With WrestleMania 41 finally on the doorstep, WWE will honor their past with tonight’s Hall of Fame ceremony from the Fontainebleau in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The headliner for this year’s ceremony is WWE chief content officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque who was surprised with the news by Shawn Michaels and the Undertaker earlier this year. He will inducted by Michaels.
He will be joined by former WWE and WCW star Lex Luger who has been a source of inspiration as he continues to battle various health issues that has him wheelchair-bound. “Diamond” Dallas Page will induct him as he has been working with Luger to improve his physical health.
Michelle McCool will also be inducted. The female star was a regular part of WWE from 2005 through 2011, winning the then-Divas title twice and the then-Women’s title twice. She will be inducted by her husband The Undertaker.
Other inductees include The Natural Disasters (Earthquake & Typhoon) inducted by The Undertaker; the Bret Hart vs. Steve Austin WrestleMania 13 match inducted by CM Punk; and Kamala, Ivan Koloff and Dory Funk Sr. in the Legacy wing.
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“Red Carpet” Pre-show
Peter Rosenberg and Jackie Redmond hosted a red carpet show, but I missed most of it stocking up on the caffiene I’ll need to get through this late night. (Also, I didn’t realize there was a pre-show) I tuned in time to see Stephanie and Paul “HHH” Levesque (and family) and Nick Khan arrive to unveil a bronze statue (with sledgehammer) in HHH’s likeness.
Redmond and Rosenberg also interviewed Biana Belair and Montez Ford on the red carpet.
Byron Saxton also interviewed Logan Paul. Paul thought he was being inducted in the Hall of Fame this year.
Paul Heyman showed good taste by ignorning Rosenberg and talked to Jackie Redmond about how great HHH was at steering the company out of the corporate chaos.
2025 WWE Hall of Fame Ceremony
Legends like Dory Funk, Sr. and Jimmy Hart were shown mingling with Cody Rhodes, Charlotte Flair and The Miz leading into the show opening.
Michael Cole and Pat McAfee hosted the show. Michael Cole told the story about he watched “WWWF” television and watched an early WrestleMania on closed circuit while attending college in New York. Cole said it was his great honor that he got to provide the soundtrack for the great moments of the likes of “Booker T,” “Gunther,” “Tiffany Straton” and “even Dirty Dom.” But hosting the hall of fame with Michael Cole was the greatest honor of his career. McAfee admitted to stealing the WWF pay-per-views with the family down the street who had a black box.
Lex Luger’s Hall of Fame Induction
Sting, DDP, Eric Bischoff, Cody Rhodes, Seth Rollins and Shawn Michaels all offered pre-taped comments about Luger’s career. Clips of Luger slamming Yokozuna, the Lex Express, and Luger beating Hulk Hogan in the 100th episode of Nitro.
DDP inducted Lex Luger. He ran down Luger’s pre-wrestling highlights. DDP conflated the timeline of the Lex Express and Luger slamming Yokozuna (the slam came first, then the bus tour; not the other way around). He also claimed that Lex was supposed to be on Raw and instead showed up at the first Nitro (there was no Raw on that night; Nitro famously ran their first show unopposed). Page was there the night Lex became a quadrapeligic. Page hadn’t seen Luger in five years, but was there that night by fate and helped load Luger on a stetcher in “a story more far fetched than any wrestling angle.”
Lex doesn’t view this as a tragedy. This is where he learned that real strength is built in the shadow, and Luger to give himself to something higher, and to focus on buidling each other up instead of tearing each other down. “Even in our darkest hour, there is always hope.” Tonight we honor the legend of Lex Luger, and the man that Lawrence Phofl has become.
Lex Luger’s Induction Speech. Lex came out in a wheelchair but stood at the podium for his speech, despite “taking a bump at the Atlanta airport.” Lex went “from the penthouse, to the jailhouse, to no house…” Lex quoted “Amazing Grace” and thanked all his friends who supported him “even when I was unlovable.” Lex thanked “Pastor Steve” over and over for leading him to the Lord.
Lex told a story about being a wrestler “who wrestled, but didn’t grow up watching wrestling” and didn’t understand the fans. It was when he went into a Wal-Mart for “the first time in his life” and the fans in the Wal-Mart showed him a lot of love. And now Luger has come full circle and is a wrestling fan. Lastly, he thanked his family and talked about how his mom asked if he’d ever been inducted in the Hall fo Fame, and he hoped she was watching.
Of note: Kevin Owens was shown in the crowd, not looking like a guy who had neck surgery yet. Also shown in the crowd was Becky Lynch and Haku, who still looked like who could beat up the entire crowd.
McAfee played a clip of Michael Cole imitating HHH. I think this happened on Raw. This was embarassing for all involved.
Legacy Award: Kamala.
The Undertaker and Jerry Lawler talked up Kamala in clips, and Mid-South footage was shown of Kamala slamming Andre the Giant. Jean Harris (Kamala’s wife) was honored in the crowd.
Michelle McCool’s Induction
Trish Stratus, Mickie James and Natalya put over Michelle McCool as the face of the “Diva’s Era.” McCool was a middle school teacher who took a dare to enter the first “Diva Search,” and made appearances on some game shows. She formed a tag team with Layla and married the Undertaker.
The Undertaker inducted Michelle McCool. “It’s Vegas. It’s Friday night. I’m here for a good time, not for a long time.” Mark Callaway then talked for a long time. He told a funny story about how Michelle “chased him for months” and “finally wore him down.” He put over how she was the first person to hold the “Women’s Title” and the “Diva’s Title.” Mark also talked about how McCool is “a woman of faith” who made him a better husband and father. Mark also said that a lot of women wouldn’t be getting the opportunities they are today without McCool.
Michelle McCool’s Acceptance Speech. McCool talked about how she got a call from a 203 area code (Stanford, WWE Headquarters) and let it go to voicemail. She told a story about filling out an application for a season of Tough Enough and then throwing in the trash. She listened to the voicemail, letting her know she was going to be in the Diva Search, and in that moment she decided she was “enough.”
She then goes through her “Flawless Finishes.” The first one is a touching story about her father hitting her as punishment for a Thanksgiving food fight that she didn’t start when she was five. I think she thought that was a cute story but I think it missed the mark. She talked about not “listening to the noise,” telling the told the story about how she was told to “pull her punches” because they looked too good. She spoke about how “the world” doubted women’s wrestlers, but I seem to remember it wasn’t so much “the world” but the guy in charge.
Finally, “failing isn’t fatal.” She revealed she’s been dealing with kidney and liver disease for 25 years. After an overseas tour, her parents met her at the airport and took her to the hospital where she stayed and hallucinated for 16 days. Despite the difficulties, she was able to fight her way though that. (She never really explained what put her in the hospital.)
She thanked the fans and her WWE family. She thanked Fit Finley for fighting for the divas, thanked Stephanie for being a leader, and thanked Layla for being her partner. She thanked her parents, her brother and her children. And of course she thanked “her dear husband Mark” for being an inspriation. And she also thanked him for chasing him for months and not taking no for an answer. And then she talked some more.
This was way too long.
During her speech, The Bella Twins were shown in the crowd. Linda McMahon was sitting with Stephanie McMahon in the front row.
A long commerical break followed.
Legacy Award: Dory Funk Sr.
Dory Funk, Jr. and Stacy Funk were shown in the crowd.
HHH Video Package: Cole and McAfee riffed some more, and showed a video package put together by Tom Rinadli of Fox Sports on HHH. I’m starting to think this show is all about Paul Levesque. The video package showed footage of “Terra Ryzing” and the Curtain Call. Basically the idea here of this piece was Levesque would encounter a set back, then come back to a bigger and better role. Tearing his quad and then finishing the tag match, then going on to win the 2002 Royal Rumble. Potentially leaving the business after his “cardiac event” in 2021 but coming back to head creative. And more stuff putting over what a great guy Levesque is, and how this is the “Paul Levesque Era.”
The Natural Disaster’s Induction
Michael Cole pointed out Jimmy Hart in the crowd, which lead to the induction of the Natural Disasters. Otis, Bruce Prichard and Bronson Reed put over the athleticism of the big men.
Fred Ottoman & John Tenta’s Family’s Acceptance Speech. John Tenta, Jr. told a story about walking in on his dad watching a VHS tape of his “Quake Burgers” segment from Prime Time Wrestling. John’s daughter Johanna talked about training to be a wrestler to follow in her dad’s footsteps. She said he wanted to be remembered as “a pretty good heel,” but thanks to his work with “Uncle Fred” he would be remembered as a pretty good babyface as well.
Fred Ottman thanked the WWE Universe for this Hall of Fame induction and talked about how Tenta was “his brother from another mother.” Ottman got the call that he were going to team him with Earthquake as Typhoon after he’d done a photo shoot as Tugboat in Rhode Island. Ottman put over what a great dad and a great person Tenta was.
This was the best speech so far.
A Video Package of The Best Stunners: Xavier Woods from WrestleMania 32, Scott Hall from WrestleMania 18, The Rock from WrestleMania 15 and Pat McAfee from WrestleMania 2022.
WWE Immortal Moment: Steve Austin v. Bret Hart, Submission Match.
“If you put the letter “S” in front of “Hit Man” you have my exact opinion of Bret Hart.” A video package ran down the rivalry between Hart and Austin before clips of the match. Steve Austin, Mick Foley, Jerry Lawler, Drew McIntyre Bret Hart and Bruce Pritchard offered pre-tape comments on the match.
CM Punk Inducts the Immortal Moment. “So they’ve given me two minutes to talk…” but of course Punk could talk for 2 hours about this. Punk called it “the greatest match in WrestleMania history.” Punk gave a shout-out to Ken Shamrock for his role in the match (which is underrated) and to the city of Chicago for the role the crowd played as well.
“Stone Cold” Steve Austin and Bret “The Hitman” Hart. They came out and unveiled a statue which is half Bret’s head and half Austin’s head. Bret is the first guy to get three Hall of Fame rings. Hart called it “his greatest match” and said it might even be the greatest match of all time. Hart talked about a famous French painter who said “art is a wound turned to light,” which Bret thought was the perfect statement about this match. Hart talked about being good friends with Austin and the respect and trust they had for each other.
Austin talked about “a real good house in Chicago that night.” Austin didn’t have a lot of faith in the finish, and he went back and asked “the old man” (the first reference to Vince McMahon all night, I think) if he really thought the finish would work. Austin then cussed a lot and a lot of it got bleeped. And then Austin called out the commentators for the job they did, and called out Vince by name along with Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler. Austin called for Pat McAfree to bring out some beer (that’s the most useful Pat has been all night). Pat, Bret and Austin all drank beers to close the segment.
That two-headed statue thing was weird.
Logan Paul, Seth Rollins, Paul Heyman and Mick Foley (and Mick’s daughter) were shown in the crowd during Punk’s speech. Noelle was not-so-discretly recording Austin’s speech on her phone. I guess she doesn’t subscribe to Peacock?
Legacy Award: Ivan Koloff
Grainy footage of Koloff ending Bruno Sammartino’s WWWF World Title reign was shown. Footage of Sammartino singing Ivan’s praises were shown. They also showed footage of Koloff bringing the Russian’s into the NWA. Renae Koloff’s wife was shown in the crowd.
The Induction of Paul “HHH” Levesque.
Cole and McAfee put over Levesque again before another video package. This video package, set to “Nothing Else Matters” by Metallica, showed footage from Levesque in the independents, as Terra Rysing and Jean-Paul Levesque in WCW, and of course all the WWF/E stuff. Comments from Foley, Austin, The Rock, John Cena, Randy Orton, Batista, Shawn Michaels and Michael Cole put over HHH. Footage of some of his most over-the-top WrestleMania entrances were shown. Dusty Rhodes and Seth Rollins comments highlighted how he developed NXT. Nick Kahn, Charlotte Flair, and Cody Rhodes also talked up his influence on the business side of things. Highligths of HHH’s mainstream media appearances and movies were shown.
Shawn Michaels Inducted Paul “HHH” Levesque. 60-year-old Shawn still comes out to “Sexy Boy.” Michaels immediately makes a joke about how this show is all about “a$$-kissing,” then tells the NXT crew if he’s not there tomorrow, that joke didn’t go over well in the back.
Kevin Nash and Sean Waltman were shown in the crowd when Michaels started talking about “The Clique.” Michaels called out the criticism that Levesque wouldn’t have been able to become the most powerful man in the business if he didn’t marry the boss’s daughter. Some hecklers in the crowd got a little rowdy at that line. Levesque’s parents were shown in the crowd. Michaels made a joke about how close he and Levesque are, and assured Stephanie the only times he’s ever kissed Levesque were on live TV.
Michaels talked about how Levesque’s good business instincts should have told him to cut Michaels off, but he stood by his friend. Instead of “just get in another car like anyone else” Paul stuck with Shawn, and then went on to become the new leader of DX. Michaels also put over how Levesque created NXT. Michaels put over NXT as a place where the passion for the business lives all the time. He created an environment where you could “create a WWE superstar.” And now nearly the entire WrestleMania card is “NXT alumni.” What started out for Shawn as “just checking out NXT” for “2 hours, 3 days a week” is now a 24 hour grind with emails coming in “per Paul” at 1am in the morning. “The Paul I worked for is a pain in my a$$.” “If you think the reign of terror from 2002-2005 was something, try working for the dude!” But Levesque didn’t leave Michaels in the 90s, so Shawn isn’t going to leave him.
Shawn put over Hunter as “the guy to take WWE into the future.” No one else can go from collaborating with Bad Bunny to working with CM Punk. Michaels put over how Levesque can manage the business and creative sides of this business and still have a love for it all. Shawn got choked up when he brought out HHH and told him that he loved him.
Paul “HHH” Levesque’s Acceptance Speech. I have a feeling he’s not only getting two minutes for his speech.
The crowd chanted “You Deserve It!” before Levesque could get started. Linda, Stephanie, their daughters and Levesque’s parents were all shown in the front row. Along with Cody and Brandi Rhodes.
Levesque put over his theme and Lemi’s friendship. He called out Rich Hering who did his first show for the “WWWF” 55 years ago, and has never left the company. Rich is “the Wolf” (from Pulp Fiction) because if there was something Paul couldn’t figure out, Hering could fix it.
Levesque didn’t know how to put the speech together. Some of these speeches are short, some are long, and some of them like Mr. T’s are still going on. Levesque realized this isn’t about him, but the people who got him there. Being a wrestler was all he ever wanted since he saw Chief Jay Strongbow when he was five yeards old. Levesque talked about how his parents taught him a work ethic (and also, it’s his parents 61st wedding anniversary). He told a story about how his sister Lynn beat up a bully for him. Lynn recently had a similar cardiac event as he did, and she’s made such a great recovery she is an inspiration for others.
Levesque put over his first workout partners from the first gym he walked into when he was 15 years old who encouraged him and taught him how to work out. He also talked about Arnold Schwarzenegger’s book was a blueprint for his success, and meeting Ted Arcidi in the gym. Arcidi tried to dissuade him from getting into wrestling (calling the business something that got bleeped), but Arcidi hooked him up with Killer Kowalski.
After the first day of training, Kowalski told Levesque to come back the next day, even though Levesque didn’t have the money to pay him just then. The lessons that Kowlaski taught him are the lessons he’s teaching the kids in NXT today. Levesque thanked Eric Bischoff for taking a change on a “GUD” (geographically undesirable) and hiring him for WCW. Levesque also talked about meeting Dusty Rhodes, a mentor who taught him “booking ain’t easy, kid.” Levesque directly addressed Cody, telling him “your dad meant the world to him.”
Levesque talked about hooking up with Arn Anderson, who took a liking to Levesque. Since Levesque didn’t drink, he could drive Arn home. He also learned a lot from Harley Race, and told a sweet story about Harley picking out earrings for Hunter’s first born daughter. Levesque put over “Stunning” Steve Austin and Mick Foley for being helpful in the not-so-great WCW environment.
He also talked about working with Terry Taylor, who encouranged Levesque to go to the WCW Power Plant. Levesque went to the Power Plant and worked out with Taylor and Steve Regal, and Taylor took Levesque into his home. He also talked about leaving WCW just before Regal and Levesque were going to be the Blue Bloods (with Sherri Martel, apparently?). Regal encouraged Paul to leave WCW for WWF so “Vince can make you a big star.”
When Levesque got to the WWF, he’s was about to get his own rental to drive himself from Boston to Portland, Maine. Kevin Nash shows up with a skecthy white van and invited him to ride with Scott Hall, Shawn Michaels and Sean Waltman. They spent every ride talking about business. He told a funny story about how Scott Hall would start the drive with, “Can we not talk about business tonight… but before do you know how in your match you did…” and then they’d spend the whole ride talking about the business.
Levesque told a story about how early on when he’s driving the Clique (actually on day one), where Shawn and Kevin are pretty drunk, Waltman is passed out in his strawberry shake, and Scott Hall is accusing the cook of “putting a booger in his eggs.” Levesque and Shawn drug Waltman out of the restaurant. Waltman is still passed out, so Levesque tried to slap him awake. They took Waltman to the hospital, and eventually they got to the hotel, where they had an hour to sleep before getting up to drive to the next town. And for some reason, Levesque loved it and decided he was gonig to ride with those guys from then on.
Levesque put over everyone’s strengths in the Clique. Nash saw the business like a movie. Waltman was the measuring stick; if you couldn’t work with him, you couldn’t work. Michaels put it all together like nobody else, and Scott Hall could simplify things it a way that would just change your view of the business. He told a funny story about how Hall legitimately knocked him out during a match on Monday Night Raw.
He put over all the great wrestlers he got to work with a learn from early on, from Bret Hart to Shawn Michaels to Steve Austin to the Bushwackers. There were all different styles there for him to learn from.
Levesque talked about forming DX with Shawn Michaels and meeting Joanie Laurer (Chyna). Levesque immediately saw Laurer as his “heater” (they’d tried putting him with Curt Hennig and Curtis Hughes, which didn’t work out for different reasons). Folks in the crowd immediately call out “Hall of Fame” for Laurer, and Levesque said “damn straight.” (He realizes he’s the guy who decides this now, right?)
Levesque said how much fun working with the second iteration of DX was (the group with Billy Gunn, Road Dog and Waltman). He talked about how Steve Austin was a mentor and how they were both honest with each other. Levesque called out Mick Foley for giving him “the gift of toughness” and called the Street Fight and Hell in the Cell Match two of his favorite matches. Levesque called Foley “one of his favorite oppoents of all time, and one of my favorite people of all time.”
Levesque talked about Evolution. He called Ric Flair “the greatest of all time” and talked about giving two young guys the opportunity to become stars. Those guys were Randy Orton and Dave Batista. Levesque talked about how Orton and Batista taught him the gift of giving back. Watching Orton and Batista become two of the biggest stars in the business, and also Orton become a great father and Batista a big movie star. That is what lit a fire in Levesque to keep giving back to others. He thanked Orton “for being the pain in the a$$ that you were.”
Levesque thanked Dr. James Andrews, Dr. Jeff Dougas and Kevin Wilk who helped put him back together and rehabilitate him after his injuries.
Levesque talked about going to the production meetings three hours earlier than the rest of the crew. He talked about learning from Jack Lanza, Pat Patterson and George Steele. Levesque put over Patterson as the greatest “finish guy” in the generation before his. Patterson was one of the first people to encourage Levesque to get into the creative side of the business.
This lead Levesque to developing the Performance Center and NXT, and he learned from Dusty Rhodes and his booking philosophy. There he worked with Matt Bloom, Terry Taylor and William Regal with the next generation of the business. It started with Roman and Seth, Becky and Charlotte and Bayley. It was “the fountain of youth” and inspiried Hunter and later Shawn, bringing back their passion for the business.
Levesque called out Michael Hayes as “this generation’s Pat Patterson” and another person he’s learned a lot from. Bruce Prichard had to navigate between “the office” and “the talent” that he’s learned a lot from. Ed Koski is a writer who Levesque gave credit to for a lot of things that happen and he’s learned a lot from.
Levesque talked about Paul Heyman’s Hall of Fame ring. Levesque had “consigliary” inscribed on that ring. Levesque put over his mother-in-law Linda for being an inspiration for his daughters. He called Shane McMahon the brother he’s never had, and also “please don’t jump off anything high.”
Levesque goes to talk about Vince (and the crowd pops). Levesque called it “a complicated story,” but said Vince was the one to encouraged him to go to those production meetings. He called Vince a friend and a mentor. “He’s my kids’ grandfather, so it’s complicated.” He went on, “When there’s somebody that helps propel you that far, you owe them so much. He taught me so much. What to do, what not to do. I’m grateful for all those lessons. I love you Vince.” They then cut to all the McMahons in the front row appaluding.
Levesque moved on to The Undertaker, the locker room leader when that meant “being the f*cking locker room leader.” He talked about doing a shot of Jack Daniels with The Undertaker in one of the early days, and he tried not to throw up. When Levesque’s relationship with Stephaine started, it was the Undertaker he went to for advice about it. “If you love her, go get it. If anybody doesn’t like it, they can [something that got bleeped].”
Levesque talked about the health scare in 2021. He was running coast-to-coast for 20 days. He thought he had pneumonia, but he was in heart failure. He was “on the one yard line.” Now, Levesque sees this as a gift, and that it’s the people around you that matter. Laying in bed, he didn’t think about business meetings or production meetings, but “Steph and those girls.” He still works as hard as he did, but he knows what’s important now: “Steph and those girls.”
Levesque’s oldest daughter, Auroa, is studying for a Ph.D. in phyiscal therapy and plays softball. Murphy, 16, rides horses and plays running back for the boy’s football team, because “I wanna prove to myself that I can.” And Vaughn, 14, is the fashion icon of the family who loves to sing, dance and have fun. Levesque called Stephanie his best friend and his rock, and that he couldn’t imagine a better partner, forever. “Not a bad commitment level for a guy who’s just trying to get a better spot in his job.”
Levesque then got to Nick Kahn, who he’s known for about a decade. Kahn is one of the best business people he’s ever met with a great mind for business. Levesque said he could not do his job without Kahn, and a big part of everything that is happening in WWE because of him.
At the end of the day, this weekend he’s still just a guy watching what he loves to watch, just like when he was five years old. He puts over the roster as the best athletes in the world. Inside, he’s still that little kid, and all the people’s he’s mentioned have helped prop that little kid up. He told the talent to encourage other and try to lift people up.
Levesque gets around to thanking “the fans, call them the WWE universe, call them marks.” Levesque said that he’s nothing without the fans, whether they’ve loved him or hated him. (I think a fan shouted out they hated Levesque, and he said “feelings mutual, just for you”). Levesque promised to do everything in his power to keep the business alive for the next generation when he’s gone. “Because you made me who I am, and I will never forget it.” “I’ve got two words for you.” The crowd shouted back, “Suck it!” “I was thinking thank you, but I’ll take it.”
After the speech, Levesque grabbed a water bottle and did trademark entrance/water spittake.
I totally lost track of time there (I had to pause/rewind a bit), but the whole thing for Levesque went over an hour. Despite that, it was still a pretty good speech, although I could have done without the Vince stuff.
