THE WRESTLING OBSERVER Hall of Fame was established in 1996 and, though it is not contained inside an actual building, it has distinguished itself as the most respected platform for honoring those who have made outstanding contributions to the sport of professional wrestling.
The Hall of Fame selection committee consists of active and retired wrestlers and industry analysts, as well as journalists and historians. The ballots are presented and tabulated by Dave Meltzer, who has covered and analyzed the sport in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter for the last 21 years.
Inductees in the Hall of Fame include not only wrestlers, but others whose contributions to the sport have left a lasting impact (executives and broadcasters, for example). Unlike other sports, the Observer Hall of Fame is not restricted to retirees. Hall of Fame candidates must only be at least 35 years old or be active wrestlers entering their 15th year in the business.
Based on the credibility of the Wrestling Observer Hgll of Fame's founder, the guidelines he has created, and the qualifications of the selectors, THE WRESTLER and its sister magazines recognize it as the sport's official Hall of Fame.
In this special section, we will examine which wrestlers and wrestling officials currently participating in the sport today have the best shot of getting into the Hall of Fame - and just how strong their shots are. In an effort to separate the contenders from the pretenders, we've divided the aspirants into five different categories: locks (first-ballot entrants), on the cusp (entrance depends on a tad more success), more likely than not (will probably make it, but we're not guaranteeing anything), longshots (self-explanatory), and you gotta be kidding. Keep in mind that a number of today's biggest names (Steve Austin, Vince McMahon, Mick Foley, Vader, Terry Funk) have already been inducted.
Has Kurt Angle, only in his fourth year, already done enough to gain entrance into the Hall of Fame? Will a perennial mid-carder like Eddie Guerrero break through the Hall of Fame barrier? Will Stephanie McMahon's behind-the-scenes leadership skills woo voters years from now?
How convenient that we list Triple-H directly underneath his soon-to-be bride, Stephanie McMahon, huh? We didn't do it purposely, of course, but we have to admit that they make a handsome couple. And it also helps to list them one after the other, because there's no doubt that Triple-H's career - and his future position (or lack thereof) in the Hall of Fame - is tied to his relationship with Miss McMahon.
Triple-H might disagree, but that's the way it is. Voters must get past his relationship with Stephanie and all the political bonuses it provides in order to vote him into the Hall. If they can concentrate on his seven WWE championships and his ability to deliver in all the important matches, he'll get in, no doubt about it.
More than likely, they will. Being Steph's significant other may have its benefits, but Triple-H earned his position as one of the sport's top stars on his own. He stepped up and claimed his position when The Rock was in Hollywood and Austin was convalescing from neck surgery. He carried the company on his back during that time, and in doing so, he established himself as one of the most complete WWE champions of all-time.
Of course, over the past two years or so, Helmsley's reputation has taken a hit-and that's mostly due to his relationship with Stephanie. (A rash of injuries hasn't helped his cause, either.) Because of this, Triple-H probably won't get voted into the Hall upon his eligibility. He's going to have to wait a few years, until the firestorm surrounding his relationship with Stephanie has died down and voters can instead concentrate on his accomplishments inside the ring.
Helmsley will get in, but don't be surprised if it takes some time.