Andy Kaufman To Be Inducted Into WWE Hall Of Fame
The 2023 WWE Hall of Fame now has its celebrity wing inductee with the news that comedian Andy Kaufman will be honoured by the company.
Andy Kaufman’s involvement in the wrestling business is the stuff of legend after the comedian got involved with the sport initially by offering women the chance to take him on in a bout during his comedy acts, proclaiming himself the Inter-Gender Champion of the World and making himself a villain in the process.
Kaufman approached Vince McMahon Sr. about bringing his act into the confines of WWE but this was dismissed and instead, Kaufman got involved with Jerry Lawler in Memphis. The two men had a rivalry that is still talked about to this day with Lawler famously slapping Kaufman when they appeared on Late Night With David Letterman. This altercation was rehashed for the film on Kaufman’s life, Man On The Moon starring Jim Carrey.
Andy Kaufman passed away in 1984 at the age of just 35 but such were his off-the-wall comedy stylings and commitment to his art that many believed his death to be a hoax.
Variety has now reported that Kaufman is the next inductee into the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2023 and although it would have been expected that Lawler would be the one to induct him, The King’s recent stroke might not allow him to do so.
BREAKING: @ndykaufman will be inducted into the #WWEHOF Class of 2023, as first reported by @Variety! pic.twitter.com/8emfaH5dhm
— WWE (@WWE) March 20, 2023
Andy Kaufman joins Rey Mysterio and The Great Muta in the Class of 2023 and it is expected that at least one other name will be announced in the lead-up to WrestleMania 39.