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| Deck The Halls |
Charlie Benson |
Is it about time that WWE finally set up a physical Hall Of Fame?
Since its reintroduction in 2004 after an unexplained eight-year absence, the WWE Hall of Fame has simultaneously assumed the role of de facto ‘Wrestling Hall of Fame’ and courted controversy as to the true nature and purpose of its existence. On the surface, it seems to be a laudable concept that celebrates and even benefits the deserving few who’ve given so much of themselves to the legacy of Vince McMahon’s WWE and, very often, paid a very high price in the process. It also allows fans old and new to remember and be enlightened by the generations that came before the so-called ‘WWE Universe’.
And yet, doubt has long lingered as to the legitimacy of the WWE own Hall and its role in the greater affairs of World Wrestling Entertainment. Such uncertainty stems not just from the fact that WWE seems content to only induct people who are on good terms with the company, but also from the conventions of other prestigious sporting halls that are defined by not by a yearly ceremony, but by physical museums that stand as permanent memorials to the great stars of old. It’s this idea that stands at the very heart of ‘Superstar’ Billy Graham’s decision to part with his Hall Of Fame Induction Ring (on eBay, no less), bitterly lambasting WWE and, in particular, Vince McMahon in the process. Prior to parting with the ring, Graham released the following:
"Vince McMahon made a remark at a recent board meeting that there will never be an actual Hall of Fame building and that the Hall of Fame is something that only exists in his head. Shane McMahon has been saying for several years that there’ll be an actual physical Hall of Fame building, and now we know that there will not be one. Therefore, if the Hall of Fame is only a figment of Vince's imagination, I’ll depart with my ring. I’m not sentimental about anything connected to the WWE or professional wrestling in general."
For the rest of this feature, check out issue 50 of FSM - available at WH Smith and all good retailers. (For US readers we are now carried at Borders and Barnes & Noble, so check for local availability or click here to subscribe.)
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