Since 2012, TNA Wrestling has welcomed some of its premier stars into its Hall of Fame with Sting, Kurt Angle, Jeff Jarrett, and Abyss all receiving the honor. This year, the ‘Man-Beast’ Rhino will receive his spot in the TNA Hall of Fame alongside Bob Ryder.
Rhino
Rhino joined TNA Wrestling in July 2005, just over a month after exiting WWE following that year’s One Night Stand pay-per-view. At that year’s Bound for Glory, Rhino would reach the top of the mountain, dethroning Jeff Jarrett as NWA World Heavyweight Champion. Rhino is also a two-time TNA World Tag Team Champion and won the 2008 Turkey Bowl contest.
Outside TNA, Rhino is known for being the final ECW Champion of the original promotion, where he also held the World TV Championship twice. In WWE, Rhino held the Hardcore title three times, the WCW U.S. Championship once, and was one-half of the inaugural WWE SmackDown Tag Team Champions.
Bob Ryder
Concerned over WWE’s monopoly of wrestling in the U.S. following the demise of WCW and ECW, Ryder co-founded TNA Wrestling in 2002 alongside Jeff and Jerry Jarrett. Ryder was TNA’s first employee and became the company’s longest-tenured employee in history as he remained with TNA until his passing in 2020. During his tenure, Ryder held several roles with the company, including working as the Director of Travel Operations.
Before co-founding TNA, Ryder proved himself for years as an innovator in the wrestling media. At WrestleMania 11, Ryder became the person to conduct an online interview for the WWF when he fired questions as opponents Shawn Michaels and Diesel. In a statement after his passing, TNA referred to him as “the heart and soul of the promotion.” Eric Young, a friend of Ryder’s will induct and receive the honor on his behalf.
Rhino and Ryder will be inducted as part of the Countdown to Bound for Glory on October 26, from Wayne State University Fieldhouse in Detroit, MI (Rhino’s hometown.) Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest from Bound for Glory including live results and breaking news.