NWA Wrestling Legends Hall of Heroes

The National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) Wrestling Legends Hall of Heroes is a professional wrestling hall of fame that honors people who have competed or played other major roles in the NWA. Organized by wrestling promoter Greg Price,[1] the hall is separate from the NWA Hall of Fame and is not officially endorsed by the company, but the NWA has given permission for the use of its name.[2] An induction ceremony takes place at the annual NWA Legends Fanfest Weekend. In 2007, there were seven inductees in the inaugural class. Seven more honorees were added the following year, and another eight will be added to the Hall of Heroes in 2009.[3] The 2009 induction ceremony will take place on August 7 and will be hosted by Jim Cornette.[4]

Honorees are inducted for work in any area of wrestling, including competing in the ring, managing, refereeing, promoting, and announcing. During the ceremony, personalities from the NWA deliver speeches and present the inductees with plaques.[5] These plaques have the logo of the NWA Legends Fanfest and are identical aside from the year of induction and the inductee's name.[3] Many presenters have been involved in the inductee's career; for example, Gary Hart, who managed Rip Hawk and Swede Hanson,[6] inducted both men,[3] and Buddy Roberts was inducted by Michael Hayes and Jimmy Garvin,[3] both of whom were fellow members of The Fabulous Freebirds.[1] Inductees and other former NWA wrestlers are seated at tables with fans to provide an intimate atmosphere. Although most people honored by the hall attend the dinner and induction ceremony, some are inducted posthumously and others are unable to attend for medical reasons.[3][7]

Although most wrestlers are inducted individually, tag teams have been inducted together. Ole and Gene Anderson were among the members of the inaugural class; they competed together for many years as storyline brothers.[8] The Fargo brothers (Don, Jackie, and Sonny), who also wrestled in tag team matches together despite not being related in real life, are scheduled to be inducted together in 2009.[9] George Scott, inducted in 2007, and his brother Sandy, inducted in 2008, are the only true relatives in the hall.[10] Rip Hawk and Swede Hanson, who competed as the original Blond Bombers, were also inducted together in 2007.[11]

Inductees

Year Ring name
(Birth name)
Inducted by Inducted for Notes
2007 Anderson, GeneGene Anderson Bill Eadie Wrestling Posthumous induction; won the NWA World Tag Team Championship (Mid-Atlantic version) (7 times) and NWA Georgia Tag Team Championship (7 times)[12][13]
2007 Anderson, OleOle Anderson
(Alan Rogowski)[8]
Bill Eadie Wrestling Won the NWA Mid-Atlantic/Atlantic Coast Tag Team Championship (7 times) and NWA World Tag Team Championship (Mid-Atlantic version) (8 times)[13][14]
2007 Banner, PennyPenny Banner
(Mary Ann Kostecki)[15]
Nickla Roberts Women's wrestling Won the NWA Women's World Tag Team Championship (1 time)[16]
2007 Caudle, BobBob Caudle David Crockett Announcing Worked as commentator for Jim Crockett Promotions[17]
2007 Hanson, SwedeSwede Hanson
(Robert Ford Hanson)[18]
Gary Hart Wrestling Posthumous induction; won the NWA Atlantic Coast Tag Team Championship (4 times) and NWA Southern Tag Team Championship (Mid-Atlantic version) (1 time)[14][19]
2007 Hawk, RipRip Hawk
(Harvey Evers)[20]
Gary Hart Wrestling Won the NWA Eastern States Heavyweight Championship (4 times) and NWA Mid-Atlantic/Atlantic Coast Tag Team Championship (5 times)[14][21]
2007 Scott, GeorgeGeorge Scott Tommy Young Wrestling and Promoting Won the NWA Southern Tag Team Championship (Mid-Atlantic version) (2 times) and worked as booker for Jim Crockett Promotions[19][22]
2008 Jones, PaulPaul Jones
(Paul Frederick)
Jack Brisco Wrestling and Managing Won the NWA Mid-Atlantic Heavyweight Championship (3 times), NWA World Tag Team Championship (Mid-Atlantic version) (6 times), and NWA Mid-Atlantic/Atlantic Coast Tag Team Championship (6 times); managed Paul Jones' Army in Jim Crockett Promotions[13][14][21][23]
2008 Koloff, IvanIvan Koloff
(Oreal Perras)[24]
Don Kernodle Wrestling Won the NWA Mid-Atlantic Heavyweight Championship (3 times) and NWA World Tag Team Championship (Mid-Atlantic version) (4 times)[13][21]
2008 Patterson, ThunderboltThunderbolt Patterson
(Claude Patterson)[25]
Ole Anderson Wrestling Won the NWA Georgia Tag Team Championship (3 times) and NWA Atlantic Coast Tag Team Championship (1 time)[12][14]
2008 Roberts, BuddyBuddy Roberts
(Dale Hey)[26]
Jimmy Garvin and Michael Hayes Wrestling Won the NWA World Six-Man Tag Team Championship (Texas version) / WCWA World Six-Man Tag Team Championship (6 times) and NWA Mid-Atlantic Tag Team Championship (1 time)[27][28]
2008 Scott, SandySandy Scott
(Angus Mackay Scott)[29]
Bob Caudle Wrestling and Promoting Worked as an executive for Jim Crockett Promotions and won the NWA World Tag Team Championship (Central States version) (1 time) and NWA Southern Tag Team Championship (Mid-Atlantic version) (3 times)[19][29][30]
2008 Smith, GrizzlyGrizzly Smith
(Aurelian Smith)[31]
Magnum T.A. Wrestling Won the NWA United States Tag Team Championship (Tri-State version) (2 times) and NWA Texas Heavyweight Championship (1 time)[32][33]
2008 Weaver, JohnnyJohnny Weaver
(Kenneth Eugene Weaver)[34]
Rip Hawk Wrestling Posthumous induction; won the NWA Atlantic Coast/Mid-Atlantic Tag Team Championship (8 times) and NWA Southern Tag Team Championship (Mid-Atlantic version) (6 times)[35]
2009 Fargo, DonDon Fargo
(Don Kalt)[36]
Jerry Jarrett & Steve Keirn Wrestling Won the NWA Southern Tag Team Championship (Mid-America version) (2 times) and NWA World Tag Team Championship (Mid-America version) (6 times)[13][37]
2009 Fargo, JackieJackie Fargo
(Henry Faggart)[38]
Jerry Jarrett & Steve Keirn Wrestling Won the NWA World Tag Team Championship (Mid-America version) (10 times) and NWA Southern Tag Team Championship (Mid-America version) (22 times)[13][37]
2009 Fargo, SonnySonny Fargo
(Jack Lewis Faggart)[36]
Jerry Jarrett & Steve Keirn Wrestling Posthumous induction; won the NWA Southern Tag Team Championship (Mid-America version) (3 times)[37]
2009 Hart, GaryGary Hart
(Gary Williams)[39]
Sir Oliver Humperdink Managing and Promoting Posthumous induction; worked as a booker in World Class Championship Wrestling and managed several wrestlers in Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling[40]
2009 McDaniel, WahooWahoo McDaniel
(Edward McDaniel)[41]
Tully Blanchard Wrestling Posthumous induction; won the NWA Mid-Atlantic Heavyweight Championship (6 times) and NWA World Tag Team Championship (Mid-Atlantic version) (4 times)[13][21]
2009 Mulligan, BlackjackBlackjack Mulligan
(Robert Windham)[42]
Ric Flair Wrestling Won the NWA Texas Heavyweight Championship (1 time) and NWA World Tag Team Championship (Mid-Atlantic version) (1 time)[13][32]
2009 Royal, NelsonNelson Royal Brad Anderson, Tommy Angel & David Isley Wrestling Won the NWA Atlantic Coast Tag Team Championship (2 times)[14]
2009 Russell, LanceLance Russell Dave Brown Announcing Worked as commentator for wrestling events in the Memphis area[43]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Johnson, Stephen (2008-08-11). "For fans, NWA Legends Fanfest is the main event". SLAM! Wrestling. Retrieved 2009-07-22.
  2. "NWA Legends Fanfest Weekend". NWA Legends. Retrieved 2009-05-25.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 "NWA Wrestling Legends Hall of Heroes". Mid-Atlantic Gateway. Retrieved 2009-05-25.
  4. "NWA Legends Fanfest: Hall of Heroes". Mid-Atlantic Gateway. Retrieved 2009-07-03.
  5. "Hall of Heroes Class of 2008". Mid-Atlantic Gateway. Retrieved 2009-05-25.
  6. Mooneyham, Mike (2008-03-18). "Manager "Playboy" Gary Hart dies at 66". The Post and Courier. Retrieved 2009-01-19.
  7. Mooneyham, Mike (2008-08-24). "Seemed Like Old Times". The Post and Courier. Retrieved 2009-05-25.
  8. 1 2 Williams, Scott E. (2007). Hardcore History: The Extremely Unauthorized Story of ECW. Sports Publishing LLC. p. 174. ISBN 1-59670-225-7.
  9. Johnson, Steve. "Class of 2009: The Fabulous Fargo Brothers". Mid-Atlantic Gateway. Retrieved 2009-07-03.
  10. Will, Gary. "George Scott & Sandy Scott". Canadian Pro Wrestling Page of Fame. Retrieved 2009-07-03.
  11. Mooneyham, Mike. "Hawk and Hanson: The Blond Bombers". The Wrestling Gospel According to Mike Mooneyham. Archived from the original on November 13, 2008. Retrieved 2009-07-03.
  12. 1 2 Duncan, Royal; Gary Will (2006). "(Georgia) Atlanta: NWA Georgia Tag Team Title". Wrestling Title Histories. Archeus Communications. pp. 142–143. ISBN 0-9698161-5-4.
  13. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Duncan, Royal; Gary Will (2006). "(Memphis, Nashville) Tennessee: NWA World Tag Team Title [Nick Gulas & Roy Welsch]". Wrestling Title Histories. Archeus Communications. pp. 191–193. ISBN 0-9698161-5-4.
  14. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Mid-Atlantic Tag Team Championship". Mid-Atlantic Gateway. Retrieved 2009-07-03.
  15. Oliver, Greg (2008-05-13). "Goodbye Penny Banner; I'll miss you". SLAM! Wrestling. Retrieved 2009-01-25.
  16. "Penny Banner". Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum. Retrieved 2009-07-03.
  17. Chappell, David. "The Bob Caudle Interview: Part One". Mid-Atlantic Gateway. Retrieved 2009-06-29.
  18. "The late Swede Hanson—a wrestler with heart: Page 1". Wrestling Digest. Archived from the original on November 7, 2007. Retrieved 2009-01-15.
  19. 1 2 3 Duncan, Royal; Gary Will (2006). "(Carolinas) Charlotte: NWA Southern Tag Team Title [Jim Crockett]". Wrestling Title Histories. Archeus Communications. p. 114. ISBN 0-9698161-5-4.
  20. Oliver, Greg; Steven Johnson (2007). The Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame: The Heels. ECW Press. p. 302. ISBN 1-55022-759-9.
  21. 1 2 3 4 Bourne, Dick. "The Definitive History of the Mid-Atlantic Heavyweight Championship". Mid-Atlantic Gateway. Retrieved 2009-07-03.
  22. Oliver, Greg. "George Scott: Making Mid-Atlantic sizzle". SLAM! Wrestling. Retrieved 2009-07-03.
  23. Chappell, David. "The Jimmy Valiant Interview: Part Three". Mid-Atlantic Gateway. Retrieved 2009-07-04.
  24. Will, Gary. "Ivan Koloff". Canadian Pro Wrestling Page of Fame. Retrieved 2009-05-27.
  25. Johnson, Steve. "Class of 2008: Thunderbolt Patterson". Mid-Atlantic Gateway. Retrieved 2009-05-27.
  26. Johnson, Steve. "Class of 2008: Buddy Roberts". Mid-Atlantic Gateway. Retrieved 2009-05-27.
  27. Duncan, Royal; Gary Will (2006). "(Texas) Dallas: World Class 6-man Tag Team Title". Wrestling Title Histories. Archeus Communications. pp. 271–272. ISBN 0-9698161-5-4.
  28. Chappell, David. "Sir Oliver Humperdink: Page Two". Mid-Atlantic Gateway. Retrieved 2009-07-02.
  29. 1 2 Johnson, Steve. "Class of 2008: Sandy Scott". Mid-Atlantic Gateway. Retrieved 2009-05-27.
  30. Duncan, Royal; Gary Will (2006). "(Kansas & Western Missouri) West Missouri: World Tag Team Title". Wrestling Title Histories. Archeus Communications. p. 253. ISBN 0-9698161-5-4.
  31. Nevada, Vance. "Jake "The Snake" Roberts". SLAM! Wrestling. Retrieved 2009-05-27.
  32. 1 2 "History of NWA Southwest / NWA Texas Titles". NWA Southwest. Retrieved 2009-07-03.
  33. Duncan, Royal; Gary Will (2006). "(Louisiana & Oklahoma) Louisiana/Oklahoma: US Tag Team Title". Wrestling Title Histories. Archeus Communications. p. 232. ISBN 0-9698161-5-4.
  34. Johnson, Steve. "Class of 2008: Johnny Weaver". Mid-Atlantic Gateway. Retrieved 2009-05-27.
  35. Schramm, Chris (2008-02-15). "Johnny Weaver dead at 72". SLAM! Wrestling. Retrieved 2009-07-02.
  36. 1 2 Johnson, Steven (2008-08-23). ""Roughhouse" Fargo was a wrestling original". SLAM! Wrestling. Retrieved 2009-05-29.
  37. 1 2 3 Duncan, Royal; Gary Will (2006). "(Memphis, Nashville) Tennessee: Southern Tag Team Title [Roy Welsch & Nick Gulas, Jerry Jarrett from 1977]". Wrestling Title Histories. Archeus Communications. pp. 185–189. ISBN 0-9698161-5-4.
  38. Mooneyham, Mike (2008-08-24). "Seemed like old times at Fanfest". The Post and Courier. Retrieved 2009-05-29.
  39. Oliver, Greg (2008-03-17). "Manager/booker Gary Hart dies". SLAM! Wrestling. Retrieved 2009-05-29.
  40. Johnson, Steve. "Class of 2009: Gary Hart". Mid-Alantic Gateway. Retrieved 2009-07-03.
  41. Johnson, Steve. "Class of 2009: Wahoo McDaniel". Mid-Atlantic Gateway. Retrieved 2009-05-29.
  42. "The Blackjacks". World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved 2009-07-03.
  43. Oliver, Greg; Steven Johnson (2007). The Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame: The Heels. ECW Press. p. 69. ISBN 1-55022-759-9.

See also

External links

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