For the second day in a row, the wrestling world was rocked this time with the announcement of the death of legendary ring announcer Howard Finkel.
Many wrestling personalities, past and present, used Twitter to pay homage to the greatest ring announcer of all time.
“Saddened to learn of the passing of my friend and WWE’s first employee, WWE Hall of Famer Howard Finkel,” Vince McMahon said. “The grandest moments in sports-entertainment history were made all the grander thanks to Howard’s iconic voice.”
“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,” Triple H wrote.
Stephanie McMahon said it’s already been a tough week for the WWE family and now they also lost their first ever employee. “Howard’s voice is iconic & recognized by generations of fans. He will be missed. Thank you for everything.”
One man who’s had his name announced a lot by The Fink is Hulk Hogan. Hogan said that Fink was Team Hogan through the good times 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.”
The Iron Sheik also spent his fair share of his wrestling career with The Fink. In a typical all caps tweet, Sheik said that Fink always put him over and made him look like a legend. “He make me smile. Forever I love you Howard Finkel,” Sheik wrote.
Fellow Hall of Famer Jim Ross described Fink as the greatest ring announcer in the business and was sad to hear of the passing of his friend. “The Hall of Famer is now ring announcing in Heaven. No one was more loyal or loved pro wrestling more than The Fink,” JR said.
Former WWE and AEW champion Chris Jericho wrote, “Thanks Howard….for being the best wrestling ring announcer in history, a great employee for the WWE, a good guy and a loyal lackey! Hopefully you’ll announce my entrance into the great unknown when I join you someday.”
“First met Howard Finkel in 1993 when I started working with WWE,” Jerry Lawler wrote. “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!”
Matt Hardy said that Fink was his main contact when he first started getting booked with Jeff as extras in the mid 90s. “Howard always took great care of us & had a soft spot in his heart for The Hardy Boyz,” Matt said.
Eric Bischoff said that Fink will always be the number one while Taz said that he was just a great guy always joking, laughing, and staying positive. “The greatest ring announcer ever, his iconic voice will live in pro wrestling history forever,” Taz added.
Tommy Dreamer kept in touch with Fink most than others and saw him once a month. Dreamer wrote that he loves him and he’s crushed that he lost his friend, calling him the voice of professional wrestling.
“I saw a voicemail after a day of training at OVW, it was my call up to Raw! Howard Finkel spoke as if announcing a new world champion at Madison Square Garden,” Dolph Ziggler wrote. “I will never forget that and his ‘Welcome to the Jungle’ entrance is unmatched and sparked us all to have a great show!”
Younger Superstars such as Big E and Johnny Gargano also spoke how Fink was a major part of their childhood. “He couldn’t have been sweeter to me any time I saw him backstage. I’m grateful to have known him,” Big E wrote, while Gargano detailed the time he met Howard backstage for the first time 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!”
