WWE Hall-of-Fame Ring Announcer Howard Finkel Passes Away
Howard Finkel, one of the most recognizable voices and ring announcers in all of professional wrestling, has passed away at age 69.
"When considering the greatest ring announcers in the history of sports and sports-entertainment, you’d be hard-pressed to name one better than Howard Finkel," WWE said in a statement. "Finkel’s distinctive voice was instantly recognizable, 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!'"
Finkel, who was known as "The Fink," hailed from Newark, NJ and got his start in WWE during its WWWF days, making his debut at Madison Square Garden in 1977.
"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," WWE wrote. The company noted how the wrestling legend "didn't shy away from in-ring competition" and would often step inside the squared circle. He once faced off against longtime nemesis Harvey Wippleman in a Tuxedo Match on a 1995 episode of Raw and also helped X-Pac shave Jeff Jarrett’s head in a Hair vs. Hair Match at SummerSlam 1998.
https://www.cbr.com/wwe-howard-finkel-passes-away/
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