Tag: WWE Hall Of Fame

Andy Kaufman To Be Inducted Into The WWE Hall Of Fame

Variety reported today that WWE will be inducting Andy Kaufman into this year’s Hall of Fame class. It’s unclear who will induct him into the honorary class. 

Kaufman was a comedian in the 70s and 80s, most notably known for his part in the “Taxi” series from 1978 until 1983.

Wrestling fans know him for his feud with  Jerry “The King” Lawler in Memphis. He would sometimes wrestle women who he picked out of the crowd, causing him to get heat. He took a piledriver from Lawler, leading to them doing a segment on  David Letterman’s NBC Late Night show where Lawler slapped Kaufman. 

It was covered in the “Man on the Moon” movie with Jim Carrey portraying the role of Kaufman.

Source: eWrestlingNews

UPDATE:

WWE Officially announced Andy Kaufman for the 2023 WWE Hall of Fame.

WWE issued the following:

Andy Kaufman will join Rey Mysterio and The Great Muta in the WWE Hall of Fame, Class of 2023.

A gifted comedian who gained fame for his absurdist standup routine and appearance on hit shows like “Taxi” and “Saturday Night Live,” Kaufman’s love of sports-entertainment led him to Memphis where he became a thorn in the side of WWE Hall of Famer Jerry “The King” Lawler.

The rivalry between Lawler and Kaufman became national news leading to a legendary exchange on “Late Night with David Letterman.” The interaction would later be memorialized in the 1999 movie biopic “Man on the Moon,” where Lawler appeared alongside Jim Carey as Kaufman to recreate the iconic moment.

Kaufman’s interactions with Lawler transformed the business and opened up pathways for future cross-over Superstars such as Johnny Knoxville who honored the comedian with his WrestleMania 38 ring gear.

Sadly, Kaufman passed away in 1985 at the age of 35, but his legacy remains an important party of wrestling history.

WWE congratulates Kaufman on his inclusion into the WWE Hall of Fame. Don’t miss the WWE Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, Friday, March 31, streaming on Peacock in the United States and WWE Network everywhere else immediately after SmackDown.

The Great Muta To Be Inducted Into 2023 WWE Hall Of Fame, Announced By Ric Flair On The Bump

The Great Muta’s induction into WWE Hall of Fame has now been officially confirmed via Ric Flair on “The Bump.”

Keiji Muto, aka The Great Muta, will enter the WWE Hall of Fame as part of the class of 2023. Ric Flair officially announced Muto’s on WWE’s “The Bump.” It remains unknown whether Flair will induct him during the ceremony, which will stream on Peacock directly after “WWE SmackDown” on March 31. 

Muto will be the second 2023 Hall of Famer announced so far, following Rey Mysterio, whose entry was announced on Monday’s “WWE Raw,” and reportedly preceding Stacy Keibler, who is believed to be another 2023 entrant. WWE is said to be keeping the list of inductees smaller than usual, with a shorter broadcast planned compared to years past. As of now, it’s unknown how many individuals will be part of the 2023 class. Last year saw the induction of The Undertaker, Vader, Queen Sharmell, and the Steiner Brothers, along with Shad Gaspard receiving the Warrior Award.

Despite his status as a legendary figure in professional wrestling, Muto’s induction into the WWE Hall of Fame is slightly curious, as he’s never competed in the company over the course of his lengthy career. Still, it’s impossible to deny the impact of The Great Muta on the industry, and the company clearly thought highly of the performer; they recently gave permission for WWE star Shinsuke Nakamura to compete at a Pro Wrestling NOAH event on Muto’s farewell tour. Nakamura wrestled Muto there and walked away with a victory. Muto’s final match took place on February 21, with NJPW’s Tetsuya Naito defeating Muto after nearly 30 minutes.

Flair and Muto shared a rivalry in NWA, wrestling a number of times on both PPVs and at live events. Their feud culminated in a steel cage match featuring Flair, Arn Anderson, and Ole Anderson taking on The Great Muta, Buzz Sawyer, and Kendo “The Dragon Master” Nagasaki. Flair has been open about his high regard for Muto as an opponent, and the 16-time world champion is a natural fit to induct Muto into the WWE Hall of Fame.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Stacy Keibler Reportedly Confirmed For 2023 WWE Hall Of Fame

It was reported yesterday that a deal was close to being finalized for Stacy Keibler to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame this year. According to PWI Elite, the former WCW Nitro Girl is now “100% confirmed” for the Class of 2023. 

WWE has yet to officially announce Keibler for the prestigious event, but “The Nature Boy” Ric Flair will appear on WWE’s “The Bump” later this week to reveal the next inductee for the Class of 2023. WWE recently announced that Rey Mysterio would be taking his place in the Hall of Fame this year. No further inductees have been revealed since Mysterio was confirmed, though recently retired Japanese wrestling legend The Great Muta has been rumored. The ceremony is set to take place after “WWE SmackDown” on Friday, March 31, at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California, during WrestleMania 39 weekend.

Keibler entered the world of pro wrestling in 1999 after signing a contract with World Championship Wrestling. She initially became a Nitro Girl – a dancer appearing during “WCW Monday Nitro” each week – before becoming a valet for Lenny Lane and Lodi under the Miss Hancock name. Keibler would enter a romantic storyline with David Flair the following year. After Vince McMahon purchased WCW in 2001, Keibler became a part of the WWE roster. The former “Dancing with the Stars” contestant would stay with the Stamford-based organization until July 2006. Her most recent appearance for the company came in 2019 when she inducted Torrie Wilson into the WWE Hall of Fame.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Konnan To Induct Rey Mysterio Into The 2023 WWE Hall Of Fame

According to the Los Angeles Times, former WCW and IMPACT star Konnan will be inducting Rey Mysterio, into the 2023 WWE Hall of Fame. WWE announced during Friday night’s live SmackDown from Pittsburgh that Mysterio is the first to be inducted into the company’s Hall of Fame.

The report also notes that Konnan, who is still signed with MLW, has known Mysterio since he was was 11-years-old.

Mysterio, 48, made his debut in Mexico on April 30, 1989, when he was 14 years old. He was trained by his uncle Rey Misterio Sr.  He made his debut in the United States in ECW in 1995. After he departed ECW, he signed with WCW in 1996 and stayed with the company until it was acquired by WWE in March 2001. He would then sit out for the remainder of his then AOL/Time Warner contract, before signing with WWE in 2002.

In WWE, Mysterio held the World Heavyweight Champion twice, the WWE Champion once, the Intercontinental and United States Championship each twice. In the now defunct WCW, he held the promotion’s Cruiserweight Championship three times and has was co-holder of the WCW Tag Team Championships, once with Konnan. He also held WCW’s Cruiserweight Championship five times and the WCW Cruiserweight Tag Team Titles with Billy Kidman.

The 2023 WWE Hall of Fame induction ceremony will take place live from the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Friday, March 31, immediately following the WrestleMania 39 go-home show of WWE Friday Night SmackDown. WWE SmackDown will air live from the same venue.

The 2023 WWE Hall of Fame induction ceremony will air live on Peacock in the United States and WWE Network everywhere else.

Source: WrestleView

Rey Mysterio Announced As First Inductee Into The 2023 WWE Hall Of Fame

Rey Mysterio was announced as the first inductee into the 2023 WWE Hall of Fame class. The most famous luchador of all time..

The WWE has announced its first inductee into the 2023 Hall of Fame Class and it’s a somewhat surprising name. Rey Mysterio will go into the Hall and while he’s completely deserving, that WWE has chosen to induct an active competitor who is not announcing his retirement or is close to being finished with his in-ring career, is the surprising part of this announcement.

Rumors circulated that the Great Muta might be the first name announced, so when a video package featuring Rey started showing as WWE announced their first entrant into this year’s class, fans were thrilled, but also a bit stunned. By every stretch of the imagination and by any measuring stick, Rey’s career is Hall of Fame worthy. That said, he wasn’t on anyone’s radar for being inducted this year, simply because he’s not finished as an active competitor. There have been names inducted that have come out of retirement, but it’s rare to see WWE put someone in the Hall of Fame who has plenty of gas left in the tank and hasn’t announced his departure from active competition.

Mysterio made his debut in WWE in 2002 and quickly became one of the most popular wrestlers in the company. He won numerous championships, including the WWE Championship, World Heavyweight Championship, Intercontinental Championship, and United States Championship. He is also a multiple-time Tag Team Champion, having won the belts with partners such as Eddie Guerrero, Batista, and Edge.

Known for his high-flying wrestling style and his signature moves, including the extremely popular 619 finisher, he is perhaps the most famous Luchador of all time and his elaborate masks have become a trademark of his persona. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest high-flyers in the history of professional wrestling and has been a mentor to many high-flyers who followed.

WWE To Start Announcing Hall Of Fame Inductees Today?

WWE will be holding this year’s Hall of Fame ceremony on Friday, March 31, after SmackDown that night in Los Angeles.

WWE is just a few weeks away from WrestleMania weekend and has yet to announce any inductees for this year’s class. That will be changing, according to WrestleVotes. 

Per the report, WWE will start announcing the inductees today. 

“The plan as of Monday was to begin announcing this years Hall of Fame induction class today. The annual HOF ceremony is 3 weeks from tonight in Los Angeles following SmackDown.”

WWE is operating with the idea of keeping things shorter than in previous years. 

Earlier this week, Mick Foley revealed that he had been asked to induct someone as a part of this year’s class, although he wouldn’t offer any specifics on who had made the request or if it’d even been greenlit yet. One name that keeps being bandied about is Dave Bautista. He was initially tapped to enter the WWE Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2020. However, that event was put off as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. He was then going to be inducted the following year, but he was pulled from the slate with the wrestler-turned-actor stating that prior obligations would prevent him from attending. A later date was expected for his eventual participation, so could this be the year?

Sources: WrestleVotes and Wrestling Inc.

WWE Hall Of Fame Preview 4/1/2022

The 2022 WWE Hall of Fame induction ceremony will air live tonight on Peacock from the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas.

The Undertaker will be the headliner for the 2022 Class, and he will be inducted by WWE Chairman & CEO Vince McMahon. There is no word on if there will be Legacy Wing additions this year, but WWE is going with a smaller group of inductees. There will be no Celebrity Hall of Famer.

WWE has announced the following line-up for tonight’s induction ceremony:

* The Undertaker, inducted by WWE Chairman & CEO Vince McMahon

* Vader, posthumously inducted by TBA

* The Steinier Brothers, inducted by TBA

* Queen Sharmell, inducted by WWE Hall of Famer Booker T

* Warrior Award: Shad Gaspard, presented to his wife Siliana Gaspard by Dana Warrior

Nikki Bella Is Excited To Hear Vader Tell Stories At WWE Hall Of Fame

WWE Hall of Famers The Bella Twins, Nikki and Brie Bella, took to their YouTube Channel earlier today and gave an update about their WrestleMania 38 status.

According to Nikki, the duo is definitely going to be in Dallas this weekend and they are especially looking forward to the Hall of Fame ceremony.

“So yeah, actually we will be in Dallas because Brie and I will definitely be attending the Hall of Fame this year, which is right after SmackDown on Friday. When The Undertaker is getting inducted, you definitely show up. So, I’m so excited to see The Undertaker to get inducted, to be there in person for it.

“We actually get the opportunity to be there in person. I love that Vince McMahon is inducting him. I just can’t wait to hear the speeches, but it’s the Undertaker so I feel like it’s going to have some really cool production to it.

“Sharmell, congratulations! I am so proud that you are going to be in the WWE Hall of Fame, that is so amazing. Always have loved everything that she’s done. And to think Booker is going to be the one to induct her? Wow, what a night to be a married couple.”

Nikki Bella also took the time to express her excitement for Vader being inducted into this year’s Hall of Fame. It’s important to note that though she says she is excited for Vader to be at The Hall of Fame to tell stories from his career, Vader won’t personally be at the ceremony as he passed away in 2018 at the age of 63.

“And I’m also so excited that the WWE Universe will be welcoming Vader into the Hall of Fame. I always get excited for men of that generation to come to the Hall of Fame because they have the most incredible stories we’ve never heard,” she said. “And I always love when those men take the stage, and the women, and from that era of wrestling that was so iconic and so historic. So I’m really excited for Vader to be inducted into the Hall of Fame and just to have his presence there and hear his speeches.”

Nikki even teases toward the end of the video that The Bellas may even get into a bit of action at this year’s WrestleMania. After making their in-ring return at The Royal Rumble this year, it would be interesting to see if the duo has a longer run in the works.

“As far as action that weekend, well, the world of WWE, things change every day so just keep tuning in for that. And of course, I think we’ll be meeting a lot of you whether it’s virtually, or on panels, you will see Brie and I at some point in Dallas.”

Source: Wrestling Inc. with credit to The Bella Twins YouTube Channel 

The Steiner Brothers Are Going Into The WWE Hall Of Fame

It’s officially WrestleMania week and WWE will kick things off with the go-home Raw a few hours from now. Later in the week we’ll have SmackDown, Stand & Deliver, and, of course, WrestleMania. There will also be the Hall Of Fame ceremony on Friday night during which a number of former WWE Superstars will be honored and added to WWE’s Hall, including The Undertaker and Vader.

This year’s class is smaller than usual, and it seems the final inductees into the 2022 class have now been revealed, and they might be the most surprising so far. As first revealed David Shoemaker via The Ringer, and confirmed shortly after by WWE, iconic WCW tag team The Steiner Brothers will become WWE Hall Of Famers this Friday, presumably rounding out the 2022 class.

https://twitter.com/WWE/status/1508447252280401927

The Steiners are widely regarded as one of the best tag teams of all time by many wrestling fans. The two competed together in WWE during the early ’90s, winning tag team gold twice. However, it was under WCW’s banner that Rick and Scott arguably did their best work. The brothers won the promotion’s Tag Team Championships seven times and the US Tag Titles once, really cementing their legacy in WCW.

That Rick and Scott will be Hall Of Famers by the end of this week is further evidence that no bridge between WWE and a former Superstar is ever burned for good. After a tainted run as a singles star in WWE 20 years ago, Scott Steiner has had nothing but bad things to say about the company ever since. Big Poppa Pump even described the HOF as a joke that only exists in Vince McMahon’s mind once. Clearly, he has had a change of heart.

Perhaps the change of heart has been inspired by the success of Bron Breakker. Rick Steiner’s son has rocketed to NXT fame over the past six months, winning and then losing the brand’s top prize in that time. Rick even celebrated with his son after the cameras were off when Breakker won the title. It will be fun to hear what they have to say when they’re inducted later this week.

Source: TheSportster

From WWE.com:

The Steiner Brothers will be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame’s Class of 2022. As first announced by David Shoemaker on TheRinger.com, Rick & Scott Steiner will be enshrined in the hallowed hall during the 2022 WWE Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony as part of WrestleMania Week.

The WWE Hall of Fame at a ceremony will take place this Friday, April 1 at American Airlines Center in Dallas as part of WrestleMania Week.  The event will stream live exclusively on Peacock in the U.S. and WWE Network everywhere else.  In addition, for the first time in history, WWE will present both Friday Night SmackDown and the 2022 WWE Hall of Fame Ceremony live on the same night at American Airlines Center, giving all fans in attendance an unprecedented opportunity to witness both events for one price. Tickets for the special 2-for-1 SmackDown + Hall of Fame are now available via Ticketmaster.

The most successful of tag teams must be completely in synch and possess an ability to almost read each other’s thoughts. Arguable no one can find that level of connection better than family. Enter celebrated University of Michigan alumni Rick Steiner and Scott Steiner, sibling competitors who donned on the headgear (and/or mullet) and introduced an innovative in-ring style that helped them fight their way to the top of the mountain.

The Steiner Brothers first joined forces in 1989 and grew to become the face of tag team excellence as one of sports-entertainment’s most celebrated tag teams. Together, Rick and Scott lit up NWA Mid-Atlantic and NWA/WCW where they used their impressive mix of amateur and professional wrestling to capture the WCW Tag Team Titles seven times and the United States Tag Team Titles once. Their success was not entirely limited to the Atlanta-based organization, however. During their brief time in WWE in the early ’90s, the pair quickly made history by appearing on the first episode of Monday Night Raw in 1993, battling The Headshrinkers on The Grandest Stage of Them All at WrestleMania IX and winning the WWE Tag Team Championship twice. Following a short tenure with ECW in 1995, The Steiners then returned to WCW in 1996 and their impact was undeniable as they battled elite opposition like Harlem Heat and The Outsiders for the WCW Tag Team Titles.

Don’t miss when The Steiners take their place in sports-entertainment history during the 2022 WWE Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony this Friday, streaming live exclusively on Peacock in the U.S. and WWE Network everywhere else.

Shad Gaspard To Receive Warrior Award At This Year’s WWE Hall Of Fame

With only a week to go until the ceremony takes place, only three inductees have been announced. The Undertaker, Vader, and Sharmell

WWE has now officially confirmed Shad Gaspard will receive the Warrior Award at next week’s Hall of Fame ceremony.

https://twitter.com/WWE/status/1507363868070273033

Gaspard passed away in May 2020 when he was caught in a riptide while swimming with his son of Venice Beach. One of Gaspard’s last acts before passing away was to direct rescuers towards his son before they rescued him. Sadly, after safely making sure Gaspard’s son made it to shore, his rescuers were too late to save the former WWE Superstar and his body was found days later.

Gaspard’s passing came years after he competed in WWE as one half of the tag team Cryme Tyme alongside JTG. While it would have been cool to see him eventually inducted into the Hall of Fame, it’s hard to argue that his time in WWE merits that. The Warrior Award, on the other hand, which is “presented to an individual who has exhibited unwavering strength and perseverance” is undoubtedly something Gaspard’s legacy deserves.

Source: TheSportster