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Wrestling Smarks Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame
2022 Induction Ceremony
___________________________________________________________
Wrestling Smarks Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame
2022 Induction Ceremony
___________________________________________________________
It's that time again. 
We are once again prepared to unveil this year's class of esteemed pro wrestlers joining the Wrestling Smarks Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame, established to commemorate the legends of this industry who have provided us with countless memories! Following two excellent classes which have included a total of ten absolute icons of this industry, I have a great feeling that this year's class will measure up to the incredibly high standards we've set over the prior two years. This year we will induct five new wrestlers that I think you will all find embody the versatility, tenacity and high skill level that are required to make your mark as a great in this field of work.
Induction will begin RIGHT NOW and continue over the next 2 or 3 days as I work to get everyone announced. Follow along to find out who will be added to this distinguished Hall, immortalizing their place as bona fide legends, hand-picked by none other than the WS community.
Now, without further delay - let's get started. And where else should we start than in the Golden Age of wrestling history?
The first inductee of the 2022 class is a man whose impact on the wrestling industry often goes understated. He was the perfect wrestler in the perfect time and place to help kick off a boom that would take pro wrestling to never-before-seen levels! In the mid-80s, as wrestling and pop culture were on a collision course that would rocket the WWF into the cultural zeitgeist, it was quite apparent who WWF was hitching their proverbial wagon to... that, of course, would be Hulk Hogan. But what is a hero without an equally great villain to play foil to? That is where this man stepped in. While The Hulkster was the role model that society wanted for their children in the 80s, this man was a controversial figure who never shied away from playing depraved mind games with his opponents and inciting vitriolic hate in the audience. Runs in San Francisco, Portland and Georgia had seasoned this man to step up and become the heel that would lead the way for the biggest wrestling boom period to that point. As his career progressed and he would oscillate between promotions, stepping into a variety of roles and varying between playing face and heel, his popularity would never wane and his propensity for cutting blistering promos that always ensured an emotional investment from the crowd was an ever constant strength of his that few could measure up to... Please welcome to the Wrestling Smarks Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame --
“ROWDY”
RODDY PIPER
In many people's opinion, Piper is THE consummate mic worker, and who could disagree? If the name of the game is getting fans to buy into and invest in what they're seeing, then Piper belongs on the Mount Rushmore of wrestling. After all, he was hardly ever considered to be the best nuts and bolts wrestler around, but what he lacked in "technical" ability, he more than made up for with his enthralling mic work and intense brawling. It didn't matter if his job was to provoke the crowd into a frenzy and have them frothing at the mouth, or to play a sympathetic underdog who could tug at your heartstrings with his emotional performances... he has a case as being the best at playing either side of the coin. He just knew how to make things feel important, no matter what he was given, and that's the mark of a true professional. Piper will be remembered for a number of iconic rivalries and matches, and there's no doubt at all that his influence is still being felt throughout the industry. Look no further than "The Baddest Woman on the Planet" Ronda Rousey or the recent MJF/Punk feud and Dog Collar Match for evidence of the legacy he's left behind. With such a huge imprint of pro wrestling history, it was only a matter of time until "The Hotrod" joined the Wrestling Smarks Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame and I'm pleased to say that that time is now!
We are once again prepared to unveil this year's class of esteemed pro wrestlers joining the Wrestling Smarks Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame, established to commemorate the legends of this industry who have provided us with countless memories! Following two excellent classes which have included a total of ten absolute icons of this industry, I have a great feeling that this year's class will measure up to the incredibly high standards we've set over the prior two years. This year we will induct five new wrestlers that I think you will all find embody the versatility, tenacity and high skill level that are required to make your mark as a great in this field of work.
Induction will begin RIGHT NOW and continue over the next 2 or 3 days as I work to get everyone announced. Follow along to find out who will be added to this distinguished Hall, immortalizing their place as bona fide legends, hand-picked by none other than the WS community.
Now, without further delay - let's get started. And where else should we start than in the Golden Age of wrestling history?
The first inductee of the 2022 class is a man whose impact on the wrestling industry often goes understated. He was the perfect wrestler in the perfect time and place to help kick off a boom that would take pro wrestling to never-before-seen levels! In the mid-80s, as wrestling and pop culture were on a collision course that would rocket the WWF into the cultural zeitgeist, it was quite apparent who WWF was hitching their proverbial wagon to... that, of course, would be Hulk Hogan. But what is a hero without an equally great villain to play foil to? That is where this man stepped in. While The Hulkster was the role model that society wanted for their children in the 80s, this man was a controversial figure who never shied away from playing depraved mind games with his opponents and inciting vitriolic hate in the audience. Runs in San Francisco, Portland and Georgia had seasoned this man to step up and become the heel that would lead the way for the biggest wrestling boom period to that point. As his career progressed and he would oscillate between promotions, stepping into a variety of roles and varying between playing face and heel, his popularity would never wane and his propensity for cutting blistering promos that always ensured an emotional investment from the crowd was an ever constant strength of his that few could measure up to... Please welcome to the Wrestling Smarks Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame --
“ROWDY”
RODDY PIPER
In many people's opinion, Piper is THE consummate mic worker, and who could disagree? If the name of the game is getting fans to buy into and invest in what they're seeing, then Piper belongs on the Mount Rushmore of wrestling. After all, he was hardly ever considered to be the best nuts and bolts wrestler around, but what he lacked in "technical" ability, he more than made up for with his enthralling mic work and intense brawling. It didn't matter if his job was to provoke the crowd into a frenzy and have them frothing at the mouth, or to play a sympathetic underdog who could tug at your heartstrings with his emotional performances... he has a case as being the best at playing either side of the coin. He just knew how to make things feel important, no matter what he was given, and that's the mark of a true professional. Piper will be remembered for a number of iconic rivalries and matches, and there's no doubt at all that his influence is still being felt throughout the industry. Look no further than "The Baddest Woman on the Planet" Ronda Rousey or the recent MJF/Punk feud and Dog Collar Match for evidence of the legacy he's left behind. With such a huge imprint of pro wrestling history, it was only a matter of time until "The Hotrod" joined the Wrestling Smarks Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame and I'm pleased to say that that time is now!
