CheapShots: Why Aren’t They In The WWE Hall Of Fame?

Cheap Shots are unfiltered, uncensored opinions, and those opinions reflect only the author!

Upon reviewing the WWE Hall of Fame names of past and present the other day I was shocked when two names stood glaring out to me from my phone that have yet to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. Since we get the Hall of Fame ceremony every year I guess it is safe to say that the majority of anyone who was anyone in the WWE will find their way to the Hall of Fame at some point. But, the two names I am about to mention surprised me, that they have yet to be inducted, especially when they have been passed over by subpar wrestlers. Do politics have anything to do with this? It is a possibility. But based on per talent alone, these two names should have been inducted by now.

Vader

Big Van Vader has yet to be inducted into the hall of fame. Wait? seriously? Vader was a beast, in the days when there were no beast to be found. If he was in his prime and around today he could easily give Brock a run for his money. Vader was 6’5 and 450lbs. A man that big, that could still pull off a summersault off of the top rope.(sorry Brock) He was known for his brute force, agility, and mat-skills, making him one of the best that ever laced up his boots. He was a huge deal in NJPW (holding the NJPW heavyweight Title), along with being a top Heel in the 90s in WCW (Holding the top prize there 3 different times). His matches with Sting were instant classics. Vader was also inducted into the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame way back in 1996. His run in WWE was lack luster, and never lived up to his past accomplishments, due to poor booking. But his resume reads better then must that are in the Hall of Fame right now.

The Midnight Express

Holding the record for the most Tag Team Titles in all of professional wrestling with 51 altogether makes them the most decorated Tag Team of all time. Love them or hate them that title goes to The Midnight Express. Now I know that they never laced up their boots in a WWE locker room but there are also a few wrestlers who haven’t either and they have found their way into the WWE Hall of Fame. They will still get an occasional mention on WWE, with never having wrestled there shows their lasting effect on tag team wrestling. One of the greatest feuds of all time, was the Rock’N’Roll Express against the Midnight Express. Don’t believe me? Go watch some classic Rock’N’Roll and Midnight matches. I’ll wait right here. They weren’t the biggest team, but could hold their own against the Road Warriors, and were quick and agile enough to keep up with the Rock’N’Roll Express.  They were also one of the first Tag Teams to do cohesive moves, some that are still performed today. If anything their contribution to Tag Team Wrestling alone  should get them a nod from WWE.

I have yet to figure out the way the politicking works to get inducted into the Hall of Fame, I’m not sure it is all about who you rub noses with to get the nod that is deserved. (Most likely Vince and HHH) But, the list of wrestlers who have yet to get recognized for their accomplishments is quite astounding. Will they some day get the notoriety they deserve besides living on the WWE Network? Maybe, but given who has been inducted it is sad these great acts have gotten passed over, especially given the lasting effect they have had on the business. Every dog has his day, But these dogs should have had theirs by now.