Chicago Sun-Times: WWE takes time out to honor greats

With "WrestleMania" still a week away, the WWE will honor some of the men who made wrestling what it is today. This year's inductees paved the way for the Austins, Rocks and HHHs.

*Don Muraco: A two-time Intercontinental Champion, Magnificent Don Muraco was one of the greatest heels. All he did was win matches and aggravate fans.

*Tito Santana: One of the company's most popular Intercontinental Champions ever, Santana was one of only two men to compete in the first nine "WrestleManias." Was tag champ with Ivan Putski.

*Superstar Billy Graham: "The man of the hour, the man with the power, too sweet to be sour." His influence still can be seen in wrestlers like Hulk Hogan and Scott Steiner. Also a pioneer of the wrestling promo.

*John Studd: At 6-10 and 364 pounds, Big John Studd was the biggest man in wrestling throughout the 1970s and '80s.

*Sgt. Slaughter: A former Marine who intimidated every opponent. One of the big reasons wrestling took off in the 1980s.

***Greg Valentine: A champion everywhere he went, helped make the figure-four leglock a household word.

*Bobby Heenan: Maybe the greatest manager of all time, nobody ever was better on the microphone than Bobby "The Brain."

*Jessie Ventura: "The Body" was as controversial as any superstar ever. A member of the legendary East-West Connection along with Adrian Adonis.

*Junk Yard Dog: Second only to Hulk Hogan in popularity, JYD was known around the world.

*Harley Race: Not many wrestlers can claim more World Championships than Harley Race.

HOTLINE: The inside scoop on Vince McMahon and Bret Hart meeting one more time to try and get the Hitman to appear at "WrestleMania" - - all on the hotline: (900) 990-SLAM ($2 per minute).