[14][15][16] From 1987 to 1993, Ware appeared on several WWF PPVs (including WrestleMania III where he lost to Reed) and editions of Saturday Night's Main Event, being used mainly to make established or rising stars look good. [22] Koko faced his former partner Owen Hart on the June 18 episode of Superstars. On February 15, 2011, Ware made an appearance on Tosh.0. Copyright 2010-2023 TheSmackDownHotel.com. The show featured matches involving The Undertaker, The Steiners, and saw Shawn Michaels defend his Intercontinental Championship against Max Moon. Ware's feud with Valiant was quickly expanded to include the heel Tojo Yamamoto and Ware's ally, Tommy Rich. Also in 2003, Ware began competing once again in the Memphis area for the Memphis Wrestling promotion from 2003 to 2007. Thomas Prichard is a retired American professional wrestler and author. Michael Hegstrand was an American professional wrestler. After High Energy ended Koko was mainly used as an enhancement talent until he left the WWF in 1994. Two weeks later on March 5, 1985, the team re-lost the title to the Youngbloods. He is at a facility in Mississippi. Richard Wendell Morton is an American professional wrestler, currently performing on the independent circuit. There, they won the AWA Southern Tag Team title twice, both times from The Fabulous Ones (Steve Keirn and Stan Lane) as they feuded with the top face team of the promotion. Koko B. Ware Stats and Profile - eWrestlingNews.com Koko B. Ware Born: 06/20/1957 in Union City, Tennessee Birthname: James Ware Height & Weight: 5'7", 228 Ib Titles Won: WWE Hall of Fame (Class of 2009) Koko B. Ware is a retired American professional wrestler who made his professional wrestling debut in 1978. Koko's feud with Jimmy Valiant was quickly expanded to include the heel Tojo Yamamoto and Koko ally Tommy Rich. He made his entrances dancing to the ring to the tune of Morris Day and The Time's "The Bird", flapping his arms and carrying Frankie, who sat on a perch at ringside while Ware wrestled. He started working for the independent circuit. Koko spent his early days in the sport in the Mid-South, Georgia and other NWA territories where he impressed fans enough to vote him the Pro Wrestling Illustrated Rookie of the Year in 1979. Find Koko B. Ware stock photos and editorial news pictures from Getty Images. Sign up for Peacock to watch. Watch every Premium Live Event and enjoy some of your favorite WWE content on Disney + HotStar. Before joining the WWF, he was in several tag teams, most notably with Bobby Eaton in Memphis and with Norvell Austin (The PYT Express) in several promotions. Best wishes to Koko B Ware. Profile Info Gender Male Real Name James Ware Ring Names Koko B. Ware Stagger Lee Sweet Brown Sugar Height 5 ft 7 in (170 cm) Weight 228 lbs (103 kg) Born June 20, 1957 (age 65) Birth Place Union City, Tennessee Billed From Union City, Tennessee Nicknames The Birdman Career History Roles According to Ware, the idea of bringing his pet Macaw to the ring came from his wife. [25]. Harley Race vs KoKo B Ware - YouTube From WWF wrestling, January 1987. Bright outfits, colorful sunglasses, a constant smile and his trademark vibrato voice instantly made Koko a big hit, especially with the younger crowd that the WWF mainly catered to during the 1980s. Koko B. Ware keeps his personal and love life private. Race had really slowed down and was rounding the home stretch of his career here. Koko B. Ware was inducted in the WWE Hall of Fame in 2009. High Energy's final match came in a loss to The Headshrinkers at a live event on March 10. Ware garnered his first big win of his initial WWF run when he upset Harley Race at a house show in East Rutherford, NJ, on October 13. here's a humorous take on that: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2Z3G389ybY. [5] During an interview where Eaton and Hart bragged about the victory, Sugar complained that he was unable to win the Southern Title from Terry Taylor. On February 15, 2011, Ware made an appearance on Tosh.0 . [5] During an interview where Eaton and Hart bragged about the victory, Sugar complained that he was unable to win the Southern Title from Terry Taylor. His first victory was on the September 7 episode of Wrestling Challenge against Bob Bradley. On June 8, 2008, Ware made a special appearance at TNA's Slammiversary as a groomsman in the kayfabe wedding for "Black Machismo" Jay Lethal and SoCal Val, along with George "The Animal" Steele, Kamala the Ugandan Giant, and Jake "The Snake" Roberts. [4] Sugar never got the best of Lawler but did taste tag-team success alongside Steve Keirn and then with Bobby Eaton. Collections; Project #ShowUs; . Schyster. [27] US District Judge Vanessa Lynne Bryant dismissed Ware's lawsuit in September 2018. WWE legend Koko B. Ware is in the hospital, suffering from "unspecified medical issues." The 68-year-old wrestling star, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame by the Honky Tonk Man in 2009 following an eight-year WWE run that ended in 1994, is receiving treatment at a Mississippi facility. Ware's feud with Valiant was quickly expanded to include the heel Tojo Yamamoto and Ware's ally, Tommy Rich. In 2009 he was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. Early in his career, Koko Ware (as he was then known) did not find great success, learning the ropes and paying his dues both in Jerry Jarretts Continental Wrestling Association and Nick Gulas territory in the south. Before joining the WWF, he was in several tag teams, most notably with Bobby Eaton in Memphis and with Norvell Austin (The PYT Express) in several promotions. In 1991 the WWF and the United States Wrestling Association started a talent exchange agreement which saw Koko B. Ware return to his old stomping grounds in Memphis (same area, different promotion). In August 1984, The Pretty Young Things began wrestling for World Class Championship Wrestling in Texas. He's working in CWA against the Patriot, who is referred to on commentary as "The Masked Patriot." Koko returned to WWF in 1994 when he appeared on the March 21 episode of Monday Night Raw and faced Jeff Jarrett. Ware's last match on Cagematch.net is listed as a six-man tag team match for Pennsylvania Premiere Wrestling in 2019. In February 1986, Koko moved on to Bill Watts' Mid-South/UWF territory, where he started calling himself Koko B. Ware. [21] Koko picked up his first victory of his return by defeating Bastion Booger on the April 16, 1994, episode of WWF Mania . Despite being in his 60s and having wrestled since the 1970s, Ware is still semi-active on the independent scene predominantly featuring in multiple-man tag team matches for Maryland Championship Wrestling and Pennsylvania Premier Wrestling. On May 31, 2014, Ware appeared in the main event at Valour Wrestling's special event to raise money for Lou Gehrig disease. [4], It was not until late in 1980 that Ware's fortunes changed when he participated in a battle royal to crown the first ever Mid-American Television Champion. He debuted in 1978 and became widely popular in 1986, in the World Wrestling Federation, where he went from strong mid-carder to jobber to the stars. "The Birdman" came to the ring with a blue-and-yellow macaw named Frankie, both flapping and dancing before and after his matches. The first match between Yokozuna and Koko B. Ware was a highlight to be a squash match. Koko B. Ware: his birthday, what he did before fame, his family life, fun trivia facts, popularity rankings, and more. When Dutch Mantel returned to the CWA in early 1981 he quickly defeated Ware for . My mom knows Koko. They remained with the promotion until November 1984. In August 1986, Ware signed with the World Wrestling Federation, where he continued his fun-loving "Birdman" Koko B. Ware" persona, complete with a macaw named "Frankie". Wallace Stanfield "Stan" Lane is an American retired professional wrestler and color commentator. From the Philadelphia Spectrum, February 1987. AEW Rampage: St. Patrick's Day Slam (2023), 1 BSW Tag Team Championship - with Juicy Johnny, 1 NWA United States Tag Team Championship (Florida version) - with Norvell Austin, 7 AWA Southern Tag Team Championship - with Norvell Austin (3), Bobby Eaton (2), Stan Lane (1), Dutch Mantel (1), 6 NWA Mid-America Heavyweight Championship, 1 NWA Mid-America Television Championship, 2 USWA Unified World Heavyweight Championship, 1 USWA World Tag Team Championship - with Rex Hargrove, WWE Hall of Fame induction (class of 2009), Legends Pro Wrestling induction (class of 2007). After the match, Valiant returned to the ring and beat Ware down. Not only was Ware on the show, but he was in the first match of the night. Ware left the Continental Wrestling Association later that month to join the Universal Wrestling Federation. Jerry O'Neil Lawler, better known as Jerry "The King" Lawler, is an American color commentator and professional wrestler. IMPACT Wrestling/NJPW Multiverse United: Only The Strong Survive. That's right up there among the stiffest ass-kickings I've seen in a wrestling ring. The World's Most Entertaining Car Website. He continued wrestling in the promotion through the remainder of the year. Koko floundered until September 1981 when he was chosen to referee a Southern Heavyweight Championship title match between Jerry Lawler and The Dream Machine". Sie knnen Ihre Einstellungen jederzeit ndern, indem Sie auf unseren Websites und Apps auf den Link Datenschutz-Dashboard klicken. Ware's connection to Frankie was a large part of his gimmick. I couldn't find the match anywhere on Koko's cagematch profile, probably because he had to work really hard to have it expunged from his record. Ware's opponent for the night was a wrestler called The Masked Patriot. The macaw garnered instant recognition, which only heightened "The Birdman's" soaring popularity. Ware wrestled for a number of promotions, including the Continental Wrestling Association, before he signed with WWE in 1986. Watch every Premium Live Event and enjoy some of your favorite WWE content on Shahid. Watch every Premium Live Event and get unlimited access to WWE's premium content - available to you anywhere, anytime, on any device. Koko B. Ware is best known for his role in WWE as a mid-card wrestler. Edan is an Australian currently living in the Middle East. He would make his entrances dancing to the ring to the tune of Morris Day and The Time's The Bird, flapping his arms and carrying his pet bird Frankie", who sat on a perch at ringside while Koko wrestled. Well they never said what kind of BIRD man Ware was so there may be something to . Collect, curate and comment on your files. J.W. $54.95 . For the simple fact that WWF was more popular during Koko's time that makes him he his more over or well known that almost every wrestlers today save for a couple. [5][7] Eaton and Sugar contested a series of grudge matches centered around the Mid-America title and their issues with each other. Plus, get every WWE Premium Live Event, your favorite shows, new movies, live sports, and more. James Ware [1] (born June 20, 1957), better known by his ring name Koko B. Ware, is a retired American professional wrestler who made his professional wrestling debut in 1978. [24] He fought (and was defeated by) Rob Conway on the October 28, 2005, edition of WWE Heat . [7][8] Bobby Eaton later turned face, he teamed with "Stagger Lee" for a series of matches. Ware's last WWE appearance came in 2005 when he was defeated by Rob Conway on an episode of Heat. [5] [7] Eaton and Sugar contested a series of grudge matches centered around the Mid-America title and their issues with each other. [21] He would then appear on the April 9 episode of Superstars in a loss to Irwin R. Schyster. "The Birdman" came to the ring with a blue-and-yellow macaw named Frankie, both flapping and dancing before and after . In a precursor to what would become a regular team years later, Ware occasionally teamed with Owen Hart, wrestling as The Blue Blazer at the time, throughout 1988 and 1989. [30] dropkick, headbutt or monkey flip. The song's video featured top wrestlers of the day like Hulk Hogan and The Honky Tonk Man, as well as WWF owner Vince McMahon wearing a red "Hulkamania" shirt and hard hat. Ware, Jr. (born June 20, 1958), better known by his ring name Koko B. Ware is an American retired professional wrestler. In 1998 to 1999 he wrestled for Power Pro Wrestling in Memphis. [5] Koko also hooked up with Rex Hargrove and won the USWA Tag Team Championship once in 1993. [26] In 2020 he married Pamela James. Ware was inducted by his former rival The Honky Tonk Man. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. [32][33][34][35][36] In 2020, 411Mania writers Steve Cook and Kevin Pantoja discussed Ware's induction. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts, stiffing the everloving weewee out of a jobber, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2Z3G389ybY. After dropping the gold in Florida, the Pretty Young Things returned to the Continental Wrestling Association in April 1985. Stephen Paul Keirn is an American retired professional wrestler. [12] Ware also sang the title track of the 1987 WWF album Piledriver , which then became his entrance music. Ware would use the ring names Sweet Brown Sugar and Stagger Lee throughout the early 1980's while aligning himself with legendary manager "The Mouth of the South" Jimmy Hart. The best of Koko B. Ware | WWE WWE Network Shows Superstars Tickets Shop WWE Network Subscribe Now WWE Network Sign up on Peacock WWE Network Sign up on SonyLiv languages English German Spanish Arabic Follow WWE on Facebook Follow WWE on Twitter Follow WWE on Instagram Follow WWE on Reddit Follow WWE on YouTube WWE News WWE Photos WWE Videos Best. After being fed up, Hart finally slapped Sugar and sent the sulking superstar back to the dressing room after which Eaton commented that Sugar had been "whining like a woman". It's becoming a must listen. Ware's feud with Valiant was quickly expanded to include the heel Tojo Yamamoto and Ware's ally, Tommy Rich. After that the guy moves like he doesn't have a clue where he is and Koko keeps hammering him to stay down. Bei der Nutzung unserer Websites und Apps verwenden wir, unsere Websites und Apps fr Sie bereitzustellen, Nutzer zu authentifizieren, Sicherheitsmanahmen anzuwenden und Spam und Missbrauch zu verhindern, und, Ihre Nutzung unserer Websites und Apps zu messen, personalisierte Werbung und Inhalte auf der Grundlage von Interessenprofilen anzuzeigen, die Effektivitt von personalisierten Anzeigen und Inhalten zu messen, sowie, unsere Produkte und Dienstleistungen zu entwickeln und zu verbessern. In December 1984 the Pretty Young Things began wrestling for Championship Wrestling from Florida. 11 Koko B Ware Photos and Premium High Res Pictures - Getty Images FILTERS CREATIVE EDITORIAL VIDEO 11 Koko B Ware Premium High Res Photos Browse 11 koko b ware stock photos and images available, or start a new search to explore more stock photos and images. Probably made it worse the guy sat up after everything Coco did to him. [21] Koko then embarked on a house show tour in England where he faced Jarrett and Kwang. In the modern era, where there are more shows, more titles, and the title reigns are usually shorter, most wrestlers leave WWE with at least one title reign under their belt, even if it is with the 24/7 title. He defeated Billy Maverick for the SCW Supreme Title for Supreme Championship Wrestling on August 22. By 2003 Ware began to wrestle full time again. Many fans today remember Koko B. Ware as one of the late great Owen Hart's tag team partners. In 2015, a class-action lawsuit was filed by attorney Konstantine Kyros against WWE. Paul Parlette Orndorff Jr., nicknamed "Mr. He later went on to the World Wrestling Federation, where he went from strong mid-carder to jobber to the stars. "The Birdman" came to the ring with a blue-and-yellow macaw named Frankie, both flapping and dancing . [17], In 1992, Ware teamed up with Owen Hart to form the high-flying team known as High Energy, well known in wrestling circles for their gigantic baggy brightly colored pants and checkered suspenders. Koko B. Ware (born James Ware on June 20, 1957) is a semi-retired American professional wrestler who made his professional wrestling debut in 1979. Koko is on team Hogan in the main event and every time he gets in the crowd goes absolutely nuts. In April 2007, he wrestled in a tag match (while managed by special guest Slick) and lost to Bill Dundee and Dutch Mantel (managed by Jimmy Valiant) at Ultimate Clash of the Legends '07 headlined by Hulk Hogan vs. Paul Wight (Big Show). Koko B. Ware Koko Ware Stagger Lee Sweet Brown Sugar Height 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m) Weight 228 lbs (103 kg) Born June 20, 1957 (age 65) Birth Place Union City, Tennessee Resides Collierville, Tennessee Debut 1978 Retired April 4, 2009 James Ware (June 20, 1957 ), better known by his ring name Koko B. Ware, is a retired American professional wrestler . On June 8, 2008, Ware made a special appearance at TNA's Slammiversary as a groomsman in the kayfabe wedding for "Black Machismo" Jay Lethal and SoCal Val, along with George "The Animal" Steele, Kamala the Ugandan Giant, and Jake "The Snake" Roberts. Perfect on the January 7, 1989, episode of Saturday Night's Main Event XIX, while at the 1990 Survivor Series, Ware became the first wrestler to fall victim to The Undertaker's Tombstone piledriver in the Undertaker's WWF debut match. RELATED: 10 WWE Golden Era Moments That Aged Badly. Primarily a tag team wrestler, Lane held championships including the AWA Southern Tag Team Championship, NWA United States Tag Team Championship, NWA World Tag Team Championship, and SMW Tag Team Championship as part of The Fabulous Ones, The Midnight Express, and The Heavenly Bodies. He later went on to the World Wrestling Federation, where he went from strong mid-carder to jobber to the stars. Koko quickly aligned himself with manager Jimmy Hart and his First Family and changed his ring name to "Sweet Brown Sugar". A 28-year old, pre bird Koko Ware is just months away from signing with the World Wrestling Federation. In 1992, following an injury to Jim Neidhart, Koko B. Ware was thrown together in a tag team with Owen Hart. [4], It was not until late in 1980 that Ware's fortunes changed when he participated in a battle royal to crown the first ever Mid-American Television Champion. Then it looks like Koko knocks him out with the big clothesline. In 2009, Koko B. Ware was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. The Eaton feud led to a particularly fun "Loser. To the average guy on the street Koko B. Ware is a bigger deal than say Drew McIntyre. After successfully teaming for a while, Sugar and Eaton started to show signs of dissension, during their last run with the tag-team title Eaton beat Jacques Rougeau for the Mid-American Heavyweight title. He also competed at the "World Wrestling Legends" PPV on March 5, 2006, where he defeated Disco Inferno. All Rights Reserved. WWE KOKO B WARE ACTION 6" WRESTLING FIGURE CLASSIC SUPERSTAR JAKKS PACIFIC 2003. Great Savings & Free Delivery / Collection on many items. 2.99 postage. It didn't disappoint. At the same time, Ware made appearances in the USWA as part of a talent exchange program with WWF. Troy had used racial slurs during an argument after which the dispute turned physical. A second lawsuit brought against the company was brought on by the Dynamite Kid, former WWE Champion Ivan Koloff, and WWE Hall of Famers Blackjack Mulligan and Koko B. Ware. He held the title until October, when he lost to Harley Race; he regained the title the following month. Richard Erwin Rood, better known by his ring name "Ravishing" Rick Rude, was an American professional wrestler who performed for many promotions, including World Championship Wrestling (WCW), World Wrestling Federation (WWF), and Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW). He appeared at "WWE Homecoming", Raw's return to the USA Network, on October 3, 2005. Ware spent his early days in the sport in the Mid-South, Georgia and other NWA territories. It took all of five seconds and a slap for homeboy to piss off Koko. [21] He would then appear on the April 9 episode of Superstars in a loss to Irwin R. He was most famous for his work in tag teams, especially as one-half of The Midnight Express. [5] In 1996 he feuded with Brian Christopher and Jerry Lawler. He left the promotion in August 1986 upon signing with the World Wrestling Federation. He also competed at the World Wrestling Legends" PPV on March 5, 2006 where he defeated Disco Inferno. Early in his career, "Koko Ware" (as he was then known) did not find great success, learning the ropes and paying his dues both in Jerry Jarrett's Continental Wrestling Association and Nick Gulas' territory in the south. This shoot will be on DVD and VHS and yo On May 18, 2001, Ware returned to wrestling and defeated Brickhouse Brown at Galaxy Championship Wrestling in Little Rock, Arkansas. In August 1986, Ware signed with the World Wrestling Federation, where he continued his fun-loving "Birdman" Koko B. Ware" persona, complete with a macaw named "Frankie". Buy koko b ware and get the best deals at the lowest prices on eBay! Reportedly, the two even crashed through the plate glass wall of a gift shop. Ware unleashes some tame enough looking smacks to the back before uncorking a clothesline that Stan Hansen would look at and say "MAYBE EASE UP A BIT, DICK.". . With Owen Hart out of action Koko would return to singles competition and immediately entered a house show series with Skinner. Koko B. Ware Profile & Match Listing Facts & Stats PWI Ratings Opponents & Partners Win/Loss Record Star Ratings Win Types Relations PPV Koko B. Ware Promotion Search: All CWA JCW Legends of Wrestling NWA NWA/BTA (Dallas) PMG PWS USWA WAR WCCW WCWA World Wrestling Legends Wrestlefanfest WWE WWF Multi-talented and multi-dimensional, "The Birdman" Koko B. Ware flapped his way into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2009. According to Ware, when he returned his neighbor told him that he couldn't save his child. Koko is a retired professional wrestler who became quite popular in the mid-1980s. 10 Forgotten WWE Hall Of Famers: Where Are They Now? And here's Koko in Memphis circa 1985 just stiffing the everloving weewee out of a jobber who must have done something to piss him off in the dressing room before the match. Tito whips Koko into the corner, follows in for a monkey flip, but Ware drops him with an inverted atomic drop and a right hand. After World Class, Koko went back to Memphis and worked a series of gimmick matches, including the first scaffold match. [17], In 1992, Ware teamed up with Owen Hart to form the high-flying team known as High Energy, well known in wrestling circles for their gigantic baggy brightly colored pants and checkered suspenders. Jimmy Garvin's mid 80's brainbuster was a nasty one too. and with the encouragement of his best friend Frankie, Koko decided to try his hand at Wrestling. Unlike in many squash matches, Koko came out still looking strong despite losing the match.. [2] He performed a brainbuster known as the Ghostbuster. Koko B. Ware Also known as Koko Ware, Stagger Lee, Sweet Brown Sugar Overview News and Rumors Career Career highlights Titles Matches Match Statistics Matchguide Feuds Tournaments Tag Teams & Stables Entourage Awards Themes Wrestling Games Ratings Comments Matches Displaying items 1 to 100 of total 1705 items that match the search parameters. He gained most of his popularity in the World Wrestling Federation when he was known as the Birdman. When Dutch Mantel returned to the CWA in early 1981 he quickly defeated Ware for the TV title making Ware's first run with the gold a short one. Name: James Ware Preferred Name: Koko B. Ware Date Of Birth: Jun 20th 1957 Place of Birth: Union City, Tennessee, United States Nationality: USA Gender: Male Matches: 215 (14 Pay Per View) Ring Name(s): Koko B Ware, Koko Ware, Stagger Lee, Sweet Brown Sugar [13] He was then granted an Intercontinental Title match against champion Randy Savage on the November 16 edition of Wrestling Challenge, a bout which went to a double countout. Koko made his debut as a fan favorite on the September 6, 1986 episode of Superstars, teaming with Paul Roma against Hart Foundation (Bret Hart and Jim Neidhart) in a losing effort. In 1999, Koko made a short-lived return to the World Wrestling Federation where he put on the Blue Blazer" mask during the Owen Hart angle. He also competed at the "World Wrestling Legends" PPV on March 5, 2006, where he defeated Disco Inferno. Jonathan Anthony Wisniski is a retired American professional wrestler, better known as Greg "The Hammer" Valentine. Boards are the best place to save images and video clips. Welcome to Squash City, where Fightful.com takes a look at some of the more fun squash matches in pro wrestling history. He left in 1997 before the company shut down later that year. RELATED - 10 Best Animals in WWE History, Ranked. That was . Jeremy Lambert Dec 21, 2022 5:08PM. Ware made a few appearances for the American Wrestling Federation from 1994 to 1996 but did not become a regular before going into semi-retirement in 1997. After USWA, Ware did not wrestle as much. On that very same night that The Rockers went crazy, Ware found himself on the outs with the WWF, after getting into a physical altercation with company executive Jim Troy. He is currently signed to WWE, although he has not performed as a full-time commentator since April 2020. I wouldn't say Koko was my idol (I currently own a cat), but he was the first old-timer I got to wrestle, so I was a little apprehensive about being a courteous and respectful adversary. 1. The team lasted until March 1993, but were broken up after Hart suffered a knee injury during a match against The Headshrinkers. February 1, 1986. With Owen Hart out of action Koko would return to singles competition and immediately entered a house show series with Skinner. [10] The team defeated Elijah Akeem and Kareem Mohammad for the AWA Southern Tag Team Championship in February 1984; almost two weeks later, Akeem and Mohammad regained the title.[5]. He was basically the jobber to the stars. While Cook defended his Hall of Fame status since he was very over and some of his losses were historic, Pantoja described him as "the floor for inductees".[37]. [5][11] The team dissolved in July 1985 when Austin left for Continental Championship Wrestling. In 2009 he was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. 10 Times Wrestling Matches Got A Little Too Real, negligent in their treatment of wrestlers, Predicting WWE's Hall Of Fame Class Of 2023, 10 WWE Storylines Vince McMahon Refused To Book. The same taping later saw Ware defeat Savage by countout in a dark match. The match also included former WWE wrestler James Ellsworth, and it was Ware's team that picked up the victory. Koko B. Ware was inducted in the WWE Hall of Fame in 2009. Ware was inducted alongside "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, Ricky Steamboat, Bill Watts, Howard Finkel, The Funks, and the Von Erich family. While Cook defended his Hall of Fame status since he was very over and some of his losses were historic, Pantoja described him as "the floor for inductees".