WWE Hall of Fame: 5 Wrestlers from the Golden Era Who Should Be Inducted

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The recent news of Bruno Sammartino's eventual induction into the WWE's Hall of Fame is a huge stepping stone toward the WWE trying to legitimize its award. 

Sammartino is one of the greatest pro wrestlers of all time, and his induction into the WWE Hall of Fame will add to the cachet of the institution. 

The "Italian Superman," however, is only one of the Superstars of the golden age of pro wrestling who deserves to be inducted into the WWE's Hall of Fame. 

Here is a list of five other giants of the world of sports entertainment who deserve a spot in the WWE Hall of Fame. 

Frank Gotch

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Frank Gotch may not be a household name any more, but in many ways, the wrestler is responsible for keeping pro wrestling alive in the United States during the sport's early days. 

The second World Heavyweight champion in the history of the sport, Gotch was a legitimate fighter who innovated some of the "entertainment" parts of the sport. 

Already inducted into the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame and the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame, Gotch's contributions and accomplishments in the world of pro wrestling deserve to be honored by the WWE. 

Gory Guerrero

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The patriarch of the Guerrero family, Gory Guerrero is one of the greatest pro wrestlers who has yet to grace the WWE's Hall of Fame. 

Guerrero's son, Eddie, was posthumously inducted into the WWE's Hall of Fame in 2006. The time has come for Gory to join his son. 

Credited with creating some of the greatest wrestling moves in the history of the sport, Gory was truly an innovator in the world of sports entertainment. The Camel Clutch, the Gory Special, the Gory Bomb, the Barry White Driver and the Stu Hart Special are all said to be Guerrero's creations. 

Ed 'The Strangler' Lewis

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A member of the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and the Wrestling Observer Newsletter's Hall of Fame, Ed "The Strangler" Lewis is another key figure of the world of sports entertainment who has yet to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. 

The four-time World Heavyweight champion was instrumental in developing the concept of storylines, and the worked-feuds that are so prevalent in today's world of pro wrestling. 

Credited as the greatest wrestler ever by Lou Thesz and Verne Gagne, Lewis, at his peak, was believed to be literally unbeatable, losing only when he wished to do so to further an angle. 

Mildred Burke

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Perhaps one of the most prolific female wrestlers in the history of the sport, Mildred Burke was one of the first women to ever rise to prominence in the male-centric world of pro wrestling. 

During her 20-year career, Burke would go on to hold the World Women's Championship, the NWA World Women's Championship and the WWWA World Heavyweight Championship.

Long before women like Chyna and Kharma were wrestling men, Burke first made a name for herself by wrestling men in legitimate wrestling contests—matches the 5'7", 138-pound woman often won. 

Lou Thesz

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Member of the International Wrestling Institute Hall of Fame, the NWA Hall of Fame, the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame, the Stampede Wrestling Hall of Fame, the St. Louis Wrestling Hall of Fame, the WCW Hall of Fame and the Wrestling Observer Newsletter's Hall of Fame. However, despite all of these honors , Lou Thesz is not a member of the WWE Hall of Fame. 

One of the greatest figures to ever get into the squared ring, Thesz is credited with innovating pro wrestling moves such as the Lou Thesz press, the STF and the original powerbomb. 

 

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