Why WWE Must Avoid THIS Huge Mistake Ahead Of WrestleMania 39

5. The Origins Of The WWE Hall Of Fame

While there are clearly some baffling admissions, the WWE Hall of Fame has long been a pivotal part of the pro wrestling calendar.

Yes, this particular Hall of Fame and its inductees has historically been dictated by Vince McMahon, but there's undoubtedly a sense of honour and pride for those names who can label themselves WWE Hall of Famers. The point being, to the talents and personnel in the HOF, it means a great deal. Even those who have previously lambasted the WWE HOF - for instance, Scott Steiner - have graciously accepted the offer of an induction when it's come their way.

In terms of its roots, the then-World Wrestling Federation introduced its Hall of Fame back in 1993, with Andre the Giant the sole inductee that year. This creation of the HOF came just a couple of months after the tragic passing of the Eighth Wonder of the World at 46 years of age.

For the first Hall of Fame, there was no ceremony, there was no pomp and circumstance. All that fans got, was an announcement and short video package on the 22 March '93 episode of Raw to reveal that there was now a Hall of Fame and that Andre the Giant was now a Hall of Famer.

By June 1994, the Hall of Fame as we now know it came to fruition. Taking place from Baltimore's Omni Inner Harbor International Hotel, this time there was a ceremony, and, rather that just one inductee, seven names took their place in the Hall of Fame on that night. Unfortunately, the ceremony was not recorded in full, though short clips were featured on WWF programming at the time.

The Hall of Fame would continue in this form, until 1996 had the ceremony take place in front of a paying audience. However, the WWF would opt to simply put its Hall of Fame concept on hold once that '96 event had wrapped up.