Greetings.
I was pleased that the WWE had seen fit to induct my brother-in-law Jim Neidhart and my brother Bret Hart into the WWE Hall of Fame. While I was pleased to see “The Anvil” and “The Hitman” being honored, at the same time, I was disappointed to see that other equally worthy former Stampede Wrestling stalwarts, The Dynamite Kid, Davey Boy Smith, my brother Owen Hart and my former tag team partner Brian Pillman had been overlooked once again.
I’m honestly not sure why Dynamite and Davey Boy continue to be overlooked and deemed unworthy. Not only were the British Bulldogs one of the greatest tag teams in WWF history, but both were equally proficient as singles performers. Dynamite (real name Thomas Billington) was one of the best workers I’ve ever seen. A cutting edge performer who had an uncanny ability to have a great match with virtually anybody. Ditto for Davey Boy, not only were they acclaimed superstars in the WWE, but they main evented in top promotions all over the world, including Canada, Japan and the United Kingdom.
Equally deserving of induction into the WWE Hall of Fame is my late brother Owen, who was incredible, as both a babyface and heel. Like the Bulldogs, he was an acclaimed worldwide superstar long before he ever went to the WWF and would pay the ultimate price for the WWE, losing his life in an ill-conceived stunt in 1999 at a pay per view in Kansas City. However, none of that is enough to make him worthy of being inducted, apparently.
Not to digress, but I’m pleased to note that the Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame in Wichita Falls, Texas, which is pro wrestling’s equivalent to the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, will be inducting Owen into their Hall of Fame in May. It should be a memorable celebration.
Also conspicuous by his absence from the WWE Hall of Fame is my old friend and former tag team partner, the late, great Brian Pillman, who was one of the most dynamic and charismatic performers I’ve ever seen.
As many of you know, Brian also formed a great tag team in WCW with Steve Austin, the legendary Hollywood Blondes. From there he went to the WWE and mega stardom, which was unfortunately halted by his untimely death in 1997. Having said that, given that Austin, from what I’m told, has a lot of “stroke” with Vince McMahon, Triple Hand company, I’m surprised that he hasn’t already put in a word for his old friend in this regard.
On that note, I’ll call this a wrap, but will look forward to catching up with you next time.
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