WWE Hall of Fame
Class of 2018 Predictions
July 16, 2017
DougMaynard.com

Is it too early to talk about the WWE Hall of Fame and the Class of 2018? I know that we have a good eight months to go until Wrestlemania and the next round of inductions into the fabled halls that don’t physically exist but are valued and honored anyhow. Nah, we’re all wrestling fans and it’s never too early to discuss something like this. Besides, speculation and trying to second guess Vince and the WWE… that’s what we do, right?

So what I’m going to do now is make my predictions and try to get ahead of the curve and determine who I think will be walking that stage and taking a spot as the WWE Class of 2018. Before I start naming who I think will be inducted, let me go ahead and clear the elephant out of the room and mention who, despite being extremely deserving, will NOT be inducted. Demolition will not be inducted. Ivan Koloff will not be inducted. Jeff Jarrett will not be inducted. Warlord and Barbarian will not be inducted. And there are so many others who have earned that spot, but it will take a minor miracle and act of God to ever see them inducted. Ivan is a former WWWF Champion and the man who ended Bruno’s reign in 1972 and deserves to be honored more than anyone, but he was part of that big lawsuit against the WWE and that’s why he’ll never get his just due. Same for Demolition, Chavo Guerrero, The Powers of Pain and so many others. Is it right? Not really, but then again, I can see the WWE’s point too. If someone is part of what they believe is a frivilous lawsuit against me, why should I honor them? It’s petty, but I get it. As for Jeff Jarrett, I just think we’ll see Ole Anderson inducted and shaking hands with Vince long before Jarrett is ever welcome in the WWE again or considered for any kind of favorable spot or mention.

But enough of dwelling on all of that. Let’s move on to the future and people that will, sooner or later, and I’m hoping sooner, be inducted into and become immortalized as members of the 2018 Class of the WWE Hall of Fame. Here is who I think will get the nod next year at the big event.

The Undertaker

Yes, this one is a no-brainer to be sure and the only thing that may prevent Taker from being inducted next year is if he decides for whatever reason, that he isn’t ready or doesn’t want to go into the HOF yet. Maybe he feels he still has one more match left or something left to prove to the WWE fans. Whatever the reason, the choice is definitely his and his alone to when he is ready to start wearing that ring. Everything else is just logistics. But I truly do expect to see Taker as the headliner for the Class of 2018.

Jim Cornette and the Midnight Express (Bobby Eaton, Stan Lane and Dennis Condrey)

Hell literally froze over when Jim Cornette was brought in earlier this year to induct the well deserving Rock & Roll Express into the Hall of Fame and since that time, the relationship between Cornette and WWE has been extremely cordial and proves once again that time can heal all wounds. Few teams have enjoyed the success of the Midnight Express, in all of it’s incarnations and they’re still remembered as one of the best tag teams of all time, bar none. Now that the ice has thawed and everyone is being nice again, it’s time to give honor and recognition where it’s due and the Midnight’s definitely deserve it.

Vader

Leon White, aka the man they call Vader, is probably one of the best big men to ever step foot inside that squared circle. Be it in Japan, WCW or the WWF, the man came in and made an impact that was second to none. And how many 400 pound plus men can do a moonsault off the top rope? Only one and his name was Vader. From his early days in the AWA as “Bull Power” Leon White to as recently as a few months ago where he was still performing in Japan, the man is a legend through and through. And with his recent health woes, allegedly being diagnosed with congenial heart failure, his time is short and he’s been said to have less than two years left bound to this mortal coil. If his health permits, Vader needs to be one of the men walking that stage in April of 2018. He’s paid his dues and earned that spot. It’s time. It’s time. It’s Vader time.

Cyndi Lauper

For the so-called Celebrity WIng of the Hall, no one deserves to be there more than this tiny little lady with the orange hair and funny voice. Without Cyndi, there would never have been that “rock & wrestling connection”, no MTV and “Brawl To End It All” and no Goonies videos featuring the WWF wrestlers and stars of the time. Cyndi was the new rock star on the block who loved wrestling and with the help of her good friend and surrogate father figure, Captain Lou Albano, was able to use her star power and fan base to help pull wrestling from the smokey gyms to the world of mainstream television and MTV. You can’t talk about “rock & wrestling” without this talented lady as she provided all the “rock” and did it with a strong vengeance. Celebrity or not, her influence did so much for our business and she deserves to be honored.

“The Total Package” Lex Luger

Lex is a multi-time former Champion for the NWA and WCW and was a big part of the WWF for several years. Currently, Lex works as a health counselor and coach for the WWE to help others avoid the problems that he’s had to deal with, both medically and in life. So more bridges have been mended. And I know that some people might think that, because of his decision to jump to WCW and appear on the first Nitro, that there may be hard feelings, but Madusa was forgiven and welcomed back into the fold and Lex seems to have been too. Plus if Lex is inducted and part of the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2018, who will be there to induct him, but his long time friend and former partner, Sting. Sting means $$$ and ratings and Lex could get in for no other reason if Sting is part of the deal. But Lex deserves it on his own merits. His career was an impressive one and he’s also a former Horseman, which has to count for something too.

Lisa “Ivory” Moretti

Now would be the perfect time to induct former 3-time WWE Women’s Champion Ivory into the WWE Hall of Fame. Not because of her career in the WWE where she was one of the top women for many years. Not because she’s a former trainer for Tough Enough or a former WWE personality for WWE Experience. Not even because she’s the woman who ended Fabulous Moolah’s last reign as the Women’s Champion. All of that would be reason enough, but there is another reason. GLOW. Currently, the Gorgeous Women of Wrestling is experiencing a comeback of sorts, with the new series on Netflix, which is incredible by the way, and the documentary from a couple of years ago that was excellent and is also available at Netflix. Ivory, as “Tina Moretti”, was a part of all of that. She was one of the original “GLOW girls” and then went from there to POWW (Powerful Women Of Wrestling) and then, finally to the WWE. Her career path is unique and makes for a great story, that given the current popularity of GLOW and the Women’s division in WWE, she’s the link between both. It makes sense in so many ways and she has earned this spot time and time again.

Hillbilly Jim

One of the most memorable characters in WWF history, who has gone on to a successful career in radio and entertainment, while keeping a positive and clean image and not getting any bad press. That right there is enough to make him stand out from his peers. But he was a fairly decent performer who was popular with fans, came to work, didn’t make waves, and has been a great example of what to do and be since ending his in-ring career. His name is forever linked with the 80’s WWE scene and it’s time for WWE to go ahead and put a ring on it.

Rick “The Model” Martel

Former AWA World Heavyweight Champion and a great performer who had a stellar career in the WWF, WCW and AWA that spanned many years. And yet, we never hear any dirt or scandal about this man. He was just a damn good wrestler and solid worker. And very deserving of any wrestling Hall of Fame, including that of the WWE.

Baron Von Raschke

One of the top heels in professional wrestling all throughout the 70’s and 80’s, this former U.S. Olympian made a tremendous impact wherever he wrestled. He challenged Bruno in the Garden in the early 70’s. He dominated tag team wrestling with a variety of partners in the NWA in the early 80’s. He worked as a manager briefly for the WWE in the late 80’s. He worked and was a big part of the AWA, as a beloved babyface, for the last few years of their existence. He had a play made about his life and career. And he was recently a part of a WWE pay-per-view event, appearing at ringside with stars like Bob Orton, Ric Flair, Larry Hennig and others. And through it all, he’s been goose-stepping and using that dreaded “claw” to earn success after success. He may be old, but the man is still iconic and legendary as ever. He can wrestle. He can talk. And he is entertaining. Just watch any shoot interview featuring the “Baron”. And he deserves to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.

And finally…

CM Punk

Yes, I know this isn’t going to happen, but one can dream, right? And who wouldn’t tune in to see Punk on the WWE stage again with a live mic? Pipe-bomb! Maybe one day. One can only hope.

And there you go. My predictions for what I hope will be the next Class inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2018. So what do you think? Who are some of the people you’d like to see become part of the WWE Hall of Fame? Let me know in the comments section. Thoughts and questions welcome also.

And now, I’m out of here. Things to go do and people to see. Have a great one and thanks for reading. I’ll catch you later.

Ubuntu!