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NWA Hall of Fame

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The NWA Hall of Fame logo (2008–2017)

The National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) Hall of Fame is an American professional wrestling hall of fame maintained by the NWA. It was established in 2005 to honor select wrestling personalities, mostly alumni of the NWA.[1] Inductees receive commemorative medals that have their names inscribed on it with the logo of the NWA.[2]

The Class of 2005, the inaugural inductees into the Hall of Fame did not have a formal induction ceremony; as a result, they received their medals at a later time. A private gathering was conducted for the Class of 2006, in which inductees received their medal. Beginning with the Class of 2008 on June 7, 2008, a ceremony has been conducted to formally induct the inductees. There were no inductees in 2007 due to the planning of an international expansion to the NWA.[3] On June 7, 2008, the Class of 2008 was inducted into the Hall of Fame. Ric Flair, a member of the Class of 2008 and a World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) employee at the time of the ceremony, was inducted on October 4, 2008, after his WWE contract had expired; his WWE contract prevented him from appearing in other organizations.[2] Similarly to the World Championship Wrestling's Hall of Fame, the 2008 ceremony was held during a wrestling event.[4][5][6]

Inductees for the Class of 2009 were announced during the summer of 2009 for an induction ceremony on September 26; however, that ceremony never took place and the announced wrestling personalities were never inducted formally, evident by the NWA's official website for the NWA Hall of Fame.[7][8]

The inaugural Class of 2005 was inducted throughout 2005. Wrestler Lou Thesz's posthumous induction led the class, which included wrestler Harley Race, commentator Gordon Solie, and promoters Jim Cornette, Jim Barnett, and Sam Muchnick. Commentator Lance Russell's induction led the Class of 2006 on October 13, 2006, which also consisted of wrestlers Dory Funk Jr., Eddie Graham, Robert Gibson and Ricky Morton (The Rock 'n' Roll Express), Leilani Kai, and Saul Weingeroff. On June 7, 2008, wrestler Tommy Rich's induction led the Class of 2008, which consisted of wrestlers Joe and Jean Corsica (Corsica Brothers), Dennis Condrey and Bobby Eaton (The Midnight Express), Nikita Koloff, The Iron Sheik, and Ric Flair. Overall there are 87 inductees, 45 inductees were inducted posthumously.

Inductees

[edit]
Lou Thesz, inducted in 2005
Iron Sheik, inducted in 2008
Ric Flair, inducted in 2008
Gene Kiniski, inducted in 2009
Terry Funk, inducted in 2009
Dusty Rhodes, inducted in 2011
Adam Pearce, inducted in 2015
Year Ring name
(Birth name)[a][b] 		Inducted for Accolades[c]
2005 Lou Thesz †
(Aloysius Martin Thesz) 		Wrestling Three-time NWA World Heavyweight Championship, one-time NWA International Heavyweight Championship (All-Japan Version), one-time NWA Southern Junior Heavyweight Championship[11]
Harley Race Wrestling Eight-time NWA World Heavyweight Championship, NWA United States Heavyweight Championship (Mid-Atlantic/Georgia/WCW Version) (first champion) nine-time NWA Central States Heavyweight Championship and seven-time NWA Missouri Heavyweight Championship 3-times AWA World Tag Team Championship[12]
Sam Muchnick † Promoting Founded the NWA and served as president from 1950 to 1960 and 1963 to 1975[13]
Jim Barnett †
(James Barnett) 		Promoting Owned Georgia Championship Wrestling during the mid-1970s.[14] Also promoted in the Detroit Territory, Indianapolis Territory and Australia.
Gordon Solie †
(Francis Labiak) 		Commentating Commentator for Championship Wrestling from Florida and World Championship Wrestling promotions.[15]
Jim Cornette
(James Cornette) 		Managing Managed various wrestlers during the 1980s and 1990s.[16]
2006 Dory Funk Jr.
(Dorrance Funk Jr.) 		Wrestling Held the NWA World Heavyweight Championship (1 time) for over four years, the second longest reign in the title's history,[17]
Saul Weingeroff †
(Solomon Weingeroff) 		Managing Managed various wrestlers in the NWA during the 1960s and 1970s[18]
Lance Russell Commentating Commentated in the Continental Wrestling Association and Memphis Championship Wrestling companies[19]
Eddie Graham †
(Edward Gossett) 		Wrestling Won over 20 NWA championships[20] Promoter of Championship Wrestling from Florida.
Leilani Kai
(Patty Seymour) 		Wrestling Won the NWA World Women's Championship (1 time)[21]
2008 The Iron Sheik
(Khosrow Vaziri) 		Wrestling Won the NWA Mid-Atlantic Heavyweight Championship (1 time) and NWA World Television Championship (1 time),[22]
Ric Flair
(Richard Fliehr)[d] 		Wrestling Won the NWA World Heavyweight Championship (10 times), NWA Mid-Atlantic Heavyweight Championship (4 times),[23] NWA World Tag Team Championship (Mid-Atlantic Version) (3 times), NWA United States Heavyweight Championship (Mid-Atlantic/Georgia/WCW Version) (5 times), NWA Mid-Atlantic Tag Team Championship, NWA Mid-Atlantic Television Championship.
Tommy Rich
(Thomas Richardson) 		Wrestling Won the NWA World Heavyweight Championship (1 time), NWA Georgia Tag Team Championship (6 times),[24][25]
Nikita Koloff
(Nelson Simpson) 		Wrestling Won the NWA National Heavyweight Championship (1 time) and NWA United States Heavyweight Championship (1 time),[26] NWA World Six-Man Tag Team Championship (Mid-Atlantic), NWA World Tag Team Championship (Mid-Atlantic Version), NWA World Television Championship
2009 Gene Kiniski
(Eugene Kiniski) 		Wrestling Held the NWA World Heavyweight Championship (1 time).
Terry Funk
(Terrence Funk) 		Wrestling Won the NWA World Heavyweight Championship, NWA United States Heavyweight Championship (Mid-Atlantic/Georgia/WCW Version).
Paul Orndorff
(Paul Orndorff Jr.) 		Wrestling Won the NWA World Tag Team Championship and NWA National Heavyweight Championship (3 times).
Tully Blanchard Wrestling Won the NWA Mid-Atlantic World Tag Team Championship, NWA World Television Championship (2 times), NWA United States Heavyweight Championship (Mid-Atlantic/Georgia/WCW Version), NWA National Heavyweight Championship. Was a member of the original legendary NWA stable The Four Horsemen.
Mil Máscaras
(Aaron Rodríguez Arellano) 		Wrestling Won the NWA Americas Heavyweight Championship (5 times), NWA Americas Tag Team Championship, NWA Texas Tag Team Championship (2 times), NWA American Tag Team Championship.
Jerry Jarrett
(Jerry Jarrett Sr.) 		Promoting Operated Mid-Southern Wrestling, Continental Wrestling Association, United States Wrestling Association, World Class Championship Wrestling and Total Nonstop Action Wrestling. Won the NWA World Tag Team Championship (Mid-America version) NWA Southern Tag Team Championship (Mid-America version).
Dennis Coralluzzo Promoting Posthumous Inductee: Longtime NWA New Jersey promoter and served as NWA President with Howard Brody and Steve Rickard from 1993 to 1995. The official induction ceremony was held at the Dennis Coralluzzo Invitational.
2010 Buddy Rogers †
(Herman Rohde Jr.) 		Wrestling Won the NWA World Heavyweight Championship
Jack Brisco †
(Freddie Brisco) 		Wrestling Won the NWA World Heavyweight Championship (2 times) and the NWA Mid-Atlantic World Tag Team Championship (3 times with his brother Jerry).
Dan Severn
(Daniel Severn) 		Wrestling Two-time NWA World Heavyweight Championship
Shinya Hashimoto † Wrestling Won the NWA World Heavyweight Championship, NWA Intercontinental Tag Team Championship
Nick Gulas † Promoting Promoter of the NWA Mid-American territory in Tennessee
The Sheik †
(Edward Farhat) 		Wrestling Promoter of the Detroit Territory, won over 10 NWA championships
Danny Hodge
(Daniel Hodge) 		Wrestling Won the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Championship (8 times).
Ed Chuman †
(Edward Chuman) 		Promoting Promoter of NWA Midwest
2011 Pat O'Connor †
(Patrick O'Connor) 		Wrestling Won the NWA World Heavyweight Championship (1 time)[27]
Dusty Rhodes
(Virgil Runnels Jr.) 		Wrestling Won the NWA World Heavyweight Championship (3 times), NWA World Television Championship (3 times), NWA United States Heavyweight Championship (Mid-Atlantic/Georgia/WCW Version), NWA Florida Heavyweight Championship (12 times), NWA World Six-Man Tag Team Championship (2 times with Road Warroirs),[27]
Wahoo McDaniel
(Edward McDaniel) 		Wrestling Posthumous Inductee,[27] Won the NWA Mid-Atlantic World Tag Team Championship (4 times), NWA Florida World Tag Team Championship (2 times)
Angelo Savoldi
(Mario Fornini Sr.) 		Wrestling NWA World Junior Heavyweight Championship (5 times)[27]
Freddie Blassie †
(Frederick Blassman) 		Wrestling NWA Americas Heavyweight Championship (Hollywood/Los Angeles version) (6 Times), NWA World Tag Team Championship (Georgia version), NWA World Tag Team Championship (Florida version).
Rikidōzan †
(Mitsuhiro Momota) 		Wrestling Won over 10 NWA championships[27]
Johnny Valentine †
(John Wisniski) 		Wrestling Won over 30 NWA championships[27]
Bill Apter Contributor[27] Editor of Pro Wrestling Illustrated
Sue Green
(Susan Green) 		Wrestling Won the NWA World Women's Championship[27]
2012 Ricky Steamboat
(Richard Blood, Sr.) 		Wrestling[28] Won the NWA World Heavyweight Championship, NWA World Tag Team Championship (Mid-Atlantic Version), NWA World Television Championship (2 times), NWA United States Heavyweight Championship (Mid-Atlantic/Georgia/WCW Version) (3 times).
Paul Boesch † Promoting[28] Promoter of the NWA in Houston, TX
Sputnik Monroe †
(Rosco Merrick) 		NWA Humanitarian Award[28] Won the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Championship, NWA World Tag Team Championship (Mid-America version).
John Tolos † Wrestling[28] Won over 30 NWA championships
Mr. Wrestling
(John Walker) 		Wrestling[28] NWA World Tag Team Championship (Mid-America version), NWA World Tag Team Championship (Mid-Atlantic Version).
Teddy Long
(Theodore Long) 		Refereeing[28]
Little Beaver †
(Lionel Giroux) 		Wrestling[28] NWA World Midget's Championship (2 times)
The Fabulous Moolah †
(Mary Ellison) 		Wrestling[28] Five-time NWA World Women's Championship and two-time NWA Women's World Tag Team Championship
Joyce Grable
(Betty Wade-Murphy) 		Wrestling[28] Won the NWA Women's World Tag Team Championship (4 times), NWA United States Women's Championship
Misty Blue Simmes
(Diane Simmes) 		Wrestling[28] Won the NWA United States Women's Championship
2013 Ray Stevens †
(Carl Stevens) 		Wrestling Won various NWA World Tag Team Championships (6 times), AWA World Tag Team Championship (4 times), the NWA United States Heavyweight Championship (San Francisco version) and various regional NWA titles
Salvador Lutteroth †
(Salvador González) 		Promoting Was a member of the NWA from 1952 to 1986. Promotion was called EMLL until leaving the NWA and became CMLL.
Dory Funk Sr. †
(Dorrance Funk, Sr.) 		Wrestling Won the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Championship and various NWA regional titles.
Bobo Brazil †
(Houston Harris) 		Wrestling Won various NWA regional titles. Had a legendary feud with The Original Sheik over the Detroit version of the NWA United States Heavyweight Title.
Jackie Fargo †
(Henry Faggart) 		Wrestling Won the NWA Southern Tag Team Championship (22 times), various versions of the NWA World Tag Team titles and was one third of the first ever NWA World Six-Man Tag Team Championship.
Ernie Ladd †
(Ernest Ladd) 		Wrestling Won various NWA regional titles.
2014 Giant Baba †
(Shohei Baba) 		Wrestling, Promoting Was the founder of All-Japan Pro Wrestling, which was a NWA member until 1989. Won the NWA World Heavyweight Championship (3 times), NWA World Tag Team Championship (Detroit version), NWA International Heavyweight Championship (All-Japan Version) (3 times), NWA International Tag Team Championship (All-Japan Version) (12 times), PWF Heavyweight Championship (4 times)
Kevin Sullivan Wrestling Won the NWA United States Tag Team Championship (Mid-Atlantic/Georgia/WCW Version), NWA United States Tag Team Championship (Gulf Coast Version), NWA United States Junior Heavyweight Championship (Southeast Version), NWA World Tag Team Championship (Central States version), NWA World Tag Team Championship (Mid-America version)
Pinkie George †
(Paul George) 		Promoting Was a founder of the NWA. Was the Original President of the NWA.
Ox Baker †
(Douglas Baker) 		Wrestling NWA World Tag Team Championship (Los Angeles version), NWA Austra-Asian Tag Team Championship (2 times), NWA North American Heavyweight Championship (Calgary Version), NWA United States Heavyweight Championship (Detroit version), NWA American Heavyweight Championship (2 times), NWA Atlantic Coast Tag Team Championship, NWA Florida Tag Team Championship, NWA Georgia Tag Team Championship, NWA Texas Heavyweight Championship
Cowboy Bob Kelly †
(Robert Kelley) 		Wrestling Won the NWA United States Heavyweight Championship (Gulf Coast version) (2 times), NWA Gulf Coast Heavyweight Championship (10 times), NWA Gulf Coast Brass Knuckles Championship (2 times) NWA Gulf Coast Tag Team Championship (5 times), NWA Mississippi Heavyweight Championship (18 times), NWA Mississippi Tag Team Championship (4 times), NWA Louisiana Heavyweight Championship, NWA City of Mobile Heavyweight Championship (4 times), NWA City of Pensacola Heavyweight Championship
J. J. Dillon
(James Morrison) 		Wrestling, manager Manager of the Legendary 4 Horsemen, consisting of NWA Hall of Fame members Ric Flair; Ole Anderson; Tully Blanchard, and Arn Anderson.

Titles won as a wrestler: NWA Florida Heavyweight Championship, NWA Florida Tag Team Championship, NWA Florida Television Championship, NWA Central States Heavyweight Championship, NWA North American Heavyweight Championship (Maritimes Version), IW International Heavyweight Championship (2 times)

2015 Adam Pearce Wrestling[29] Five-time NWA World Heavyweight Championship, one-time NWA British Commonwealth Heavyweight Championship, two-time NWA Heritage Championship
Leroy McGuirk † Wrestling, Promoting Was promoter of the Tri-State area in the NWA. As promoter, he controlled the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Championship. Won the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Championship, National Wrestling Association World Junior Heavyweight Title.
Mike Sircy Promoting Promoter of the NWA Top Rope promotion in Tennessee.
2016 Nick Bockwinkel †
(Nicholas Bockwinkel) 		Wrestling AWA World Heavyweight Championship (4 times), AWA World Tag Team Championship (3 times)
Boris Malenko †
(Lawrence Simon) 		Wrestling AWA World Tag Team Championship, NWA American Heavyweight Championship
Len Rossi
(Len Rositano) 		Wrestling NWA World Tag Team Championship (Mid-America version) (14 times)
Gary Hart †
(Gary Williams) 		Promoting, Managing NWA American Tag Team Championship (3 times)
Jim Ross
(James Ross) 		Commentating Colour commentator for Jim Crockett Promotions and Mid-South Wrestling.
2017 José Lothario
(Guadalupe Robledo) 		Wrestling NWA American Tag Team Champion (5 times), NWA Brass Knuckles Champion Texas version (5 times), NWA Texas Heavyweight Champion (7 times).
Everett Marshall Wrestling Two time NWA World Heavyweight Champion (National Wrestling Association version).

Group inductions

[edit]
NWA Hall of Fame Group Inductions
Year Tag Team Team Members[a] Notes
2006 The Rock 'n' Roll Express
2008 The Midnight Express
2008 The Corsicans
  • Corsica Joe (Francois Miquet)
  • Corsica Jean † (Jean Louis Roy)
2010 The Minnesota Wrecking Crew
2011 The LeBells
Promoters of NWA Hollywood Wrestling (1968–1983)
2012 The Road Warriors
2013 The Fabulous Kangaroos
2015 The Wright Brothers

See also

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Posthumous inductees are noted with a dagger (†).
  2. ^ Entries without a birth name indicates that the inductee did not perform under a ring name.
  3. ^ Before the 1990s, the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) distributed many of its titles among its numerous members. Other promotions listed in this column were, or are currently, members of the NWA.[9][10]
  4. ^ Name received upon his adoption as an infant. Due to the circumstances of his adoption through the scandal-ridden Tennessee Children's Home Society, Flair does not know his birth name.

Footnotes

[edit]
  1. ^ "NWA Hall of Fame Inductees". National Wrestling Alliance. Archived from the original on 2008-05-30. Retrieved 2009-01-19.
  2. ^ a b "Ric Flair To Accept His NWA Award". National Wrestling Alliance. Archived from the original on 2008-12-23. Retrieved 2009-01-19.
  3. ^ "2008 Class of the NWA Hall of Fame". National Wrestling Alliance. 2008-09-21. Archived from the original on 2008-06-03. Retrieved 2009-01-19.
  4. ^ "WCW Slamboree 1993". Slamboree. 1993-05-23. In Demand pay-per-view.
  5. ^ "WCW Slamboree 1994". Slamboree. 1994-05-22. In Demand pay-per-view.
  6. ^ "WCW Slamboree 1995". Slamboree. 1995-05-21. In Demand pay-per-view.
  7. ^ "Dennis Coralluzzo Invitational". NWA New Jersey. National Wrestling Alliance. 2009. Archived from the original (JPG) on 2011-01-28. Retrieved 2010-05-08. "Mr. NWA" Dennis Coralluzzo is placed in the NWA Hall of Fame
  8. ^ "NWA Announces 2 NWA Hall of Fame Inductees for 2009". National Wrestling Alliance. WrestleZone.com. 2009-07-16. Archived from the original on 2009-08-26. Retrieved 2010-05-08.
  9. ^ "Classics On Demand: Video Library". World Wrestling Entertainment. Archived from the original on 2009-05-28. Retrieved 2009-01-14.
  10. ^ "The NWA Roll Call of Champions". National Wrestling Alliance. Archived from the original on 2008-12-22. Retrieved 2009-01-14.
  11. ^ "Lou Thesz". Professional Wrestling Online Museum. Archived from the original on 2009-02-21. Retrieved 2009-01-14.
  12. ^ "Harley Race". World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved 2009-01-14.
  13. ^ "Sam Muchnick". Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum. Archived from the original on 2008-08-20. Retrieved 2009-01-19.
  14. ^ Oliver, Greg. "Jim Barnett was TV innovator". SLAM! Sports - Wrestling. Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the original on July 13, 2012. Retrieved 2009-01-19.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  15. ^ "Gordon Solie". World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved 2009-01-14.
  16. ^ "Jim Cornette". Total Nonstop Action Wrestling. Archived from the original on January 30, 2009. Retrieved 2009-01-19.
  17. ^ "Dory Funk, Jr". Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum. Archived from the original on 2009-02-01. Retrieved 2009-01-19.
  18. ^ Saul Weingeroff (2006-06-06). WWE Presents: The World's Greatest Wrestling Managers (DVD). Stamford, Connecticut: World Wrestling Entertainment.
  19. ^ Oliver, Greg. "Legends PPV tapes Sunday with a new/old voice". SLAM! Sports - Wrestling. Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the original on July 19, 2012. Retrieved 2009-01-19.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  20. ^ "Eddie Graham". Professional Wrestling Online Museum. Retrieved 2009-01-14.
  21. ^ "NWA World Women's Championship reign history". Wrestling Title Histories by Royal Duncan and Gary Will. Solie.org. Retrieved 2009-01-19.
  22. ^ "Iron Sheik". World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved 2009-01-19.
  23. ^ "Ric Flair". SLAM! Sports - Wrestling. Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the original on July 14, 2012. Retrieved 2009-01-19.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  24. ^ "NWA World Heavyweight Championship reign history". Wrestling Title Histories by Royal Duncan and Gary Will. Solie.org. Retrieved 2009-01-19.
  25. ^ "NWA Georgia Tag Team Championship reign history". Wrestling Title Histories by Royal Duncan and Gary Will. Solie.org. Retrieved 2009-01-19.
  26. ^ "Nikita Koloff NWA Hall of Fame press release". National Wrestling Alliance. Nikitakoloff.com. 2008-05-29. Retrieved 2009-01-19.
  27. ^ a b c d e f g h Gerweck, Steve (2011-11-14). "NWA Hall of Fame Class for 2011 announced". WrestleView. Archived from the original on 2011-11-17. Retrieved 2011-11-14.
  28. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Meltzer, Dave (2012-11-17). "Sat. update: Great TV show, WWE multiple releases, Austin talks WWE Hall of Fame, Best night for Bellator, PPV predictions, NWA Hall of Fame, James Storm headlines benefit show, Devitt takes another title". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved 2012-11-17.
  29. ^ "NWA Hall of Fame Class of 2015 1st Inductee: "Scrap Daddy" Adam Pearce". NWARingside.com. 2015-11-14. Archived from the original on 2015-02-06. Retrieved 2015-02-05.
  30. ^ "WCW World Tag Team Championship Title History (1991–2001)". Wrestling Title Histories by Royal Duncan & Gary Will. Solie.org. Retrieved 2008-11-15.
  31. ^ "NWA World Tag Team Championship Title History". Wrestling Title Histories by Royal Duncan and Gary Will. Solie's Title History. Retrieved 2008-11-15.

References

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