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WWE 2009 inductee Howard Finkel has passed away at age 69. Bob Levey/WireImage/Getty Images

Twitter reacts to death of legendary WWE announcer Howard Finkel

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 4/16/20

On Thursday morning, World Wrestling Entertainment announced that legendary ring announcer Howard Finkel passed away. "The Fink," as he was affectionately known by professional wrestling personalities and fans, was 69 years old.

Finkel first debuted inside of a WWE ring at a Madison Square Garden event in 1977. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, he was a wrestling voice of multiple generations linked with WrestleMania cards and other noteworthy and historic shows.

In 2009, the company inducted Finkel into the WWE Hall of Fame.

Finkel returned to WWE TV multiple times during the 2010s, such as during an "old school" edition of "Raw" and when he served as the personal ring announcer for CM Punk.

Soon after the news of Finkel's passing went public, multiple WWE performers, other wrestling personalities and fans reacted to his death via Twitter:

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

Rest In Peace Fink. You were the voice of wresting the first night I discovered it when I was seven years old.
What a voice!
— C of BV&C (@ProperJam) 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
— Kevin (@FightOwensFight) April 16, 2020

Howard Finkel made every big moment bigger . Rest Easy Fink. pic.twitter.com/9T9CPI8R24
— Peter Rosenberg (@Rosenbergradio) April 16, 2020

"Iconic" is an understatement.

Remembering WWE Hall of Famer Howard Finkel. https://t.co/kKSyrflkrg pic.twitter.com/vmj7aJyH43
— WWE (@WWE) April 16, 2020

WWE Hall of Famer. The voice of a generation. The Fink.

RIP Howard Finkel

1950-2020 pic.twitter.com/G4oUjkZdsL
— WWE on BT Sport (@btsportwwe) April 16, 2020

Listen to the words of the greatest ring announcer of all time.

Howard Finkel is the measuring stick of that profession, an absolute icon and the voice of my childhood.

He will be sorely missed. RIP Fink.#WWE #HowardFinkel #ripfink pic.twitter.com/k5vq3fUdRc
— WrestleNews365 (@365Wrestle) 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

Very sad to hear about the passing of Howard Finkel. Howard was all class in addition to being the voice that introduced myself and millions of other kids to our heroes for the first time. The voice of a generation. His importance cannot be understated. Rip. Godspeed sir. pic.twitter.com/TBCYZTo6mt
— Frankie Kazarian (@FrankieKazarian) 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

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

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

HE PUT ME OVER. HE MAKE ME LOOK LIKE THE LEGEND. HE MAKE ME SMILE. FOREVER I LOVE YOU HOWARD FINKEL pic.twitter.com/cY8tTHDqds
— The Iron Sheik (@the_ironsheik) 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

RIP https://t.co/4tncqYnHy6
— Lexi Kaufman (@AlexaBliss_WWE) April 16, 2020

Saddened about the passing of my friend & colleague, Howard "The Fink" Finkel. Fink was my main contact when I first starting getting myself & Jeff booked as extras in the mid 90s. Howard always took great care of us & had a soft spot in his heart The Hardy Boyz. #RIPFink pic.twitter.com/dNPTscanuR
— #BROKEN Matt Hardy (@MATTHARDYBRAND) 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 Finkle was on Team Hogan through the good and bad times,even when I was on the outs Howard would call on a consistent basis to tell me to always keep my head up,it was” never say never” and “you and Vince will work it out”,my good friend RIP,I love you 4LifeHH
— Hulk Hogan (@HulkHogan) April 16, 2020

As noted by the official WWE statement and the New York Post, Finkel became WWE's longest-tenured employee during his stint with the promotion. The native of Newark, N.J., also sporadically worked as an active in-ring participant for WWE, albeit in comedic roles.

Finkel is credited with coming up with the "WrestleMania" name that became associated with WWE's biggest annual show. WWE's 2020 version of its Super Bowl was filmed in front of no fans due to the coronavirus pandemic.

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