Tag: wwe hall of fame

Bad News Brown joins WWE Hall of Fame class of 2026

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Bad News Brown, an Olympian who found pro wrestling success in multiple countries, is being inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.

It was announced today that Bad News Brown (real name Allen Coage) has joined the WWE Hall of Fame class of 2026. The ceremony is being held in Las Vegas on Friday, April 17 during WrestleMania 42 weekend. Stephanie McMahon, AJ Styles, Demolition (Ax & Smash), Dennis Rodman, and Sid Vicious are the other inductees that have been confirmed so far.

Like Vicious, Brown is a Legacy Award winner, which is how WWE honors inductees who have passed away. Brown, 63, died of a heart attack in 2007.

Brown entered pro wrestling after an accomplished judo career that saw him win a bronze medal for the United States at the 1976 Olympics. He started with New Japan Pro-Wrestling shortly after that and later competed for Stampede Wrestling in Canada and the WWF back in the US. He went by both “Bad News Brown” and “Bad News Allen” in pro wrestling.

While with WWF, Brown competed at three WrestleManias, including winning a battle royal at WrestleMania IV in 1988.

“From standing on the podium at the 1976 Summer Olympics to the center of the ring at #WrestleMania IV, Bad News Brown was a fierce competitor with an attitude to match,” Paul “Triple H” Levesque tweeted. “For his accomplishments in combat sports and contributions to @WWE, it is a pleasure to announce his induction into the 2026 Legacy Class of the #WWEHOF.”

Dolby Live at Park MGM in Vegas will be the venue for the Hall of Fame ceremony.

Sid Vicious’ sons reveal how WWE Hall of Fame induction came together

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Sid Vicious’ sons Frank and Gunnar Eudy appreciate the outpouring of love they’ve received from fans after it was announced that their late father is being inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.

It was revealed on Tuesday that Vicious — a multi-time WrestleMania main eventer — has joined the WWE Hall of Fame class of 2026. Frank and Gunnar Eudy spoke with Bill Apter about the news and were asked how their father’s induction came together.

“They reached out to our mom of all people, which makes sense. She’s the main point of contact. And they kind of let us know last week and were curious about if we would be interested in it and everything like that and what we thought about it,” Frank said. “Obviously any time that the fans get to celebrate dad, we like that concept. Dad always liked to make the fans happy and put on a good show, it was what it was all about for him.

“I think a lot of fans have wanted this to happen for a long time. I saw a lot of positive outpouring and feedback today online. It was always great. I remember when dad passed, we got so many positive words sent to us online through social media, people we don’t know, people we do know. And today I feel like it was even more so. Getting to see all the fans out there really get a day to feel happy for dad, it makes us happy too.”

Sid Eudy passed away at 63 years old in 2024 after privately battling cancer for several years. He was a World Champion for WWE and WCW during his career, which started in the late 1980s and spanned into the 2000s. His final WWE match was a one-time return in 2012 where he squashed Heath Slater.

The eldest son of Sid, Frank Eudy has appeared as a contestant on a couple of seasons of the CBS reality show “Big Brother.” Frank never attempted to break into pro wrestling, but his younger brother Gunnar has wrestled some using the name “Two Sycho.” Gunnar told Apter that he is not seriously pursuing wrestling as a career but is using the ring as an outlet to help honor his father.

“The wrestling career is not so much of a career, just more of a chance to pay tribute to my father,” Gunnar said. “We’re going to start off with a memorial show for him August 29. It’s going to be a benefit show where we’re going to donate all the money to charity, to the local animal shelters. We’re going to try to run some summer camps for the kids and just do some small community shows.

“So the whole wrestling thing for me is mostly just focused on smaller independent stuff, a lot of kids, and making people happy. That’s what my goals are.”

The 2026 WWE Hall of Fame ceremony is being held in Las Vegas on the Friday (April 17) of WrestleMania 42 weekend. Vicious, Stephanie McMahon, AJ Styles, Demolition, and Dennis Rodman have been announced for the class so far.

Sid Vicious’ family reacts to WWE Hall of Fame announcement

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Sid Vicious’ sons Frank and Gunnar are grateful that their late father is being honored with a WWE Hall of Fame induction.

It was announced today that Vicious (Sid Eudy) will be posthumously inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame during WrestleMania 42 weekend. A multi-time World Champion in both WWE and WCW, Vicious passed away in 2024 after privately battling cancer for several years. Shortly before his death, Vicious expressed hope that a Hall of Fame induction would be in his future now that Vince McMahon was gone from WWE and no longer in control of the process.

Vicious’ eldest son Frank Eudy — a former contestant on the CBS reality show “Big Brother’ — made a social media post congratulating his father on the Hall of Fame honor.

“Congratulations to the Master and Ruler of the World! Grateful for the recognition by @wwe inducting my dad into the Hall of Fame!,” Frank wrote. “He deserves this and I wish he was here to be a part of the celebration! I love and miss you dad! #WWEHOF”

Frank’s younger brother Gunnar also reacted to the news.

“It’s official. My father, Sycho Sid Vicious, is going into the WWE Hall of Fame,” Gunnar posted. “The Master and the Ruler of the World is finally getting his flowers. Proud to be his son and to carry that legacy forward. The Hall of Fame just got a whole lot more vicious.”

Gunnar, who has competed in the ring as “Two Psycho,” is planning a memorial show for his father this August with proceeds going to benefit an animal rescue charity.

So far, the 2026 WWE Hall of Fame class consists of Vicious, Stephanie McMahon, AJ Styles, Demolition (Ax & Smash), and Dennis Rodman. Dolby Live at Park MGM in Las Vegas is hosting the ceremony on Friday, April 17.

WWE announces Sid Vicious for Hall of Fame 2026 class

Posted on by Joseph Currier

The late Sid Vicious (Sid Eudy) is set to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.

In a tweet posted by Paul “Triple H” Levesque on Tuesday, it was revealed that Vicious will be part of the 2026 WWE Hall of Fame class as a legacy inductee. Vicious joins Stephanie McMahon, AJ Styles, Demolition (Ax & Smash), and basketball legend Dennis Rodman among the honorees. The ceremony is being held in Las Vegas on Friday, April 17 — which is the eve of WrestleMania 42

“No matter which moniker you knew him by, Sid’s intensity was palpable across the ring and through your TV screen,” Levesque wrote. “A multi-time champion in @WWE and WCW, and a two-time #WrestleMania main event, it’s a pleasure to announce that he will take his rightful place in the 2026 Legacy Class of the #WWEHOF.”

Shortly before he passed away in 2024, Vicious expressed that he was hopeful he would be inducted into the Hall of Fame. He thought Vince McMahon’s exit from the company made an induction more likely given the issues they had in the past.

Vicious was a two-time WrestleMania main eventer for WWE, headlining WrestleMania VIII in 1992 against Hulk Hogan and WrestleMania 13 in 1997 against The Undertaker. He was a World Champion for both WWE and WCW and, early in his career, was a member of the Four Horsemen.

Before his death in August 2024, Vicious privately battled cancer for several years. His family is looking to honor his legacy with Vicious’ son Gunnar planning a tribute show for this August. The money will go toward an animal rescue charity to honor Vicious’ love of animals.

Dolby Live at Park MGM in Vegas is hosting the Hall of Fame ceremony on April 17 with a start time of 9 p.m. Pacific/midnight Eastern.

Sid’s son Frank, a past contestant on the CBS reality series “Big Brother,” reacted to the news:

Dennis Rodman to be inducted into WWE Hall of Fame

Posted on by Joseph Currier

One of the NBA’s most colorful personalities of all time is set to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.

It was confirmed today that Dennis Rodman — who worked multiple WCW matches in the 1990s as a member of the nWo — will be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame during WrestleMania 42 weekend. The 2026 HOF class now consists of Stephanie McMahon, AJ Styles, Demolition (Ax & Smash), and Rodman with more to be announced.

The announcement of Rodman going into the Hall of Fame was made by Shams Charania, who is ESPN’s top basketball insider.

Rodman was involved with WCW Bash at the Beach in both 1997 and 1998. He teamed with Hulk Hogan both times, including facing off against fellow basketball legend Karl Malone & Diamond Dallas Page in a highly publicized bout the latter year.

In 2020, WWE produced an Untold documentary on Rodman’s crossover into pro wrestling. Rodman later made a couple of AEW appearances in 2023 and was in The Acclaimed’s corner at that year’s All Out pay-per-view in Chicago.

Rodman is one of the NBA’s greatest rebounders of all time and is best known for his stints on the Chicago Bulls and Detroit Pistons. He played an important role in the 1990s Bulls dynasty alongside Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen.

The 2026 WWE Hall of Fame ceremony is being held at Dolby Live at Park MGM in Las Vegas on the night of Friday, April 17.

WWE announces Hall of Fame ceremony date and location

Posted on by Joseph Currier

The date and location for this year’s WWE Hall of Fame ceremony are now officially locked in.

It was announced today that the 2026 WWE Hall of Fame ceremony will be held at Dolby Live at Park MGM in Las Vegas on Friday, April 17. The start time is listed as 9 p.m. Pacific/midnight Eastern, meaning the show will take place shortly after that night’s SmackDown at T-Mobile Arena concludes.

Broadcast details for the ceremony have not been revealed yet. Stephanie McMahon, AJ Styles, and Demolition are the first three acts confirmed for the HOF class. WWE notes that more inductees will be revealed in the coming weeks.

Tickets for the ceremony are going on sale to the general public at 10 a.m. Pacific/1 p.m. Eastern on Tuesday, March 10. A pre-sale will begin one day prior to that on March 9.

Dolby Live is listed as having a capacity of 5,200 seats. While Mania is back in Vegas for the second consecutive year, the HOF venue is not the same as it was in 2025. Last year’s ceremony was held at the BleauLive Theater at the Fontainebleau hotel.

WrestleMania 42 is taking place at Allegiant Stadium on Saturday, April 18 and Sunday, April 19. WWE and the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority have partnered together for the event, along with associated WrestleMania week shows like Raw, SmackDown, the HOF ceremony, and the WWE World convention.

Demolition to be inducted into WWE Hall of Fame

Posted on by Joseph Currier

One of the most memorable tag teams in WWE history is finally being inducted into the company’s Hall of Fame.

It was revealed today that Demolition (Bill Eadie & Barry Darsow) will be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame over WrestleMania 42 weekend in Las Vegas. They join AJ Styles and Stephanie McMahon as members of the 2026 class. Like with Styles and McMahon, Demolition were informed of their induction by a surprise announcement from The Undertaker.

Demolition — who individually went by the names Ax & Smash — were three-time WWF Tag Team Champions in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Their first reign, which spanned for 478 days, was the longest in WWE history until it was broken by The New Day in 2015-2016.

A Hall of Fame induction did not materialize until now due to Demolition and WWE being on poor terms. In the 1990s, Eadie filed a lawsuit against the company over the rights to the Demolition gimmick. He and Darsow were later part of a class-action concussion lawsuit against WWE.

In 2025, Demolition signed Legends contracts with WWE. They now have a better relationship with the company under its new regime with Paul “Triple H” Levesque and Nick Khan leading the way.

WWE has yet to announce the venue or exact date for the 2026 Hall of Fame ceremony. It traditionally happens on the Friday of WrestleMania week.

May 7, 2008 Observer Newsletter: Taz & Mike Adamle walk off ECW TV show, WWE Hall of Fame deep dive

Posted on by F4W Staff

The latest issue to be uploaded in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter archives takes us back to May 7, 2008, when Taz and Mike Adamle simply walked away from the broadcast table during an ECW TV show.

Was it a work? Was it a shoot? What happened? Dave Meltzer covers it all in this issue.

Dave also does a deep dive into the WWE Hall of Fame at the time, reporting that Steve Austin was likely for the next class and also giving his thoughts on who should be in, and why they weren’t just yet.

There’s that, plus results from around the world and plenty of news.

Jump back in the time machine as our full WON archive from 2008 nears completion.

Click here to read (sub needed)

Jesse Ventura ‘very angry’ Donald Trump is in WWE Hall of Fame

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Jesse Ventura is “very angry” that Donald Trump is in the WWE Hall of Fame — so much so that he’s considered giving up his own spot out of protest.

During Trump’s second presidential term, Ventura has been an especially outspoken critic of his. He continued that criticism during a recent appearance on Independent Americans, expressing how mad he is that Trump is included in the WWE Hall of Fame. Ventura said he has wanted to publicly resign from the HOF himself because he does not feel Trump is qualified to be in it.

“You know what I’m ticked off about? He’s in the wrestling Hall of Fame,” Ventura said. “I’m angry over that. Very angry. And here’s why: I have friends that are not in the Hall of Fame. One in particular, Olympian Ken Patera. At one time considered possibly the strongest man in the world. Competed in the Olympics, had a tremendous pro wrestling career afterward. Well, guess what? He’s not in the Hall of Fame, and Trump is. And do you know how you get into the Hall of Fame? You do like what I had to do. Do you know what I did one time? True story: I wrestled 63 consecutive nights in a row without a day off. And there’s people that would destroy that. There’s guys that did more than that. But that’s how you get into the Hall of Fame. Think about that — I wrestled 63 consecutive nights in a row. This is in the territory days, that was driving to and from the town…

“You know why [Trump] got in? Because he provided us two buildings [for WrestleMania IV and V] where he probably made millions, you know, off of renting us his buildings to hold WrestleMania. And for that, Vince McMahon puts him in the Hall of Fame? It’s a disgrace. I’ve almost resigned, gone public and said I’m resigning from the Hall of Fame because Trump is in it and he doesn’t qualify. Like everything he does, he’s not qualified.”

Trump joined the Hall of Fame in 2013 as a celebrity inductee. His history with WWE includes appearances at WrestleMania IV, WrestleMania V, and WrestleMania 23.

Ventura’s induction into the WWE Hall of Fame happened in 2004. He’s had a contentious relationship with WWE at different points over the years but signed a new Legends contract in 2024 and now makes regular appearances at Saturday Night’s Main Event specials.

Big E would prefer New Day WWE Hall of Fame induction over solo honor

Posted on by Joseph Currier

If Big E joins the WWE Hall of Fame one day, he would prefer a group induction for The New Day rather than just being honored himself.

Big E revealed last week that, nearly four years removed from his last match, he considers himself retired. He suffered a career-ending neck injury on SmackDown in March 2022 but is able to live a normal, pain-free life. Big E’s only limitation is that he is not able to wrestle because his neck is not forming new bone properly.

While speaking with radio station 107.7 The Bone, Big E was asked about potentially being inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. He said that, if he could only choose one, he would rather be recognized as a member of New Day instead of as a singles star.

“I feel like I’ve had some really great highs as a singles superstar, as far as being NXT Champion, the second-ever NXT Champion, also getting to be WWE Champion, two-time IC Champion,” Big E said. “But really I feel like what people know me as and the time of my career that was really the most rewarding, was my time with The New Day. And I feel like we really got to do something special. I don’t want to diminish my singles career. I don’t know if I had enough time as a singles superstar to really be a stalwart as just a singles superstar.

“But, yeah, my time in The New Day is one I truly cherish. And we just broke down so many barriers. We did so many things we hadn’t really seen before. Breaking a record that stood for 20 years with Demolition, having Booty-Os — a food product in wrestling — is kind of ridiculous. People still come up to me. I think we released Booty-Os a decade ago, and people still fondly remember me as the Booty-Os guy. So if I had to pick one, it would be as a member of The New Day because it really changed the trajectory of my career.”

Big E still contributes to WWE in a non-wrestling role that includes appearing on PLE pre-shows and post-shows. We also saw him appear on Raw in December 2024 during an episode where New Day turned heel and betrayed him. 107.7 The Bone asked if we could see him get revenge on Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods one day.

“You know, it was something that was discussed at some point,” Big E responded. “But I’m very zen these days. I’m a big mindfulness, meditation guy. Right now I’m focused on my broadcasting role. That is my role.”

John Cena WWE Hall of Fame induction update

Posted on by Josh Nason

Image: WWE

With just over two months to go before WrestleMania 42 weekend, it appears John Cena will not be part of this year’s WWE Hall of Fame Class.

On Thursday’s Wrestlevotes Radio on Fightful Select, they stated as such and that Stephanie McMahon is expected to be this year’s headliner with another Immortal Moment expected as well. As of now, McMahon has been the only announced inductee.

Cena wrapped up his final year as an in-ring competitor last December in a losing effort to Gunther on Saturday Night’s Main Event, adding to speculation that perhaps Cena would be inducted this year. Next year’s WrestleMania will head to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, for the first time ever which might be the landing spot for his eventual induction.

As was the case last year, WWE WrestleMania 42 will emanate from Las Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium on Saturday, April 18 and Sunday, April 19. The details for the Hall of Fame ceremony have yet to be announced.

Legendary tag team petitioning for WWE Hall of Fame induction

Posted on by Joseph Currier

The Jumping Bomb Angels are hoping that 2026 is the year they’re inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.

As the calendar flipped over to 2026, The Jumping Bomb Angels social media account sent out a tweet announcing that their New Year’s resolution is to gather enough support to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. The team — consisting of wrestling legends Noriyo Tateno & Itsuki Yamazaki — is asking fans to sign a petition advocating for their induction.

Tateno and Yamazaki started their careers for All Japan Women’s Wrestling in 1981 and later spent time in the United States competing for the WWF. Their WWF run included a Women’s Tag Team title reign, matches at the first Survivor Series and Royal Rumble, and a well-remembered feud with The Glamour Girls (Leilani Kai & Judy Martin).

In the petition, The Jumping Bomb Angels pointed to their “innovative wrestling style” as one of the reasons they should be inducted, saying they helped “set new standards for excellence in women’s wrestling.”

“Their influence on international wrestling is undeniable, and their groundbreaking performances paved the way for future generations of female wrestlers,” the petition said.

WWE has yet to respond to the petition. Its first goal is to gain 200 signatures, with 187 fans having signed so far.

Las Vegas will be hosting the 2026 WWE Hall of Fame ceremony during WrestleMania 42 weekend this April. It’s already been confirmed that Stephanie McMahon will be one of the inductees.

Update on potential Chris Jericho WWE return

Posted on by Joseph Currier

If Chris Jericho returns to WWE, his run will likely include an induction into the company’s Hall of Fame.

Rumors of a Jericho WWE return have been going on for months now. Jericho himself has not given any definitive answers, leaving the door open to either stay with AEW or return to WWE when his AEW contract expires at the end of 2025. But a potential spoiler regarding his decision appeared to emerge this week when no AEW wrestlers were listed among the first batch of advertised names for his 2026 cruise.

“Chris Jericho announced his next Jericho Cruise from November 7 to 11 in 2026 from Miami to the Bahamas and the lists of guests has nobody from AEW. Now it’s been noted to me the last time he did a cruise he announced nobody from AEW until a few months out,” Dave Meltzer wrote while providing an update on the situation in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

Meltzer added that, if Jericho does end up going back to WWE, the promotion’s idea is for him to have a retirement tour and be inducted into the Hall of Fame.

“He’s either going to WWE or he wants people to think he’s going to WWE to up his price from each side,” Meltzer wrote. “The idea is that Jericho is coming for a retirement tour and Hall of Fame induction. It also should be pointed out the cruise has nobody from WWE either but I don’t know that WWE would allow their talent to go even if he was with the company.”

In the past, Jericho has mentioned that a WWE Hall of Fame induction isn’t something that means that much to him. He does not want to go into any Hall of Fame while still an active in-ring performer.

Jericho — a star in WWE for nearly 20 years after arriving in 1999 — has not wrestled for the company since 2018. He joined AEW when the promotion was founded and was the first-ever AEW World Champion. Since April of this year, though, he’s been away from AEW TV. Tony Khan has spoken highly of Jericho amid the contract rumors and said that he would like to have Jericho back in AEW.

Undertaker surprises Stephanie McMahon with WWE Hall of Fame news

Posted on by Joseph Currier

The WWE Hall of Fame class of 2026 already has its first inductee.

During Wrestlepalooza on Saturday night, there was a moment where The Undertaker surprised Stephanie McMahon with the news that she will be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame next year. Stephanie joins her husband Paul “Triple H” Levesque and her late grandfather Vincent J. McMahon as WWE Hall of Famers.

The moment with Undertaker and Stephanie happened just before the main event of Wrestlepalooza. Undertaker made a surprise appearance, riding a motorcycle down to the ring and then interacting with Stephanie in the front row. After receiving the Hall of Fame news, Stephanie became emotional.

“You guys are in trouble,” she jokingly told WWE President Nick Khan after hugging him.

The daughter of Vince McMahon, Stephanie’s roles with WWE date back to when she modeled for the company in merchandise catalogues. She has been an on-screen character, an in-ring performer, a key part of creative, Chief Brand Officer, chairwoman, and co-CEO over the decades. She currently is not an executive for WWE but makes occasional appearances and hosts an official WWE podcast titled “What’s Your Story?”

Levesque — Stephanie’s husband — headlined the 2025 Hall of Fame class as an individual inductee after having previously been inducted as a member of D-Generation X. WWE shared footage of him and Stephanie backstage after tonight’s announcement:

Stephanie’s induction will happen during WrestleMania 42 week in Las Vegas in April 2026. It’s the second straight year that Vegas has hosted WrestleMania.

WWE Hall of Famer undergoes heart procedure, provides positive update

Posted on by Ethan Renner

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.