Andy Kaufman was many things, including a comedian and actor. But he also had a very memorable stint in the world of professional wrestling.
So memorable, in fact, that the late comedian is being inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.
Kaufman will join this year’s fellow honorees Rey Mysterio and The Great Muta, amongst others, when the ceremony is held on March 31, the night before the first day of WrestleMania 39.
While Kaufman is best remembered for his role as Latka Gravas in the sitcom “Taxi” from 1978-1983, not to mention the movie about his life, Man on the Moon, starring Jim Carrey, he was also involved in an epic wrestling storyline when he and fellow WWE Hall of Famer Jerry “The King” Lawler entered into a feud in the Continental Wrestling Association in Memphis, TN.
Kaufman was a heel who declared himself the Inter-Gender Wrestling Champion of the World and challenged women to pin him if they could. After giving Lawler a piledriver during one match, Kaufman claimed that he’d broken the pro wrestler’s neck. They later appeared on Late Night with David Letterman together where they bickered and Lawler eventually slapped Kaufman out of his chair.
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Kaufman, who died from lung cancer in 1984, left an indelible mark on the world of entertainment, and pro wrestling fans have plenty of reactions to the news that he would finally be honored by WWE for a pro wrestling angle that helped to legitimize it in the eyes of many.
Seriously well deserved honor. He should have been inducted a long time ago. Andy was one of the greatest heels ever. https://t.co/V7mbHCkagL
— Dave Schilling (@dave_schilling) March 20, 2023
andy kaufman finally ending his bit where he faked his death and showing up to the hall of fame ceremony would be the greatest bit in history https://t.co/NCOsHEeuvt
— fraser ramon (@SteveMerkle9) March 20, 2023
Jimmy Hart reading The Great Gatsby cover to cover will be an all-time induction speech https://t.co/0Y433yJO6M
— David Shoemaker (@DavidShoemaker) March 20, 2023
https://twitter.com/abrahamjoseph/status/1637861775197741056
[Variety]
