First Two Inductees Announced For 2024 WWE Hall of Fame
Wrestling fans can rejoice with the knowledge of the biggest event of the year, WrestleMania drawing ever closer, and with that the WWE Hall of Fame ceremony is set to be another monumental display of the industry’s finest. On March 5th and 6th, the WWE announced it’s first two inductees into the WWE Hall of Fame for 2024:
Paul Heyman: Since 2020, Paul Heyman has aligned himself with the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion, Roman Reigns, acting as the Special Counsel for Reigns and The Bloodline faction. Heyman’s legacy in the WWE goes as far back as 1979 when he landed a gig as a photographer for the WWWF. It wouldn’t take too long before Heyman entered the realm of management, having studied under the umbrella of the likes of “Captain” Lou Albano, The Grand Wizard and “Classy” Freddie Blassie.
Heyman broke ground as a manager in the NWA territories and eventually, WCW under the moniker of Paul E. Dangerously with The Dangerous Alliance. Formed in the AWA in 1987, with Adrian Adonis, Dennis Condrey and Randy Rose as the inaugural members, Heyman would manage a wide range of talent within the faction and would hold championship gold, such as the WCW Tag Team Championships, held by faction members Bobby Eaton and Arn Anderson (pictured above).
Finally, what is, to many, Heyman’s ultimate contribution to the wrestling industry: Extreme Championship Wrestling. Heyman pulled a territory out of the darkness of obscurity and would debut a style of wrestling and television that would rival the two big promotions in the WWF and WCW. ECW would stay in the race until the end. With the WWE standing tall, Heyman has stayed with the promotion on and off for the past 20 years. Whether it be on commentary, attempting to revive ECW from the ashes or standing ringside alongside an aptly labelled “Paul Heyman Guy”. One thing that is indisputable is that Paul Heyman has earned his spot in the WWE Hall of Fame.
Bull Nakano: A former WWF Women’s Champion and a legend in Japan, Bull Nakano became a standout in the 80’s and 90’s during her time in All Japan Women’s Pro-Wrestling, occasionally making appearances elsewhere, including in the WWF in 1986. Nakano’s career would soar during the 1990’s as she travelled to the WWF in 1994, where she would add some depth to the WWF women’s division of the time. Nakano would solidify her name in the company by feuding with Alundra Blayze for the WWF Women’s Championship and eventually defeating her for the belt. The two would continue their rivalry in WCW in the following years, with Blayze going by the moniker of Madusa.
Nakano retired from wrestling in 1997 and would pursue a career in golf, occasionally making special appearances for promotions in the following decades. Nakano has cemented her name as a monumental and crucial figure for the betterment and advancement of women’s wrestling, and her induction into the WWE Hall of Fame is just another reminder of that.
Based on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland. Lifelong fan, admirer of the old school, born in the new age. Storytelling is a big passion of mine and professional wrestling itself is just one giant book. Naturally, it drew me in and has kept me close since before I could walk, talk and drop an elbow on my teddy bear!
