Levin: Rick Rude to Go into WWE HOF?

PWInsider has reported that WWE officials are considering inducting the legendary Rick Rude into the WWE Hall of Fame.

As one of the best heels to ever step inside a wrestling ring, it’s long overdue.

Rude always worked well both in the ring and on the mic, and had a snap to his work that few could compare with. He’s also one of the few to never play the role of babyface. The Ravishing One wrestled from 1982 until his 1994 retirement due to injury, with a comeback match in ECW in 1997. Unfortunately, he passed away just two years later at 40 years old.

Rude was a four-time world champion (three-time WCW International World Heavyweight Champion and one-time WCWA World Heavyweight Champion), a one-time WWF Intercontinental Heavyweight Champion, and a one-time WCW United States Heavyweight Champion. He also challenged for the WWF World Heavyweight Championship and the NWA World Heavyweight Championship on pay-per-view.

In 1997, Rude joined the influential D-Generation X stable, along with Shawn Michaels, Triple H, and Chyna. On November 17 of that year, he became the only person to appear on the WWF’s Raw Is War and WCW’s Monday Nitro on the same night, as the former was pre-recorded and Rude had left for WCW in the interim.

Rude’s persona of an arrogant lady’s man worked well in any promotion. He was a main event star, with a body that was just plain sick. Women wanted to be with him. Men wanted to be him. It was as simple as that.

If Rude enters the Hall of Fame, who’s next? WWE still has a growing list of superstars who have not gotten the call or will at some point be inducted posthumously. With the Hall of Fame ceremonies being held in Orlando on April 1, perhaps there will be a Florida feel to this class. Will Brian Blair and Jumping Jim Brunzell, better known as the Killer Bees receive an invitation? Blair was a solid worker in Florida before making the move to the WWF.

Ivan Koloff, the man who bridged the gap from Bruno Sammartino to Pedro Morales in 1971, has not been inducted yet. He deserves a spot as much as anyone, despite the fact his title run was only 21 days.

There is Ray “The Crippler” Stevens, who should have been inducted two years ago when WrestleMania was held in Santa Clara, California. Stevens was a fixture out west and a solid singles star in the NWA before he went on to tag team glory. I am sure once Stevens is honored properly, famed wrestling columnist Mike Mooneyham will smile from ear to ear.

What about Wahoo McDaniel? The Honkytonk Man? JBL should be see his name called soon. And at some point, the discussion will turn to Triple H and Daniel Bryan.

The mere talk of Hall of Fame induction causes many of us to think and wonder – and frankly get a little pissed off. As political as this process is, there are those who set the bar for the more recent stars who have not been recognized. Here’s hoping this year’s class will open the door to more of my generation’s greats being honored – properly and in due time.