The Worm Wriggles Into Another Hall of Fame

Dennis Rodman, already a basketball Hall of Famer, is reportedly heading into the WWE Hall of Fame. Sources tell Shams Charania that "The Worm" will get his due for his wild, brief, but impactful run in WCW. Honestly, it's about time. For a guy who only wrestled a handful of matches, Rodman left a mark that still resonates almost 30 years later. You don't get talked about this much unless you did something memorable.

Think about it: the NBA was still reeling from Michael Jordan's first retirement in 1993, then Rodman was traded to the Bulls in 1995. He joined a team that won 72 games in 1995-96, leading the league in rebounding with 14.9 boards per game. That Chicago team was pure box office. And Rodman, with his ever-changing hair colors and disregard for authority, was a huge part of the spectacle. He was the ultimate anti-hero, soaking up attention like a sponge.

So when he popped up in World Championship Wrestling in 1997, it made perfect sense. WCW was battling the then-WWF in the Monday Night Wars, and they needed anything to gain an edge. Hulk Hogan, then the leader of the villainous New World Order (nWo), brought in Rodman as his running mate. Their first big splash was at Bash at the Beach on July 13, 1997, where Rodman teamed with Hogan against Lex Luger and The Giant. Rodman actually got in some decent offense, even if he looked a little lost at times. He wasn't a worker, not in the traditional sense, but he understood entertainment.

Here’s the thing: Rodman brought legitimate mainstream attention to professional wrestling. He wasn't just some celebrity cameo; he was an active NBA player, skipping practice with the Bulls to appear on WCW Nitro. Remember, he missed a Bulls practice in January 1998, flying to Detroit to appear at a WCW event. That kind of crossover was unprecedented. It drove Phil Jackson crazy, but it put more eyes on WCman in the middle of a championship run with the Bulls, walking away to play wrestling villain. It was pure chaos, and wrestling thrives on chaos.

**The Rodman Effect: More Than Just a Sideshow**

Rodman’s most famous match came at Bash at the Beach 1998, where he teamed with Hogan again, this time against Diamond Dallas Page and Karl Malone. Yes, *that* Karl Malone. Two NBA superstars, feuding in a wrestling ring. The pay-per-view reportedly pulled in around 400,000 buys, a massive number for WCW at the time. Malone even hit a decent Diamond Cutter. The whole thing was surreal. Rodman was essentially playing himself, the rebellious force, and it worked. He wasn't trying to be Ric Flair; he was just Dennis Rodman.

His wrestling career was short-lived, with only a handful of matches between 1997 and 1999. He wrestled Hogan, Malone, and Randy Savage. He never won a championship, never cut a promo that will live in infamy. But he transcended the sport. He was a walking, talking billboard for WCW during their peak. And frankly, the argument that he doesn't deserve it because he wasn't a "full-time wrestler" is garbage. The Hall of Fame isn't just for ring generals; it's for those who made a significant impact on the business. Rodman did just that. He might not have been a master technician, but he was a master showman, and that's what wrestling often needs most.

His induction will undoubtedly spark debate. But honestly, it's a no-brainer. Rodman brought millions of new eyes to WCW during a crucial period. He was polarizing, unpredictable, and utterly compelling. He embodies the "any publicity is good publicity" ethos that defined the Monday Night Wars. And frankly, I think his induction opens the door for other sports figures who made a brief, but memorable, splash. I wouldn't be surprised if we see someone like Mike Tyson get the call in the next five years.