By Eric Nelson, PWTorch contributor

PRESS RELEASE

Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame Class of 2008 announced; Inductions Weekend set for June 27-28

WATERLOO, Iowa - A star from Japan, one from New Zealand and an American WWF legend are the headliners for the George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame, Class of 2008. In addition, Penny Banner, one of the finest women wrestlers in history, will receive the Frank Gotch Award for bringing positive recognition to the sport outside the ring.

Inductions Weekend is scheduled for June 27-28 at the Dan Gable International Wrestling Institute and Museum in Waterloo. There will also be a Celebrity Golf Tournament on Friday at noon, and a pro wrestling card at 7 p.m. at nearby Young Arena.

Saturday's events include the official induction at the museum at noon, followed by a reception for the Class of 2008 and all previous hall of fame inductees. A Fan Fest will also be held, with book signings by various authors. The banquet will be held at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Five Sullivans Brothers Convention Center, one block from the museum.

Masanori Saito was a great amateur in Japan, winning several national titles in both freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling and placing seventh in the 1964 Olympics. In 1965, he became the first Japanese professional wrestler ever with a college degree and an Olympic pedigree. He won numerous titles in the NWA and AWA, and starred in the WWF, as well. He won the AWA world heavyweight title by defeating Larry Zbyszko in 1990 in front of 65,000 fans in the Tokyo Dome. He also drew huge crowds for matches with Bob Backlund, Nick Bockwinkle and Hulk Hogan. He resides in Japan and has announced his intention to attend the ceremonies.

"Masa is one of the truly great wrestlers of his era," said Brad Rheingans, a member of the Class of 2004. "Everyone in the business respects him. I am really excited that he has been recognized in this manner."

Abe Jacobs is considered one of the greatest amateur stars in New Zealand history, winning several national and regional titles, and was highly respected by his peers as a professional. After arriving in the U.S., he had a 25-year career in the pro ring, and wrestled in 14 countries. He won world tag-team titles with Don Curtis and Haystacks Calhoun as a partner, lives in Charlotte, North Carolina.

"I worked with Abe many times and he could really wrestle," said Dan Hodge, Class of 2000. "He definitely deserves to be in this hall of fame."

Though known primarily for his rowdy techniques during his starring days in the NWA and WWF, Roddy Piper won as many titles as any wrestler since World War II. Often entering the ring wearing a kilt, he was one of the most popular stars of the WWF television era. He has appeared in dozens of films and television shows, and wrote his autobiography, entitled In the Pit With Piper: Roddy Goes Rowdy, in 2001.

Piper has a strong background in amateur wrestling and martial arts. He is a native of Canada and currently lives in Portland, Oregon.

"Roddy is a tough guy who can really wrestle," said Judo Gene LeBell, Frank Gotch Award winner in 2005. "He can take care of himself, believe me. He belongs in this hall of fame, for sure."

Being inducted posthumously are Stu Hart, Ray Gunkel, and Leo Nomellini.

Hart was a legend known for his shooting and hooking style, and for building the great tradition in Calgary, Canada. He was a student of wrestling at all levels and had a full understanding and appreciation of the amateur side of the sport, raising his kids to be amateur wrestlers before turning pro. The Hart dungeon produced some of the biggest stars in pro history. He passed away on October 16, 2003. His son, Bret Hart, Class of 2006, has been invited to accept the award on behalf of the Hart family.

In the late 1940s, Gunkel was a two-time All-American wrestler at Purdue University, and claimed two national AAU titles at heavyweight. Turning professional in 1951, he was a strong attraction all around the nation, with legendary heavyweight boxing champion Jack Dempsey serving for awhile as his manager. He was a big star in the south, where he held numerous titles. Gunkel also was a highly-successful promoter with the All-South Wrestling Alliance. He died of a heart attack on August 1, 1972.

Born in Italy, Nomellini came to the United States as a youngster when his family settled in Minneapolis. He was a three-sport star at the University of Minnesota, and was twice named first team All-American in football. He also was a regular on the Gopher wrestling team and was Big Ten champion at heavyweight.

As a lineman with the San Francisco 49ers, he played in every game for 14 years and was All-Pro many times. He is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame, the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the University of Minnesota Athletic Hall of Fame. He began wrestling pro in the off-season and won numerous title, including the NWA world tag-team title and, for a brief period, the NWA singles title. Known as "Leo the Lion" in the ring, he stood nearly six foot three and weighed 250 pounds. He was also a promoter in the San Francisco area for many years. He died on October 17, 2000.

"Leo was a tremendous all-around athlete and a great professional wrestler," said Verne Gagne, Class of 1999, who was a teammate of Nomellini in college and wrestled with him in the pro ranks for years. "This is another great honor for him."

Raised in St. Louis, Penny Banner exploded onto the wrestling scene in 1954 and was one of the biggest stars for over 15 years, winning the AWA world title as well as many other major crowns. She was always in tremendous shape due to a strenuous workout routine and took her wrestling very seriously. Since retiring from the ring, she has won hundreds of medals and ribbons in the Senior Olympics in track and field, and swimming, and has given speeches to various groups about healthful living. In real estate for many years, Penny has been a key member of the CAC board of directors, and has written a book called "Banner Days."

Today, Penny lives in Charlotte, North Carolina, and will attend the inductions. The Frank Gotch Award is given annually to a wrestler who has brought positive recognition to the industry with his/her activities outside the ring.

"Penny has been a credit to the sport, both in and out of the ring, for decades and this is an honor that many people are excited about," said Bill Murdoch, a museum board member. "We are pleased to have her be the first female professional wrestler to be honored at the museum."

Winners of the Jim Melby Award for excellence in wrestling journalism and for the Lou Thesz World Heavyweight Championship Award in recognition of meritorious public service will be announced shortly.

Banquet tickets are limited, on a first-come, first-serve basis. Tickets for the banquet are $60, and include a collectors program. To make a reservation, call the museum at 319-233-0745. More information on the pro wrestling card will be announced as it becomes available. For more information on the weekend event or the museum itself, check the museum's web site at www.wrestlingmuseum.org.
 

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