10 things fans would love to see in the WWE Museum if there was one

There are many things that have gone into making the WWE the widely loved and well-respected organisation it is today. Fans simply love talking about their fondest memories of when big signature moments turned the wrestling business on its head and shocked the world of sports entertainment to its core.

For a company with such a rich history, there is more than enough memorabilia and paraphernalia to fill a gigantic museum. If such a thing existed, fans would flock from all over the world for a chance to see some of the iconic wrestling gear, weapons and title belts from their childhoods.

Should a phenomenon ever actually happen, here are ten items the WWE would be wise to include:

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1. Andre the Giant's boots

Big shoes to fill.

There is perhaps no another fitting tribute to the memory of Andre the Giant than the fact that he was the first official inductee into the WWE Hall of Fame. His legacy has taken on an aura that no superstar, past or present, will ever be able to attain. Therefore, if there ever was to be a WWE museum, Andre would most certainly deserve some kind of dedication.

Perhaps the best way to allow older fans to remember the Giant, and for younger fans to experience a little of what it would have been like to see him live, is to place a pair of his wrestling boots in a glass box. This would indicate the sheer size of the man and let people imagine what it would be like to stand toe to toe with him inside the ring.

The boots would be a centrepiece of a whole collection of memorabilia and information about Andre. After all, no true WWE museum would be complete without one.

2. Hulk Hogan's crucifix

The heel-turn heard around the world.

Apart from honouring great wrestlers from the WWE's past, a museum would also look to commemorate big moments in the long history of the company. Undoubtedly, one of the most iconic instances in the history of Wrestlemania came when Hulk Hogan defeated Andre the Giant in the main event of Wrestlemania 3, powerslamming his opponent to the mat for the victory.

The memory of this match deserves a place in the museum's collection, and a good place to begin would be to include the piece of jewellery which started the whole feud off. There are many characteristics of Hogan's wrestling character that instantly come to mind when we think of him. Whether its the handlebar moustache, the 24-inch pythons or the yellow bandana, Hogan epitomised the cartoon character come to life idea of 80s pro-wrestling.

Another piece of Hogan's attire that fans will remember is the crucifix he used to wear around his neck. On a legendary Piper's Pit segment in the lead up to Wrestlemania 3, Andre turned heel by ripping Hogan's shirt in two, pulling the crucifix away with it. This moment broke the hearts of many young wrestling fans across the world and set up what was arguably the WWE's greatest and most important rivalry.

3. A famous mask collection

Famous facial coverings.

Masked wrestlers might be traditionally associated with Mexican Lucha Libre, but that doesn't mean the history of the WWE has been without its fair share of famous and iconic masks. A large part of this has been the influx of interest from south of the border with guys like Rey Mysterio and Sin Cara making names for themselves under Vince McMahon's guidance.

But other WWE-born superstars have also chosen to wear a mask for one reason or another. If there was to be a tribute to masked wrestlers in a WWE museum fans would most likely wish to see those worn during big moments and matches.

For example, the mask worn by Mankind during the legendary Hell in a Cell match against the Undertaker would certainly make an appearance. Kane's debut might also be honoured by including the mask he wore when he tombstoned his brother at Bad Blood 97.

Rey Mysterio also deserves to be included here. Perhaps the mask he wore during his Royal Rumble victory would be appropriate, or maybe the Joker inspired one he wore at Wrestlemania 25. This collection would certainly prove an interactive and enjoyable part of the display for visitors to the WWE museum.

4. Buddy Roger's WWWF World Heavyweight Championship

Where it all began.

The WWE Championship is perhaps wrestling's greatest ever prize. Other companies have had their own world titles in the past and while some of them have reached pretty high levels of notoriety, including the NWA Championship and WCW Championship, the belt made famous by the likes of Bruno Sammartino, Hulk Hogan and Stone Cold Steve Austin will always remain the most prestigious.

Therefore, if there were to be a WWE Museum, the belt would need to be honoured in a way it deserves. One way of doing this would be to find a special place for the first ever World Heavyweight Championship credited to the WWE.

Back in 1963, Buddy Rogers lost his NWA Championship in a one fall match to Lou Thez. Arguing that belts should only change hands after a two out of three falls match, Vince McMahon Sr. refused to recognise the title change claiming that his guy Rogers was still the world champion.

In a move that shocked the wrestling business at the time, the World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF) broke away from the NWA and created their own distinct title. Rogers was awarded the belt and defended it for just under a month before dropping it to Sammartino. The rest, as they say, is history.

5. A tribute to the animals of WWF/E

Matilda the bulldog.

It may not be a feature of modern day wrestling anymore, and largely for good reasons, but the animal kingdom used to provide fans of the industry many reasons to love their favourite superstars. Whether it was Matilda the bulldog accompanying Davey Boy and Dynamite Kid to the ring, or Damion, Jake Robert's phyton, having a creature on their side made certain wrestlers stand out above the rest.

In a WWE museum, fans would really appreciate some kind of tribute to the animals associated with the 80s and 90s wrestling. Perhaps the collar worn by Matilda, or the perch that Koko B Ware used to use to carry his parrot to the ring could all be on display.

Of course, these could also be accompanied by pictures and captions talking about famous incidences when the animals influenced matches i.e. when Matilda chased Bobby Heenan around or when Damion bit into Randy Savage's arm.

6. The Rock's guitar

You ain't nothin but a redneck.

Elias might be doing a pretty good job of building heel heat on himself with his one-man performances in the ring, but slightly older fans will naturally associate what he is doing with Dwyane 'The Rock' Johnson.

In the build-up to his Wrestlemania 19 showdown with Stone Cold Steve Austin, The Rock performed what became known as the Rock Concert. The People's Champion was going through an effective heel turn at the time, playing a character that was more interested in pursuing Hollywood than performing for the fans of the WWE. The Rock began singing songs with his guitar, first targeting Sacramento, the city in which RAW was being held.

He then turned his attention to Austin, berating the Rattlesnake with clever lyrics, with Jerry Lawler's commentary egging him on. The whole thing felt like one last ride involving the iconic Attitude Era duo before both men took time off from the product.

The guitar that Rock played that night in Sacramento would surely be the centrepiece for a display honouring the sheer talent of the 'Great One'.

7. Undertaker's Wrestlemania 33 gear

Gone but never forgotten.

While Shawn Michaels might officially be known as 'Mr Wrestlemania' amongst wrestling fans, but many of them would argue that no individual better personified the spectacle of Wrestlemania than The Undertaker.

For 21 years, the Phenom of WWE went undefeated on the grandest stage, beating some of the company's biggest names in the process. Even after his winning streak was broken by Brock Lesnar at Wrestlemania 30, Undertaker's involvement at Wrestlemania was still a pretty big deal. Earlier this year, WWE's newest poster boy Roman Reigns went face to face with the "Prince of Darkness", and for only the second time in his career, Undertaker was pinned to the mat for the three count.

After the match, Taker left his iconic gear in the middle of the ring, including his hat, gloves and coat, while the audience in attendance were all chanting their appreciation. This was a symbolic gesture that seemed to signify his retirement. If this really is going to be the Deadman's last match then these items of clothing would go perfectly on a display at a WWE museum along with walls and walls of information about his legendary career.

8. The Wrestlemania 10 ladder

Climbing for gold.

While the current wrestling business might strike many as being quite stale and unoriginal, there was a time when the industry's top companies were thinking up new and exciting ways to make the product the much-loved cultural icon it once was.

Even when the WWF was suffering from a decline in audience numbers during the 1994-96 period, they were still busy creating new concepts for their product. At Wrestlemania 10, for example, Shawn Michaels and Razor Ramon competed in the very first ladder match in Wrestlemania history for the Intercontinental Championship.

Ladder matches are now a staple of the professional wrestling calendar, but back in 1994, many fans were seeing this concept for the very first time. The match was played out expertly, receiving a 5-star rating and making Wrestlemania 10 a hugely significant show overall.

Therefore, considering it is still in reasonably good condition, the Wrestlemania 10 ladder would be perfect for a WWE museum.

9. The DX tank

Huge moment.

Anyone who saw the now infamous edition of 'Being the Elite' on YouTube will know that the Bullet Club recently 'invaded' Monday Night RAW in scenes that have sent the wrestling community into a small frenzy. Vince McMahon's reaction was not a positive one which is surprising considering his company were doing the exact same thing nearly 20 years ago.

During the height of the Monday Night Wars between WWE and WCW, Triple H and the rest of D-Generation X launched their own invasion of Monday Nitro, driving their tank right up to the doors of the arena and demanding to be let in.

This was seen as such an important turning point for the WWE after a very successful Wrestlemania 14 show and a distinct return in interest for the company after months of being hammered in the ratings by WCW and the NWO.

Visitors to the WWE museum would love to see the very same tank that was used that night and relive some fond memories of when wrestling and reality blended into one.

10. Austin's beer truck

One man highlight reel.

The jury is still out as to whether the WWF of the 1980s, led by Hulk Hogan, was a more important and significant time than the late 90s/early 00's led by Stone Cold Steve Austin. Whatever may be your verdict, there's no denying that Austin helped Vince McMahon's company transcend what the wrestling business meant to the point where the WWF was no longer following US culture, they were actually creating it.

Whenever we think about the career of Stone Cold Steve Austin, we remember the big signature moments like when he held a gun to Vince's head or when he shocked the world by teaming up with his former nemesis at Wrestlemania 17.

One thing no WWE museum could do without would be Austin's famous beer truck and there's a solid reason why. Whenever you see a video package of great RAW moments, you see Stone Cold drenching Vince, Shane and The Rock with a giant hose filled with cold 'Steveweisers'. This encapsulated all that was great about the Rattlesnake - larger than life, controversial and very much 'in your face'.