Blog: The Great Ones

Wrestlers are different than most of us. Most people don’t have the discipline or mental and physical toughness to live the life of a professional wrestler. It is also tough to measure greatness in this sport.

But we all know the great ones. They have that sometimes indefinable mix of charisma, talent, in-ring ability and usually the gift of gab. The PWHF has sought to honor these unique people. The great ones came from families in all walks of life and all parts of this country, Canada and indeed the whole world. And many of the great ones have come when called to be honored at the PWHF – The Destroyer, Nick Bockwinkel, The Fabulous Moolah, Killer Kowalski, Verne Gagne, Terry Funk, Harley Race, Angelo Savoldi, Mae Young, Penny Banner, Jack Brisco, George Steele, Don Leo Jonathan, Pat Patterson, Ted Dibiase, Cora Combs, Danny Hodge, Roddy Piper, Gene Kiniski, Lou Albano, Donna Christantello, Jay Strongbow, Paul Orndorff and many more have visited The Hall.

The wrestling business is just that – a business. If you are in the business, you are in it to make money … but the truly great ones, besides wanting to earn a living, truly love the wrestling business. So when a legitimate Hall of Fame … a not for profit establishment with no salaried employees … and a selection committee comprised of veteran wrestlers, writers and historians votes you into this Hall of Fame, the truly great ones are honored. They are honored because they have been voted in by their peers … similar to the way baseball, football, boxing, basketball and hockey players are voted into their halls. Unfortunately, some of the seemingly great ones see this honor as no more than an “appearance” along the same line as a compensated wrestling show or autograph session. That is truly unfortunate.

The names I listed above, along with all the others who have visited like J.J. Dillon, Johnny Rodz, Mick Foley, Davey O’Hannon, Pete Sanchez, Dom Denucci, Baron Scicluna, Ida May Martinez, Ray Stern, Jimmy & Johnny Valiant, Bill Eadie, Ivan Putski and so many more … truly love the wrestling business … truly love what they did … and are truly honored to walk into a building where the sole purpose is to honor them and the business they earned a living in.

And that is how I define “The Great Ones”.


- John Pantozzi

APRIL 3 - Superfly Jimmy Snuka Autograph Signing at PWHF

On Saturday April 3rd, from noon until 4pm, Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka will be signing autographs at the PWHF (30 East Main Street, Amsterdam, NY). The cost will be 10.00 per autograph, with all proceeds going to support the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum.

Share Your Photos from NJ Dinner & Mick Foley Sale

You can view photos from the New Jersey Dinner and Mick Foley Hardcore Sale on our Facebook Page. We invite fans who attended the event to post their own photos and videos to our Facebook wall as well.

Feb 20 - Mick Foley Hardcore Sale, List of Items

Mick Foley has posted a complete list of personal items he'll be selling tonight (Feb 20) at a very special PWHF event in Pompton Plains, NJ. Dinner starts at 7pm, but doors will open early for Mick's Hardcore Sale, around 5pm. For the complete list of items, check out Mick's blog post at his MySpace page.

PWHF to Sponsor 9-Ball Tournament & Classic Car Comptition, Induction Weekend

Two more great events taking place during PWHF Induction Weekend 2010 - 9-ball Tournament & Classic Car Competition. Here are the details:

9-ball Tournament --
Friday, June 4th, the PWHF will sponsor a "9 Ball' tournament at Main Street Billiards in Amsterdam, NY. The Winner will receive a $250.00 first place prize and the chance to go head to head with wrestler "Pistol" Pete Sanchez in a "first to 7" 9-ball game the next day (Saturday June 5th) at noon. Call Main Street Billiards at (518) 843-0428 and ask for Bob Parillo.

Classic Car Competition --
Saturday, June 5th, behind the America's Best Value Inn in Amsterdam, NY, the PWHF will sponsor a 'Classic Car' competition. Awards will be given to "Best in Class." If you have a Classic Car and want to display it, call Dick Gendron at (518) 421-8090 or Wayne Wnuk at (518) 281-2250 for information.

Foley Files: Mick blogs about his upcoming PWHF auction, Feb 20

Mick Foley posted his thoughts about the upcoming PWHF dinner and auction where he will sell items from his personal career collection. Check out the article

Remembering Jack Brisco (Video Interview)

We are saddened by the passing of wrestling legend, Jack Brisco. Mr. Brisco was a 2005 PWHF Inductee and a 2010 PWHF Selector. We are grateful to have known Jack, and for his support of the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame.

In memory of Jack Brisco, we would like to share a video interview with Jack conducted during PWHF Induction Weekend 2005.