These inductions into the WWE Hall of Fame are questionable at best!
There has been plenty of debate surrounding certain inductions into the WWE Hall of Fame, ranging from dubious decisions to long-standing grudges. These incidents have sparked strong debates, rekindled rivalries, and evoked strong feelings among fans of professional wrestling all around the world. Whether it was because of personal grudges, behind-the-scenes politics, or just different opinions on a wrestler's legacy, these inductions have had an extended effect on the history of the WWE Hall of Fame.
James Dudley seems like a strong early contender for the Hall of Fame, on the one hand. His entry felt like a fitting reward for years of effort, as he was among the first African-Americans to oversee an arena and perform some promotion. The issue is that much of that so-called "service" was really provided as Vince McMahon's waterboy (which is not a derogatory term; he actually carried buckets of water for men backstage). In addition, he occasionally drove Vince's limousine and acted as his bodyguard. The fact that Vince was honouring a valuable employee seems to show a more compassionate side of him, but it still seems strange that he is in the Hall of Fame when there are so many other really worthy candidates who are not.
Upon her induction, the Fabulous Moolah appeared perfect for the Hall of Fame. The longest-reigning female champion in history, Moolah, rose to prominence in the early days of female wrestling and was a major factor in the growth of the WWE. But after her passing, accusations about Moolah's horrible conduct surfaced. WWE was compelled to take her name off of events like battle royals held in her honour. Doubt is further cast on this inclusion, given that these accusations were in place during her lifetime and were only subsequently found.
The most divisive feature of Chyna's WWE Hall of Fame association is the fact that she has never received recognition as a solo artist. The reason "The Ninth Wonder of the World" was let into D-Generation X in the first place was because of her experience in adult cinema and her decision to leave the WWE following Triple H's extramarital affair with Stephanie McMahon. 2019 saw "DX" inducted into the Hall of Fame, despite Chyna's 2016 death from substance use. She was the first female member of a group to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Bret Hart's second induction into the Hall of Fame in 2019, as part of the Hart Foundation, stirred debate not related to his history with the organisation or McMahon post-Montreal Screwjob. During the live ceremony, a fan attacked the legend, prompting security and wrestlers to intervene swiftly. As the broadcast abruptly cut off for viewers, chaos ensued in the ring. Among the chaos, Dax Hardwood, formerly Dash Wilder, managed to land a blow on the assailant before security escorted him away.
JBL's wrestling journey presents a paradox. While deserving recognition for his evolution from midcarder to champion and commentator, allegations of backstage bullying mar his reputation. WWE's decision to retain him even after these incidents, while releasing others for lesser offences, exacerbates the issue. Despite this, JBL remains a favoured figure within the organisation, raising questions about WWE's stance on accountability for inappropriate behaviour.
Other similar debates raged on for stars like Koko B. Ware, Jimmy Snuka, Pete Rose, and The Ultimate Warrior.
