Reaction Zone - 15 years later, they got it right

In 2001, Vince McMahon blew an absolutely golden opportunity, with Wrestlemania 17 in Houston, to induct the Fabulous Freebirds into the WWE/F Hall of Fame. It would've been the last chance for fans to see the classic trio of Michael Hayes, Buddy Roberts, & Terry Gordy together at a WWE/F event.

The Freebirds had been founded by Hayes & Gordy in the late 70's. Roberts didn't enter the picture until recruited by Bill Watts in Mid-South Wrestling, and thus was the last piece of the puzzle. The 'Birds packed arenas in Mid-South, World Class, AWA, & NWA territories before being lured to the then-World Wrestling Federation in 1985, but it amounted to little more than a cup of coffee, and they were soon back in their old haunts. Gordy, though, left for Japan, returning periodically for reunions and short feuds with either Hayes or Roberts.

The 'Birds' final run in WCW was largely Hayes and longtime pal Jimmy Garvin, which netted a tag title or two before Hayes returned to the WWF in 1995, and was rechristened Dok Hendrix for some strange, idiotic reason. The name might've been changed by McMahon, perhaps already brain damaged, but the voice was the same, and so was the face. Within a year or two, Hayes ditched the Hendrix alias, and joined the creative team. In addition, he managed the Hardys to their first tag title.

Fast forward to 2001. With Wrestlemania in Houston, the 'Birds should've been a slam dunk pick. Nope. They were left out in the cold, if you will, a decision that McMahon perhaps would regret, considering that Gordy passed away that summer. By now, you already have read, I'm sure, that the 'Birds are finally going into the Hall. Gordy & Roberts are being inducted posthumously. Garvin will be on stage with Hayes, and I'd imagine that Terry's son, Ray, last seen on WWE TV as Slam Master J about 6 or 7 years ago, will stand for his father. Yes, Garvin, the last man to be made a Freebird, will go in with Hayes, Gordy, & Roberts, his long friendship with Hayes (at least), earning him the reward. Hayes has already said that Kevin Von Erich, a long time nemesis, would induct the 'Birds. Oh, that is so fitting.

With the 'Birds, the Four Horsemen, and the Road Warriors having been inducted within the last six years, including this year, there aren't that many elite tag teams of the 80's left to enter the WWE Hall of Fame. The Rock & Roll Express could've gone in when they were in Atlanta not too long ago. A case would've been made, because a lot of the Freebirds' success came in not only Dallas, but Atlanta and the Mid-South area as well, that they could've been in within the last 5 years. Could've gone in with the Horsemen. The Midnight Express? Deserving, yes, but McMahon & Jim Cornette don't see eye to eye anymore, and it would take another Triple H miracle to get the Midnights in.

It took 15 years, at the very least, maybe more depending on how long Michael Hayes had been campaigning for the 'Birds to get into the Hall, but now the doors are opening for four, not three, rock & roll rebels to enter. You can forgive McMahon, then, for the absurdity, good soldier aside, of including the Godfather in the same class. We'll talk up everyone's favorite pimp another time.


comments powered by Disqus

RECENT BLOGS

More


RECENT WWE/TNA NEWS

More


RECENT UFC/MMA NEWS

More