Remembering WWE’s Howard Finkel, possibly the best pro wrestling ring announcer all-time
WWE announced Thursday the death of longtime ring announcer Howard Finkel, a WWE Hall of Famer.
He is certainly on the Mt. Rushmore of pro wrestling ring announcers, one of the best, if not the best, all-time....and an even better person.
This is from WWE.com. (Note: I added some information.)
WWE is saddened to learn that Howard Finkel has passed away at age 69.
When considering the greatest ring announcers in the history of sports and sports-entertainment, you’d be hard-pressed to name one better than Howard Finkel. A native of Newark, New Jersey, “The Fink” — a label that had been attached affectionately to Howard over the years — made his ring announcing debut at Madison Square Garden in 1977 for WWE’s predecessor, WWWF, under the direction of Vince McMahon Sr.
By 1979, Finkel was the full-time ring announcer for WWWF, and when WWE was established in 1980 as WWF, The Fink became the first — and eventually longest-serving — employee. When Vince McMahon Jr. took control of the company from his ailing father in 1982, Finkel remained working for the company as its ring announcer.
Finkel’s distinctive voice was instantly recognizable, and for more than two decades Superstars such as The Ultimate Warrior, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin and more would have a title victory marked by The Fink’s signature call, “and NNNEEEWWW World Champion!”
Despite being a ring announcer, Finkel didn’t shy away from in-ring competition in certain circumstances. In 1995, he battled his longtime rival Harvey Wippleman in a Tuxedo Match on Raw, and later helped X-Pac shave Jeff Jarrett’s head in a Hair vs. Hair Match at SummerSlam 1998.
By 2000, Howard Finkel had taken a lighter schedule with the additions of Lilian Garcia and Tony Chimel to Raw and SmackDown, respectively, but he still announced for some of the WWF/E’s pay-per-view events.
By 2006, Finkel was rarely heard from even at pay-per-views. However, he regularly would introduce the WWE Hall of Fame inductees at WrestleMania. He also appeared at every WrestleMania from 1985-2016.
On July 23, 2012, Finkel was a special ring announcer on the 1,000th episode of Raw.
In addition to his legendary tenure as a ring announcer, The Fink was an indispensable resource inside the WWE offices for his vast knowledge of sports-entertainment history. Well respected by current Superstars, WWE legends, alum and Hall of Famers, Finkel’s encyclopedic memory and kindness made him beloved among his colleagues.
The Fink was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame by Mean Gene Okerlund on April 4, 2009.
WWE extends its condolences to Finkel’s family, friends and fans.
https://www.foxsports.com/wwe/story/wwe-hall-of-famer-howard-finkel-passes-away-041620
https://www.espn.com/wwe/story/_/id/29044000/long-wwe-ring-announcer-howard-finkel-dies-69
My video interview with the legend and his work on mic at Special Olympics game
I had an opportunity to interview the great Howard Finkel after a unified basketball game, hosted by WWE and Special Olympics Florida in Kissimmee, near Orlando, during WrestleMania Week in 2017.
Using that distinctive voice, Finkel introduced the players from Poinciana and St. Cloud high schools for this fun game at Poinciana High School.
WWE Superstars Big Show, Dana Brooke, Mark Henry and A.J. Styles along with WWE Ambassador Dana Warrior were the coaches.
Ring Announcer Greg Hamilton assisted. He and Finkel called the action, too.
The Fink, RIP.
My Pro Wrestling Talk on the Web and Social Media
http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/fighting/
Twitter: @jimmyv3
YouTube: jim varsallone (jimmyv3 channel)
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ProWrestlingSouthFlorida/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WWE-WrestleMania-28-Miami-241160769255279/
