WWE Hall of Fame: Top 10 Deceased Performers That Should Be in the Hall

There are many performers, both alive and dead, that should be gracing the WWE's Hall of Fame. Sadly, most won't get in due to personal circumstances or ongoing problems with the WWE or Vince McMahon.

This slideshow will focus on just those performers who are no longer with us. Some of these picks will be controversial, while others are no-brainers. Either way they should be amongst their prestigious peers. As many know, the WWE Hall of Fame will never have a physical existence.

Well I won't say never as anything can happen.

Even knowing that, these men and women should still have their place in history. All of these performers gave their hearts and took time away from their families and gave themselves to the fans. Some of them paid the ultimate price in the ring, while others caused such damage to their bodies due to drug use or physical abuse and their bodies couldn't take anymore.

Keep in mind, the people were picked solely based on their in-ring/on-air career. Some of them had some very controversial private lives, that will not be taken into the fold. Once you are done reading this feel free to leave a comment and let me know what you think. 

Chris Benoit

Benoit was a force to reckoned with in the ring. His mic skills weren't always great, but what he lacked in words he made up in ability. The "Rabid Wolverine" will never see a Hall of Fame bid due to his controversial demise.

However, based just on his wrestling prowess, Benoit has a resume that would have otherwise landed him in with WWE's elite.

During his career, Benoit was a one-time WCW champion, two-time WCW US and Tag champ and three-time WCW TV champ. He also held the ECW tag title and once he came to the WWE he became the 12th triple-crown champion.

Ravishing Rick Rude

Rude was an amazing in-ring talent. He also holds the dubious distinction of being the first and only man to be on both WWE RAW and WCW Nitro on the same night. Rude is also one of two men to be a part of both WWE's D-X and WCW's NWO. The other is X-Pac.

During his career he was cocky, arrogant and knew how to make a crowd hate him. Not only could he wrestle, but he could work wonders on the mic. Had he been around post or pre-Hulkamania he would have easily been a WWE champ. 

Rude did however hold the I.C. for some time and had some memorable feuds with Ultimate Warrior and Jake Roberts.

Once he left for WCW he feuded with Sting and eventually found himself with WCW gold around his waist.

Road Warrior Hawk

Hawk along with tag partner Animal were the biggest tag team in the 80s and 90s. They went on to hold every tag-title in every major wrestling company in the US.

Not only were they considered the most intimidating team in history, they were also the most imitated team —as Powers of Pain and Demolition were clearly modeled after this duo.

Owen Hart

Owen Hart is a clear fit to be in the Hall of Fame. Sadly, his nomination will never see the light-of-day, as his wife won a case prohibiting the WWE to use Owen's likeness for any WWE properties—especially, those that would make profit for the WWE.

Owens accolades speak for themselves, as he was able to be a tag-team specialist, holding the tag-titles four times with three different partners. Owen will always be remembered as someone who loved the sport and was willing to do anything to entertain fans.

Out of all of the mentioned performers Owen should be in...especially since he paid the ultimate price while performing.

Bam Bam Bigelow

Bigelow may not have held any major titles during his WWE career. However, he was a major part of WWE history. The big man was infamous for performing moves that guys half his size were barely able to do.

Bigelow was a one time ECW world and TV champ. He was a gifted performer and put some greats as well as duds over and made them look like stars. The WWE has proven, with the induction of Hacksaw, Jim Duggan and Co Co B Ware, that you didn't need a title to become a hall of Famer.

Miss Elizabeth

The "First Lady of Wrestling" had a storied career. Mostly known for her affiliation with "Macho Man" Randy Savage, Elizabeth was the timid manager that stood by her man through thick and thin.

Throughout her career, she would manage Hall of Famers Hulk Hogan and Ric Flair. She spent the last years of her career in WCW.

During her time there she was more of a vixen character, trading in her fancy dress for a leather outfit, as she was affiliated with the NWO.

Yokozuna

Yokozuna, needless to say, was a monster. He had great feuds with Lex Luger, Bret Hart and Hulk Hogan. The king of the "Banzai Drop" was a featured attraction at the infamous USS Intrepid show where several top WWE stars attempted to slam the big man.

Not only was he a WWE champ, he was also a two-time tag champ with partner Owen Hart. With Mr. Fuji by his side, Yokuzuna was unstoppable.

Big Boss Man

Boss Man was a solid heel, who only held two WWE titles (tag and hardcore). However it was his reign as Hardcore champ that helped define that titles legacy. He held the title longer than anyone else, a total of 97 days.

That alone should solidify him for the Hall of Fame. Sadly his talents will probably never be fully recognized and Bossman will also likely never get in.

Davey Boy Smith

The British Bulldog had a storied career with the WWE.

If he were still alive, there is no doubt that he would be a lock. Smith held every WWE title with the exception of the WHC.

Over his career he has been involved in several solid matches. PWI ranked is former tag-team, the British Bulldogs, as the No. 5 best tag-team ever.

Brian Pillman

Pillman defined an era. He set the bar for light/cruiser-weight division. Pillman was also a part of two great factions, the Four Horsemen and Hart Foundation.

The high-flyer was charismatic and could turn a crowd against him in a second. His promo work was amazing and he was involved in what was supposed to be an espionage mission for WCW.

According to Eric Bischoff, Pillman was supposed to be in the WWE while also working for WCW. Bischoff believed that Pillman was getting inside knowledge to help WCW take over the WWE. This, however, never came-to-fruition and Pillman went on to have a controversial feud with former tag partner Steve Austin.

That is the end, I hope you enjoyed and let me know your thoughts...