The Arizona Professional Wrestling/Western States Wrestling Hall of Fame was founded on May 19, 2001. The first induction ceremony took place on that day, at a Western States Wrestling event held at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Phoenix, Arizona.
On that day, WSW Promoter "Cowboy" Bob Yuma and WSW Commissioner, C.C. Star had the pleasure and honor of presenting wrestling legend Tito Montez with a certificate proclaiming that he was the very first inductee.
With the closing of the WSW promotion, the Hall of Fame went dormant until January of 2004. That's when the first Western States Wrestling reunion was held. The reunion honored the legends of Arizona Wrestling who appeared in WSW rings in the 60s, 70s and early 1980s. It was at this reunion that the idea for the Arizona Wrestling Website and the resurrection of the Hall of Fame were born.
On January 30, 2005, two new names were added to the Hall of Fame as "the champ" Jody Arnold and "Cowboy" Bob Yuma were inducted. Like Tito before them, these two men are fine examples of the level of competitor who used to grace Arizona wrestling rings.
At the 2006 reunion, "Big" Bill Anderson, Tony Hernandez and Eddie Sullivan were inducted into the Hall.
A year later, they were joined by Nano Ortega, Eddie Lopez, Phil Melby and Russ Barker.
At the 2008 reunion (to be held on 1/27/08), there will be four new inductees into the hall of fame (three living and one posthoumous). Who will they be? We're not telling. Be sure to check back here on the 29th.
Voting is open to all members of Arizona Wrestling Legends (i.e. the wrestlers themselves).
