WWE Hall of Fame 2012: Inductees, Snubs, Highlights, Analysis and Review

With WrestleMania 28 just around the corner, the excitement for the show is only matched by the sheer giddiness that the WWE Hall of Fame inductions bring.

As much as it stinks that it will not be televised live as it should be, as long as the fans can see the replay Monday and get it with the DVD, they will have a chance to see one of the best ceremonies in professional sports.

Where: AmericanAirlines Arena, Miami, FL

When: Saturday, March 31, 8:00 p.m. ET

Watch: The 2012 ceremony will not be aired live. WWE will air a one-hour special recapping the ceremony at 8:00 p.m. ET on Monday, April 2 (before Raw).

Tickets: $41-$79

Inductees (their inductors)

Edge (Christian)

While you can’t argue about the man’s accomplishments (11-time world champion, 14-time tag champion, 2001 King of the Ring, 2010 Royal Rumble winner), what can be argued is how soon he has gotten into the Hall of Fame. It’s just too soon.

It wasn’t too long ago that Edge was playing a major part in storylines and even winning the Royal Rumble just two year ago. There is still a chance that he could come back at some point, so there should be a five-year waiting limit after a star is retired before they can be inducted.

Mil Mascaras (Alberto del Rio)

One of the greatest masked wrestlers to ever live, Mil Mascaras was the first true Lucha wrestler to ever grace the stage of Madison Square Garden.

While some may question his selection, he is arguably one of the greatest foreign-born wrestlers ever to grace a ring. Mascaras will be introduced into the Hall of Fame by his nephew Alberto del Rio.

The Four Horsemen (Dusty Rhodes)

The best news of the night came when WWE.com announced that Ric Flair would be in attendance for the introduction of the Four Horsemen into the Hall of Fame.

While everyone will concentrate on the Nature Boy, the other horsemen like Arn Anderson, Tully Blanchard, Barry Windham and even manager JJ Dillon were the best in the business and can’t be forgotten.

I’m calling this as the highlight of the night.

Mike Tyson (Shawn Michaels and Triple H)

I won’t launch into a tirade here about celebrities in the WWE Hall of Fame because I know it’s all for pretend, but with that said, Mike Tyson deserves to be enshrined for his work with Stone Cold Steve Austin alone.

Part of what made SCSA such a bad ass and the Attitude Era so popular was Tyson’s adventures into the WWE. If it wasn’t for Austin and Vince McMahon’s relationship with Tyson, I'm not sure the WWE would’ve had the same success.

Ron Simmons (JBL)

With Ron Simmons being the first officially recognized African-American world champion in wrestling history and the longevity of his career, the honor of going into the Hall of Fame is deserved.

If his years of singles work in AWA, WCW and WWF weren’t enough, Simmons was part of one of the greatest parts of the Attitude Era, The APA. That’s why JBL introducing him into the Hall is so perfect.

Yokozuna (The Usos)

While Yokozuna was exactly what the WWE wanted from their superstars, he should not be going into the Hall of Fame this year. The sheer size of the star should indicate that he was one of the most dominate stars in WWE history, but that’s not the case.

Despite an incredible run in the early-to-mid-90s that included two WWF championships and two stints as the tag team champion with Owen Hart, his tenure wasn’t long enough or successful enough to warrant this pick.

Snubs

Macho Man

At a time when Hulk Hogan ran the world, Macho Man still managed to steal the spotlight away as much as he could.

Not only did the star win six world championships and give the IC belt real credibility, he was part of one of the greatest tag teams ever formed that also turned into one of the greatest feuds in wrestling history with Hulk Hogan and the Mega Powers.

Savage’s exclusion is yet another case of Vinny Mac having personal beef with a star.

Ultimate Warrior

While the Ultimate Warrior doesn’t have the Gold to back up his Hall of Fame claims (one world title, two runs with the IC belt), it was the drawing power of the Warrior that made him a legend.

The Ultimate Warrior had so many fans back in the late '80s and early '90s that he was the only man at the time that could rival Hulk Hogan for cheers. Again, a feud with WWE has not allowed the star into the Hall.

Bruno Sammartino

While Sammartino only won WWE world championship gold twice in his career, his first reign lasted seven years, eight months, and one day—by far the longest run in the history of the WWE.

Personal problems based on money and power between Vince McMahon Sr. and Sammartino have caused the rift that now keeps the legend from ever entering the WWE Hall of Fame.

Check back for more on the World Wrestling Entertainment as it comes, and visit Bleacher Report’s Wrestling Page to get your fill of WWE/TNA. For more Wrestling talk, listen to Ring Rust Radio for all of the hot topics you just can’t miss (some language NSFW).

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