For some wrestlers, a WWE Hall of Fame induction is the ultimate honor. That is demonstrated via the reaction of some when they are told they are finally going in. To others, it doesn't mean much at all. It wouldn't come as much of a surprise to hear more and more uninducted wrestlers are feeling less bothered about whether they make it in or not. WWE has inducted so many people at this point that making it into the HoF feels less significant with each passing year.
This year, two classes will make it into WWE's hallowed hall. That's no fault of WWE's. The class it prepared for 2020 was left out in the cold thanks to the pandemic. What seemed like an obvious choice was to simply push the inductions of 2020's class to 2021. That is indeed what happened, but WWE has also announced a whole new class. Thankfully, both ceremonies will be pretaped which means WWE can edit all of the speeches down into one neat show ready for April 6, 2021.
Two Classes Is Not Better Than One
While there will be no risk of inductees taking advantage and running long this year, the problem of too many people making it into the HoF remains. Even though this year's batch includes people who are definitely worthy of a HoF induction, see Kane and Eric Bischoff, others in both classes suggest WWE is already running out of ideas. The inclusion of The Bella Twins so soon after their careers, and the decision to induct The Great Khali have come under criticism from a lot of fans.
Not to mention wrestlers who can now boast more than one HoF ring. Ric Flair was the first to achieve that feat and honestly, that felt okay. Many would label Flair the greatest wrestler of all time, so having him be the only one with two rings sort of felt right. No offense to the likes of X-Pac and Booker T, but now they have joined the double HoF club, it doesn't feel anywhere near as special.
We're yet to mention the worst part of all. The celebrity wing. There have been years where WWE has neglected to turn a famous non-wrestling face into a HoFer, giving fans hope that the novelty had been forgotten. No luck, as this year William Shatner joins the likes of Donld Trump and Snoop Dogg. That Drew Carey has been given the same ring as people like Shawn Michaels and Stone Cold leaves something of a bad taste in the mouth.
There Should Only Be One
What this all boils down to is Vince McMahon's rather odd need to please absolutely everyone. Well, everyone apart from the fans at times judging by the product WWE puts out some of the time. Much like spots on the WrestleMania card, McMahon seems hellbent on making sure absolutely everyone has a HoF ring. What was once an honor is quickly becoming nothing more than run of the mill. Before you know it, the only wrestlers worthy of being inducted that haven't made it will be those who will sadly never go in, like Owen Hart. The best solution would be to induct three, two, maybe even just one person or team per year. The trouble is, at this point, that ship has almost definitely sailed.