AEW backstage interviewer Lexy Nair has opened up on meeting her husband, Big Bill.
In a recent interview with Denise Salcedo, Nair opened up in detail about her marriage to AEW wrestler Big Bill. Sharing about her life with Bill, Nair also opened up and credited her stepfather, DDP, aka Diamond Dallas Page, for meeting her with Bill.
“Yeah, we’re going back to Dallas. This was before I even got into wrestling; I was pursuing another career. Dallas has people over all the time, and for the most part, they’re older wrestlers, they’re not like young, super cute wrestlers coming to stay with us and do DDP Yoga,” she said.
“So I had no knowledge of our house was a revolving door years ago and so so many people would come and stay with us, and I had no idea who was coming, who was going, whatever, I was living my life and whatever,” she continued.
Nair further opened up about her initial days of meeting him and how their relationship has evolved.
“So he came by, and I was in my bathrobe, no makeup, my hair was crazy, and I was like, ‘You guys couldn’t have given me the 411 that there was this super cute, tall, jacked guy coming and staying with us for the weekend? Are you kidding me?’ We were friends, I was trying to play it cool, but I was totally thrown off, I ran upstairs, I got ready, I came back downstairs trying to act all cool. We just developed this really great friendship at first, and it ultimately ended up turning into a romance, and we haven’t looked back since. That was almost seven years ago, which is crazy.”
The couple got engaged in 2022 before marrying each other in December 2024 in Mexico.
At this point, Diamond Dallas Page no longer even has to worry about Jake “The Snake” Roberts relapsing and returning to his old demons.
Page, speaking on Wrestling Life with Ben Veal, said we’re now coming up on 14 years of Roberts being sober. He spent a few years worrying that Roberts’ sobriety wouldn’t stick, but now it’s not even an issue. You could drink around Roberts and he wouldn’t be tempted to join you.
“There’s certain guys you wonder, ‘Oh God, I hope he doesn’t go back again.’ And I felt like that about Jake for about five years. But now we’re coming up on the 14th year of Jake being sober, and I don’t even think about it anymore,” Page said. “Like, I could have a drink around him or whatever. He don’t care.
“He used to say, ‘I’m a man. I deserve three beers. I could have three beers.’ And at some point I said, when you’re really a man, it’ll be, ‘I don’t need three beers. I don’t want three beers. Because I know what comes after that, and it’s never any good.’ You know? He’s doing so good.”
DDP worked with Roberts on his sobriety journey, showcasing the process in the 2015 documentary “The Resurrection of Jake The Snake.” Roberts was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2014 after getting sober.
One of the biggest benefits for Roberts has been getting back together with his wife Cheryl.
“The fact that him and Cheryl are back, and anybody who’s an 80s fan who watched Jake and anything, you know, his wife was involved,” Page said. “His gorgeous wife was involved with the storyline with him and Rick Rude. And so now they’re doing signings together, Jake and Cheryl Roberts.”
DDP has produced a new YouTube series “Change or Die” where he works with people going through different types of struggles. Former WCW wrestler Buff Bagwell — who is now three years sober — is among the cast members. Bagwell is recovering from a leg amputation that he underwent in 2025 due to injuries from a past car accident.
The new issue of the Wrestling Observer is up on the site covering the follow topics:
The story of John Cena’s retirement, the finish, the reaction, what WWE did and didn’t expect and thoughts on why they did what they did and why judging it now makes little sense in the big picture. We look at different aspects of the decision making and the fallacy of the “time-honored tradition phrasing here. We look at where Cena viably stands among the greats, the show itself, and Cena’s legacy.
We look at the post-match and post-show reaction, Paul Levesque and also look at the history of retirement matches with the biggest names in the history of the business. This is a real history lesson about what really is the tradition.
We have a story on Wrestle Kingdom’s card, why it turned out this way, as well as the finals of the New Japan tag team tournament.
We update the WBD sale story with the latest on Netflix and Paramount, just how strongly WBD publicly viewed the Paramount offer in a negative way and more
We run down the 2025 Tokyo Sports pro wrestling awards, with the winners, why they won, how the voting went, the nature of the voting and more in a year Saya Kamitani became the first woman wrestler to win MVP
A look at the retirement show and the career of El Hijo del Santo, the Santo gimmick, the cultural significance of the Santo name, Santo Jr, and notes on Santo’s career and most famous matches
We update the Continental Classic and Worlds Collide with business updates as well.
We look at the odds for upcoming matches
We look at the careers of Solomon Grundy, Miss Janeth and Ricky Romero Jr/Ricky Youngblood
We have the most detailed look at the television ratings of all the wrestling shows this past week as well as placings, comparisons and more, as well as an explanation of what the annual drops actually mean.
We look at another week of sellouts in CMLL, including the big Friday show and the Mistico vs Soberano feud
We look at Guerra de Titanes from AAA
We look at the financials from Cyberfight and what wrestler in specific they credited a better economic year to
Yota Tsuji talks the future of New Japan
What pro wrestling events in Japan were the most streamed in 2025
Update on Andrade
Former WWE tag champ going into Bare Knuckle boxing
Major AEW overseas ratings growth
Ticket sales to upcoming WWE and AEW shows
Chris Jericho update
Injury updates
Ilia Topuria marriage issues slows down career
An appeal by TKO on judge’s ruling about current fighter contracts
WWE uploaded the full Chelsea Green vs. Sol Ruca Women’s United States Championship match that headlined NXT last night.
On Insight with Chris Van Vliet, Diamond Dallas Page discussed working with Bron Breakker while Breakker was still pursuing a career in football:
Really got to know him when he was finishing up playing at Kennesaw [State University] football, because he got [signed] by the Baltimore Ravens. You know, it would have been funny if he would have made that team, I think – first of all, it was the greatest thing to happen to him that he didn’t, but he had that shot.
And he knew right away. I was working with him, we trained together a lot. And I don’t mean in the ring – I mean in the gym. He wasn’t afraid to do DDP Yoga. He wanted to do it with me. All them, all those Steiner brothers, man, his two other brothers – beasts. Maveric’s a beast. Hudson is an animal as well. And then you go to Brandon and you got Brock with Scotty Steiner.
I love that so many of the boys’ sons are just real gentlemen. And to be able to watch Bronson, yeah, okay, he’s always going to be Bronson to me, you know? Wow. He has it in spades, and they’ve seen it since the beginning.
DDP added that he would love to see Breakker become World Champion:
I would love to see that, man. I haven’t talked to him probably in about a month or two, but humble, feet on the ground. And you gotta know who you are, you know? You don’t forget that. But you want to always try to keep your feet on the ground, because that’s the guys who continue to excel.
For the record, @BookItGabe deserves all the credit for the discovery of [Austin Theory]. As Executive Director of @WWE #RAW in 2019/2020, I drafted Theory from @WWENXT for (ironically enough) @WWERollins’ group. Now, he’s a seasoned veteran with a chip on his shoulder ready to step into the spotlight.
But the credit for discovering Theory goes to Gabe!
Billboard spoke with WWE wrestlers Nia Jax, Lash Legend, Charlotte Flair, Alexa Bliss, and Chelsea Green about their favorite music moments.
Nick Hogan’s wife Tana shared a throwback photo with Hulk Hogan from this time in 2024: “This was a year ago today. We miss you so much Big Dog, so much. @nickhogan @mrs.sky.hogan”
She has allowed me this year to dig deep and push to a different level. Obviously, she’s one of the greatest to ever do it, and having the opportunity to work with her has been imperative to my career. It’s definitely highlighted me and given me opportunities, which is exactly what someone with that kind of star power can do.
Being in the ring with her multiple times has pushed me to think outside the box and challenge myself. So I’d say it’s more inspiration than advice, per se. I’m obviously very excited to face her again at the pay-per-view, Worlds End. I’m hoping it will once again bring out that deep-level performance from me.
Tokyo Joshi Pro-Wrestling is coming to Texas for four shows taking place from March 17-22, 2026. Billed as TJPW’s “largest US tour in history,” there will be stops in Austin, Houston, and Dallas. Full information will be announced at a later date, but the Austin events are part of the annual SXSW (South by Southwest) festival:
TJPW will run its largest US tour in history ‘TJPW Texas Stampede’ in March 2026.
4 shows will take place in Austin, Houston, and Dallas from Tuesday, March 17 to Sunday, March 22. Specific dates, times, venues, and ticket information will be announced at a later date.
TJPW lands in Austin for the first time ever, and will run shows over 2 days at South by Southwest, one of the largest conference/festival events in the world that celebrates the convergence of tech, film, music, education, and culture.
Our last event in the US, DPW 4th Anniversary, was a fundraiser event for the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina as we head into the holiday season & the new year. We came together as a community and we were able to donate over 20,000 meals! Thank you to everyone who helped contribute to the cause. Happy holidays everyone!
Diamond Dallas Page is a huge believer in LA Knight and hopes he gets the chance to be a top star in WWE.
On Insight with Chris Van Vliet, DDP was asked about the comparisons that some fans have made between him and Knight. DDP started his wrestling career late and did not become a World Champion until he was 43 years old. Knight has now found WWE stardom in his 40s but is still looking to win his first World title.
“Oh, I love that kid, man. I love the tenacity, you know, of the stick-to-itiveness,” DDP said about Knight. “It took him a long time to get to that character. And he was good before that, but now he’s great. And, you know, hopefully at some point, he gets a chance to really get that ball. Because he could run with it. Give him that damn ball, because that cat, he’s got it all.”
Some wrestling veterans have criticized Knight for being a “ripoff” of Attitude Era stars like The Rock, but DDP does not see it that way. He believes Knight is just taking inspiration from the talent he grew up watching.
“People who say that he’s mimicking this character, that character, that’s so wrong,” DDP said. “He’s a piece of all that. He grew up on all of us coming up, wanting to do what we do. And now he’s doing it at its highest level.”
Knight recently made it to the finals of WWE’s Last Time is Now Tournament but lost to Gunther, who went on to defeat John Cena in his retirement match.
Diamond Dallas Page is working on a Lex Luger documentary, but the project does not have a definitive release date yet.
On YouTube, DDP has produced videos of himself and Luger working together as Luger strives to get his mobility back. There have been huge milestones like Luger being inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame, along with more personal ones like him being able to trim his Christmas tree for the first time in two decades. But DDP told Insight with Chris Van Vliet that a full-fledged documentary will only be finished when Luger reaches the right point in his recovery.
“That’s the goal,” DDP said about releasing a Luger documentary. “And it’s got to be when he’s hit that spot where he feels really comfortable. His physical and mental action will tell us when that is. And we’re not there yet.”
Luger was able to stand up from his wheelchair unassisted when he was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame as part of the class of 2025. He originally wanted to do a longer walk to the podium, but Luger fell while getting into his wheelchair at the airport. The fall meant that Luger had to scrap his initial plans.
“He hit that concrete — and he felt so bad,” DDP said on Insight. “He’s like, ‘D, I feel so bad. I can’t walk and I want to do this for you.’ I’m like, ‘F*ck me, this is about you. And we’re doing a documentary.’ So another, ‘Oh, almost,’ you know?”
Luger suffered a spinal stroke in 2007 and has used a wheelchair to get around since. DDP has been there throughout the process and has seen Luger become a much better person along the way.
“He’s still got Lex in him, but the bottom line is he’s one of the nicest human beings on this planet,” DDP said.
DDP also produced the documentary “The Resurrection of Jake the Snake” in 2015. It followed DDP and Jake “The Snake” Roberts as Roberts worked to overcome his past demons.
WWE Hall of Famer Diamond Dallas Page is recovering after undergoing a heart procedure.
The 69-year-old DDP provided an update on his social media accounts Wednesday, noting that he underwent a successful cardioversion after experiencing atrial fibrillation last week and is already back practicing his stretching routine.
DDP notes that he has dealt with the irregular heartbeat in the past and usually wears a heart monitor when exercising as a result, but failed to in this most recent episode. He writes:
Minutes after waking up from a successful cardioversion, I’m back stretching. My wife, @PaygeMcMahon is like… ‘can you just rest for 24-hours?’
Last week, I went into AFib. I normally wear a heart monitor when training, but for some reason didn’t this day. I pushed myself too hard, felt ‘off’, dizzy, and heart racing… and well, here we are… This is my 2nd time with AFib (irregular heartbeats) in the past 3 years. I’ll have a cardio ablation next month and should be good to go. I will never not wear a heart monitor and/or @Apple watch when working out again. I promise Payge! If you are over 50 and or have a slightly enlarged heart, you should wear a heart monitor too! @DDPYoga #afib
A three-time WCW World Heavyweight Champion, Page was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2017.
Minutes after waking up from a successful cardioversion, I’m back stretching. My wife, @PaygeMcMahon is like… ‘can you just rest for 24-hours?’ 🤪
Last week, I went into AFib. I normally wear a heart monitor when training, but for some reason didn’t this day. I pushed myself… pic.twitter.com/XZ15e1010G
Diamond Dallas Page called Cody Rhodes “a visionary” during a recent interview with Justin Barrasso.
DDP has been doing media to promote his inclusion as part of the latest WWE 2K24 DLC package. Cody is the cover athlete for the game. During the interview, he said that his career and Cody’s share many similarities, including them both having been deemed “just another guy” at one point. DDP says that he envisioned himself as more than that, and the same can be said for Cody.
“Cody had the vision,” said Page. “He saw it. People who say, ’I’ll see it when I believe it,’ they don’t see shit. The people who say, ‘I believe it because I see it,’ they’re the visionaries.”
“When I look at 2K24 with Cody Rhodes on the cover, and it’s the hottest video game in a world dominated by video games, I think of 10 years ago when Cody was seeing a vision of himself holding that world title.”
“Cody is a visionary. I love being part of this with him.”
WWE 2K24’s fifth DLC package, which was released today, includes DDP, The Great Muta, Lex Luger, The Iron Sheik, and Curt Hennig.
“Lex Luger finally being recognized again makes me so grateful,” said Page. “The Great Muta, one of the greatest on any continent, and Curt Hennig, who I managed in the AWA. A decade later, we’re wrestling at Starrcade ’97–and Hennig put me over.”
“Now you can see the true People’s Champions tag together,” he continued. “It’s me, Dusty, and Cody Rhodes. He never calls himself that, but he is. None of it is bullshit, he’s the real deal.”
The full interview with Justin Barrasso is available here.
Diamond Dallas Page says he signed his WWE Legends contract after Bad Blood on Saturday.
The WWE Hall of Famer was one of several legends from the Atlanta area who attended last night’s show. He was shown on camera along with Mickie James and Scott Steiner. Tully Blanchard & Arn Anderson were also on hand for the event.
DDP took to social media after the show and thanked WWE for giving the legends “ultimate respect & kindness from everyone.” He said that as a WCW wrestler, he never felt truly welcome in WWE but that was not how he felt last night.
“The legends weren’t just seen as guys and girls who used to be wrestlers. Last night we were seen as TRUE legends…superstars from the past that paved the way. Treated with the ultimate respect & kindness from everyone, which I believe is all we’re really looking for,” Page wrote, also adding he signed and sent in his WWE Legends deal when he got home.
DDP’s full statement reads (edited for clarity):
“Last night, WWE Bad Blood was one of the first pay-per-views I really enjoyed from beginning to end.
Got to the building early to spend some quality time with Cody Rhodes, but he was so busy, it’s something we’ll have to do at a later date. WWE actually had all of the legends pretty busy as well.
I want to thank Paul Levesque, a.k.a. @TripleH for a hell of a time With him at the helm of creative, along with the new owners of TKO Group, I personally had one of my favorite times at a #WWE event. Knowing my HOF career was made in WCW, regardless of how many close friends I had there at WWE, I never felt totally welcomed.
Last night was different. When I got home tonight, I signed my Legends deal and sent it in.
It was very laid-back and fun to be around, just hanging out, & having some laughs. The entire WWE crew did a hell of a job.
The legends weren’t just seen as guys and girls who used to be wrestlers. Last night we were seen as TRUE legends…superstars from the past that paved the way. Treated with the ultimate respect & kindness from everyone, which I believe is all we’re really looking for.
We love what we did and we’re extremely proud of it. Many of us are beaten and broken, but we wouldn’t have had it any other way.
Thank you, WWE, for changing the atmosphere and I’d also like to thank all the WWE Superstars for their time and kindness. – DDP”
Last night, #WWEBadBlood was one of the first pay-per-views I really enjoyed from beginning to end.
Got to the building early to spend some quality time with @CodyRhodes, but he was so busy, it’s something we'll have to do at a later date. @WWE actually had all of the legends… pic.twitter.com/OzkGOOACmh
The 68-year-old was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2017. He was a three-time WCW Champion as well. He was voted “Most Improved” in the 1996 Wrestling Observer Newsletter Awards and his Diamond Cutter was voted Best Wrestling Maneuver the following year.
Diamond Dallas Page feels like he’s already gotten to have a proper sendoff to his in-ring career.
DDP last wrestled when he teamed with Dustin Rhodes & QT Marshall against MJF, The Butcher & The Blade on AEW Dynamite in January 2020. At the time, DDP was 63 years old. He’s now three weeks away from turning 68.
After attending Sting’s retirement match, TV Insider asked DDP if the experience made him want to wrestle one more time to put a bow on his career. While not completely closing the door on the possibility, DDP said he feels like that 2020 six-man tag match in AEW was the greatest sendoff he could have.
I feel like I got it in AEW. I wasn’t on WWE stuff for a long time because I was helping Cody Rhodes with AEW stuff. It wasn’t me helping AEW. It was me helping Cody. I wanted to help. The one we did. That six-man we did. I was so live at the end of that match. I looked so good in that match. I came off the top rope and didn’t hurt myself. I thought it was the greatest sendoff you could have. Cody had asked me, ‘One more?’ How do you make it better than how I left it?
Never say never. I’m still in shape. I can drop Diamond Cutters right now. Every time I do one though, I’m 68 in another couple of weeks, I would leave a little piece of my body in there. I’m the first DDP Yoga transformation. I broke my back at 42, and they said my career was over. I was on top of the world. I headlined 13 out of 24 pay-per-views, but I still didn’t get that one spot and be heavyweight [champion]. That’s where DDP Yoga came in. Yoga, rehab, and old-school calisthenics not only healed me but showed me how to help others. And I became the heavyweight champion.
DDP’s interview with TV Insider was to promote the Biography: WWE Legends episode on his career that premieres this Sunday (March 17). The documentary will air on A&E at 9 p.m. Eastern time.
DDP told TV Insider that he’ll be at WrestleMania 40 to support Cody Rhodes:
I was there for both his state championships. I flew from LA back to Atlanta to watch him. I have been on this ride. I’ve been a huge supporter. He is a brother and uncle, whatever he needs me to be, I’m there. I’m going from Mania to Bora Bora for my wife’s 50th. For me to do that, there is only one person to get me to go and spend four days working in Philly to then home in Atlanta to Bora Bora and 28 hours of flying. To watch him finish the story, it’s not just going to be emotional for me. It’s going to be emotional for so many people. I believe it is time. You finally have a true babyface.
The guy who walks the walk when the cameras aren’t on. This is the guy. What The Rock has done is brought it to a whole new level. Wrestling fans know who Cody Rhodes is, but now because of The Rock coming in, the biggest star in the world is wrestling at WrestleMania 40. The Super Bowl. He has taken it to a different level. It’s what happened to me when I was with [Karl] Malone. It brought me to a different level. Rock is the biggest star in the world with Roman Reigns, who is one of the best champions ever, and Seth Rollins, one of the greatest technicians of all time. It’s going to be amazing. I wouldn’t miss it. If I don’t sleep for four days, I’ll be fine. I can’t wait to watch what happens.
Diamond Dallas Page, and five more returning stars have been added to the lineup for Monday’s WWE Raw 30th anniversary episode.
In a graphic on Friday’s SmackDown show, WWE announced that DDP, Ted DiBiase, Mike “Irwin R. Schyster” Rotunda, Alundra Blayze, The Godfather, and Jimmy Hart will appear on Monday’s Raw is XXX 30th Anniversary show.
Earlier on Friday, the company confirmed that Hulk Hogan would return to WWE television for the first time since WrestleMania 37 on Monday’s show, and also advertised Paul “Triple H” Levesque for the episode.
Former stars Rikishi and Samu are also set for the show as part of the Bloodline acknowledgment ceremony.
WWE Hall of Famers The Bella Twins are no longer shown on the graphic advertising the legends appearances.
Here’s the updated lineup for the show:
WWE United States Champion Austin Theory defends against Bobby Lashley
Raw Tag Team Champions The Usos defend against The Judgment Day (Damian Priest & Dominik Mysterio)
Steel cage match: Becky Lynch vs. Bayley
Bloodline Acknowledgement Ceremony with Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns
WWE Hall of Famer Diamond Dallas Page married retired athlete Payge McMahon in a surprise ceremony on December 9, according to Page’s Twitter account and a press release issued to Wrestling Inc.
Page explained that he and daughter Brittany planned the event and told McMahon that it would be a Christmas party, while telling the guests that it would be a wedding. Page then proposed to McMahon, she accepted, and the couple were married.
McMahon’s website describes her as “an adventurer, journalist, yoga instructor and motivator. She is a 2X broken back survivor (six vertebrae), professional optimist and physical rehabilitation specialist.” McMahon credits yoga with healing her back injuries.
Rob Van Dam, the former Big Cass and Enzo Amore, Marc Mero, the former Ice Train, Ace Austin and Eric Watts were among those in attendance.
DDP is a three-time WCW World Heavyweight Champion. He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2017, and received the Jason Sanderson Humanitarian Award from the Cauliflower Alley Club in 2015.
The full text of Page’s press release:
“WWE Hall of Famer, Diamond Dallas Page, 65, surprised his girlfriend of two years, retired adventure athlete, Payge McMahon, 47 with a wedding on Thursday, December 9, 2021.
Yes, DDP threw a surprise wedding!
Of course he did.
Page and his daughter, intuitive designer & luxury event planner, Brittany Page, organized the elaborate ruse.
They rented out the entire boutique hotel, The Dwell, in Chattanooga, TN. Created a false invitation to a ‘friend’s red and white Christmas themed party.’ Then invited a 115 of the couples’ closest friends and family to a very real ‘black and white’ wedding.
Coming in hot for the ‘party,’ McMahon wore a red backless evening gown. Page wore a white custom Hideoki Bespoke suit with matching fedora. The evening started with a surprise proposal amidst the couples’ family. Immediately followed by the reveal of their gathered friends and a fairytale ceremony… naturally, she said ‘yes.’
Among the guests, Court TV analyst, Julie Grant, country musician Justin Fabus, WWE HOF’er Rob Van Dam, wrestlers Katie Forbes, Harold ‘Ice Train’ Hogue, nZo, Big Cass, Ace Austin, Gia Miller, Eric Watts, Marc Mero, and Hollywood Yates.
After declaring, “You may kiss your bride, bro,” Dr. Asa Andrews, who performed the ceremony, introduced Mr. & Mrs. Dallas & Payge Page.
A former WCW World Champion will be the guest on this month’s episode of Steve Austin’s Broken Skull Sessions.
Peacock has announced that a new Broken Skull Sessions episode with Diamond Dallas Page appearing as Steve Austin’s guest will premiere later this month. It will debut on Peacock/WWE Network on Sunday, December 19.
DDP was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2017. He last wrestled in January 2020, teaming with Dustin Rhodes & QT Marshall in a loss to MJF, The Butcher & The Blade at AEW Dynamite Bash at the Beach.
The most recent Broken Skull Sessions episode prior to this premiered on Thanksgiving and featured Austin interviewing Jeff Hardy. The Undertaker, Goldberg, Kane, Big Show, Bret Hart, Ric Flair, Mark Henry, Jerry Lawler, Kurt Angle, Drew McIntyre, Bayley, Sasha Banks, Randy Orton, Chris Jericho, The Godfather, Mick Foley, Kevin Nash, Bobby Lashley, and Seth Rollins have also appeared on the show previously.
This week’s episode of Dynamite will include a special appearance by Diamond Dallas Page.
AEW has announced that DDP will appear on Wednesday’s Dynamite and present the Dynamite diamond ring to the winner of Hangman Page vs. MJF.
Hangman Page vs. MJF was set up by them being the final two wrestlers in the Dynamite Dozen battle royal last Wednesday. The stipulation was that the final two in the battle royal would advance to a singles match, with the winner getting the diamond ring.
DDP last appeared for AEW on the October 23 episode of Dynamite. DDP, MJF, and Dustin Rhodes backed up Cody Rhodes in a brawl against AEW World Champion Chris Jericho and the Inner Circle.
MJF turned against Cody at Full Gear. He threw in the towel while Jericho had Cody locked in the Liontamer, with MJF then low blowing Cody after the match.
Cody will return to in-ring action on Wednesday’s Dynamite. The show is taking place at the Sears Centre Arena in Hoffman Estates, Illinois and will also feature Jericho vs. Scorpio Sky for the AEW World title and Kenny Omega vs. PAC.
“Left My Wallet” is back with WWE Hall of Famer and creator of DDP Yoga, Diamond Dallas Page.
Dallas is a huge sports fan, so we discussed the NFL championship games from Sunday, his thoughts on the officiating, Tony Romo playing Nostradamus on commentary, how he got the name “Dallas”, his love of the Dallas Cowboys, and who he was a fan of as a kid. We also talk about his friendship with Rams running back and All-Pro Todd Gurley, how they met, and their friendship.
We then get into Dallas’s new book, “Positively Unstoppable: The Art of Owning It” and what led to him writing it. Of course, we talked about DDP Yoga and the changes it has made in my life in the short time I have used it, and the life changing event that happened to him when he was 12 years old.
Finally, Dallas talks about his “first” career in wrestling that not many know about where he had four matches in 1979. We talk about how that came about, what led to him stopping, and what brought him back to the squared circle.
As part of WWE’s WrestleMania weekend, Friday’s Hall of Fame ceremony kicks off five straight nights of WWE-branded action in Orlando, FL, even though tonight won’t feature any in-ring competition.
Starting at 8 PM EST, I’ll be your companion through tonight’s show on WWE Network, giving you bullet points and any need-to-know fun facts from the ceremony at the Amway Center.
Historian and MLW podcaster Matt Farmer will have some insight on the ceremony from a different slant, coming either later tonight or early Saturday.
Here’s who is being inducted and by whom:
– Kurt Angle, inducted by John Cena
– “Diamond” Dallas Page, inducted by Eric Bischoff
– “Ravishing” Rick Rude, posthumously inducted by Ricky Steamboat
– The Rock ‘n’ Roll Express, inducted by Jim Cornette
– Beth Phoenix, inducted by Natalya
– Teddy Long, inducted by Ron Simmons
Additionally, former Rutgers football player Eric Legrand will be honored during the night with this year’s Warrior Award.
Join us at 8 PM EST.
**********
Jerry Lawler is out to host tonight’s festivities.
Diamond Dallas Page
Eric Bischoff starts us off. He talks about what a heart is, but before anything he wishes one person was out here tonight inducting DDP — Dusty Rhodes. When he met Diamond Dallas Page, it was in 1988 when he managed Badd Company (Pat Tanaka and Paul Diamond). Bischoff felt at the time it was an odd pairing, considering he was significantly taller than either of them.
He talks about a time he got into a bar fight with DDP during his time in AWA. He didn’t feel bad when DDP left for WCW shortly after. But when Bischoff left the AWA, he auditioned for a gig as a WCW announcer…and the guy handling the interview? DDP. He was still flamboyant and obnoxious, but he had a great time. He learned to respect his passion for the company — both by announcing and training at the Power Plant.
People told DDP he was too old to enter wrestling at the age of 35, but he wasn’t relentless and kept going. Bischoff lists names DDP has worked with in the past, including Goldberg, Sting and Eddie Guerrero. Bischoff defines the scientific term of what heart means, then says DDP is living proof of heart through his dedication to help others, listing his successes through DDP Yoga. He introduces Diamond Dallas Page.
He talks about a time he got into a bar fight with DDP during his time in AWA. He didn’t feel bad when DDP left for WCW shortly after. But when Bischoff left the AWA, he auditioned for a gig as a WCW announcer…and the guy handling the interview? DDP. He was still flamboyant and obnoxious, but he had a great time. He learned to respect his passion for the company — both by announcing and training at the Power Plant.
People told DDP he was too old to enter wrestling at the age of 35, but he wasn’t relentless and kept going. Bischoff lists names DDP has worked with in the past, including Goldberg, Sting and Eddie Guerrero. Bischoff defines the scientific term of what heart means, then says DDP is living proof of heart through his dedication to help others, listing his successes through DDP Yoga. He introduces Diamond Dallas Page.
DDP says he used to have diamond dolls, but now has diamond daughters as he introduces his daughters, who accompanied him to the ring. He brings up his cameo at WrestleMania VI, saying the car he drove got the gig, not him. Crazy to think that at WrestleMania 33, now he’s in the WWE Hall of Fame.
He says it is a bittersweet night because Dusty Rhodes isn’t here tonight. He tells a story of when he first met Dusty. He brings up wrestling at 35, saying that Michael Hayes was on the ground laughing when he heard it. He thanks Terry Taylor, the Assassin Jody Hamilton and Buddy Lee Parker for their tutelage while training at the Power Plant. He thanks Eric Bischoff next, as when he first started out he put on so many gimmicks he didn’t know who he was, but when Bischoff came in he helped him find out who DDP really was. He thanked Jake Roberts too, because without the both of them, he wouldn’t be there. People made fun of him for watching tapes of all his matches, but now everyone does it on YouTube.
DDP brings up stories of Macho Man and Hulk Hogan, and how he met Hogan in 1994 and said soon they’d be working together. Years later, they not only did just that, but also with Karl Malone and Dennis Rodman. After listing people he wanted to thank, he brought up his ex-wife Kimberly for supporting him even when she thought he was crazy. He brings up his wife, a breast cancer survivor. He rattles off a list of names, including Chris Jericho, who helped put out the world regarding DDP Yoga.
He finishes off his speech talking about Dusty Rhodes, who would let him vent when things weren’t going right him. He says he went too far one night and rakes his eyes, asking what he meant. He said that night he thought he would never be champion. Dusty said if you don’t believe you’ll be champion as hard as a worker as he is, then what are you doing here. He says he took a piece of paper that night and wrote that he will be world champion one day. He says when he won the title, the next day Dusty called him and asked how it felt, he said it felt real. Dusty said because it was.
Jim Ross once called him the biggest overachiever in wrestling. He said you first must be an over believer and you must believe in you.
Rock and Roll Express
Jim Cornette arrives, saying that back in 1983 the biggest thing on television was MTV, so the idea to put together the Rock and Roll Express seemed like the right idea at the time. But it wasn’t just the gimmick – Ricky Morton and Robert Gibson knew the mental part of this sport in connecting with the audience. The women loved them for their look, the men loved them for their toughness, especially Ricky Morton. He talks about their infamous hot tags, the double dropkicks, and the adoration of the fans.
They wrestled every great tag team there was back in the day, but like how Batman needed the Joker, the Rock and Roll Express needed the Midnight Express. They toured the Mid South and Carolina areas, people never getting tired of the feud. When politics split up the Midnight Express, they were the backbone of Smoky Mountain Wrestling.
The Rock and Roll Express always delivered, no matter where they were. People always come up to him, especially on the WWE roster, saying that when they saw the Expresses battle they knew they wanted to enter the business. Even by the 2000s, the RnR Express fought guys half their age, then feuded with the Midnight Express all over again.
Nobody can make them stop and nobody wants them to stop because they are a national treasure. He notes one time that one family would take their Christmas pictures and give them to the Rock and Roll Express because they thought of the RnR as their own family, Cornette musing that you know you’re over when you’re in the same picture with Jesus. He then brings out the Rock and Roll Express.
After musing about their families, Morton says he’s watch the wrestling business grow from a sport that they love into a global empire. He says that it is the boys, that is what it is all about. He credits Jimmy Hart, Jerry Lawler, Jim Ross and Bill Dundee for believing in them. Morton brings up Dusty Rhodes, saying it was his vision that helped them. They go through a list of people, including Ric Flair, who gave them a PhD in the business.
Morton briefly brings up their history with Dennis Condrey, Bobby Eaton, and Stan Lane, the Midnight Express, saying that hopefully they’ll soon be here on this stage. They thank their families. Morton tells Gibson that he’s the greatest person he’s ever met in his life and he wouldn’t change a thing.
Rick Rude
Ricky Steamboat is introduced, giving shout outs to Triple H and Shane McMahon. After bringing up his accomplishments, Steamboat says that Rude was a true heel, insulting both men and women. Steamboat tells a story of how strong Rude was, and being in the ring with him you could feel that strength. He knew what he was doing in the ring and had a great sense of timing. He brings up his enforcer role in DX, as well as being a part of Bobby Heenan’s family.
He wasn’t stiff in the ring, but he was awfully snug and you could feel it whenever he laid him in. He introduces his son, Rick Rood, as well as his wife and daughter, Michelle and Marissa.
His son Rick speaks for the family, saying how do you talk about one of the best entertainers in all of television? He thinks what his father would say, then tells the fat, out of shape central Florida sweathogs to keep the noise down to a big pop. He talks about Rick Rude’s early life, noting how it wasn’t until many of his high school friends became wrestlers that he did too, joining the business and learning under Eddie Sharkey.
Rick Rood mentions his father loved being with his family more than anything else, that he worked so he could provide his family what he didn’t have growing up. Rood says proudly tonight he can say he accomplished that. He brings up his late brother Colton, who was the most wonderful, Christ loving person and kind person he’s ever met. On behalf of the entire Rood family, he thanks the WWE for placing his father with some of the greatest wrestlers of all time.
Beth Phoenix
Natalya says it all started with Mark Henry, who noted when they first met that she reminded him of Beth Phoenix. She smiled, saying who the hell is she? She wondered who was this girl, why did they look so much alike, and why was she single white femaling me? She says eventually they met, and wouldn’t you know, they wore the same outfit.
They did their best to impress Arn Anderson and Fit Finlay the best they could. They weren’t models growing up — they wanted to kick ass. She brings up when they faced Laycool in a tag team table match, and she wanted the match to focus on Natalya – she wanted to lift other women up.
Beth is not just an ass kicker, but a mother of two, a trained pianist, has a masters degree in criminal psychology and can lift 220 pounds – that’s two Carmella. To this day, she believes was my Uncle Owen’s gift from me because of you, Beth. She introduces Beth Phoenix.
Beth says you never forget your first love, and she knows that because it was wrestling. She grew up watching WCW with her Polish immigrant grandmother, but it wasn’t until watching WrestleMania X, with Owen vs. Bret Hart, that she knew what she wanted to do.
She thanks her college roommate Janet, who encouraged her to enter wrestling, and Ron Hutchinson, who helped train herself, Edge, Christian and Trish Stratus. She noted how when she went to her tryout to train with the likes of Eddie Guerrero, Chavo Guerrero and others and how she opened the doors and smacked right into none other than Brock Lesnar.
She brings up her time in Ohio Valley Wrestling, bringing up how Nora, also known as Molly Holly, helped pay for her tuition in OVW and says that is what women’s empowerment is all about. She thanks those who helped her in OVW, including Paul Heyman, who helped build her confidence, and Tommy Dreamer, who she called the champion of the little guy.
When she was brought to the main roster, she got to work with great women including Melina, Gail Kim, Maria, the Bella Twins, Vickie Guerrero, Tamina, Michelle McCool, Layla and others. She brings up Candice Michelle, who helped her become the Glamazon, Mickie James, who she had her first ever wrestling match with, and Eve, who always made time for her as a peer and a friend.
Santino Marella is brought up, which she says she had the best moments of her career with and always put a smile on people’s faces, bringing up how one time in Italy he cut a promo on her saying she couldn’t cook and she didn’t know it until bumping into an Italian fan at the hotel. She finally brings up Nattie, who she bonded with over wrestling, and truly feels Owen had a part in bringing them together because as far as friends go, she’s the best there is, best there was and the best there ever will be.
She puts over the current crop of women’s talent, thanking them for continuing to bring equality to women’s entertainment. She thanks those who came before her, including Chyna. While she never met her, she’s proud of the accomplishments she gave to the business. She thanks her family, then gets to Edge, who gets an introduction by Tony Chimel. She thanks him, saying not only was he born to be a father, but he was born to be a father for their two girls. She brings up her daughters Lyric and Ruby, saying that one day when they’re watching this again she wants to let them know they are her greatest accomplishments.
She finishes by saying of you ever feel like you don’t feel the mold, it is because you were meant for greater things. Don’t try and be someone you’re not and be accepting of how others are different because those are how dreams are made.
Warrior Award recipient Eric LeGrand
Dana Warrior says it’s fitting that the WWE is in Orlando, as it is a city of once upon a times. WWE has heroes and villains, evil queens and brass knuckle princesses. Our mighty men don’t have swords, they have spears, and stitches. Every story needs a jester, then brings up Enzo. There once was a warrior that was considered ultimate, and three years ago he stood here as a part of the Hall of Fame.
But not every story ends with a happy ending. There are no true once upon a time or happily ever afters, but a cast of characters that have a warriors spirit throughout the ages. Eric LeGrand has that spirit. He required himself to always believe, and shine such a light others followed. His mother Karen is a heroine. This award can go to no one more worthy than Eric. He is in a chair, but he is not the chair. It may be his chariot, but he was vowed to walk again and she believes in him.
He has an eye on champions, bringing up Team LeGrand which is a part of the Dana and Christopher Reeve foundation. She welcomes Eric LeGrand. He thanks God, then Triple H. He brings up Joe DeFranco, who brought him up on his podcast. At the end of the podcast, he was surprised by tickets to SummerSlam a couple of years ago. He talks about a story with a man with deformed legs who wrestled despite this that was featured on his television show on Fox Sports.
He brings up his injury, crediting those who had to hear the news and how they stayed with him that night how he could never walk again, would never eat solid food again and how he was paralyzed from the waist down. He says he had to keep a positive attitude and said he would never give up and keep fighting. Five weeks after the injury he was able to breathe again. That Thanksgiving, he was able to have a full solid meal with his family. The injury was in October; that February, he was able to move his head.
Six years into this, a lot of people would give up, and unfortunately he has seen people pass away from injuries such as his. He brings up Team LeGrand, who wants to look into research for spinal cord injuries. He brings up Christopher Reeve, and says he feels like he is ready to take that mantle that he carried for spinal cord injury research.
He brings up his love for wrestling, noting he was into Stone Cold Steve Austin, remembering the big Invasion angle where Stone Cold Steve Austin returned and laid everyone out with a crowbar. He says Kane was a big influence as well, and also brings up The Rock, who he marveled at just how he was able to move the crowd .
He thanks his mother, who has given her life to help him cope with his injury. He finally thanks his Rutgers team, because without them he wouldn’t be where they are at. He promises that he will walk again one day.
Teddy Long
The APA says they have learned one thing tonight, and that is to go home. They teased him, with JBL saying he was the biggest scrooge in the industry, he never paid for anything. Ron Simmons brings up an invoice, noting he owes around $72,000 dollars.
Simmons says he held just about every job in the industry, racking up a number of accomplishments. JBL brings up how Teddy Long was born in Birmingham, Alabama and how he grew up watching and witnessing moments in the Civil Rights movement. JBL says this isn’t about Black History, it is about history and how opportunity was going to come for all for generations.
Simmons says anyone who puts in hard work can have great things regardless of race. JBL intrudes the cheapest man on the planet, Teddy Long!
Teddy Long comes out and acts like he threw his back out, but then reveals it’s a rib, much to the APA’s dismay. He corrects the story JBL told earlier about him being arrested for being drunk despite never drinking. He says he got a ticket, and found a way to get the APA to pay for it.
He brings up his career in wrestling, how he started by driving guys to the WTBS studio and how eventually he was able to become a referee. His first match he ever match was a match between Black Bart and Ron Bass, who were in a Texas Death match and how he bolted when they started bleeding because they thought they were going to beat him up.
Running through his career, he mentions managing guys in WCW like Doom, Ice Train and Johnny B. Badd. He went to the WWE in 1998, and a few years later became manager for the likes of Mark Henry, Mark Jindrak, D’lo Brown and others. He also brings up his time as General Manager of Smackdown, as he held that title for around 9 years, the longest of any General Manager run in the company.
He wanted to prove to everyone who said he didn’t had talent to prove them wrong, and he thanks the McMahon family for that. He thanks his son and his wife, who he’s been married to for 20 years. He finishes off by saying he’ll put the APA in a tag team match, but since Ron Simmons is retired he’ll just have to put Bradshaw one on one with the Undertaker. He thanks everyone, saying now he’s a Holla Holla Hall of Famer.
They showed a video package of the Legacy wing inductees for this year. Haystacks Calhoun, Judy Grable, Bearcat Wright, Farmer Burns, Rikidozan, Luther Lindsay, June Byers, Toots Mondt and Dr. Jerry Graham were all given short profiles
Kurt Angle
Cena says the experience we’re about to feel is long overdue. There’s no words to describe how great this next man as we’ll never see someone as physically gifted as him as well as being an incredible entertainer. His accomplishments are mythic, wrestling guys way bigger than his own weight class. People get signed to the WWE with high expectations, and sometimes people aren’t able to meet them. Angle, however, exceeded them.
He didn’t just make us laugh, he made us heer and made us believe in him. He says that he has the type of story that a dad tells to his son and says dad, that can’t be true. But it is true, Cena says, as he was there, and it’s damn true. He brings out Kurt Angle.
Kurt starts with a story about how he was offered a huge money deal after the Olympics, and said he would never lose a match. He didn’t hear from Vince again. He started watching Raw is War and got hooked, and called head of Talent Relations at the time Jim Ross to see if Vince’s orignal offer still stands. Ross told him it wasn’t, but could come in and try out just like everyone else.
He mentions Jim Ross again thanks him, as well as Dory Funk Jr., Steve Bradley and Sean Evans. He was able to be great because of so many great, unselfish athletes like the Hardyz, Edge and Christian, Stone Cold Steve Austin, the Rock, Rikishi and many others.
He wants to give advice for all the sports entertainers in the crowd. Limit your mistakes. Follow the protocol, follow the rules. Don’t be the guy or girl who they said could have been the best. Take chances with your personality and character.
Sometimes you make fun of yourself, it can turn out to be in your favor. He cites the cowboy hat as an example. Someone brings out a cowboy hat, and Angle puts it on to cheers. He sings the song from the infamous promo. He also brings up the wig from when he was shaved bald, then brings up other comedic moments in his career before ending with the milk truck angle, saying that you gotta get those entertaining moments because they last forever.
He thanks the WWE Universe, who always believed in him, as well as his family and wife. He’s going to celebrate the only way he knows how…by getting two big cartons of milk. He says to the WWE Universe, you are now looking at the 2017 WWE Hall of Fame class — it’s true, it’s damn true.
