The Natural Posted April 16, 2020 Share Posted April 16, 2020 (edited) Shit news. R.I.P. to the Greatest of All Time Ring Announcer, Howard Finkel. Thoughts go out to The Fink's family and friends at this difficult time. Edited April 16, 2020 by The Natural 12 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChesterCopperpot Posted April 16, 2020 Share Posted April 16, 2020 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Natural Posted April 16, 2020 Author Share Posted April 16, 2020 (edited) Howard Finkel's passing needs his own topic. I loved how he'd announce the new champion: "And.....NEW!" Edited April 16, 2020 by The Natural 7 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tromatagon Posted April 16, 2020 Share Posted April 16, 2020 A genuinely good human being. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J.H. Posted April 16, 2020 Share Posted April 16, 2020 Hearing about Fink has made me emotional... his voice is what sticks out ot me the most during my childhood going to the Garden every week James Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spontaneous Posted April 16, 2020 Share Posted April 16, 2020 RIP Howard Finkel. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NikoBaltimore Posted April 16, 2020 Share Posted April 16, 2020 Fucking hell. It's not that surprising given his recent years but it still really, really sucks. The guy was not only a key part of my childhood but also for most of my wrestling fandom. The fact that he'd still be out there going into the 2000s and beyond means there's a lot of big moments that he was part of. But man, what a long and great career he had. RIP, Finkel. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt D Posted April 16, 2020 Share Posted April 16, 2020 Yeah, he was the best. No question. 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChesterCopperpot Posted April 16, 2020 Share Posted April 16, 2020 Did enjoy Punk bringing him back in 2011 RIP Fink - the voice of a generation 16 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SirSmUgly Posted April 16, 2020 Share Posted April 16, 2020 "Now, let us all find out who drew NUMBER ONE in the Royal Rumble" is an instant hype-maker for me even now, but especially in my childhood. 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nice Guy Eddie Posted April 16, 2020 Share Posted April 16, 2020 18 minutes ago, ChesterCopperpot said: Did enjoy Punk bringing him back in 2011 RIP Fink - the voice of a generation Too bad heel Michael Cole had to shit all over that 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Natural Posted April 16, 2020 Author Share Posted April 16, 2020 22 minutes ago, Smelly McUgly said: "Now, let us all find out who drew NUMBER ONE in the Royal Rumble" is an instant hype-maker for me even now, but especially in my childhood. Great shout. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J.H. Posted April 16, 2020 Share Posted April 16, 2020 The last time I cried over someomne in wrestling passing was Dusty. I'm sobbing uncontrollably as I type this James 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Natural Posted April 16, 2020 Author Share Posted April 16, 2020 Howard Finkel is also credited for coming up with the name, WrestleMania. Another thing to thank him for. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Natural Posted April 16, 2020 Author Share Posted April 16, 2020 Speaking of WrestleMania, 32 consecutive appearances for Finkel at WrestleMania. I missed him the first year he didn't appear as he'd introduce the Hall of Fame inductees. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Natural Posted April 16, 2020 Author Share Posted April 16, 2020 Apologies for the triple post. Great impression of Howard Finkel by Luke Gallows. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raziel Posted April 16, 2020 Share Posted April 16, 2020 One of my favorite Finkel fake out calls: 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt D Posted April 16, 2020 Share Posted April 16, 2020 Here's the other thing. There's always going to be a lot we don't know or don't know for sure, but we do know that Howard Finkel was a wrestling fan. Is that the term we'd use for George Scott or Jim Barnett or even Pat Patterson. Even a guy like Bruce Prichard isn't the same. Maybe for some more than others? Now, what actual influence Finkel had relative to those other guys, I don't know, but he was the one who watched all the tapes from around the country, right? He was there, he was in that circle, and like us, he was a fan. It makes you wonder just how much of the stuff that we loved the most for those first few ears of expansion would have still happened if he hadn't been there. I don't claim to know, but looking back now, from the outside in, it feels like it mattered. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobbyWhioux Posted April 16, 2020 Share Posted April 16, 2020 I often talk about how the Monsoon/Heenan broadcast team is imprinted on my brain as what pro wrestling is "supposed to sound like", analogous to the the Madden/Summeral broadcast tandem in football. Howard Finkel is also "what wrestling is supposed to sound like" the Platonic Ideal of a ring announcer, against whom all others shall forever be judged and invariably be found wanting. Classic PA announcer tone and cadence, and they should've had him record himself saying everybody's name to have in the can like they did so Bob Shepard could keep announcing Jeter's at bats forever. Remember how the old WWF video games would feature him on the box art and title screen right along with Hogan? Yeah, it's because he was that recognizable and iconic. The Voice Of Wrestlemania, only fitting that he even coined the phrase, too. He was the other wrestling voice every kid in school did an impression of, after Savage, because come on, everybody wanted to say "...and NEW CHAMPION!!!!!!". also officially The First Employee hired when Vince Jr. bought from Vince Sr. IIRC? Deeply sad, irreplaceable loss, and his presence has already been deeply missed. 10 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Natural Posted April 16, 2020 Author Share Posted April 16, 2020 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joseph2112 Posted April 16, 2020 Share Posted April 16, 2020 2020 can fuck right off. 8 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Natural Posted April 16, 2020 Author Share Posted April 16, 2020 Rest: https://www.wwe.com/gallery/remembering-howard-finkel-photos 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Natural Posted April 16, 2020 Author Share Posted April 16, 2020 5 minutes ago, joseph2112 said: 2020 can fuck right off. Quoted for truth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MORELOCK Posted April 16, 2020 Share Posted April 16, 2020 Oooh, this one hurts. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Natural Posted April 16, 2020 Author Share Posted April 16, 2020 Just remembered another Howard Finkel call: "This match...MUST CONTINUE!" 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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