The (Should be) WWF Hall of Fame Class of 2012

With all the hype around WrestleMania reaching its boiling point, I thought I would look to the WWF Hall of Fame ceremony for my first blog post. The class this year is a solid one, headlined by Shawn Michaels and Jim Duggan. But, in my view, next year the WWF should make one mega class for their Hall of Fame. Here are my picks for that mega class.

Demolition (Bill Eadie & Barry Darsow)

In the late 1980’s there was no more dominant a tag team as Demolition. The forming members, Ax and Smash, won the WWF Tag Team titles on three different occasions from their arrival in 1987 to their departure from the WWF in late 1991. Their first title reign spanned 478 days, still the record for any tag team champions in WWF history. Of all the holders of the WWF Tag Team titles Demolition holds the record for holding the titles the longest, a span of 698 days over three title reigns. Demolition was one of the most popular tag teams in WWF history, mostly due to their aggressive style and popular gimmick. The red, black and silver face paint along with the black studded leather outfits really grabbed the attention of the WWF audiences. They certainly belong in the WWF Hall of Fame due to their dominance over the WWF Tag Team division in its heyday.

Owen Hart

This one is a no-brainer in my opinion. Owen Hart was by far one of the more gifted wrestlers that the WWF has ever seen. His WWF career started in 1991 and lasted until his tragic death in 1999. Over that time Owen became one of the best heels in WWF history, beginning with his feud with his brother, Bret Hart, and continuing with his involvement with Camp Cornette. During his career, Owen would go on to win the WWF Intercontinental title two times, the WWF European Championship once and the WWF Tag Team Championships four times, with Yokozuna, Davey Boy Smith and Jeff Jarrett. Owen was also the 1994 King of the Ring, defeating Doink the Clown, Tatanka, the 1-2-3 Kid and Razor Ramon in the process. For his in-ring prowess, accomplishments in the ring, and character in and out of the ring, “The King of Harts” more than deserves to be in the WWF Hall of Fame.

“Macho Man” Randy Savage

All personal differences that Vince McMahon may have aside, Randy Savage should have been a WWF Hall of Famer long ago. Along with Hulk Hogan, Savage carried the WWF in the mid to late 1980’s. First as Hogan’s teammate and tag team partner, then as one of the main foils to Hogan and the rest of the WWF as “The Macho King.” Savage, in my opinion was the ultimate company guy. To me, he always took a backseat to guys like Hogan if it were for the benefit of the company. Savage did, however, have his time to shine. He won the WWF Intercontinental Championship in 1986 and held the title for over a year when he lost the title to Ricky Steamboat at WrestleMania III. He then won the vacated WWF Championship at WrestleMania IV, defeating four men to do so. He would win the WWF Championship again at WrestleMania VIII, defeating Ric Flair. By the time he reached WCW, Savage was an established star in sports entertainment. He would go on to win the WCW Heavyweight title on four occasions. Randy Savage is a legend in professional wrestling. His matches with Steamboat and his retirement match with the Ultimate Warrior at WrestleMania VII are still talked about today. His flare in and out of the ring is remembered by throngs of fans around the world and, for that, he deserves to be in the WWF Hall of Fame.

Now in my opinion, it is hard to argue the Hall of Fame case for any of these Superstars. All were instrumental in the WWF's growth into the company that it is today. If, by some miracle, the WWF decides to make this the Hall of Fame class, it would be one of the greatest induction classes of all time. None, however, is better than the inaugural class of 1993, when the late great Andre the Giant was inducted by himself.