Mr. T insulted about Pete Rose in WWE HOF

I couldn't agree more with Mr. T, in fact I'd go so far as to say T was pretty generous and polite in his assessment. Now I read Kee's take on it and can understand his point that T didn't exactly have a long history in wrestling either - and that's agreed. I think WWE should stick to inducting wrestlers and drop this "Celebrity wing" nonsense. BUT - if we're going to have to stomach this baloney there's no doubt between the two of them which should have come in first. Pete Rose? This clown did nothing for wrestling - ever. Even his cameos were awful. Rose dedicated all of about 30 minutes of his life to the sport of wrestling, where T put in 12-24 months. I think T's disdain is valid.

I completely agree with you in regards to the "Celebrity Wing" being ridiculous and that it should be scrapped altogether, but I have to disagree about Mr. T's anger being valid.

WWE didn't induct Pete Rose because of his contributions to the business (i.e. getting Tombstoned by Kane two or three times). It was a symbolic gesture in regards to MLB banning him from Cooperstown.

Or translated: a publicity stunt. No different from Mr. T being included in WM 1 & 2. It's apples and oranges.

Mr. T is acting like he's Harley Race when, by all accounts, he had no interest in learning anything about the business or making himself more capable of being an asset to it. His anger is utterly absurd in that the *wink-wink* symbolism of Rose's induction completely sailed over his bushy Mohawk.

Pete knew his role: wear a chicken costume, take a bump, cash a check.

I totally see what you're trying to say, though.

I see both sides, but what's the betting Mr. T was never actually asked, and that's why he's bitter?

I actually think a celebrity is great. Guys like Andy Kaufman, Mike Tyson, Floyd Mayweather etc. I don't think there's anything wrong with that. If they don't make a big deal about it, maybe just a video package and a quick taped acceptance speech. It just helps to hype mania.

The difference though is that all those people - Kaufman, Tyson, Mayweather actually had their involvement weaved into WWE storylines - although Tyson's involvement was paper thin, one night only. Even Cyndi Lauper & William Shatner did more in the way of story lines than Rose. I just don't respect Rose's involvement at all. It had no basis in any way, shape, or form - he was just suddenly there, for no reason, in a costume. You might as well have put me in a chicken costume and then induct me (albeit I'm no famous sport athlete).

All that said the WWE's induction algorithm makes no sense at all - for instance, while not trying to sound harsh here - we all know Eddie Guerrero was inducted at the time he was because of his death. He was a very entertaining and fine wrestler, but had he quit the business before he died I'm sure he would not have gotten in so quickly. Same argument applied to Owen Hart... so why is he not been inducted. The whole thing is politics unfortunately which it should not be. So this really shouldn't have come as surprise to Mr. T or anyone else for that matter.

I guess we have to accept that it is the "WWE" Hall of Fame and not the "wrestling" Hall of Fame.

Touché

I wonder who will induct Jay Leno?

Hogan!

Anyway just re-read the post. You guys not being from the UK, have you seen the Snickers chocolate bar advert with Mr T? LOL

Better than half the crap that's on TV over here.

Hah! Those are great. I'd half consider doing something unmanly just to have T shoot what appears to be at least a few months supply of Snickers at me.

Those are f'ing awesome!

The best is where he comes smashing through the house in the speedwalker one.

Never mind what I said before. He deserves a spot in the HOF. lol