Reported by Adam Martin of WrestleView.com
On Friday, September 1, 2006 at 6:55 PM EST

Kyle Klingman sent this in:

2007 Pro Hall of Fame induction class, Frank Gotch Award winner announced

Red Bastein, Steve "Dr. Death" Williams, Stu Hart, Curt Hennig and Dale Lewis headline the Class of 2006 of the George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame. In addition, the Frank Gotch Award will be gvien to Ted DiBiase.

The inductions will be held in the new Dan Gable International Wrestling Institute and Museum in Waterloo, Iowa. The museum has been located in Newton, Iowa, since its opening in 1998, but is moving to Waterloo in January of 2007.

"This will be our first induction ceremony for the professionals at the new facility in Waterloo and we expect our best turnout ever," said Mike Chapman, executive director of the museum. "We already have several special events being planned for the weekend."

The class of 2007 includes two living members and three deceased members. The criteria are a strong impact on the pro game and true wrestling ability, as judged by an amateur background or the consensus opinion of the committee.

Inductions weekend is set for July 13-14 in Waterloo. It includes a Celebrity Golf Tournament on Friday at noon and a variety of other events. Continue to check the International Wrestling Institute & Museum website for updates.

The museum is a not-for-profit business whose mission is to preserve the history of wrestling and present it in a manner that is both educational and entertaining.

:: Class of 2007 ::

Red Bastein has a long and varied background in professional wrestling. He began his storied career as a carnival wrestler taking on all comers. He soon moved into the professional ranks and became a major attraciton all around the world, winning various singles and tag-team championships. He is considered by his peers as one of the buisnesses nice guys and toughs guys, as well. He has been president of the CAC (Cauliflower Alley Club) for many years and is brother-in-law of Jim Morgan, another legendary carnival wrestler. Red is also the uncle of Marty Morgan, former NCAA champion and the current head assistant coach at the University of Minnesota.

Known as Dr. Death, Steve Williams was a huge pro wrestling star with an extensive amateur wrestling background. While wrestling at heavyweight for Oklahoma University, Williams was a four-time wrestling All-American and a standout football player for the Sooners. He palyed in four major bowl games for Oklahoma and was NCAA runnerup as a wrestler his senior season, losing 4-2 to Bruce Baumgatner, who went on to win 18 national titles and three Olympic gold medals. As a professional, Williams wrestled all over the world, and was a huge star in Japan. He won numeorus world titles along the way.

Stu Hart is the patriarch of one of the most legendary families in professional wrestling history. His son, Bret Hart, was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2006. In 1948 Hart founded Stampede Wrestling, a Calgary-based regional promotion that was in operation until 1984. Known as a hooker, Stu's legendary "Hart Dungeon" in the basement of his house was a training facility for many professional wrestlers looking to break into the business.

Dale Lewis was a two-time NCAA champion at heavyweight for Oklahoma University and a two-time Olympian. In 1956, six months after he had started wrestling, Lewis earned a spot on the United States' Greco-Roman Olympic team that competed in Melbourne, Australia. Four years later he wrestled at the Rome Olympics. Professionally, Lewis spent most of his career in Florida and won several regional titles. He wrstled as a pro for two decades and died of leukemia on August 30, 1997.

Curt Hennig is the son of 2006 Hall of Fame inductee Larry Hennig. During the 1980s, Curt teamed up with his father as tag team partners in Verne Gagne's American Wrestling Association. Wrestling as Mr. Perfect, Curt won many titles during his career as a professional wrestler. He was a two-time Intercontinental champion in the WWE as well as the United States Heavyweight champion in the WCW. Hennig wrestled at Robbinsdale High School in Minnesota and was hihgly regarded for his wrestling abilities. Curt passed away on February 10, 2003.

:: Frank Gotch Award ::

Former wrestling star Ted DiBiase has been named the 2007 recipient of the Frank Gotch Award, given annually to a person who has brought prestige and recognition to professional wrestling. Known as "The Million Dollar Man", DiBiase has had a huge impact on professional wrestling inside and outside of the ring with his Christian minstries.

The award will be presented during inductions weekend at the George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame inductions on July 14, 2007.