Since they have yet to induct a celebrity that didn't appear for WWE in some memorable way, I'm not sure that ship has sailed.
Andy Kaufman would have been the one exception only for his connection to Jerry Lawler, his breakfast with their beloved Freddie Blassie, and Vince claiming that Vince Sr gave Andy advice. But even that was a struggle because he is dead and WWE owned limited amounts of footage of him. Though if any celebrity died that had the potential of still showing up to their induction ceremony, I guess it would be Kaufman. But now with footage surfacing where they can show him standing next to Vince, his induction seems even more possible. Though honestly I'd put him behind Mr T and Cyndi Lauper given their impact on WWE.
Rodman was one of many WCW celebrities who no showed several events. So he's not exactly well liked. I don't think WWE would even bother with him. They certainly shouldn't bother with him. If WrestleMania returns to Chicago, then we can talk about possibly adding him to the 10th spot. Even then he'd want some huge payoff that frankly he's probably not worth anymore. For all of those reasons I don't see him as a top 10 guy.
Arquette, while the story about giving money to the Pillman family is nice, he was still WCW World Heavyweight Champion. It was one of the blackest marks in wrestling history. Inducting him would be owning that mistake when WWE doesn't have to do so. To the WWE celebrity wing, he is no where near essential and I can only see a down side to it. Plus Arquette isn't really a household name in this day and age. Even old guys like Shatner and the dead Kaufman carry more weight.
My celebrity list would probably look like...
1. Muhammad Ali
2. Cyndi Lauper
3. Mr T
4. Andy Kaufman
5. Floyd Mayweather
6. Lawrence Taylor
7. William Shatner
8. Regis Philbin
9. Chuck Norris
10. Bob Barker
Philbin for his Mania 7 appearance and for interviewing so many WWE superstars back in the day. Norris for his Survivor Series appearance and because I'm sure it's tempting for WWE to induct Norris. Barker because people seem to really love his RAW hosting gig that one time. If Schwarzenegger does more, maybe he'll pop on the back of the list. Then maybe Alice Cooper or Maria Menuonos. Though Maria would be a rather weak induction and I still don't know why WWE thinks it gets anything by using her.
I always go back and forth over whether Ebersol is a true celebrity or just a promoter. His name value won't draw a dime for WWE and I think that is a big factor with celebrities. That said, if they ever do induct Ebersol, I don't think they'd induct a celebrity that year as he'd fill the outsider role. Though that doesn't mean they'd call him a celebrity.
It's a tough call. But he can replace Bob Barker on my list since Barker will probably die before they ever induct him. He's about 90 now. Once he passes, he won't go in and I think WWE will spend the next couple of years going after Ali, Lauper, Mr T, Kaufman, and Mayweather. Maybe Shatner if they go to Canada.
I noticed you updated the top 300 list. I'll look it over this week.
Looks good for the most part. Glad to see more essential names on the list. Very pleased to see more promoters. There are a few names who still aren't on, but they can be filler spots for next year. Especially Roy Shire now that we know WrestleMania 31 will be in San Francisco. I think JBL would be pleased to see Torrie Wilson make it.
I think of the 1 to 100 spots are the likely inductions, the 101 to 200 spots are the fringe or the maybe guys, and the 201 to 300 are the never getting in but here's a nice shout out.
I do have some questions but I'll just go one at a time with them.
Waltman had a lot more significant matches of higher quality than the outlaws....
His initial run as the 123 Kid alone gave us a classic on Raw vs Bret, and while the NAO were entertaining, there is no classic matches with them in it.
Also, without each other they both had mid card careers, and though they were always employed there was nothing of relevance.
Just my opinion.... would you have put the NAO higher?
I can see where we differ. I look at Jimmy Garvin and X-Pac and think while they may have had better singles matches than Jesse James or Michael Hayes, I understand that the Freebirds and the NAO were bigger acts. Much like Haystacks Calhoun or Miss Elizabeth. I mean there's a reason why HHH, Michaels, and the NAO were on RAW this past week and not X-Pac. I agree that Waltman had a good initial run against Hart and Ramon though. I just know that if DX is never inducted as a group, it's far more likely that the NAO (one of WWE's top 10 tag teams) will be inducted long before Waltman. That is if he ever would. As for significant NAO matches, I'm partial to the dumpster match at Mania 14 and basically their entire feud with Mankind whenever he had a partner. NAO probably have Waltman beat on marketability, popularity, influence, and backstage likeability.
Speaking of Jimmy though, it might strike people funny that he's ranked on a list of 300 next to Ron Garvin.
I totally get your point..... I think though that as long as X Pac stays clean, he should be HOF bound. Hell, Road Dogg was a mess himself not that long ago, and look at him now as "Mr. Front Office"!
Never even noticed the Garvins back to back....maybe because i never really view them together...despite being the most unlikely kayfabe brothers ever....and i am including the Dudleys in that!
Oh X-Pac will get in the Hall of Fame if they induct DX as a group. That's for certain. But if they decide to induct them individually, he probably won't get in before HHH or the NAO.
So do you feel like doing a prediction for the next WWE Hall of Fame class? I know without a nomination list it's crazier than the other Hall of Fames, but I think it could be worth a try.
