Colleagues Remember Howard Finkel
It's been an emotional past couple of days within the world of professional wrestling and sadly, there's more bad news to report. WWE Hall of Famer Howard Finkel passed away at age 69.
In my eyes, he was undoubtedly the greatest ring announcer of all-time and one of the longest-tenured WWE employees. His voice will remain the soundtrack to our youth.
My sincere condolences to his family and friends.
Many of his current and past colleagues remembered the man lovingly known as “Fink” on Twitter.
So sad to hear of the passing of my friend, the greatest ring announcer in the biz, Howard Finkel, at the age of 69.
— Jim Ross (@JRsBBQ) April 16, 2020
The Hall of Famer is now ring announcing in Heaven. #RIPFink
No one was more loyal or loved pro wrestling more than The Fink. 🙏
Saddened to learn of the passing of my friend and WWE’s first employee, WWE Hall of Famer Howard Finkel. The grandest moments in sports-entertainment history were made all the grander thanks to Howard’s iconic voice. pic.twitter.com/aAMY2XaHsm
— Vince McMahon (@VinceMcMahon) April 16, 2020
In what has already been a tough week for our @WWE family, today we lost our 1st ever employee and WWE Hall of Famer, @howardfinkel. Howard’s voice is iconic & recognized by generations of fans. He will be missed. #RIPHowardFinkel Thank you for everything. ❤️🙏❤️
— Stephanie McMahon (@StephMcMahon) April 16, 2020
Rest in Peace Howard Finkel.
— Bruce Prichard (@bruceprichard) April 16, 2020
Greatest ring announcer of all time.
Historian and walking wrestling encyclopedia.
Hall of Famer.
Loyal.
Great friend.
Love you Fink. pic.twitter.com/tqvVq6gMeR
I’m sad to hear of the passing of Howard Finkel! He was a gentleman and kind soul! I will always be debted to him for escorting Eddie from Minneapolis to Phoenix after he passed. When he called me....he said...”I don’t want Eddie to be flown home by himself”. RIP love you friend pic.twitter.com/gZM1ZMCltQ
— Vickie Guerrero (@VickieGuerrero) April 16, 2020
You weren’t someone until you heard Howard announce you. A championship win didn’t feel real until you heard him say “and the new!” His voice, his personality, and his positivity will be sorely missed. Thank you for everything...especially your friendship. https://t.co/CYSPt6vnvU
— Triple H (@TripleH) April 16, 2020
Man.. RIP @howardfinkel more blows to the wrestling world. You’ll be deeply missed my friend ❤️ https://t.co/iqZKrh4lpM
— PAIGE (@RealPaigeWWE) April 16, 2020
Howard was the best. It’s that simple. I’ll never forget the last few times I saw him...the excitement he still had for the industry, the genuine concern he showed when asking about how my family was doing despite his own declining health...
— Kevin (@FightOwensFight) April 16, 2020
I’m so grateful I got to know him. https://t.co/sALmt2Ihb6
The voice of a generation. One the absolute sweetest humans with so much passion for this business. Howard always had so many kind words of encouragement for me when I first started working with @wwe it was a… https://t.co/d6TAATjojA
— Renee Young (@ReneeYoungWWE) April 16, 2020
Fink was the voice of my childhood. Ya know what else? He was the kindest human being I ever met & I cherished our conversations.
— Seth Rollins (@WWERollins) April 16, 2020
Here’s him announcing the first NXT Title match. Hearing his voice say my name was a dream come true. May he rest in power. https://t.co/9qrWBTaGlE
Howard Finkel was a great friend and mentor to me. I was so blessed to be able to look to him for guidance, honesty and the occasional bit of humor. He spoke with kindness, and always had a sparkle in his eye when speaking about our industry. Thank you for everything Howard. 💛
— The Brandalorian (@TheBrandiRhodes) April 16, 2020
Howard Finkel was a staple of my childhood. The voice we all grew up with. I first met Howard backstage at WrestleMania 33. I walked up and as I said "Hello, sir" and went to introduce myself, he burst out "HELLO, JOHNNY!" I couldn't believe he knew MY name! #RIPFink
— Johnny Gargano (@JohnnyGargano) April 16, 2020
Fink, you’ll always be number 1. RIP my friend.
— Eric Bischoff (@EBischoff) April 16, 2020
Saddened about the passing of my friend & colleague, Howard "The Fink" Finkel. Fink was my main contact when I first starting getting myself & Jeff booked as extras in the mid 90s. Howard always took great care of us & had a soft spot in his heart The Hardy Boyz. #RIPFink pic.twitter.com/dNPTscanuR
— #BROKEN Matt Hardy (@MATTHARDYBRAND) April 16, 2020
RIP Fink. The voice of my childhood... pic.twitter.com/qBKMWGm1KC
— Matt Cardona (@ZackRyder) April 16, 2020
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.
— Brian Myers (@TheCurtHawkins) April 16, 2020
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. I’m grateful to have known him.
— Florida Man (@WWEBigE) April 16, 2020
The first great ring announcer is gone. RIP @wwe Hall of Famer Howard Finkel. pic.twitter.com/jvkGDDVh4u
— John Layfield (@JCLayfield) April 16, 2020
First met Howard Finkel in 1993 when I started working with @WWE.
— Jerry Lawler (@JerryLawler) April 16, 2020
Always the most helpful and genuine friend to everyone he came in contact with. My favorite day with Howard was when he and I attended a Cleveland Browns, New York Jets game together. Miss you, Fink! RIP pic.twitter.com/z5PP9MeEEJ
Very sad to hear #HowardFinkel passed. He was just a great guy always joking, laughing & positive. The greatest Ring Announcer ever, his iconic voice will live in Pro Wrestling history forever. Prayers go out to his family. #RIPFink pic.twitter.com/XGAYVwQrwv
— TAZ (@OfficialTAZ) April 16, 2020
Very sad to hear about the passing of Howard Finkel. Howard was all class in addition to being the voice that introduced myself and millions of other kids to our heroes for the first time. The voice of a generation. His importance cannot be understated. Rip. Godspeed sir. pic.twitter.com/TBCYZTo6mt
— Frankie Kazarian (@FrankieKazarian) April 16, 2020
Dammit, this is a another kick in the gut. 😞😞 Rest Easy Fink! One of the greatest and most recognizable voices in history. Loved this dude. Everyone did. https://t.co/MklOpTCacu
— Hurricane Helms (@ShaneHelmsCom) April 16, 2020
God Bless ya Fink. 🙏
— Bully Ray (@bullyray5150) April 16, 2020
Thanks for the childhood memories.
Thanks for always being on our side.
Thanks for being a friend. pic.twitter.com/33UCOChwPc
Im crushed
— Tommy Dreamer (@THETOMMYDREAMER) April 16, 2020
I lost my friend today
I saw him once a month
The Voice of Wrestling
I loved him so much
The Fink pic.twitter.com/EOWmADTkjO
Couple of my bucket list early in my career. 1. Gordon Solie call my match ✔️. 2. Howard Finkel introduction of me at @TheGarden ✔️. The best
— Gbrisco🤼♂️ (@Fgbrisco) April 16, 2020
Every wrestling fan at some point envisions themselves making an entrance at WrestleMania. I have done it almost everyday of my life, and The Fink is the only voice I hear saying my name in my head.
— Tony Nese (@TonyNese) April 16, 2020
The Fink was awesome. Love you and miss you, my friend. #RIPFink
— Kevin Kelly (@realkevinkelly) April 16, 2020
I'm absolutely gutted over the passing of Howard Finkel. Another voice of my childhood has been silenced. Such a sweet, sweet man. I'll miss our conversations about wrestling and Rock N Roll. This ABSOLUTELY sucks. Love ya Fink! pic.twitter.com/eAX0cOktda
— Brian Heffron aka The Blue Meanie (@BlueMeanieBWO) April 16, 2020
Chris Toplack
Chris is the founder of The Signature Spot and a former radio personality. He is the Director of Client Training for a Silicon Valley company while also a voice-over artist, published writer, and veteran podcaster.