Longtime WWE ring announcer, Howard Finkel has passed away at age 69.
The unfortunate news was broken this morning by WWE and the entire wrestling world has been sharing their memories of Finkel on social media.
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
When I first got to WWE, I couldn’t wait to hear Howard Finkel announce my name. He’s without a doubt the greatest ring announcer of all time. #RIPFink
— Booker T. Huffman (@BookerT5x) April 16, 2020
We lost one of the greatest ring announcers of all time, Howard Finkel. Howard was the man who came up with the name “WrestleMania” and he was one of the most beloved people in @WWE. Howard ring announced my dad’s very first match at @TheGarden. We love you, Howard. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/8TdmTvZQph
— Nattie (@NatbyNature) April 16, 2020
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
Thank you Howard https://t.co/3B89bEWGYS pic.twitter.com/1nJhdqIp1K
— Justin Roberts (@JustinRoberts) 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
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 was the voice of my childhood. Ya know what else? He was the kindest human being I ever met & I cherished our conversations.
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
— Seth “Freakin’” Rollins (@WWERollins) April 16, 2020
He was the sweetest person!! Every time he stepped into a room he brought sunshine. I’m really going to miss him. #RIPHowardFinkel -Brie pic.twitter.com/NVhiJXUNue
— Nikki & Brie (@BellaTwins) April 16, 2020
The voice of a generation and the kindest, most loving human you could meet. RIP Howard. We will all miss you. pic.twitter.com/PA3CPyF1rp
— The Man (@BeckyLynchWWE) April 16, 2020
I saw a voicemail after a day of training at OVW, it was my call up to raw! Howard Finkel spoke as if announcing a new world champion, at madison square garden! I will never forget that + his “welcome to the jungle” entrance is unmatched & sparked us all to have a great show!
— Nic Nemeth (@HEELZiggler) April 16, 2020
At WrestleMania 2000 after E&C won our first tag titles I found myself alone in the locker room w/ Howard Finkel after the show. I said “Howard, I’ve waited my whole life to hear YOU say those words”.. AAAND NEWWW.. he hugged me.. He was genuine. He was the best. RIP
— Jay 'Christian' Reso (@Christian4Peeps) April 16, 2020
IMPACT Wrestling is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Howard Finkel. We send our condolences to his friends and family.
— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) April 16, 2020
So sad to hear of the passing of my friend, the greatest ring announcer in the biz, Howard Finkel, at the age of 69.
The Hall of Famer is now ring announcing in Heaven. #RIPFink
No one was more loyal or loved pro wrestling more than The Fink. ?
— Jim Ross (@JRsBBQ) 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
The CAC would like to pass along our deepest sympathies to the family of Howard Finkel, long time announcer and amazing personality. Howard had a charm that none of us will ever forget, and we are truly heartbroken at this time. May he finally be at peace pic.twitter.com/cOMzOvKgwv
— CauliflowerAlleyClub (@CACReunion) April 16, 2020
The National Wrestling Alliance sends its deepest sympathies to the family, friends and fans of legendary pro wrestling ring announcer Howard Finkel.
— NWA (@nwa) 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…
I’m so grateful I got to know him. https://t.co/sALmt2Ihb6
— Kevinn (@FightOwensFight) April 16, 2020
Im crushed
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— Tommy Dreamer (@THETOMMYDREAMER) April 16, 2020
Thank you sir for introducing my childhood memories. RIP pic.twitter.com/P6aGbOs4kN
— David LaGreca (@davidlagreca1) April 16, 2020
THANK YOU, Mr. Finkel. For your kindness EVERY time we had the chance to interact and for providing a soundtrack to so many of our memories. From our first conversation in ‘99 to our last, you made me feel like more than I was. I’m forever grateful. ?❤️ https://t.co/LPmURPbcsS
— Adam Pearce (@ScrapDaddyAP) April 16, 2020
Introduced so much of my childhood.
A colleague and friend in adulthood. @howardfinkel was the voice every person growing up from 1980 through 2000 wanted saying… AND NEW…
We love your forever Howard! pic.twitter.com/GkgoB81ylS
— David Lagana (@Lagana) April 16, 2020
https://twitter.com/Ligero1/status/1250794518036832257
The voice of our childhood. ❤️?? https://t.co/08DAgKB6cc
— Bollywood Boyz (@BollywoodBoyz) 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
Oh man. Howard was such a nice man. I loved talking with him. When we did RAW 10 from the Restaurant I spend almost the whole day chatting with him. #RIP https://t.co/Gm9SUXp5pN
— Lance Storm (@LanceStorm) 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
Very sad to wake up to the news of Howard Finkel's passing. The most iconic voice in the history of the wrestling business. I was lucky to meet Howard on a few occasions and he was always so kind, complimentary & classy. My thoughts and condolences are with his loved ones today. pic.twitter.com/iIfdkVWMHC
— Nick Aldis (@RealNickAldis) April 16, 2020
Thanks for the memories Fink ,i admired you so much as a person , always first class act guy and the best ring annoncer ever . R.I.P my friend Howard Finkel . pic.twitter.com/NhmmmWOlgf
— PCO Perfect Creation One (@PCOisNotHuman) April 16, 2020
He. Named. @WrestleMania.
— A.J. Kirsch (@AJKirsch) April 16, 2020
https://twitter.com/Santana_Proud/status/1250797248386080770
He was our voice of wrestling. The world lost an amazing human today in @howardfinkel pic.twitter.com/iaofFWHtay
— Dylan Postl (@DylanPostl) April 16, 2020
https://twitter.com/courtbauer/status/1250796965702651906
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
On the heels of the mass releases from yesterday, to now learn we have lost the G.O.A.T. of ring announcer’s, The Fink.
Howard will be sorely missed, but, always remembered, because he was simply the BEST! RIP Howard.— Michael PS Hayes (@MichaelPSHayes1) 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.
— Ettore “Big E” Ewen (@WWEBigE) April 16, 2020
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
