WWE Hall of Fame 2016: Early Projections for Next Year's Class of Legends

Before WWE fills the AT&T Stadium for WrestleMania 32, expect some Texas-sized names to enter the 2016 Hall of Fame class.

It'll be hard to follow recent classes, which have included stars such as the Ultimate Warrior, Bruno Sammartino and Randy Savage. The group of potential inductees WWE can honor next year stands up well to those loaded crops, though.

The ceremony will be an apt opportunity to celebrate a man who belongs on WWE's Mount Rushmore, the bruiser who ended Sammartino's first world title reign and a group many consider to be one of the most influential factions in pro wrestling history.

Looking at wrestlers' Texas ties and career accomplishments, the timing of the potential nod and WWE's recent induction patterns help fans see well into the future, glimpsing the next tuxedo-clad set of Superstars to join the Hall of Fame.

Undertaker

Undertaker's in-ring career is entering its final stages.

Either the Deadman finishes his career with his battle against Bray Wyatt or hangs up after performing in home state in 2016. One can't expect him to go on beyond that. He will be 51 by the time WrestleMania 32 comes around and has a medical record overflowing with surgeries.

Should he have a farewell match next year, be that against Sting or otherwise, adding a Hall of Fame induction to the weekend would be mighty fitting.

Not only would he get the nod in his home state, but WWE would get to have him as a headliner of its Hall of Fame class. WrestleMania 32 would become a celebration of the legend's accomplishments and a means to bid him a memorable farewell.

Muhammad Ali

For the celebrity wing, WWE has no bigger name to choose from than Muhammad Ali.

The transcendent star tangled with Gorilla Monsoon in 1976, battled Antonio Inoki in a famous boxer-versus-wrestler match and was a guest referee for WrestleMania's first main event. His contributions to WWE are plenty, and WWE would love to be associated with someone as renowned as the former heavyweight champ.

He would be a big get for the Hall of Fame ceremony preceding the massive WrestleMania.

The biggest question is whether Ali would accept. The sharp-tongued boxer is certainly a fan of pro wrestling. He previously named Gorgeous George as an inspiration for his flamboyant style, as noted by John Capouya in Gorgeous George: The Outrageous Bad-Boy Wrestler Who Created American Pop Culture. 

Ivan Koloff

WWE has begun to pay tribute to many of its pioneers, the grapplers who helped build the company in its earliest days. Bruno Sammartino and Bob Backlund, for example, recently received long-deserved inductions.

It's now the Russian Bear's turn.

Ivan Koloff was a great heel, a memorable character and, most famously, the man who ended Bruno Sammartino's record reign as WWE champ. Adding in his achievements in other promotions, Koloff is undoubtedly worthy of Hall of Fame induction. He was a major force for the NWA and Championship Wrestling in Florida, and the Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame already welcomed him in 2011.

WWE has reportedly already considered doing the same thing. 

According to PWInsider (h/t Wrestle Zone), WWE discussed adding Koloff to this year's class. Perhaps things just got too crowded with Kevin Nash and Randy Savage already on the list. Chances are the chain-wearing brute gets in next time around.

Sable

The Hall of Fame doors have opened to WWE's women of late. Trish Stratus, Lita and, most recently, Alundra Blayze have all been inducted in recent years.

That pattern benefits Sable, who stands to join them.

She doesn't get in on wrestling skills like that trio listed above but on impact. Sable helped shape the role of the valet, adding sex appeal to the product just as WWE moved into its most risque era. The former women's champ remains one of the company's most memorable women, whether she was standing in Marc Mero's corner or playing Vince McMahon's mistress.

Her popularity at her peak demands that she get in at some point. With Stratus and company already in, WWE will have to start looking toward Sable.

Jushin 'Thunder' Liger

From Carlos Colon to Tatsumi Fujinami, WWE has taken to rounding out its Hall of Fame classes with wrestlers who made their names in other promotions and other countries.

That's good news for fans of Jushin "Thunder" Liger. He is among the most accomplished Japanese stars in wrestling history, serving as the centerpiece of New Japan Pro Wrestling's junior heavyweight division.

One of the most stunning high-flyers to ever set foot in the ring, Liger has had an impressively long career. He thrived in the '90s and continues to be a must-see attraction today. Working for WCW for several years will help his case as well, as more American fans will know him better than some other NJPW greats.

The Great Muta is an excellent option for many of the same reasons, although he is a competitor of sorts, given he runs the Wrestle-1 promotion.

Christian

Christian is a former world champ and a key component of one of WWE's tag team golden ages, but he's a bit of a reach for Hall of Fame status.

It wouldn't be the first time WWE has gone that route, though. Just this year, WWE invited Rikishi to the party despite not exactly being an elite member of the roster.

WWE can't just add a bunch of names from yesteryear and guys from other promotions. The younger, casual fan doesn't know who Tatsumi Fujinami or Ivan Koloff is, so the company may look to add a more recent face to create buzz.

With that in mind, Christian is a good choice. WWE can honor him rather than let him quietly fade into retirement, as seems to be the case currently. Edge is the clear choice as the man to induct him.

Captain Charisma would make a fun addition to the 2016 class, serving as an upper midcarder of sorts as Undertaker headlines the group.

The Fabulous Freebirds

There is no better time to finally honor the Freebirds than WWE's next trip to Texas during WrestleMania season. Michael Hayes and company weren't from the Lone Star State, but they made their biggest impact there, being red-hot heels in World Class Championship Wrestling.

This would be an induction that has been put off for too long. 

The stable/team section of the Hall of Fame is the most lacking, but WWE has made an effort to change that in the last few years. The Four Horsemen and the Road Warriors got in in 2012 and 2011 respectively.

The Von Erichs are in the Hall as well; now it's time for their greatest rivals to join them.