Howard Finkel was an American professional wrestling ring announcer, backstage worker, and occasional professional wrestler, best known for his appearances in WWE. He began working for Vincent J. McMahon's World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF) in 1975, and was a Madison Square Garden ring announcer since 1977. Finkel was WWE's longest-serving employee and was widely regarded as the greatest ring announcer of all time. He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2009.
Finkel in 2012
Finkel (center) built his reputation announcing matches at Madison Square Garden
Finkel in the ring in 2009
Finkel at the 2009 HOF induction ceremony
WWE Hall of Fame (2009) was the event which featured the introduction of the 10th class to the WWE Hall of Fame. The event was produced by World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) on April 4, 2009, from the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. The event took place the same weekend as WrestleMania 25. The event was hosted by Jerry Lawler and Todd Grisham. The ceremony aired later that evening on the USA Network. In March 2015 the ceremony was added to the WWE Network.
The WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2009 and their inductors
Image: SCSA Hallof Fame
Image: Ricky Steamboat HOF
Image: Bill Watts Hall of Fame