First name announced for 2013 WWE Hall of Fame with more names rumored

We are just a couple months away from Wrestlemania 29, and at the same time, the WWE Hall of Fame – Class of 2013. There have been numerous rumors over the past few months about who will go in this class, and one name can now be confirmed while several new names have sprung up recently.

As of now, one name is official for this year’s class, and that is none other than “The Hardcore Legend” Mick Foley.

Foley’s induction should be no surprise, especially considering his recent work with WWE over the last year or so. After a short stint in TNA, Foley left the #2 promotion in the United States to return to the promotion that truly made him a star. Foley stated, when he returned, he was more interested in helping get some young talents over while also playing the role of “good will ambassador” for the WWE, and also said he certainly would accept a spot in the HoF, and would especially be happy to do so because his children would get to see it.

Foley’s career speaks for itself. The man is a 4-time World Champion (3-time WWE Champion, 1-time TNA World Champion) as well as the first-ever Hardcore Champion, and an 8-time World Tag Team Champion. In addition to those accolades, he has been involved in some of the most intense, dangerous, and even hilarious angles in pro wrestling history, always sacrificing himself to put on a good show while never taking himself too seriously. Some of his bumps, such as Hell in a Cell at King of the Ring ’98, are the stuff of legends, and are things that no one else could ever replicate.

At this time, it is unknown who will induct him, but the two likeliest of candidates are his two closest friends in wrestling, fellow Hall of Famers Jim Ross and Terry Funk.

In addition to Foley, new names have surfaced as potential 2013 inductees. The latest names rumored for the Hall are King Kong Bundy, Bob Backlund, The Rockers (Marty Jannetty & Shawn Michaels), and all five main members of D-Generation X (Michaels, Triple H, X-Pac, The Road Dogg and Billy Gunn). While DX are pretty much a lock (which will give HBK his second ring, tying with Ric Flair), the others are not confirmed. Bundy seems very likely, however. As for Backlund, it will be up to him. His relationship with WWE is rocky at best, mainly due to the fact that Backlund is, for lack of a better term, legitimately “off his rocker”. However, he should be inducted at some point, as his importance in wrestling history can’t be understated. Backlund is the second-longest reigning champion in history, with his first reign lasting nearly 6 years.

The longest-reigning champion in history is Bruno Sammartino, and despite his bad relationship with Vince McMahon, WWE is still hoping to get him into the Hall, possibly this year. COO Paul “Triple H” Levesque has stated that, if it will help sway him, he plans to fly to Sammartino’s residence and speak to him face-to-face in hopes of convincing him to leave the past in the past.