The Price is Wrong

From the 2001 Royal Rumble

By Kevin Hunsperger

The Hall of Fame ceremony is one of my favorite parts of the Wrestlemania weekend.  This year will mark the fifth one Chad and I will attend.  And each year there is at least one inductee that I scratch my head on and ask "why?"

And even though not everyone has been announced yet, at least I hope they haven't, I think it's fair to say that I've found my "Why?" moment.

Comedian turned game show host Drew Carey will be a part of the class of 2011.  I've come to accept that the E in World Wrestling Entertainment is increasing taking over.  I still think it sucks.

If memory serves me correctly, Drew Carey only had the one appearance with the WWE at the 2001 Royal Rumble.  And he didn't really do much in the match except go face to face with Kane and then eliminate himself from the match.

It's nothing personal against Carey, but it seems like his time in the WWE was so short and insignificant, yet he will go into the Celebrity Wing of the HOF.  Here are a few celebs who I think deserve the honor before the Price is Right host.

Courtesy: WWE

Cyndi Lauper:  In the 1980's I don't think there was a bigger celebrity involved with the WWF than Lauper.  She was the the "rock" portion of the Rock n Wrestling connection.  Cyndi was involved in all the pre-Wrestlemania hype along with her boyfriend at the time Dave Wolf.  Who can forget when "Rowdy" Roddy Piper punted her across the ring at Madison Square Garden? Wolf got power slammed and a gold record was smashed over Capt. Lou Albano's head.

Cyndi's connection to wrestling brought superstars into the mainstream with appearances in her music videos.  If and when the WWE decides to induct Cyndi Lauper, she'd be the first female celebrity to be given the honor.

Courtesy: WWE

Donald Trump: The WWE has had a great relationship with "the Donald" for years now.  It dates back to Wrestlemania IV & V being held at his Trump Tower in the late 1980's.  His involvement in the events was minimal at best.  I think he may have appeared on camera and done a quick interview.  But in 2007, Trump stepped into the limelight to be a part of the Battle of the Billionaires against Vince McMahon.  Luckily, Trump didn't wrestle Vince, but the two each had a representative do battle, with the losing "manager" losing his hair.  Trump shaved McMahon's hair in the middle of the ring in Detroit that night.

Trump's also had former WWE diva (she was with the company at the time) Maria on his show "The Apprentice."  He also did the angle a couple years back where he "bought" Raw and made the show commercial free.  Trump is a friend to the WWE and should be a part of the celeb wing.

Courtesy WWE

Mr. T:  Like Cyndi Lauper, Mr. T played a big role in the early development of WWF as a household name.  Vince McMahon brought in the A-Team star to be a part of the main event of the very first Wrestlemania.  T worked with the company leading up to the big match.  He did a boxing angle against Bob Orton and "Rowdy" Roddy Piper which resulted in a  "match" between T and the Rowdy One.

Then in 1987, I remember Mr. T returning briefly as a special guest referee for different matches.  He reffed a match at a St. Louis house show between the Honky Tonk Man and Jake "the Snake" Roberts.  Mr. T was also involved with WCW when Hulk Hogan signed with the company.

I've heard before that Mr. T doesn't want to be in the Hall of Fame because Pete Rose was the first celebrity to get inducted.  I don't know if that is true, if it is, then I pity the fool.  (You can guess who I think the fool is)

In closing, I have nothing against Drew Carey.  I think he's great on the Price is Right.  His sitcom was mildly entertaining.  I just don't feel like his role in wrestling should be immortalized in the Hall of Fame.  What do you think?