Michael Cole and The Miz will be handling hosting duties for the 2026 WWE Hall of Fame ceremony.
Taking place on the eve of WrestleMania 42, the Hall of Fame ceremony will be held at Dolby Live at Park MGM in Las Vegas this Friday night. It was announced today that Cole and Miz will be the hosts of the ceremony, which streams live on the ESPN app in the United States and on YouTube internationally with a start time of midnight Eastern/9 p.m. Pacific.
Stephanie McMahon, AJ Styles, Demolition, Sid Vicious, Bad News Brown, and Dennis Rodman are this year’s inductees. WWE will also honor Hulk Hogan vs. Andre the Giant from WrestleMania III with the Immortal Moment Award, which was introduced in 2025 as a way to celebrate iconic matches from company history.
Hulk Hogan vs. Andre the Giant from WrestleMania III is the second match to ever earn a WWE Hall of Fame induction.
It was announced today that the WrestleMania III main event — where Hogan defeated Andre to retain the WWF Championship — will receive the WWE Immortal Moment Award at the April 17 Hall of Fame ceremony in Las Vegas. The award, established in 2025, exists to recognize the most important matches in WWE history. Steve Austin vs. Bret Hart from WrestleMania 13 was the first match to be inducted.
WrestleMania III took place at Michigan’s Pontiac Silverdome in 1987 and still stands as one of the biggest shows in WWE history, with the company forever replaying the moment where Hogan slammed Andre.
Inducting this match gives WWE the opportunity to honor Hogan after his death in July 2025. He first joined the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005 and later was inducted again as a member of the nWo.
Following Andre’s passing in 1993, he was recognized as the first-ever inductee into the WWE Hall of Fame.
Dolby Live at Park MGM in Vegas is hosting the Hall of Fame ceremony on the Friday of WrestleMania 42 week. Here is the updated list of honorees:
2026 WWE Hall of Fame class —
Stephanie McMahon
AJ Styles
Demolition (Ax & Smash)
Dennis Rodman
Sid Vicious (posthumously being inducted as a Legacy Award winner)
Bad News Brown (posthumously being inducted as a Legacy Award winner)
WWE Immortal Moment Award: Hulk Hogan vs. Andre the Giant from WrestleMania III
The slam heard around the world.
The ICONIC showdown between Hulk Hogan and Andre The Giant at #WrestleMania 3 will be honored with the WWE Immortal Moment Award at the 2026 #WWEHOF Ceremony! pic.twitter.com/B5oUaz3Y0j
Bret Hart was happy to learn that former Stampede Wrestling star Bad News Brown has joined the WWE Hall of Fame class of 2026.
It was announced last week that Bad News Brown (real name Allen Coage) is posthumously being inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame during WrestleMania 42 weekend. During an interview with Studio 1 Sports, Hart found out the news and gave his reaction.
“You know, I didn’t know that he got inducted. So that’s news to me,” Hart said. “I’m always happy for him. You know, to me, he’ll always be a Stampede wrestler — one of my dad’s guys. Bad News was maybe not my closest friend, but I always had a respect for him. He was a pretty intense guy. Like, he was not a stupid man. He was a pretty well-educated, disciplined guy and was really, I think an honorable guy. He was the kind of guy I would say never told a lie in his life, you know, that kind of thing. He always spoke his truth.”
Brown represented the USA in the 1976 Olympics and won a bronze medal in judo. After that, he broke into pro wrestling in Japan and later had runs in Canada with Stampede Wrestling and the United States with WWF. Hart noted that, because Brown learned wrestling in Japan, he never developed the kind of psychology that Hart was familiar with. Hart described him as a “meat chopper” — someone who just wanted to beat the hell out of their opponent and get their hand raised.
“He was very limited. Like, you couldn’t hit him in the head,” Hart said. “He was very touchy about what you did to him. And he was not the kind of guy you could mess with. He was a very tough man — arguably maybe one of the toughest men that ever put on a pair of boots in pro wrestling. A legitimate badass, tough guy that was more than capable of fighting anybody.”
Hart described Brown as “fearless” and said he was not afraid of anyone, anywhere. Though he personally had difficulties working with Brown because of his Japanese-style psychology and refusal to sell in their matches, Hart gave Brown a positive recommendation when Vince McMahon wanted to bring him into WWF. Hart urged McMahon not to put them in a program together because of their in-ring differences, but McMahon did not end up listening, having them as the final two in the WrestleMania IV battle royal that Brown won.
In the industry, Hart believes some people saw Brown as “a bit of a racist” because of how outspoken he was about his Blackness. If they weren’t in the same business, Hart believes he would have been a big fan of Brown because of how honest he was. Summing up his final thoughts, Hart called Brown a “great guy” who he just couldn’t do business with in the ring.
Brown passed away at 63 years old in 2007 due to a heart attack. He is part of this year’s WWE Hall of Fame class alongside Stephanie McMahon, AJ Styles, Demolition, Dennis Rodman, and Sid Vicious.
Last year, Hart was honored with his WrestleMania 13 match against Steve Austin being inducted into the Hall of Fame. It was the first match ever inducted. Hart is already in the HOF individually and as a member of The Hart Foundation with his brother-in-law Jim Neidhart.
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 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’ 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”
“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.
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.
No matter which moniker you knew him by, Sid’s intensity was palpable across the ring and through your TV screen. 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… pic.twitter.com/7CDqthAftr
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.
Crossover: Basketball Hall of Famer Dennis Rodman will be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in April, per ESPN sources. Rodman made his WCW debut in 1997 and famously skipped a practice during the 1998 NBA Finals for a wrestling match alongside Hulk Hogan. Two HOFs for Rodman.
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.
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.
WWE today announced that the 2026 #WWEHOF Ceremony will take place on Friday, April 17 at 9pm PT at Dolby Live at Park MGM as part of #WrestleMania 42 week in @Vegas!
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.
“Stone Cold” Steve Austin is happy that his WrestleMania 13 match against Bret Hart still resonates with fans.
It was announced last week that the Austin vs. Hart match will be enshrined into the WWE Hall of Fame during WrestleMania 41 weekend in Las Vegas. Receiving the inaugural “Immortal Moment Award,” it’s the first match to ever be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.
While doing a private autograph signing for American Icon Autographs, Austin was asked if this award means anything to him.
“Yeah, yes and no,” he responded. “I mean, yeah, because it was a hell of a match and we knew it at the time. And I think that it was good that it was in Chicago, because Chicago was kind of a stronghold for me, but it would have worked anywhere. But the fact that it happened with Bret ‘The Hitman’ Hart. There’s a couple behind-the-scenes stories that, you know, I don’t want to talk about. But, man, it was a hell of a match, and it’s cool for people to still remember it damn near 30 years later. So, yeah, it means something to me, because, I don’t know, if it wasn’t for the fans, I wouldn’t be sitting here. So the fact that that match is relevant and it’s going into the 2025 Hall of Fame for matches and it’s the first match to be inducted, cool.”
Austin vs. Hart was a no holds barred submission match with Ken Shamrock as the special guest referee. Along with their stellar in-ring work, the match is memorable for its double turn that helped Austin become one of the biggest babyfaces in pro wrestling history. With blood streaming down his face, Austin refused to tap out while in the Sharpshooter and lost by referee stoppage.
Both Austin and Hart have already been inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame individually, and The Hart Foundation (Hart & Jim Neidhart) are in the HOF as a tag team as well.
The 2025 WWE Hall of Fame ceremony is set for Friday, April 18 and will air live on Peacock and WWE’s social media channels. Paul “Triple H” Levesque, Michelle McCool, Lex Luger, and The Natural Disasters (Earthquake & Typhoon) are also part of the inductee class.
Ken Shamrock has been mentioned as a potential addition to the 2025 WWE Hall of Fame class.
Dave Meltzer reported in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that, while not confirmed yet, Shamrock’s name has been “bandied about” for a potential induction into the WWE Hall of Fame. The ceremony is taking place during WrestleMania 41 weekend in Las Vegas next month with Paul “Triple H” Levesque, Michelle McCool, Lex Luger, and The Natural Disasters (Earthquake & Typhoon) already announced for the class.
“As had been reported a few weeks ago, Earthquake John Tenta and Fred ‘Typhoon/Tugboat’ Ottman will be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame at the 4/18 ceremony in Las Vegas at the Fontainebleau Hotel,” Meltzer wrote. “While not yet announced, Ken Shamrock’s name has been bandied about as well.”
The 61-year-old Shamrock is already a member of the UFC Hall of Fame and TNA Wrestling Hall of Fame. A star during the Attitude Era, his WWE accomplishments included Intercontinental and Tag Team title reigns. He was also the winner of the 1998 King of the Ring tournament.
During an appearance on Insight with Chris Van Vliet last year, Shamrock said joining the WWE Hall of Fame would be a “true thrill,” but he isn’t losing any sleep over not being in yet. Shamrock loved his time in pro wrestling and his happy with the way his life turned out. He noted that he is under a Legends contract with WWE.
The WWE Hall of Fame ceremony is happening late Friday night on April 18 during Mania week. The ceremony will stream live on Peacock and WWE’s social media channels.
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson filmed an induction speech for Shamrock when he was inducted into the TNA Hall of Fame in 2020.
While their induction was already all but confirmed, The Natural Disasters are now officially part of the 2025 WWE Hall of Fame class.
WWE announced today that Earthquake (John Tenta) & Typhoon (Fred Ottman) will be inducted into the company’s Hall of Fame next month during WrestleMania 41 weekend in Las Vegas. They join Paul “Triple H” Levesque, Michelle McCool, and Lex Luger in the class.
Tenta, who died of cancer at 42 years old in 2006, is being inducted posthumously. Earlier this month, Ottman spoke to Sportskeeda WrestleBinge about their impending induction and the friendship they shared together.
“He was literally my brother from another mother. I’d tell him that all the time because we’d cut up and joke and have a good time and John was just so amazing as an athlete. I was proud when they put us together,” Ottman said. “It was great. I never had to worry about him, he never had to worry about me. We were always where we were supposed to be. We’d be early, and whatever needed to be done, we did. And that makes for perfect business.”
The two were one-time WWF Tag Team Champions together in the early 1990s. Levesque praised them as two unsung heroes of that generation’s tag team division:
A ferocious tag team of size and agility. Truly unsung heroes of their generation’s tag-team division.
Ottman is being inducted as Typhoon but is perhaps best remembered for playing the character Tugboat during his WWF run.
Tenta was a sumo wrestler before starting his pro wrestling career in Japan. Among his career highlights as a singles competitor was a memorable feud with Hulk Hogan in the WWF.
The 2025 WWE Hall of Fame ceremony is taking place on Friday, April 18 at the BleauLive Theater at the Fontainebleau hotel in Vegas. Kamala is also rumored to be part of this year’s class, though his induction has not been made official.
One of the most memorable pro wrestling characters of the 1980s is reportedly being considered for this year’s WWE Hall of Fame class.
WrestleVotes reports that Kamala — the late James Harris — is being discussed internally as a potential inductee for the WWE Hall of Fame. WrestleVotes says he is expected to be added to the 2025 class, though that has not been announced by WWE yet.
“According to sources, another name being discussed internally for the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2025 is ‘The Ugandan Giant’ Kamala,” WrestleVotes tweeted. “Kamala, who had a successful career throughout the ‘80s and ‘90s, is expected to join Triple H, Lex Luger, and others in this year’s class.”
Kamala passed away of a heart attack at 70 years old in 2020 after complications from diabetes and COVID-19. His battle with diabetes caused him to lose both legs toward the end of his life.
Before adopting the Kamala gimmick in 1982, he wrestled under the name “Sugar Bear” Harris. Kamala went on to become a star in Memphis, Mid South, World Class Championship Wrestling, and the WWF. Some of his most notable opponents included Hulk Hogan, Andre the Giant, and Jerry Lawler.
The 2025 WWE Hall of Fame ceremony is being held at the BleauLive Theater at the Fontainebleau hotel in Las Vegas on Friday, April 18. Paul “Triple H” Levesque, Michelle McCool, and Lex Luger have been officially confirmed for the class, with The Natural Disasters (Earthquake & Typhoon) also set to be added.
Former WCW World Champion and WWF star Lex Luger is being inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.
WWE revealed today that Luger is the latest member to join the 2025 Hall of Fame class. Paul “Triple H” Levesque and Michelle McCool are the other two confirmed inductees so far, with The Natural Disasters (Earthquake & Tugboat) also rumored to be part of this year’s class.
Luger was informed of his induction during a recent visit from Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes:
“If you asked me 20 years ago, I thought my life had taken such a dark path that wrestling was a dead-end for me from there on out,” Luger said. “To see it come full circle here — man, I’m thrilled.”
Luger — who has worked to turn his life around after battling drug and alcohol abuse issues in the past — told Insight with Chris Van Vliet last month that he hoped to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame one day but would still feel like he had a great career even if he never got inducted.
Recently, Luger has been working with Diamond Dallas Page to improve his mobility. He is confined to a wheelchair because of a spinal stroke he suffered in 2007, but DDP shared a video in February where Luger was able to stand up from his wheelchair on his own without assistance. Luger also stood up to hug Rhodes when he was informed of his Hall of Fame induction.
Because of the impact Dusty Rhodes had on his career, Luger said it’s “very, very special” that Cody was the person to break this news to him.
The 66-year-old Luger (Lawrence Pfohl) is among the most famous wrestling stars of the 1980s-1990s. His career highlights include two WCW World Championships, a Royal Rumble win (shared with Bret Hart), and several United States, Tag Team, and TV title reigns.
Details regarding the 2025 WWE Hall of Fame ceremony have not been announced yet. It will be taking place in Las Vegas this April during WrestleMania 41 week.
Levesque posted the following tweet congratulating Luger on his induction:
Laya is excited to see her friend Michelle McCool join the WWE Hall of Fame.
On Friday, WWE confirmed that McCool will be inducted into their Hall of Fame during WrestleMania 41 week in Las Vegas. The first two inductees confirmed for this year’s class are Paul “Triple H” Levesque and McCool.
The announcement of McCool’s induction was made on ESPN’s Get Up this morning with Levesque surprising her with the news. During her WWE career, McCool had multiple reigns as Women’s Champion and Divas Champion. She’s best remembered for her team with Layla, which included a period of time where they were co-champions together.
“What wonderful news today! No one is more deserving of this recognition and accomplishment,” Layla posted on social media this afternoon. “I’m truly so happy for you, Chelle! Everyone, please show your love to Michelle—she’s incredible and so dear to me. #WellDeserved #Proud”
McCool responded: “Love you so much!!!!”
After taking a break from the public eye, Layla said in December 2024 that she’s now open to a WWE return and would like to have LayCool reunite for an appearance or short run.
