WS Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame 2024 Induction Ceremony

[Hoss]

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Wrestling Smarks Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame
2024 Induction Ceremony
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Back for the fifth year in a row, it's time for the Wrestling Smarks Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony!

After four incredibly dynamic classes, this year's group looks to uphold the lofty standards established by the WS community, as we honor five more of the greatest stars in the history of this illustrious sport. After a very rigorous and competitive two-phase voting process in which a record-number of ballots were submitted, I am confident that we have chosen a class we can all be proud of. This year's class will highlight both some of the biggest draws to ever grace the business, as well as some of the most vaunted in-ring performers in history.

Induction will begin soon and continue over the upcoming week, as we honor this year's inductees one-by-one. Follow along to see who made the final cut, and will be joining this highly venerable Hall of Fame, as voted on by the members of Wrestling Smarks.​

 

[Hoss]

Let’s kick off this year’s ceremony with a real heavy hitter. A man who could headline any Hall of Fame, anywhere in the world… to coin a phrase. The man who will be the first inductee into the Wrestling Smarks Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame Class of 2024 is a globally recognized superstar who has headlined more pay-per-views than anyone else in history. He has stacked a historic number of World Championships on his résumé. Furthermore, this man was the face of WWE across multiple eras, cementing him as likely the most consistent and enduring “Ace” in North American history. Ladies and gentlemen, your time is up - his time is now. The champ is officially here for some much-deserved recognition. Please welcome to the Wrestling Smarks Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame --

“THE DOCTOR OF THUGANOMICS”
JOHN CENA

Making his highly anticipated entry into Wrestling Smarks Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame is a man both revered and highly divisive for his unprecedented reign atop the wrestling landscape. Whether you associate him more with his “Big Match John” or “SuperCena” monikers, odds are that John Cena is likely one of the first men to come to mind when you think: wrestler. The 16-time World Champion entered the public sphere all the way back in 2002, quickly skyrocketing in popularity when he adopted his famously edgy rapper gimmick. His stock rose so quickly that Cena was an easy choice to spearhead the Ruthless Aggression Era, winning his first WWE Championship at WrestleMania 21 and quickly becoming the public face of the company - a mantle he would hold for over a decade. Cena would enjoy unmitigated success as WWE’s franchise player throughout much of the Ruthless Aggression Era, the entirety of the PG and Reality Eras, and even the first several years of what is known as The New Era. While his time on top of the mountain would earn him the distinction of “the most polarizing superstar in WWE history”, Cena’s body of work over his 20-plus years in the business speaks for itself. Early wars against the likes of JBL, Undertaker and Eddie Guerrero… Triumphant defeats of Umaga and Big Show… Legendary feuds and moments with Edge, Randy Orton, Shawn Michaels and CM Punk… Record-shattering encounters with The Rock… Career-redefining bouts with Daniel Bryan, Seth Rollins, Kevin Owens and AJ Styles… There is nary a wrestler throughout the annals of history with a list of accolades that can stand next to John Cena’s. And now the very man who held the world’s largest wrestling company on his shoulders for well over a decade finally takes his place as a verified Wrestling Smarks Pro Wrestling Hall of Famer!​

 

[Canadian Dragon]

no brainer for sure, congrats to John

 

[Hidden Blaze]

That’s 1 off my list, let’s see how the other 4 do.

 

[#Waddles]

The Hoss man does good write-ups for these guys.

 

[Chris]

Wasn't in my top 5 but no complaints for me, woulda voted eventually

 

[Hoss]

It is now time to introduce our second inductee of the year. Following a man with as much star power and longevity as John Cena is no small feat, but I assure you that the second inductee of this year’s class is up to the job.

This performer is one of unparalleled grit and determination. A poster boy for withstanding great difficulties and triumphing in the face of adversity. Pound for pound, one of the undeniable toughest men to ever lace up a pair of boots. While he would pay a great physical price for his fearless style, he would endure and secure a legacy for himself as both one of the most critically acclaimed wrestlers of all-time, as well as a historically valuable box office draw. This dual-threat status is exemplified by a record six Match of the Year honors from the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, along with four years being voted as Wrestler of the Year and back-to-back wins as Best Box Office Draw in 2004 and 2005. Please welcome to the Wrestling Smarks Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame --

“IRON MAN”
KENTA KOBASHI

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The master of the Burning Hammer, Kobashi makes his way into our Hall of Fame and brings with him a legacy of resilience and a standard of excellence. Beginning his career in All Japan Pro-Wrestling as the plucky rookie who lost his first 63 matches, Kobashi was a fan favorite from early on in his wrestling career. He would go on to be a part of the young guard, led by Mitsuharu Misawa, that quickly carved a major role for themselves in the AJPW landscape in the early 90s. He would be dubbed one of the “Four Pillars of Heaven” along with Misawa, Toshiaki Kawada and Akira Taue... and his career would be intertwined with his fellow Pillars for much of their respective runs. Throughout the 90s, Kobashi along with his fellow Pillars and such legends as Jumbo Tsuruta, Steve Williams and Jun Akiyama helped shape AJPW into the most critically-acclaimed promotion of its time, with their patented King’s Road style. In the year 2000, Kobashi was a part of the mass-exodus of talent that left AJPW to form Pro Wrestling NOAH, where he would become a centerpiece for the company, shifting the landscape of professional wrestling in Japan and abroad. Having already battled injuries for years up to this point, Kobashi was thought to be on the tail end of his career by the time NOAH formed, but the legendary competitor would respond with what should be counted among some of the best years of his career. His resurgence in NOAH would be emblematized with a 735-day reign as GHC Heavyweight Champion, a reign that remains a record in the country of Japan. It was during this period where Kobashi’s significance to the sport was on full display. Kobashi was one of the few major draws in the country of Japan at the time, as pro wrestling was rapidly losing ground to MMA in terms of mainstream popularity. Despite a career riddled with injuries, Kobashi shouldered the load for NOAH through one of the darkest periods of puroresu as the “Absolute Champion”. His well-earned retirement would finally come in 2013, after two decades of being one of the most hailed wrestlers on the planet, despite a laundry list of surgeries and a bout with cancer. In his wake, he leaves literally dozens of legendary bouts with and against the likes of Stan Hansen, Kensuke Sasaki, Takao Omori, Samoa Joe and, of course, all of his fellow Four Pillars of Heaven - matches that have had a profound effect on many of today’s performers who seek to emulate the dramatic storytelling and rugged physicality that Kobashi had such a mastery of. I am personally very honored and pleased to announce Kenta Kobashi as the newest addition to the Wrestling Smarks Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame Class of 2024.​

 

[Chris]

that's what I'm talking about

 

[Canadian Dragon]

it's about damn time lfg

 

[Hidden Blaze]

Wasn’t in my top 5, but really well deserved tbh. Who can forget the time he main evented Wres… wait that was my BTB.

All seriousness, definitely is deserved.

 

[Deadd2009]

2 of the guys I had going in made it so far, good for them!

 

[Doom]

Congratulations to John and Kenta Kobashi for being the newest additions to the WS Pro Wrestling Hall Of Fame!

 

[Hoss]

Next inductee on the way tomorrow


These last three should go at a bit of a faster pace, now that I'm kinda settled in from a bunch of important life shit.

 

[Hoss]

I couldn’t possibly think of a more fitting inductee to follow up Kenta Kobashi than who we have up next. A man who was a shoe-in to eventually enter these hallowed halls, as his indomitable fighting spirit exemplifies the very essence of puroresu. A game changer and an icon, whose impact on the sport of wrestling both in Japan and abroad is second to none. His daring style made him a spectacle to witness, but his matches were never anything, if not highly scientific. It would be sufficient to say that few other wrestlers throughout history have dedicated themselves to their craft more than the following inductee. Please welcome to the Wrestling Smarks Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame --

“THE EMERALD EMPEROR”
MITSUHARU MISAWA

The legendary Misawa is a favorite of many and a highly deserving inductee into the Wrestling Smarks Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame. Debuting for All Japan Pro Wrestling in 1981, Misawa would find his first major break when he donned the Tiger Mask gimmick in 1984, competing under the name of Tiger Mask II. He would prove to be a worthy successor to Satoru Sayama, and would even be featured in World Title matches against the likes of NWA World Champions Ric Flair and Ricky Steamboat, as well as AWA World Champion Curt Hennig during this run. Having made a great impression on company president Giant Baba and reigning ace Jumbo Tsuruta during the early phase of his career, Misawa would unsurprisingly find himself being elevated towards the top of the card rather quickly after unmasking in 1990. Forming the fabled Super Generation Army with fellow up-and-coming stars like Toshiaki Kawada, Kenta Kobashi and Tsuyoshi Kikuchi, Misawa and co. would embark on a long-term battle of generations with the Tsuruta-gun stable, which would see the passing of the AJPW torch towards the new era. Misawa won his first All Japan Triple Crown Title in August 1992 by defeating the imposing Stan Hansen. Taking on the role of the company’s new top hero, Misawa pivoted towards an all-timer feud with his former ally Toshiaki Kawada which would yield unprecedented critical acclaim, during which time Misawa racked up the longest reign in the history of the Triple Crown Title with a 705-day run as champion. As the ace of the company throughout the late 90s, Misawa was instrumental in establishing the long-lasting legacy of the King’s Road style. Displaying superhuman endurance and a penchant for complex storytelling, Misawa was the ideal face for this movement, which many regard as the peak of in-ring excellence. When Giant Baba passed in 1999, the company turned to Mitsuharu Misawa to take over the reins as president; however, a conflict with Baba’s widow would see Misawa lead a mass-exodus from the promotion in order to form Pro Wrestling NOAH in 2000. With many of his contemporaries following Misawa to NOAH, his new company would carry on the standard of virtuosity that he and his peers established throughout the 90s. Though time was winding down on his career, Misawa continued to produce must-see matches against old rivals and new adversaries alike, while also introducing future puroresu legends such as KENTA, Go Shiozaki and Takeshi Morishima to the game. In 2006, when top draw Kenta Kobashi had to step away from the ring to battle cancer, Misawa took it upon himself to keep his promotion afloat despite his own deteriorating health - a decision that would inevitably prove to be fatal. On June 13, 2009, Misawa paid the ultimate toll for his dedication to his artform, suffering a transected cervical cord and cardiac arrest during a match in which he teamed with Go Shiozaki against Akitoshi Saito and Bison Smith. Though Misawa was aware of the declining state of his body, he viewed it as his mission to make sure NOAH was in good hands before he could ride off into the sunset, which stands as a testament to his strong convictions. Though he passed far too young, in the most tragic of circumstances, the legacy that Misawa established as a performer and as a man will live for an eternity. Certainly, his catalog of matches is nearly unrivaled thanks to his broad command of the art of wrestling and his influence on the current generation remains quite apparent the world over. Join me in welcoming The Emerald Emperor into the Wrestling Smarks Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame Class of 2024! ​

 

[Canadian Dragon]

@Chris we did it bro