George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame

The George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame is a pro wrestling hall of fame and museum located within the Dan Gable International Wrestling Institute and Museum in Waterloo, Iowa. It is run by wrestling historian and journalist Mike Chapman. The hall of fame recognizes professional wrestlers who also have a background in amateur wrestling.

Formerly located in Newton, Iowa, the Hall of Fame moved to Waterloo in 2007. The building suffered severe flooding in 2008, but has since been repaired.

Frank Gotch Award
First presented in 2000, the award recognizes individuals is wrestling for bringing positive recognition to professional wrestling through work outside the ring.

James C. Melby Award
First presented to Jim Melby himself in 2006, this award recognizes excellence in professional wrestling journalism.

Lou Thesz Award
First presented in 2007, this award is given to an individual in wrestling who has taken the skills of professional wrestling into the realm of public service.

George Tragos Award
First presented in 2011, the award is given to an exceptionally competitive wrestler who has adapted his wrestling skills and competitive nature to excel in Mixed Martial Arts.

1999

 * Frank Gotch
 * Ed "Strangler" Lewis
 * Lou Thesz
 * Verne Gagne
 * George Tragos - special honoree

2000

 * Dick Hutton
 * Danny Hodge
 * Joe Stecher
 * Earl Caddock
 * Bobby Managoff - Frank Gotch Award

2001

 * William Muldoon
 * Farmer Burns
 * Jack Brisco
 * Tim Woods
 * Tom Drake - Frank Gotch Award

2002

 * Dick Beyer
 * Bob Geigel
 * Baron Von Raschke
 * Ed Don George
 * Ray Steele
 * Dan Severin - Frank Gotch Award

2003

 * Billy Robinson
 * Maurice "Mad Dog" Vachon
 * Joe Scarpello
 * George Hackenschmidt
 * Jesse Ventura - Frank Gotch Award

2004

 * Gene Kiniski
 * LeRoy McGuirk
 * Pat O'Connor
 * Brad Rheingans
 * George Scott - Frank Gotch Award

2005

 * Antonio Inoki
 * Harley Race
 * Jerry Brisco
 * Earl McCready
 * Bill Miller
 * John Pesek
 * Gene LeBell - Frank Gotch Award

2006

 * Bret Hart
 * Larry Hennig
 * Bob Roop
 * Dory Funk Sr.
 * Mike DiBiase
 * Tom Jenkins
 * Nikita Koloff - Frank Gotch Award
 * James C. Melby - James C. Melby Award

2007

 * Red Bastien
 * Steve Williams
 * Great Gama
 * Curt Hennig
 * Dale Lewis
 * Ted DiBiase - Frank Gotch Award
 * Bill Murdock - Lou Thesz Award
 * Mike Chapman - James C. Melby Award

2008

 * Masanori Saito
 * Abe Jacobs
 * Stu Hart
 * Roddy Piper
 * Ray Gunkel
 * Leo Nomellini
 * Penny Banner - Frank Gotch Award
 * "The Wolfman" Jason Sanderson - Lou Thesz Award
 * Greg Oliver & Steven Johnson - James C. Melby Award

2009

 * Nick Bockwinkel
 * Karl Gotch
 * Luther Lindsay
 * Bronko Nagurski
 * Ricky Steamboat
 * Fritz Von Goering
 * Ivan Koloff - Frank Gotch Award
 * Bill Kersten - Lou Thesz Award
 * Mike Mooneyham - James C. Melby Award

2010

 * Stanislaus Zbyszko
 * Warren Bockwinkle
 * George Gordienko
 * Paul "Butcher" Vachon
 * Terry Funk
 * Mick Foley - Frank Gotch Award
 * Rene Goulet - Lou Thesz Award
 * J Michael Kenyon - James C. Melby Award

2011

 * Dory Funk Jr.
 * Gorilla Monsoon
 * Jim Duggan - Frank Gotch Award
 * Jim Ross - Lou Thesz Award
 * Scott Teal - James C. Melby Award
 * Pat Miletich - George Tragos Award