WWE: Rating This Year's Hall of Fame Inductees

WrestleMania 28 weekend is here, and with it comes the WWE Hall of Fame ceremony.

This year's class features a record setting World Champion, a massive power wrestler, a Mexican legend, a rated R Superstar, a collection of wrestling greats and a boxing icon.

It's an eclectic group, to be sure.

For me, this is one of the best parts of WrestleMania weekend.  The event on Sunday has been hyped to the point that the Hall of Fame has been somewhat overlooked, but that does not diminish its importance, especially to the men being inducted.

However, some fans have consistently questioned the Hall's merit, mostly due to the fact that it is almost solely decided by one individual, Vince McMahon himself.  Many say it's all about who he wants, and does not want, and that makes it less relevant in many ways.

But, for the men and women who are members of the WWE Hall of Fame, it is more about the public recognition of their efforts in the business, and not only what it means to them, but to their fans.

This year will be no different, as it is one of the most important classes in the Hall's history.

Time to stand up and show some love, folks, here are the 2012 inductees.

6- Mike Tyson

Look at that pic.  Man, that guy should have been in the ring.

A WWE ring, to be specific, and not as a special guest enforcer.  Mike Tyson is one of the most controversial public figures of this generation, and let's face it, he's also one of the toughest.

I firmly believe that if the circumstances had been right, and if the situation had presented itself, that Tyson could have made a real go at professional wrestling.

I mean, just look at that pic.  Intensity personified.

But, of course that never happened, and so we have to settle for Tyson going into the celebrity wing of the WWE Hall of Fame, mostly due to his participation in WrestleMania 14.

A lot of fans had a problem with Iron Mike's inclusion into the Hall, but to be honest, I get where WWE is coming from on this one.

When Tyson crossed paths with Stone Cold Steve Austin and WWE, it made headlines, it was a big deal.  It brought viewers, attention, publicity, everything that Vince McMahon craves for his monolithic company.

Plus, be honest, it was cool to see him in a WWE ring, nose to nose with Austin.

Take it in stride, folks.  Vince wants him in, so he's in.  That's how it is.

5- Yokozuna

Yokozuna was not Japanese.  Nor was he a sumo wrestler.

And, it did not matter in the slightest.

Yokozuna of course was from the same pro wrestling family that produced Rikishi, the Wild Samoans, Umaga, and the Rock.

He was 6'4" and nearly 600 pounds of pro wrestling heritage stacked up in a physically intimidating form, a guy who crushed opponents like a natural disaster.

And, he did it all with an unassuming, friendly face.  He looked like a guy that was a blast to hang out with.

For me, that was the true measure of how good Yokozuna was.  He totally inhabited his character, and made fans believe that he was this unstoppable sumo war machine.  His cold, merciless stare told you all you needed to know about the intensity he brought to the ring.

A Royal Rumble winner.  A two-time WWF Tag Team Champion, a two-time WWF Champion, Yokozuna has the track record to prove he deserves recognition.  Now, he will have the Hall of Fame spot to solidify his place in WWE history.

It's just a shame he's not here to accept it himself.

4- Ron Simmons

Long before Faarooq became known for belting out a certain expletive in ridiculous backstage situations in WWE, he was Ron Simmons, one of the toughest men to ever set foot in the ring.

I remember seeing him in my high school gym when WCW came to town, and it struck me at how big, and athletic the guy was.  And, he was also the most intense man in the building.

Ron just looked like a guy who was ready to fight.  He had that expression, that edge, that most workers try to achieve, but only wish they had.  He was a natural.

He also had the WCW Championship during his career, and that sets him apart from the rest.

Ron Simmons was the first African American World Champion in pro wrestling history, and set the table for all black wrestlers who followed him.

However, Ron's career is not defined by his skin color, but by his personality, his ability and his toughness in the ring.

His run with Bradshaw in the APA was a great time for him, and remains the most popular era of his career.  Now, as he has transitioned to an off air role, Ron is still held in high regard by fans, and always receives a great pop whenever he is on camera.

Ron Simmons is one of those guys that you just hated to see retire.  His smash mouth style made it exciting, and his sense of humor made it fun.  He was one of a kind.

3- Mil Mascaras

Mil Mascaras is a name that is as recognizable as the hood that he wears.

Even the most casual wrestling fan has likely heard of Mil, as the man is known all around the world.

The man of a thousand masks is of course, a legend in his native Mexico, where he has held numerous championships, and is arguably the most popular luchador to ever step through the ropes.

Step through them, and fly over them.

Mascaras is widely regarded as one of the industry's first real high flyers, a guy who left his feet and took risks where others would not.

His in ring style was exciting and dynamic, and he was a trendsetter in every sense of the word.

He is a comic book hero come to life, thanks to his many masks and courageous persona, and he paved the way for other luchadores who followed him.

He was a walking, talking action figure.  And he was great at playing the hero.

WWE has done a good job at recognizing workers whose influence extends beyond the company, and Mil Mascaras is a great example of this.  He more than deserves his upcoming induction in the Hall of Fame.

2- Edge

When the Rated R Superstar was forced from medical reasons to retire, WWE lost some of its personality, and may likely never recover it.

Edge just brought something unique to the industry, a guy who completely understood who he was, and what his role was in the company.  He was a fan first, and it showed.

He was shocking, he was controversial, and he was also very good in the ring.

Edge cared as much about perfecting his craft as he did perfecting his character.  He has had some legendary matches throughout his career, and the fact that he worked hard in the ring may not have been very obvious to fans who watched him.

He just made it look so easy.

The one characteristic about Edge that many fans have always respected is the fact that he did not make it all about himself.  He was willing to go along with the plan, blend in, and do what was asked of him, every time he stepped through the curtain.

And, it's because of that business first commitment, that Edge was able to elevate above others, and gain his own specific spot in the company.  No one else could portray his character, he was meant to be that guy.

Who else could have been the Rated R Superstar?

He is a two time Money in the Bank winner, a Royal Rumble winner, a 12-time WWE and World Tag Team Champion, and an 11-time WWE and World Heavyweight Champion. And, all of that gold combined could not outshine the guy's smile.

Edge truly loves the business, and that's why fans love him.  There will never be another Edge.

1- The Four Horsemen

What more can be said about the most popular, most influential, most legendary pro wrestling faction of all time?

Arn Anderson, Tully Blanchard and Barry Windham are three of the best of all time, and led by the best the industry has ever seen, Ric Flair, the Four Horsemen made pro wrestling history in the National Wrestling Alliance.

The Horsemen formula for success is so great, that it has often been imitated through the years, by different promoters, in different promotions, on every level of the business.  But, none have ever truly compared to the original.

Much has been said about other workers who were among the Horsemen's ranks, most notably Ole Anderson, one of the original four.

Unfortunately, Ole's history, and bad blood with Vince McMahon, will prevent him from being included in the Four Horsemen's induction.  It's a real shame for the fans who respect him, and paid to see him over the years.

But, make no mistake, the Horsemen spirit will be alive and well on WrestleMania 28 weekend, mostly due to the fact that Flair will reportedly be there for the ceremony.

Finally, the Four Horsemen will have their day in the sun.  Finally, the most important collection of pro wrestlers the business has ever seen, will receive its proper recognition.

Learn to love it.