Bull Nakano to be inducted into WWE Hall of Fame

An all-time great joshi wrestler is set to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.

It was announced via ESPN on Wednesday that Bull Nakano will be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame over WrestleMania week in Philadelphia. She’s the second member that’s been confirmed for the class, joining Paul Heyman.

“During my active years, I was able to get championship belts in Japan, America and Mexico,” Nakano told ESPN. “But just one thing was missing — I didn’t get inducted into the Hall of Fame. I wanted this. Finally, in 2024 in WrestleMania week, I am able to get this.”

Nakano started her career in All Japan Women’s Wrestling and went on to make her mark in the ring globally. In the 1990s, Nakano and Alundra Blayze/Madusa’s rivalry helped revive the WWF women’s division for a period of time. Their feud included a match at SummerSlam 1994.

Nakano held the WWF Women’s Championship once. She later competed for WCW as well.

“WWE Hall of Fame!! My wish has come true and I have decided to receive the award in 2024,” Nakano wrote on social media. “I am honored to be the first Japanese female wrestler to do so. thank you.”

With Vince McMahon gone from WWE, this is the first Hall of Fame class that Paul “Triple H” Levesque has been fully in charge of. Levesque tweeted about Nakano’s induction:

An unbelievable talent with an unforgettable look, and a mean streak a mile long.

Bull Nakano isn’t just one of the best Women’s wrestlers of all time – she’s one of the best of all time, period. #WWEHOF

Nakano was inducted into the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame in 2001.

The 2024 WWE Hall of Fame ceremony is taking place after SmackDown from the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia on Friday, April 5.