By James Caldwell, PWTorch assistant editor

2015 WWE Hall of Fame News

-- March 19: WWE officially announced that Japanese legend Tatsumi Fujinami will be included in the 2015 Hall of Fame class.

Fujinami was one of the top stars in New Japan Pro Wrestling for 30 years, while also touring the U.S. for WWF/E and WCW/NWA in the 1970s, '80s, and '90s. Included was Fujinami main-eventing the first WCW Superbrawl event against Ric Flair in May 1991, pitting the WCW Title vs. NWA Title.

WWE's video announcement includes a vintage clip of PWTorch columnist Bruce Mitchell from Front Row Section D at the 0:50 mark. (The sign in Japanese characters reads "Ichiban.") [ Video HERE ]



-- March 16: At least for now, Kevin Nash is not this week's Hall of Fame inductee. Larry Zbyszko is the latest inductee for the 2015 class, which WWE announced Monday after giving Rolling Stone the original story.

"My gut feeling over the years was that probably someday, sooner or later, I'd be getting in – and not just because of the long career I had," Zbyszko told Rolling Stone. "I'm a fan at heart; I love this business, and the Hall of Fame is an awesome part of the business. This has been my life, and if I had to do it again, I'd do it all the same - except maybe not get married so many times." [ LINK: Story HERE ]

-- March 15: WWE is teasing the latest Hall of Fame announcement for Monday as a "former World champion."

The rumor is that Kevin Nash will be inducted, which follows Nash's name being cleared following a domestic dispute and arrest involving his son in December. In January, Nash's attorney told TMZ that Nash is glad the charges were dropped "because of his career with the WWE and his potential induction into the Hall of Fame."

-- March 9: WWE announced the first-ever "Warrior Award" for this year's Hall of Fame ceremony.

The award in honor of The Ultimate Warrior will be given to superfan Connor "the Crusher" Michalek.

Daniel Bryan and Warrior's widow, Dana, will present the award to Connor's father, Steve Michalek.

WWE made the announcement in conjunction with Raw taking place in Pittsburgh, where Connor lived and was treated for his sickness by the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC. [ LINK: WWE Announcement HERE ] [ Local News Coverage of WWE stars visiting Pitt. Children's Hospital HERE & HERE ]

-- March 2: WWE announced Alundra Blayze (Madusa) for the 2015 WWE Hall of Fame class.

During the official video announcement on Raw, WWE included footage of Blayze dropping the WWF Women's Title in the trash on WCW Nitro during the Monday Night Wars.

The Hall of Fame class now includes "Macho Man" Randy Savage, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Rikishi, The Bushwhackers, and Blayze.

-- March 1: Bushwhacker Butch will be at the Hall of Fame ceremony, according to Buschwhacker Luke, despite recent health issues.

"In 2010, he had a relapse (from an illness) and woke up in the hospital. They took his hip out, and didn’t put another one in until 2012. He will be using crutches, but he will be at the Hall of Fame," Luke said on Main Event Radio. [ Full Interview hERE ]

-- February 23: During Monday's Raw, WWE officially announced The Bushwhackers tag team (Luke & Butch) for the 2015 Hall of Fame.

The class now includes "Macho Man" Randy Savage, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Rikishi, and The Bushwhackers.

-- February 9: WWE officially confirmed Rikishi as the third WWE Hall of Famer during Monday's Raw.

Prior to Raw, the Usos announced the news via Twitter. "We heard it backstage first..tonight on #Raw, pops is the newest inductee into the @WWE Hall of Fame! #USOOOOOO @TheRealRikishi #WWEHOF," Usos tweeted.

The class now includes "Macho Man" Randy Savage, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Rikishi.

-- January 26: WWE announced Monday morning that Arnold Schwarzenegger will be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. Schwarzenegger will be this year's celebrity inductee, joining "Macho Man" Randy Savage as the headliners.

Schwarzenegger will be inducted the same month that Triple H will be inducted into the International Sports Hall of Fame at the Arnold Classic Festival in Columbus, Ohio.

“We are honored to induct Arnold Schwarzenegger into the WWE Hall of Fame,” said Hunter in WWE's announcement. “His larger-than-life on- and off-screen presence translated perfectly into the world of WWE, resulting in many memorable moments.”

-- January 12: WWE officially announced Randy Savage for the 2015 WWE Hall of Fame during Raw. WWE also announced that Hulk Hogan will induct Savage into the HOF. WWE did not say who will be receiving the award on behalf of Savage, who died in May 2011.

WWE timed Savage's HOF announcement the week that tickets go on-sale for the HOF event in March 2015 in California.

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