WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2009

[Next Big Thing]

WWF was losing to WCW when Austin was champion as well.

Austin was the reason they caught up to WCW. During his first run the ratings were back and forth between the two. He was also the main reason they eventually took the ratings lead for good.

 

[Moonlight Drive]

See, but it wasn't only Austin who helped them catch up. The WWF finally beat WCW in the ratings the night Mick Foley won the championship, in the midst of his feud with Rock.

 

[Next Big Thing]

See, but it wasn't only Austin who helped them catch up. The WWF finally beat WCW in the ratings the night Mick Foley won the championship, in the midst of his feud with Rock.

What are you talking about? The WWF beat WCW a bunch of times in 1998 before Mick Foley became champion.

 

[Moonlight Drive]

But that was a major turning point in the Wars, that didn't involved Austin at all. He did set the stage, but it was Rock and Foley who got them over the top.

I'm gonna stop posting here now as this argument is redundant. We both agree it seems.

 

[Next Big Thing]

I don't agree but alright.

 

[Axis]

Wrong. Just because something was mainstream in the past doesnt mean it will stay popular with mainstream audiences. It took a character like SCSA to bring wrestling back into popular culture.

It was far from mainstream in the early 90's. Wrestling was a joke at that time. The fact that it was huge in the mid 80's has no bearing on the early 90's. The characters and storylines were weak, there was the steriod scandal. It had basically fallen out of favor with the general public.

False.

You were incorrect when you said that Steve Austin made wrestling mainstream. You were correct when you modified your statement to say that he made wrestling mainstream AGAIN. As somebody else pointed out, it is easier to do so once the infrastructure is there.

Also, to whoever said it, I don't think that the WWE would have survived without Stone Cold Steve Austin. I honestly believe that you could have fired any one of Triple H, Undertaker, Mankind, or the Rock in 1997 and the WWE would have still beaten WCW. Stone Cold, though; he was needed.

 

[CenaMark54]

Stone Cold could not have made wrestling mainstream if it was already made mainstream in the 1980's.

You were correct when you modified your statement to say that he made wrestling mainstream AGAIN. As somebody else pointed out, it is easier to do so once the infrastructure is there.

Which is it? He either popularized wrestling with mainstream audiences or he didn't.

Just because he was the second or third one to help do it doesn't make it any less impressive. Especially in a business like wrestling that is traditionally frowned upon by media types and whatnot. It takes a special person to popularize wrestling to the level Austin was able to acheive.

Also, to whoever said it, I don't think that the WWE would have survived without Stone Cold Steve Austin. I honestly believe that you could have fired any one of Triple H, Undertaker, Mankind, or the Rock in 1997 and the WWE would have still beaten WCW. Stone Cold, though; he was needed.

At least we agree on this.

 

[straight_edge76]

Austin is really if you look at it one of the major names when It comes to 'Monday Night Wars' wCw for the most part was beating the WWE up until he really took off with his feud with McMahon. You can name people like The Rock, HHH, Foley, Undertaker but with the exception none of the them were huge stars IMO before Austin cam along and helped them become the huge stars that they are now.

 

[Nation]

The Funks are going to be inducted.

 

[fteezy]

Thing is, I don't give a dick about what other people think. It's clearly my opinion that Austin doesn't really fit in the HoF. It's not to say he's a horrible wrestler because he was one of my favourites but HoF? Meh, I don't really think so.

Practically nobody knew who the fuck he was before he made it into the WWE. When he first arrived, no one liked him and he was boring as hell. Once he got the 3:16-bad attitude-drink beer-beat up my boss persona, people started liking him. I don't really see what he did to make a huge impact on wrestling. He didn't have many moves and the only thing that really stood out about him was his attitude.


I hardly think someone who mostly just ran into the ring and gave random stunners and opened a few cans of beer while dropping some good lines should be in the HoF, to be quite honest.

i have to disagree right there... i mean not really cuz its not like u said everybody doesn't remember steve before he entered the WWE.. but I do and dude used to kick so much ass in WCW, as Stunning Steve Austin. He was one of my favorites. He was actuallly "wrestling" back then and his US Title Matches were GREAT! Im more fan of his WCW Matches than his WWE Matches. I do think he deserves to be in the HOF but not exactly right now. I mean - yes, he's no longer wrestling, and yes it will be in Texas - but if WWE were "true" then they wouldn't base it on just those two facts. It's so obvious he's going in just becuase it's in Texas. Hence the reason Terry Funk will also be getting inducted... just becuz they are in Texas. I can see them making this a whole Texas/Redneck HOF Ceremony. I don't see how Vince can give it to Stone Cold before the likes of Macho Man Randy Savage, Jake The Snake Roberts, British Bulldog, Owen Hart, Big Bossman, Million Dollar Man, Legion of Doom, Arn Anderson, and the list goes on.. if neither one of them are inducted then it's a personal dissapointment. I will be attending the Hall of Fame this year as well as WWE Axxess & Wrestlemania so I hope they don't screw up my vacation lol. I WANT SAVAGE OOOOOOOOH YEEEEEEEEEAH!!!!

 

[paulie]

it is too soon 4 austin gettin in before hbk on the undertaker makes no sence to me maybe because they are both still active on the roster????

randy savage has to get it

 

[Travis40]

it is too soon 4 austin gettin in before hbk on the undertaker makes no sence to me maybe because they are both still active on the roster????

randy savage has to get it

Randy Savage will never...and I mean NEVER get in.

I'm tired of people going "Stone Cold helped WWF beat WCW". Nobody in the WWF beat WCW, WWF didn't beat WCW, ECW didn't beat WCW. WCW beat WCW. It was WCW that pretty much shit itself in the last 2-3 years of its existance, and that's why it's not around today.

 

[Solid Stinger the Big Boss]

Next inductee to be revealed tonight.

 

[NewHBK]

I hope it will be Ricky Steamboat.

 

[straight_edge76]

I want the Road Warriors.