The Nebraska Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame is excited to announce its newest inductee into the Class of 2024 Specialty Wing. Pershing Auditorium in Lincoln.

     The Specialty Wing was created so it was possible to include not only wrestlers but important locations, back-stage workers and pivotal moments in Nebraska Pro Wrestling history.

     Pershing Auditorium opened its doors in March of 1957 and 67 years later we honor its importance in the legacy of Nebraska Wrestling. Promoter Jack Pesek, the son of the Nebraska Pro Wrestling Hall of Famer John Pesek, began running shows in October of 1958. He would be the primary promoter for Lincoln, with occasional assistance from Hall of Fame promoter Joe Dusek just down the road in Omaha.

      Pesek would run over a dozen shows that first year. The American Wrestling Association, Harley Race’s Central States Promotion, World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment, and later, Total Nonstop Action/Impact Wrestling all held events at Pershing.  World Championship Wrestling held two television tapings and house shows. The building hosted many of the biggest names throughout its storied history. The locker room was a who’s who of talent.

     Nebraska Hall of Famers Reggie Parks, Iron Mike Dibiase, Mad Dog Vachon, Baron Von Raschke, Ernie Dusek, Emil Dusek, The Mad Russian Stan Pulaski, Joe Dusek, The Butcher Paul Vachon, Verne Gagne, Lance Cade, Ted Dibiase & Joe Scarpello.

     They shared the ring in the auditorium with some of the greatest of all time like Dick The Bruiser, Bulldog Bob Brown, Scott Hall, Kevin Nash, Eddie Guerrero, Marty Jannetty, Harley Race, Big Bob Orton, Dusty Rhodes, Cody Rhodes, Macho Man Randy Savage, Rick Rude, Brett Hart, The Crusher, Bob Backlund, Larry The Axe Hennig, Curt Hennig, Nicoli Volkoff, Fritz Von Erich, Bruiser Brody, Soulman Rocky Johnson, John Cena, Edge, Christian, Lita, Demolition Axe/Smash, Haku, Dr. X, Greg Gagne, Jim Brunzell, Bobby Heenan, Super Destroyer, Ox Baker, Owen Hart, Shawn Michaels, Jake The Snake Roberts, Honky Tonk Man, Goldberg, Triple H, Randy Orton, Chris Jericho, Ric Flair, Andre The Giant, The Undertaker, Ultimate Warrior and Tito Santana to name just a few.

     It is with great pride that we welcome our newest member to the Nebraska Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame Specialty Wing, Lincoln’s Pershing Auditorium.