Rick Martel has never received an offer to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame, according to his longtime manager, Bertrand Hebert. The claim directly contradicts previous statements made by former WWE executive Bruce Prichard regarding a supposed declined offer.
Speaking on the Wrestling Nostalgia podcast with Dave Dynasty, Hebert stated unequivocally, “No matter what Bruce Prichard said, he has never been offered the WWE Hall of Fame.” He further asserted that should an offer materialize, he would personally ensure Martel’s acceptance.
The confusion, Hebert explained, may stem from Martel’s past decisions to decline appearances at WrestleMania Axxess signing events. Specifically, he cited an event planned for San Francisco as an example. “The idea of traveling to sign autographs, maybe for a few hours, for not a lot of money, and do all that traveling from Quebec City to San Francisco, was the big no-no for him,” Hebert said. He added that the lack of an official role or even a Hall of Fame invitation alongside these appearances contributed to Martel’s reluctance.
Hebert passionately advocated for Martel’s inclusion in the Hall of Fame, highlighting his accomplishments across multiple wrestling promotions, including those whose libraries are now owned by WWE. “He should be there,” Hebert stated. “Three-time Tag Team Champion, The Model, one of the most memorable gimmicks in their history. And they own the AWA library. He was the AWA World Heavyweight Champion. Compared to some of the guys already in the Hall of Fame, if he doesn’t deserve it, I don’t know who does.”
WWE’s ownership of footage from Martel’s tenures in the AWA, WWE (as part of the Can-Am Connection and Strike Force), his run as “The Model,” and his time in WCW further strengthens his case, Hebert argued. He pointed to the availability of talent like Tony Garea and Tito Santana to induct Martel, calling it “a no brainer” to extend an invitation.
The recent announcement of Demolition’s induction into the WWE Hall of Fame this year was also noted by podcast host Dave Dynasty, who suggested that Martel’s history with the tag team – particularly the rivalry between Strike Force and Demolition – further underscored his worthiness.
Hebert also emphasized that Martel’s financial independence plays a role in his limited public appearances. “He doesn’t need to do those appearances. And that’s hard for people in the business to understand,” Hebert explained. “But for the guys outside of the business, not doing shows every weekend, being recognized by WWE means something. He was there. He worked there. He helped build the company to where it was, and is. For him, it’s a recognition that means something.”
Given Martel’s age – he turned 70 on March 18 – Hebert expressed a sense of urgency. “I think it should be done in the next few years,” he said. “Because obviously at 70 years ancient, he’s not getting any younger. Let’s do it while he can still attend and enjoy and appreciate everything.”
Hebert lamented that Martel’s contributions are often overlooked, with many fans remembering him primarily as a mid-card heel or tag team wrestler in WWE, rather than recognizing his AWA World Heavyweight Championship reign alongside contemporaries like Hulk Hogan and Ric Flair. “There was that time, that quick time period in ’85-’86, there were three World Champions: Hogan, Ric Flair, and Rick Martel,” Hebert recalled, referencing a famous Pro Wrestling Illustrated poster. He criticized WWE’s portrayal of this era in its AWA DVD, describing it as “kind of a revisionist history” that downplayed Martel’s significance.
Martel is scheduled to craft a rare public appearance at the Big Event convention in Brentwood, New York, on Saturday, March 21, during WrestleMania week, alongside Tito Santana and Tony Garea.
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