The 2022 Hall Of Fame class has been confirmed by WWE now, with the company opting to go with a smaller group this time around. However, while there might be fewer people picking up a ring this year, the quality of those being inducted is undeniable. It is an incredibly strong group, with every single inductee being more than worthy of this honor.
They have all contributed to the business in different ways, putting together some excellent moments. Each wrestler has had some fantastic segments and storylines, but from a bell to bell perspective, they have all performed well. There have been a lot of classic matches put together by this group, which is why they have become legends.
5 Shad Gaspard & JTG vs. Big Show & Chris Jericho (SummerSlam, 2009)
Shad Gaspard being given the Warrior Award is something that everybody wanted to see happen. It is awarded to "an individual who has exhibited unwavering strength and perseverance and who lives life with the courage and compassion that embodies the indomitable spirit of The Ultimate Warrior." It will no doubt create an emotional moment on the night, but honoring his legacy needed to happen.
Throughout his career, Shad worked as a great big man, and his combination with JTG as Cryme Tyme worked brilliantly. They had fantastic chemistry, and their Tag Team Title match against Jerishow was a great one at SummerSlam. JTG did the usual job of selling everything perfectly, while Shad was able to try and mix it up against Big Show as the larger man. Their opponents were two legends, and they knew how to tell a great story, with this being a well-put-together encounter.
4 Sharmell & Booker T vs. Robert Roode & Payton Banks (TNA Lockdown, 2008)
Sharmell is the female inductee for the 2022 Hall Of Fame, and she is someone that has well-earned this situation. However, she is best known as a manager, and not a professional wrestler. She is trained to work inside the ring though, and throughout her career, she has competed in several matches. Sharmell has worked as a wrestler for WCW, WWE, and TNA over the years.
Her greatest match took place when working for TNA, which was alongside her husband. They battled Robert Roode and Payton Banks in a mixed tag team match, which was reasonably enjoyable. The men carried the bulk of the encounter, but Sharmell got involved towards the end. She didn't do anything overly fancy here, sticking to the basics. However, what she did do looked fine, creating a solid match.
3 Big Van Vader vs. Ric Flair (Starrcade, 1993)
Vader will have his career honored this year at the Hall Of Fame, which fans and peers alike are pleased about. He was a hard-hitting big man who would put on fantastic matches that could grip an audience. While he would throw hands with the best of them, Vader could also move with great speed, hitting top rope moves that left fans stunned.
His match against Ric Flair at Starrcade had all of that rolled into one. With Ric selling perfectly throughout, the two of them pieced together a classic World Title match. Flair had his career on the line here, which drew fans in, and he made Vader look like a monster, before ultimately overcoming him in a terrific match.
2 The Steiner Brothers vs. Lex Luger & Sting (SuperBrawl, 1991)
The Steiner Brothers are an iconic tag team that blended pure power and strength with great amateur skills and tag team psychology. That was on full display against Lex Luger and Sting, who were two giant names. All four worked well together in this one, going back and forth throughout.
Nobody held anything back in what was a hard fought match with great double team spots put in throughout. If people are looking for a physical match filled with whince inducing moves, this one brings it all and more, in an explosive and fast match.
1 The Undertaker vs. Shawn Michael (WrestleMania 25)
The Undertaker is the headline name for the 2022 Hall Of Fame, which is a huge deal for WWE. He is one of the greatest names of all time, and someone who has carved out a brilliant legacy. Along the way there have been many great matches for Undertaker, including at WrestleMania, where he always stepped up. Two of those just so happened to be against Shawn Michaels.
Fans will often debate which was better, WrestleMania 25 or 26, and they both have their positives. However, the freshness of the first one, and that it took everyone by surprise as to just how good it was is what makes it stand out. Their chemistry was incredible, they went back and forth looking fantastic, and they drew fans in with a perfect story to create a match that will stand the test of time.