It was announced that Bad News Brown will be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.

Born Allan Coage in New York City, Brown was an accomplished judoka who won Bronze at the 1976 Olympics.  He went to Japan to train under Antonio Inoki in professional wrestling, where he spent much of his career.  He competed in the then-named WWWF in 1979 under his real name, but throughout the 1980s, he wrestled primarily in Japan and in Calgary, working for Stu Hart.  By 1988, at the age of 45, Cage joined WWE and was christened Bad News Brown.

Brown promptly won the Wrestlemania IV battle royal and went on to have a months-long program with Bret “Hit Man” Hart, the man whom he double-crossed to win the event.  He later moved up the card to begin a program with WWF World Heavyweight Champion Randy “Macho Man” Savage, and would have a televised match on Saturday Night’s Main Event in a loss to Hulk Hogan.  Brown later feuded with “Rowdy” Roddy Piper and Jake “The Snake” Roberts, but left the promotion after Summer Slam 1990.

Brown joins Stephanie McMahon, A.J. Styles, Demolition, Dennis Rodman, and Sid in the Class of 2026.

Following WrestleMania, we will start updating our WWE Notinhalloffame Hall of Fame list.

We at Notinhalloffame would like to congratulate Allan Coage’s family on this upcoming honor. 

Possibly the only Olympic winner (Bronze in Judo at the 76 Olympics) in Professional Wrestling history to have that accolade ignored, Allen Coage found far more fame as a wrestler than he ever did in Judo competition.