WS Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame 2025 Induction Ceremony

[Santa Hoss]

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Wrestling Smarks Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame
2025 Induction Ceremony
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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.​

 

[Santa 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 MBE]

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

 

[Santa Hoss]

Continuing now, right on schedule, it is time to reveal the second inductee of the Wrestling Smarks Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame Class of 2025! After inducting our first ever tag team with The Road Warriors, let us now turn our attention to the next honoree…

The next man we’ll be honoring was a trailblazer and the face of a revolution that took place in small venues across the northeast in the early 2000s. Not to be contained to the small stage, this hard-hitting hybrid athlete would blaze a path of destruction through companies across the globe, dominating in any company he set foot in. One look is all it takes to understand what he’s about. With a stoic, intimidating aura, bolstered by a venomous wit, this man has mastered the art of psychological warfare, deconstructing his opponents before the bell ever rang. Like many of our past inductees, this man broke the mold, steering wrestling in a new direction and making an indelible mark on the industry that has cemented his place among our esteemed Hall. In arenas across the world, his name continues to echo: “Joe! Joe! Joe! Joe!”. Please welcome to the Wrestling Smarks Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame --

"THE SAMOAN SUBMISSION MACHINE"
SAMOA JOE

The dismaying force that is Samoa Joe makes his long-overdue entrance into our Hall of Fame, bringing with him a legacy of violence and destruction that continues to this day. With a career ranging from being the ace of early day ROH, to becoming one of the stars most synonymous with the TNA brand, to becoming a main event talent on the world’s biggest stage in WWE, and finally ending up in AEW, where he has flourished yet again, tacking another World Championship reign onto his already incredible resume in the golden years of his wrestling career. Joe’s legacy as a wrestler is no doubt built upon his smashmouth offense. Indeed, Joe is due a lot of credit for popularizing the Strong Style in North America, and was masterful at adapting his style to a broad range of opponents throughout his career. Of course when you think of Joe’s opponents over the years, some key rivals immediately spring to mind. Namely, you have AJ Styles, Christopher Daniels, CM Punk and Kurt Angle as some of Joe’s most notorious opponents. You can put on any Joe match with those guys and you’re guaranteed a slobberknocker, with some of the finest technical wrestling you’ll ever see. Those rivalries are so good, they almost make you forget about some of Joe’s other unforgettable adversaries. Kenta Kobashi. Necro Butcher. Sting. Homicide. And what that group of names helps illustrate to me is Joe’s ability to adapt his very specific style to a variety of workers. Ultimately, Samoa Joe has faced (and beaten) just about every top guy there’s been since he came into the business. Not by some stroke of luck, but because he is a cold blooded killer when the cameras are rolling. No one fits more naturally into a convincing badass role in wrestling than Samoa Joe. He punishes opponents in the ring, making it look easy, and his ability to eviscerate an opponent on the mic is second to none. That’s why he’s a 1-time AEW World Champion, 1-time TNA World Champion, 3-time NXT Champion, 1-time ROH World Champion, a 5-time TNA X-Division Champion, 2-time WWE United States Champion, 2-time AEW TNT Champion and is a reigning and defending AEW Trio’s Champion as of the writing of this induction. Joe earned his accolades through his all-around greatness. Pure skill. Untouchable aura. For his unparalleled impact as a pioneer, his consistent excellence, and his unmistakable presence, I am proud to welcome the indomitable Samoa Joe to the Wrestling Smarks Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame!​

 

[Loochblade]

Well-deserved induction.

 

[Tommy MBE]

Congrats Joe

 

[Santa Hoss]

Gather round, Smarks, we are back to conclude the Wrestling Smarks Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame 2025 induction ceremony. With The Road Warriors and Samoa Joe already honored, the bar is high, but I feel that our next inductee more than meets our lofty standards. Much like with The Road Warriors, this next inductee is another first for this illustrious Hall. An all-time great at their craft, and a performer that excelled at such a high level in his primary roles as a manager and color commentator, that they became the benchmark for all others to follow. The fusion of humor, braggadocio and sheer commitment to the bit set this performer apart and molded an identity that, in the decades since their retirement, has formed into an archetype that has inspired countless others. While many performers aspire to emulate this legend, none can ever replace or outdo them. No, it’s impossible to argue, there is only one “Weasel”. Please welcome to the Wrestling Smarks Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame –

BOBBY
“THE BRAIN”
HEENAN

The ultimate mouthpiece in pro wrestling history takes his rightful place as the first “non-wrestler” to grace our Hall of Fame. Of course, Heenan did have an in-ring career early on, but it wasn’t until he threw himself full force into being an antagonistic manager that his career truly ascended to new heights. “The Brain” first established himself in the AWA, where the famous Heenan Family gained legs, most notably managing the promotion’s perennial top heel, Nick Bockwinkel, as he carried the prestigious AWA World Heavyweight Championship. It was in 1984 when Heenan, along with many top stars of the time, migrated to the World Wrestling Federation amidst its transition into its Golden Age. Heenan would, in fact, play no small part in helping to elevate WWF towards its mainstream peak. Throughout the 80s, Heenan frequently managed the greatest rivals to WWF’s crown jewel of Hulk Hogan, making him an invaluable part of WWF’s rise to global dominance. Watch any WrestleMania from this era and you will see Heenan in the corner of a number of top villains, playing a pivotal role in marquee matches, and frequently getting the biggest reactions of the night. Meanwhile, in the 90s, he would continue to manage the top heels of the company, remaining a consistent highlight as the Fed transitioned towards a post-Hogan era. In a time where managers were plentiful, Heenan quickly rose to the top (cream of the crop style) in large part due to his unmatched banter and his cowardly antics which would infuriate crowds, only to enthrall them later on when he got his deserved comeuppance. No manager in history has ever sold the drama of a match with the effectiveness of “The Weasel”. His mannerisms at ringside drew the crowd in, and he always knew when to insert himself at crucial moments in the match in order to maximize the vitriol of the audience. One of his greatest qualities was his willingness to be the butt of the joke, whether that included being beat up and put into a Wesel costume, or having an all-time meltdown on commentary during the 1992 Royal Rumble. Heenan’s comedic timing was second to none in the world of pro wrestling. This made his transition into color commentary smooth and seamless, as he would team up with Gorilla Monsoon to form what is widely considered the gold standard of commentary teams to this day. His rapport with Monsoon was impeccable. His history and personal connection to many of the superstars also allowed him to bring a unique dynamic to the desk. He wrote the manual on being a heel announcer, often directing barbs at the face performers, just for Gorilla Monsoon and, later, Tony Schiavone, to quickly cut him down to size. Heenan had instincts that many managers and commentators after him seem to lack. His approach to heel work was never about getting himself over, despite how much he loved to toot his own horn. The boastful temperament that he displayed was always in service of elevating his rivals, making it nearly impossible for the fans not to root for the hero, eagerly anticipating Heenan getting his just deserts. It was this innate understanding of the art of pro wrestling that makes Heenan a timeless figure in wrestling history. His persona transcends generations, and his countless quips and outrageous rants remain just as amusing today as they ever were.

As a manager, Heenan raised the bar to heights that everyone after him is still trying to reach. His client list alone could fill out a Hall of Fame… Ric Flair, Andre The Giant, Ted DiBiase, Rick Rude, Curt Hennig and Paul Orndorff are just a small assortment of the wrestlers that were managed by “The Brain”, whose lives were made much easier thanks to the assurance that Heenan would always get them over with his mastery of the microphone and command of the crowd. As a commentator, Heenan carved his own lane. Always the consummate entertainer, Heenan’s commentary alone would elevate even the most mundane of matches, and he was always able to deliver unforgettable performances in the midst of iconic moments, such as Flair’s 1992 Royal Rumble run or Hogan’s betrayal of WCW in 1996. Not only is Bobby Heenan quite likely the best manager and color commentator in pro wrestling history, but he is also in the running for best heel in pro wrestling history, full stop. Despite his aptitude for riling up fans and colleagues alike, he is remembered with the utmost reverence, and those who knew him personally speak to his strength of character as a human. Today, we cement Heenan’s legacy in perpetuity, welcoming him into the Wrestling Smarks Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame, Class of 2025!​

 

[O-Blaze]

One of the best, if not best managers of all time. Really well deserved. Also him on commentary, one of the voices of my childhood. Congratulations to The Brain!

 

[Tommy MBE]

Brilliant Induction. The Brain is considered the Best of all time by his peers, Heyman said it, Cornette did . He was an integral part of my childhood and this has made one smile .