This week Throwback Thursday, with some help from the WWE Network and Peacock, pauses to celebrate and pay tribute to the 2023 inductees into the WWE Hall of Fame!
The 2023 class of the WWE Hall of Fame is, on paper, one of the most eclectic classes to be enshrined at any one time. But each of the inductees of the 2023 class of the WWE Hall of Fame share two key distinctions: inspiration and influence. Each of these inductees helped inspire and influence generations of fans and performers as they revolutionized the sport and business of pro wrestling in real time.
Stacy Keibler proved, unquestionably, that not every female WWF/E Superstar has to be a dyed in the wool wrestling fan, that passion and dedication will in fact win out. Andy Kaufman shattered the long-standing celebrity “outsider” glass ceiling, paving the way for the likes of Mr. T, Steve “Mongo” McMichael, Bad Bunny, and Tyson Fury (among many, many others) to live out their dreams and give back to the sport of wrestling.
The Great Muta helped respectfully bridge that gap between sport and entertainment like no other of the era, inspiring a slew of future Superstars to think outside the box and bring a little bit of art to the canvas. “Warrior Award” recipient Tim White illustrated the life well lived in the world of pro wrestling, living a life of honesty and respect to his chosen profession.
Headline inductee Rey Mysterio, Jr., inspired more than two generations of fans to follow their hearts and dreams, no matter their shape or size, and to fight the good fight no matter the cost, and to never, ever give up. In short, the 2023 class of the WWE Hall of Fame highlight everything good and decent about the much maligned sport of professional wrestling.
Now let’s head over to the WWE Network and Peacock, or grab your old VHS tapes and DVDs, jump into the WABAC Machine with a cold beverage, and let’s celebrate the careers of the these newly minted WWE Hall of Famers!
Stacy Keibler did not grow up a wrestling fan. As a child Keibler’s life revolved around music and dancing, and by the time Stacy was 18 she was modeling, doing bit parts in feature films, and cheerleading for the NFL’s Baltimore Ravens. With a boyfriend, Stacy began attending World Championship Wrestling (WCW) shows, including Starrcade ’98, before entering and winning WCW’s NITRO Girl Search contest.
By January 2000, however, Stacy became a part of WCW TV as the heel “Miss Hancock”, wrestling her first match at the infamous Bash at the Beach 2000, losing a “Wedding Gown” match to the late Daffney before facing Major Gunns in a “Rip off the Camouflage Mud Pit Grudge Match” the next month. But it was when WCW folded and Stacy signed with the WWF that her career began to take off.
—WWE Women’s Championship (WATCH – 1:58)
Stacy Keibler vs. Trish Stratus(c)
WWE Monday Night RAW ♦ October 11, 2004
Stacy made her WWF TV debut on the June 14, 2001 edition of WWF SmackDown! with Shane McMahon. Soon Stacy would join The Alliance, become the “Duchess of Dudleyville”, become the “love interest” of Mr. McMahon, help create Test’s “Testicles”, recorded a track for WWE Originals (“Why Can’t We Just Dance?”), and wrestle in a tag team “Evening Gown” match at WrestleMania XX.
In the fall of 2004, though, Stacy went on an unlikely winning streak, earning upsets over the top wrestler’s of RAW‘s women’s division, including Women’s Champion Trish Stratus herself. This led to this showdown for the Women’s title on the October 11, 2004, edition of Monday Night RAW. This match would be the closest that Stacy Keibler would ever come to winning the WWE Women’s Championship.
The match, while not a classic, showcases all of Stacy’s unique talents and abilities, and illustrates why Stacy Keibler was, and remains to be, such a star in the WWF/E. Stacy helped open doors for ladies who wouldn’t ordinarily be given opportunities in wrestling, influencing a generation of young ladies to follow their hearts and dreams, no matter where the journey may lead them.
According to those who knew Andy Kaufman best, there was nothing Kaufman wanted to do more than to be a professional wrestler. Kaufman grew up a fan of the New York territory and loving “Nature Boy” Buddy Rogers. It wasn’t until Andy Kaufman was well established as an actor and comedian that Kaufman started dabbling in wrestling. Well, wrestling women, that is.
After crowing himself the undisputed Inter-gender Champion of the World, Andy reached out to Vince McMahon, Sr., and the WWF for a possible match. When McMahon refused, Kaufman (at the suggestion of Bill Apter) turned his sights to Memphis, Tennessee. The rest, as they say, is history. Behind some of the greatest promos ever filmed Andy Kaufman turned himself into one of the most hated heels in all of wrestling and, for a cup of coffee, made Memphis wrestling the talk of the sport.
Years after the untimely passing of Kaufman (or start of an elaborate prank, depending in what side of the street you sleep on) his antics in Memphis and the line-blurring work he did with Jerry “The King” Lawler lives on to inspire promoters, bookers, fans, and wrestlers to this very day.
Despite Andy Kaufman being enshrined into the WWE Hall of Fame, and the importance of Kaufman’s foray into wrestling, none of the footage from the Lawler/Kaufman feud can be found on the WWE Network or Peacock on it’s own. The closest fans get to actually seeing any of the footage is in Jerry “The King” Lawler’s documentary It’s Good to Be the King: The Jerry Lawler Story (WATCH, 22:30 – 34:56).
In this portion of the documentary Jerry Lawler, Andy Kaufman’s girlfriend Lynne Margulies, Bill Apter, Vince McMahon, the late Brian Lawler, Jimmy Hart, Memphis referee Jerry Calhoun, and Andy Kaufman’s close friend and co-writer Bob Zmuda, discuss Kaufman’s lifelong dream of becoming a wrestling heel and how the program in Memphis with Lawler came to be.
The documentary includes clips of some of Kaufman’s promos, the match with Lawler, local news coverage of the incident, and stills from the infamous “slap” incident on the Late Night with David Letterman and national press that came out of the appearance.
For those looking to watch the April 5, 1982 match between Andy Kaufman and Jerry “The King Lawler, the footage can be found HERE (courtesy of YouTube). The infamous incident on the set of Late Night with David Letterman, meanwhile, can be found HERE (courtesy of David Letterman’s official YouTube channel).
Keiji Muto, better known to fans as The Great Muta, is widely regarded as one of the greatest wrestlers of all-time. In the world of puroresu there are few wrestlers as beloved and celebrated as Muto. Credited with the creation of a number of now-popular moves like the moonsault, Shining Wizard, and Dragon screw leg whip, Muto remains one of the most influential wrestlers of the modern and post-modern eras.
Stars like Finn Balor, Shinsuke Nakamura, Asuka, Sanada, Atsushi Onita, Sting, Bray Wyatt, and Chris Jericho are just a few of the names directly influenced by the ground-breaking work of Muto. Debuting in October 1984, Muto is one of only five wrestlers to win puroresu’s three major titles, NOAH’s GHC Heavyweight title, All Japan’s Triple Crown Heavyweight title, and New Japan Pro-Wrestling’s (NJPW) IWGP Heavyweight title.
All told, Keiji Muto has won 32 championships in his career, including the NWA Worlds Heavyweight and WCW World Tag Team titles. Two years after Muto’s first “excursion” to the U.S. (winning gold in Florida), Muto returned for a second “excursion” in the fall of 1988. After a short stint in Dallas Muto debuted for WCW in March 1989, forever changing the trajectory of wrestling in the United States.
Muta’s 1989 stint in WCW produced a slew of memorable match and moments, including defeating Sting for the World Television title in controversial fashion at the 1989 Great American Bash. Returning to Japan in the spring of 1990, Muto skyrocketed to stardom, winning his first IWGP Heavyweight title on August 16, 1992, and the NWA World title on January 4, 1993, becoming only the second, and final, wrestler to hold both titles at the same time (Tatsumi Fujinami).
As Muto rose up the ranks in New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) he continued to work sporadically in the U.S. with WCW. Muto, as Great Muta, worked a number of live events and TV tapings and would go on to win the 1992 “BattleBowl” tournament at Starrcade ’92.
—WCW United States Heavyweight Championship (WATCH – 49:06)
The Great Muta vs. “Stunning” Steve Austin(c) w/Col. Rob Parker
WCW Spring Stampede ’94 ♦ April 17, 1994
By the time Muta returned to WCW for this showdown with “Stunning” Steve Austin for the U.S. Heavyweight title at Spring Stampede ’94 he was already a legend. The mere mention of Muta’s name on WCW TV would elicit reactions akin to the Undertaker or Goldberg. Muta was feared, respected, and admired, and only ten years into his legendary career.
This match offers a rare opportunity to see two of the greatest talents of all-time at the near-peak of their abilities. Though the match is far from flawless, and the finish leaves a bit to be desired, it’s a perfect illustration of Muta’s true talent and ability to connect with fans no matter the language barrier.
There are few referees in the history of the WWF/E as well known and universally beloved as the late Tim White. Timothy Rhys White started his 24-year relationship with the WWF/E as a part-time referee while working as Andre the Giant’s agent and assistant. Upon Andre’s passing in 1993, Tim White would become a full-time referee for the WWF and go on to assist a number of WWF Superstars.
In 2002, at Judgment Day, White sustained a life-altering shoulder injury while refereeing the “Hell in a Cell” match between Triple H and Chris Jericho. White Attempted to make a return to the ring in 2004 but, after re-injuring the shoulder, was forced to retire. In December 2005 Tim White drew criticism for appearing in a vignette in which he attempted to commit suicide. This vignette led to the creation of a dozen shorts, known as Lunchtime Suicide, for the WWE.com website.
In each edition Josh Mathews would witness White unsuccessfully attempting to take his own before White, in the series finale, shot Mathews instead. Behind the scenes White worked closely with celebrity guests and visiting Superstars as he once did Andre the Giant, becoming an integral and proud part of the WWE family. Even after White’s official release from the WWE in 2009, White continued to work closely with current and former WWE Superstars to assist them and to provide security.
—“Hell in a Cell” (WATCH – 1:46:31)
Mankind vs. The Undertaker
WWF King of the Ring ’98 ♦ June 28, 1998
Referees are part messenger, part policeman, part timekeeper, and part medic. No match better represents Tim White’s devotion to the role of referee more than the infamous “Hell in a Cell” from the 1998 King of the Ring. In a match that went beyond the pale and then some, Tim White ruled the ring. Ready to stop the match at a moments notice Tim White listened to the performers and gave the Undertaker and Mankind enough leeway to create an iconic masterpiece that changed the direction of pro wrestling, and Tim White’s life, forever.
Rey Mysterio, Jr., is, without question, one of the most famous, beloved, and recognizable wrestlers in the history of the business, on par with the likes of Andre the Giant, Hulk Hogan, and The Rock. In the long, storied history of Lucha Libre, there may be no more famous luchador in the world than than Rey Mysterio, Jr. Rey’s journey to the WWE Hall of Fame began at the age of eight when Rey began training with his uncle, Rey Mysterio, Sr., becoming the youngest wrestler, at that time, to be licensed in Mexico at the age of 14.
After making a name for himself as “El Colibri” (the hummingbird) his uncle bestowed the Mysterio name on Rey in August 1991. Despite his talent, the blessing of his legendary uncle, and the help of Konnan, Rey struggled for some three years before finally, at the behest of Konnan, being singed to Antonio Pena’s upstart Asistencia Asesoria y Administracion (AAA) promotion in July 1992.
In October of that same year Rey defeated Fantasma de la Quebrada, Jr., to win the Mexican National Welterweight Championship, Rey’s first major title. Rey quickly became a star in AAA battling the likes of Condor, the Los Destructores faction, Heavy Metal, and Picudo. But it was Rey’s work with a pair of young luchadors by the name of Psicosis and Juventud Guerrera that changed Rey’s career, and the trajectory of American pro wrestling, forever.
—“Grudge Match” (WATCH – 54:25)
Rey Mysterio, Jr. vs. Psychosis
ECW Gangstas Paradise ♦ September 26, 1995
In September 1995, with the help of Konnan, Rey Mysterio, Jr., brought his legendary feud with Psicosis to the States when both men made a stop in Tod Gordon & Paul Heyman’s Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW). This match, marking both Rey and Psychosis’ ECW debut, blew the roof off of the ECW Arena and made the luchadors, Rey in particular, instant ECW icons.
Rey would ride the success of this debut first match into a classic ECW feud with both Psychosis and Juventud Guerrera, taking the feud with Psychosis to Japan where the two would steal the show on December 13, 1995, at the Super J Cup : 2nd Stage in Rey’s Japanese debut. In the spring of 1996, with classic bouts in Japan, Mexico, and the U.S. under his belt, Rey (representing AAA) teamed with Ultimo Dragon to face Heavy Metal & Psychosis at the Antonio Inoki’s 1995 World Wrestling Peace Festival in Los Angeles, California, and catching the eye of WCW Executive Producer Eric Bischoff.
—WCW Cruiserweight Championship – “Mask versus Title Match” (WATCH – 28:38)
Rey Mysterio, Jr. vs. Eddie Guerrero(c)
WCW Halloween Havoc ’97 ♦ October 26, 1997
In need of junior heavyweight talent to fill out WCW’s new Cruiserweight division Konnan (yet again) convinced WCW booker Kevin Sullivan to give Rey a chance. Joining Konnan, Eddie Guerrero, Dean Malenko, Psychosis, and Japan’s Shinjiro Otani (to name a few), Rey Mysterio, Jr., quickly became the face of WCW’s Cruiserweight division upon his debut at Great American Bash ’96 on June 16, 1996, in a losing effort to Cruiserweight Champion Dean Malenko.
Two weeks later, on the July 8, 1996 edition of Monday NITRO, Rey defeated Malenko to win his first (of five) Cruiserweight title. Following memorable feuds with Ultimo Dragon, Prince Iaukea, “Lord” Steven Regal, and Konnan, Rey began the most consequential program of his career when he began to feud with then-Cruiserweight Champion, and real-life best friend, Eddie Guerrero.
The highlight of the feud came at Halloween Havoc ’97. In what many consider one of the greatest matches in wrestling history, Rey, with his mask on the line, managed to put on a near-flawless match from bell to bell with Guerrero, elevating not only themselves but the spirit, passion, and drama of Lucha Libre. By the time WCW closed its door Rey, by then unmasked, would add three World Tag Team titles to his resume and was one half of the final WCW Cruiserweight Tag Team Champions with Billy Kidman.
—“Grudge Match” (WATCH – 1:02)
Rey Mysterio vs. Kurt Angle
WWE SummerSlam ’02 ♦ August 25, 2002
After a short stint in Consejo Mundial de Luch Libre (CMLL), Rey traveled the American independent scene before wrestling a marquee match with Eddie Colon in Puerto Rico for Carlos Colon’s World Wrestling Council (WWC). Then, in June 2002, Rey Mysterio signed with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). Rey’s first major match in WWE would be this instant classic with Kurt Angle at SummerSlam ’02.
This match showcased the Rey fans knew and loved and illustrated the talented psychologist and storyteller he would grow to become. The highlight of Rey’s time in WWE, though, came in 2006 when, in honor of the recently departed Eddie Guerrero, Rey won the “2006 Royal Rumble” and went on to win the World Heavyweight title at WrestleMania 21. After a slew of memorable feuds and classic matches Rey Mysterio left the WWE in February 2015, ending a 13 year run with the promotion.
Rey would tour the global independent scene, wrestling in the U.K., Mexico, and as part of seasons two and three of Lucha Underground before appearing in both the “2018 Royal Rumble” and the “Greatest Royal Rumble”. On June 9, 2018, Rey made his long-awaited NJPW debut, teaming with Jushin “Thunder” Liger & Hiroshi Tanahashi in a losing effort against Bullet Club members Cody, Adam Page, & Marty Scrull. After a third sting in AAA, and taking part in the consequential All In show on September 1, 2018, Rey Mysterio resigned with WWE.
—“Father versus Son Grudge Match” (WATCH – 1:48:04)
Dominik Mysterio vs. Rey Mysterio
WWE WrestleMania XXXIX: Night One ♦ April 1, 2023
Following a number of feuds with the likes of Randy Orton, The Miz, Seth Rollins, Samoa Joe, and Brock Lesnar, Rey teased (kayfabe) retirement in the spring of 2020 until his son Dominik talked Rey out of it. This would mark the start of one of the most personal and important feuds in Rey’s career. Rey & Dominik became the first father/son Tag Team Champions in WWE history when they won the gold on May 16, 2021.
After losing the title to the Usos the relationship between father and son began to fray, with Dominik turning on his father on September 3, 2022, at Clash at the Castle. Though Rey resisted fighting his son Dominik for months Rey finally relented, agreeing to face Dominik at WrestleMania XXXIX. This match marked only the second father/son match in WrestleMania history after the Vince McMahon/Shane McMahon “street fight” at WrestleMania X-Seven.
There has been no more personal match in Rey Mysterio’s career than this career defining performance against his son at WrestleMania XXXIX. The match not only illustrates what makes Rey Mysterio the most famous luchador since Mil Mascaras and El Santo, but proves that the Mysterio legacy is safe in the young hands of Dominik Mysterio.
Final Thoughts:
The 2022 class of the WWE Hall of Fame is full of Superstars and personalities that helped reshape and reinvent the sport of professional wrestling here and around the world. Each of these five inductees deserve to be highlighted, honored, and appreciated for what they have done to blaze a trail for the future of pro wrestling. If you’re new to some of these names, or are in the mood to celebrate the WWE Hall of Fame some more, what are you waiting for? Who knows, you may actually like some of these matches, and that’s never a bad thing!
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Thanks for reading – until next week, see ya at ringside!