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Post by tarheelfan on Dec 25, 2007 20:13:35 GMT -5
I like Brian Pillman and remember his outstanding wrestling since he debuted in NWA/WCW but quite frankly missed unfilled potential should not qualify anybody for the Hall of Fame in any sport. And like another poster alluded to he was not really in the WWE that long anyway. And let me say that it is obvious that wrestling is scripted and the WWE Hall of Fame has some members in it that will leave one scratching their head but what other sport inducts someone into the hall of fame just because they may have had several awesome notable years? (Again not that wrestling is like other sports as a disclaimer. But still I stand by my premise.
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Post by Loki on Dec 25, 2007 20:30:24 GMT -5
As a fairly hardcore fan, I really can't think of anything Pillman did in his career besides "he was a Horseman" and "he died." One of the pioneers of the lightheavyweight style in America, tremendous matches with Jushin Thunder Liger, among others, part of the revolutionary Hollywood Blondes tag team, multiple time lightweight and tag team champ, part of the Horsemen, had a brilliant gimmick years ahead of it's time that helped usher in what would become the Attitude era. I think that about covers it. Did I miss anything? So, summing it up: * Pioneer of a "niche" wrestling style * Some good matches with a Japanese star, mostly unknown to the general public * One half of an interesting tag team * Multiple reigns with lower midcarder/midcarder belts * Part of an historical stable, years after it stopped being really relevant * Small part in the early stages of a boom period If that's enough to grant a HoF induction, it'd be easier to have a Hall of Shame with the few who can't match most of these criteria
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metylerca
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Post by metylerca on Dec 25, 2007 21:02:18 GMT -5
Well, in anyone's defense, the WWE HOF's screening process to get in will put Steve Lombardi in there.
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Post by MiLo Duck on Dec 25, 2007 21:56:25 GMT -5
I think that since one's career residing largely in the WWE no longer matters so much for the HOF, Pillman is a fine choice. His unique presence, both as face Flying Brian and as heel/tweener Loose Cannon Pillman are certainly something to mark in the history books of wrestling.
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Post by rubber johnny on Dec 26, 2007 7:04:47 GMT -5
i'm not that familiar with him, but sure, let him in
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Post by Powder/The Professor on Dec 26, 2007 18:10:07 GMT -5
Absolutely YES. Without a doubt!
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Post by CMPunkyBrewster on Dec 26, 2007 18:13:10 GMT -5
plain and simple, pillman is the most underated genius the buisness has ever seen. i realized that far too late. the man was simply incredible both in the ring and in front of a camera. hell yes he should be inducted.
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Post by Powder/The Professor on Dec 26, 2007 18:13:36 GMT -5
As a fairly hardcore fan, I really can't think of anything Pillman did in his career besides "he was a Horseman" and "he died." He also helped usher in the Lightweight/Cruiserweight division in North America. He did numerous unique things throughout his career that made him standout as a performer. His life and career should be honored in the Hall of Fame, even if you consider the Hall of Fame to be weak and full of stiffs......his induction can help it make viable. Done and done...
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Crappler El 0 M
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Post by Crappler El 0 M on Dec 26, 2007 18:13:42 GMT -5
I certainly wouldn't mind him getting the accolade, but he's not someone that I'd rush to induct. The standards for getting in are low and I guess Pillman meets them. I personally don't like too many posthumous inductions in the same year and there are other deceased wrestlers that should go in before Pillman.
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Post by Cranjis McBasketball on Dec 27, 2007 2:22:58 GMT -5
I'll say "no" and it's not because I am not a Pillman fan. Overall, he really didn't do very much in his career.
I believe the Loose Cannon DVD is more fitting tribute to his life and career than an induction in a HOF that isn't exactly "real". If he were alive and just retired, I'd probably be prone to saying "Yeah, let him in."
However, the attitude seems to be if a wrestler dies, he is HOF material right away.
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Post by Kevin Hamilton on Dec 27, 2007 2:34:27 GMT -5
Sure, but I'm on the record many times of not being bothered with anyone they include.
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Post by Bobby Womack on Dec 27, 2007 11:08:18 GMT -5
nope, the only reason we're having this discussion is because he passed, if he faded into obscurity around that time instead of dying nobody would even consider him for the hall of fame
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Post by thereallybigshow on Dec 27, 2007 15:06:09 GMT -5
One of the pioneers of the lightheavyweight style in America, tremendous matches with Jushin Thunder Liger, among others, part of the revolutionary Hollywood Blondes tag team, multiple time lightweight and tag team champ, part of the Horsemen, had a brilliant gimmick years ahead of it's time that helped usher in what would become the Attitude era. I think that about covers it. Did I miss anything? So, summing it up: * Pioneer of a "niche" wrestling style * Some good matches with a Japanese star, mostly unknown to the general public * One half of an interesting tag team * Multiple reigns with lower midcarder/midcarder belts * Part of an historical stable, years after it stopped being really relevant * Small part in the early stages of a boom period If that's enough to grant a HoF induction, it'd be easier to have a Hall of Shame with the few who can't match most of these criteria Wow, talk about downplaying the accomplishments of Brian Pillman. I watched Pillman since he debuted in WCW and helped elevated "Crusierweight" wrestling into the mainstream pallet. * This "niche" wrestling as you call helped propel WCW past the WWF during the "Monday Night Wars" Pillman was one of the most over babyfaces in WCW during the early 90's. *Jushin Liger is a wrestling legend. Brian Pillman helped get Liger over with American fans. Liger's international name stems from his matches with Pillman in WCW. If Liger never worked with Pillman in the early 90's it's quite possible neither man woudl be all that well known. *He was one half of the Hollywood Blondes. He and one of the most popular wrestlers of all time "turned the corner" together. With out Pillmans influence on Austin is is quite possible we would not even know who Steve Austin is. Brian Pillmans character was possibly the most creative and innovative character of his time. He blurred the line between real and fake. His wild antics captivated tons of fans. Pillman was one of the hottest "Free Agents" after his accident. He wasn't sought after because of his in ring ability, which was stellar. He was sought after because of his character. From peeing in ECW's ring, to calling out Kevin Sullivan as a booker, to pulling out a gun on Steve Austin, Pillman changed wrestling. He never held a top belt. He never main evented a big show. Pillman was a HUGE loss to wrestling. Maybe he would have faded into obscurity. Some people say it's better to burn out than to fade away. Pillman burned out. Leaving wrestling fans wanting more. He accomplished so much. How can you write him off? Pillman was truly an original. That is much more than you can say for 90% of the workers on TV today.
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Post by Slammywinner on Dec 27, 2007 15:34:18 GMT -5
Eddie Gilbert first
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Post by thereallybigshow on Dec 27, 2007 15:39:08 GMT -5
Gilbert first? Gilbert is great. I just don't think he had nearly the influence overall that Brian Pillman did. Don't get me wrong I am a Gilbert fan. He just shouldn't be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame before Brian Pillman
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Post by Loki on Dec 27, 2007 16:34:30 GMT -5
Wow, talk about downplaying the accomplishments of Brian Pillman. I watched Pillman since he debuted in WCW and helped elevated "Crusierweight" wrestling into the mainstream pallet. * This "niche" wrestling as you call helped propel WCW past the WWF during the "Monday Night Wars" Pillman was one of the most over babyfaces in WCW during the early 90's. I thought WCW were kicking WWF's ass thanks to the NWO... The cruiserweights were an interesting and innovative appetizer. Sure, but how many of the "average WWE fans" know who Liger is? Ok, When will be Jannetty get his HoF spot? He was said to be the most talented of the two Rockers... Pillman changed wrestling? I respectfully disagree... Only two-three men can claim they actually changed wrestling, and Pillman isn't one of them There you have THE reason because I'd not raise hell to induct him. I'm maybe selling him short, but you're "overselling" him and his impact. I really fail to see how a tag team with a not-yet Stone Cold Steve Austin, an angle against Kevin Sullivan and one of the umpteen over-the-top angles of the Attitude Eras are stellar contribution In terms of contribution, Rey Mysterio is lightyears ahead, and I'd think twice about him in the HoF anyway.
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Post by TheMediocreWarrior on Dec 27, 2007 16:42:51 GMT -5
Some people take the HOF too seriously - Pro Wrestling is not a competitive sport, so there's a million different ways to define who "should" be inducted. But at the end of the day, all it really is an occasional storyline prop, a very cool old-school night pre-wrestlemania, a chance to hear speeches from old wrestlers, and a chance to give them one more night in the spotlight. To induct someone who's dead causes it's own problems. I don't think they should have more than one prematurely dead person a year - it makes the whole thing kind of a downer and puts too much emphasis on the negatives of wrestling on what should be a happy night. Pillman was surely great, but I don't really see the point of putting him in the hall of fame over some other deceased wrestlers that make more sense there. I disagree with you there as it really wouldn't put a downer on the night as we would be celebrating the person's life and career in the sport. Flyin Brian deserves to get in as he instituted the cruiserweights in North America in a big time company as he was big star in the NWA/WCW in the late 80's and early 90's. He then invented a character that you truely felt was off the wall and was gonna hurt someone and for that, he deserves to go in. If only WWE followed up on that whole establishing the cruiswerweights thing. I say yes, he was entertaining and talented so why not. There are already some people in the HOF who if you wanted to be overly critical shouldn't necessarily be in there. I mean...I like Tony Atlas, but if you wanted to be really picky would you have included him? Also, it's kind of funny to hear cruisers referred to as "niche" wrestling. Isn't that the kind of stuff everyone on the IWC loves, and is a big thing in the indies that everyone goes on and on about on the Internet?
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Post by Loki on Dec 27, 2007 16:59:26 GMT -5
I say yes, he was entertaining and talented so why not. There are already some people in the HOF who if you wanted to be overly critical shouldn't necessarily be in there. I mean...I like Tony Atlas, but if you wanted to be really picky would you have included him? At least a dozen of Hall of Famers shouldn't be even near to the place where the ceremony takes place I guess I'll have to surrend my IWC card, and the palm-PC I bring to the shows to write my rants on
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Post by stevierichardsfan on Dec 27, 2007 17:03:20 GMT -5
me being a huge pillman fan i say yes
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Post by Crappler El 0 M on Dec 27, 2007 17:05:47 GMT -5
There are many posthumous inductions they should do before they induct Pillman.
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