International Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame Announces Inaugural Class

You have to start somewhere. The International Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame was established in 2019 in order to preserve and honor the history of professional wrestling from around the world. Earlier today, the organization announced its inaugural class of inductees, which includes some of the biggest names in the sport.

The class of 2021 includes:

Hulk Hogan
Ric Flair
Bruno Sammartino
Andre the Giant
“Nature Boy” Buddy Rogers
Lou Thesz
Terry Funk
Mil Mascaras
Antonio Inoki
Rikidozan
Frank Gotch
Danny Hodge
Giant Baba
George Hackenschmidt
Ed “Strangler” Lewis
Evan “Strangler” Lewis
Martin “Farmer” Burns
William Muldoon
Great Gama
Yusuf Ismail
Paul Pons
Satoru Sayama
Tatsumi Fujinami
Stanislaus Zbyszko

You can see the announcement in its entirety below:

The inauguration is set to take place on August 28, 2021, at The Desmond in Albany, New York.

Below is some more information about the IPWHF:

The International Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame is a not-for-profit entity formed to preserve and honor the history of professional wrestling from around the world. Special attention will be given to ensure the contributions to professional wrestling by individuals from various backgrounds and diverse cultures will be highlighted in the establishment.

On December 10, 2019, the New York State Board of Regents approved the provisional charter for the International Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame.

Included in the charter for the International Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame is the mission statement which reads:

“The International Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame is a not for profit entity formed to preserve and honor the history of professional wrestling from around the world. …Special attention will be given to ensure the contributions to professional wrestling by individuals from various backgrounds and diverse cultures will be highlighted in the establishment.”

“This is an incredible day! The Empire State is going to be home for the IPWHF. The board of directors need to be commended for their work in accomplishing this milestone,” said Tony Vellano. Tony had first instituted a hall of fame designated for professional wrestling in upstate New York in 1999. Eventually, that institution was moved to Texas after operating in New York for 16 years.

“I knew we needed to bring the International Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame to the Northeast,” said Seth Turner, President of the IPWHF. “In July 2019, I met with Tony Vellano to learn about his experience and it inspired me to engage in trying to open a hall of fame. We have a great deal of work to do, but we also have a committed group of professionals who have the ability to make the International Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame a first-class institution.”

There are also plans for a physical location to be established sometime in 2021.

[h/t to Bleacher Report]

Editor’s Opinion:

I think that this is a terrific idea and I hope that the IPWHF lasts for a long time. There is a rich tradition of professional wrestling that has existed around the world for a very long time and bringing the accomplishments of all organizations and all superstars into one area is something that is long overdue! Congratulations to the inaugural class of very deserving recipients!

What do you think of the International Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame inaugural class of 2021? Leave us a comment below, or post a comment on our Facebook page! Also, be sure to sign up for our newsletter!

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