George Tragos/Lou Thesz Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame

09/01/2025

Check out for latest episode of Stories with Brisco and Bradshaw for HUGE news about the TNTHOF weekend! A prior honoree is coming back to Waterloo to induct their mentor and trainer, Ron Hutchison!

23/12/2024

The George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame is proud to announce the 2025 induction of Jake Hager! Hager attended the University of Oklahoma, where he excelled as a two-sport athlete in football and wrestling. In 2006, Hager set the University of Oklahoma's record for most pins in a single season with 30, earning him All-American honors when he placed seventh in the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships.

Transitioning to professional wrestling, Hager signed with WWE in 2006, where he performed under the ring name Jack Swagger. During his tenure with WWE, he became a two-time world champion, holding the World Heavyweight Championship and the ECW Championship once each, as well as the United States Championship. Hager moved to AEW in 2019, where he competed through 2024. Hager also ventured into mixed martial arts, signing with Bellator MMA in 2017. He competed in the heavyweight division and remained undefeated with a record of 3-0 (1 NC) before announcing his retirement from MMA in 2023.

Hager’s outstanding accomplishments in both amateur and professional wrestling make him an ideal candidate for the TNTHOF. Congratulations to Jake Hager on this well-deserved honor!

17/12/2024

Tragos/Thesz Hall of Fame Board President Gerry Brisco is proud to announce that Ron Simmons is receiving the 2025 Frank Gotch Award from the George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame. The Frank Gotch Award is given to a wrestler who, through their athleticism and toughness in the ring, brought a higher level of respect to professional wrestling from both inside and outside the business.

Ron Simmons first burst onto the national spotlight as a member of the Florida State football team, where he twice earned All-American honors, and finished ninth in the 1979 Heisman Trophy voting. He was voted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2008. After a career in professional football, Simmons then began training for the squared circle in the Championship Wrestling from Florida promotion. He moved on to Jim Crockett Promotions and World Championship Wrestling, where he captured the WCW World Heavyweight Championship and World Tag Team Championship. Simmons continued his career in ECW and New Japan, before moving on to WWE. He formed a feared tag team with John Bradshaw Layfield, known for their rough and brawling style. Together they captured the WWF Tag Team Championship on three occasions.

12/12/2024

Today's holiday announcement concerns our fantastic round table discussions. We're excited to announce that wrestler/promoter/historian/podcaster Beau James will be presenting a fantastic discussion about the history of wrestling in East Tennessee! He'll be sharing his knowledge and bringing some artifacts! You won't want to miss this presentation as part of the 2025 Tragos/Thesz Hall of Fame induction weekend, July 17-19, in Waterloo, IA!

06/12/2024

The George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame is excited to share today's holiday announcement! David Crockett will be receiving the 2025 Gordon Solie award! Crockett is best known for his work with the NWA during the 1980s, particularly with Jim Crockett Promotions, and was part of the announcing team for TBS programs NWA World Championship Wrestling and the syndicated World Wide Wrestling.

The Gordon Solie Award is given to an individual that excels in pro wrestling broadcasting, including television and podcasting. It is named for the “Dean of Professional Wrestling”, Gordon Solie, who excelled in professional wrestling broadcasting during his four decade career.

05/12/2024

Our second announcement for the holiday season is another award winner!

The George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame is proud to announce Tim Hornbaker as the 2025 recipient of the Jim Melby Award. The Jim Melby Award recognizes excellence in the preservation of professional wrestling history through the written word. It is named in honor of Jim Melby, a professional wrestling historian and journalist who set the highest standard within his profession.

Tim Hornbaker is the author of six books covering the history of professional wrestling, including "National Wrestling Alliance: The Untold Story of the Monopoly that Strangled Professional
Wrestling", "Death of the Territories", and "Capital Revolution". Hornbaker's in depth research and writing style make his works textbooks for those wishing to learn about the history of professional wrestling. In addition to his books on professional wrestling, Hornbaker has authored books covering the history of professional baseball.

Congratulations, Tim! We look forward to honoring you July 17-19, 2025!

02/12/2024

Today we start our annual holiday countdown of announcements for the George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame weekend, July 17-19. 2025!

Our first holiday announcement is in regards to the Verne Gagne Training Award. Hall of Fame president Gerry Brisco has announced that Ron Hutchison is the 2025 recipient of the Verne Gagne Training Award. Ron is a well respected wrestling trainer
known for his work in developing talent in the professional wrestling industry. He has trained many notable wrestlers, including Christian, Edge, Trish Stratus, Sinn Bodhi, Gail Kim and Tiger Ali Singh. Hutchison is recognized for his technical expertise and
ability to teach fundamentals of wrestling, and helping aspiring wrestlers refine their abilities and prepare for careers in the industry. His experience in the field, combined with a structured training approach, has established him as a significant figure in wrestling training.

Please join us in congratulating Ron Hutchison on this well deserved honor!

30/11/2024

26/11/2024

🎄🎁TOY DRIVE ALERT FROM ICHO! 🎄🎁

Hi, friends! It’s me, Icho the dog! Santa needs your help—this tree is looking way too empty! We’re collecting toys to make sure every kid in need in Waterloo wakes up with something special this year.

Here’s how you can help:

💰 Want to donate money?
You can make a tax-deductible donation right here: https://bit.ly/3bYlIzH

📦 Not in town but still want to spread cheer?
Shop our Amazon wishlist and send toys directly to us: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2EDLTQ8447ZK8

🚚 Send toys to:
Dan Gable Museum
ATTN: TOY DRIVE
303 Jefferson Street
Waterloo, IA 50701

Let’s make some wagging tails and happy faces this holiday season. Every little bit helps! Thank you for being pawsome. 🐾

16/11/2024

Tom Jenkins was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum's George Tragos/Lou Thesz Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2006.

READ more about Tom -> https://nwhof.org/hall_of_fame/bio/12654



You can be whatever you desire in this sport because wrestling truly is for everyone!

American Catch-as-Catch-Can Champion Tom Jenkins demonstrating a stranglehold

12/11/2024

We're excited to announce that we have teamed with the Waterloo Community School District to host our annual TOY DRIVE to help make this holiday season a little brighter for the youth of our community. 🎄🎅

Make a tax-deductible donation for toys-> https://bit.ly/3bYlIzH

Amazon wish list-> https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2EDLTQ8447ZK8?ref_=wl_share

For each new unwrapped toy donated you will receive a certificate for free admission to the Dan Gable Museum!

Toys can be dropped off at the museum through Friday, December 13.

If you aren't able to bring a toy to the museum, but would still like to donate please ship unwrapped toys to:
Dan Gable Museum
ATTN: TOY DRIVE
303 Jefferson Street
Waterloo, IA 50701

01/10/2024

The Tragos/Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame is excited to announce our first 2025 award winner! In 2025, we will honor Tank Abbott with the George Tragos Award! Abbott was an early trailblazer in MMA before turning to a career in pro wrestling.

Join us July 17-19, 2025, in Waterloo, IA, for the 26th George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Hall of Fame inductions. Tickets are on sale at https://bit.ly/4fC4wzL

23/09/2024

🌟 Exciting News! 🌟 Get ready for the 26th Annual TNT HOF Weekend!

🗓️ Mark your calendars: July 17-19, 2025
📍 Location: Waterloo, Iowa

🎟️ Secure Your AA-PASS Now! ➡️ https://bit.ly/4fC4wzL

🏨 Book Your Stay At Our Preferred Hotel: ➡️ https://bit.ly/tnthofhotel2025

🌟 Become a Lifetime Member: ➡️ https://bit.ly/3OaJNHg

🔍 FAQs:

💡 How to get an AA-PASS with a Lifetime Membership discount?
Purchase for $100 (price increases after June 30) by calling Dan Gable Museum at 319-233-0745. This is the ONLY way to get your discount!

💡 Want to be a vendor?
First, buy an AA-PASS, then email [email protected] to request a vendor table for $100.

💡 Booking a hotel room?
Use our exclusive link above for a special rate. ➡️ https://bit.ly/tnthofhotel2025

❓ More questions?
Instead of DMs, please call us at 319-233-0745 or email [email protected]

🙏 Thank you for your incredible support! We're excited to see you there! Don't forget to 🎉

19/09/2024

Help us wish Gerry Brisco a Happy Birthday!

Gerry was inducted into our George Tragos/Lou Thesz Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2005.

READ more about Gerry -> https://bit.ly/3wT9jGc

WATCH Chickasaw.tv's feature on Jerry -> http://bit.ly/2m40YQl
Don’t forget to follow Gerry on:

Twitter -> twitter.com/

Instagram -> instagram.com/thefgbrisco/



You can be whatever you desire in this sport because wrestling truly is for everyone!

19/09/2024

Happy birthday to the president of the TNTHOF selection committee, the one and only Gerald Brisco!

18/09/2024

Get ready, fans! On October 1, we'll be announcing our first award winner for the 2025 George Tragos/Lou Thesz Hall of Fame!

27/08/2024

🚨 Attention all TNTHOF silent auction bidders! 🚨

Starting in 2025, the Dan Gable Museum will no longer ship oversized items from our TNTHOF Silent Auction. 📦❌

But don't worry! We'll provide details for nearby UPS and FedEx locations and you can make your own shipping arrangements for your Silent Auction items.

Please plan accordingly! Your cooperation is greatly appreciated. As always, we thank you for your continued support for our TNTHOF Weekend! We are looking forward to 2025!