By Derek Burgan, Torch Media Guy

Torch DVD Review
WWE Hall of Fame 2004 Induction Ceremony




I’ve always felt that one of wrestling’s biggest weaknesses was the industry’s almost complete lack of accepting it’s past. Hell, in just about every other sport or medium they don’t just accept their past, they embrace it. The Hall of Fame ceremonies for Major League Baseball and the National Football League are big news on SportsCenter and you’ll never see an Academy Awards show without many tributes to great films or people in the movie industry. Forget about doing what’s right, there is the simple fact that there is a lot of money to be made in nostalgia. Whether it be throwback jerseys, pieces of Babe Ruth’s uniform in baseball cards or two disc DVDs of movies like Casablanca, people are always willing to spend money to relive moments of their past.

Now it finally looks like the WWE has realized this with the upcoming WWE 24/7 (which unfortunately will almost assuredly bomb out like their attempt at theme restaurants – WWENY) but they also have a great opportunity in the areas of merchandise and DVD. Of course, this IS wrestling, so the fact that the recently released The Rise and Fall of ECW will shortly pass WrestleMania XX as the top selling WWE DVD is actually a bad thing. Why? Well, because wrestling is such an ass-backwards business anything that is not created by the people currently in charge is thought of as inferior. When Jim Crockett promotions bought Bill Watts' UWF the first order of business was to make sure each wrestler from the UWF was completely buried and this same type of booking occurred years later during the WCW/ECW InVasion with the exact same results.

Will Vince McMahon ever realize that he OWNS the companies WCW, AWA and ECW for all intents and purposes? Probably not, so until the WWE closes its doors we are always going to be reminded that anyone not brought up in the WWE system is far inferior than those who were. Regardless, one big step in not just acknowledging the past but also making a great product is the 2004 Hall of Fame ceremony.




The 2004 WWE Hall of Fame is absolutely marvelous in the areas of production values and is a fully loaded two disc special edition. When they put their minds to it, NOBODY can compete with the WWE when it comes to DVDs and this one goes right into the wrestling fan’s library with the aforementioned WrestleMania XX, The Rise and Fall of ECW along with others like the The Ultimate Ric Flair Collection and Mick Foley’s Greatest Hits & Misses. It really whets my appetite for what could be coming down the WWE DVD pipeline.

This particular event was held the day before WrestleMania XX and “Mean” Gene Okerlund was the emcee. Before we started there was an excellent video package – hosted by Michael Cole no less – of all the guys currently in the WWE HOF. They had stuff on Ernie Ladd, Ivan Putski, James Dudley, Bobo Brazil, Chief Jay Strongbow, Fabulous Moolah, Buddy Rogers, The Valiant Brothers, George “The Animal” Steele, Captain Lou Albano, Jimmy “Superfly” Snuka, Andre The Giant, Arnold Skaaland, Killer Kowalski, Baron Mikel Scicluna, Gorilla Monsoon, Pedro Morales, Johnny Rodz, The Grand Wizard, Antonino Rocca, Pat Patterson and Freddie Blassie. I have to admit I had never even heard of “Baron Mikel Scicluna” before this tribute.

Can you imagine having to go to formal functions in a mask?

The first inductee of the night was Billy “Superstar” Graham. Now before each guy was introduced they would play a video tribute focusing on the one wrestler – again with a voice over by Michael Cole – and these were all fantastic. Graham’s had the match in which he beat Bruno Sammartino for the WWE title as part of his clips. “The Greatest Wrestler Alive”, Triple H, then introduced Graham. The Superstar talked about being at death’s door the year before and he was saved by a 26 year old girl who got into a fatal car accident. Apparently the girl was an organ donor and her heart went to one person, kidneys somewhere else and her liver ended up going to Graham. Most of Graham’s speech was putting over this girl although believe it or not he was sure to say he never had the body of Triple H. Graham also brought up how great a man Vince McMahon was for accepting him back in the WWE family after Graham, during the early 90’s, tore the company a new one during the steroid controversy.

Greg Valentine

Next up was Greg “The Hammer” Valentine and he was introduced by Jimmy Hart. I remember reading in Jimmy’s book that Jimmy actually had to sign a release that he wouldn’t work for another wrestling company for three months after this ceremony. Welcome to the WWE. Hart talked about the WWE calling him to New York from the Memphis territory and when Hart arrived he met McMahon, Pat Patterson and former head booker George Scott. Hart was also introduced to Howard Finkel who introduced him to the man he was going to manage, Valentine. His first night in the company Hart went to a TV taping with Valentine and was a part of 5 matches and 32 interviews. Can you imagine? Hart came back to find a huge stack of plane tickets and his itinerary so he asked Valentine when they get to see their family. Valentine answered, “This is your family.” Valentine then came up and briefly said how proud he was of his career, especially being in seven WrestleManias.

You’re not going to believe this one, but the third introduction was Pete Rose. They aired clips of all of Rose’s appearances in WrestleMania, including his first one back at WrestleMania XIV which I got to see live. This was actually a great performance where he ripped into the Boston fans (“I left tickets for Bill Buckner but he couldn’t bend down to pick them up!”) During the voice over Michael Cole said that Pete Rose was getting inducted to the “Celebrity Wing” of the WWE HOF. Yes, there’s a celebrity wing but not a wing for Bruno Sammartino or Hulk Hogan. I wonder if Susan St. James or Mary Hart will get in before Randy Savage? Kane was picked to introduce Rose since he was the one who tormented Pete in all the WrestleManias. Kane didn’t look nearly dapper as in a regular tux as he did in that all white one he married Lita in.




Kane started listing off all of Rose’s baseball stats and then apologized saying that was for, “the wrong Hall of Fame introduction.” Kane said he still has the bat that Rose tried to take his head off with at WrestleMania 2000. I wonder if he kept that battery he hooked up to Shane McMahon’s testicles? In another funny line, Kane talked about people asking him every year if it will be the year of Pete Rose’s revenge. Kane looked at Rose and said, “Don’t bet on it. I mean that, don’t bet on it!" Kane came across really good during this whole speech. Rose then got up and had a great line about not knowing Kane was that ugly seeing that this was the first time Rose saw him without his mask. Rose then put over the McMahons along with the WWE wrestlers saying that they are the only ones, besides NASCAR drivers, who know how to treat the fans. Don’t get me started on that…

"I'm sorry, I'm trying to adjust Tazz's microphone." - Big Show

Next up was Big John Studd. After the video package, Big Show came up and was hilarious adding that his tux was a custom job and there were currently thousands of silk worms in Asia now permanently on break. Show said he was humbled to be asked to induct Studd into the HOF and said he was a man of honor and distinction. Since Studd had passed away, his son, John Minton Jr. came to the podium to accept on his behalf.

It takes a real man to sell a camoflauge bow tie.

One of the best parts of the DVD followed as it was time for Sgt. Slaughter to get enshrined in the Hall. Now, as a personal note, I have to say that Slaughter was the first wrestler I ever saw on TV and a match between him and the Masked Superstar is what got me hooked on wrestling over 20 years ago. Now then, Pat Patterson came up after Slaughter’s video package and was so unprepared that it was truly hysterical. Patterson’s attempt to get through Slaughter’s career is as funny as anything in Meet the Fockers. Regardless, Patterson went over every gimmick he saw Slaughter have including “Super Destroyer Mark II” in the AWA. Patterson said when Slaughter went to the WWE his career blew up and he has been invited to the White House by presidents Reagan, Bush and Clinton.

Slaughter stepped up to the podium, “I said good evening you maggots!” In an interesting story, Slaughter said he sold all his colorful ring gear to Jesse Ventura when he was given the gimmick of the Sarge. Slaughter then talked about how it was a term of respect when “the boys” used your name in some sort of terminology. Slaughter talked about the “Gorilla Position” (which everyone reading this should know), the “Briscoe Rules" (I have no idea) and a “Patterson Quickie” (I can only imagine). Slaughter said he was proud one day when some boys said they had used a “Slaughter move” and once again I had no idea what was going on. Slaughter told a great story of his first promo in which he was interviewed by Vince McMahon (“Vinny” back then but now they call him “God” according to Slaughter). Slaughter blew smoke from his cigar in McMahon’s face and, “if anyone knows Vince they know he hates smoke.” After that promo Slaughter walked to the back and McMahon’s father hired him on the spot.

Disc two started up with the introduction of Bobby “The Brain” Heenan who was introduced by Jack Lanza. Let me tell you something, Heenan was on a roll here. He started off by saying Patterson’s introduction for Slaughter would be available in English on the replay. Heenan talked about growing up in Chicago and discovering wrestling and inadvertently mentioned the “WWF.” This was great because there was whacky moment where to edit it out a ridiculous sound effect straight from a bad morning radio show played and Heenan realized what he said. Heenan then went off on a rant and said that the WWE was the real home of Wildlife anyway with the Freebirds, the Junkyard Dog, the British Bulldogs, the Killer Bees and more while finishing with, “and to top it off, I’m the WEASEL doing commentary with a GORILLA! Damn it!” This was worth the price of the DVD itself.

Bobby then talked about how he got into wrestling and when he finally left Verne Gagne’s AWA (“All the World’s Assholes”) but was afraid to tell Gagne. Heenan called up McMahon and told him how he felt and McMahon said he wished he could be there. Why? “So I can tape it.” Bobby was just wonderful telling all these stories and eventually talked about his neck getting messed up and being sent on the road with “Larry Flint” (ie: Ric Flair) which ended up with him having to quit the WWE because he couldn’t handle the schedule anymore. Afterwards Bobby got a much deserved standing ovation and it was just a wonderful moment.

Does anyone really care what the Brooklyn Brawler thinks?!

The Heartbreak Kid Shawn Michaels then introduced Tito Santana. Shawn said that when he, Scott Hall and Kevin Nash would talk about their careers they would want to, “do the Tito thing.” What Michaels meant by that was that Tito had a long career with the company and still had a great family to go home to. Tito himself talked about only missing two shows in 12 years with the company. One because his son was born and the other because there was an airport snowed-in while in Buffalo. That’s incredible. Santana also put over McMahon which was a recurring theme throughout the show.

The eighth inductee was Harley Race and he was introduced by Ric Flair. The Nature Boy said that back in the old days Race was the definition of what every wrestler wanted to be. Flair said that when there was a problem with a wrestler or a fan, the promoters would “call Harley” and he would take care of it. Flair told the story of when Harley went with him to Japan to make sure he wasn’t doublecrossed in the ring. Maybe Bret Hart should have asked Harley to second him in Montreal. Harley put over the McMahons, Flair and Triple H. Well, at least Harley knows how to do business in 2004.




Mick Foley was next to introduce Don “The Rock” Muraco. Foley brought up the famous match at Madison Square Garden in which “Superfly” Snuka did his jump off the cage onto Muraco. At the time Foley said he didn’t understand it really took two guys to make a great match and never gave Muraco the credit he deserved. Years later while in WCW Foley told a story of how he was set to do a show for a promoter in Aruba and was mistakenly sent Muraco’s contract. Foley called up the promoter and asked why Muraco was getting paid more money than him. The answer, “Because Don Muraco is a big star, and you’re not.” Foley said that even though he got less money for the show, he did conceive his first child there so it wasn’t a total loss. When Muraco came up he talked about how the old days were completely different and that there were no “wrestling schools” and that you just had to get booked. Muraco said the boys in the back would help you improve. Jesus.

Junkyard Dog, from the 80's Hulk Hogan's Rock and Wrestling cartoon

The tenth inductee was The Junkyard Dog and he was introduced by Ernie Ladd who actually thanked the McMahons for the big contracts in wrestling. Maybe this is true because Vince offered big money when he raided places like the AWA along with other territories but wasn’t it Bischoff who really changed the industry with guaranteed contacts? Since JYD had passed away his sister, Latoya Ritter, accepted on his behalf.

Last but certainly not least was Jesse “The Body” Ventura” and he was introduced by his son Tyrel. I seem to remember a lot of stories in the Torch about how much trouble one of Ventura’s kids was getting into while he was governor in Minnesota, I wonder if this is the kid? Jesse came up and first wanted to put over all the wrestler’s families saying they suffered the most because of the wrestling lifestyle. Ventura then talked about growing up in Minnesota and watching guys like “The Crusher”, a man he would be able to wrestle years later. After seeing Billy Graham on TV, Jesse wanted to get into wrestling and went to get trained by Eddie Sharkie. Ventura said that Jimmy Snuka was the greatest babyface he ever wrestled because nobody got a crowd to react like the Superfly. Ventura put over going to the AWA and forming the East/West connection with Adrian Adonis. Ventura said that wrestling got him ready for politics because politicians were just as much a character as wrestlers. Jesse closed by saying that maybe we should put a wrestler in the White House in 2008. OH DEAR GOD NO.

If you look closely you can see Shanoon Moore, Stevie Richards and Molly Holly behind Kurt Angle

To close the show, out came Vincent KENNEDY McMahon in much the way the American President would enter a room. Surreal. Vince asked the families of all the HOF inductees to stand and then asked the HOF’er to join them. Vince said this business was about “family” and thanked everyone.

BONUS FEATURES: Each disc of this HOF ceremony is loaded with extras for each guy involved.

Billy “Superstar” Graham gets a “Superstar Career” retrospective video package along with a WWE Championship match against Pedro Morales and a classic Superstar promo. Seriously, you can see exactly what a guy like Scott Steiner stole from Graham and how far ahead of his time Superstar really was.

Pete Rose: all the clips of the WrestleManias Rose appeared in.

Big John Studd: a Buddy Rogers interview (w/Studd) along with a match against Andre The Giant (not the one from WrestleMania I.)

Sgt. Slaughter: an “Alley Fight” with Pat Patterson that is also available with alternate commentary with Sgt. Slaughter, Michael Cole and Pat Patterson. This is pretty neat because it is done like some of Kevin Smith’s films in which you see the guys as they do their commentary. There is also the promo from Slaughter where he turned back babyface after his Iraqi sympathizing entitled, “I want my country back.”

Bobby “The Brain” Heenan: a bunch of great skits, the tribute from that crappy show Confidential and a short video feature of Heenan talking about his first night in the business.

Greg Valentine & Tito Santana: an Intercontinental Cage Match between the two men. This was when the I-C title actually meant something.

Junkyard Dog & Harley Race: a Saturday Night Main Event match between the two (Oh man do I miss that show) along with an OLD SCHOOL Harley Race promo and a classic WWE interview with Junkyard Dog.

Don Muraco: an Intercontinental match vs. Pedro Morales and an interview with a very young looking Vince McMahon.

Jesse “The Body” Ventura: a WWE title match versus Bob Backlund and an interview with Pat Patterson which has to be seen to be believed.

There is also the quick segment from WrestleMania XX when all the HOF inductees got their moment in the sun.

Overall: What a great job by the WWE. Not only a great historical package but some truly fantastic moments. Any Bobby Heenan fan needs to go out of their way to get this DVD, his performance is magical. Click HERE to purchase the WWE Hall of Fame 2004 Induction Ceremony.

Derek Burgan is currently the Torch Media Guy. His latest review of ROH Final Battle 2004 is now available. You can write Derek by clicking here!

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