'Voice of a generation': WWE universe 'crushed' by legend's tragic death
Howard Finkel, the legendary WWE announcer who is widely considered to be the greatest in the history of the company, has died at age 69. The WWE announced his death on Thursday morning.
Finkel, known as “The Fink,” was a native of Newark, New Jersey. He started with WWE in 1977, and by 1979 he was a full-time announcer. His lengthy career and distinctive style made him an icon in the wrestling community, which the WWE recognised in its statement.
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“By 1979, Finkel was the full-time ring announcer for WWWF, and when WWE was established in 1980, The Fink became the first — and eventually longest-serving — employee,” the statement read.
Finkel’s distinctive voice was instantly recognisable, and for more than two decades Superstars such as The Ultimate Warrior, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin and more would have a title victory marked by The Fink’s signature call, “and NNNEEEWWW World Champion!”
Listen to the words of the greatest ring announcer of all time.
Howard Finkel is the measuring stick of that profession, an absolute icon and the voice of my childhood.
He will be sorely missed. RIP Fink.#WWE #HowardFinkel #ripfink pic.twitter.com/k5vq3fUdRc— WrestleNews365 (@365Wrestle) April 16, 2020
Finkel’s voice was wrestling’s soundtrack for years, but he contributed even more than that: He’s responsible for the name “WrestleMania.” He told Slam Magazine in 2014 that he pitched it to Vince McMahon in 1984, basing it off of Beatlemania.
After reducing his announcing to part-time in the early 2000s, Finkel worked behind the scenes and called pay-per-view events. He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2009.
Numerous wrestlers expressed their sadness at Finkel’s passing on social media.
Saddened to learn of the passing of my friend and WWE’s first employee, WWE Hall of Famer Howard Finkel. The grandest moments in sports-entertainment history were made all the grander thanks to Howard’s iconic voice. pic.twitter.com/aAMY2XaHsm
— Vince McMahon (@VinceMcMahon) April 16, 2020
So sad to hear of the passing of my friend, the greatest ring announcer in the biz, Howard Finkel, at the age of 69.
The Hall of Famer is now ring announcing in Heaven. #RIPFink
No one was more loyal or loved pro wrestling more than The Fink. 🙏— Jim Ross (@JRsBBQ) April 16, 2020
I’m gonna dearly miss my friend @howardfinkel. Passionate Mets & wrestling fan. An incredible soul. He’s the soundtrack to so many of our childhoods. Nobody has ever done it better. Rest In Peace Fink.
— Brian Myers (@TheCurtHawkins) April 16, 2020
Howard was the best. It’s that simple. I’ll never forget the last few times I saw him...the excitement he still had for the industry, the genuine concern he showed when asking about how my family was doing despite his own declining health...
I’m so grateful I got to know him. https://t.co/sALmt2Ihb6— Kevin (@FightOwensFight) April 16, 2020
Howard Finkle was on Team Hogan through the good and bad times,even when I was on the outs Howard would call on a consistent basis to tell me to always keep my head up,it was” never say never” and “you and Vince will work it out”,my good friend RIP,I love you 4LifeHH
— Hulk Hogan (@HulkHogan) April 16, 2020
Im crushed
I lost my friend today
I saw him once a month
The Voice of Wrestling
I loved him so much
The Fink pic.twitter.com/EOWmADTkjO— Tommy Dreamer (@THETOMMYDREAMER) April 16, 2020
The voice of a generation.
R.I.P. to @WWE Hall of Famer Howard Finkel. pic.twitter.com/hU8veDhd4d— WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX) April 16, 2020
The cause of Finkel’s death was not disclosed, but he’s been dealing with health issues for the past few years which have kept him out of the spotlight.
He announced WWE Hall of Fame inductees until 2017, stopping after he had a stroke in 2018. Most recently he was backstage at “Monday Night Raw” in September 2019.
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