Browsing: HOFer

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Jeff Jarrett’s lengthy pro wrestling career has positioned him on the opposite end of many of the greatest names in the industry, especially during his WCW days, where he captured the WCW World Heavyweight Championship on four separate occasions. During an episode of his “My World with Jeff Jarrett” podcast, the veteran was asked who he would vote for in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame for Mexican talent, and recalled how much respect he’s always had for one of his former peers.

“I think nine out of ten people would say… ‘Alright, who do you think Jeff [Jarrett] voted for?’ I think nine out of ten people would say: La Parka,” he proclaimed, before explaining how he views La Parka as a wrestler. “From a promoter’s point of view, in my opinion, what he had to overcome was… Not everybody can do that.”

Jarrett then clarified that he was talking about the original La Parka – known as L.A. Park today – who shared a locker room with him in WCW and competed against in Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide. “That’s the one that went to WCW, and danced, and had his own unique charisma; did so many things that were emotionally connecting with his audience,” he expressed. “Just a freaking phenomenal talent!”

Additionally, Jarrett also added that he worked with the second La Parka – who tragically passed away in 2020 – and noted how over the character was as the second incarnation compared to the first.

If you use any quotes from this article, please credit “My World with Jeff Jarrett” and provide a h/t to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.

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Few individuals can be credited for changing the pro wrestling industry as much as Sabu, the former ECW star who introduced fans to a fast-paced, high-flying style that would eventually become the norm. On a recent episode of “My World,” wrestler Jeff Jarrett spent some time breaking down his Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame ballot for 2025, and Jarrett made the case that Sabu will certainly be included, if not this year then soon.

“He really had a brand in and of itself that translated to all the promotions that he worked in,” Jarrett said. “Is he the first breakout independent wrestling star? … If he’s not the first, he’s right up there.”

Along with Sabu ushering in a new style of offense in the ring, Jarrett believes the ECW standout changed the industry by staying true to himself in every promotion he traveled through. In doing so, he cleared a path for future stars like Samoa Joe and CM Punk, who built up reputations that they’d later take with them to WWE and elsewhere.

“Hell yeah, he’s a hall of famer,” Jarrett continued. “How do you argue about Sabu translated into multiple promotions. … Did he draw main event money? But was he main or semi-main his whole career? Yes.”

Sabu died on May 11, 2025, weeks after wrestling his retirement match. While his impact on pro wrestling was immeasurable, Sabu has yet to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame, though he did receive the honor of being added to the Independent Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2024.

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Dick Groch, who is best known as the scout who helped convince the New York Yankees to select Derek Jeter with the No. 6 pick of the 1992 MLB draft, died Wednesday at the age of 84.

The Yankees held a moment of silence ahead of Thursday’s American League Wild Card Series Game 3 against the Boston Red Sox:

Jeter also honored the scout who famously said of the Yankees legend, “He’s not going to the University of Michigan; the only place Derek Jeter is going is Cooperstown.”

Bryan Hoch and Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reported on Groch’s life and noted he was a four-time First-Team NAIA basketball selection at Olivet College before he began a coaching and teaching career at St. Clair Community College. His baseball teams made three appearances in the Junior College World Series and produced more than 40 professional players.

Groch then became a scout for the Montreal Expos before taking the same role on the Yankees.Â

His most famous accomplishment came when he traveled around Michigan to track Jeter at Kalamazoo Central High and convinced the Yankees to select him.

“It’s the difference between going to the Kentucky Derby and the state fair,” Groch once said of Jeter. “When you see Secretariat, it takes your breath away.”

His instincts were right, as Jeter ended up becoming a generational player who was elected to the Hall of Fame after a career that included five World Series titles, five Gold Gloves, five Silver Sluggers, a Rookie of the Year, a World Series MVP and 14 All-Star Game selections.

Groch then joined the Milwaukee Brewers in 2002 and was listed in the team’s staff director as late as 2021.

He is survived by his wife, Nancy, as well as his three children and nine grandchildren.

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This past Saturday night, WWE debuted its first Premium Live Event on ESPN called Wrestlepalooza. One of the most talked about matches of the night was the singles match between the Dark Angel Stephanie Vaquer and the Genius of the Sky IYO SKY for the vacant Womenâ€s World Championship.

Vaquer managed to pick up the win and captured her first World title on the main roster. A Hall of Famer praised the match and WWEâ€s decision to put the strap on the Dark Angel.

The wrestling legend was none other than the Wrestling God, JBL. While speaking on a recent episode of the Something to Wrestle podcast, JBL praised Stephanie Vaquer. The WWE Hall of Famer believes the Dark Angel has all the potential to become the brand of the division.

“Sheâ€s incredibly popular, and her social media presence is awesome. So I think it makes perfect sense. The direction weâ€re headed is people that can be brands, and she can be a brand, and she already is developing as a brand. So I think itâ€s a terrific move to go ahead and let her go to the higher level, because she was already getting there. Which I think is a sign to a lot of guys out there – youâ€ve gotta do more than just wait on creative. Youâ€ve gotta create yourself on social media. I rag on these guys so much for being on their phones, but thereâ€s a reason sometimes that you are, because of social media,†JBL said. [H/T WrestlingNews.co]

Now, Stephanie Vaquerâ€s next major match will be taking place next month on October 11 at the Crown Jewel PLE. She will be challenging the WWE Womenâ€s Champion for the Womenâ€s Crown Jewel Title.

What are your thoughts on Vaquer becoming the new Womenâ€s World Champion?

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