8 Wrestlers That Are Banned From The WWE Hall Of Fame (7 That Surprisingly Got In)
The WWE Hall of Fame is impossible to forecast with a seemingly changing formula. Major names like Steve Austin, Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels are obviously in the Hall of Fame, but that doesn’t it is doing a great job for the wrestling. Fans have complained that WWE apparently just inducts talents they like without credible names bumped due to petty drama.
We will look at both sides of the Hall of Fame. The recent announcements of the New World Order and Batista leading the 2020 HOF class already sees it getting some hype. Unfortunately, WWE doesn’t take the HOF as seriously as they could. Find out just which unique talents are already in and which have little chances. These are eight wrestlers that are unofficially banned from the WWE Hall of Fame along with seven that surprisingly make the cut in.
15 Banned: Lex Luger
WWE does work with former WCW Champion Lex Luger when it comes to the wellness policy and avoiding some of his past weeks. However, the impact of Luger in WCW as a top tier superstar is rarely discussed on WWE productions. Luger’s drug use and the controversial end to Miss Elizabeth’s life sees them taking a step back.
14 Surprisingly in: Rikishi
The career of Rikishi was quite impressive in WWE, but no one viewed him as a top star. Rikishi’s best run of success came in the Attitude Era where he was a beloved face for most of 2000. The heel turn for a bigger push led to him flopping. Rikishi was a solid mid-carder which usually isn’t enough for the HOF.
13 Banned: Demolition
Many 80s fans would argue that Demolition is the best tag team in WWE history, but they are not in the Hall of Fame. Bret Hart stated the HOF is ruined by politics and cited Demolition as a deserving act that was snubbed. Ax and Smash are banned from WWE appreciation after they took part in a class action lawsuit against the company for head trauma.
12 Surprisingly in: Paul Orndorff
The presence of Paul Orndorff in the first WrestleMania tag match main event was the biggest role in his WWE Hall of Fame induction. Orndorff was never viewed as a legitimate top guy despite having run-ins with Hogan at the time. WWE still wanted to celebrate him for having a place in history.
11 Banned: Chris Benoit
The most obvious instance of a wrestler getting banned from the WWE Hall of Fame is Chris Benoit. WWE made the call to never discuss Benoit after the tragic story of him taking the lives of his family before committing suicide. Some fans and wrestlers wanted Benoit inducted into the Hall of Fame for his in-ring work, but an act like that is too much to ignore.
10 Surprisingly in: Koko B. Ware
Koko B. Ware was one of the first Hall of Fame inductees that made fans scratch their heads in confusion. The face character of Koko coming to the ring with his bird was fun, but he was always viewed as a lower mid-card talent. No one could have predicted him entering the WWE HOF when it started.
9 Banned: Scott Steiner
The contributions from Scott Steiner to the wrestling world should get him in the WWE Hall of Fame. Steiner was a top main eventer for WCW at the end and had legendary tag team success with his brother Rick Steiner in both WWE and WCW. It is highly unlikely Steiner will ever get inducted since he’s been trashing WWE and Triple H for about fifteen years now.
8 Surprisingly in: Bob Orton Jr.
The success of Randy Orton likely played a huge role in his father Bob Orton Jr. getting inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. Bob was a solid heel, but he was mostly known for being the sidekick of Roddy Piper. WWE still inducted him with Randy having the induction speech. The two worked together on television shortly after WWE introduced Bob to younger fans at the HOF.
7 Banned: Earl Hebner
Former WWE referee Earl Hebner was the top person at his job for the company during the Attitude Era. The eventual firing came when Hebner was caught selling company merchandise illegally. Hebner worked for TNA and now works for AEW since WWE lost all trust in him at the end of the run.
6 Surprisingly in: Jeff Jarrett
One wrestler that made it to the WWE Hall of Fame after an ugly end with the company is Jeff Jarrett. Many pundits expected Jarrett to be banned forever after his 1999 threats of taking the Intercontinental Championship to WCW and getting extra money out of it. WWE shocked the world by bringing Jarrett back for the HOF induction along with a new job as a backstage producer.
5 Banned: Raven
Raven has the unique story of taking part in multiple lawsuits against WWE to get him unofficially banned. The first claimed that WWE misused the independent contract label and the other was about royalties. Raven accomplished enough as a top star in ECW, great mid-carder in WCW and a solid act in WWE, but the induction may never come.
4 Surprisingly in: The Godfather
The Godfather was a lower mid-carder for most of his run in WWE, but the company always had a great relationship with him. Despite the gimmick no longer having the same appeal today, WWE often brings him back for the nostalgia-themed shows. The Godfather was inducted partially due to how loyal an employee he was behind the scenes.
3 Banned: Chris Jericho
Chris Jericho had a great relationship with WWE until making the choice to sign with AEW. WWE sent out a memo stopping talents from appearing on his podcast. Jericho is currently viewed as the enemy for contributing to a promotion hoping to compete. There is no chance Jericho gets inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame unless leaving AEW.
2 Surprisingly in: Brutus "The Barber" Beefcake
The most random name to enter the WWE Hall of Fame would be Brutus "The Barber" Beefcake. WWE utilized Beefcake as a lower card act with a talk show segment. The close friendship with Hulk Hogan got him a roster spot in WWE and WCW as a favor to him. Beefcake getting inducted in the 2019 HOF class was proof we’ll never figure out how WWE picks the talents worthy enough to get inducted.
1 Banned: Sycho Sid
WWE has gone out of their way to never reference Sycho Sid when discussing the Monday Night Wars. Sid was among the few wrestlers to win both the WWE Championship and WCW Championship within a few years of each other. WWE never brings back Sid or highlights him despite the noteworthy success as a main eventer.
Sources: Talk is Jericho, Wrestling Observer Newsletter
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