Vader is the man who ripped Mick Foley’s ear off!
On screen, Cactus Jack and Vader were bitter rivals. Known for being two of the toughest men from WCW, their rivalry can be viewed on the WWE Network and enjoyed to the fullest by all hardcore wrestling fanatics. But behind the garb of being vicious opponents, both share a mutual respect for one another. Moreover, they’re known to be two of the nicest people in professional wrestling.
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Today, the wrestling world mourned as one, as the legendary Vader announced that he had only two years to live.because of congestive heart failure. While the world reacted with shock to this piece of news, WWE Hall of Famer Mick Foley put a positive spin on it. In his words, he has ‘talked to people at the highest levels at WWE, and hopes that Leon’s (Vader’s real name is Leon Allen White) name will be inducted in the class of 2017 Hall of Fame inductees’.
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While Vader earned his stripes mainly outside of WWE, he did have a run in the company between 1996-98, where he had memorable feuds against The Undertaker, Kane, and Shawn Michaels. In fact, Mankind (played by Mick Foley) and Vader had teamed in their memorable contest against Owen Hart and The British Bulldog at Wrestlemania 13.
Vader left the company soon after because Vince McMahon had failed to realize the value of this behemoth. In fact, while Vader was already a legend outside of the enterprise; Vince McMahon had wanted to change his name to Mastodon when he was brought in. Needless to say, Vader’s best days were not spent wrestling for Mr. Vince McMahon.
While this may prove to be a reason for WWE officials to refuse his induction, Vader has done enough outside WWE to warrant a place in the Hall of Fame. After all, Sting and Antonio Inoki too are part of the revered institution despite the fact that neither was an active performer in the WWE, in their prime years.
We also think that Mick Foley has enough sway in the company for his word to be taken seriously. Unlike a lot of past stars, Vader is on good terms with the company and even showed up at last year’s Hall of Fame ceremony to induct his arch nemesis – Stan Hansen.
In Foley’s words, Vader’s legacy ’is so important to him, and being inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame would mean so much, both on a personal and professional level’. We do hope Mr. Foley can pull this off for this immortal legend. WWE officials, all we can say is, it’s time!
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