Edge in HOF 2012: Why So Soon?
When it was announced this past Monday that Edge would be the flagship inductee into the WWE Hall of Fame, it came as a surprise to a lot of people and many others also began to question why someone whose career was over for less than a year was getting inducted into the Hall of Fame. One article I even read suggested that Edge’s induction was contributing to the downfall of the Hall of Fame.
First, let me clear up a couple non-business related points: Edge deserves this. He had a career that many in the WWE could only dream of, and while I guarantee you that he’d much rather have had this honor several years from now, he’s gracious. To imply that just because he hasn’t been out of action that long means he shouldn’t be inducted is just inane.
Secondly, and back to the real focus, this is not a traditional “Hall of Fame”. This is the WWE Hall of Fame. This is a pre-WrestleMania special which is not only done to honor the men and women of the business but it’s also done - and done perhaps moreso - for the sake of marketing and promotion.
Are we all so far removed from last year where Drew Carey was inducted, conveniently alongside the debut of his show which only ran for two months? What about the inclusion of names such as Pete Rose, William “The Refrigerator” Perry and Bob Uecker? Or even folks involved in the industry like Abdullah the Butcher, Gordon Solie and “High Chief” Peter Miavia who had never worked for WWF or even WWWF? That’s not to say they don’t deserve it, but the fact is this is more than just a real Hall of Fame.
The WWE Hall of Fame has two sides: one is the side that actually honors the legends of the industry from the past, whether they worked in WWE or not. That’s why you’ll see just about anyone being inducted. The second part is the business side, the names that are inducted because they draw.
And by the way, where was this outrage when Shawn Michaels was inducted less than a year after his retirement, too? Michaels may have had a longer career and is perhaps more “legendary” than Edge, but the length of time is no different. Both men were inducted after having their final match at WrestleMania the previous year.
The second side of the Hall of Fame is primarily why Edge is being inducted this year. In addition to most of the current WWE fanbase knowing who Edge is very well, there is a huge wave of positive sentiment regarding Edge that the WWE wants to keep riding all the way to the bank. There’s a reason they decided to hold this event at the American Airlines Arena. They want to sell out.
So this year, yes, Edge will be your main attraction, but you’ve already got legendary names like the Four Horsemen and Mil Mascaras on the agenda. Just because there hasn’t been several years gone since Edge has been in the ring doesn’t mean he isn’t any more or less deserving or that his induction is in any way harmful to the integrity of the Hall of Fame.
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