The WWE Hall of Fame has reactivated its legacy wing for the Class of 2025, and Kamala, Ivan Koloff, and Dory Funk Sr will be inducted.

This is the first time the Legacy Wing has been used since 2021, and it has been criticized in the past as many of the inductee's families were not aware of the induction until it was announced publicly.  It is not known now if this is the case for these three.

Born James Harris in Mississippi, Harris first began wrestling in 1978 but adopted the Kamala gimmick in 1982 under the advice of Jerry Jarrett and Jerry Lawler.  It was a money maker, with Harris taking the gimmick across the country through multiple territories, including the WWE, where over three runs in 1984, 1986-87 & 1992-93, he had multiple main event runs and challenged for the WWF World Heavyweight Title.  He passed away in 2020.

From Quebec, Oreal Perras debuted in 1963 and first gained success as the Irishman Red McNulty, but it was not until he became “The Russian Bear” Ivan Koloff that he achieved stardom.  Koloff joined the WWWF in 1969, and in 1971, he shocked the wrestling world when he pinned Bruno Sammartino to win the World Heavyweight Title.  It was a brief run, as Pedro Morales dethroned him three weeks later, but throughout the 1970s and early 1980s, Koloff worked in the WWWF/WWF and was often at the top of the card.  He also succeeded in the NWA throughout the 1980s, leading the Russian faction while winning Tag Team gold.  He passed away in 2017.

Dory Funk Sr. is best known as the father of Terry and Dory Funk Jr., who both became NWA World Heavyweight Champions, but the family's patriarch ran a successful territory in North Texas for decades.  This is also a posthumous induction, as he passed away in 1973.

While we are happy for these selections, Kamala and Koloff could have easily been done when they were both alive.

We will be revising our Notinhalloffame WWE list after Wrestlemania.

One of the greatest women’s basketball players is calling at a career.

Elena Delle Donne announced on Instagram that she is retiring from the game of Basketball.

A three-time Coastal Athletic Association Player of the Year (2011, 2012 & 2013) at the University of Delaware, Delle Donne was the 2012 NCAA Scoring Leader.  Drafted second overall by the Chicago Sky, Delle Donne won the WNBA 2013 Rookie of the Year and was third in WNBA voting.  An All-Star the first three seasons of his career, Delle Donne won the WNBA MVP in 2015 and earned her first First Team All-WNBA Selection.  She earned a second First Team All-WNBA the year after, but as she approached free agency, the Sky traded her to the Washington Mystics, where she played the remainder of her career.

Delle Donne was an All-Star in her first three seasons in D.C., and would capture her second MVP in 2019.  More importantly, she led the Mystics to a WNBA Championship.  It was the apex of her career, and her future never looked brighter, but the toll of compounding injuries were set to take its toll.

Sitting out the 2020 COVID season, Delle Donne was only able to play three more seasons before injuries took her out of the game she loved.

Internationally, she represented the United States at the 2016 Olympics and 2018 World Cup, winning Gold in both tournaments.

She last played in 2023 and is eligible for the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame next year.

We here at notinhalloffame.com wish Elena Delle Donne the best in her post-playing career. 

Discover how innovations in online gambling software over the past 5 years, such as AI, VR and blockchain, have shaped a more immersive, secure and personalized player experience, 170 characters

Evolution of Online Gambling Software

The online gambling landscape in 2025 looks remarkably different than it did just 5 years ago in 2020. Advancements in software and technology have led to dramatic improvements in the player experience, with online casinos and sportsbooks now able to offer a more immersive, secure and personalized service than ever before.

Rise of AI and Machine Learning

One of the biggest software innovations has been the implementation of sophisticated AI and machine learning algorithms. Here’s a snapshot of the impact this has had on the player experience:

As the above table illustrates, AI has enabled online gambling platforms like StarCasino to analyze huge datasets to optimize nearly every aspect of the player journey. Games can read biometric data through wearable tech to serve up an experience uniquely tailored to an individual, while specialized AI support bots can pick up on emotional cues in player communication to promote responsible gambling practices.

This is a massive shift from 2020, when games and services were still largely “one size fits all”.

Immersion of VR and AR

Another area that has seen huge innovation is immersion, with many online casinos and sportsbooks now incorporating virtual reality and augmented reality technology to make the experience more realistic and exciting.

Some key examples include:

• Live dealer games in VR – Players can now enter photorealistic virtual casino environments where they interact with croupiers and other players via digital avatars. This makes games like blackjack, roulette and poker incredibly immersive.
• AR overlays on live sports – Sports bettors can access AR overlays during games to get key stats in real-time, along with projected odds on potential bets based on machine learning algorithms. This makes in-game betting incredibly seamless and personalized.
• 3D modeled slot games – Many slot developers now use 3D modeling and photogrammetry to scan real-world objects and locations to use in-game. This delivers unparalleled realism in terms of symbols and environment art in slots.

This focus on heightened immersion has proven incredibly popular with online gambling customers, allowing them to enjoy entertainment experiences that previously were only possible in land-based venues.

Blockchain and Cryptocurrency Integration

Finally, the integration of blockchain technology and support for cryptocurrency wagering has also expanded, which provides advantages to players in terms of:

• Security – Blockchain verification of bets, results and payments gives players confidence operators can’t tamper with outcomes.
• Transparency – Players can verify game logic and audit payout percentages with third-party blockchain analysis tools.
• Speed – Cryptocurrency deposits and withdrawals are typically faster than traditional methods.

Additionally, many blockchain casinos allow players to stake in cryptocurrency tokens that pay dividends or can appreciate in value. This adds an entirely new dimension to the gambling experience, where customers can potentially profit even if they don’t win.

While mass adoption is still building, cryptocurrencies and blockchain are set to have an enormous impact on how online betting and gambling operate in the coming years.

Future of Online Gambling Software

AI, VR, AR and blockchain technology have undeniably transformed online gambling over the past 5 years. But the evolution is far from over. Some software advances that could shape the next era include:

• Cloud-streamed gambling for instant access from any device.
• Integrated e-commerce ecosystems where players can purchase NFT collectibles or branded merchandise.
• Seamless switching between 2D, 3D and VR environments.
• Photorealistic avatars that allow accurate player representation inside virtual worlds.
• Decentralized, player-controlled casinos built entirely using blockchain smart contracts.

One thing is for certain – we are witnessing merely the beginnings of a new age of online gambling experiences. And software innovation will continue molding what this looks like. Those operators who focus on the cutting-edge stand to reap the benefits in this fast-moving and highly competitive industry.

So while the future is unclear, the trend towards more immersive, secure and personalized services is undeniable. This means the best is likely yet to come for those companies able to harness technology to cater to ever-more empowered players in 2025 and beyond.

It is with great pleasure that we are bringing back the Notinhalloffame MLB Regular Cup, and let us explain how this works:

For every regular-season game, we anointed the best five players with descending points, 5-4-3-2-1. 

We knew the following:

• The top players for the MLB NIHOF Cup are not always the best in the league, as injuries keep players out of games, and a premium on staying healthy can help pile up points. It also does not hurt to be a top player on an average or mediocre team, as they can amass Cup points easier than elite players on loaded squads.
• In Baseball, it is more common than in Basketball and Hockey for a player to accrue points with a single Home Run in a game, which favors position players. Starting Pitchers have a hard time with approximately 30-35 Starts and throwing fewer innings than in previous generations. This is also true for closers, which are not made for this process.
• Please remember, that this is NOT necessarily who we think were the best players this year, and does not reflect overall consistency. Treat this the way did, as a fun process and more of a compilation of temporary statistical domination.

Here is the current top ten after games concluded on April 6.

1. Kyle Tucker, Chicago Cubs: 21 Cup Points in 12 Games.   1.0 bWAR, 13 Runs, 15 Hits, 5 Home Runs, 15 Runs Batted In, .319/.458/.745 Slash Line, 1.202 OPS & 233 OPS+.

2. Pete Alonso, New York Mets: 19 Cup Points in 9 Games.   0.5 bWAR, 6 Runs, 9 Hits, 3 Home Runs, 11 Runs Batted In, .290/.421/.645 Slash Line, 1.066 OPS & 199 OPS+

3. Teoscar Hernandez, Los Angeles Dodgers: 18 Cup Points in 11 Games.   0.7 bWAR, 7 Runs, 11 Hits, 4 Home Runs, 13 Runs Batted In, .268/.311/.634 Slash Line, 0.945 OPS & 163 OPS+

4. Aaron Judge, New York Yankees: 17 Cup Points in 11 Games.   0.8 bWAR, 14 Runs, 12 Hits, 6 Home Runs, 17 Runs Batted In, .324/.419/.892 Slash Line, 1.310 OPS & 256 OPS+.

6. Eugenio Suarez, Arizona Diamondbacks: 16 Cup Points in 10 Games.   0.4 bWAR, 7 Runs, 6 Hits, 5 Home Runs, 11 Runs Batted In, .176/.317/.647 Slash Line, 0.964 OPS & 162 OPS+.

6. Logan O’Hoppe, Los Angeles Angels:  16 Cup Points in 7 Games.   0.5 bWAR, 5 Runs, 10 Hits, 5 Home Runs, 9 Runs Batted In, .345/.367/.862 Slash Line, 1.229 OPS & 229 OPS+.

6. Matt Chapman, San Francisco Giants: 16 Cup Points in 9 Games.   0.7 bWAR, 5 Runs, 9 Hits, 2 Home Runs, 8 Runs Batted In, .281/.410/.531 Slash Line, 0.942 OPS & 166 OPS+.

9. Tyler Soderstrom, The Athletics:  15 Cup Points in 10 Games.   0.7 bWAR, 7 Runs, 14 Hits, 4 Home Runs, 8 Runs Batted In, .359/.405/.718 Slash Line, 1.123 OPS & 213 OPS+.

9. Alex Bregman, Boston Red Sox:  15 Cup Points in 10 Games.   0.5 bWAR, 7 Runs, 15 Hits, 2 Home Runs, 10 Runs Batted In, .341/.383/.591 Slash Line, 0.974 OPS & 174 OPS+.

9. Jackson Merrill, San Diego Padres: 15 Cup Points in 10 Games.   0.6 bWAR, 7 Runs, 14 Hits, 3 Home Runs, 10 Runs Batted In, .378/.415/.676 Slash Line, 1.090 OPS & 202 OPS+.

9. Wilmer Floers, San Francisco Giants: 15 Cup Points in 9 Games.   0.3 bWAR, 5 Runs, 9 Hits, 4 Home Runs, 12 Runs Batted In, .273/.314/.636 Slash Line, 0.953 OPS & 163 OPS+.

9. Lars Nootbar, St. Louis Cardinals: 15 Cup Points in 10 Games.   0.6 bWAR, 10 Runs, 13 Hits, 2 Home Runs, 6 Runs Batted In, .333/.435/.513 Slash Line, 0.948 OPS & 167 OPS+.