WWE Reveals Who They Want To Head 2013 HOF Class

[John]

- F4Wonline.com reports that WWE officials want Bruno Sammartino to be the headliner for the 2013 Hall of Fame class from the New York City area. WWE has already contacted Sammartino about being inducted but we do not know his response to them yet.

Sammartino's past with WWE is a troubled one. He hasn't worked with them since the late 1980's and has been very critical of Vince McMahon and the WWE product over the years. Sammartino has turned down several projects from WWE over the years, declined invitations to shows and spoken out against them in the media.

So far this year, only one other name has been rumored for the 2013 Hall of Fame - Rena "Sable" Lesnar. The former WWE Women's Champion was rumored around WrestleMania time this year when it became clear that Brock Lesnar, her husband, would be performing at WrestleMania 29.

Source - LOP

[Selena Lover]

If randy savage doesn't go in this year I say we all riot

[Swinny]

Makes sense, but... I don't see it happening.

[The Mac]

He's one of the most accomplished professional wrestlers in WWE history and isn't in WWE's Hall of Fame.

For over 11 years, he was the world champion in the WWWF, ran by Vince McMahon Sr. For over two decades, one of the top drawing professional wrestlers in the world.

According to a report from F4Wonline.com, WWE is wanting Bruno Sammartino to be the headlining legend inducted in the WWE Hall of Fame class of 2013.

Sammartino has done dozens of interviews, spoke on top public forums including CNN News—in all of them he's made it clear that he doesn't like where current WWE Chairman Vince McMahon has taken professional wrestling. Sammartino being outspoken against WWE is assumed to be what's kept him from being featured on any WWE produced content. Some instances by his own choice and other cases by the choice of WWE.

You have to respect Sammartino for standing true to what he believes in. People tend to use the term “old school,” but if there was ever a definition of that phrase, it's Bruno Sammartino.

I've had the chance to be around the legend a few times, most recently at the Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame this past May. There is never a question on what Sammartino's mood or general thought of a situation is. He tells it like he sees it, whether you like it or not.

It's impressive Sammartino has kept true to doing things on his terms. He hasn't compromised his beliefs to endorse something just to get a WWE DVD produced or a quick 15 minutes of fame again. However, I do think Sammartino should bite his lip and accept and invitation in WWE's Hall of Fame.
Brunoandi_crop_340x234 Bruno Sammartino, Myself, Dominic DeNucci

He of all people deserves to be recognized for all his contributions in the business. If he goes in now, it won't change all of these past years of holding out for his own beliefs. Nobody is going to go say, “That Bruno was bluffing the whole time, he loves today's WWE.”

The point is he deserves his minute on the stage, lifetime of his name being in the HOF and for a younger audience to learn about his career. If anything, Sammartino finally agreeing could amplify his story even more that he's held out for so long based on his critique of where the industry has gone.

He's 76 years old and one of the greatest ever, but his career could be in jeopardy of being defined by the grudge he's held. Going in the class of 2013 doesn't categorize you as being best friends with Vince McMahon. It doesn't categorize you as as the ambassador of today's sports entertainment product. It just categorizes you as a hall of famer.

It would be a climatic ending to an entertaining story. Sammartino inducted in the WWE Hall of Fame in New York City, the city he sold out for so many years when he was the biggest star around.

As a passionate wrestling fan, I think Sammartino deserves to be in the spotlight on a WWE production. He deserves to walk out on that stage WrestleMania Sunday in front of 80,000. He might not want it, but he deserves it.

In addition to deserving it, it be great to hear that induction speech live and uncut.

BR

[OCW Tommy Lee]

Sammartino won't until WWE AT LEAST makes a physical location for the Hall of Fame, something Vince has stated many times that he will not be doing anytime soon.

Sable would be the better choice, but I wouldn't consider her "head of class". She was a big name during the Attitude Era, but she was more the Miss Elizabeth of that time. Sadly Brutus the Barber and Marty Jannetty sounds like better choices since they're both likely to both say yes.

[Sidney Evans]

Sammartino won't until WWE AT LEAST makes a physical location for the Hall of Fame, something Vince has stated many times that he will not be doing anytime soon.

Sable would be the better choice, but I wouldn't consider her "head of class". She was a big name during the Attitude Era, but she was more the Miss Elizabeth of that time. Sadly Brutus the Barber and Marty Jannetty sounds like better choices since they're both likely to both say yes.

Why Sammartino wants a physcial location for the hall of fame? Is it that he be ashamed to be apart of a hall of fame like WWE's? I heard stories that he always preferred pro wrestling as a sport not entertainment.

[Swinny]

Bruno Sammartino Officially Turns Down WWE Hall of Fame

WWE Legend Bruno Sammartino has turned down the chance to be inducted into the 2013 WWE Hall of Fame. The ventran wrestler best know for holding the longest single WWE Championship reign in professional wrestling history has turned down the chance a number of times before, so this will not come as a surprise to anybody.

Sammarinto noted recently in an interview that he has not watched the WWE product in decades and is not awear of John Cena and only remembers Shawn Michaels as a rookie. Sammartino has been vocal about how Vince McMahon "ruined" professional wrestling after taking over the product fom his father Vince McMahon Sr.

Below is the statement from Sal Corrente on behalf of Sammartino:

"We understand that word has broken on the Internet regarding "The Living Legend" Bruno Sammartino being inducted in to the WWE Hall of Fame in 2013. Since word has broken publicly, I can confirm that we have been contacted. I have been asked by Bruno Sammartino to announce that he will NOT be inducted in the WWE Hall of Fame in 2013."

"The Big Cheese" Sal Corrente.

WNS

[Headlock Driver]

Lmao of course he won't accept never has and never will.

[Nature Boy]

I know the WWE like to think everything they say is absolute Gospel and that Sammartino has been portrayed as a bitter old man.

If you listen to his his interviews, he's actually not bitter at all, he just simply doesn't like the direction/ethos of the WWE.

But Sammartino should be inducted inducted into the WWE Hall Of Fame, and the WWE should have an actual proper, physical hall.

That way I and other fans might start to take it more seriously!

As I've said before it's a wonderful gesture to see past legends being recognised, but all the silly "rules" and "conditions" that go with the WWE's version of the Hall Of Fame stop me from putting any weight to it.

There are still so many people both dead and living that should be in as well!

Randy Savage
The Ultimate Warrior
Jake Roberts
Fabulous Freebirds
Eddie Gilbert
Magnum T. A
The Koloff's
Baron Von Rashke

To name but a few...

[Dr Nash]

First off Sable in WWE Hall of Fame.. what type of Hall of Fame career did she have. She was in wrestling business for what 5 years just for WWF/WWE. She didn't have an effect beside being pretty. A better choice if they are picking women how about Luna Vachon. She was a great female wrestler and was before her time. Just a shame she is no longer with us.

As for Bruno. Bruno isn't bitter. He told many people he wouldn't go against word for not going into the Hall of Fame. Bruno like Superstar Billy Graham wants a physical hall of fame. Where people can enter and look at their career in wrestling like the rock n roll of fame. Plus Bruno wasn't happy the way Jr treated his son David even though Bruno mentioned they have an estranged relationship. Bruno likes athletic wrestling matches. He was at raw in 2004 in Pittsburgh having a meeting with Vince. Same place where Flair refused to shake his hand. Bruno saw Flair come down the hallway and turned around offered his hand. Flair ran away. Bruno said he doesn't like Flair and his antics outside the ring. Having Jim Crockett Promotions to get him out of unfortunate 'jackpot' when he went bankrupt. Also is critical on Flair wrestling the same match every time. So WWE could have not liked it because WWE in 2000's was pretty pro Flair. Also Bruno said he would stay if was Angle/Benoit wrestling opposed to HHH/Benoit. Bruno was pro fans but will stick to his word. Bruno was actually shocked when Bret said he wouldn't go into their Hall of Fame and then went into the Hall of Fame. I hate saying this but they may have to do his induction post humanly.

[198d]

First off Sable in WWE Hall of Fame.. what type of Hall of Fame career did she have. She was in wrestling business for what 5 years just for WWF/WWE. She didn't have an effect beside being pretty. A better choice if they are picking women how about Luna Vachon. She was a great female wrestler and was before her time. Just a shame she is no longer with us.
.

sable was the biggest woman in the attitude era, thered be no womens division, no trish if it wasnt for sable

[Kage]

So far this year, only one other name has been rumored for the 2013 Hall of Fame - Rena "Sable" Lesnar. The former WWE Women's Champion was rumored around WrestleMania time this year when it became clear that Brock Lesnar, her husband, would be performing at WrestleMania 29.

Such bs.. I mean... Sable was probably one of the biggest divas of her time, but the fact that they are considering it solely because Lesnar is working with Wwe again is such bs. Im glad Bruno is giving them a hard time about it. Maybe someday they'll realize that the Hall of Fame should be used to honor great wrestlers, not to make money and sweeten Lesnar's deal.

[The Altyrell]

Sammartino's Rep Denies Online Reports
By Michael Bluth | Jul 3, 2012 - 1:53:33 PM

- Bruno Sammartino's rep Sal Correnete has issued the following statement regarding online reports that Sammartino was "not impressed" with Triple H and his efforts to convince Sammartino to join WWE's Hall of Fame next year:

"It has come to our attention that someone has claimed that Bruno was unimpressed with Triple H. That is an absolutely false statement Bruno had no issue what so ever with Triple H. He liked Triple H and enjoyed their conversation but for reasons personal to Bruno he has decided not to accept the induction in NO WAY SHAPE OR FORM IS THE REFUSAL A REFLECTION ON TRIPLE H or his presentation or conversations with Bruno"

[LOP]

[Sidney Evans]

Cannot get mad at the guy, it is his opinion and he has a right not to like the way Vince McMahon Jr turned the buisness around. I mean Bruno did come from an era when wrestling was more of a sport and athletic contest, so I can see why he does not want to be in the WWE HOF.

[konan]

- It was reported earlier this week by The Wrestling Observer that Triple H had reached out to wrestling legend Bruno Sammartino, who has a troubled relationship with WWE and Vince McMahon, about being inducted into the 2013 Hall of Fame. Sammartino issued a statement later saying he was turning down WWE's invitation for the Hall. The Observer followed up and said Sammartino wasn't impressed by Triple H's approach on the phone. Sammartino issued another statement saying those reports were not true.

PWInsiderElite.com spoke with Sammartino this week about the reports. Sammartino discussed his talks with Triple H, his recent visit to Ring of Honor and more. Here are some highlights about his phone call with Triple H, thanks to Vinnie for passing along:

* Sammartino said Triple H was a gentleman, impressed him and they talked for a while. Triple H wanted to open communication because he was aware of the bad relationship between Vince and Bruno. Triple H figured Sammartino being inducted in the NY/NJ area would be good for the fans.

* Bruno mentioned that Triple H cited Madison Square Garden as a possible location for the ceremony.

* Bruno turned down the invite because he has issues with WWE and wouldn't feel right going into the Hall. Sammartino said he appreciated everything Triple H and WWE offered but in good conscious, he could not do it. Bruno brought up WWE not having a physical building for their Hall of Fame and the fact that they have non-wrestlers inducted.

* Regarding a future relationship with WWE, Bruno said there is no interest and as long as Vince McMahon is in the company, he doesn't think anything will happen between the two sides.

* Sammartino believes Triple H wants to do the right things for the business. Triple H told him that he respects the wrestling of yesteryear's and was trying to move away from some of the more racier stuff we've seen.

nodq