Lawler, along with a few other people who are mostly undrafted at this point, fall into the "objectively a perfectly good value pick but **** that, I don't want him" -- for pretty much the reasons you describe in his case.

It’s mild face melting time. For this pick I’m going with someone that I personally do not like, but understand why a ton of other people do, and I also understand his impact on wrestling in general. It’s huuuuuuuge. Don’t worry, it’s not UNDRAFTED.

I mentioned in my last post that I wanted my Hall to represent all of the facets of the wrestling business. I personally think that also includes parts that are technically outside of the actual business. And I think that wrestling journalism counts as an important profession as it brings the fans closer to the business and that is good for everyone involved. I’m sure you have all figured out who I am taking by now, so I’ll take:

It's definitely interesting and he's a huge influence in the business but he probably could have been taken in 20 rounds.

This. And, like, if someone else picked him off in the meantime it wouldn't feel like too much of a loss.

That said, I applaud the creativity.

I had him on my list, though quite a few rounds away; it was why I tried to use Wrestling Observer Newsletter instead of Meltzer's name specifically. I was on the fence whether I felt he was an appropriate selection or not from the wrestling industry perspective.

I had Meltzer pencilled in for like round 18 or something.

Round 7, Pick 6:



HoF class:

Lewis should have been a top-10 pick.

I'll do write-ups in a couple hours.

Round 8, Pick 2:





HoF class:

Stu Hart’s a nice pick, i was going to be coming around to him in a round or two.

Jack Brisco was a two-time NWA World Heavyweight Champion, three-time NWA Tag Team Champion, and held too many NWA regional championships to list. He is widely considered to be one of the best true wrestlers to hold the NWA's top belt. He will be inducted by Ric Flair.

Stu Hart is one of the most indispensable figures in the history of pro wrestling. He was one of the most popular stars of his era, and like other stars of the time did in various regions, Stu built a wrestling promotion around that popularity in western Canada known as Stampede Wrestling. Unlike most of those other promotions, however, Stu never held a title in Stampede (or a major title anywhere else either). Hart's running of Stampede had a profound effect on the wrestling industry as he made unconventional wrestlers into stars, and really opened the door to smaller wrestlers jumping into main event level roles.

Hart is most well-known, probably, as a wrestling trainer. The roster of trainees that worked under Stu in "The Dungeon" would fill a Hall of Fame on its own.

He will be inducted into my Hall of Fame by his son Bret Hart.

For my next pick I’m going with a wrestler who wrestled all over the country during the 60’s, 70’s, and parts of the 80’s and 90’s. And also, while I agree with some that backstage stuff doesn’t help all that much, I think for this guy an exception should be made. He is/was known as the greatest finish man of all time and he is the inventor of probably the greatest gimmick match ever. With my next pick, I will select:




HoF Class:

Was trying to guess before opening spoiler and said "Dusty's already been taken" (War Games)

My pick will be up within 30. Gotta narrow it to one and do a write-up.

Flip flopping between 3 people again. I wanted two people above him but I think the value's too great at this point. I'll take the guy with the undisputed GOAT debut in WWE:





.iso's HoF class

My Hall:

I can't stop laughing at Hogan inducting Warrior.

By the way, I think that iso went out of order in taking Jericho, which is no big deal since I probably wouldn't have picked Jericho, but it may have caused some confusion as to who's up next. It would have been him after me, but I believe the action is on DWetzel.

It's been over 12 hours so DWetzel is skipped.

I will take the father of puro, Rikidozan.

and

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGY1J9XTXuw



My HoF:



Action back on isolated.

Seeing as how Rikidozan was taken, I'll take the guy who was the very first Triple Crown Champion:





.iso's HoF class

I select:

No mention of his managerial run w/Darren Young?

He was on my radar for a while but I had no idea when a good time was to pick him.

I’m going to just make up picks (no write ups sorry will catch up)

Killer Kowalski
Mil Máscaras

Sorry guys, I was working last night and didn’t see I was up.

My next pick will be a guy who was, to use a cliche, way ahead of his time. His look and ability to captive the masses with his promos made him one of the first “cool heels” back in the 70’s. His look and verbal stylings have been copied by some of the greatest wrestlers of all time. Hulk Hogan, UNDRAFTED, and UNDRAFTED are among some of the guys who have publicly credited this gentleman with their inspiration in the business. With my next selection, I will choose to induct:




Eric Bischoff will be inducting the nWo.


My Hall of Fame Class: