50-year-old doesn't anticipate a WWE Hall of Fame induction: "If I got asked, maybe my answer would be different"
Getting a WWE Hall of Fame spot is a much-desired accolade for anyone involved in professional wrestling. However, Jonathan Coachman isn't sure he might get one in the future.
Coachman kicked off his career in wrestling with World Wrestling Entertainment in 1999, joining as a backstage interviewer and quickly becoming one of the more recognizable non-wrestling talents on WWE television.
His segments with The Rock, in particular, made Jonathan Coachman a more prominent personality before he went on to have several roles, including one as a heel commentator. Coachman's brief return in 2018 didn't pan out well for the 50-year-old, as he recently even admitted to being mistreated in the company during that phase.
While speaking on The Angle Podcast, Coachman admitted that he doesn't expect to enter the Hall of Fame. He also explained his problems with the HOF, as you can view below:
"The answer is no. I always look at a Hall of Fame from a sports point of view. And with no disrespect intended to anybody in the WWE Hall of Fame, but let's be honest, they try to check some boxes every year. There are certain people, you see their name, you say, 'Really?' I don't even remember them being here, yet they go into the Hall of Fame," he said. [44:20 - 44:49]
While Coachman said he doesn't spend a lot of time dreaming about a potential induction, he felt few existing Hall of Famers didn't even deserve the label. In comparison, he believed he was worthy enough to be a Hall of Famer and was seemingly open to becoming one if the Stamford-based promotion ever came calling.
"I really haven't thought about it because until recently, I didn't want anything to do with the WWE. Do I think I'm worthy of it based on other people being in? 100%! 100%! I can give you a full list of names, 'Like, really?' But to me, that's not necessary. I think I know what a Hall of Famer is. Again, if I got asked, maybe my answer would be different," he said. [47:38 - 48:10]
You can check out his comments in the video below:
"There is no actual WWE Hall of Fame" - Jonathan Coachman
One of the criticisms WWE has faced for years has been the absence of a physical Hall of Fame.
Jonathan Coachman said that while he respected his peers who wore their Hall of Fame rings with pride, the fact that there was no real Hall of Fame building somewhat takes away from the honor.
Coachman also highlighted the apparent inconsistencies with the Hall of Fame and the names that are carefully chosen to be a part of it.
"The other part is, there is no actual WWE Hall of Fame. It doesn't actually exist. There is no building. So, for me, there are a lot of guys that mean the world to them. They love to wear the ring, and I respect them for that. It was on the night of the Hall of Fame induction, but it's changed so much. Like, Paul Heyman got all the time that he deserved, and then everybody else just got kind of thrown in," he said. [44:50 - 45:08]
Jonathan Coachman has been involved in pro wrestling for a very long time, and although he hasn't been seen in WWE for years, a Hall of Fame induction could be the perfect way to get him back.