By Wade Keller, PWTorch editor

KELLER'S WWE HALL OF FAME REPORT
APRIL 4, 2009
LIVE FROM HOUSTON, TEX.
WEBCAST ON WWE.COM

-Honkytonk Man spoke about Koko B. Ware training him and making him drink out of a trough in a barn. He said a few minutes after drinking from it, a horse, two cows, and a goat took a drink also. He said he knew Koko was headed for stardom because he had those key elements to be a superstar. He had desire, he was dedicated, and there was no one who worked harder. He said JBL may have a Clothesline from Hell, and they cut to a shot of JBL standing and waving to a booing crowd, but Koko had a Dropkick from Hell. He finished with a story about how a promoter once wanted Koko to wrestle without Frankie the bird, and after the match Koko was said and said he never wanted to perform without Frankie again.

-Koko danced out to the podium with a bird. He thanked God. He talked about being born and raised in Union City, Tenn., which has grown from 10,000 to 50,000. He said he was trained by the late Plowboy Frasier, known in the WWF as Uncle Elmer. He talked about getting word that WWE was interested in him and meeting with Vince McMahon for the first time. He thanked everyone from his family to his fans and finally WWE for giving him the opportunity to "share my wrestling talent with the fans all over the world."

-They showed Bobby Heenan sitting in the crowd, which drew applause.

- Michael Hayes walked out to "Badstreet USA" and spoke about the Von Erichs. He said with all due respect to the Guerreros and Funks, the Von Erichs were the Texas family with the biggest impact. After talking about Fritz Von Erich's history, he talked about him introducing the revolutionary six-camera set-up for World Class Championship Wrestling. Then he talked about the great Freebirds-Von Erichs feud.

-Kevin Von Erich walked out and hugged Hayes. He talked about how great it was to be part of WWE. He said he wished his father and brothers could be there to share the moment, but he considers all of the wrestlers his brothers. He then talked about the Freebirds, saying you become closer to those you fight. He introduced his sons who were in the crowd, Ross and Mashall. He thanked his daughter and wife, too.

-Gene Okerlund introduced Howard Finkel. He credited him for coming up with the name WrestleMania and being the only employee to attend every WrestleMania. Finkel said his role was to put all of his emotion into each of his announcements. He said his voice swelled, but not his ego. He said he knew the real stars were the WWE Superstars "who literally put their lives on the line." He talked about having been a member of the APA and a Bushwacker. He said his greatest match was with Harvey Wippleman, an epic tuxedo match. He then admitted it was his only match. He announced himself into the Hall of Fame just as he would announce someone winning a title. Nice, fun speech.

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