2009 WWE Hall of Fame Inductees

In 2009, the WWE Hall of Fame will welcome in several new deserving members who are quite familiar to WWE fans from the old school WWF all the way up through the "Attitude Era". In conjunction with Wrestlemania's 25th edition, the WWE Hall of Fame ceremony will go down the night before, April 4th, 2009, also taking place in Texas. Texas is of course famous for being the home of a well known "Rattlesnake" named Stone Cold Steve Austin, who will be center stage when he is inducted into the Hall this year. Joining Austin will be Koko B. Ware, The Funk Brothers, The Von Erichs, Cowboy Bill Watts, Howard Finkel, and Ricky the Dragon Steamboat. Here's a quick look at each of the 2009 WWE Hall of Fame inductees and their wrestling history in preparation for this year's ceremony.

2009 WWE Hall of Fame Inductees:

Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat

Ricky the Dragon Steamboat may have been part of one of the greatest matches in all Wrestlemania history, when he defeated Macho Man Randy Savage for the Intercontinental Title at Wrestlemania 3. The IC title was Steamboat's only major title in WWF history, but he held numerous titles in his time with AWA and WCW including the United States Championship and TV Championship. His career in WWE lasted from 1985-1988 with Steamboat announcing retirement after losing in the first round of a title tournament at Wrestlemania IV to Greg Valentine. Steamboat's notable feuds while in WWE included Randy Savage, Mr. Fuji, Don Muraco and Jake the Snake Roberts. It's been said that Steamboat's request for time off from WWE just weeks after winning the IC title resulted in Vince McMahon and the company not giving him any sort of push when he returned to action with WWE. Steamboat made his way into the WCW from there and had some classic matches against his good friend, Ric Flair as well as Lex Luger and others. Steamboat returned to WWE in 1991 and enjoyed a successful singles career nearly going undefeated. He was billed as "The Dragon" and would breath fire before and after matches. Steamboat gave his notice of resignation to WWE in October of 1991.

Ricky The Dragon Steamboat will return to action as a part of Wrestlemania 25 when he steps into the ring along side fellow legends, Roddy Piper and Superfly Jimmy Snuka to try to shut up the arrogant, trash talking Chris Jericho. Ricky Steamboat will be inducted into WWE's Hall of Fame by former opponent and current friend, The Nature Boy Ric Flair.

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Koko B. Ware

Koko B. Ware is best known as "The Birdman" who signed with the WWF back in 1986. Koko, while not a major champion in the WWF, was famous for wearing bright outfits, colorful sunglasses and bringing his pet macaw Frankie to the ring with him. He was usually on the losing end to opponents like Big Boss Man, Greg Valentine and Butch Reed. The always happy and arm flapping Koko brought smiles and entertained WWF crowds everywhere. He is famous for being the Undertaker's first victim of a Tombstone Pile Driver at Survivor Series 1990, during Taker's big debut. Also, Koko is said to be the man behind the success of 1987's WWF album, "Piledriver", which featured B. Ware singing the title track. Koko left WWE in 1994, but returned just 5 years later in a story where he was dressing up as the Blue Blazer. After Owen Hart's untimely death, the storyline was dropped and Koko was released by WWE. Koko B. Ware will be inducted into the Hall of Fame by the Honky Tonk Man.

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Stone Cold Steve Austin

Stone Cold Steve Austin is of course one of the most colorful and decorated characters in all WWF/WWE history, receiving a major push that was originally intended for Triple H. He was first called "The Ringmaster" upon entering WWE in 1995-96, when he was a protege of The Million Dollar Man, Ted Dibiase, and awarded the nonsanctioned by WWE, Million Dollar Championship. The Texas Rattlesnake is a six-time WWE champion, four-time tag team champion, two-time Intercontinental champ, winner of the 1996 King of the Ring, and is currently the only superstar to have won the Royal Rumble 3 times. One of his most famous matches saw Austin's face dripping blood as he faced Bret the Hitman Hart in a Submission Match. Austin lost the match but not due to tapping out. Instead he passed out from blood loss. This saw Austin's character go over with the fans while Bret became a heel. His famous trademark sayings "Austin 3:16" and "What?" are famous to this day among WWE faithful. His feuds with Vince McMahon are especially lasting memories in many WWE fans' minds.

Austin's last official WWE match came against The Rock at Wrestlemania XIX, where Austin was defeated. Austin had recurring roles on the Monday Night Raw TV show as Co-General Manager and has been a special referee and enforcer in various matches, including 2008's Cyber Sunday World Heavyweight Title match. Austin is of course a star beyond the wrestling ring having appeared in TV shows such as Nash Bridges and The Bernie Mac Show, and also in his own feature film, 2007's "The Condemned". Stone Cold will be inducted into the hall by Freebird Michael Hayes.

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Howard Finkel

"The Fink's" main claim to fame may be he is one of the longest lasting employees of Vince McMahon's World Wrestling promotions. Hired in 1975, he's survived over three decades with the company as a ring announcer, skit actor and wrestler. Fink's wrestling resume includes feuds with manager Harvey Wippleman and Raw's ring announcer Lillian Garcia. Finkel was once stripped in the ring by Trish Stratus and Stacy Keibler as he tried to go against Lillian for the Raw announcer job. In 1998, Fink was in the corner of X-Pac at Summerslam for a "Hair vs. Hair match" against Jeff Jarrett. Finkel is also credited with creating the name "WrestleMania" which Vince McMahon immediately approved, and has been the only WWE personality to appear at each and every WrestleMania event in the history of the Pay-Per-View. Among Finkel's current roles with the company are behind-the-scenes worker, chief statistician, interviewer and voice-over man for The Miz & John Morrison's "The Dirt Sheet".

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Cowboy Bill Watts

Cowboy Bill Watts was famous as a professional wrestler as well as upper management and booking specialist for World Championship Wrestling and briefly, the WWE. In his early pro wrestling career, he feuded with the legendary Bruno Sammartino but was unable to capture the WWWF Championship from him during their many matches. At one point in his career, Watts became one half of the United States Tag Team champs alongside the legendary Gorilla Monsoon. Watts also enjoyed pro wrestling action in NWA, AWA and All Japan Pro Wrestling. He's famously known for being a pro wrestling promoting pioneer as he operated the Mid South Wrestling out of Louisiana. Watts put a major focus on using creative storylines in weekly episodes for pro-wrestling which also featured great in-ring wrestling action from top notch wrestlers. Famous wrestlers who came from Watts' Mid South Wrestling organization included Hacksaw Jim Duggan, Ted Dibiase, Jake the Snake Roberts and Jim Ross. In the early 90's, Watts became Vice President of Turner Entertainment and was put in charge of WCW for just three years, and joined WWF for a short time after that. In March of 2006, Watts released an autobiography entitled The Cowboy and the Cross: The Bill Watts Story: Rebellion, Wrestling and Redemption, which chronicles his wrestling career as both a promoter and wrestler. Watts will be inducted into the Hall of Fame by his good friend and current Smackdown commentator, Jim Ross.

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The Funks: Terry & Dory, Jr.

In 2009, the Funk brothers will make their way into the honored class of legendary pro-wrestlers. Terry Funk will be the first ever former ECW champion to be inducted into the WWE's Hall of Fame. Funk is famous for bringing hardcore to the extreme and has even served as a mentor to several ECW superstars, including Tazz and Tommy Dreamer. Terry made his pro-wrestling debut way back in 1965, and it wasn't until twenty years later that he joined WWF. Terry and his brother Dory Jr. formed the tag team of Terry and Hoss Funk, who originally feuded with Junkyard Dog and Tito Santana in a match at Wrestlemania II. Originally, Terry carried a branding iron to the ring which he used to "brand" his victims in the ring. In terms of WWE history, Terry Funk won the WWF Tag Team titles with Catcus Jack (Mick Foley) once. He was also awarded a commemorative lifetime Hardcore title by Paul Heyman and the wrestlers of ECW.

In 1989, Terry headed to NWA where he engaged in memorable clashes against Ric Flair and The Great Muta. Funk entered ECW in 1994 through 1998, and won the ECW Championship from Raven at the 1997 Barely Legal Pay-Per-View. In ECW, Funk wrestled in one of the most violent matches in all of pro-wrestling history, a match in which the ring ropes were replaced by barbwire. He faced Sabu who was eventually able to defeat him for the ECW title. Terry Funk saw returns to WWF/WWE in 1998 as "Chainsaw Charlie", when he fought Mankind/Mick Foley in several stipulation-based matches, and again in 2006 at ECW: One Night Stand. At this event, Funk again showed his hardcore nature as his eye was raked by barbwire and he fell onto a barbed wire board during a six-person hardcore tag match.

Terry's brother Dory Jr., while not as famous as Terry, has his own place in wrestling history and its future. He wrestled in the National Wrestling Alliance for almost 20 years. Dory, nicknamed "Hoss" Funk, joined WWE along with Terry in 1986. He was featured in the Wrestlemania 2 tag match mentioned above with his brother, and also the 1996 Royal Rumble as "Dory Funk". Dory's retirement match came on March 1, 2008 as he and Nishimura won in a tag team event. More importantly, Dory is a Coach of pro wrestling education at Funking Conservatory Professional Wrestling School. His notable students have included the likes of Matt Hardy, Edge, Kurt Angle, Mickie James and Christian Cage. Terry Funk and his brother Dory Funk Jr. will be inducted into the Hall of Fame by Dusty Rhodes.

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The Von Erichs

The Von Erichs (Fritz and his four sons: Kevin, David, Kerry and Mike) created a legacy in professional wrestlng history as a family that was heavily involved in the business for many years and in various organizations. Fritz Von Erich was originally trained by Stu Hart and went on to success in the NWA and eventually World Class Championship Wrestling as a top heel who used the famous finisher "The Iron Claw". Fritz also served as President of the WCCW. His sons, Kevin, David, Kerry and Mike Von Erich all spent much of their pro wrestling careers in the World Class Championship Wrestling organization. While there, several of the members were involved in feuds with the likes of the Fabulous Freebirds, Harley Race and Ric Flair. Kevin "The Golden Warrior" Von Erich, used the headscissor submission hold, iron claw and wrestled barefoot as his trademarks. Kevin currently hosts the WWE 24/7 show "History of WCCW" along with Michael Hayes. David Von Erich was the third son of Fritz, also known as "The Yellow Rose of Texas". Also involved in WCCW, David competed for the NWA title multiple times against Flair and Harley Race, never winning it. Kerry Von Erich is considered the most famous of the family as he defeated Ric Flair for the NWA World Heavyweight Title, and also won the WWF's Intercontinental Title at Summerslam in 1990. Kerry amazingly wrestled despite having a prostethetic leg, which he received after having to get his foot amputated (due to a motorcycle accident in 1986). 4 of the 5 Von Erichs will be posthumously inducted into the hall of fame as only Kevin is still alive. They will be inducted into the Hall by Michael "P.S." Hayes.

The 2009 WWE Hall of Fame ceremony takes place April 4th, 2009, just one night before the historic 25th edition Silver Anniversary of Wrestlemania!