WWE wrestler and ambassador Titus O’Neil will be honored at the 2021 WWE Hall of Fame ceremony.
It was announced today that O’Neil (real name Thaddeus Bullard) will receive the 2020 Warrior Award at this year’s WWE Hall of Fame ceremony. The ceremony, which was taped last week, will air on Peacock in the United States and the WWE Network everywhere else at 8 p.m. Eastern time tomorrow (Tuesday, April 6). The ceremony will include both the 2020 and 2021 WWE Hall of Fame classes being inducted.
Titus O’Neil is one of the most philanthropic Superstars in WWE history. A fixture in the Tampa Bay community and passionate about giving back to families in need, O’Neil founded The Bullard Family Foundation, an organization that provides families and children in need with special moments, programs, and resources to help build character, develop relationships, and strengthen communities around them. In addition, O’Neil is an Ambassador for WWE, helping thousands of individuals through various nonprofits and WWE partners including Susan G. Komen, Boys & Girls Clubs of America and Special Olympics. His passion for community and uplifting others inspired him to write his first book, ‘There’s No Such Thing as a Bad Kid: How I Went from Stereotype to Prototype,’ in 2019. O’Neil is a Tampa Bay native and graduated from the University of Florida where he was a standout football player for the Gators.
“Everybody knows that I’m someone who just wants to do the work,” O’Neil told the Tampa Bay Times. “I don’t care who I need to work with, as long as the work is done, as long as people’s lives are changed, that environments have been made better — whether it be a school environment or health environment, whatever it may be. I’m about change, real transformational change, not transactional change.”
O’Neil will also be one of the hosts of WrestleMania 37. O’Neil and Hulk Hogan are co-hosting the two-night event at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida this Saturday and Sunday.
“Titus is a dedicated father, humanitarian and WWE Global Ambassador. His unwavering passion to help others in need is simply unmatched,” said Stephanie McMahon, WWE Chief Brand Officer. “Although he does not seek recognition, I am thrilled that his work will be spotlighted to WWE fans around the world.”
The Warrior Award “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, and Sue Aitchison have received the award since it was introduced in 2015.
Here are the announced inductees for the 2020 and 2021 WWE Hall of Fame classes:
2020 WWE Hall of Fame class —
The nWo (Hulk Hogan, Kevin Nash, Scott Hall & Sean “X-Pac” Waltman)
The 2021 WWE Hall of Fame will have a celebrity inductee as William Shatner will be part of this year’s class.
He joins a class that includes Molly Holly, Eric Bischoff, Kane, The Great Khali and Rob Van Dam.
Known best for his roles on Star Trek, T.J. Hooker, Boston Legal, and various commercials, the 90-year-old has been involved with WWE since a 1995 episode of Raw. He made his debut on Jerry Lawler’s talk show segment, getting physical with “The King” in giving him a monkey flip after things became heated.
The week after, he cornered fellow Canadian countryman Bret Hart in a Raw match against Jeff Jarrett and got physical again, this time with “Road Dogg” Jesse James. In 2010, he was the guest host for an episode of Raw.
Shatner inducted Lawler into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2007.
The ceremony for both the 2020 and 2021 inductees is being filmed this week for air next Tuesday on WWE Network/Peacock as part of a week of activities for WrestleMania 37.
Former WWE and ECW star Rob Van Dam will officially be part of the 2021 WWE Hall of Fame class.
WWE announced via Fox Sports today that RVD will be inducted into their Hall of Fame over WrestleMania 37 week. The Hall of Fame ceremony will air on Peacock in the United States and the WWE Network everywhere else on Tuesday, April 6.
“It’s a pretty awesome feeling,” RVD told Fox Sports about going into the WWE Hall of Fame. “Just like you probably would imagine, it feels like I’m being acknowledged and appreciated for my body of work. It feels very good. I’m honored. [Fans have] been calling me future Hall of Famer for years and I always just shrug and say, ‘All right, man. As long as you think so.’ But, glad to be among the chosen few this year.
“I’m glad for me and for all the fans. I feel like them being behind me and wanting to see this happen is a win for them as well.”
After last year’s ceremony was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 and 2021 WWE Hall of Fame classes will both be inducted this year. Here’s the list of inductees:
2020 Hall of Fame class —
The nWo (Hulk Hogan, Kevin Nash, Scott Hall & Sean “X-Pac” Waltman)
WWE has revealed two new members of their 2021 Hall of Fame class.
It was announced today that Kane and The Great Khali will be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame over WrestleMania 37 week. The Hall of Fame ceremony is set for Tuesday, April 6. It will air on Peacock in the United States and on the WWE Network everywhere else.
Kane was a guest on this morning’s episode of WWE’s The Bump. During the segment, The Undertaker surprised Kane by appearing and announcing that Kane is being inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame this year. The announcement of Khali going into the Hall of Fame was made via a video from WWE Now India where Khali’s former manager Ranjin Singh informed him of the news.
The Undertaker also tweeted: “@KaneWWE has been a brother to me on and off screen for over 25 years. Hardworking, loyal, and dedicated I was honored to be the one to announce he is the newest member of the #WWEHOF Class of 2021! #BrothersofDestruction”
Kane (real name Glenn Jacobs) most recently wrestled when he made an appearance as a surprise entrant in this year’s men’s Royal Rumble match. Jacobs is the current mayor of Knox County, Tennessee. Earlier this week, Jacobs announced that he’ll be running for re-election to serve a second term as mayor.
Khali (Dalip Singh) last wrestled as an entrant in WWE’s Greatest Royal Rumble match in Saudi Arabia in 2018.
With last year’s ceremony having been canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 and 2021 WWE Hall of Fame classes will both be inducted during this year’s ceremony. Here’s the updated list of announced members for the classes:
2020 Hall of Fame class —
The nWo (Hulk Hogan, Kevin Nash, Scott Hall & Sean “X-Pac” Waltman)
Nikki & Brie Bella
JBL
British Bulldog Davey Boy Smith
Jushin Thunder Liger
2021 Hall of Fame class —
Molly Holly
Eric Bischoff
Kane
The Great Khali
Batista was originally set for the 2020 WWE Hall of Fame class, but he announced yesterday that he won’t be able to take part in this year’s ceremony and will instead be inducted in the future: “To the @WWEUniverse Unfortunately due to previous obligations I am unable to be a part of the @WWE #HOF this year. By my request they have agreed to induct me at a future ceremony where I’ll be able to properly thank the fans and people who made my career possible #DreamChaser”
A look at how WrestleMania tickets, the COVID situation, UFC running Jacksonville all tie together is the lead story in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer.
We look at WWE’s attendance goals, foreign attendance, ticket prices, Super Bowl COVID spreading, Spring break, the WrestleMania card updated, Dana White’s decision to run a full house indoor show, his planned big card, why so many people UFC fighters have gotten COVID than wrestlers, as well as a look at the most recent COVID outbreak in NXT.
Also in this issue:
New Japan Cup with coverage of all the shows of this past week, with results, notes and star ratings for all the Cup matches.
WWE’s move to Peacock and the functions, Eric Bischoff Hall of Fame story, Charlotte Flair movie starring role, Tyson Fury vs. Drew McIntyre, WWE Network gift cards, how WWE & AEW did against sports programming this past week, Canadian WWE ratings, Danny Burch injury, new WWE signees, A&E schedule for WWE programming, UFC star talks going to WWE, WWE market value, most-watched shows on WWE Network and Paul Weight talks how WWE nixed his business idea.
Saturday’s UFC show, with the stories from the fight, future direction as well as match-by-match coverage.
A story that isn’t there now, but based on things being worked on that will greatly change all combat sports as well as pro wrestling and look at what changes can and can’t be done.
A major feature on Buddy Colt, one of the biggest pro wrestling stars of the 1970s, who passed away last week. We look at his career, his similarities with an all-time legend and the plane crash that led to the end of his in-ring career. We go into detail on the crash, the injuries he and the others had, his thoughts on the business, his interaction with Muhammad Ali, his breaking in Brian Blair and what he taught him, the first interracial match in Georgia, the death of Eddie Graham and the end of Championship Wrestling from Florida and much more.
More into detail on the 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.
ORDERING INFO: Order the print Wrestling Observer right now and get it delivered via mail, by sending your name, address, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to [email protected] or by going to www.paypal.com directing funds to [email protected].
Rates in the United States are $14.50 for 4 issues, $35.50 for 12, $70 for 24, $116 for 40 and $149.50 for 52.
In Canada and Mexico, the rates are $16 for 4, $27 for 8, $38.50 for 12, $76 for 24, $126 for 40 and $162.50 for 52.
For the rest of the world, rates are $18 for 4, $48.50 for 12, $93 for 24, $155 for 40 and $201.50 for 52.
If you order by mail with a check, cash or money order to P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228, you can get $1 off in every price range.
SUNDAY NEWS UPDATE
Bryan Alvarez and I will be back tonight talking about Fast Lane and the other weekend shows with Wrestling Observer Radio. You can also leave questions for the show to [email protected]
We have a show up already covering last night’s various shows. A few notes. The Will Ospreay vs. Shingo Takagi New Japan Cup final is being lauded everywhere as one of the best matches of the year. The angle after with Ospreay turning on Bea Priestley left the show on a weird note and I don’t think was a good thing at that moment in time.
I was really sad to hear about the death of Barry Orton on Friday night. Orton was a good wrestler who never really got the chance to show what he could do nationally, but did show it in Calgary in 1987 as the Zodiak. Mike Tenay credited him for putting his Wrestling Insiders radio show on the map in 1992. He had his demons but he was always very careful in speaking so people wouldn’t take things out of context in a situation where people did anyway, such as Geraldo Rivera and I know he was very upset at them trying to convey a different story from the story is actually told when it came to his claims Terry Garvin came on to him, implying in 1992 that it was recent in WWF when he made it clear it was in 1979 in the Amarillo territory.
Fast Line starts at 6:30 p.m. Eastern tonight as the last PPV show before WrestleMania. On paper this looks like one hell of a show, or at the least the top two matches look to be big.
Roman Reigns vs. Daniel Bryan for the Universal title – This is Bryan’s first PPV main event in two years and he’s talked about wanting to do a match of the year. And these two have the ability in a main event setting to do an incredible match. Reigns is a -600 favorite and him not retaining would be a change of plans. There are a lot of teases for a three-way with Reigns vs. Bryan vs. Edge coming out of tonight’s show.
Drew McIntyre vs. Sheamus in a no holds barred match – These two have had a great and a very good television match. McIntyre is a -420 favorite. I could see this going either way. Usual logic given McIntyre is in a title match at Mania has him winning, but they could go the other way to make Sheamus a contender if McIntyre wins the title
Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler defend the women’s tag titles against Bianca Belair & Sasha Banks – The story here is that they’ve teased both teams about the break up. Jax & Baszler are -400 favorites to retain.
Big E vs. Apollo Crews for the IC title – I like this match. Crews has a big opportunity here and really for both these guys it’s a chance to show they can perform a big singles match on a big stage. E is a -210 favorite to retain.
Seth Rollins vs Shinsuke Nakamura – This is a match designed to set up Rollins vs. Cesaro. On paper it should be good as well. Rollins is a -350 favorite given he’s the one being pushed right now.
Riddle vs. Ail for the U.S. title – Another match that on paper should be great if they are given time and not held back. Riddle is a -400 favorite to retain the title
Alexa Bliss vs. Randy Orton – Obviously this will be an angle and not a match, and the idea is for this to be one of the most talked about things on the show. Bliss is listed as a -210 favorite so the idea seems to be people think The Fiend returns and costs Orton the match to set up WrestleMania.
Braun Strowman vs. Shane McMahon – Strowman is a -145 favorite. I’m not sure why this is on this show and not Mania but it may be here just to set something crazy for later.
We are doing polls this weekend for both nights of the New Japan Cup from Sendai, so you can leave a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match from each show to [email protected] as well as the same for Fast Lane tonight. We also have polls for the best of the New Japan Cup tournament and New Japan Cup MVP.
Kambi allows you to bet over/under on star ratings:
Rollins vs. Nakamura is listed at ***3/4
Riddle vs. Ali is listed at ***
Orton vs. Bliss is unlisted, as it should be
For WrestleMania, you can bet over/under
New Day vs. A.J. Styles & Omos ***1/2
Sasha Banks vs. Bianca Belair ***3/4
Roman Reigns vs. Edge ****1/4
Bobby Lashley vs. Drew McIntyre **** (thanks to WWEleaks.org)
The only combat sports related subjects that made the top 20 any days this past week on searches were Kevin Holland was No. 15 yesterday with 100,000 and the earthquake in Japan, while not a combat sports story but it did interrupt New Japan’s Saturday show in Sendai, as No. 17. Spencer Lee, who won the NCAA title in wrestling at 125 pounds was No. 3 this morning with 50,000. Fast Lane will almost surely crack the top 20 today.
The Alexander Volkanovski vs. Brian Ortega featherweight title fight scheduled for this coming Saturday’s UFC 260 show is off because Volkanovski tested positive for COVID on Friday. He had arrived in Las Vegas on Wednesday and had two negative tests, one before leaving and one on arriving.
Regarding the two weird Hall of Fame stories, WWE has not officially commented on either. One is that Dave Bautista was removed from the listings for the Hall of Fame and his status as being in the Hall of Fame was also removed. The belief is that there was a date conflict. The only word we were told is “There were changes to this year’s Hall of fame…Batista was one of them.” The other regards Daniel Bryan’s name listed as part of the ceremony on a Peacock Network listing. We’re again waiting for an official word on that one. The word going around is that there is a mistake made.
The NWA has a PPV going on right now on FITE headlined by Nick Aldis vs. Aron Stevens for the NWA title, Thunder Rosa vs. Kamille, Trevor Murdoch vs Chris Adonis (Masters) for the National title and Elijah Burke vs. Thom Latimer for the TV title.
WWE
Steve Austin will be taking part in the “We’re Texas” virtual charity benefit hosted by Matthew McConaughey through the Just Keep Livin Foundation, and the Texas Relief Fund. The event will try and raise money for those affected by the winter storm in Texa and takes place at 8 p.m. Eastern tonight. It’ll be on McConaughey’s YouTube channel and also features Don Henley Gary Clark Jr., George Strait, Kelly Clarkson, Khalid, Lyle Lovett, Miranda Lambert, Willie Nelson, Clayton Kershaw, Dr. Phil, Dak Prescott, Jennifer Garner, Joe Rogan, the Jonas Brothers, Jordan Spieth, Michael Strahan, Renee Zellweger, Selena Gomez and Troy Aikman.
UFC
A fight with Jack Hermansson vs. Edmen Shahbazyan has been added to the 5/15 show in Houston.
Montana de la Rosa vs. Ariane Lipski has been added to the 6/5 show.
AEW
As of yesterday morning there were 171 tickets left for Wednesday’s Dynamite taping headlined by Kenny Omega vs. Matt Sydal. It is selling ahead of the pace of the 3/10 show.
Maki Itoh said that her Twitter was hacked and she apologized that the situation caused people to worry about her well being and said that she was fine.
Paradigm Pro Wrestling and IWTV debut the second season of UWFi Rules Contender series based on the old UWFi promotion in Japan starting on Wednesday night at 10 p.m. Eastern. The first show has Dominic Garrini vs. Matt Justice and Tom Lawlor vs Lord Crewe.
Stardom results from today in Sendai: Konami b Mina Shirakawa, AZM & Saya Kamitani b Himeka & Lady C, Tam Nakano & Sayaka Unagi b Bea Priestley & Saki Kasima, Utami Hayashishita & Momo Watanabe b Natsuko Tora & Ruaka-DQ, Giulia & Syuri & Maika b Mayu Iwatani & Starlight Kid & Saya Iida. Priestley attacked Hayashishita to build their 4/4 World of Stardom title match. This took place after the New Japan show.
Stardom results from yesterday in Yamagata: Starlight Kid b Lady C, Momo Watanabe & AZM b Mayu Iwatani & Saya Iida, Utami Hayashishita & Saya Kamitani d Syuri & Himike, Bea Priestley & Koami b Giulia & Maika, Tam Nakano & Mina Shirakawa & Sayaka Unagi b Natsuko Tora & Saki Kashima & Ruaka (thanks to Shannon Walsh)
AAW returns on 4/3 from the GALLI Studios in Villa Park, IL. Part of the show will be streamed live and part of the show will be taped for later streaming. n the show is AAW champion Mance Varner, Heritage champion Hakim Zane (Rohit Raju), Ace Austin, Matt Justice, Davey Vega, Gringo Loco, Hyan,ACH, Manders, Travis Titan, Skye Blue, Ace Perry, Brayden Lee and Myron Reed. They will also run on 4/24 at Villa Park and 5/7 from 115 Bourbon Street.
Today is the 85th birthday of former pro wrestler Beverly Shade.
Tokyo Joshi Pro from today in Tokyo: Mizuki b Moko Miyanmoto, Nao Kakuta & Pom Harajuku & Hauna Neko b Hikaru Noa & Mahiro Kiryu & Sena Shiori, Shoko Nakajima won three-way over Yuka Sakazaki & Suzume, Nodoka Tema & Yuki Aino & Ariusu Endo b Hyper Misao & Raku Marikoa Kobashi, Rika Tatsumi b Miu Wantanabe & Mirai Maiumi (thanks to Shannon Walsh and Tomi Yamada)
Pro Wrestling DIANA from today in Kanagawa: Hope b Madeline, Haruka Umesaki & Miyuki Takase b Ami Miura & Nanami, Kyoko Inoue & Kaoru Ito b Jaguar Yokota & Ayako Sato
Thunder Rosa’s Mission Pro Wrestling from last night in Buda TX: Thunder Rosa & Holidead b Jazmin Allure & Queen Aminata, Aleyah Mia Sweets b Raeven Marie, Phoebe & Myka b Danni Bee & Leila Grey, Leyla Hirsch NC Masha Slamovich, Jenna Cide b Rache Chanel, KiLynn King b Ray Lyn, Nyla Rose b Baby D, Rosa Negra b Raychell Rose to retain the MPW tile after using Brass Knux after Rose had used Brass Knux first (thanks to Shannon Walsh)
Gino Medina vs Zenshi has been added to Wednesday’s MLW TV show.
Marius Pudzianowski scored a TKO win in 1:12 over Nikola Milanovich, a judo and sambo champion making his debut on no notice when Pudzianowski’s opponent, the giant Bombardier suffered appendicitis just hours before the show. Sebastian Przybysz (8-2) beat Antun Racic (25-91) to win the bantamweight title while former Olympic hero Daman Janikowski (6-3) won via TKO over Jason Radcliffe (16-8)
SWE from last night saw Blood Hunter win a Battle Royal for the Texas title throwing out Gangrel. Blood Hunter was managed by Salina de la Renta. Caz XL (Big Cass) debuted managed by Melina.
The 2021 WWE Hall of Fame class has its second member and one that decades ago wouldn’t have ever seemed possible: Eric Bischoff.
Bischoff is a former executive producer, executive vice president and president of WCW, a former executive producer of TNA, and a former executive director of WWE SmackDown. Bischoff also has an extensive on-air resume with AWA, WCW, WWE and TNA, and has also made sporadic cameo appearances for AEW.
Bischoff was informed of his induction on Thursday’s After the Bell podcast with Corey Graves and Vic Joseph. The ceremony will stream on Peacock in the United States and WWE Network worldwide on Tuesday, April 6.
Triple H tweeted: “@EBischoff has done so much for this industry both in front of and behind the camera, creating some of its biggest characters and events. Now, it’s time to take his place in the #WWEHOF! Congratulations Eric!!”
Jim Ross tweeted: “Congrats to my friend @EBischoff on being inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame class of 2021! Deserved and earned!”
After last year’s Hall of Fame ceremony was canceled due to the pandemic, this year will see both the 2020 and 2021 classes inducted. Last year’s class was comprised of Batista, the NWO (Hollywood Hogan, Kevin Nash, Scott Hall, Sean Waltman), Nikki Bella & Brie Bella, JBL, British Bulldog, and Jushin Thunder Liger.
The 2021 WWE Hall of Fame class has its first member.
WWE has announced that Molly Holly (Nora Benshoof) will be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame as part of this year’s class. Holly is a two-time former WWE Women’s Champion and a former WWE Hardcore Champion.
Holly was informed of her Hall of Fame induction on this week’s episode of WWE’s The Bump. Holly’s friend and former colleague Shane “Hurricane” Helms informed her of the news.
Helms tweeted today: “Thank you @wwe and @WWETheBump for giving me the honor of breaking this morning’s news. I tried my best not to cry, I failed in spectacular fashion. Congrats Mighty Molly Holly! You deserve this so much!”
Holly most recently appeared on WWE television as part of Raw Legends Night this January. She also was an entrant in both the 2018 and 2020 women’s Royal Rumble matches and was part of the battle royal at Evolution in 2018.
Paul “Triple H” Levesque wrote about Holly’s Hall of Fame induction: “Many people say @WWE Superstars are real-life superheroes and in this case … she truly is! A women’s champion, an inspiration to our current roster, and simply a wonderful person. Congratulations to #MollyHolly on being the first inductee into the #WWEHOF class of 2021!!”
This year’s Hall of Fame induction ceremony is taking place on Tuesday, April 6. It will stream on Peacock in the United States and will stream on the WWE Network elsewhere.
Because last year’s Hall of Fame ceremony was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s ceremony will include the induction of both the 2020 and 2021 WWE Hall of Fame classes. Batista, the nWo (Hollywood Hogan, Kevin Nash, Scott Hall & Sean “X-Pac” Waltman), Nikki & Brie Bella, JBL, British Bulldog Davey Boy Smith, and Jushin Thunder Liger are the members of the 2020 class.
After last year’s event was canceled, the WWE Hall of Fame induction ceremony is officially returning for 2021.
WWE has announced that this year’s Hall of Fame ceremony will take place on Tuesday, April 6. In the United States, the ceremony will stream exclusively on Peacock. It will stream on the WWE Network everywhere else.
Last year’s WWE Hall of Fame induction ceremony was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This year’s ceremony will include the induction of both the 2020 and 2021 WWE Hall of Fame classes. Batista, the nWo (Hollywood Hogan, Kevin Nash, Scott Hall, and Sean “X-Pac” Waltman), Nikki & Brie Bella, JBL, British Bulldog Davey Boy Smith, and Jushin Thunder Liger are the members of the 2020 class.
WWE has announced Molly Holly as the first member of 2021’s Hall of Fame class. Paul “Triple H” Levesque tweeted about her induction: “Many people say @WWE Superstars are real-life superheroes and in this case … she truly is! A women’s champion, an inspiration to our current roster, and simply a wonderful person. Congratulations to #MollyHolly on being the first inductee into the #WWEHOF class of 2021!!”
This year’s WrestleMania week looks to have Raw taking place on Monday, the Hall of Fame ceremony on Tuesday, a two-night NXT TakeOver event on Wednesday and Thursday, and SmackDown on Friday. WrestleMania 37 will then be held at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida over two nights on Saturday, April 10 and Sunday, April 11. The two-night NXT TakeOver event is planned but has yet to be officially announced.
“Stay tuned to WWE programming and all of WWE’s digital platforms as WrestleMania Week approaches for more information on the 2021 WWE Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony,” WWE wrote.
During an appearance with Rachel Nichols on ESPN’s The Jump, Ric Flair said WWE is building a physical Hall of Fame in Orlando, Florida.
In talking about his gold robe for which the new Adidas/Damian Lillard “Ric Flair’ sneakers were inspired from, Flair said WWE had actually bought the robe for the Hall of Fame, but that the construction of it is being delayed due to the pandemic.
WWE has roots in the city with their Performance Center and relationship with Full Sail University in nearby Winter Park.
He added the robe is one of his favorites and joked that he asked WWE to get another Hall of Fame ring in the Entertainer wing. He is already the first two-time WWE Hall of Fame inductee for himself and as part of the Four Horsemen.
WWE has yet to respond to an inquiry for comment.
Given WWE’s collection of memorabilia they have stored in their legendary warehouse in addition to the collections of thousands of wrestlers, the call for a physical Hall of Fame has been out there for decades.
They created their ceremonial Hall of Fame in 1993 with a single inductee: Andre The Giant. They continued with the process through 1996 and relaunched the concept in 2004 with induction ceremonies held every year during WrestleMania weekend.
Jushin Thunder Liger has been announced for the WWE Hall of Fame.
Tokyo Sports this morning put up an interview with Jushin Thunder Liger, where he confirmed the news. It was previously reported that Liger would likely be one of the names announced for the upcoming ceremony.
Liger started his career in 1984, but it wasn’t until 1989 when he adopted the Jushin Thunder Liger persona based on a popular children’s anime that was airing in Japan at the time. Liger instantly became one of the top junior heavyweight acts in NJPW, winning the IWGP Jr. title 11 times throughout his career.
He also achieved popularity in the United States, wrestling for WCW sporadically between 1991 and 1999. His most memorable matches in WCW were against Brian Pillman, and in fact the first ever match on Nitro was a bout between Liger and Pillman.
Liger retired earlier this year on January 5, teaming with longtime rival Naoki Sano in a losing effort against two current IWGP Jr. heavyweight stars in Hiromu Takahashi and Ryu Lee.
The British Bulldog is officially entering the WWE Hall of Fame.
On today’s episode of After the Bell with Corey Graves, it was announced that Davey Boy Smith would be entering the WWE Hall of Fame this year. This was originally reported by Dave Meltzer on Wrestling Observer Radio last month.
“I’ve had to be quiet for over a month… It’s been confirmed and official… Now I can shout it to the world!!!!,” Smith’s daughter Georgia wrote on Twitter.”MY DAD IS BEING INDUCTED INTO THE @WWE HALL OF FAME! I LOVE YOU DAVEY!!!”
Smith started his career in 1978. He, along with tag team partner Dynamite Kid (Tom Billington) soon moved to Canada to work for Stu Hart’s Stampede Wrestling. When Hart sold the company to Vince McMahon in 1984, the tag team joined the promotion, holding the World Tag Team titles on one occasion.
The duo left the promotion at the end of 1988, but Smith returned as a singles wrestler in 1990. His most famous match during this run has his Intercontinental title win, defeating Bret Hart in Wembley Stadium at SummerSlam 1992. He was fired from the promotion months later after he, along with the Ultimate Warrior, were caught receiving HGH shipments.
He later returned in 1994 and had another singles run before forming a successful team with brother-in-law Owen Hart. He left the company in 1997 following Survivor Series 1997, but returned in 1999 for one final run before leaving the promotion in 2000. He died on May 18, 2002 after suffering a heart attack.
This year’s Hall of Fame ceremony is scheduled to take place on April 2, 2020 at the Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida.
Nikki & Brie Bella are officially being inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame this April.
The official announcement of The Bellas going into the Hall of Fame was made during their appearance on tonight’s SmackDown. They’re the third act WWE has announced for this year’s class, joining Batista and the nWo (Hulk Hogan, Kevin Nash, Scott Hall & Sean “X-Pac” Waltman).
The Bellas appeared on A Moment of Bliss on SmackDown tonight and spoke about how they wouldn’t be where they are now without the support of their Bella Army.
Last month, Nikki & Brie revealed that they’re both pregnant and expecting babies later this year. Their due dates are a week and a half apart.
Dave Meltzer confirmed last week that The Bellas and Jushin Thunder Liger are scheduled to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame this year. Meltzer has also reported that “British Bulldog” Davey Boy Smith will be one of this year’s inductees.
With SmackDown now on Friday nights, this year’s Hall of Fame ceremony will take place on Thursday, April 2. It’s being held at the Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida.
Total Bellas season five will premiere on E! on Thursday, April 9 at 10 p.m. Eastern time.
On the Tuesday edition of Wrestling Observer Radio (subscription needed), Dave Meltzer reported that Davey Boy Smith will be inducted into this year’s WWE Hall of Fame class.
Meltzer said the Hart family has been pushing for his inclusion for years. Smith died in 2002 at just 39 years old due to a heart attack suffered while on vacation in British Columbia.
While not formally announced by WWE yet, he will join Dave Batista, the NWO, Jushin Thunder Liger, and the Bella Twins in this year’s class which will officially be inducted during WrestleMania weekend in Tampa, FL.
Smith was best known for his three runs in WWE with short stints in WCW in between.
Born David Smith, the England native began his pro wrestling career in 1978, eventually making his way to Canada and Stu Hart along with longtime tag team partner Tom Billington (aka the Dynamite Kid). The two were signed by the then-WWF in 1984 and spent four years there in the tag team division as the British Bulldogs, winning the WWF tag titles before leaving after backstage incidents over ribbing.
After working back in Hart’s Stampede Wrestling and Japan, Smith went back to WWF as a singles wrestler for nearly three years, culminating in him defeating Bret Hart for the Intercontinental title at England’s Wembley Stadium at SummerSlam 1992. WWF released he and the Ultimate Warrior after they were caught getting HGH shipments from an England pharmacy.
He eventually returned to WWF for a three year run which included being part of the legendary Steve Austin-Bret Hart rivalry. He left with Hart and Jim Neidhart for WCW following the Montreal Screwjob at the 1997 Survivor Series.
Smith hurt his back in a 1998 match after taking a bad bump on a trapdoor that was part of the mat, leading to him being out of action and eventually released. He would re-sign with WWF before leaving the company in 2002.
Smith was a two-time WWF tag team champion with Billington and Owen Hart, an Intercontinental champion, a European champion twice, and a Hardcore champion twice. He also held a variety of Stampede Wrestling championships.
A year after D-Generation X was inducted, another Monday Night Wars era faction is going into the WWE Hall of Fame.
WWE announced via ESPN today that the nWo will be inducted into their Hall of Fame as part of the 2020 class. Hulk Hogan, Scott Hall, Kevin Nash & Sean “X-Pac” Waltman are the nWo members who will be inducted.
Hogan, Hall, and Nash have already been inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame on their own, while Waltman went into the Hall of Fame as a member of DX last year.
Hogan was reinstated into the WWE Hall of Fame in July 2018 after having been removed when he was fired from the company in 2015 due to racist remarks he had made being leaked.
“You’ve got four guys that were basically going at Vince as a shoot, pushing hard to actually try to take over,” Hogan told ESPN. “Not put him out of business but basically take his spot and be the No. 1 company. All of a sudden, you’re inducting four guys in the Hall of Fame that 20 years ago were trying to stab you in the back. It’s like Vince says: In the WWE, never say never.”
With SmackDown now on Fridays, this year’s WWE Hall of Fame ceremony will take place on the Thursday before WrestleMania 36. The ceremony is being held at the Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida on April 2. The announcement of the nWo being part of this year’s class comes in advance of tickets for the ceremony going on sale to the general public this Friday (December 13).
WWE has confirmed when tickets for WrestleMania 36 will be going on sale.
WWE sent out a press release today announcing ticket details for next year’s WrestleMania. They’ll go on sale to the general public at 10 a.m. Eastern time on Friday, November 15, with standard ticket prices listed as ranging from $35-$1,000 before service charges and facility fees.
Gold Circle VIP packages will also be available and range from $2,000-$2,500. They include “seating in the first nine rows ringside, access to a Gold Circle VIP Stadium Entrance, and a commemorative WrestleMania take-home folding chair.”
Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida is hosting WrestleMania 36 on Sunday, April 5, 2020. The stadium’s website lists that pre-sale tickets will go on sale starting at 10 a.m. Eastern on Wednesday, November 13.
WrestleMania travel packages are going on sale next Tuesday (November 5) at noon Eastern time. They’ll include tickets to the WWE Hall of Fame ceremony, SmackDown, NXT TakeOver, WrestleMania, and Raw.
With SmackDown now on Fridays, the Hall of Fame ceremony is listed as being held on Thursday, April 2. The Amalie Arena in Tampa will host the HOF ceremony, SmackDown, NXT TakeOver, and Raw. WrestleMania Axxess will take place at the Tampa Convention Center.
