestling history. And if you’re not down with that? Just do a crotch chop and yell “Suck It!” and you’ll come around.
Championships and Accomplishments (as a unit)
- Four-time WWF Champion (Shawn Michaels – 1, Triple H – 3)
- Two-time WWF Intercontinental Champion (Triple H – 1, Road Dogg – 1)
- Five-time WWF European Champion (Shawn Michaels – 1, Triple H – 2, X-Pac – 2)
- Two-time WWF Hardcore Champion (Road Dogg – 1, Billy Gunn – 1)
- Six-time World Tag Team Champions (The New Age Outlaws – 5, Triple H & Shawn Michaels – 1)
- Two-time WWE Tag Team Champions (Shawn Michaels & Triple H – 1, The New Age Outlaws – 1)
- One-time WWF Women’s Champion (Chyna – 1)
Recommended Matches
December 22, 1997 – WWF RAW IS WAR #239 – WWF European Championship – Shawn Michaels © vs. Triple H
December 12, 1999 – WWF Armageddon 1999 – Steel Cage Match – X-Pac vs. Kane
The Honky Tonk Man
This WWE Hall of Famer is cool, he’s cocky, and he’s bad!
Starting his career in 1977 working in Malden, Missouri under the name Wayne Farris, The Honky Tonk Man quickly found success by moving on to Memphis Wrestling and forming The Blond Bombers tag team alongside Larry Latham. A successful villainous duo, their claim to fame at the time was the now famous “Tupelo Concession Stand Brawl” against Jerry “The King” Lawler and Bill Dundee. Success would come calling for Ferris elsewhere, including stints in the AWA, Jim Crockett Promotions, the National Wrestling Alliance and Stampede Wrestling.
In 1986, Ferris dropped the blond look and showed up in the World Wrestling Federation with slicked-back hair and long sideburns – looking like a certain rock ‘n’ roll icon. His wide-eyed smile quickly turned to a frown when the Federation fans turned their back on him – leading him to purchase the managerial services of the loudmouthed Jimmy Hart.
After dispatching a feud with Jake “The Snake” Roberts at WrestleMania III, through the means of a tainted win of course, The Honky Tonk Man set his sights on some Federation gold. With a shocking victory of Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat in June 1987, the newest WWE Hall of Famer began his record-breaking 454 day journey as the Intercontinental Champion that was eventually put to an end in just 31 seconds by The Ultimate Warrior at SummerSlam 1988 – ending the championship reign as one year, two months, and twenty-seven days!
After a few unsuccessful bids to reclaim the title, The Honky Tonk Man joined forces with Greg “The Hammer” Valentine to form Rhythm and Blues. The tag team bounced around the tag team division until January 1991 – when The Honky Tonk Man left the World Wrestling Federation.
You never know when The Honky Tonk Man may show up in a WWE ring, whether it be at the commentary booth, as the manager of the likes of Rockabilly, or to break a guitar over somebody else’s body. No matter what, this WWE Hall of Famer will shake, rattle, and roll straight to your heart.
Championships and Accomplishments
- One-time WWF Intercontinental Champion
- One-time WWC Caribbean Heavyweight Champion
- Four-time AWA Southern Tag Team Champion
- Three-time NWA Mid-America Tag Team Champion
- Three-time Stampede International Tag Team Champion
- One-time Stampede North American Heavyweight Champion
- One-time NWA Alabama Heavyweight Champion
- One-time NWA Southeastern Heavyweight Champion
Recommended Matches
1980 – Chattanooga Wrestling – The Blond Bombers vs. Dutch Mantel & Terry Sawyer
Harlem Heat
Starting their careers together in 1989 in Ivan Putski’s Western Wrestling Alliance, Harlem Heat quickly rose up the ranks to become one of the most decorated tag teams in wrestling history. From 110th Street in Harlem, New York, brothers Booker T and Stevie Ray brought a streetwise, in-your-face attitude to the squared circle.
The two brothers busted heads after their arrival in World Championship Wrestling in the summer of 1993 when they immediately mixed it up with worldwide stars like Sting, Ric Flair, and The British Bulldog. It didn’t take long for them to showcase their take-no-prisoners attitude, entering the battleground known as War Games alongside Sid Vicious and Vader just a few months later.
With the addition of Sister Sherri, Harlem Heat started to see their stars shine bright like diamonds. With Sherri by their side, the brothers captured the WCW World Tag Team title from Stars and Stripes in December 1994 – marking the first of ten WCW World Tag Team Championship reigns together.
The duo was wildly successful in their various brawls against the likes of The Steiner Brothers, Sting & Lex Luger, and The Nasty Boys during their first seven reigns as tag team champions. But 1997 brought change in the Heat when the two went their separate ways in World Championship Wrestling.
Like any good tag team masters, Booker T and Stevie Ray reunited nearly two years later. Thrusting themselves into a very different tag team landscape in WCW, the two brothers showcased that they never lost a step as they quickly picked up their last three WCW World Tag Team championship reigns, the final one coming at WCW Halloween Havoc 1999 in a three-way victory over The Filthy Animals and The First Family.
While never competing as a duo in the WWE ring, Harlem Heat proved that they were among the most dominant tag teams during the famed Monday Night Wars.
Championships and Accomplishments (as a unit)
- Ten-time WCW World Tag Team Champions
- Seven-time WCW World Television Champion (Booker T – 6, Stevie Ray – 1)
- Three-time GWF Tag Team Champions
- One-time ROW Tag Team Champions
- Two-time Pro Wrestling Illustrated Tag Team of the Year (1995, 1996)
Recommended Matches
Torrie Wilson
Following a budding career as a fitness model in the late 1990s, Torrie Wilson entered professional wrestling following a visit to a World Championship Wrestling show with her then-boyfriend. A contract soon came her way and she quickly became a fan-favorite while managing competitors like David Flair, Billy Kidman, Shane Douglas, and The Filthy Animals.
Her popularity soared when she joined tWE in the spring of 2001. Joining forces with fellow WCW performer Stacy Keibler, Torrie made her wrestling debut at the InVasion pay-per-view event against Trish Stratus and Lita in a Bra and Panties match. As The Alliance came to an end, Torrie soon became one of the faces of the SmackDown! Brand in the first-ever WWE draft.
Her time on SmackDown! Included a WWE Women’s Championship match against Molly Holly before she entered into a family feud against Dawn Marie over the love of Torrie’s father Al Wilson. The two competed ferociously in the ring on many pay-per-view events – ending the drama at the 2003 Royal Rumble event in a Stepmother vs. Stepdaughter match.
Torrie soon became an international icon after becoming a two-time Playboy cover girl – leading to much on-screen jealousy from the likes of Keibler, Miss Jackie, and Nidia. She often fought for her Playboy honour in great matches like the Playboy Evening Gown match at WrestleMania XX.
While injuries often plagued the blonde bombshell’s career, she remained a consistent member of the WWE roster until she left the company in May of 2008. She has since returned to the squared circle a few times, showcasing her superb wrestling ability alongside the WWE Superstars of today.
Championships and Accomplishments
- Two-time Playboy Cover Girl
- One-time winner of the 2002 WWE Golden Thong Award
Recommended Matches
July 11, 2002 – WWE SmackDown #152 – WWE Women’s Championship – Molly Holly © vs. Torrie Wilson
October 20, 2002 – WWE No Mercy 2002 – Torrie Wilson vs. Dawn Marie
June 12, 2006 – WWE Monday Night RAW #681 – Wet and Wild Match – Torrie Wilson vs. Candice Michelle
The Hart Foundation
A symbol of tag team excellence both inside and outside the ring, Bret “Hit Man” Hart and Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart helped redesign what it meant to be a tag team specialist. The brothers-in-law established a close connection when they joined the World Wrestling Federation in 1985 with Jimmy Hart by their side. A unique combination of Hart’s technical mastery and Neidhart’s raw power ultimately spelled disaster for any team that stepped into the squared circle against them.
They showed their skills as a formidle duo in the WWF/NFL battle royal at WrestleMania 2, when they were the last two competitors eliminated by André the Giant. While they were unsuccessful here, they soon went on a path of glory when they captured the WWF Tag Team Championships from The British Bulldogs in Tampa, Florida in early 1987.
With the tag team gold around their waists, The Hart Foundation quickly became disillusioned with Jimmy Hart and his nefarious ways – eventually splitting and going on their own. With a target on their back, Hart and Neidhart took on all challengers, including The Fabulous Rougeau Brothers, Rhythm and Blues, and Demolition.
Come the end of the 1980s, The Hart Foundation had found themselves in a friendly rivalry with The Rockers, an up-and-coming duo consisting of Shawn Michaels and Marty Jannetty. The legendary tag team matches changed the landscape of tag team wrestling of the time and was the catalyst for the long-standing Bret Hart versus Shawn Michaels feud that encapsulated the 90s.
The 1990s started off great for the Hart Foundation, including the time they bulldozed The Bolsheviks at WrestleMania VI in just a few seconds. It only took Bret Hart and Jim Neidhart to make good the promise that they would recapture the WWF Tag Team Championships, in which they did at SummerSlam 1990 in a grueling ⅔ Falls match against Demolition.
By summer 1991, the tag team that captured the hearts of many decided to go their own separate ways and focus on their own singles careers. While both went on to have great singles success, there will always be magic in the history of The Hart Foundation.
Championships and Accomplishments (as a unit)
- Two-time WWF Tag Team Champions
Recommended Matches
June 15, 1979 – Stampede Wrestling – Bret Hart vs. Jim Neidhart
January 11, 1987 – WWF Maple Leaf Wrestling – The Hart Foundation vs. Junkyard Dog & Davey Boy Smith
December 14, 1989 – WWF at the Copps Coliseum – The Hart Foundation vs. The Rockers
April 1, 1990 – WWF WrestleMania VI – The Hart Foundation vs.The Bolsheviks
April 28, 1990 – WWF Saturday Night’s Main Event #26 – The Hart Foundation vs. The Rockers
Brutus “The Barber” Beefcake
Following his arrival in the World Wrestling Federation in late 1984, Brutus Beefcake jumped off the screen by picking up wins in the ring alongside Dream Team member Greg “The Hammer” Valentine all while looking fabulous. The duo of Valentine and Beefcake were no slouches in the ring, having won the World Tag Team titles one year later from The US Express before entering a feud with The British Bulldogs.
After splitting from Valentine at WrestleMania III in front of 93,173 in the Pontiac Silverdome, Beefcake’s career changed forever when he helped “Rowdy” Roddy Piper to fend off Jimmy Hart in a Hair vs. Hair match. Piper won but it was Brutus who shaved Adrian Adonis’ platinum locks off.
Now going by Brutus “The Barber” Beefcake and yielding a MASSIVE pair of hedge clippers, he captured the hearts of the Federation fans thanks in part to his Sleeper Hold that put his opponents to sleep followed up by a haircut to those who were seeing stars and putting out ZZZ’s.
Always a trustworthy friend of Hulk Hogan, Beefcake always found himself as one of the top contenders for the Intercontinental Championship. While he never managed to win the championship, Beefcake could count on the fans to back him up in whatever bout he found himself in. In fact, the fans cheered him on when he handed Mr. Perfect his first L at WrestleMania VI.
After a devastating parasailing accident in 1990, Beefcake took some time off from the ring to open his “Barber Shop” for the world to see. Defying all odds, Beefcake returned to the ring in 1993 by the side of his best friend Hulk Hogan to battle Money Inc. at WrestleMania IX.
No matter the name (be it Baron Beefcake, Big Brother Booty, The Booty Man, Brother Bruti, Brute Force, The Butcher, The Clipmaster, The Disciple, Dizzy Hogan, Ed Boulder, Eddie Hogan, The Mariner, The Man With No Name, or The Zodiac), Brutus “The Barber” Beefcake will be fondly remembered as being one of the most popular stars of the late 80s.
Championships and Accomplishments
- One-time WWF Tag Team Champion
- Three-time NWA Southeastern Tag Team Champion
- One-time CWI Heavyweight Champion
- One-time WWWA Heavyweight Champion
Recommended Matches
July 29, 1989 – WWF Saturday Night’s Main Event #22 – Brutus “The Barber” Beefcake vs. Randy Savage
April 1, 1990 – WWF WrestleMania VI – Brutus “The Barber” Beefcake vs. Mr. Perfect
April 4, 1993 – WWF WrestleMania IX – WWF Tag Team Championship – Money Inc. © vs. The Mega Maniacs
