Wrestling Travel is deeply saddened to learn that, Howard Finkel, the most iconic ring-announcer in WWE history, has passed away.
He was 69-years-old. News of Finkel’s passing was announced by WWE today.
Finkel was first hired to work for Vince McMahon Sr. and the WWWF in 1975. He would eventually become the company’s longest-tenured employee and the originator of the term “WrestleMania”.
Finkel was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2009. Others inducted with Finkel that year included Steve Austin, Ricky Steamboat, Bill Watts, Terry & Dory Funk, the Von Erichs, and Koko B. Ware. Gene Okerlund was the one to induct “the Fink.”
Finkel was most recently seen on our screens during a 2014 series featured on the WWE Network called ‘Legends’ House’ in which he shared a real-life house with fellow veterans of the pro wrestling business ‘Rowdy’ Roddy Piper, ‘Mean’ Gene Okerlund and Jimmy Hart.
A statement released by WWE described Finkel as an “indispensable resource” throughout the company’s formative years.
“When considering the greatest ring announcers in the history of sports and sports-entertainment, you’d be hard-pressed to name one better than Howard Finkel,” a message post on the WWE reads. “A native of Newark, NJ, “The Fink” — a label that had been attached affectionately to Howard over the years — made his ring announcing debut at Madison Square Garden in 1977 for WWE’s predecessor, WWWF.
“By 1979, Finkel was the full-time ring announcer for WWWF, and when WWE was established in 1980, The Fink became the first — and eventually longest-serving — employee. Finkel’s distinctive voice was instantly recognizable, and for more than two decades Superstars such as The Ultimate Warrior, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin and more would have a title victory marked by The Fink’s signature call, “and NNNEEEWWW World Champion!
Please take the time to read some of the tributes made by those who had worked with and admired the greatest Ring Announcer of all time.
“Mad Dog” Mike Angus, a popular UK based Wrestling Ring Announcer, kindly shared his story about meeting Howard.
“Absolutely devastated to hear the sad news about the passing of Howard Finkel today. Quite literally the greatest and most iconic professional wrestling ring announcer of all time, “The Fink” could elevate any match to the next level while looking absolutely professional and not taking the spotlight away from the stars. During the numerous times I was lucky enough to meet the Fink I was honored to chat with him and receive helpful advice about my own ring announcing, the classic “get the names correct” has always stuck with me. “
Saddened to learn of the passing of my friend and WWE’s first employee, WWE Hall of Famer Howard Finkel. The grandest moments in sports-entertainment history were made all the grander thanks to Howard’s iconic voice. pic.twitter.com/aAMY2XaHsm
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
In what has already been a tough week for our @WWE family, today we lost our 1st ever employee and WWE Hall of Famer, @howardfinkel. Howard’s voice is iconic & recognized by generations of fans. He will be missed. #RIPHowardFinkel Thank you for everything. ❤️🙏❤️
I’m very sadddened to hear of the passing of my dear friend @howardfinkel Howard Finkel. The best ring announcer I ever worked with. My deepest condolences to his family.
You weren’t someone until you heard Howard announce you. A championship win didn’t feel real until you heard him say “and the new!” His voice, his personality, and his positivity will be sorely missed. Thank you for everything…especially your friendship. https://t.co/CYSPt6vnvU
Rest in Peace Howard Finkel. Greatest ring announcer of all time. Historian and walking wrestling encyclopedia. Hall of Famer. Loyal. Great friend. Love you Fink. pic.twitter.com/tqvVq6gMeR
Howard Finkel was with the @WWE from the beginning. He was a loyal employee, a Hall of Fame announcer, and most of all, a great friend. Even in the years I wasn’t with the WWE, I stayed in contact with Howard. You simply couldn’t find a nicer guy. R.I.P. my friend. pic.twitter.com/7IVHN6FZVh
First met Howard Finkel in 1993 when I started working with @WWE. Always the most helpful and genuine friend to everyone he came in contact with. My favorite day with Howard was when he and I attended a Cleveland Browns, New York Jets game together. Miss you, Fink! RIP pic.twitter.com/z5PP9MeEEJ
Howard Finkel was a staple of my childhood. The voice we all grew up with. I first met Howard backstage at WrestleMania 33. I walked up and as I said "Hello, sir" and went to introduce myself, he burst out "HELLO, JOHNNY!" I couldn't believe he knew MY name! #RIPFink
So sad to hear about the passing of WWE’s very first employee… WWE HOFer Howard Finkel. Howard was a great friend and wore many hats in the company. You will be sorely missed. RIP Howard. https://t.co/9flXlegGof
So sad to hear that Howard Finkel has passed👉🏻Howard & I became friends when I started with the WWWF in 1979. Howard AKA: The “Fink” loved Wrestling & was the Encyclopedia of our Business👉🏻Howard had a “Yuge” Passion❤️for the @NYMBaseball⚾️& the @nyjets🏈#RIP🙏🏻My Friend
At WrestleMania 2000 after E&C won our first tag titles I found myself alone in the locker room w/ Howard Finkel after the show. I said “Howard, I’ve waited my whole life to hear YOU say those words”.. AAAND NEWWW.. he hugged me.. He was genuine. He was the best. RIP
— Jay 'Christian' Reso (@Christian4Peeps) April 16, 2020
The National Wrestling Alliance sends its deepest sympathies to the family, friends and fans of legendary pro wrestling ring announcer Howard Finkel.
you guys know howard finkel as the legendary ring announcer he was. i know him as the first person who was genuinely nice to me in stamford—we’d take the bus after work together and he’d tell me how much he loved his wife and his job. this really fucking sucks #RIPHowardFinkel
When I first got to WWE, I couldn’t wait to hear Howard Finkel announce my name. He’s without a doubt the greatest ring announcer of all time. #RIPFink
I'm absolutely gutted over the passing of Howard Finkel. Another voice of my childhood has been silenced. Such a sweet, sweet man. I'll miss our conversations about wrestling and Rock N Roll. This ABSOLUTELY sucks. Love ya Fink! pic.twitter.com/eAX0cOktda
— Brian Heffron aka The Blue Meanie (@BlueMeanieBWO) April 16, 2020
Today we lost the greatest ring announcer in history-period. Howard Finkel made any event he was a part of better-either in front of or behind the camera. Here’s a pic from 98’ SummerSlam where I lost my hair to @realxpac and weeks earlier I had shaved Fink’s! RIP Fink-love ya! pic.twitter.com/BqELOsPkwu
We lost one of the greatest ring announcers of all time, Howard Finkel. Howard was the man who came up with the name “WrestleMania” and he was one of the most beloved people in @WWE. Howard ring announced my dad’s very first match at @TheGarden. We love you, Howard. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/8TdmTvZQph
It's crushing to learn of the passing of #HowardFinkel – The voice of a generation of WWF fans and a genuinely nice man, sweet soul . . . My sincerest condolences to his family . . . #RIPFinkpic.twitter.com/nkBWhh1N0h
I’m gonna dearly miss my friend @howardfinkel. Passionate Mets & wrestling fan. An incredible soul. He’s the soundtrack to so many of our childhoods. Nobody has ever done it better. Rest In Peace Fink.
Very sad to wake up to the news of Howard Finkel's passing. The most iconic voice in the history of the wrestling business. I was lucky to meet Howard on a few occasions and he was always so kind, complimentary & classy. My thoughts and condolences are with his loved ones today. pic.twitter.com/iIfdkVWMHC
Sad to hear that #HowardFinkel passed this morning. I had the pleasure of sharing the ring with him so many times. Unforgettable voice, and a true loving soul. Prayers go out to his family🙏🏼❤️
Very sad to hear #HowardFinkel passed. He was just a great guy always joking, laughing & positive. The greatest Ring Announcer ever, his iconic voice will live in Pro Wrestling history forever. Prayers go out to his family. #RIPFinkpic.twitter.com/XGAYVwQrwv
I remember early in my @WWE career there was a Mexico tour where Lilian Garcia was unable to attend & Howard Finkel stepped in. When he announced me as I made my entrance I had the biggest grin on my face, I was that 10-year-old boy for a moment #ThankYouFink#ripfink
My sympathies and prayers go out to the family of HOWARD FINKEL. He wasn’t just a WWE Hall of Famer, he was a Hall of Famer in life! You’ll be missed brother. RIP. DDP pic.twitter.com/908mSHLEvY
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