Howard Finkel Dead: WWE Hall of Famer Dies at 69

WWE Hall of Famer Howard Finkel, also known as The Fink, died. He was 69 years old. In the statement, the WWE did not immediately reveal his cause of death or if it was related to COVID-19.

Finkel, who originally hailed from Newark, New Jersey, was best known as “The Fink.” It was “a label that had been attached affectionately to Howard over the years,” the WWE wrote. He debuted as a ring announcer at Madison Square Garden in 1977 for WWWF, which was WWE’s predecessor.

Professional wrestler Brian Myers remembered The Fink as an “incredible soul.” He tweeted: : “I’m gonna dearly miss my friend @howardfinkel. Passionate Mets & wrestling fan. An incredible soul. He’s the soundtrack to so many of our childhoods. Nobody has ever done it better. Rest In Peace Fink.” 

Florida Man also sent his condolences. “Fink was not only an indelible part of my childhood but he couldn’t have been sweeter to me any time I saw him backstage,” he tweeted. “I’m grateful to have known him.”

The Fink Welcomed Stars Like Steve Austin and The Ultimate Warrior Into The Ring

Two years after joining WWWF, Finkel became a full-time announcer. He went on to become the first and longest-serving employee of the WWE once it was formed in the 1980s. He became renowned for his distinctive voice and announcing superstars like “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, The Ultimate Warrior and many more into the ring with The Fink’s signature call, where he would say “AND NEEEEEEWWWWW.”

Just because he was a ring announcer didn’t mean The Fink didn’t ever jump in the ring. It was The Fink’s turn to wrestle in 1995 when he went against longtime enemy Harvey Wippleman. A few years later in 1998 at SummerSlam, he assisted X-Pac to shave Jeff Jarrett’s head in a Hair vs. Hair Match.

Finkel was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2009. “The Fink was an indispensable resource inside the WWE offices for his vast knowledge of sports-entertainment history,” the WWE wrote in their statement. “Well respected by current Superstars, WWE Legends and Hall of Famers, Finkel’s encyclopedic memory and kindness made him beloved among his colleagues.”

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

Fans Mourned The Fink on Social Media

Fink’s death struck a cord with fans, who took to social media platforms to mourn the death of the famed announcer. His name quickly became a top-trending Twitter topic as netizens flocked to the micro-blog to mourn the WWE star. Many remembered him as an indelible part of their childhood.

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