Howard Finkel
Encyclopedia
Howard Finkel is a professional wrestling
ring announcer
currently working with WWE in a variety of roles. Hired in 1975 by Vincent J. McMahon's World Wide Wrestling Federation, "The Fink" was the first person brought in to Vincent K. McMahon
's nascent World Wrestling Federation and is widely credited as WWE's first and longest lasting employee.
Finkel, a native of Newark, New Jersey, began announcing wrestling shows at Madison Square Garden
in 1977. By 1979, he was hired as the first employee of WWE (formerly WWF), and he was made lead ring announcer for the WWF's biggest events. Across three decades, Finkel's distinctive voice was one of the trademarks of WWF programming, and was sometimes used in the packaged intros for the company's weekly programming. Finkel's signature call was his announcement of a new champion following a change in titles, in which he would place increased emphasis while stretching out the word "New" in order to draw the greatest reaction from the crowd. Finkel also suggested the well-known pay-per-view
name "WrestleMania
," (he got it from The Beatles
' theme in the 1960s BeatleMania) which owner Vince McMahon
immediately accepted. Finkel also came up with Ricky Steamboat
's "Dragon" nickname.
On January 19, 1987, Howard Finkel was presented with a plaque commemorating his 10 years (for WWWF) announcing at Madison Square Garden by Gene Okerlund
. In 1993 at the Roman-themed WrestleMania IX
, Howard Finkel was introduced as Finkus Maximus. Finkel admitted to Arda Ocal
and Jimmy Korderas on The Score that he was also part of talent relations and some of the creative side, during the early days of the World Wrestling Federation
. On March 20, 1994 at WrestleMania X
he pushed manager Harvey Wippleman to the ground, after Wippleman had verbally and physically harassed him. This led to Finkel's first-ever in-ring match on January 9, 1995, a tuxedo match against Harvey Wippleman on Monday Night Raw; he won by stripping Wippleman to his underwear.
Finkel was also involved in a feud between X-Pac
and Jeff Jarrett
after Jarrett shaved the already near-bald Finkel's head. This culminated in a Hair versus Hair match at SummerSlam 1998
with Finkel in the corner of X-Pac. X-Pac won the match and Finkel assisted him in cutting Jarrett's hair.
In August 1999, Finkel became a follower of the newly debuting Chris Jericho
. On August 26, 1999, during the pilot episode of WWE SmackDown, Jericho enouraged Finkel to attack Smackdown announcer Tony Chimel
and take back his place as lead announcer. Finkel ran down the aisle, shoving Chimel and ordering him to step aside. As Finkel started to announce, Chimel threw Finkel from the ring. While Jericho helped Finkel to the back, they crossed paths with Ken Shamrock
, who jostled against Jericho. Jericho convinced Finkel to distract Shamrock during his match, which he did. After Finkel berated Shamrock, the wrestler began twisting Finkel's finger, permitting Jericho to hit Shamrock from behind with a steel chair. Several weeks later, Finkel adopted the role of "El Dopo," a masked referee who unfairly officiated a Shamrock match, awarding the win to Curtis Hughes
. On the October 14 episode of Smackdown! Jericho defeated Curtis Hughes with help from Finkel but then "gave" Finkel's services to Curtis Hughes after the match. Four days later on Monday Night Raw, Curtis Hughes bet and lost Finkel in a game of poker.
On the August 22, 2002 episode of Raw, Finkel began a brief feud with Raw ring announcer Lilian Garcia
over the lead spot, before both were attacked by Three Minute Warning
. The following week, Garcia defeated Finkel in an evening gown/tuxedo match with help from Trish Stratus
and Stacy Keibler
, who were ostensibly insulted by a "dumb blonde" remark made by Finkel.
and Lilian Garcia
to the Raw and SmackDown (Garcia on Raw, Chimel on Smackdown) shows, but still announced at some of WWE's pay-per-view events.
By 2006, Finkel was rarely heard from even at PPVs. However, Finkel would introduce the Hall of Fame classes during WrestleMania event. Finkel himself was inducted to the Hall on April 4, 2009 by "Mean" Gene Okerlund
. Due to the fact that he was one of that year's inductees, Smackdown announcer Justin Roberts
replaced Finkel in introducing the group at WrestleMania XXV
. Finkel's current television appearances are only sporadic, appearing only at major pay-per-view special events and the occasional episode of Raw or SmackDown!. In one of his more notable facts, Finkel has the distinction of being the only WWF/E performer to appear on-screen at every single WrestleMania
event.
Finkel supplied the voiceover intro for the WWE.com video show The Dirt Sheet
and does behind-the-scenes work for WWE projects, including conducting interviews for various WWE.com programs. He is also WWE's chief statistician
. He made another appearance on September 7, serving as announcer for special guest host Bob Barker
's The Price is Right
-inspired segments. He could also be seen in the background of the Decade of SmackDown celebrations on October 2. He also helps host WWE chat with Corey Clayton.
Finkel returned to Raw on November 15, 2010 for the "Old School" Episode to become a special guest ring announcer for one night only. He also appeared on a recent episode of NXT
in an "Out-think The Fink" Challenge. On March 28. 2011, Howard Finkel admitted to Arda Ocal
and Jimmy Korderas on The Score that his favorite moment, that defined his career, was announcing at WrestleMania III
in front of over 93,000 fans
Finkel appeared on 1wrestling Radio in Philadelphia on March 30, 2011 to give his thoughts on that year's Wrestlemania card. During the interview, Finkel is asked by Host Bruce Wirt about what propelled the success of Hulkamania in the 1980s. Finkel, a veteran of the entire Hulk Hogan era, gave Bobby Heenan accolades for helping to propel Hogan to the top by acting as a tremendous antagonist. On that same broadcast, pro wrestling journalist Bill Apter admits that coming up as a wrestling fan, his favorite part of the show was listening to Howard Finkel announce the wrestlers' names.
At the 2011
Survivor Series
in Madison Square Garden, Finkel made a guest appearance as the special ring announcer for CM Punk
in his WWE Championship
match against Alberto Del Rio.
Professional wrestling
Professional wrestling is a mode of spectacle, combining athletics and theatrical performance.Roland Barthes, "The World of Wrestling", Mythologies, 1957 It takes the form of events, held by touring companies, which mimic a title match combat sport...
ring announcer
Ring announcer
A ring announcer is a paid in-ring employee for a boxing, professional wrestling, or mixed martial arts event or promotion...
currently working with WWE in a variety of roles. Hired in 1975 by Vincent J. McMahon's World Wide Wrestling Federation, "The Fink" was the first person brought in to Vincent K. McMahon
Vince McMahon
Vincent Kennedy "Vince" McMahon is an American professional wrestling promoter, announcer, commentator, film producer, actor and former occasional professional wrestler. McMahon is the current Chairman, CEO and Chairman of the Executive Committee of professional wrestling promotion WWE...
's nascent World Wrestling Federation and is widely credited as WWE's first and longest lasting employee.
Career
Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden, often abbreviated as MSG and known colloquially as The Garden, is a multi-purpose indoor arena in the New York City borough of Manhattan and located at 8th Avenue, between 31st and 33rd Streets, situated on top of Pennsylvania Station.Opened on February 11, 1968, it is the...
in 1977. By 1979, he was hired as the first employee of WWE (formerly WWF), and he was made lead ring announcer for the WWF's biggest events. Across three decades, Finkel's distinctive voice was one of the trademarks of WWF programming, and was sometimes used in the packaged intros for the company's weekly programming. Finkel's signature call was his announcement of a new champion following a change in titles, in which he would place increased emphasis while stretching out the word "New" in order to draw the greatest reaction from the crowd. Finkel also suggested the well-known pay-per-view
Pay-per-view
Pay-per-view provides a service by which a television audience can purchase events to view via private telecast. The broadcaster shows the event at the same time to everyone ordering it...
name "WrestleMania
WrestleMania
WrestleMania is a professional wrestling pay-per-view event, produced annually in late March or early April by WWE, a professional wrestling promotion based in Connecticut...
," (he got it from The Beatles
The Beatles
The Beatles were an English rock band, active throughout the 1960s and one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. Formed in Liverpool, by 1962 the group consisted of John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison and Ringo Starr...
' theme in the 1960s BeatleMania) which owner Vince McMahon
Vince McMahon
Vincent Kennedy "Vince" McMahon is an American professional wrestling promoter, announcer, commentator, film producer, actor and former occasional professional wrestler. McMahon is the current Chairman, CEO and Chairman of the Executive Committee of professional wrestling promotion WWE...
immediately accepted. Finkel also came up with Ricky Steamboat
Ricky Steamboat
Richard Henry Blood , better known by his ring name Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat, is a retired American professional wrestler. He is currently signed to WWE working as a road agent. He was one of the few wrestlers who stayed a babyface throughout his career...
's "Dragon" nickname.
On January 19, 1987, Howard Finkel was presented with a plaque commemorating his 10 years (for WWWF) announcing at Madison Square Garden by Gene Okerlund
Gene Okerlund
Eugene "Mean Gene" Okerlund is a semi-retired American professional wrestling interviewer and announcer. He is best known for his work in the World Wrestling Federation and World Championship Wrestling. He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2006 by Hulk Hogan...
. In 1993 at the Roman-themed WrestleMania IX
WrestleMania IX
WrestleMania IX was the ninth annual WrestleMania professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by the World Wrestling Federation. The event took place at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada on April 4, 1993 and was the first WrestleMania event held outdoors...
, Howard Finkel was introduced as Finkus Maximus. Finkel admitted to Arda Ocal
Arda Ocal
Arda Ocal is a Turkish Canadian TV personality, announcer and writer, currently with The Score Television Network...
and Jimmy Korderas on The Score that he was also part of talent relations and some of the creative side, during the early days of the World Wrestling Federation
Finkel in storyline
As an announcer, Finkel was generally separate from the scripted angles, but occasionally became part of the company's storylines. In 1992 he was attacked by KamalaKamala
Kamala is a common Hindu name, usually meaning Nelumbo nucifera, the lotus. Variants include Kamal and Kamla. It is unrelated to the similar sounding name of Arabic origin meaning perfection or integrity usually spelled Kamal in English but spelled Kemal in Turkish, which appears as the middle name...
. On March 20, 1994 at WrestleMania X
WrestleMania X
WrestleMania X was the tenth annual WrestleMania professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by the World Wrestling Federation. It took place at Madison Square Garden in New York, New York on March 20, 1994. The central focus of the pay-per-view was the WWF Championship, which was defended...
he pushed manager Harvey Wippleman to the ground, after Wippleman had verbally and physically harassed him. This led to Finkel's first-ever in-ring match on January 9, 1995, a tuxedo match against Harvey Wippleman on Monday Night Raw; he won by stripping Wippleman to his underwear.
Finkel was also involved in a feud between X-Pac
Sean Waltman
Sean Michael Waltman is an American professional wrestler currently signed with WWE in their developmental program. He wrestled there under the ring names 1–2–3 Kid and X-Pac off and on from 1993–2002, World Championship Wrestling under the ring name Syxx, and Total Nonstop Action Wrestling ...
and Jeff Jarrett
Jeff Jarrett
Jeffrey Leonard Jarrett is an American professional wrestler and wrestling promoter. He is currently signed to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling , an organization he co-founded along with his father and in which he holds some stock but not total control...
after Jarrett shaved the already near-bald Finkel's head. This culminated in a Hair versus Hair match at SummerSlam 1998
SummerSlam (1998)
SummerSlam was the eleventh annual SummerSlam professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by the World Wrestling Federation . It took place on August 30, 1998 at Madison Square Garden in New York, New York....
with Finkel in the corner of X-Pac. X-Pac won the match and Finkel assisted him in cutting Jarrett's hair.
In August 1999, Finkel became a follower of the newly debuting Chris Jericho
Chris Jericho
Christopher Keith Irvine , better known by his ring name Chris Jericho, is an inactive Canadian-American professional wrestler, musician, songwriter, radio personality, television host, actor, author, and dancer...
. On August 26, 1999, during the pilot episode of WWE SmackDown, Jericho enouraged Finkel to attack Smackdown announcer Tony Chimel
Tony Chimel
Anthony "Tony" Chimel is an American professional wrestling ring announcer, currently employed by WWE working as the ring announcer for SmackDown brand.-WWE :...
and take back his place as lead announcer. Finkel ran down the aisle, shoving Chimel and ordering him to step aside. As Finkel started to announce, Chimel threw Finkel from the ring. While Jericho helped Finkel to the back, they crossed paths with Ken Shamrock
Ken Shamrock
Kenneth Wayne Shamrock is an American mixed martial arts fighter, UFC Hall of Famer and professional wrestler...
, who jostled against Jericho. Jericho convinced Finkel to distract Shamrock during his match, which he did. After Finkel berated Shamrock, the wrestler began twisting Finkel's finger, permitting Jericho to hit Shamrock from behind with a steel chair. Several weeks later, Finkel adopted the role of "El Dopo," a masked referee who unfairly officiated a Shamrock match, awarding the win to Curtis Hughes
Curtis Hughes
Curtis Hughes is an American professional wrestler, better known under the ring name Mr. Hughes. He is best known for his stints in the World Wrestling Federation. In addition to the WWF, Hughes has also worked for World Championship Wrestling, the American Wrestling Association, the American...
. On the October 14 episode of Smackdown! Jericho defeated Curtis Hughes with help from Finkel but then "gave" Finkel's services to Curtis Hughes after the match. Four days later on Monday Night Raw, Curtis Hughes bet and lost Finkel in a game of poker.
On the August 22, 2002 episode of Raw, Finkel began a brief feud with Raw ring announcer Lilian Garcia
Lilian Garcia
Lilian Annette García , is a Spanish-American singer. She is best known as the former ring announcer for WWE's Raw brand. During her time in WWE, she became the first Diva to remain with the promotion for ten years.-Early life and career:...
over the lead spot, before both were attacked by Three Minute Warning
Three Minute Warning
3-Minute Warning was a hoodlum-like professional wrestling tag team consisting of cousins Matt Anoa'i and Eddie Fatu, most notable for their time with WWE.-History:...
. The following week, Garcia defeated Finkel in an evening gown/tuxedo match with help from Trish Stratus
Trish Stratus
Patricia Anne Stratigias , better known by her ring name Trish Stratus, is a Canadian professional wrestler, actress and television personality currently signed with WWE. She is also a former fitness model....
and Stacy Keibler
Stacy Keibler
Stacy Keibler is an American actress, model, and former professional wrestler and valet, best known for her work with World Championship Wrestling and World Wrestling Entertainment ....
, who were ostensibly insulted by a "dumb blonde" remark made by Finkel.
2000-present
By 2000, Howard Finkel had taken a lighter schedule with the additions of Tony ChimelTony Chimel
Anthony "Tony" Chimel is an American professional wrestling ring announcer, currently employed by WWE working as the ring announcer for SmackDown brand.-WWE :...
and Lilian Garcia
Lilian Garcia
Lilian Annette García , is a Spanish-American singer. She is best known as the former ring announcer for WWE's Raw brand. During her time in WWE, she became the first Diva to remain with the promotion for ten years.-Early life and career:...
to the Raw and SmackDown (Garcia on Raw, Chimel on Smackdown) shows, but still announced at some of WWE's pay-per-view events.
By 2006, Finkel was rarely heard from even at PPVs. However, Finkel would introduce the Hall of Fame classes during WrestleMania event. Finkel himself was inducted to the Hall on April 4, 2009 by "Mean" Gene Okerlund
Gene Okerlund
Eugene "Mean Gene" Okerlund is a semi-retired American professional wrestling interviewer and announcer. He is best known for his work in the World Wrestling Federation and World Championship Wrestling. He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2006 by Hulk Hogan...
. Due to the fact that he was one of that year's inductees, Smackdown announcer Justin Roberts
Justin Roberts
Justin Jason Roberts is an American professional wrestling ring announcer, currently working for WWE appearing on its Raw brand.-Career:...
replaced Finkel in introducing the group at WrestleMania XXV
WrestleMania XXV
WrestleMania XXV was the twenty-fifth annual WrestleMania professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by World Wrestling Entertainment , which took place on April 5, 2009 at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Texas...
. Finkel's current television appearances are only sporadic, appearing only at major pay-per-view special events and the occasional episode of Raw or SmackDown!. In one of his more notable facts, Finkel has the distinction of being the only WWF/E performer to appear on-screen at every single WrestleMania
WrestleMania
WrestleMania is a professional wrestling pay-per-view event, produced annually in late March or early April by WWE, a professional wrestling promotion based in Connecticut...
event.
Finkel supplied the voiceover intro for the WWE.com video show The Dirt Sheet
John Morrison and The Miz
John Morrison and The Miz were a professional wrestling tag team and former WWE Tough Enough contestants. The team worked for World Wrestling Entertainment on its ECW brand, but also appeared on the SmackDown and Raw brands due to ECW's talent exchanges with those brands during their tenure as a team...
and does behind-the-scenes work for WWE projects, including conducting interviews for various WWE.com programs. He is also WWE's chief statistician
Statistician
A statistician is someone who works with theoretical or applied statistics. The profession exists in both the private and public sectors. The core of that work is to measure, interpret, and describe the world and human activity patterns within it...
. He made another appearance on September 7, serving as announcer for special guest host Bob Barker
Bob Barker
Robert William "Bob" Barker is a former American television game show host. He is best known for hosting CBS's The Price Is Right from 1972 to 2007, making it the longest-running daytime game show in North American television history, and for hosting Truth or Consequences from 1956 to 1975.Born...
's The Price is Right
The Price Is Right (US game show)
The Price Is Right is an American game show which was created by Mark Goodson and Bill Todman. Contestants compete to identify the pricing of merchandise to win cash and prizes. The show is well-known for its signature line of "Come on down!" when the announcer directs newly selected contestants to...
-inspired segments. He could also be seen in the background of the Decade of SmackDown celebrations on October 2. He also helps host WWE chat with Corey Clayton.
Finkel returned to Raw on November 15, 2010 for the "Old School" Episode to become a special guest ring announcer for one night only. He also appeared on a recent episode of NXT
WWE NXT
WWE NXT is a sports entertainment television program produced by WWE that debuted on February 23, 2010. Described as a hybrid between reality television and WWE's scripted live event shows, the premise of the show follows select talent contracted to WWE's developmental territory Florida...
in an "Out-think The Fink" Challenge. On March 28. 2011, Howard Finkel admitted to Arda Ocal
Arda Ocal
Arda Ocal is a Turkish Canadian TV personality, announcer and writer, currently with The Score Television Network...
and Jimmy Korderas on The Score that his favorite moment, that defined his career, was announcing at WrestleMania III
WrestleMania III
WrestleMania III was the third annual WrestleMania professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by the World Wrestling Federation . The event was held on March 29, 1987 at the Pontiac Silverdome in Pontiac, Michigan....
in front of over 93,000 fans
Finkel appeared on 1wrestling Radio in Philadelphia on March 30, 2011 to give his thoughts on that year's Wrestlemania card. During the interview, Finkel is asked by Host Bruce Wirt about what propelled the success of Hulkamania in the 1980s. Finkel, a veteran of the entire Hulk Hogan era, gave Bobby Heenan accolades for helping to propel Hogan to the top by acting as a tremendous antagonist. On that same broadcast, pro wrestling journalist Bill Apter admits that coming up as a wrestling fan, his favorite part of the show was listening to Howard Finkel announce the wrestlers' names.
At the 2011
Survivor Series (2011)
Survivor Series was a professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by WWE that took place on November 20, 2011 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. It was the 25th annual Survivor Series event and the first one to take place in Madison Square Garden since the 2002 event...
Survivor Series
Survivor Series
The Survivor Series is an annual professional wrestling pay-per-view event held in November by WWE. It is one of the "Big Four" events, along with WrestleMania, Royal Rumble and SummerSlam, as It is one of the original four pay-per-views produced by WWE....
in Madison Square Garden, Finkel made a guest appearance as the special ring announcer for CM Punk
CM Punk
Phillip Jack "Phil" Brooks , better known by his ring name CM Punk, is an American professional wrestler currently signed to WWE and working on its Raw brand currently serving his second title reign as WWE Champion....
in his WWE Championship
WWE Championship
The WWE Championship is a professional wrestling world heavyweight championship in WWE. It is the world title of the Raw brand and one of two in WWE, complementing the World Heavyweight Championship of the SmackDown brand. It was established under the then WWWF in 1963...
match against Alberto Del Rio.
Job titles
- WWF Superstars of WrestlingWWF Superstars of WrestlingWWF Superstars of Wrestling is a professional wrestling television program produced by the World Wrestling Federation . It debuted on September 6, 1986...
ring announcer - HeatWWE HEATWWE Heat was a professional wrestling television program produced by World Wrestling Entertainment...
ring announcer - Byte This host
- RawWWE RAWWWE Raw ) is a sports entertainment television program for WWE that currently airs on the USA Network in the United States...
ring announcer (January 1993 - 1997) - SmackDown ring announcer
- House showHouse showA house show is a professional wrestling show run by a major promotion that is not televised, though they can be recorded. Promotions use house shows mainly to cash in on the exposure that they and their wrestlers receive during televised events, as well as test reactions to matches, wrestlers, and...
ring announcer - Madison Square GardenMadison Square GardenMadison Square Garden, often abbreviated as MSG and known colloquially as The Garden, is a multi-purpose indoor arena in the New York City borough of Manhattan and located at 8th Avenue, between 31st and 33rd Streets, situated on top of Pennsylvania Station.Opened on February 11, 1968, it is the...
ring announcer - WWE Hall of FameWWE Hall of FameThe WWE Hall of Fame is a hall of fame for professional wrestlers maintained by WWE. It was officially created on the February 1, 1993 episode of the World Wrestling Federation's Monday Night Raw television program...
announcer (WrestleMania 22WrestleMania 22Notes: .The predominant feud on the SmackDown! brand was between Kurt Angle, Rey Mysterio, and Randy Orton over the World Heavyweight Championship. Mysterio won the 2006 Royal Rumble match, last eliminating Orton, to earn a World Championship match at WrestleMania. At No Way Out, Orton defeated...
- XXIVWrestleMania XXIVWrestleMania XXIV was the twenty-fourth annual WrestleMania professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by World Wrestling Entertainment . The event took place on March 30, 2008, at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Florida and was the first WrestleMania to be held in the state of Florida...
, XXVIWrestleMania XXVIWrestleMania XXVI was the twenty-sixth annual WrestleMania professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by World Wrestling Entertainment , which took place on March 28, 2010 at the University of Phoenix Stadium in the Phoenix suburb of Glendale, Arizona. This was the fourth WrestleMania to...
& XXVIIWrestleMania XXVIIWrestleMania XXVII was the twenty-seventh annual WrestleMania professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by World Wrestling Entertainment , held on April 3, 2011 at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia...
) - Florida Championship WrestlingFlorida Championship WrestlingChampionship Wrestling from Florida was the corporate and brand name of the Tampa, Florida wrestling office existing from 1961, when Eddie Graham first bought into the promotion, until 1987, when it closed down. It is also referred to as Florida Championship Wrestling...
(FCW) ring announcer
Awards and accomplishments
- World Wrestling Entertainment
- WWE Hall of FameWWE Hall of FameThe WWE Hall of Fame is a hall of fame for professional wrestlers maintained by WWE. It was officially created on the February 1, 1993 episode of the World Wrestling Federation's Monday Night Raw television program...
(Class of 2009)
- WWE Hall of Fame