We are weeks away from Wrestlemania, but for us, the bigger component is that it is Hall of Fame season.  Last night, on WWE Smackdown, Rey Mysterio, 49, who is an active competitor and looks to be in a major Wrestlemania match with his son, Dominik, was announced as the first member of the 2023 Class.

From San Diego, Mysterio was born Oscar Gutierrez, and first wrestled at the age of 14.  Taking the name of Rey Mysterio Jr., after his uncle, Rey Mysterio, he joined the leading Mexican promotion, AAA in 1992.  He was an instant sensation with his high-flying skills, but at well under 150 pounds, and 5’ 2”, it was highly improbably that Mysterio could make it in the United States, but shattering glass ceilings would become his specialty.

After appearing briefly in ECW in 1995, Eric Bischoff of WCW signed Mysterio, and he was the face of the Cruiserweight division, winning that title five times and the WCW World Tag Team Title three times.  After WCW folded, he would join the WWE in 2002, where he won that version of the Cruiserweight Title multiple times. 

Following the death of Eddie Guerrero, Mysterio, who was his on-screen rival, but off-screen best friend was vaulted into the Heavyweight Title scene, winning the 2006 Royal Rumble, and the World Title at Wrestlemania 22.  His title reign was poorly booked, but remained a top-to-middle name performer on the cards for the next nine years, winning other titles and dazzling fans.

Mysterio left the WWE in 2015, but returned three years later, with his most recent success coming in a Smackdown Tag Team Title win with his son, Dominik.  The father and son match could be a show stealer at Wrestlemania.

Mysterio was not ranked on our list of those to consider for the WWE Hall of Fame, as we only rank those who are inactive or over 50.

We here at Notinhalloffame.com would like to extend our congratulate Rey Mysterio for this impending honor.

Brandon Nimmo’s Major League career in Flushing began as a highly-touted first-round pick out of Wyoming in the 2011 draft, carrying a reputation as an athletic outfielder with a uniquely advanced eye at the plate. He debuted with the big league club in 2016, but had to bide his time before claiming everyday ownership of the grass.

In 2018, Nimmo's first full season, he showcased exceptional top-of-the-order efficiency. Although he only had 114 hits, his strong plate discipline led to a remarkable .404 on-base percentage, and he led the National League by being hit 22 times. Despite setbacks from various injuries between 2019 and 2021, he stayed a valuable contributor when healthy, blending an elite walk rate with occasional moderate power.

In 2022, he played 151 games, leading the National League with 7 triples and achieving his first 150-hit season. His performance improved further in 2023, with career highs of 162 hits, 24 home runs, and 68 RBI. He maintained this critical role through the 2025 season, anchoring the outfield for a strong Mets team that advanced to the National League Championship Series, driven by his 25 home runs and 92 RBI.

In November 2025, three years into a lucrative eight-year extension, the front office launched a major roster overhaul aimed at shifting the team's defensive strengths. Nimmo waived his no-trade clause and was traded to the Texas Rangers in a blockbuster, star-for-star deal that brought veteran second baseman Marcus Semien to New York.

Nimmo departed Queens as the team's longest-tenured player and an unofficial clubhouse captain, leaving behind 974 hits, 135 home runs, and a superb .364 career on-base percentage in blue and orange.

The Kansas City Chiefs lost one of their greats, with the passing of Otis Taylor, who died at the age of 80.  He had been battling Dementia and Parkinson’s.

A member of the Chiefs for all of his 11 NFL Seasons, Taylor was the player when Hall of Fame Quarterback Len Dawson was looking for a deep threat.  In fact, it was Taylor who caught half of the passes for the Kansas City Chiefs in their Super Bowl IV victory.

Taylor was a star in the AFL, and a big reason that the Chiefs were good.  He was their top receiver and rewarded them with a 1,297 yard season in 1966.  He was still productive after the NFL/AFL merger and the league in receiving yards in 1971. 

Taylor amassed 7,306 Receiving Yards and 57 Touchdowns, and was ranked #17 on our most recent list of those to consider for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.  He is also a member of the Kansas City Chiefs Hall of Fame.

We here at Notinhalloffame.com would like to extend our condolences as the friends, family and fans of Otis Taylor.

Jeff McNeil first appeared at Citi Field in 2018, making it clear he was intentionally challenging the modern focus on three true outcomes. Using a traditional, knobless bat and emphasizing contact over power, he played as a classic style hitter who prioritized making contact and putting the ball in play rather than hitting for home runs.

After a quick ascent that saw him hit 23 home runs during an All-Star season in 2019 and post an impressive .311 batting average in the shortened 2020 season, McNeil recovered from a challenging, injury-filled 2021 to produce a remarkable display of contact hitting. That summer, he won the National League Batting Title with a.326 average and led all of Major League Baseball with 53 multi-hit games. He also achieved career highs in hits (179) and doubles (39), earning his second All-Star nod and his first Silver Slugger Award. This demonstrated that his aggressive, strikeout-avoidant swing could dominate any pitching staff.

However, his performance often mirrored the franchise's dramatic swings. After his batting title peak, he struggled with consistency and health, trying to find his stride during a frustrating, injury-shortened 2024 campaign that ended early with a fractured wrist. He fought back to make 122 appearances in 2025, grinding through discomfort to salvage 12 home runs and 54 RBI while shifting across the diamond to help keep the club afloat.

Needing to address thoracic outlet syndrome surgery and with the Mets front office aggressively looking to clear salary and reshape their culture, McNeil was sent to the Oakland Athletics in what amounted to a salary-dump trade, with New York eating a significant portion of his remaining contract. McNeil compiled 920 hits, 80 home runs, and a .351 on-base percentage.