This page is dedicated to the legendary Howard Finkel; the greatest ring announcer in professional wrestling.
Howard Finkel (born June 7, 1957) began work in 1972 as an usher at the New Haven Coliseum. In 1975, Finkel approached his employer about contacting the World Wide Wrestling Federation in regards to holding wrestling events in the Coliseum. The meeting between the Coliseum
and the WWWF was successful, and Vince McMahon Jr. insisted that he meet meet Howard Finkel in person to shake his hand. The handshake would eventually lead to Finkel's career as a professional wrestling ring announcer for the WWWF. The New Haven Coliseum became an important venue to the WWF during it's evolution throughout the 70's, 80's and 90's. The Coliseum hosted numerous TV Tapings and live events featuring a variety of classic matches and historical interviews and other wrestling related occasions.
Finkel, a native of Newark, New Jersey, was the appointing ring announcer at the New Haven Coliseum when he first joined the WWWF in 1976. Finkel was soon promoted to Madison Square Garden, and eventually the WWF's Northeastern territory. By 1984 during the WWF's nationwide expansion, Finkel's ring announcing duties were again elevated from regional announcer to the premiere ring announcer for all major WWF events in the United States (and abroad). Finkel's ring announcing responsibilities included untelevised stadium shows, pay per view events, and television flagship shows such as Championship Wrestling, Tuesday Night Titans, Superstars of Wrestling, Saturday Night's Main Event and Monday Night Raw (1993-1997). Across two and a half decades, Howard Finkel's distinctive voice was one of the trademarks of WWF programming.
-Finkel Facts-
- Howard Finkel is known for his precise knowledge of dates and records. Such odd trivia as this is usually referred to from people in the business as a "Finkel Fact".
- Howard Finkel succeeded 'Friendly' Bob Freed as the Madison Square Garden ring announcer on January 17, 1977.
- Howard Finkel was the WWF's first employee under the ownership of Vince McMahon Jr.
- Howard Finkel joined the WWF as a full time employee in 1979.
- Howard Finkel became full time ring announcer for WWF events held at the Maple Leaf Gardens in 1986
- Ring announcers Mel Phillips and Mike MiGurk were assigned to secondary TV shows and events while Howard Finkel remained as the lead ring announcer.
- Howard Finkel briefly served as a commentator during the 1980s.
- Finkel provided voice overs on WWF TV shows throughout the 1980s advertising upcoming WWF House Show events.
- Finkel worked for WWF Coliseum Home Video as a researcher.
- Several sources say that Finkel suggested the "WrestleMania" name, and Vince McMahon immediately accepted the idea.
- Finkel has actually been trained as a wrestler despite only taking part in gimmick matches that do not involve much training.
- During WrestleMania IX held at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas, Finkel was introduced as "Finkus Maximus".
- Howard Finkel is credited for giving Ricky Steamboat his "Dragon" moniker.
- Howard Finkel served as an advisor for WWF publications.
- Howard Finkel co-hosted Byte This.
- Howard Finkel has taken part in angles involving such wrestlers as Chris Jericho, the Roaddog, Jeff Jarrett, X-Pac, the APA, Trish Stratus and manager Harvey Wippleman
- Howard Finkel introduced the Legends in a special ceremony during WWE Raw Homecoming on October 3, 2005.
- Howard Finkel has appeared at every WrestleMania.
- By WrestleMania 22, The Fink had stepped down from ring announcing matches. Finkel however introduced Michelle Williams (to sing America the Beautiful) and the 2006 Hall of Fame Inductees.
- Howard Finkel was introduced by his successer Lillian Garcia at WrestleMania 23. Finkel announced the 2007 Hall of Fame inductees.
- Howard Finkel announces for WWE House Show events.
- Howard Finkel speaks on WWE DVD's as a Historical Analyst.
- Howard Finkel occassionally has to overdub his own ring announcing on WWE 24/7 shows and re-released WWE events on DVD
- Howard Finkel is a road agent.
