WWE has officially announced that Shad Gaspard is the recipient of the company’s 2022 Warrior Award.
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WWE is honoring the late Shad Gaspard as part of the company’s 2022 Hall of Fame ceremony.
In the latest edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer reported that Gaspard will be named the winner of this year’s Warrior Award. Gaspard died in May 2020 after being caught in a rip current while swimming at Venice Beach, California. Gaspard heroically saved his son by directing rescuers to help his son first instead of him.
“It has been reported elsewhere that Shad Gaspard would be the winner of his year’s Warrior Award. Those in WWE have confirmed that to be accurate,” Meltzer wrote.
Gaspard was part of the tag team Cryme Tyme with JTG in WWE. His outside-the-ring projects included acting and writing.
The Warrior Award is “presented to an individual who has exhibited unwavering strength and perseverance” and who has lived life with the courage and compassion that embodies the indomitable spirit of The Ultimate Warrior.
The award was established in 2015. Connor “The Crusher” Michalek, Joan Lunden, Eric LeGrand, Jarrius “JJ” Robertson, longtime WWE employees Sue Aitchison and Rich Hering, and Titus O’Neil have been named Warrior Award winners since it was introduced.
This year’s WWE Hall of Fame ceremony will take place at the American Airlines Center in Dallas after SmackDown on Friday, April 1. The ceremony will air live on Peacock/WWE Network.
The Undertaker, Vader, and Sharmell have been announced for this year’s WWE Hall of Fame class.
WWE has revealed the newest member of this year’s Hall of Fame class.
It was announced via Complex on Monday that Sharmell will be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame over WrestleMania week this April. She joins The Undertaker and Vader in the 2022 Hall of Fame class.
“I was so happy,” Sharmell told Complex after learning that she was going into the WWE Hall of Fame. “I didn’t even know what to say. It was an unexpected, great surprise — a welcome surprise.”
Sharmell broke into pro wrestling as one of the Nitro Girls in the 1990s. She’s best known for managing her husband Booker T in WWE and TNA Wrestling. After Booker T won the 2006 King of the Ring tournament, Sharmell became Queen Sharmell in WWE.
Sharmell joins Booker T in the WWE Hall of Fame. Booker T has been inducted twice, first as an individual in 2013 and then as part of Harlem Heat with his brother Stevie Ray in 2019.
Sharmell and Booker T currently run their Reality of Wrestling training school and promotion.
This year’s WWE Hall of Fame ceremony is taking place after SmackDown at the American Airlines Center in Dallas on Friday, April 1. The ceremony will air live on Peacock/WWE Network.
Vince McMahon will be inducting The Undertaker into the Hall of Fame.
It’s a brand new episode of We’re Live, Pal as Andrew Zarian and I are back to talk about some WWE WrestleMania 38 news and last Sunday’s AEW’s Revolution.
We talk about the changes to “Stone Cold” Steve Austin’s role at WWE WrestleMania 38 and look back on what he’s done in previous years.
We also chat about why Andrew decided against going to WWE’s Madison Square Garden show over the weekend.
Andrew has some inside news on possible WWE Hall of Fame inductions.
We also go over the great AEW Revolution pay-per-view Sunday and all the memorable moments and news.
We also talk about the upcoming F4W Convention Memorial Day weekend in Las Vegas and promise a good time talking wrestling at the suite party.
Enjoy the latest We’re Live, Pal in podcast form below or on YouTube above.
Several factors may cause some WWE Hall of Fame inductees to be inducted digitally during the live ceremony this year.
Dave Meltzer noted on Wrestling Observer Radio that it may not be possible to induct everyone on the live show as they have done in the past due to the event being 90 minutes, a considerable amount of that 90 minutes expected to be devoted to The Undertaker’s induction, and the time of night.
He said in some of the cases, inductees could be inducted digitally. He wasn’t specific on whether that means a short video speech or just a video package for certain people and acts.
“Undertaker is going to get the big grand treatment and then I would presume Vader probably will…but a lot of the other guys, there’s been talk of, again with the 90 minutes, not even doing a ceremony but just doing it digitally,” he said.
The show will air live on Peacock and WWE Network from 10:30 PM to midnight Eastern/9:30 PM to 11 PM Central. It will take place after that night’s live SmackDown from the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas, as part of WrestleMania 38 weekend.
Thus far, only Undertaker and Vader have been announced for this year’s class.
Andrew Zarian of Mat Men tweeted Tuesday that he has heard Sid Vicious could be included in this year’s inductees as well.
Vader has been announced for this year’s WWE Hall of Fame class, first reported by Bleacher Report.
He joins The Undertaker as the other inductee already announced.
Real name Leon White, Vader passed away at the age of 63 in 2018.
After spending most of 1993 as WCW World Champion, he was voted Wrestler of the Year, Best Heel, and as having the Best Wrestling Maneuver (his moonsault) in that year’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards. In 1999, he would win Most Improved.
Vader’s career spanned four decades and included three runs with the IWGP Heavyweight Championship, another three with the WCW World Heavyweight Championship, and he was twice AJPW Triple Crown Heavyweight Champion as well.
He made an immediate impact upon arriving in New Japan Pro Wrestling in 1987. His debut match saw him challenge Antonio Inoki in Sumo Hall after Inoki had already defeated Riki Choshu that night. Vader needed less than three minutes to disperse of Inoki, causing fans in the building to riot.
NJPW would be banned from running events in the venue as a result of the aftermath, although the ban would be lifted in early 1989.
Vader signed with WCW in 1990. In addition to his three runs with the company’s world title, he also won the United States Championship on three occasions. He headlined many big events for the company, including against Ric Flair at Starrcade ’93.
Vader worked for WWE from 1996 until 1998, but his time with the company was not as successful as his WCW and NJPW runs. His most notable match while with the company took place at SummerSlam ’96 when he challenged Shawn Michaels for the WWF Championship.
He was voted into the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame in 1996.
Vince McMahon will be playing a key part in this year’s WWE Hall of Fame ceremony.
During his appearance on the Pat McAfee Show on Thursday, McMahon revealed that he’ll be the person to induct The Undertaker into the WWE Hall of Fame. The induction ceremony will air live on Peacock/WWE Network on Friday, April 1. It’s taking place at the American Airlines Center in Dallas after the WrestleMania 38 go-home episode of SmackDown.
“Undertaker, of course, is going to be in the Hall of Fame — and I’m going to have the distinction of inducting into the Hall of Fame,” McMahon told McAfee.
McMahon said that inducting The Undertaker will be one of the most difficult things he’s ever done in his life. When asked why, McMahon said he loves The Undertaker and got emotional when talking about the relationship they’ve had over the years. McMahon said Undertaker (real name Mark Calaway) is an extraordinary human being and is someone who has been loyal, trustworthy, and reliable.
With Elimination Chamber in the books, all WWE promotion is now directly set for a star-laden WrestleMania.
Matches that are known thus far for the two days on 4/2 and 4/3 at AT&T Stadium in Irving, TX are:
*Brock Lesnar vs. Roman Reigns with both the WWE and Universal titles at stake with Lesnar winning back the WWE title in the Elimination Chamber. This is scheduled as the 4/3 main event. To boost attendance after the last show did the third lowest paid-for show since 1938, they pushed on Raw a house show harder than they have in decades, promoting that Lesnar is defending on 3/5 in Madison Square Garden and could lose the title.
Either way, the Lesnar vs. Reigns match is taking place. Lesnar is advertised against Bobby Lashley, but it is not expected to happen as Lashley was being checked out this week for potential shoulder surgery. Lashley’s shoulder was injured in the Royal Rumble match where he won the title from Lesnar and hasn’t wrestled since. He was taken out of the Chamber match with an injury and never was actually in the match. WWE did advertise the Chamber match as being all about Lesnar vs. Lashley, with full knowledge Lashley wouldn’t wrestle.
It was pretty sleazy to build the main event of the show around two guys when they knew in advance that one couldn’t wrestle in the match. WWE and AAA remain the only major promotions that continue to feel that false advertising is okay.
On Raw this week, Paul Heyman used concussion protocol to say Lashley might not be there and they would have a substitute who was a fitting Madison Square Garden main event title challenger. Later in the show the announcers outright said that Lashley probably wouldn’t be in the match. Locally they were still advertising him but on television, they did pretty much say Lesnar would be defending against somebody else, and Heyman used the term a worthy MSG title contender.
On 2/24, MSG did change the advertising and now it’s just Lesnar defending the title with no opponent listed. Heyman heavily pushed the idea that Lesnar could lose the title at MSG and how it would change Mania. After last week’s two-for-one ticket sale, at press time they were at 5,599 tickets out which would be around 4,000 paid which when you consider everything with the Raw push and loaded card is pretty bad. This once again shows how much priority Vince McMahon has regarding Madison Square Garden, as he made the show the most loaded house show the promotion has put on in years, and this is the first time in many years that a main storyline will play out at a house show. It may have been 20 years or more since a house show was pushed to this level on Raw.
It’s also notable they pushed the Lesnar title defense but not the Reigns vs. Rollins title match on that same show. Most likely the next AEW show at the UBS Arena would have outdrawn Madison Square Garden had the show not been so loaded and pushed to this level. Now I’d be very surprised for that to happen. The UBS show isn’t until 5/11 and has 3,906 tickets out.
The first inductee into the WWE Hall of Fame has been announced as The Undertaker will be enshrined as part of this year’s ceremony at WrestleMania 38 in Dallas, Texas.
The ceremony will air live on Peacock and WWE Network after SmackDown on Friday, April 1st. For the first time, they will hold the event on the same night as as SmackDown as a doubleheader for fans.
The 56-year-old Houston, Texas, native born Mark Calaway made his WWE debut in October 1990 as Kane The Undertaker which was eventually changed. He made his TV debut at that November’s Survivor Series as a surprise addition to Ted DiBiase’s Million Dollar Team.
He won his first WWE Championship by defeating Hulk Hogan at the following year’s Survivor Series, a title he would win four times. He also won the World title three times, the WWE Tag Team titles six times, the WCW Tag Team titles once and the WWE Hardcore title once.
His last “match” came at WrestleMania 36 in March 2020 when he defeated AJ Styles in a cinematic Boneyard match while his last actual in-ring bout came a month prior in Saudi Arabia in a gauntlet match that he won.
He was honored at the 2020 Survivor Series after 30 years with WWE, closing the show with a short promo saying it was time for him to rest in peace. He did his traditional pose while a hologram of former manager Paul Bearer was projected. Earlier that year, he said he was retiring as part of his Last Ride docuseries on WWE Network.
This year’s WWE Hall of Fame ceremony is reportedly set to air live on Peacock/WWE Network on Friday, April 1.
PWInsider reported today that current plans are for the 2022 WWE Hall of Fame ceremony to take place at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas after the April 1 episode of SmackDown. The ceremony would air live on Peacock/WWE Network from 10:30 p.m. Eastern time to midnight. The expectation is that there wouldn’t be an extra ticket required for the Hall of Fame ceremony.
This will be WWE’s first live Hall of Fame ceremony since 2019. In 2020, the ceremony was canceled following the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2020 and 2021 Hall of Fame classes were then inducted during a taped ceremony held at the WWE ThunderDome last year.
There haven’t been any inductees announced for this year’s WWE Hall of Fame class yet.
WWE announced last week that it will be putting on a full slate of in-person events in Dallas during WrestleMania 38 week. That will include the Hall of Fame ceremony, NXT Stand & Deliver, episodes of SmackDown and Raw, and “a ‘Superstore Axxess’ interactive fan experience.”
The April 1 episode of SmackDown will be the go-home show for WrestleMania 38. AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas is hosting the two-night WrestleMania on Saturday, April 2 and Sunday, April 3.
After two years of WrestleMania being affected by COVID-19, this year’s event will look a bit closer to normal.
WWE announced via the Dallas Morning News today that it is returning to putting on a full slate of in-person events during WrestleMania 38 week. That will include this year’s Hall of Fame ceremony, NXT Stand & Deliver, episodes of SmackDown and Raw, and “a ‘Superstore Axxess’ interactive fan experience.”
All of the shows will take place in the Dallas area surrounding WrestleMania 38. Dates, locations, and ticket information for the events have yet to be announced.
In 2020, the WWE Hall of Fame ceremony was canceled due to the pandemic. The 2020 and 2021 Hall of Fame classes were inducted in a ceremony that was taped at the WWE ThunderDome last year.
Stand & Deliver will be the first NXT event to take place outside of Florida since the start of the pandemic. It will also be NXT’s first show outside of Florida since the NXT 2.0 rebrand.
WrestleMania 38 is being held at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on Saturday, April 2 and Sunday, April 3.
A preview to WrestleMania leads off the current issue of the Wrestling Observer. We look at each match, thoughts on the match, who are the gambling oddsmaker favorites, chart ticket demand with Mania and the next two UFC PPV shows, rules in play, and non-WrestleMania ticket demand.
Also in this issue:
End of the Wednesday night war with the final standings, cover the two Takeover shows, look at television vs. streaming viewership, Canadian numbers, final stands in shows and quarters, and where AEW and NXT go from here.
Takeover with match-by-match coverage with star ratings and other notes from the shows.
Vince McMahon’s decision to put the Chris Jericho interview on Peacock right after the second day of WrestleMania, why the timing works, how Tony Khan reacted, the good, the bad, the political, a preview of something talked about and how this does show a change in WWE policy.
The death of Jack Veneno, a look at his four world title matches with Ric Flair, Dominican wrestling, the story about the world title change that wasn’t approved by the NWA board, as well as the movies on his life and career that have been produced. We look at the level of fame he had in the Dominican Republic and outside the Dominican Republic.
A feature on the direction of AEW, where the viewership declines are and aren’t, reasons, and changes in AEW television over the past year as well as a look at different stars and how much time they are getting.
Nick Khan talking the return of two of WWE’s best known women stars, A.J. Styles’ idea for this year’s Mania that didn’t happen, Roman Reigns talks a match with The Rock, looking at the popularity of all the major promotions and who is gaining and falling, WWE gets rid of longtime announcing team, The Hurt Business breakup, Paul Levesque talks Undertaker’s comments on the modern generation, how pro wrestling did compared to televised sports this past week, Seth Rollins talks fans at TV, A&E wrestling schedule, and WWE market value.
Will Ospreay’s win of the IWGP title, the history of U.K. wrestlers challenging for New Japan’s world title, business updates including bad news for New Japan going into two stadium shows, why the title changed, other angles, all the upcoming streaming shows and major shows over the next month and some good business news as well.
Sakura Genesis, with match-by-match coverage and star ratings.
WWE Hall of Fame ceremonies, go through the candidates, note speeches, the major gaffe in one of the inductions and a look back at a pioneer wrestling family that is never talked about.
U.S. Olympic wrestling trials, the major confrontations, the stars of the team, plus stars of the future to watch out for.
Stardom PPV show.
More into detail on ratings than any other source, we have how every segment on NXT and AEW did as well as how it did with different age groups, genders and more, plus a look at all other wrestling shows of the past week.
Results of the major pro wrestling events of the past week.
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MONDAY NEWS UPDATE
Bryan and I will be back tonight covering Raw and with more WrestleMania fallout. You can send questions to the show to [email protected]
WrestleMania over the two days ended up with 650,000 searches. It was No. 8 yesterday, which is low. Logan Paul was No. 10 yesterday with 50,000. Bad Bunny had 100,000 on Saturday.
Tonight is what is usually the biggest Raw of the year, and most years the Raw after Mania goes against the NCAA tournament, so they don’t have that issue this year. It probably won’t beat the Raw Legends Night but it would be expected to do the biggest number other than that of 2021, and likely start a lot of new angles. It will be interesting to see where they are going. Changing the 5/16 PPV from Money in the Bank to WrestleMania Backlash sounds like plans changed this week to book more rematches, and thus that would explain all the heel wins. WWE debuts television at the Yuengling Center on the campus of the University of South Florida in Tampa tonight, which will be home for the foreseeable future.
Miz & Mrs. returns tonight on USA right after Raw.
NXT debuts on Tuesday tomorrow and AEW has Wednesday to itself ona show headlined by Young Bucks vs. Pac & Fenix for the tag titles and Darby Allin vs. Matt Hardy for the TNT title plus Chris Jericho vs. Dax Harwood with Mike Tyson as guest enforcer.
There has been a big public dispute between Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier. McGregor had promised to donate $500,000 to Poirier’s charity the Good Fight Foundation in conjunction with their fight. Poirier said that McGregor never came through with it. McGregor responded calling Poirier an inbred brain dead hillbilly and told him their fight is off and he’s fighting someone else on 7/10.
Want to send sympathies to the friends of Mark Bujan, a subscriber for decades and a notable historian, who started going to shows in the late 60s and later promoted shows. Bujan died Saturday at the age of 61 from what is believed to have been a heart attack.
Dark Side of the Ring Confidential this week moves permanently from Tuesday to Thursday given NXT has been moved to Tuesday.
New Japan will be streaming tomorrow’s Korakuen Hall show for free for non-subscribers. The show starts at 5:30 a.m. Eastern from Korakuen Hall in Tokyo:
Sho & Yoh & Gabriel Kidd vs. Minoru Suzuki & Desperado & Yoshinobu Kanemaru
Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa & Jado vs. Zack Sabre Jr. & Taichi & Douki
Babatunde Aiyegbusi, who debuted as the second for Apollo Crews,is expected to go by the name Commandor Azeez.
The family of Ethel Johnson, Babs Wingo and Marva Scott, three sisters who worked for Billy Wolfe in the 50s and remained in the business after that, did a video. They noted WWE never called them about Ethel Johnson going into the Hall of Fame and said the footage WWE had of Johnson during the Hall of Fame ceremony was actually of Sandy Parker, as we had noted, and said Wingo and not Johnson was the first black woman wrestler in the U.S., but that Johnson was the first one to hold a championship. They said they did call WWE and that WWE would make the correction. We’ll have a story on the sisters who were pioneers with Wolfe’s stable in the next issue.
UFC
Warlley Alves vs.Ramazan Emeev has been added to the 6/26 show.
Austin Hubbard vs. Dakota Bush is expected to be added to Saturday’s show. Bush debuts, coming from the LFA.
Sage Northcutt, who was supposed to be one of the headliners on the 4/28 ONE show, has pulled out as he hasn’t recovered from about with COVID which led to blood clots. His scheduled opponent, DDT pro wrestling star and MMA legend Shinya Aoki, now faces Eduard Folayang. The show airs on TNT after Dynamite two weeks from Wednesday.
SWE Fury TV results from the weekend:
Mil Muertes defeated Vito Valentino
Tim Storm gave his farewell promo before leaving SWE after losing the World title to Charlie Haas
The Boogeyman defeated DJ Micheals
Trevor Murdoch successfully defended the NWA National Championship vs Jeremy Wyatt
Miranda Gordy received an award from James Beard for her father Terry Gordy
Miranda Gordy was disqualified in her Women’s Title match vs Champion Christy Jaynes. Lacey Von Erich attacked Miranda and put the Von Erich claw on her after the match.
Texas Champion The Blood Hunter defeated Davey Boy Smith Jr with the help of Milena
The OMG beat Bam Bam Malone and Heartthrob Jayden to win the vacant SWE Tag Team Champions.
The full TV show can be seen online at this link.
Paradigm Pro Wrestling on Wednesday under IWFi rules has Max the Impaler vs. Jordan Blade and Derek Neal vs. Ron Bass Jr. (listed at 6-foot-4 and 330 pounds) and Dominic Garrini vs. Ron Mathis.
Davey Richards said he will be taking bookings again starting in July and can be contacted at [email protected]
MLW Fusion has two title bouts for Wednesday, with the already announced Alex Hammerstone vs. Mil Muertes National title match and a Caribbean title match with Richard Holliday vs. Gino Medina.
On a new episode of Pacific Rim, Fumi Saito and I look at the 2020 and 2021 inductees of the WWE Hall of Fame and ttalk about the careers of JBL, Kane, Jushin Liger, and more.
Even though the WWE Hall of Fame doesn’t have a set criteria to be inducted, both of us see it as one of the more enjoyable nights of the year on the WWE calendar and discuss what we saw Tuesday.
Under a very unique set of circumstances, WWE will air a pre-recorded version of this year’s Hall of Fame ceremony, featuring two years worth of induction classes getting their moment.
Filmed last week at the ThunderDome in Tampa, Florida, both the 2020 and 2021 class will be recognized as last year’s ceremony was cancelled due to the pandemic wreaking havoc with WWE’s WrestleMania week schedule.
Airing on WWE Network and Peacock, the 2020 class inductions will start at 8 PM Eastern with the 2021 class kicking off at 9:30 PM Eastern. The entire broadcast will last three hours.
The 2020 class consists of The nWo (Hulk Hogan, Kevin Nash, Scott Hall & Sean “X-Pac” Waltman); Nikki & Brie Bella; JBL; Davey Boy Smith; Jushin Thunder Liger; celebrity inductee William Shatner and Warrior Award recipient Titus O’Neil.
The 2021 class consists of Eric Bischoff, Molly Holly, Kane, The Great Khali, Rob Van Dam, celebrity inductee Ozzy Osbourne and Warrior Award recipient Rich Hering.
Our live coverage kicks off at 8 PM Eastern.
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Starting off the ceremony, host Jerry Lawler acknowledged the bizarre circumstances. Lawler, dressed in an unusual patterned suit, invited crying, including Texas-sized tears—enter John Bradshaw Layfield.
2020 Class – John Bradshaw Layfield
A career summary video package played before JBL’s speech. It encompassed both his wrestling and financial career.
JBL started his speech by mentioning how he fell in love with professional wrestling, invoking the Dallas Sportatorium. In his early career, JBL became obsessed with heat; he loved the thrill, even if the police had to become involved.
When asked what he would do again, JBL said he’d do it all again. From Eddie Guerrero, the APA, and the Undertaker to the tiny towns no one knows, JBL loved every second.
JBL then started what sounded like an apology for any hard feelings in the locker room before pulling a 180, calling anyone upset a “snowflake.” To end his induction speech, JBL called himself “A wrestling god.”
This was a short speech with some noticeable edits but was still effective.
In between induction speeches, WWE talent shared some brief thoughts on the HoF Class.
2020 Class – “The British Bulldog” Davey Boy Smith
DBS video package focused both on his in-ring career and family.
Accepting on Smith’s behalf were his children. A bulldog accompanied the Smith family. Harry Smith, AKA Davey Boy Smith Jr., praised both the athleticism and heart of DBS. Harry listed off many of DBS, including those against Bret Hart at Summerslam, Dynamite Kid in Japan, and plenty of tags against the Hart Foundation.
Harry said the spirit of DBS lived on, both with all the fans and with him every time he stepped in the ring.
2020 Class – Jushin “Thunder” Liger
Liger, as to be expected, gave his speech virtually. After acknowledging the honor in Japanese, he thanked the fans and WWE in English.
Liger spoke for about a minute; in fact, his video package was longer than his speech.
2020 Class – William Shatner
Shatner’s video package included his interactions with Jerry Lawler and plenty of impersonations.
Shatner also attended the ceremony virtually. Shatner mentioned his hometown’s (Montreal) influence in wrestling before thanking the WWE for the honor.
2020 Legacy Class
A short video played to honor all those joining the legacy class. The inducted: Ray Stevens, Baron Michele Leone, Gary Hart, Brickhouse Brown, and “Dr. Death” Steve Williams.
2020 Class – The Bella Twins
The Bella’s video package began with the WWE Diva’s Search and ran all the way to Total Bella’s.
Both Bella’s tried to start the speech, interrupting each other. Brie and Nikki shared the microphone, just as they shared everything else in their life. They gave a brief synopsis of their WWE career, ending with their involvement with the women’s revolution. Buffered by tons of jokes, they then listed off everyone who had any influence on their career.
Brie promised the Bella Twins would be back in 18 years, after their kids grow into adults.
2020 Warrior Award – Titus O’Neil
O’Neil’s video package briefly mentioned his career accolades before showcasing his charitable work.
O’Neil acknowledged his time in poverty and troubled youth. After being sent to a rehabilitation ranch, he was told he was loved for the first time. From this point on, O’Neil became focused and turned his life around.
O’Neil shared his hopes for building a legacy for his family while helping those in need. He thanked the WWE for the platform that enabled him to put smiles on peoples faces.
O’Neil also said the Warrior Award means he has lived a life of significance.
O’Neil thanked his sons, the WWE, and his supporters for helping him grow as a father and a man. O’Neil ended his acceptance speech with the words, “I love you.”
2020 Class – The NWO
The NWO video package was fantastic. It showed off all of the group’s highs in the NWO’s signature style.
Waltman started the speech by thanking his fellow NWO members, Triple H, and Eric Bischoff. Hall also thanked his fellow NWO members, with special attention paid to Hogan. Nash mentioned the extraordinary circumstances that made the NWO so special. Nash acknowledged the WWE’s role in NWO and compared the group to Led Zeppelin and the Beatles. Hogan then talked about the NWO’s explosion in popularity, even to this day.
Hogan called for all four guys to go on one more run. Hogan reminded everyone the NWO is “4 Life” before signing off with a too sweet.
This concludes the 2020 class ceremony. All of the speeches felt quite rushed, which is made extra odd considering all the ads for Wrestlemania and inconsequential interviews that ran between said speeches.
Kayla Braxton and Corey Graves replaced Jerry Lawler for the 2021 ceremony.
2021 Class – Rob Van Dam
RVD’s video package was pretty great. While acknowledging his career highlights, it also paid particular attention to his unique attire and transcendent move set.
RVD started his speech by referencing his time in Memphis and Florida. He said without the fan’s admiration for him, he would have never made it to where he is today.
RVD then shared a touching story about an autograph signing immediately following his father’s death. He accredited the fans for getting him through times, just as his work helped others feel better about their situation. He said life is all about individuality and choices.
After mentioning vibrational energy, RVD thanked his parents, the Shiek, Sabu, his promoters, and the fans who supported him in his wrestling journey. He said there is no better high than a crowd’s support before a frog splash; he knows something about highs.
RVD ended his speech with his signature gesture.
2021 Class – Molly Holly
Holly’s video package showcased her WWE career with an emphasis on her metamorphoses and innovation.
Holly started her speech by mentioning she shares an honor with Vince McMahon, being the only people to have their heads shaved at WrestleMania. She then gave a special thanks to the crew for their role in everything possible. To end her speech, she thanked the fans for not judging her despite her shortcomings.
2021 Class – The Great Khali
Khali’s video package featured his outbreaks of dominance, comedy, and general charisma. His role in developing Indian talent was also in focus.
Khali joined via video call. He shared his gratitude for the support and the induction. To end his brief speech, Khali flashed if HOF ring.
2021 Class – Ozzy Osbourne
Osbourne’s video package showcased his encounters with the WWE — from his music’s inclusion to the time he hosted RAW.
Osbourne paid thanks to the fans for “keeping him alive.” He then thanked Vince McMahon and Triple H. His speech lasted about four seconds.
2021 Legacy Class
A video played to honor all those in the legacy class. Those inducted: Ethel Johnson, Paul Boesch, Pez Whatley, Dick the Bruiser, and Buzz Sawyer.
2021 Class – Eric Bischoff
Bischoff’s video package was nearly all-inclusive—all the way from his time in advertising to the rise and fall of WCW.
Bischoff opened by mentioning AWA and the lifelong journey that filled. In Atlanta, he explored his imagination. Then his journey took him to the WWE, a destination he could have never expected.
By standing on the shoulders of giants, Bischoff got to the HOF. He praised said giants for developing the “uniquely American art form” that is professional wrestling. Bischoff signed off by thanking the fans and promising the best is still to come.
2021 Warrior Award – Rich Hering
Hering’s video package showed off his life both in WWE and out. Hering was dedicated to aiding the Ultimate Warrior’s family after Warrior’s passing.
Hering’s was full of emotion during his brief speech. After paying thanks to Warrior and the Warrior family, he humbly acknowledged his role during WWF’s transformation from a regional territory into today’s WWE.
2021 Class – Kane
Kane’s video package skipped straight to his debut as Kane; I guess Doomsday and Isaac Yankem are insignificant in hindsight. Jokes aside, the ensemble was fantastic—it phenomenally captured Kane’s essence as a character and the man’s unique charisma.
Kane opened his speech by saying this was the greatest honor of his career. He thanked his family for their unwavering support. As a WWE superstar, he missed many occasions in his family’s life, but through it, they stuck together.
Kane thanked Dutch Mantell, Jim Ross, and Jim Cornette for aiding him early in his career. He then thanked everyone else who made his career possible (the crew, the guys in the back, etc.).
Kane said those who put on tights and lace up boots are the most talented entertainers in the world.
Kane then shifted his attention to his Kayfabe family, Undertaker and Paul Bearer. He shared the story of his first match with Taker before stating the Undertaker/Kane saga was the greatest story ever told by WWE. Because Taker believed in him, Kane’s achievement was possible.
Kane then thanked all the fans. He said if someone like Glen Jacobs can achieve all he did, just imagine what you can do. He then hit slammed his arms to trigger his famous pyro to close the 2021 ceremony.
The time crunch and circumstances undoubtedly hurt the show. I don’t know why Peacock/WWE felt it necessary to run tons of ads for a show that everyone watching is undoubtedly already aware of. The vast majority of superstar bumper interviews also added virtually nothing to show. You’d think someone would decide to cut back the fluff when honoring immense achievement, but instead, Bad Bunny had more screen time than many inductees.
Flaws aside, it’s crucial to remember that this is a night to honor the titans who make this art form great. All of the inductees have improved wrestling in one way or another, and that is worth celebrating.
Two Warrior Award recipients will be honored at tonight’s WWE Hall of Fame ceremony.
WWE has announced that Rich Hering, who has worked for the company for more than 50 years, will receive the 2021 Warrior Award at tonight’s Hall of Fame ceremony. Titus O’Neil is receiving the 2020 Warrior Award.
“As WWE’s Senior Vice President of Government Relations and Risk Management, Hering began his career more than 50 years ago with Vince McMahon’s father, Vincent J. McMahon, and helped WWE expand from a regional promotion into the juggernaut it is today,” WWE wrote. “Whether it is leading security efforts, working with state athletic commissions and other organizations on WWE events or overseeing the health and well-being of WWE talent and fans, Hering has consistently gone above and beyond the call of his day-to-day responsibilities.”
“On behalf of everyone at WWE, we are proud to present Rich Hering with this incredible honor,” said Stephanie McMahon, WWE Chief Brand Officer. “Rich has dedicated more than half a century to WWE and the WWE Universe, and has truly seen and done it all. From ensuring the health and safety of WWE Superstars and employees; presiding over the wedding of Macho Man and Miss Elizabeth; and being an ‘uncle’ to Dana Warrior and her children, Mattie and Indy, there is no one more deserving of this accolade.”
The Warrior Award was established in 2015 and is “presented to an individual who has exhibited unwavering strength and perseverance and who lives life with the courage and compassion that embodies the indomitable spirit of The Ultimate Warrior.” Connor “The Crusher” Michalek, Joan Lunden, Eric LeGrand, Jarrius “JJ” Robertson, \ Sue Aitchison, O’Neil, and Hering have been honored with the award since it was introduced.
Aitchison, who is the company’s director of community relations, was the first behind-the-scenes WWE employee to receive the Warrior Award.
This year’s WWE Hall of Fame ceremony was taped last week and is airing at 8 p.m. Eastern time tonight. It will air on Peacock in the United States and the WWE Network everywhere else. The ceremony will include both the 2020 and 2021 WWE Hall of Fame classes being inducted.
Here’s the list of honorees for tonight’s ceremony:
2020 WWE Hall of Fame class —
The nWo (Hulk Hogan, Kevin Nash, Scott Hall & Sean “X-Pac” Waltman)
