WWE Hall of Fame Announcer Howard Finkel Passes Away

As if the news in the world couldn’t get more depressing, we have some more sad news. Howard Finkel, the legendary ring announcer of the WWE from the 80s and 90s, passed away today at the age of 69. Here is the article from WWE.com:

WWE is saddened to learn that Howard Finkel 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. A native of Newark, NJ, “The Fink” — a label that had been attached affectionately to Howard over the years — made his ring announcing debut at Madison Square Garden in 1977 for WWE’s predecessor, WWWF.

 

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. 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!”

 

Despite being a ring announcer, Finkel didn’t shy away from in-ring competition in certain circumstances. In 1995, he battled his longtime rival Harvey Wippleman in a Tuxedo Match on Raw, and later helped X-Pac shave Jeff Jarrett’s head in a Hair vs. Hair Match at SummerSlam 1998

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In addition to his legendary tenure as a ring announcer, The Fink was an indispensable resource inside the WWE offices for his vast knowledge of sports-entertainment history. Well respected by current Superstars, WWE Legends and Hall of Famers, Finkel’s encyclopedic memory and kindness made him beloved among his colleagues. The Fink was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame on April 4, 2009.

 

WWE extends its condolences to Finkel’s family, friends and fans.

For a good amount of us, Howard Finkel was the voice of our wrestling childhood. No other ring announcer was as good as him. We all loved listening to his explanation of the rules of the Royal Rumble. Or as the release above says, whenever a new Champion was crowned we’d hear “AND NEWWWWW!” No one could ever say a bad word about Howard Finkel. He will be missed.

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