WS Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame 2025 Induction Ceremony

[Hoss]

___________________________________________________________

Wrestling Smarks Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame
2025 Induction Ceremony
___________________________________________________________

Back for the year six, it's time for the Wrestling Smarks Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony!

Five classes in and it's still an excruciating process trying to narrow it down to five inductees, but that's all a part of the fun. This year, we sped through things a little faster than normal, but it did nothing to detract from the quality of the class selected. I think this year is a groundbreaking one for the Hall of Fame, as you'll all soon see. It's probably our most eclectic class. It will definitely be one to remember, so let's go ahead and get down to business.

Induction will begin soon and continue over the upcoming week, as we honor this year's inductees one-by-one. Follow along to see who made the final cut, and will be joining this highly venerable Hall of Fame, as voted on by the members of Wrestling Smarks.​

 

[Hoss]

Alrighty Smarks, welcome to another installment of the Wrestling Smarks Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame where we honor the best of the best in the history of the business. Tonight, we won't be honoring our first inductee of the Class of 2025, because tonight, we proudly induct not one, but two forces of nature! A duo whose impact on tag team wrestling is immeasurable. From the moment their earth-shattering music hit and they stalked to the ring, rocking their intimidating spiked shoulder pads and that signature face paint, the whole building knew they were in for the ride of their lives! Their power was awe-inspiring, their aura was overwhelming, and their intensity was unmatched. Tonight, we honor the first-ever tag team to be enshrined in our Hall of Fame. For the very first time it is my pleasure to announce the following *inductees*. Please welcome to the Wrestling Smarks Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame --

HAWK & ANIMAL
THE ROAD WARRIORS

At long last, the first tag team has broken through the glass ceiling, and who can argue with the pedigree? They began their journey by blazing a trail of destruction through Georgia Championship Wrestling, where their stiff style and no-nonsense attitude immediately captivated audiences. Debuting the painted face, spiked shoulders look that would soon become iconic, Hawk and Animal weren't just a team; they were a phenomenon. It was at this time that the legendary "Road Warrior pop" was born – that instantaneous, earth-shattering roar that erupted the second their music hit, eliciting a primal reaction out of their faithful fans as they anticipated the beatdown that was about to unfold. Right out of the gate, the overpowering tandem of Hawk and Animal were strategically guided by the managerial genius of Paul Ellering, who would remain a crucial presence in their corner for years to come. The team continued to be an absolute juggernaut as they joined the National Wrestling Alliance, where they captured the NWA World Tag Team Championships and engaged in unforgettable wars with and against legendary rivals like the Midnight Express, Dusty Rhodes and Ivan Koloff and the brilliantly cunning Four Horsemen. The global appeal of The Road Warriors was undeniable. They took their brand of destruction to Japan, where they became bigger stars than ever, capturing the NWA International Tag Team Championship in AJPW and the IWGP Tag Team Championship twice in NJPW. Their impact transcended borders, solidifying their status as a truly international phenomenon. Their arrival in the World Wrestling Federation in the late 1980s was yet another massive shock to the system, as The Road Warriors — or Legion of Doom if you prefer — arrived and immediately put the company on notice. They captured the WWF Tag Team Championships and continued their reign of dominance, engaging in memorable feuds with other beefy teams like Demolition and The Nasty Boys. The "Road Warrior pop" echoed in arenas across North America, a testament to their enduring popularity and captivating presence.

However, their journey wasn't without its darker periods. Injuries and personal struggles would oftentimes cloud their path, and the accumulation of these issues would ultimately shorten their peak. In the tumultuous landscape of the Attitude Era, dying days WCW, and even through a brief reboot during the Ruthless Aggression featuring Heidenreich that I’m okay forgetting about, the legendary Road Warriors, despite sporadic reunions and attempts to recapture their iconic magic, were too often derailed by their personal demons and the physical toll of their hard nosed lifestyle. In the face of whatever struggles they may have been dealing with, the core intensity and, above all, the undeniable connection with the audience remained. The image of Hawk soaring off the top rope, clipping the opponent off of Animal’s shoulders to execute the despised Doomsday Device electrified audiences across the globe for multiple decades and the team known as The Road Warriors created a legacy of devastation that has led them directly to this moment. Tonight, the focus of our celebration is on their achievements and the impact they made. We honor the unparalleled influence of Hawk and Animal, The Road Warriors. Their innovative style, their intimidating presence, and the sheer excitement they generated every time they stepped into the ring. Their accolades speak for themselves – 2-time WWF World Tag Team Champions, 1-time WCW World Tag Team Champions, 2-time IWGP Tag Team Champions, 1-time NWA World Tag Team Champions, 1986 Crockett Cup Winners and 3-time PWI Tag Team of the Year, just to name a few – but it was the feeling they evoked… that raw, untamed energy, that truly set them apart. Join me tonight, as I am incredibly proud to announce the first-ever induction of a tag team into the Wrestling Smarks Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame, Class of 2025! OOOOOHHHH YEAH! WHAT A RUSH!​

 

[Comrade Khan]

Congrats to the first tag team Hall of Famers

 

[Barry Poppins]

Very fitting group for sure

 

[Mitch Buchannon]

Finally, they were my number 3 in my top 5

 

[Tommy Shelby]

Congrats to Road Warriors. Oh What a Rush !!!