“Superstar” Billy Graham was not the first rulebreaking WWF World Heavyweight Champion, but he was the first who was held an extended reign as the champion.  Graham’s autobiography was titled “Twenty years too soon” and that wasn’t too far off as he certainly predated many of the other muscle bound grapplers who would follow.  Countless wrestlers cited him as an influence in terms of look, in ring skill and style and if the WWE Hall of Fame was based on influence, Graham can’t help but belong.  Sadly, he has had many disputes with the WWE in the past and it appears that he his not on good terms with them now.

Immortalized in plastic by both the WWE and GI Joe, Sgt. Slaughter cornered the market on the military gimmick in wrestling.  He had major runs in multiple promotions and was successful regardless of whether he was pandering to fans to antagonizing them.  Slaughter’s lone WWF World Title was as an Iraqi sympathizer and it is a testament to his overall character that he was able to get the fans on his side again.

Why is he here?  Honestly, major props to Pete Rose for taking bumps from Kane in consecutive Wrestlemanias but is this the guy who should be the inaugural celebrity inductee?  We would rather discuss Pete Rose on our Baseball section than here.

Considering the acrimonious post WWE dealings he had with Vince McMahon it was a little surprising that this induction occurred.  Jesse Ventura was easily the best heel commentator in wrestling history and was the reason that many fans were entertained.  He very well may have defined the term “cool heel”.  Jesse Ventura is also a great role model for other grapplers for what he accomplished post wrestling and proof that wrestlers could be multi dimensional individuals.