10 Candidates For WWE Hall Of Fame 2016 Warrior Award

5. Joey Marella

Does WWE consider referees eligible for a standard Hall Of Fame induction? That's certainly a question to ponder, and when considering their glaring omission from the Hall Of Fame up to this point, the answer must be 'no'. At the very least, it's unprecedented, and that is why Joey Marella, one of the first true "senior officials" in World Wrestling Federation history, should be considered for the Warrior Award of 2016. Joey was the son of legendary wrestler and announcer Gorilla "Gino" Monsoon and was the third man in the ring for the WWE's biggest match of all time, Hulk Hogan vs. Andre The Giant at WrestleMania III. Joey would go on to referee dozens of main event matches throughout his career in stripes before tragically passing away after a car accident during the summer of 1994. The tragedy was felt throughout the WWF at the time, as Joey was beloved by so many of his peers and fellow workers. Marella was often the target of Jesse Ventura's criticism as a little inside rib to Jesse's on-air WrestleMania partner, Gorilla Monsoon. Joey paved the wave for officials like Earl Hebner, Mike Chioda, and others that would soon be recognized because of their high-profile positions and involvement in main event matches. It is a bit surprising that the former referee isn't already in the WWE's Hall as a standard-bearer for referees, but since he made an impact in an area where it was often hard to stand out, Joey Marella should take his rightful place, alongside his father, in the WWE Hall Of Fame.