WWE personality Shane Helms, whose wrestling career began in the early 1990s, has recently weighed in on the topic of Hall of Fame inclusion. Helms made his debut in 1991 and moved on to WCW by the late 1990s, where he earned titles as both a cruiserweight and hardcore champion. By 2001, known as “Hollywood” Gregory Helms and later the superhero-themed Hurricane Helms, he had accumulated several championships before joining WWE.
Today, Helms is signed under WWE Legends and works behind the scenes as a producer, occasionally appearing on screen when officials are needed to intervene in matches. Recently, fans on Twitter have commemorated the late Kamala as one of the greatest individuals in wrestling history. Among the fans, there’s a suggestion that Shane Helms should be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame for his contributions to the sport.
Helms responded positively to this idea but pointed out that wrestlers of smaller stature, like himself, often face different standards when it comes to Hall of Fame selection, stating, “I agree, but our ‘little people’ are not judged the same.”
Throughout much of his time in WCW and WWE, Helms was recognized primarily as a cruiserweight and typically a smaller competitor. His WWE tenure included holding the European and Hardcore Championships as well as being a two-time Cruiserweight Champion. Additionally, Helms captured the World Tag Team Championship twice, teaming with “training superheroes” Kane and Rosey.
After his release from WWE in February 2010, Helms returned to the independent circuit before signing with TNA Wrestling in 2015 and later rejoining WWE in 2018. In April 2020, he appeared in the Elite Removal Match at AEW Full Gear before returning to his backstage role. His last in-ring appearance was at the 2021 WWE Royal Rumble, where he was eliminated by Big E and Bobby Lashley.
Fan Take: Shane Helms’ belief that smaller wrestlers face bias in Hall of Fame selections highlights an important conversation about inclusivity in wrestling honors. Recognizing talents like Helms could inspire greater appreciation for diverse wrestling styles and career paths, enriching the sport’s legacy for WWE fans worldwide.
