March 6, 2006 Observer Newsletter: An in-depth look at pro wrestling’s halls of fame
With the WWE Hall of Fame inductions coming up, it once again asks the questions as to what is a wrestling Hall of Fame and who deserves inclusion. I probably know better than anyone the heated arguments because everyone thinks they know, and no two people are of the same opinion.
There are currently four Hall of Fames for pro wrestling of some renown in the U.S. There is the WWE version, which because it’s WWE, has the most fame, but in many ways, the least credibility. There are also the two actual physical Halls of Fame in conjunction with actual wrestling museums.
One is in Newton, IA, which bears the names of Lou Thesz, and his original trainer, George Tragos. Tragos was not a major professional star, but was a noted tough guy who wrestled in the Olympics before coming to the U.S. Thesz hand-picked the original inductees, but they have an annual ceremony each year with newcomers picked.
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Dave Meltzer is the founder and lead writer on the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, the weekly constant when it comes to news and reviews in pro wrestling and mixed martial arts for more than 40 years. Dave also co-hosts Wrestling Observer Radio with Bryan Alvarez and had had bylines for The National, Yahoo Sports, MMA Fighting and others.