WATERLOO, Iowa - The National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum will induct the Class of 2019 into the George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame on July 25-27.

The Class of 2019 is Beth Phoenix
(Living Inductee), Bruno Sammartino (Posthumous Inductee), Thunderbolt
Patterson (Lou Thesz World Heavyweight Championship Award), Sgt. Slaughter
(Frank Gotch Award), Brian Shields (Jim Melby Award) and Daniel Cormier (George
Tragos Award). Patterson, Phoenix, Shields and Slaughter are all scheduled to
attend. Cormier is unable to attend because of training.

Other distinguished guests scheduled
to attend include WWE’s Sheamus, WWE’s Natalya, Gerry Brisco, Jim Ross, JJ
Dillon, Brian Blair, Rob Schamberger, Victoria, Ultimo Dragon, Brian Pillman
Jr., Wes Brisco, Nick Dinsmore, Tony Garea, Wade Keller, Ric McCord, James
Beard and Charlie Thesz.

All-Access passes are available for $130. All-Access passes provide access to all events, including the Hall of Fame banquet, a ringside seat for the Impact Pro Wrestling show (while available), the pizza and beer social and preferred access at the autograph session. All-Access passes can be purchased at dgm-nwhof.ticketleap.com or by telephone at (319) 233-0745.

“I’m very excited about this year’s
class, who represent the highest standard in our profession” said Gerry Brisco,
2005 inductee and president of the selection committee. “This will be another
great weekend for fans and fellow wrestlers to enjoy.”

A current WWE scout, Brisco will
also conduct a talent evaluation, which is open to all professional wrestlers.
For more information, please email Troy Peterson at tpeterson@nwhof.org.

George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional
Wrestling Hall of Fame Class of 2019

2019 Inductee - The first female inducted into the George Tragos/Lou
Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame, Beth Phoenix competed on the varsity
wrestling team at Notre Dame High School in Elmira, New York. She also competed
in the WWE, where she was a WWE Divas champion and a three-time WWE Women’s
champion. Phoenix was the first person to compete in both the men’s and women’s
Royal Rumble. Phoenix also received the Frank Gotch Award in 2015.

2019 Inductee - Bruno Sammartino will be posthumously inducted into the
George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame. Prior to his
career in professional wrestling, Sammartino was a world record holder in
weightlifting. He was a two-time WWWF World Heavyweight Champion. Sammartino
was a huge box office attraction throughout the Northeast for promoter Vince
McMahon, Sr., including setting the record for most sellouts at Madison Square
Garden.

Lou Thesz World Heavyweight
Championship Award - A native of Waterloo, Iowa,
Thunderbolt Patterson broke into wrestling in the Central States territory. He
later traveled from territory to territory in the 1970s and 1980s before
retiring from wrestling and becoming a minister. Named for Lou Thesz, who was
inducted as a member of the Charter Class in 1999 and who is a namesake of the
Pro Hall of Fame, the award is presented to an individual who has taken the
skills of the sport into the realm of public service.

Frank Gotch Award - Sgt. Slaughter, who also competed in the NWA and AWA, was
a WWF World Heavyweight Champion, whose career was highlighted by brutal
battles with Pat Patterson, the Iron Sheik, and Hulk Hogan. Slaughter remains
involved in the sport as an ambassador for WWE. Named for Frank Gotch, who was
inducted as a member of the Charter Class in 1999, the award is presented to a
wrestler who, through athleticism and toughness in the ring, brought a higher
level of respect to professional wrestling, both inside and outside the
business.

George Tragos Award - Daniel Cormier is the current UFC Heavyweight and Light
Heavyweight champion while also working for FOX Sports. He was a three-time
Louisiana State High School champion, a two-time junior college champion and an
NCAA All-American. Cormier finished fourth at the 2004 Olympics and was team
captain for the 2008 Olympics but was unable to compete due to injury. He
wrestled in the World Championships in 2003, 2005, 2006 and 2007 when he won a
bronze medal. Named for George Tragos, who was inducted as a member of the
Charter Class in 1999 and who is a namesake of the Pro Hall of Fame, the award
is presented to an exceptionally competitive wrestler who adapted his wrestling
skills and competitive nature to excel in mixed martial arts.

Jim Melby Award - Brian Shields is the author of “Second Nature: The Legacy
of Ric Flair and the Rise of Charlotte,” “30 Years of WrestleMania,” “Main
Event: WWE In The Raging ‘80s,” and children’s books about WWE Superstars John
Cena and Triple H. He also co-authored the New York Times bestseller “WWE
Encyclopedia: The Definitive Guide to World Wrestling Entertainment” and “WWE
Encyclopedia: Updated and Expanded.” Shields has also written for several
professional athletes, including Derek Jeter, Shaquille O'Neal, George Foreman,
Brett Favre, and Hulk Hogan. Named for Jim Melby, a noted professional
wrestling journalist and publisher who was inducted into the Pro Hall of Fame
in 2006, the award is presented to a journalist or historian, who has advanced
professional wrestling through their writing.

George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional
Wrestling Hall of Fame Induction Weekend Schedule

Thursday, July 25

5:30 p.m. – Social at the National
Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum for HOF Inductees and All-Access Pass
Holders. Includes food and beverage. (All-access pass holders and distinguished
guests only).

8:30 p.m.: Open mic and pro wrestling trivia with BCP Live

Friday, July 26

9 a.m. – National Wrestling Hall of
Fame Dan Gable Museum opens.

11:30 a.m. – Pro Wrestling
Evaluation at Five Sullivan Brothers Convention Center. Open to All-Access Pass
Holders.Ringside tickets for the evaluation, Hall of Fame Classic, and IPW show
can be purchased for $35 or general admission for $25.

1 p.m. – Hall of Fame Classic.
Eight-person Tournament with the first round held at Five Sullivan Brothers
Convention Center with finals held at IPW show in the evening. Tickets for the
evaluation, Hall of Fame Classic, and IPW show can be purchased for $35 or
general admission for $25.

3 p.m. - Wade Keller LIVE Pro
Wrestling Torch Podcast (All-access pass holders only).

5:30 p.m. – Doors open to the Impact
Pro Wrestling show at Five Sullivan Brothers Convention Center.

6:30 p.m. – Impact Pro Wrestling
show at Five Sullivan Brothers Convention Center. Front row ticket included for
All-Access Pass Holders (Tickets are $30 for Ringside and $15 for General
Admission for non-Pass Holders).

9:30 p.m. – After Party for All-Access Pass Holders and distinguished guests.

Saturday, July 27 

10 a.m. – Doors open at the National
Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum for All-Access Pass Holders.

10:30 a.m. – Round table discussion.

Noon – Doors open at the National
Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum to general public ($10 Admission for
non-Pass Holders).

12:30 p.m. – Round table Discussion.

2 p.m. – Autograph signing with
professional wrestling legends at the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable
Museum. All-Access Pass Holders enter first. $20 Admission for non-Pass Holders
(individual signers will charge).

5 p.m. – Hall of Fame Reception at
Five Sullivan Brothers Convention Center.

6 p.m. – Induction Banquet at Five
Sullivan Brothers Convention Center.

7 p.m. – Induction Ceremony at Five
Sullivan Brothers Convention Center. All-Access Pass includes banquet ticket.
Banquet Tickets are $60 per ticket for non-Pass Holders.