Three Wrestling Legends Named 2025 WWE Hall of Fame Legacy Inductees
The WWE has announced that Kamala, Dory Funk Sr., and Ivan Koloff will be inducted into this year's Hall of Fame class as members of the Legacy wing. The Legacy wing was created in 2016 to honor individuals from various eras of wrestling history, who have made a significant impact but might not be widely known to modern audiences. The three legends joined a class that is headlined by the Head of WWE Creative, Michelle McCool, Lex Luger, The Natural Disasters, and the Immortal Moment: Bret Hart vs. “Stone Cold” Steve Austin at WrestleMania 13. Legacy inductees are traditionally inducted via video packages and not speeches, but that does not take away from the contributions each man has made in professional wrestling.
Known as “The Ugandan Giant,” Kamala was one of the WWE’s most memorable superstars with his mesmerizing war paint and unusual style in the ring. Kamala had rivalries with Hulk Hogan and The Undertaker in the 80s and early 90s. He lost to the Deadman in the first-ever televised casket match at the 1991 Survivor Series. He captured the attention of the WWE Universe with his lovable personality and is one of the most recognizable characters of his time. Dory Funk Sr. is the patriarch of the famed Funk family and played a pivotal role in wrestling history as both a performer and a promoter. He championed some of the toughest men in the ring at his famed wrestling organization, Western States Sports in Amarillo, TX. He trained legends such as Bruiser Brody, Harley Race, and his sons Dory Jr. and Terry Funk. He now joins all of them as a member of the WWE Hall of Fame.
“The Russian Bear” Ivan Koloff is known for his rivalries with Bruno Sammartino and Pedro Morales. He made headlines by defeating Sammartino for the WWE Championship on January 18, 1971, ending Sammartino’s legendary seven-year reign as champion. Koloff lost the WWE Championship three weeks later to Morales. After his time in the WWE ended, he joined the NWA and became a top heel by feuding with the likes of Dusty Rhodes, Magnum T.A., and The Road Warriors. Koloff was known for his intensity and strength inside the square circle.
Although these three legends are no longer with us there legacies will be remembered forever. From Kamala’s unique personality to Funk’s ability to teach legends in the industry, to Koloff being the top heel of his time, these three legends have contributed to the wrestling industry in more ways than one. The Hall of Fame is one of the WWE’s signature events of WrestleMania weekend. It is only fitting that these legends get the honor they deserve during one of wrestling’s signature weekends.
