Dot Net Mailbag Reader Feedback and Questions: Owen Hart does not belong in the HOF, Trish Stratus, entrance music Feb 17, 2008 - 02:33 PM Email This Article | Printer Friendly Page Send Us News & Results | Back to Main Listing Eugene Malush of Tampa, FLa. asks: I totally disagree with your comment about Owen Hart deserving to be in the WWE Hall of Fame because he died during an event. I think it cheapens the merits of those whose performance was rewarded. I feel awful for the Hart family. However, I don't think Owen deserves a place in the hall. Would you be in favor of a special area within the hall to award those that died while performing? I would go along with that, but I would not give him introduction based solely on his unfortunate demise. His in-ring performance certainly did not merit introduction, in my opinion. Powell Replies: I had a hunch my statement that Owen Hart deserving a spot in the WWE Hall of Fame would spark some debate simply because everyone seems to have a different opinion on what criteria should warrant inclusion in HOFs in pro wrestling and mainstream sports. In WWE’s case, I think you have to remember that the company has inducted people such as Pete Rose and William Perry. Granted, they’re in the “celebrity wing,” but I believe McMahon family limo driver James Dudley is in the actual HOF (even if the link to his name on the WWE website brings up a generic page and does not provide a bio). Let’s be honest, WWE’s version of the HOF is hardly the same as a mainstream sports HOF, where the inductees are selected by a group of sports writers. It’s still an honor for the inductees, but it’s hard to take the HOF too seriously when some of its biggest stars (Randy Savage jumps out) from the past have yet to be enshrined. I stand by my belief that a death in the ring should warrant induction. I would be shocked if there were HOF members who object to sharing the Hall with someone who lost their life wrestling or playing their particular sport. The accomplishments of pro wrestlers and the statistics of Hall of Fame performers speak for themselves. Honoring a few of their fallen colleagues would in no way take away from those great accomplishments. For instance, would you feel differently about anyone in the WWE HOF if Owen were inducted? Of course not. Would you no longer care about a Hall of Fame that was compassionate enough to honor the unfortunate few who died on the playing field? I’m assuming the answer is no, but I could be wrong. If you feel passionately about either side of this issue, I encourage you to send in your comments. I think we just stumbled onto Tuesday’s poll question. Let me know if you’d like to see options other than “yes,” “no,” and “only if there is a special wing.” Dot Net Reader Michael Richardson asks: Since you've set up a new site and all devoted to wrestling news (including behind the scenes happenings), I am wondering what you've heard from wrestlers about Trish Stratus. I've talked to a lot of different people who cover the wrestling business (Wade Keller, Dave Meltzer, etc.) who all pretty much say she was really well liked and respected in the locker room during her WWE career. I was curious if you've heard the same.   Powell Replies: I’ve never heard anything that contradicts those reports. By all accounts, Trish entered WWE with little or no experience and became arguably the best female wrestler in the company by the end of her run. She’s respected by the office and in the locker room. Dot Net Reader Daniel Banks asks: Do the wrestlers have a say on their entrance music? Or are they stuck with what management gives them? I've always thought that if your entrance music sucked it was harder to get over. Powell Replies: I suppose it depends on the company and the person. The wrestlers bring CDs with their indy music to most of the shows I’ve attended over the years. I assume WWE selects each wrestler’s entrance music, but top guys presumably have enough stroke to fight for new entrance music if they don’t care for the tune selected for them. Personally, I wish Randy Orton would lobby for a change. 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