Hart Murmurs # 2 – November 21
Bruce Hart is back with the 2nd edition of Hart Murmurs exclusively on PWPNation.com
In this edition, Bruce discusses the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame moving from New York to Texas
Greetings again, wrestling fans, I trust this finds you well. I received some great news this week, from my old wrestling comrade, Cowboy Johnny Mantell, the President of the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame. Johnny informed me that the Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame – which is pro wrestling’s equivalent to baseball’s Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York or pro football’s shrine in Canton, Ohio – was moving from Amsterdam, New York to Wichita Falls, Texas.
I had an opportunity last summer to visit the Hall of Fame in Amsterdam and was greatly impressed with the treasure trove of wrestling artifacts and its dedication to honoring and preserving wrestling’s legendary figures and colourful history. Having said that, I found that Amsterdam – which was way off the beaten path and had no discernible history that I know of as a wrestling hotbed – wasn’t that great a location and that tended to compromise its ability to serve as wrestling’s ultimate shrine.
The new Hall of Fame in Wichita Falls should be a lot more accessible and, given the long and rich history of pro wrestling in Texas (including names like The Funks, Von Erichs, Guerreros, Rhodes, Brody, Shawn Michaels, Steve Austin and the Undertaker) and nearby Oklahoma (which spawned legends like Danny Hodge, Wahoo McDaniels, Leroy McGuirk, Dick Hutton, Bill Watts and Steve “Doctor Death” Williams) – this should be a better fit for all concerned.
I should note that the WWE, of course, has its own so-called Hall of Fame (of which, my father and my brother Bret are proud members). The WWE Hall of Fame inductions have become an integral part of the annual WrestleMania festivities and I think they do a hell of a job with it, all things considered.
Having said that, I find that there are a number of things that make it hard for me to take the WWE Hall of Fame that seriously.
For example, the WWE has welcomed, with open arms, into it Hall of Fame, the likes of James Dudley, Bob Uecker, Pete Rose, Madusa, Drew Carey, William Perry and Donald Trump, but at the same time, has thus far chosen to exclude bona fide wrestling legends, such as Lou Thesz, Frank Gotch, Strangler Lewis, Whipper Watson, Danny Hodge, Leroy McGuirk, Paul Boesch, Billy Robinson, Luther Lindsey, not to mention my brother Owen and the incomparable Dynamite Kid, among others.
That would be about like the Baseball Hall of Fame inducting people like the San Diego Chicken, Marge Schott, Abbot and Costello and Morganna the Kissing Bandit, but excluding the likes of Babe Ruth, Mickey Mantle, Joe DiMaggio, Sandy Koufax, Johnny Bench, Ted Williams and Stan Musial.
Given that the WWE has no actual place where wrestling fans can visit and pay homage to their heroes and given that (contrary to what they might want people to think) wrestling had a long, colourful and glorious history long before Vince McMahon, I think the WWE should, rather than disregarding it or putting it down, endeavour to work with the Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame in Wichita Falls.
To my way of thinking, it would be, as Triple H might put it, “what’s best for business”.
In any case, congratulations to Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame President Johnny Mantell on overseeing the re-location of the hall to Wichita Falls – which will be great for the wrestling business, in general. I’m told that an announcement will soon be made about the grand opening – which is something I’m looking forward to attending.
On a more sombre note, I was saddened to hear of the passing of former AWA champion, the great Nick Bockwinkle.
Back in the 1950’s, Nick’s father, Warren Bockwinkle, was a star for my dad and he later sent Nick up to Calgary where he spent a considerable amount of time, learning the ropes, as they say.
Nick would go on to become a major star inmost of the major territories, particularly Verne Gagne’s Minneapolis promotion, during the 1970’s. Not only was Nick a consummate professional, but was one of wrestling’s greatest ambassadors. He will be missed, but never forgotten.
On that note, I’ll call it a wrap for this week, but will look forward to hooking up with you all next week.
Cheers.
