#wwe
#mondaynightraw
#raw
#fridaynightsmackdown
#smackdown
#mondaynightraw
#raw
#fridaynightsmackdown
#smackdown
Category
🦄
CreativityTranscript
00:00:00Forget about the old saying, there's good news and there's bad news, because now there's only bad news.
00:00:08He didn't need friends, not when he was armed with a fierce finisher.
00:00:12One of the most devastating I think I've ever seen.
00:00:15Don't give no mercy, take no prisoners.
00:00:18He hailed from Harlem and achieved Olympic glory, a bronze medal in judo at the 76 Summer Games.
00:00:25Then bad news traveled fast, arriving in WWE, tearing through opponents, making enemies out of everyone, including legends Hulk Hogan
00:00:35and Randy Macho Man Savage.
00:00:38He don't want no friends. He don't need no friends.
00:00:42He doesn't have any friends.
00:00:44His WrestleMania moment? Winning a massive battle royal against the biggest names in the bigs.
00:00:50One thing I do, I never, ever leave an enemy behind.
00:00:54No alliances, no apologies, no smiles.
00:00:59But no doubt, he'd be beaming about his election into the 2026 Legacy Class of the WWE Hall of Fame.
00:01:09Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the family of Bad News Brown.
00:01:39You know, Miz, along with your many accolades, you're a nine-time tag team champion.
00:01:45It's ten, but who's counting?
00:01:47So, anyhow, you know how important tag team wrestling is to what we do here.
00:01:53As a kid, I loved tag team wrestling.
00:01:56Legion of Doom, Demolition.
00:01:57If it had face paint, I was all in.
00:02:00Now, thanks to Dan Housen, I've seen enough.
00:02:04Tag team wrestling is all in a class of its own.
00:02:07It's about trust, timing, knowing your partner has your back no matter what.
00:02:11Demolition?
00:02:12Well, they didn't just understand that, they dominated it.
00:02:17Ladies and gentlemen, the latest inductees into the WWE Hall of Fame.
00:02:27There's a new game in time, people.
00:02:29Hailing from parts unknown.
00:02:31We live at the end of Elm Street.
00:02:34When Freddy Krueger wants to come home, he has to ask us.
00:02:38Demolition!
00:02:40Here comes the axe.
00:02:42Here comes the smash.
00:02:44There's demolition.
00:02:46Walking disaster.
00:02:49Arriving to WWE in 1987, Bill Eadie and Barry Darso took on the personas of Axe and Smash, and quickly
00:02:58dominated the tag team scene as Demolition.
00:03:02It takes me back to my childhood.
00:03:04As a kid, they were larger than life.
00:03:13I grew up watching and loving Demolition.
00:03:16I love Demolition.
00:03:18They were my favorite tag team growing up as a kid.
00:03:20Hammer!
00:03:21They looked like killers, and that to me was so badass.
00:03:25Well, the monsters are here, and your nightmare's about to begin.
00:03:34They were like something from a horror film.
00:03:38They had that Jason Voorhees mask.
00:03:40The black and the leather.
00:03:41The entrance gear.
00:03:42Then they take the mask off, and now their face is also painted.
00:03:45Total demolition!
00:03:47As a little kid, I was really scared of them.
00:03:49They just looked like they'd tear you to them from limb.
00:03:51Get it up, Booth Sponsor!
00:03:55Kick his teeth out!
00:03:56The things that they did were not pretty.
00:03:58When we walk into the ring, it's all hell going to break down!
00:04:02Get up, Jaggeek!
00:04:04Come on, Axl!
00:04:05Look at the back of it!
00:04:07Oh, and here's the patented Demolition move right here.
00:04:09I love this move.
00:04:11Them were always just such big, bad brawlers.
00:04:13Some badasses, but they were cool, so they got cheered.
00:04:16New tag team champions!
00:04:18History made!
00:04:19Here is part of WrestleMania 4!
00:04:26Demolition's first reign as champion,
00:04:28would last an astonishing 16 months.
00:04:32We're controlling the tag team championship scene!
00:04:37Axe and Smash became the longest reigning tag team champions in WWE history.
00:04:43A record that would stand for nearly 30 years.
00:04:50Demolition would leave an indelible mark on fans who grew up during WWE's golden era of the late 1980s.
00:04:58During that generation, Demolition's impact, it was just huge.
00:05:03It is with great pride that we honor one of sports entertainment's most iconic tag teams
00:05:09as we induct Demolition, Axe, and Smash into the WWE Hall of Fame.
00:05:27Ladies and gentlemen, here to induct Axe, Axe, and Smash into the Hall of Fame,
00:05:33one of the baddest men on the planet, Haku.
00:05:37One of the four horsemen, Arne Anderson.
00:05:41And from the powers of pain, Warlord!
00:05:44One of the four horsemen, let's go again!
00:05:45Yeah!
00:05:48Be right!
00:05:48We got that for now!
00:05:49Make the shoot!
00:05:49We got that for now!
00:05:50And you're the last shoe in for this vignette!
00:05:51Woo!
00:05:5321!
00:05:54We got one I'mè¿‘in'.
00:05:55Over!
00:05:56For now!
00:06:02Come here!
00:06:04Go!
00:06:07predicts that for now!
00:06:26Is this an honor to be up here tonight
00:06:29to induct one of the greatest tag teams ever, Demolition.
00:06:36From the way they walked to the ring,
00:06:39with their amazing outfits,
00:06:44their mask, their studded vest,
00:06:47and their heart-pounding song,
00:06:50you knew they were special.
00:06:53Then there was their achievements in the ring as a tag team.
00:06:57Not once, not twice,
00:07:01but three times they won the old WWE tag team belts.
00:07:10The first time, 478 days.
00:07:16That was a record never to be broken in the old WWE tag.
00:07:21I know.
00:07:23I got to wrestle them for a part of that.
00:07:26And boy, I had a lot, a lot of Mr. Fuji's canes broken over my back.
00:07:33And pummeled into that mat with their iconic double axe hammer.
00:07:38Every single night.
00:07:40Brutal.
00:07:50After 35 years,
00:07:53Andre the Giant and Bobby Heenan can't believe
00:07:57that I'm standing here and talk about them.
00:08:02So, when Demolition came to be,
00:08:07I had the opportunity to tag against them
00:08:10with three different partners.
00:08:14As part of the Islanders with Tonga Kid, Sivafi,
00:08:20and the most famous of our fields
00:08:25is one half of the Colossal.
00:08:28The Colossal connection with Andre the Giant
00:08:32and Bobby the Brain Heenan.
00:08:35Managing us.
00:08:38The Colossal connection defended our tag team titles
00:08:43at one of the greatest WrestleMania,
00:08:46WrestleMania VI in Toronto, Canada.
00:08:51There we go.
00:08:55In Guerrilla, Andre told me,
00:08:58I must look strong and stay alive.
00:09:03If it still shocks me,
00:09:06hear that I wrestle more most of that match.
00:09:12Accents Mass,
00:09:14thank you for taking care of me.
00:09:17It was an honor
00:09:19to be in the match with you guys.
00:09:38Come on now.
00:09:40You didn't think I was gonna just fade to black, did you?
00:09:48Well, tonight is not about me.
00:09:51As I look at all these beautiful people
00:09:53and tremendous athletes,
00:09:55it's about two guys that broke the standard.
00:10:01Bill Eadie had gained worldwide respect as a talent.
00:10:06Barry D'Arso since 1982
00:10:08have been one of my best friends on the planet.
00:10:12So this is a special one for me.
00:10:16Those two guys got together.
00:10:18The stars all came into alignment
00:10:20and they busted down the doors of the WWE.
00:10:25I mean, they beat the crap out of everybody.
00:10:29Everybody.
00:10:30And I mean everybody.
00:10:32And Barry and I were supposed to be friends.
00:10:36I couldn't figure that one out.
00:10:38And I said,
00:10:38what the hell's the matter to you, man?
00:10:40You're killing me out there.
00:10:41Gotta protect the gimmick.
00:10:45Now, if he said I gotta protect the gimmick,
00:10:49I would listen up.
00:10:51But the fact of the matter is,
00:10:53demolition came along and set new standards for tag teams.
00:10:58I listened to the crowd every single night
00:11:02when that music would hit
00:11:03and it would be chill bumps.
00:11:05Well, you know what we're talking about.
00:11:07Very few people have that in this business
00:11:10that can move people like that.
00:11:11So, without much further ado,
00:11:14this is an easy one.
00:11:16The newest members of the WWE Hall of Fame.
00:11:20Demolition.
00:11:43Walking disaster.
00:11:46Pain and destruction.
00:11:48There's harm in your pain.
00:11:54Search and destroy you.
00:11:56Running will find you.
00:11:59There's nothing to hide.
00:12:01There's a table for you.
00:12:03Wow.
00:12:05Wow.
00:12:08Oh.
00:12:18All right.
00:12:21It's hard to beat Stephanie McMahon's speech.
00:12:25That's incredible, huh?
00:12:27Is she unreal or what?
00:12:29All right.
00:12:31This is just one of the most incredible moments of my life.
00:12:35I've been around the wrestling business for over 40 years.
00:12:38And it all comes down to tonight.
00:12:40The WWE Hall of Fame.
00:12:42What an honor.
00:12:43And thank you very much.
00:12:45And it's that ring right there.
00:12:49There are so many people that I need to say thanks to.
00:12:53I'm only going to name a few.
00:12:55About 39 years ago, I got a call from Vince McMahon to come up to the office.
00:13:01And he showed me a picture of what the demolition characters would look like.
00:13:07And I didn't know anything about the demolition.
00:13:09I didn't know what it looked like.
00:13:11And he asked me, he says, do you think you can be this character?
00:13:15And I looked him right in the eye.
00:13:17And I said, you're darn right I can be this character.
00:13:21I'm demolition smash.
00:13:24Unbelievable.
00:13:26And we kind of laughed.
00:13:28And he said, I just need to get a hold of Bill Eadie.
00:13:32And make sure that everyone's okay with him.
00:13:34And it would be a good tag team for the both of us.
00:13:37And, you know, I said, perfect.
00:13:39So I knew Bill through some mutual friends.
00:13:42And everybody spoke so highly of him.
00:13:44Bill and I met a couple weeks later.
00:13:46The next thing you know, we're partners.
00:13:48We're the demolition.
00:13:50The first day in the ring, it just clicked.
00:13:55It was incredible.
00:13:56The next thing you know, we're in the Trump Plaza,
00:13:59winning the tag team titles from Tito Santana and Rick Martel.
00:14:03Unbelievable.
00:14:08I need to thank Bill Eadie for this moment right here.
00:14:11Because he's what's made this so easy for the decision for me to become smash.
00:14:17And we've been together for about 39 years now.
00:14:20We've had a great tag team run.
00:14:22We put many miles on the road.
00:14:25Best friends, training partners.
00:14:27All I did was follow his lead in the matches.
00:14:30And they were phenomenal.
00:14:33We wrestled the greatest teams of all times.
00:14:38And those guys that just inducted us in here are some of them.
00:14:41The Warlord.
00:14:42He was partners with the Barbarian.
00:14:43They were incredible.
00:14:46Yes, definitely.
00:14:51Haku with Andre the Giant.
00:14:55Arne Anderson tagged with Tully Blanchard.
00:14:58They were the Brain Busters.
00:14:59We tore it up with those guys.
00:15:03It's just been an incredible, incredible career.
00:15:06I need to thank Mr. Fuji.
00:15:09Mr. Fuji.
00:15:09Hey, yeah.
00:15:11Stoge the Stooge.
00:15:14He was so much fun.
00:15:16And he was just a great, great man.
00:15:19And a good guy to be around.
00:15:20And then I need to thank Bryan Adams' crush.
00:15:24All right.
00:15:26Another great partner.
00:15:29When he came in, we had the time of our life.
00:15:32He was just a good guy, a good man.
00:15:35And he was one strong son of a gun.
00:15:37What a good guy.
00:15:39Then I have to mention my wife.
00:15:42The love of my life.
00:15:43Teresa Darso.
00:15:45She was the best partner I ever had.
00:15:47Sorry, Bill.
00:15:48And still is.
00:15:50She ran my whole life.
00:15:52And still does.
00:15:56I've got to introduce my son, Dakota Darso.
00:15:59He's a sergeant for the Roscommon County Sheriff's Department.
00:16:04And he's a K-9 officer.
00:16:05The greatest son a man could ever have.
00:16:09Yes.
00:16:11Dakota, I love you.
00:16:13And then his wife, Keely Darso.
00:16:15Who's just an incredible woman.
00:16:17I love her more than anything.
00:16:19She is the mother of my three grandkids.
00:16:23And can I get my three grandkids to stand up?
00:16:25Come on, you guys.
00:16:27Come on.
00:16:30That's Maverick, Scarlett, and Lincoln.
00:16:33And can you look in the camera right there?
00:16:35And just smile and wave.
00:16:37Just when you get back to school, tell the kids at school that they're in school today.
00:16:43And you're at the greatest show on earth.
00:16:46WrestleMania in the Hall of Fame.
00:16:47Yeah.
00:16:49So anyways, I'm going to wrap this up and I just want to say thanks to the WWE.
00:16:53Triple H, The Undertaker.
00:16:56The whole WWE crew is just incredible.
00:17:00And then I got to thank the fans.
00:17:03Yeah.
00:17:04You fans are unbelievable.
00:17:06There wouldn't be demolition without you.
00:17:08Thank you all.
00:17:10All right, Phil.
00:17:12You got it.
00:17:15Well, to be truly honest, I didn't ever think this day would come true.
00:17:21To be inducted into the Hall of Fame has been a great honor.
00:17:30And it's unbelievable.
00:17:32I look around the crowd here and I'm amazed.
00:17:35I see all these superstars and I envy you.
00:17:40You're doing a fantastic job.
00:17:42Unbelievable.
00:17:43Fantastic job.
00:17:44Unbelievable.
00:17:48We have been accepted into the fraternity.
00:17:52We've been in the wrestling community for a number of years.
00:17:56And now we're being inducted into the Hall of Fame.
00:17:59And we're allowed in the fraternity house.
00:18:05There's many people that I want to, I want to thank.
00:18:14You deserve it.
00:18:17You deserve it.
00:18:20You deserve it.
00:18:21You deserve it.
00:18:25That's a loud section over there.
00:18:28I think maybe we should do a run in at WrestleMania.
00:18:31No.
00:18:32Hey.
00:18:35You run in, I'll walk in because I'm a lot older.
00:18:39But there's a lot of people that I would like to thank and gave me guidance and support.
00:18:46There are too many to mention, but I'll name a few.
00:18:53Guido Mongo, who was my trainer and mentor.
00:18:59George Scott, who gave me the character of mass superstar.
00:19:04Andre the Giant, good friend, who trusted me.
00:19:12Vince McMahon Jr. and Sr. for bringing us into WWE.
00:19:20Antonio Inoki for giving me that main event position in Japan.
00:19:26And of course, Mr. Fuji.
00:19:29Mr. Fuji.
00:19:30Good manager, better friend.
00:19:35And there's so many other people I'd like to mention.
00:19:38With all the talent in this room, all the talent in the wrestling fraternity, we've had so many good matches
00:19:47with individuals in singles and in tags.
00:19:52Without a good opponent, the match doesn't work.
00:19:57We'd like to thank those people who went in the ring with us.
00:20:01Just like these guys and all the people that we can't mention.
00:20:06Thank you very much.
00:20:09I'd like to thank the fans.
00:20:13Without the fans, you gave us the drive and ambition and desire.
00:20:20You gave us the support over these many years.
00:20:24And we truly thank you.
00:20:26Thank you very much.
00:20:34I would like to thank members of my family.
00:20:39First of all, my wife.
00:20:42My wife, Sue.
00:20:46She stood with me from day one.
00:20:49I had a dream.
00:20:51And she supported that dream.
00:20:55She gave me support and strength and effort, even when I doubted myself.
00:21:05She bought three homes while I was on the road.
00:21:12One of those times I didn't even know where I lived coming back from Japan.
00:21:17That was before cell phones.
00:21:20So if she didn't come to pick me up at the airport, I was going to be in Atlanta airport
00:21:25for a long time.
00:21:27Thank you, honey.
00:21:28I love you very much.
00:21:32I'd like to thank my daughter, Heather Davis, my son-in-law, Michael Davis, because they sacrificed as well.
00:21:46And I've got four great grandsons, Christopher, Dylan, Chase, and Dean.
00:21:54And they give me the reason to keep going.
00:21:58Beautiful.
00:22:01And finally, the reason I'm even here today, I want to thank my Lord Jesus Christ.
00:22:09There we go.
00:22:11There we go.
00:22:13He was with me when I was at my weakest and when I needed guidance.
00:22:20Thank you, Lord.
00:22:25I've been asked a number of times and even today at a signing, the question, how are you going to
00:22:35feel being inducted into the Hall of Fame?
00:22:40Getting that title, getting the ring, getting that acknowledgement.
00:22:47And I hearken back to a movie that I liked, Dumb and Dumber, and I'll steal the phrase.
00:22:56I like it.
00:22:57I like it a lot.
00:23:22Still to come tonight a man who transformed our business, AJ Styles will enter the Hall of Fame.
00:23:29And also Dennis Rodman, not of the NBA, but of the NWO Dennis Rodman here, live.
00:23:39welcome back to fabulous las vegas we're on the strip tonight dolby live at park mgm
00:23:45honoring the best of the best at the 2026 wwe hall of fame induction ceremony
00:24:12you know miz celebrities have been a massive part of wwe over the years they've even gotten
00:24:20in the ring on occasion much of the chagrin sometimes of the wwe fans you've had some
00:24:26run-ins with celebrities over the years oh have i oh i've had a verbal confrontation with peewee
00:24:32herman people's elbow from snoop dogg i got punt kicked by pat mcafee
00:24:42interesting because you weren't doing that when he was kicking my teeth in
00:24:45it's hard for a celebrity to come into our house because you have to show the same respect the same
00:24:51passion the same pride that every superstar and every member of the wwe universe has
00:24:58but when they do and they prove that they belong special because it brings a new audience a new
00:25:05energy and to create moments that everyone talks about ladies and gentlemen the new inductee into
00:25:12the wwe hall of fame's celebrity wing
00:25:18ah the 90s a decade defined by vibrant colors outrageous fashion choices and edgy attitudes
00:25:26and no one embodied that more than the ostentatious dennis rodman if you look at him you're not thinking
00:25:33any other sport except wwe define the word money arguably the greatest rebounder in nba history dennis
00:25:43the menace was as comfortable causing chaos on the court as he was doing whatever he wanted off of it
00:25:48an entity of his own in the very best way he looks how he wants he dresses how he wants
00:25:54he is the ultimate rebel
00:25:55in 1997 this rebel found his cause the newest member of the nwo
00:26:01you've definitely earned your colors my friend
00:26:07why did dennis rodman finish the nwo well his nickname was the worm so basically was just like
00:26:14everybody in the nwo just obsessed with themselves with the bulls war to the nba the nwo was the wcw
00:26:20fat boys of wrestling with the fat boy of the nba what a match made in heaven
00:26:25rodman was complete outlaw exactly what the nwo was i mean they fit in perfectly like a hand in a
00:26:33glove
00:26:33together while the collab was sweet rodman's rise in the ring lived up to his bad boy rep
00:26:41i think the fact that he blew off of practice during the finals occurred tonight was pretty
00:26:47significant there are some things worth missing practice for brother
00:26:54he is the kind of guy that just does whatever he wants just no rules with that guy rod zilla
00:27:01was
00:27:02lambasted in the media but once back in chicago he helped lead the bulls to their sixth nba championship
00:27:08less than a month later the worm was found where else on the beach with hulk hogan and the nwo
00:27:15rodman was wild card he was definitely a v12 running on all cylinders he's crazy i mean he's
00:27:23absolutely crazy rodman he had everything it took i mean he could have been a great wrestler if he ever
00:27:27would have made that choice he was the real deal and so on behalf of mavericks and misfits everywhere
00:27:34we honor the man who flamboyantly crashed the boards as hard as he crashed the party that's right
00:27:40baby you have no choice but to love me right and welcome the world into the 2026 class of the
00:27:47wwe hall of fame
00:27:51here now to induct dennis rodman into the celebrity wing of the wwe hall of fame
00:27:58from the new world order kevin nash sean waltman
00:28:18world pack is back cause i'm mass destruction guess you see i'm a bad boy's aggressive
00:28:23just in competition when the war does the mission not in the mercy see the race not strength if you
00:28:28don't
00:28:29you know the man find out the world pack
00:28:32my voice has got something crazy going on i'm a hermit i don't speak very often so
00:28:50just being here today i've lost my voice
00:28:55the next inductee is no stranger to being inducted he was inducted to the nba hall of fame
00:29:01in 2011 and into the nba's 75th anniversary team in 2021 most importantly he was the heart and soul of
00:29:11the greatest collection of athletes in sports i'm not talking about the chicago bulls i'm talking about
00:29:16the nwo oh yeah the man who blew off practice during the 1998 nba finals so he could go smoke
00:29:29some cohibas on nitro quick quick tangent uh it's urban legend but the story goes that uh dennis was
00:29:39paid 250 000 by the wcw for its performance and the nba fined dennis a whopping 20 000 so dennis
00:29:53managed to skip practice win the nba finals smoke some cigars on nitro and still walk out with 230k
00:30:09when dennis came out in that black limo it sent shockwaves through this business because when
00:30:15you're dennis excuse me when dennis is on your tv it's not just a big deal for wrestling it's
00:30:23international news and while dennis lives by his own rules he does follow one unshakable code
00:30:31when you're nwo you're nwo for life without further ado it's my honor to induct into the wwe hall of
00:30:43fame
00:30:44dennis rodman
00:31:19how are you doing vegas
00:31:25as you know this is my second home and um you know hey man i'm not trying
00:31:51anyway i had a speech up here but um just unfortunately that stephanie met man did it for me
00:32:02thank you thank you that way i ain't gonna be up so damn long
00:32:08but uh i'm just happy to be here i mean that's because the wwe gave my chance
00:32:13and uh wcw was great you know nwo for life yeah man bless him and bless him but you know
00:32:26what i'm just
00:32:26happy to be here to support you guys because i think your organization is probably better than
00:32:31most sports organizations around the world because the one thing you never have left your
00:32:37feelings about loving your community and loving the people that work for you so
00:32:50there's a lot of guys uh in this industry that's been physically damaged physically hurt
00:33:00disappointed but this organization has never turned their back on these people man
00:33:05i mean look around i mean look around you know so that's that's what i love about being in my
00:33:14community the wrestling world if i have to play basketball i'll be in this industry very well
00:33:21and uh at least i know what lord he is in this industry and uh boy i would love to
00:33:28see a lot more shit
00:33:30me stuff
00:33:36i would man i would you know since i'm not getting emotional but i will i will have to say
00:33:43something
00:33:43i'm gonna cut it short what now there's a couple people here man let's thank uh jimmy hart
00:34:00what a career this guy had right this guy eats peanut butter with cucumbers in the morning
00:34:11three story uh eric bischoff
00:34:19oh yeah yeah he's one of the guys that really helped me get through this whole situation with
00:34:24the wrestling and uh just so like you know my neighbor she's 80 82 years old she she want to
00:34:30step and watch this but damn man you know she's she's an old woman but love her to death love
00:34:37her
00:34:37every day i talk to that woman every day
00:34:45no wonder she's dying but i talk to her every day that my pool sucks i said hey it's okay
00:34:51man
00:34:53it's okay
00:35:21it's okay
00:35:31Hollywood Swing, yes, you know, but yeah, man, I'm having a good time right now, man.
00:35:38I got that out of the way, but, you know, I got to speak about the person here, another
00:35:46person, Nick Hogan.
00:35:53Yeah, I've been knowing Nick since he was like three, four years old, and he's been through
00:35:58some, back in the day, he was going through some really hard times, and his dad, man,
00:36:03just always stood beside him, no matter what he did, you know, no matter what he did, he
00:36:09stood right beside him, and I'm so proud of Nick, man, he seemed like a really got his
00:36:15shit, I mean, his stuff together, so, yeah, you know, yeah, so, bless you, Nick, bless you,
00:36:37Nick, bless everybody, people back home, Frankie, what's the matter?
00:36:41Everybody up there, what you got going on, love, baby, what you got going on, baby?
00:36:52Hey, hey, nobody, you sit up there in the bleachers, brother, guess what, dude, your life
00:36:58beat is more down here than up there all day long, brother, yes, all day, but, all right,
00:37:07we'll finish this, my lovely girl, Yella Yella, and, you know, everybody back there, George
00:37:13with the fellow, but, here we go, guys, here's the ending, here's the ending right here, I
00:37:21love the fact, when you can sit there, hold your head up high, and see Hulkamania, that statue,
00:37:31brother, that statue, brother, and I wonder why it took so long, what took so long, and,
00:37:40you know, I hope you guys don't laugh at this, a friend of mine, Hulk Hogan told me, he said,
00:37:48what are you going to do, brother, with a fucking Hulkamania in a 24-year space,
00:37:52dog, get a hold of you, brother, I tried, I tried, what do you want to do, thank you guys
00:38:01for coming out, man, thank you guys for having me in, love's in a one, baby, NWO 4 LANG!
00:38:19Well, this is indeed the first Wrestlemania without the presence of the immortal Hulk Hogan. Coming up
00:38:25next, one of the great highlights of Wrestlemania, from the Silverdome in Pontiac, Michigan,
00:38:31Wrestlemania 3, it's our immortal moment, coming up next, at the Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.
00:38:44The biggest wrestling extravaganza of all time.
00:38:49The irresistible force, beating the immovable object.
00:38:54Oh, he dropped it! He dropped the big guy! He's hooking up!
00:38:58I didn't know if I could get him up, tell you the truth.
00:39:02It was the defining moment.
00:39:09It's that time of year when the very best
00:39:13come out to play.
00:39:17This is gonna be good, I am fired up!
00:39:20Live from Las Vegas.
00:39:22It doesn't get any bigger than this.
00:39:25Greatness demands a stage.
00:39:28The two-night weekend event, no, as Wrestlemania.
00:39:37And just down the street from where we are tonight, is Allegiant Stadium, host of the
00:39:43two-night extravaganza known as Wrestlemania, beginning with Wrestlemania Saturday at 6 Eastern,
00:39:493 Pacific, where the main event was Randy Orton, versus Cody Rhodes, for the undisputed WWE Championship.
00:39:58We danced to fire with unburned skin.
00:40:03It's gone now, we're dreaming, the days are in the time.
00:40:111987.
00:40:12I was in college, watching on closed circuit, the moment that got me into this business.
00:40:19You're that old?
00:40:20I was seven.
00:40:21I'm old.
00:40:22I was sitting down, watching 93,000 people pack the Silver Dome, watching Hulk Hogan take on the
00:40:30undefeated, a true giant, the immovable object, Andre the Giant, and then it happened.
00:40:37As 93,000 people rose out of their seats, they watched the immortal Hulk Hogan brother pick up
00:40:47Andre the Giant and slam him.
00:40:51And that's when we realized that wasn't just a match, that was history.
00:40:58Let's celebrate that history now with our immortal moment.
00:41:07World Wrestling Federation officials have announced that Wrestlemania 3
00:41:11will be held at the beautiful Silver Dome.
00:41:13Well, Hulkamania is the newest thing, Johnny, it's the thing that is sweeping the country.
00:41:18Hulkamania has taken over.
00:41:20Andre the Giant congratulating the new heavyweight champion of the world, Hulk Hogan.
00:41:28You can't believe it?
00:41:30Maybe you'll believe this, Hogan.
00:41:33We want to know, yes or no, are you or are you not going to fight him at Wrestlemania 3?
00:41:42Yeah!
00:41:46The biggest wrestling extravaganza of all time.
00:41:50I should remind you, there are no tickets left.
00:41:52Oh my gosh.
00:41:54I mean, people were coming in from all over the world for this particular Wrestlemania.
00:41:57On the one hand, you had the ultimate hero.
00:41:59On the other hand, you had this giant who no human being could possibly be.
00:42:04There's no way, Hogan ain't gonna pin you.
00:42:06But who's gonna win?
00:42:07Andre.
00:42:08You had the two biggest names in all of professional wrestling finally meeting up.
00:42:14Hogan and Andre is what set in motion what it is we're all enjoying today.
00:42:19Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Wrestlemania 3!
00:42:23I knew that night the whole world was watching.
00:42:26Wrestlemania 3 just launched the WWE to a whole nother level from that point on.
00:42:31You got 93,000 standing on their feet for this one.
00:42:35Andre the Giant facing the Hulkster.
00:42:38The irresistible force meeting the immovable object.
00:42:42It is David versus Goliath and it was the perfect story.
00:42:45And the Hulkster unloaded, going for a slam.
00:42:47Hogan can't get Andre up. He can't get Andre up.
00:42:51Oh, he collapsed.
00:42:52Hogan may be hurt.
00:42:53Then at the end when you most wanted it.
00:42:56Oh, he dropped it.
00:42:57He dropped the big guy.
00:42:58He's hooking up.
00:43:00I didn't know if I could get him up, to tell you the truth.
00:43:03So, it was the defining moment.
00:43:06Look at this.
00:43:07He slammed the Giant.
00:43:09I don't believe it.
00:43:12Oh, dropping a big leg.
00:43:14He got it.
00:43:15I never thought it could be done, Dorella.
00:43:18We're WWE.
00:43:19We're all about moments.
00:43:20We're all about moments.
00:43:21Tame stands still and Hogan slamming Andre is the moment that the world stood still.
00:43:26It was different than anything that's ever happened.
00:43:28It was just the right time, the right people, the right place.
00:43:32It was just perfect.
00:43:35Greatest moment ever in my career.
00:43:37It has to be that WrestleMania.
00:43:39I'm very proud of Andre and I.
00:43:46Ladies and gentlemen, here to help enshrine this immortal moment into the WWE Hall of Fame is a WWE Hall
00:43:53of Famer, the mouth of the South, Jimmy Hart, Hulk Hogan's son, Nick, and Andre the Giant's daughter, Robin.
00:44:32You know what?
00:44:33The Silverdome, the Silverdome, Detroit, Michigan.
00:44:36When we booked the building, they didn't tell us that a week before us, the Pope's going to be in
00:44:41the Silverdome.
00:44:42And then three days before us, the Rolling Stones are going to be there.
00:44:47Hulk leans over to me and said, Jimmy Hart, what do you think about it, man?
00:44:50And I said, Hulk, I think we can outdraw the Pope, but I don't think we can outdraw the Rolling
00:44:55Stones, baby.
00:44:56But you know what?
00:44:57Like Stephanie Mann said earlier, we did 93,000 people.
00:45:02So praise the Lord for our fans.
00:45:04We love you.
00:45:05But like I said before, it's just unbelievable that we were able to do that.
00:45:10And I want to thank Andre the Giant, Hulk Hogan, of course, Nickster, and also Bobby the Brain Heenum for
00:45:18being part of that main event.
00:45:20That's right.
00:45:21But you know what?
00:45:22I got a surprise for you guys over here, okay?
00:45:24Come on.
00:45:25Come on, Robert.
00:45:56I feel strong about right and wrong.
00:46:05And I don't take trouble for very long.
00:46:10I got something deep inside of me.
00:46:17Courage is the thing that keeps us free.
00:46:21I am a real love.
00:46:23Jimmy, Nick, Robin, thank you very much.
00:46:25And as we just saw in our immortal moment, Miz, the WWE has always been about big men.
00:46:33We always say superstars are larger than life.
00:46:36But when we talk about powerhouses like Andre the Giant, Big John Studd, and The Undertaker, they changed the pace,
00:46:45they changed the feel.
00:46:46And that presence, that aura still defines this business today.
00:46:50Ladies and gentlemen, the latest inductee into our legacy wing of the Hall of Fame.
00:46:59Sid Vicious, Sid Justice, Psycho Sid.
00:47:03By any name, you didn't want to mess with him.
00:47:07A towering 6'9 with trademark intensity, Sid was a terrifying superstar during his nearly 30-year career.
00:47:17Oh man, Sid Vicious, one of the most imposing big men you ever met in your life.
00:47:22Sid Vicious is bad to the bone.
00:47:24I am the top dog here.
00:47:26Everyone has to measure themselves to me.
00:47:30The maniacal giant ruled WWE with his mastery of mind games and his signature powerbomb.
00:47:38Never have I seen anyone with a credentials the size of that match.
00:47:43Everyone fears the man, Psycho Sid.
00:47:48A menacing reputation coupled with charisma earned him two WrestleMania main events, against the immortal Hulk Hogan and The Undertaker.
00:47:56He went on to become a two-time world champion in both WCW and WWE.
00:48:02I am the master and I am the ruler of the world.
00:48:06This Psycho's path has led Sid to become a proud member of the 2026 Legacy Class of the WWE Hall
00:48:15of Fame.
00:48:18Please welcome the family of Psycho Sid.
00:48:49And coming up next, the Hall of Fame gets traded.
00:48:53Truly phenomenal.
00:49:19I've never been in a ring with someone that talented.
00:49:23I'm just proud of him now.
00:49:36I've never been in a ring with someone that talented.
00:49:55I couldn't think of a better person to have my last WrestleMania match with.
00:50:08When he's known for his athleticism, he also shifted gears and became more of a character.
00:50:14My most favorite thing to do, beat up John Cena.
00:50:18That's you.
00:50:20Standing in Rio in France, the building was shaking.
00:50:27All over the fact that AJ Styles was in front of them and he was indeed phenomenal.
00:50:44The benchmark for what it is to be a professional both inside and outside of the ring.
00:50:50He became a hero for a generation of wrestlers.
00:50:54Oh my God, thanks for my matchup.
00:50:58What he's given to the business is amazing.
00:51:00He's just a good person.
00:51:03On behalf of every single person, thank you very much, AJ Styles.
00:51:09Can you take me higher to a place where mine may see?
00:51:21Can you take me higher to a place where mine may see?
00:51:40Here to induct AJ Styles into the Hall of Fame, the good brothers, Carl Anderson, Luke Gallows.
00:51:54Yeah!
00:52:26I'd like to start off by saying it's an absolute honor and a pleasure to induct our friend, our brother,
00:52:34and our forever leader, the phenomenal AJ Styles, into the 2026 WWE Hall of Fame.
00:52:47You know, AJ went from becoming the heart and soul of TNA to becoming one of the men, if not
00:52:58the man, that pushed the Bullet Club into the mainstream.
00:53:05And when he signed with WWE, he became the face that runs the place.
00:53:12AJ Styles has inspired an entire generation of professional wrestlers, and I'd imagine it's including almost everyone in this room.
00:53:24AJ Styles is so loved all around the world, it's kind of hard to find somebody to say a bad
00:53:31word about AJ.
00:53:31He's had so many legendary rivalries and matchups, he could have had anybody induct him into the Hall of Fame.
00:53:41Guys like John Cena.
00:53:45Guys like Shinsuke Nakamura.
00:53:49Guys like Finn Balor.
00:53:53Guys like The Undertaker.
00:53:58That's true, Carl, but like the other two times that AJ Styles called us up and said,
00:54:04Hey, you two freaking guys want to go to WWE?
00:54:07We said, Yep.
00:54:11AJ Styles is not only one of the greatest in-ring performers of our generation,
00:54:16but he's also a fantastic family man and a mentor.
00:54:21Anywhere in the world, on any given night, if a young talent was looking for advice or feedback,
00:54:28AJ Styles was the first guy to stand up and hand that out.
00:54:32It's true.
00:54:33Allow me to set the stage.
00:54:35It's 2006 in Southern California, backstage at an independent professional wrestling show.
00:54:42AJ Styles is backstage visiting.
00:54:45And this is AJ Styles, the dude that everybody looks up to.
00:54:50He's the guy in 2006.
00:54:53And little did I know that a decade later, AJ and Gallows and myself would come to WWE and do
00:55:00so many cool things.
00:55:01But I'm watching AJ Styles backstage at this show.
00:55:05And this young independent wrestler walks up to him and goes,
00:55:09Mr. Styles, do you have any advice for me after you watch my match?
00:55:15AJ looked at him and I'm watching with bated breath, man.
00:55:17This is AJ Styles.
00:55:18I'm a broke independent wrestler.
00:55:20I'm watching AJ with every move he's doing.
00:55:24AJ goes, Yeah.
00:55:26If you can't take or throw a forearm, get out of the freaking business.
00:55:34That's not the end.
00:55:35I'm watching.
00:55:36I'm wondering what's going to happen.
00:55:37AJ grabs a guy like this and he goes, Wham!
00:55:41See?
00:55:42Wham!
00:55:43See?
00:55:44And the kid walks away like this and says, Thank you, Mr. Styles.
00:55:50That's when I realized for real in 2006 that AJ Styles' finisher would be the phenomenal forearm.
00:55:56I watched it.
00:55:59For real.
00:56:00And on that note, there's only one thing left to do.
00:56:03And that's go old school Japanese style.
00:56:09Carl, I need you to conjure up the machine gun.
00:56:14I like when you talk like that, Big LG.
00:56:17Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in welcoming the newest member of the WWE Hall of Fame class of 2026.
00:56:30In my opinion, the greatest professional wrestler on God's green earth.
00:56:37Stay with me.
00:56:39The phenomenal AJ Styles!
00:56:44We know him from the family and the most beautiful soldier.
00:56:58We know him from Europe.
00:57:05We know him from theoid of unboxings, either, but we know him or the کا, the prom.
00:57:11So let's end it up here in two.
00:57:11We know him with theold Nebraska and Santander Coast.
00:57:13We know him & the Falcans.
00:57:13We know him or a bit about pro- jaar.
00:57:13Give respect, cause ain't nobody breaking this redneck, no.
00:57:17They don't want none, no, they don't want none.
00:57:20They don't want none, no, they don't want none.
00:57:23They don't want none, no, they don't want none.
00:57:26Ain't looking scared on it, nobody want none.
00:57:30Another Mack truck, don't get run over.
00:57:33Waste of conscious boys working overtime.
00:57:35You know what I'm saying?
00:57:37I got my hand, bro.
00:57:53Shane Helms said to me today, don't get out there and get emotional, AJ.
00:58:02I said, dude, that's not fair.
00:58:04I just kind of retired in January.
00:58:09I'm still having withdrawals from wrestling.
00:58:11It's going to be a little hard for me not to get emotional.
00:58:14So if I do, call me a baby, that's fine.
00:58:19But it could happen.
00:58:22And here's the thing, a lot of people have been asking me since the Royal Rumble.
00:58:28Do I miss wrestling?
00:58:44You see, when you do that, that makes it very complicated.
00:58:51Because I really enjoyed being AJ Styles.
00:58:58I loved everything about it.
00:59:00The ring.
00:59:03The ropes.
00:59:05Diving over the top rope.
00:59:07Jumping off the top rope.
00:59:09Taking huge bumps.
00:59:11I loved it.
00:59:11I really did.
00:59:13I loved everything about it.
00:59:15That sounds crazy, I know.
00:59:17But here you sit.
00:59:21Because you love the same thing that I do.
00:59:26It was the passion that got you here.
00:59:30Because I've been in the ring with you.
00:59:32I could see it.
00:59:34We all had the same thing.
00:59:37It's addictive.
00:59:39And it's great.
00:59:41It's fun.
00:59:43And it's fun.
00:59:45The locker room.
00:59:47Unbelievable.
00:59:49The men, the women that I got to hang around with.
00:59:53The people that I got to meet.
00:59:56Stuff you don't forget.
00:59:58That community that we got to hang around with.
01:00:02Not everybody gets to do that.
01:00:05For you guys that sit out here, we're the lucky ones.
01:00:10I want you to think about this.
01:00:13Because there are more professional athletes in football, baseball, basketball, than there are of you.
01:00:24That's how hard it is to get to where you're at.
01:00:29So the next time you're feeling a little down and out, take pride in the fact that you did something
01:00:33a lot of people weren't able to do.
01:00:36Because of that passion.
01:00:44Is it crazy that I said, I kind of like the plane rides, the long ones, the train rides, the
01:00:54tours in Europe, the tours in Japan.
01:00:59I love that, guys.
01:01:01Maybe I'll miss that a little bit.
01:01:03But to answer the question, do I miss wrestling?
01:01:17This is going to surprise you a little bit.
01:01:21The answer is no.
01:01:24Because I'm lucky enough to go home to my family every night.
01:01:37I don't have to miss any more birthdays or important games or birthday parties and soccer games.
01:01:46I don't have to miss that anymore.
01:01:49I don't have to miss when you fall down and you scrape your little knee, Annie, that I can be
01:01:52there for you.
01:01:54We don't have to FaceTime anymore.
01:01:56I don't have to call from Japan, AJ, to see what kind of game you're having that day or to
01:02:02talk you back into the game after you got hurt real bad.
01:02:05But I got to be there for your wrestling matches, Abe.
01:02:08I get to see them now.
01:02:10Albie, your music capabilities and what you hear that most people get and the music that you make, it just
01:02:15astounds me.
01:02:18And as much as I get the chance to spend time with my family, man, it's even better when I
01:02:24get to spend time with just me and my wife.
01:02:27We get to get away and reconnect.
01:02:29Man, I'm telling you, there's nothing better than that.
01:02:41Now, listen, I've sat where you sat, guys.
01:02:45I know how long this night can be.
01:02:50We've got some important days coming up.
01:02:53There's a lot of people I need to thank.
01:02:56So let me say it this way.
01:03:00If there's ever a promoter that I've ever worked for, thank you.
01:03:09If there was ever talent that I was able to get in the ring with, thank you so much.
01:03:21And if I ever told you that I love you, I meant it.
01:03:36So I guess at the end of the day, I don't really have to be away from wrestling.
01:03:49I don't have to be the phenomenal AJ Styles anymore.
01:03:57But the job that I'm getting within the WWE, the opportunity that I have here in the WWE to stay
01:04:07with this company and be a part of this family,
01:04:09really, my job is to find the next phenomenal one.
01:04:25I may set a record here tonight, just so you know.
01:04:34I don't understand, but I'd like to think that my faith and what I believe in had me at the
01:04:44right time,
01:04:45at the right place, with the right person watching.
01:04:51I am so blessed to have what I have and have done what I've done.
01:04:58It was divine intervention.
01:05:04I'm just saved by grace, by the grace of God and my Savior, Jesus Christ,
01:05:10that I was able to do something like that and be in front of you guys, and I'm so thankful
01:05:14for that.
01:05:17And so, when I look in the mirror, I see this guy, and I know guys like me were never
01:05:33supposed to make it to places like this.
01:05:39But here I am, and because of you, I did.
01:05:51So, I am humbled and honored to be a member of the 2026 WWE Hall of Fame.
01:06:02I love you, and thank you very much.
01:06:43Ladies and gentlemen, the Father.
01:06:46Thank you all for joining us tonight.
01:06:48It has been our honor and privilege.
01:06:50We will see you tomorrow and Sunday at Wrestlemania.
01:06:57This and the class of the 2026 Hall of Fame is awesome!
01:07:05Thank you, good night!
01:07:06Thanks!
01:07:07Thanks!
01:07:07No, no, no, no, no.
01:07:53No, no, no.
Comments