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Detroit, Michigan’s Fox Theatre was the site for the 2007 WWE Hall of Fame ceremony.  Seven of professional wrestling’s finest were honored with Nick Bockwinkel, Mr. Fuji, The Wild Samoans, The Sheik, Jim Ross, Jerry “The King” Lawler, “Mr. Perfect” Curt Hennig, and “The American Dream” Dusty Rhodes.

Each individual was inducted by someone involved with them in wrestling during their career.  A short video presentation was also shown, featuring highlights from each honoree’s career as well as their contributions to the squared circle.

Nick Bockwinkel:  Legendary manager (and WWE Hall of Famer) Bobby “The Brain” Heenan inducted his longtime friend, wrestler Nick Bockwinkel, talking about the former AWA World Champion’s many accomplishments as well as the things he didn’t do in his career such as abusing drugs and getting into trouble with law enforcement (Heenan quipped that it meant Bockwinkel would never be allowed in the NFL).

Bobby Heenan and Nick Bockwinkel enjoy the ceremony.

The Wild Samoans:  Afa and Siki’s sons Samu and Rosey spoke highly of their fathers, the acclaimed brother tag team known as the Wild Samoans.  They talked about how they carried on the tradition started by their grandfather High Chief Maiva and the onslaught of Samoan wrestlers who have followed in the Wild Samoans footsteps.  Afa and Sika spoke with pride about the values they’ve tried to pass on to their children and how important family is.

Afa and Sika

The Sheik:  ECW Originals Rob Van Dam and Sabu inducted the true innovator of hardcore; Ed Farhat aka the Sheik.  Van Dam reminisced on the rigorous training he and Sabu endured at the Sheik’s wrestling school but more importantly, the life lessons they learned from the man credited with being the first to use fire in the ring.  Van Dam praised the Sheik for teaching him the importance of being different and standing out from your peers by being one of a kind.  Sabu introduced the Sheik’s widow and she spoke of the catharsis her husband provided for fans when they saw him wrestle. 

RVD and Sabu

Mr. Fuji:  Whether he worked as a wrestler or a manager, Mr. Fuji was a notorious prankster.  Fuji’s protégé Don “The Magnificent” Muraco spoke of some of the wild pranks pulled on wrestlers.  Whether it was a sleeping wrestler losing their eyebrow as they slept or someone starting their car and fireworks shooting out of the engine, Mr. Fuji was always on the scene investigating them.  Mr. Fuji laughed about some of the pranks but he was pretty vague about who was responsible for them.

"The Magnificent" Don Muraco

Jim Ross:  “Stone Cold” Steve Austin had many good things to say about his friend Jim Ross and how he considers him the greatest announcer of all time.  Jim Ross spoke candidly about how he was fortunate to be the first fan inducted into the Hall of Fame and how important passion is to being successful. 

Stone Cold! Stone Cold! Stone Cold!

Jerry “The King” Lawler: TV personality William Shatner made a poorly received speech inducting Lawler into the Hall of Fame.  Reading from a script, Shatner seemed to bore many of the fans present for Lawler’s induction.  Things changed when Lawler hit the podium and remembered the men and women who helped him reach the heights of success he achieved as both a wrestler and an announcer.   Lawler also introduced his super hot girlfriend and joked that he needs a young girlfriend so she can help him use his Ipod.

The King and J.R.

“Mr. Perfect” Curt Hennig: In the most touching induction of the night, baseball superstar Wade Boggs recalled the friendship he developed with Curt Hennig and the remarkable character of the wrestler nicknamed “Mr. Perfect”.  Boggs told the fans how he nearly lost his life on a hunting trip with Hennig when his leg became entangled in barbed wire, cutting it to the bone.  Rather than leave him and go for hope, Hennig put Boggs on his back and carried him to a doctor.  Without Hennig’s rescue, Boggs would have lost his life (according to his doctor).  Boggs then introduced Hennig’s family including his widow, children, and father (former wrestler Larry “The Ax” Hennig).  Mr. Perfect’s wife praised his tremendous family values and said he truly was “absolutely perfect”.

Curt Hennig's Family remember Mr. Perfect

“The American Dream” Dusty Rhodes: The Hall of Fame ceremony ended on a high note as two of Dusty’s sons Dustin Runnels and Cody Rhodes inducted the former NWA World champion into the Hall of Fame.  They spoke of Rhodes proving the importance of the common man and how Rhodes was the greatest talker of all time.  An emotional Dusty used the ceremony to honor some of his peers such as Ric Flair, Harley Race, and Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat.  He ended things by asking Ric Flair and Arn Anderson to induct him and Harley Race into the Four Horsemen.