WWE will never be the same again. Over the last few years, we have lost several legends (Bruno Sammartino, The Ultimate Warrior, Roddy Piper, etc.). Just when we thought that things couldn’t get any worse, we were given a reality check. Yesterday, WWE’s legendary ring announcer Howard Finkel passed away.
“The Fink”: Wrestling’s Best Announcer!
You will be surprised to find out that Howard Finkel started with WWE even before Vince McMahon took charge. Vince’s father, Vince McMahon Sr. recruited Fink back in 1975. At that time, the company was going by WWWF. Due to this, not only is Howard Finkel the company’s first-ever employee, but he also became the one with the longest tenure in the wrestling industry.
Throughout his announcing career, he enjoyed several iconic moments. His style of announcing a new champion was the most over among audience and wrestlers alike. While speaking to The Slam back in 2014, Howard Finkel revealed that he was the one who coined the term “Wrestlemania”.
Apart from announcing, Fink had backstage responsibilities as well. For his remarkable services, WWE inducted “The Fink” into their Hall of Fame in 2009.
WWE Superstars React to Howard Finkel Passing Away!
On April 16, Howard Finkel passed away at 69. WWE broke the news first on their website and social media. After that, several Professional Wrestling superstars, current and former, reacted to the heartbreaking announcement. Most of them mentioned how Finkel was not only a great employee but an incredible and caring human as well. The new ones spoke about their experience meeting the legend after cherishing his work during their childhood.
Here are some of such tweets:
Howard Finkle was on Team Hogan through the good and bad times,even when I was on the outs Howard would call on a consistent basis to tell me to always keep my head up,it was” never say never” and “you and Vince will work it out”,my good friend RIP,I love you 4LifeHH
— Hulk Hogan (@HulkHogan) April 16, 2020
Last time I saw Howard was when a few of the boys got together to go visit him. He was very happy and so were we.
At one point, he busted out that trademark flawless ring announcer voice and rocked the whole place. He still had the pipes.
I’ll always cherish that memory. pic.twitter.com/WoSFPMVgZB
— Kevin (@FightOwensFight) April 16, 2020
Even as Howard’s health declined, he was more concerned about me and my fight to be healthy. We lost one of the greatest ever. He was the greatest ring announcer ever, and that couldn’t even compare to the human being that he was. RIP Fink.
— Roman Reigns (@WWERomanReigns) April 17, 2020
Although Howard Finkel has passed away, his contributions to the wrestling world will be remembered forever. His work will continue to be an inspiration for aspiring ring announcers and other in-ring and backstage personnel. Rest in Peace, Champ!