2015 George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame Updates

-- February 3: The National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum announced PWTorch editor Wade Keller as this year's recipient of the Jim Melby journalism award. Keller will receive the award at the Tragos/Thesz Hall of Fame weekend July 10-11.

"I am honored to be recognized by an organization as prestigious as the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum. My work covering the pro wrestling industry for the last 27 years has been a thrill, as unpredictable a job as I can imagine," said Keller in Tuesday's announcement.

“My job has taken me from New York City's Madison Square Garden to a bull ring in Tijuana, Mexico, to a small bar in Fridley, Minn., to a courtroom in Uniondale, N.Y. Adding accepting an award at the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in Waterloo, Iowa, to my list of travels, and to share the stage with other greats whom I have covered over the years, will be a memory I will cherish and take in pride in."

-- January 27: The National Wrestling Hall of Fame announced former WWE Women's champion Beth Phoenix for their 2015 Hall of Fame class.

Phoenix will be recognized with the Frank Gotch Award, which is "given to a professional wrestler who brings positive recognition to professional wrestling through work outside the ring."

“The Frank Gotch Award has particular meaning for me because my dream was for my career to have a positive influence on those around me," said Phoenix in the announcement. "I am looking forward to coming to Waterloo to experience the Hall of Fame ceremony in person, spend time with old friend and meet new ones.”

Phoenix's mate, Adam Copeland (Edge), headlined the 2013 Hall of Fame class. Copeland was recognized with the Lou Thesz Award.

-- December 16: Jim Londos was announced for the 2015 Hall of Fame class. Londos will be recognized as a Distinguished Member posthumously.

[ FYI: The annual George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame weekend is scheduled to take place July 9-11 in Waterloo, Iowa. All-access passes to the induction weekend are available for $100. Passes can pre-ordered by contacting the Dan Gable Museum at dgmstaff@nwhof.org or by calling (319) 233-0745. ]

[Torch art credit Grant Gould (c) PWTorch.com]

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