Andy Kaufman To Be Inducted Into WWE Hall Of Fame 2023
The 2023 WWE Hall of Fame class is set to have another two names added to it.
With Rey Mysterio and the Great Muta already confirmed for this year's WWE Hall of Fame, there now comes word on two names who will be joining these icons of the business.
Per Variety, Andy Kaufman will be inducted as part of the 2023 Hall of Fame class.
A famed comedian known for his stand-up work and TV shows such as Taxi, Kaufman ventured into the wrestling business and had a legendary rivalry with Jerry Lawler in the 1980s. At that point, the funny man would wrestle women, usually plants picked from the crowd, and score easy victories as he declared himself as the Inter-Gender Wrestling Champion of the World.
The braggadocios heel persona of Kaufman, and his disdain for the people of Memphis, put him on a collision course with Lawler, including the King slapping Andy during an appearance on Late Night with David Letterman, and Jerry kayfabe breaking Kaufman's neck with a piledriver; an injury that the New Yorker sold for several months as he wouldn't be seen without a neck brace on.
Of course, Andy Kaufman's life - complete with Jerry Lawler playing himself - was chronicled in 1999's Man on the Moon, with Jim Carrey starring as Kaufman in that movie. Andy tragically passed away in 1984 at the age of just 35 after a battle with lung cancer. One would usually presume that Lawler would be the one to induct Kaufman into the WWE HOF, though Jerry's recent stroke and ill health may mean that's not possible.
In addition to Andy Kaufman being inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame this year, PWInsider Elite notes how there are currently plans to induct a referee as part of the 2023 class. While it's not been revealed exactly who this referee is, this report adds how the person is "someone the entire industry loved". Already some are speculating that this may well be Timmy White, although there are obviously countless tother referees who could also be deemed worthy of a spot in the WWE Hall of Fame.
The 2023 WWE Hall of Fame takes place on 31 March, the night before WrestleMania 39 kicks off.