Want more wrestling news, rumors, and results? Be sure to visit PWInsider.com and PWInsiderXtra.com.
In honor of the passing of Howard Finkel, PWInsider.com is republishing our coverage of his 2009 WWE Hall of Fame induction from Houston, Texas:
Howard Finkel
A video package on Howard Finkel was shown. It started with his career as the greatest ring announcer of all time, then went into his comedic moments from later in his career.
Mean Gene Okerlund came out, introduced by Grisham as "my personal hero." Gene came out to his recording of "Tutti Frutti." Gene said when it came to working a microphone "nobody did it better" and he was truly "one of a kind" ... "but enough about me." Gene said "You've got to bust them somewhere" before talking about Finkel. Gene said he is WWE's longest running employee, he came up with the phrase Wrestlemania, and he is an encyclopedia of wrestling knowledge. Gene said Howard is the first, and only, ring announcer to be inducted into the WWE Hall Of Fame.
Howard Finkel came out, and comically stumbled on a step on the stage. He said "Good evening Houston" in his classic announcer voice. Finkel said that never in his wildest dreams did he imagine he would become a ring announcer. Finkel said he can't put a number on how many matches he introduced, but he always treated every one as if it were a main event for both the wrestlers and fans.
Finkel talked about calling his first show at Madison Square Garden in 1977. He said when he started appearing on television, a fan approached him at the Garden and said "Now everyone will know what we do, that you're the best in the world." Finkel said that he never thought of himself as the star of the show, just a "spoke in the wheel" making the company work. Finkel said there are no better entertainers than the wrestlers sitting in front of him.
Finkel talked about his "fling" as a superstar, noting his Bushwacker, APA, etc. runs. Finkel then read a poem about his comedic exploits, saying it was all "part of being the Fink."
Finkel listed some of the headliners he has introduced over the years, and how he wanted to help make them memorable by the way he announced their title wins, then said he was taking a page from his own book and said that Howard Finkel was the "..... NEW" member of the class of the Hall Of Fame in his classic tone.
If you enjoy PWInsider.com you can check out the AD-FREE PWInsider Elite section, which features exclusive audio updates, news, our critically acclaimed podcasts, interviews and more by clicking here!
Bang On Casino
