Tag: wwe hall of fame

Kevin Nash says WrestleMania weekend felt ‘soulless’

Posted on by Jake Skudder

WWE and WCW legend Kevin Nash recently addressed WrestleMania weekend and how he feels the product is being run by TKO. Speaking on his Kliq This podcast, the nWo founding member was hardly glowing when it came to his assessment of the biggest weekend in the company’s calendar.

“I’m so detached from the product and everything else. To me, the whole weekend, maybe because I was running on fumes, but it felt kind of soulless,” the former WWF Champion stated.

“I’m not stupid or naive. I understand that the bottom line has meant that it’s a business. Once it left Vince’s hands, no matter if you love Vince or don’t love Vince, from the boy’s standpoint, if you had a relationship with Vince and you were a guy that pushed those numbers, a (Shawn) Michaels, a Triple H, a Steve (Austin), a Taker, if you pushed those numbers, you had a relationship that was gold” Nash would add.

“Now, I don’t think they [TKO] look at Steve and Taker the same way. I’m talking about TKO, or as we now refer to it, The Adjustment Bureau; they just don’t show the appreciation. It’s almost kind of like having a President that has no experience in warfare. [They] just don’t get it.”

Credit to Fightful for the transcription

FAQ and Context

What is Kliq This?

Kliq This is Nash’s podcast, where he covers wrestling news and reflects on his career alongside guests from across the industry.

Why is Kevin Nash criticising TKO?

Nash’s argument is that TKO treats wrestling as pure business, where the McMahon era operated on personal relationships with talent who’d pushed numbers: an Austin, an Undertaker, a Shawn Michaels. His “Adjustment Bureau” line is a swipe at how he sees TKO handling legacy talent now that Vince McMahon is no longer involved in creative.

Did other legends share similar criticism of WrestleMania 42?

Veteran takes on TKO’s handling of WWE have been mixed across podcasts, but Nash’s “soulless” framing is among the more pointed assessments of WrestleMania 42 weekend. Whether other legends echo the sentiment publicly tends to depend on their current relationship with the company.

Stephanie McMahon says McMahons ‘were never supposed to be’ in WWE Hall of Fame

Posted on by Joseph Currier

When she was growing up in the business, Stephanie McMahon was taught that McMahon family members should not be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.

McMahon joined the WWE Hall of Fame when she was inducted last Friday during WrestleMania 42 weekend. Aside from her husband Paul “Triple H” Levesque, she is only the second member of the McMahon family to be inducted, joining her grandfather Vincent J. McMahon who was posthumously honored in 1996.

On a new episode of “What’s Your Story?,” Paige praised McMahon’s induction and asked why it took so long for this to happen.

“Well, the McMahons were never supposed to be in the Hall of Fame, as I was always brought up,” McMahon responded. “You know, we were characters that were intentionally designed to get other talent over. So it was never about us. And that’s just sort of like ingrained in my brain.”

Paige called McMahon an inspirational figure and thanked her for how she’s always helped female talent.

“You’ve done so much in your career. Like, you’re very inspiring for women and anyone that’s worked, any woman or man, but just speaking from a woman’s perspective here, any woman that’s worked with you have only ever said positive things,” Paige said. “You’re very inspirational for a boss. You are so caring, empathetic, you’re understanding, and you stick up for us as women too. You’re an advocate for us and you’ve always been like that and I always appreciated that about you.”

McMahon’s three daughters, along with her mother Linda, helped induct her into the Hall of Fame. Her father Vince has been gone from the company since January 2024, when he resigned in the wake of Janel Grant’s sexual abuse lawsuit against him and WWE.

Ric Flair says he was banned from WrestleMania 41 after threatening Ludwig Kaiser

Posted on by Ian Carey

Ric Flair says he wasn’t allowed to attend last year’s WrestleMania 41 and never received a call back about a potential role at the 2026 WWE Hall of Fame ceremony.

Flair called in to The Ariel Helwani Show on Wednesday. During the interview, Flair revealed that he was not permitted to attend WrestleMania 41 in 2025 after making threats toward Tiffany Stratton’s partner at the time, Ludwig Kaiser, who Flair mistakenly referred to as Stratton’s husband.

Flair said:

“I threatened to beat up Tiffany Stratton’s husband last year, and I wasn’t allowed to go. A 24-year-old kid being threatened by a 76-year-old man, and I can’t go to WrestleMania. Are you kidding me?”

“That English kid, he’s gonna go as far in wrestling as a gnat. He’ll be a fly on the wall in a year,” Flair continued, referring to Kaiser, who is 35 and from Pinneberg, Germany.

Helwani asked Flair to clarify what happened.

Flair said:

“They had that thing where Tiffany made a smart remark about Ashley’s divorces, which we both know she’s not smart enough to have written. Somebody gave her the script.

And then he implied that, I’m just going based on social media, once again, which is a lot, that he was implying that he wouldn’t mind a one-off with Ashley.

And I went, okay, I need your number. I got it, which I can get anybody’s number I want any minute of any day. And I called him. I said, ‘Hey, when I see you, I’m gonna beat the s–t out of you.’

So he went like a little b—h, told Hunter, and I wasn’t allowed to go.”

Flair then implied he wasn’t sure if Kaiser was still on the WWE roster.

“Where is he now? Is he even on the roster?” Flair asked.

Helwani confirmed Flair was referring to Kaiser and told him Kaiser was wrestling in Mexico.

“I’m sure he is. I hope he stays,” Flair responded.

Flair continued by saying that, because of the contributions he has made to wrestling, there should be a red carpet rolled out for him wherever he goes.

“There should be a red carpet for me, a red carpet to the front row. And that’s how I feel about it.

With my contributions in this business and the work that I put in, hours and hours of trying to make wrestling something that it is today, and I gotta have problems with politics. Give me a break.

I’m not mad at anybody. I understand it’s politics now. It’s too much politics and not enough wrestling.”

Flair also revealed that Dennis Rodman asked him to induct him into the WWE Hall of Fame. Flair said he contacted WWE, but never heard back from the company.

“Dennis Rodman called me and said, ‘Will you induct me into the Hall of Fame?’ And I said to the powers that be, ‘Dennis wants me to induct him.’ I never got a call back.”

Rodman was inducted into the Hall of Fame last Friday by fellow NWO members Sean Waltman and Kevin Nash.

The full April 22, 2026 episode of The Ariel Helwani Show is available below. Flair was the first guest.

Bad News Brown’s widow says family will ‘cherish forever’ Hall of Fame induction

Posted on by Ian Carey

Helen Coage, the widow of Bad News Brown, has released a statement regarding her late husband’s induction into the WWE Hall of Fame.

Brown joined Sid Eudy as this year’s inductees into the Legacy Wing of the Hall of Fame. Similar to Eudy’s induction, Brown’s family did not make a speech or appear on stage, though they were shown in the audience.

Coage wrote on social media Monday that she knew the family would not be given a chance to speak and was simply happy that Brown was honored.

Coage wrote:

“I know many of you are unhappy about our family not being granted the opportunity to speak at the WWE induction of Bad New into the Legacy Hall of Fame. But from past inductees we all knew that was not going to happen, please don’t be bitter, please just be happy that he was given this honor. I am happy.

Had we been given the opportunity the speech would have been short… something like this

Good evening,

On behalf of our family, I want to thank WWE for this incredible honor. To see my husband inducted into the Legacy Hall of Fame is something we will cherish forever.

I also want to take a moment to thank Benjamin Brown and Holly Von Holtz for taking such good care of us through all of this. Your kindness and support have meant more than you know, and we are truly grateful.

To the fans—he loved you more than you may have realized. Now, he may have called you “beer-bellied sharecroppers” and “spineless cockroaches”… but that was the character. That was the show. Because outside that ring, he was the exact opposite—a devoted husband, a proud father, and a man with a big heart.

He gave everything he had to entertain, to connect, and to leave an impression that people would never forget.

His gimmick has been copied more than a few times by those who came after him… and in this business, that’s one of the highest forms of respect. It means what he created mattered. It meant something. And it lasted.

He truly left his mark—helping shape an era and even giving Hulk Hogan the name “Hollywood Hogan,” a name that became legendary in its own right.

Though he’s been gone for many years, his voice still echoes. In every cheer, every memory, every moment like this—he’s still here. And tonight, I know he would be so proud… not just of this honor, but of the family, the fans, and the legacy he leaves behind.

Thank you for remembering him. Thank you for honoring him. And from the bottom of my heart—thank you for never letting him be forgotten.”

Dave Meltzer addressed changes made to the Legacy Wing of the Hall of Fame in the March 30, 2026 edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Meltzer noted that the Legacy Wing now appears to be for honoring wrestlers who are no longer alive rather than those whose careers primarily took place prior to 1984.

Meltzer wrote:

“It appears this year it has changed as the legacy wing is honoring Vicious and Bad News, who were post-1984 WWF and would normally be in the regular version. It appears in this case it’s a way to honor those no longer alive and save time on a ceremony that starts at midnight Eastern time and has been criticized for going too long at times, as well as for inductions of some being terribly rushed at other times.”

Helen Coage’s post about Bad News Brown’s WWE Hall of Fame induction is available below:

WWE WrestleMania 42 notes: Attendance number, Bianca Belair, Gunnar Eudy

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Notes from the first night of WrestleMania 42.

Prior to the main event, John Cena announced the official attendance number, noting there was a lot of speculation ahead of the announcement. He announced the number at 50,816. After Biana Belair announced her pregnancy, Cena upped it to 50,817. The attendance numbers for this year’s WrestleMania have been a source of speculation as ticket sales have stalled compared to last year’s number, enough for it to become a focal point in WWE’s WrestleMania build.

Bianca Belair wrote following her announcement: “This means the world to me.”

Rhea Ripley wrote: “I’m in f’n tears!! Congratulations @BiancaBelairWWE & @MontezFordWWE selfishly I don’t wanna lose you for another year… but this is also the sweetest most heart warming news ever!! Love you guys!!!”

AJ Lee lost the Women’s Intercontinental title on Saturday, losing to Becky Lynch after being shoved face first into a thunbuckle. After the match, social media footage showed CM Punk handing Lee flowers.

WWE held their usual Hall of Fame roll call during the show. Notably, the families of Legacy inductees Bad News Brown and Psycho Sid were part of the roll call. Gunnar Eudy, who was critical of the way his father was presented earlier on Saturday in a social media message, was there in attendance.

Eudy had called the ceremony “straight up disappointing” and “disrespectful as hell.”

Ted DiBiase Jr. was in attendance at WrestleMania, joined by his lead defense attorney Scott Gilbert. He credited Gilbert as “saving his life,” referring to his trial regarding misuse of Mississippi welfare funds where he was recently found not guilty. DiBiase noted that Gilbert is now running for judge in Rankin & Madison County, Mississippi.

Sid’s son calls father’s WWE Hall of Fame induction ‘disrespectful as hell’

Posted on by Ian Carey

The son of Sid Eudy says his father’s induction into the WWE Hall of Fame on Friday was “disrespectful as hell.”

Sid was inducted as part of the Legacy Wing on Friday night, along with Bad News Brown. Neither family spoke or was brought on stage, though each family was shown in the audience after a video package aired.

On Saturday, Gunnar Eudy posted to Facebook:

“Thank you to everyone for all the love and support you’ve shown our family. It means the world, and I appreciate every single person who had my dad’s back.

Last night’s so-called ‘Hall of Fame induction’ for my father, Sid Eudy ‘Sycho Sid’ ‘Sid Vicious’ was straight up disappointing and disrespectful as hell. I’m glad my dad was big enough to put himself over even in death, because WWE damn sure wouldn’t.

I didn’t see one single ad for him here in Vegas. The Hall of Fame gift shop had zero merch for my dad not a damn thing, But they were loaded with all the Dennis Rodman crap you could want. It felt like they just swept him under the rug like a footnote, rushing to get him out of the way. 

Maybe if we had waited another 20 years until all those jealous, insecure ex-colleagues were gone you know the ones who could never match his athletic ability, his looks, or his unbreakable will power to tell them “no” he would’ve finally gotten the full induction he actually deserved.

Still, I’m trying to stay positive for my son’s sake: I got to bring him, and he doesn’t know they did his grandpa dirty. He just got to see his hero honored. That moment with my boy made it worth it. And at least we walked away with the real Hall of Fame ring I’m adding pictures of it here because that’s something solid we can actually hold onto while the rest of this felt like a slap in the face.

Rest in power, Dad. The Master and Ruler of the World got his flowers… even if WWE tried to shortchange you one last time. They were always jealous. 💪🖤

Congratulations to Bad news Brown and Sid Vicious and Demolition.”

The Legacy inductions began in 2016. The first class included Art Thomas, Ed Lewis, Frank Gotch, George Hackenschmidt, Lou Thesz, Mildred Burke, and Pat O’Connor. The 2025 Legacy inductees were Dory Funk Sr., Ivan Koloff, and Kamala.

Gunnar Eudy’s Facebook post is available below:

Former Tag Team Champions induct AJ Styles into WWE Hall of Fame

Posted on by Shounak Chakrabarti

Former WWE RAW Tag Team Champions The Good Brothers, aka The OC, Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows, officially inducted AJ Styles into the 2026 Hall of Fame.

In the final induction of the night, Anderson and Gallows walked out to induct their long-time partner and close friend, Styles, into the ceremony.

The former tag team champions reflected on their journey and friendship with Styles and his emergence into the promotion. Anderson and Gallows further talked about Styles inspiring an entire generation of pro-wrestlers, as well as his journey from TNA to Bullet Club to WWE. The duo then introduced Styles by performing the iconic Two Sweet move on the big stage.

Styles closed the night speaking about his career, expressing his gratitude to all the opponents he faced throughout his career, as well as all the promotions and bookers he worked for. Answering the question of whether he misses wrestling, Styles answered “no.” He went on to justify his answer and how good he feels staying close to his family now.

Styles, 48, finished a career spanning over two decades and received his deserved flowers at the 2026 WWE Hall of Fame ceremony. Widely known for his run in TNA, Styles later moved on to Japan before settling down in WWE.

Styles made his WWE debut at the 2016 Royal Rumble and stayed at the promotion for a decade before retiring at the 2026 Royal Rumble.

WWE Hall of Fame 2026 inductions

The other inductions of the 2026 class of WWE Hall of Fame included Stephanie McMahon, Demolition (Ax and Smash), Dennis Rodman, Psycho Sid, Bad News Brown, and Hulk Hogan (c) vs. Andre the Giant from WrestleMania III.

McMahon was inducted by her three daughters and her mother, Linda McMahon. While Demolition was inducted by Arn Anderson, Haku, and The Warlord. Dennis Rodman was inducted by Kevin Nash and Sean Waltman, while the Hogan vs. Andre the Giant WrestleMania III match was inducted into the Immortal Moment category by Jimmy Hart.

Linda McMahon & Stephanie McMahon’s daughters induct her into the WWE Hall of Fame

Posted on by Shounak Chakrabarti

Stephanie McMahon has officially been inducted into the 2026 WWE Hall of Fame.

The April 17th edition of WWE Hall of Fame began with Stephanie McMahon’s induction. She was inducted into the ceremony by her mother, Linda McMahon, and her three daughters,  Aurora, Murphy, and Vaughn.

The induction began with her three daughters dedicating an emotional speech for their mother, before Linda McMahon reflected on Stephanie’s childhood and her entry into the business. She also recalled childhood memories of Stephanie and Shane McMahon.

Linda McMahon has stayed out of the wrestling spotlight for several years now. She is currently busy with her political career and serves as the United States Secretary of Education. She is also part of a sexual abuse lawsuit against her, Vince McMahon, TKO, and WWE, filed by former “Ring Boys.”

In her induction speech, Stephanie McMahon shared her gratitude to her mother, brother, and father, Vince McMahon. She heaped praise on her mother and father, Vince’s contribution to WWE’s growth. This was soon followed by loud “Thank you, Vince!” chants. Vince McMahon is currently also a part of the Janel Grant sexual trafficking lawsuit.

Last minute WWE Hall of Fame ticket prices

Posted on by Shounak Chakrabarti

WWE Hall of Fame 2026’s last-minute ticket prices were surprisingly affordable, as per WON’s Bryan Alvarez.

Hours after the April 17th edition of WWE SmackDown, WWE hosted the 2026 edition of the Hall of Fame at the Dolby Live, Las Vegas, Nevada.

With a total of 3,054 tickets available, 2,549 were distributed even till a few hours before SmackDown, and the Hall of Fame ceremony began. According to WrestleTix, 505 tickets were still left to be filled during the early hours of April 17. The cheapest available ticket for standard admission was $62.37.

Now, our Bryan Alvarez recently shared that the last-minute tickets for the 2026 WWE Hall of Fame were available for $35. The last-minute tickets are generally purchased very close to the show date, usually a few hours before the show. These tickets are often offered at steep discounts to fill unsold seats.

The 2026 Hall of Fame is set to be headlined by Stephanie McMahon, AJ Styles, Demolition, and celebrity inductee Dennis Rodman. The event, held during WrestleMania 42 weekend, also features Sid and Bad News Brown as Legacy inductees

2026 WWE Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony: Stephanie McMahon, AJ Styles, Demolition

Posted on by Ian Carey

The WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2026 will be honored tonight.

This year’s ceremony is set for 9 p.m. local time at Dolby Live at Park MGM in Las Vegas. It will air one hour after the conclusion of WWE SmackDown.

Seven wrestlers and one immortal moment are set to be inducted. WWE’s advertising for the ceremony does not list the celebrity, legacy, and immortal moment inductees.

Advertised as the headliners for this year’s WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2026 are Stephanie McMahon and AJ Styles.

Ax and Smash of Demolition, the three-time WWF Tag Team Champions, are also set to be inducted, though it has not been announced who will induct the team.

Dennis Rodman will be inducted into the celebrity wing. Sid and Bad News Brown are set to be inducted into the legacy wing. Hulk Hogan vs. Andre the Giant from WrestleMania III will be honored as an immortal moment.

Our live coverage begins at midnight Eastern.

******************************************

Peter Rosenberg and Jackie Redmond hosted the Red Carpet Special in the time between SmackDown and the Hall of Fame ceremony.

Carmelo Hayes and Kelani Jordan are the first to be interviewed on the red carpet. Hayes said he was particularly looking forward to Dennis Rodman’s induction. Jordan talked about how Styles is a mentor to her.

Big E interviewed Danhausen and his wife. Danhausen referred to himself as a Hall of Famer. He said he’s friends with Demolition, and didn’t want to curse anyone being inducted that night.

Je’Von Evans was interviewed next. He also spoke about Styles being a mentor to him. The Miz and Maryse spoke with Big E.

Dennis Rodman was with Rosenberg and Redmond and spoke about his time appearing in WCW during his NBA career. R-Truth was with Big E and talked about Little Jimmy.

Damian Priest and Lola Vice were with Redmond and Rosenberg. Priest mentioned he was in Gorilla for the match and didn’t know she was winning the title.

John Cena was seen on the red carpet. Lillian Garcia as well.

We then got a video package for Stephanie McMahon.

Mickie James and Nick Aldis were with Big E. Aldis talked about it being important for him to be there to honor Styles. James said she was also excited for Stephanie’s induction. Big E mentioned that he is eagerly awaiting Mickie’s induction into the Hall of Fame.

Cena spoke with Rosenberg and Redmond. He said there’s much less stress being around WrestleMania when you are retired. Cena also spoke about Styles for quite a bit.

Stephanie Vaquer was with Big E. She said she’s most looking forward to McMahon’s induction.

Triple H was with Rosenberg and Redmond and said he’s more excited for Stephanie’s induction this year than he was his own last year. He also spoke quite a bit about Rodman.

The Bellas were with Big E. Nikki was in a walking boot and specifically told Big E she’s still entered into the match tomorrow.

Drew McIntyre and his wife were with Rosenberg and Redmond. Spoke about his rivalry with Jacob Fatu.

CM Punk and AJ Lee were with Big E. Punk said the Hall of Fame was his favorite night of the year. Big E and AJ spoke about working on a segment with Stephanie back in the day.

Becky Lynch and Seth Rollins were with Redmond. Big E entered the scene as well. They talked about the possibility of Lynch and Rollins going in on the same night some day. And with that we close out at the red carpet and head inside for the ceremony.

2026 WWE Hall of Fame induction ceremony

The Undertaker narrated the opening video.

Michael Cole and The Miz are hosting. Cole talked about his undefeated streak at WrestleMania. Miz mentioned that this year will be the 25th time Cole has called a WrestleMania and called him a GOAT.

Stephanie McMahon is up first.

Stephanie McMahon is induction in the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2026

Videos of Stephanie as a kid aired. Natalya spoke about her and Stephanie being generational kids in wrestling. Roman Reigns and Cody Rhodes also spoke in the video. Paul Heyman, Liv Morgan, Bruce Prichard, Michael Cole, Undertaker, Steve Austin and Drew McIntyre also spoke.

There was a decent amount of time spent on how hard Stephanie slaps people in the video. The video also covered her work with Connor’s Cure as well. A section also focused on the switch from WWE’s women’s talent going from Divas to Superstars, Evolution, etc. Also a bit on how Stephanie helped make changes so it’s easier for people to bring their kids on the road.

Linda McMahon and Stephanie’s daughters came out to induct her. Her oldest daughter Aurora spoke her mother’s confidence and said she had to work ten times as hard as a woman in a male-dominated business. Talked about Stephanie going from modelling company merchandise to the top. Said all her daughters look up to her.

Her daughter Murphy spoke next. Said that her mother has always just “seen her,” she feels very seen by her. She said her mother has a very big heart. Also referred to her mom as a “certified bad a–.”

Her daughter Vaughn was next. She mentioned that she enjoys singing and dancing in the kitchen with her mother. Some very nice things said by all three daughters regarding Stephanie.

Linda McMahon was next. She talked about WWE being Stephanie’s first job out of college being in WWE. McMahon talked about Stephanie starting out in sales, then as her assistant, and various other achievements along the way. Referred to her as “one of the most spectacular women she knows.” Mentioned her marriage to Triple H and their three daughters.

Out comes Stephanie McMahon. A “Thank You Stephanie” chant breaks out. She said the only person missing is her grandmother. Stephanie mentioned that her and Triple H were told they might not be able to have children of their own but thanks to modern medicine they have three beautiful daughters.

Stephanie said it should be her mother going into the Hall of Fame tonight. She also mentioned Vince McMahon, which got a cheer. A “Thank you, Vince” chant rang out. Stephanie thanked her brother Shane, who taught her how to be tough.

Stephanie spoke about growing up with Roddy Piper and others hanging around. She said she loved everything about the business and all she ever wanted to do was work with WWE.

She mentioned WrestleMania III and the 93 thousand people that were in attendance…

Stephanie mentioned Andre the Giant being her friend when she was a kid. She didn’t like how people judged Andre for being different. She said WWE fans come from all walks of life but what brings them together is what happens in the ring.

She brought out a 16-year-old named Jimmy, who wasn’t expected to live past one year of age. Said WWE is the most good hearted community she’s ever known.

Stephanie jokingly apologized to anyone she may have slapped too hard, but said it was her mother-in-law who taught her how to slap. No context to that was given, which I wish it was. She said some nice things about Levesque’s family.

She listed off a very long list of people to thank. Then she spoke about Triple H. Talked about how she was forbidden to date talent, but couldn’t resist him. She mentioned that a few years ago she thought WWE was over for her, but Triple H helped show her that wasn’t true.

Stephanie then came out from behind the podium and cut a promo as her heel character. She demanded everyone stand up and bask in her glory as she is immortalized in the 2026 Hall of Fame.

Bad News Brown is inducted into the 2026 WWE Hall of Fame

Highlights of Bad News Brown’s career are shown. They highlighted him winning the battle royal at WrestleMania IV. They showed his family on camera and people gave them a standing ovation.

Demolition are inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame

Demolition are up next. Sam Roberts, Drew McIntyre, Garbiel Iglesius, Rey Mysterio, Big E, Miz, Damian Priest, Wade Barrett, TJ Wilson, Nattie, Kofi Kingston spoke over top of highlights from their career. Peter Rosenberg narrated with a rundown of their career, just focusing on Ax and Smash.

Haku, Warlord, and Arn Anderson are brought out to induct them. An impressive stable!

Warlord was running down Demolition’s old record title reign. He called them WWF, but they bleeped that out immediately. Haku talked about tagging against facing Demolition with three different partners including with Andre the Giant and Bobby Heenan, and wrestling Demolition at WrestleMania VI. He said it was an honor being in the ring with them.

Anderson said Demolition broke the standard, and spoke about their pre-Demolition careers of Bill Eadie and Barry Darsow.

Out came Ax and Smash to their ring music. Darsow joked it’d be hard to follow Stephanie’s speech. He talked about getting a call from Vince McMahon 39 years ago, and Vince showing him what Demolition would look like. Talked about winning the titles from Strike Force, and thanked his partner, Eadie. He said he followed Eadie’s lead in the matches and they wrestled the greatest teams of all time.

Darsow listed off several of their opponents. He thanked Mr. Fuji, which got a reaction from the live crowd. Called him a good man. They thanked Bryan Adams, Crush. They called him another great partner and a great guy. He thanked his wife. He thanked his son, his wife, and his three grandkids. One of his kids stuck out his tongue like Smash did.

Eadie said he didn’t think this day would ever come. He called it an honor. He said they’re “allowed in the fraternity house,” which led to “you deserve it” chants.

Eadie thanked many people including Andre, Vince Sr. and Vince Jr, Antonio Inoki, and Mr. Fuji. He thanked the fans, his family, his wife Sue, his kids and four grandsons.

Eadie then quoted Dumb & Dumber to close, by saying “I like it. I like it a lot.”

Dennis Rodman is inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame

Alexa Bliss, Liv Morgan, Damian Priest, and Kevin Nash were featured in the video introducing Rodman. They compared the NWO to the Bulls in the NBA.

Kevin Nash and Sean Waltman are brought out to induct Rodman, coming out to the NWO theme. Nash had lost his voice. He called Rodman the hart and soul of the NWO. Talked about him blowing off practice during the NBA Finals to show up and smoke cigars on Nitro.

Rodman came out in full NWO gear. Hollywood Hogan t-shirt. It looked like he got a little choked up and walked away for a second.

He said WWE was better than most sports organizations around the world, because of how much they love their community. He said WWE has never turned its back on the WWE community.

Rodman said if he didn’t play basketball, he’d have been in wrestling. He thanked Jimmy Hart and Eric Bischoff. He was pretty choked up. He took off his vest and showed off his Hollywood Hogan shirt. He also thanked Nick Hogan. He closed by talking about the statue of Hogan. He closed by doing a bit of a Hulkamania impression and finally that he was NWO 4-life.

Hulk Hogan vs. Andre the Giant at WrestleMania III is inducted into WWE Hall of Fame

A video package aired with comments from Jimmy Hart, Drew McIntyre, Wade Barrett, Shawn Michaels, The Miz, and clips from a 2014 interview with Hulk Hogan.

Jimmy Hart, Nick Hogan, and Andre the Giant’s daughter came out to induct the moment. Hart mentioned that 93 thousand people watched the match. He thanked Andre, Hulk and Nick Hogan, and Bobby Heenan. Hart unveiled the bronze statue of the moment. Only Hart spoke.

Sid is inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame

A video featuring highlights from Sid’s career airs. His family is introduced in the audience. Someone in the group was doing a full Hogan flex routine as they were being shown.

AJ Styles is inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame

The feed cut out for a bit and when we came back it looks like the AJ Styles video package was just ending.

Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows came out to induct AJ. Gallows called it an honor and a pleasure to induct their “forever leader” into the Hall of Fame. Anderson talked about Styles going from being the heart and soul of TNA, to the Bullet Club, to being the face that runs the place. He talked about Styles inspiring a generation of professional wrestlers.

Styles came out. He talked about still having withdrawals from wrestling, and that he might get emotional. Crowd chanted “One more match.” He said he loved everything about being AJ Styles and wrestling. He said he liked the tours, the plane rides. As for does he miss wrestling? He said the answer is no because he’s lucky enough to go home to his family every night.

He thanked any promoter he ever worked for, any talent he got in the ring with, and he ever told you that he loved you, he meant it. Styles talked about the opportunity to stay with the company and help find the next phenomenal one.

He closed by saying he was honored and that he loved everyone very much. His music played. Miz and Cole closed the show and the 2026 Hall of Fame ceremony is concluded.

AJ Styles says he found the ‘right person’ for WWE Hall of Fame induction

Posted on by Ian Carey

AJ Styles addressed his induction into the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2026 in a new interview.

Styles appeared on an episode of The Nikki & Brie Show that was released on April 17. He was asked if he’s nervous for his speech at the ceremony.

Styles said:

“Anxious to get it over with, I think. When I’m nervous or whatever it is I may be feeling, I just wanna get it over with. I don’t wanna have to deal with it. I’ll be honest with you, WrestleMania is one of those things I was like, let’s just get it over with. Let’s just get through this, because there is so much going on.” 

He was also asked if it was difficult to find the right person to induct him. Styles said:

“It was, but some of them couldn’t induct me, which I get it. It’s fine. But I found the right person.”

The WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2026 ceremony is set to take place at midnight Eastern / 9 p.m. local time at Dolby Live at Park MGM in Las Vegas.

Styles and Stephanie McMahon are the co-headliners of this year’s class. Also to be inducted this year are Dennis Rodman in the celebrity wing, Sid and Bad News Brown in the legacy wing, and Hulk Hogan vs. Andre the Giant from WrestleMania III as an immortal moment.

The full episode of The Nikki & Brie Show is below. The video is cued to Styles’ comments about his Hall of Fame induction.

WWE reveals hosts for Hall of Fame ceremony

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Michael Cole and The Miz will be handling hosting duties for the 2026 WWE Hall of Fame ceremony.

Taking place on the eve of WrestleMania 42, the Hall of Fame ceremony will be held at Dolby Live at Park MGM in Las Vegas this Friday night. It was announced today that Cole and Miz will be the hosts of the ceremony, which streams live on the ESPN app in the United States and on YouTube internationally with a start time of midnight Eastern/9 p.m. Pacific.

Stephanie McMahon, AJ Styles, Demolition, Sid Vicious, Bad News Brown, and Dennis Rodman are this year’s inductees. WWE will also honor Hulk Hogan vs. Andre the Giant from WrestleMania III with the Immortal Moment Award, which was introduced in 2025 as a way to celebrate iconic matches from company history.

While Miz does not have a match at WrestleMania 42, he’s been helping to promote the show, including making an appearance on “American Idol” this week.

Friday is also the day that the Miz-hosted “American Gladiators” revival series premieres on Amazon Prime Video.

WWE inducting Hulk Hogan vs. Andre the Giant match into Hall of Fame

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Hulk Hogan vs. Andre the Giant from WrestleMania III is the second match to ever earn a WWE Hall of Fame induction.

It was announced today that the WrestleMania III main event — where Hogan defeated Andre to retain the WWF Championship — will receive the WWE Immortal Moment Award at the April 17 Hall of Fame ceremony in Las Vegas. The award, established in 2025, exists to recognize the most important matches in WWE history. Steve Austin vs. Bret Hart from WrestleMania 13 was the first match to be inducted.

WrestleMania III took place at Michigan’s Pontiac Silverdome in 1987 and still stands as one of the biggest shows in WWE history, with the company forever replaying the moment where Hogan slammed Andre.

Inducting this match gives WWE the opportunity to honor Hogan after his death in July 2025. He first joined the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005 and later was inducted again as a member of the nWo.

Following Andre’s passing in 1993, he was recognized as the first-ever inductee into the WWE Hall of Fame.

Dolby Live at Park MGM in Vegas is hosting the Hall of Fame ceremony on the Friday of WrestleMania 42 week. Here is the updated list of honorees:

2026 WWE Hall of Fame class —

  • Stephanie McMahon
  • AJ Styles
  • Demolition (Ax & Smash)
  • Dennis Rodman
  • Sid Vicious (posthumously being inducted as a Legacy Award winner)
  • Bad News Brown (posthumously being inducted as a Legacy Award winner)
  • WWE Immortal Moment Award: Hulk Hogan vs. Andre the Giant from WrestleMania III

Bret Hart gives thoughts on Bad News Brown WWE Hall of Fame induction

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Bret Hart was happy to learn that former Stampede Wrestling star Bad News Brown has joined the WWE Hall of Fame class of 2026.

It was announced last week that Bad News Brown (real name Allen Coage) is posthumously being inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame during WrestleMania 42 weekend. During an interview with Studio 1 Sports, Hart found out the news and gave his reaction.

“You know, I didn’t know that he got inducted. So that’s news to me,” Hart said. “I’m always happy for him. You know, to me, he’ll always be a Stampede wrestler — one of my dad’s guys. Bad News was maybe not my closest friend, but I always had a respect for him. He was a pretty intense guy. Like, he was not a stupid man. He was a pretty well-educated, disciplined guy and was really, I think an honorable guy. He was the kind of guy I would say never told a lie in his life, you know, that kind of thing. He always spoke his truth.”

Brown represented the USA in the 1976 Olympics and won a bronze medal in judo. After that, he broke into pro wrestling in Japan and later had runs in Canada with Stampede Wrestling and the United States with WWF. Hart noted that, because Brown learned wrestling in Japan, he never developed the kind of psychology that Hart was familiar with. Hart described him as a “meat chopper” — someone who just wanted to beat the hell out of their opponent and get their hand raised.

“He was very limited. Like, you couldn’t hit him in the head,” Hart said. “He was very touchy about what you did to him. And he was not the kind of guy you could mess with. He was a very tough man — arguably maybe one of the toughest men that ever put on a pair of boots in pro wrestling. A legitimate badass, tough guy that was more than capable of fighting anybody.”

Hart described Brown as “fearless” and said he was not afraid of anyone, anywhere. Though he personally had difficulties working with Brown because of his Japanese-style psychology and refusal to sell in their matches, Hart gave Brown a positive recommendation when Vince McMahon wanted to bring him into WWF. Hart urged McMahon not to put them in a program together because of their in-ring differences, but McMahon did not end up listening, having them as the final two in the WrestleMania IV battle royal that Brown won.

In the industry, Hart believes some people saw Brown as “a bit of a racist” because of how outspoken he was about his Blackness. If they weren’t in the same business, Hart believes he would have been a big fan of Brown because of how honest he was. Summing up his final thoughts, Hart called Brown a “great guy” who he just couldn’t do business with in the ring.

Brown passed away at 63 years old in 2007 due to a heart attack. He is part of this year’s WWE Hall of Fame class alongside Stephanie McMahon, AJ Styles, Demolition, Dennis Rodman, and Sid Vicious.

Last year, Hart was honored with his WrestleMania 13 match against Steve Austin being inducted into the Hall of Fame. It was the first match ever inducted. Hart is already in the HOF individually and as a member of The Hart Foundation with his brother-in-law Jim Neidhart.

Demolition explains how relationship with WWE changed

Posted on by Vincent Verhei

Demolition have waited 36 years to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. And if Vince McMahon were still in charge of the company, they might be waiting even longer.

Bill “Ax” Eadie and Barry “Smash” Darsow discussed their upcoming Hall of Fame induction with Dave LaGreca and Bully Ray on the Busted Open Podcast. Without using anyone’s name, Eadie said they might not be welcome in WWE had their not been a regime change at the top of the company.

“I think that, and Barry and I have both talked about it, if it wasn’t for the fans, I really believe the pressure over the years, and a lot of our peers mentioned it, we really never thought we would be inducted,” he said. “And I don’t think we would have been under a different administration. But that’s changed and our relationship with the company has changed drastically.”

That change, according to Darsow, began when they signed a WWE legends contract last year. “We debated, do we want to really get into this or what we’re going to do? So, finally, we decided, well, let’s let’s sign the Legends contract and see what happens.”

The two were then invited to the Hall of Fame ceremonies last year. Darsow said they were treated very well, specifically mentioning CM Punk, Steve Austin, and the Undertaker among those who welcomed them.

Demolition won three World Tag Team Championships in the WWE (then known as the World Wrestling Federation) in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Their first reign lasted 478 days, and they spent 698 total days as champion. Those are both records for those sets of tag team titles, which were retired in 2010.

Their last WWF match as Demolition was at Survivor Series in 1990 (though Darsow continued to use the gimmick, teaming with Bryan “Crush” Adams). Eadie would later sue the promotion over the rights to the Demolition gimmick; that lawsuit was settled out of court in 1997.