Triple H
Lex Luger
Michelle McCool
The Natural Disasters — Earthquake & Typhoon
WWE Immortal Moment - Bret “The Hitman” Hart vs. “Stone Cold” Steve Austin
WWE Hall of Fame 2025 Red Carpet Coverage
Jackie Redmond and Peter Rosenberg welcome everyone to the WWE Hall of Fame Red Carpet. They are both excited for the great speeches.
Byron Saxton is with Gabriel Iglesias. Iglesias loves being at the Hall of Fame - it’s a celebration of lives and careers. He loves hearing all the stories from the past. Iglesias shows off his WWE button down and John Cena-esque jorts. Iglesias is excited to see Lex Luger get inducted tonight. Luger inspired Saxton to work out. Iglesias says, “Me too…”
Redmond and Rosenberg talk about tonight’s inductees.
A video package airs on all of Triple H’s iconic entrances.
Karrion Kross and Scarlett are shown on the Red Carpet. They stop by Redmond and Rosenberg, but aren’t thrilled to speak with them. Kross is not happy about having to cross paths with AJ Styles on the Red Carpet. He’s at the Hall of Fame out of respect, but he’s not in a good mood. Kross threatens everyone in sight as he walks away.
AJ Styles and his wife stop by Redmond and Rosenberg. AJ Styles says that there’s nothing to worry about when it comes to Karrion Kross. Rosenberg says that Styles is a future Hall of Famer and that he never expected Styles to come to WWE. Styles agrees, but is happy to be in the company. He’ll believe he deserves to be in the Hall of Fame when he sees it. Styles is looking forward to Michelle McCool’s speech.
Byron Saxton is with LA Knight and his date on the Red Carpet. Knight is excited for the Hall of Fame, since he appreciates Triple H. He’s also excited for the Austin vs. Hart match to be inducted.
X-Pac is with Redmond and Rosenberg. X-Pac is so happy for Triple H with everything that is going on. He always knew Triple H was destined for great things. X-Pac is grateful for Shawn Michaels, The Undertaker, and Nick Khan for surprising Triple H and having him go into the Hall of Fame. X-Pac can’t think of any appropriate stories to tell about Triple H, but says that he was the only one who ever had his head on straight.
A Tiffany Stratton vs. Charlotte video package airs.
Tiffany Stratton and Ludwig Kaiser are with Redmond and Rosenberg. Kaiser says that his English is not good enough to describe how proud he is of Tiffany. Tiffany is shocked how the last year went for her. Wrestling Charlotte is her dream match, so she’s looking forward to her WrestleMania debut. The match has gotten a little personal, but it’s going to be a fight and she’s ready for it. She’s confident and nervous at the same time, but she’s going to leave it all in the ring.
Byron Saxton is with Titus O’Neil on the Red Carpet. O’Neil has been shooting a project recently and is excited to be celebrating the Hall of Fame tonight. He’s been hearing nothing but great buzz for WWE lately. O’Neil is loving the Triple H Era and feels that all the up-and-coming stars are killing it. O’Neil is looking forward to seeing Triple H inducted tonight.
Jey Uso is with Redmond and Rosenberg. Jey is dressed in all black and says that’s who he really is. Tomorrow night, Gunther is “gonna get got.” Jey isn’t sure exactly how he’s going to beat Gunther, especially with his limited moveset…but he’s going to shock the world. Jey is happy to see Triple H get inducted tonight.
Byron Saxton is with Gunther on the Red Carpet. Gunther doesn’t buy what Jey is saying. Jey is full of crap and not as confident as he’s coming off. Gunther feels that the Hall of Fame is important because wrestling can be unthankful - so a night like tonight allows everyone to give thanks.
Charlotte is with Redmond and Rosenberg. Charlotte says that her WrestleMania robe is a throwback and two of her favorite colors. She says that the time off she had with her injury gave her clarity. Charlotte doesn’t love how personal things have gotten, but WrestleMania is important and she’s excited to take part in it. Charlotte wants to top each match she’s had and wants to show what she can do after her injury. Charlotte has known Triple H since she was 6 years old. Triple H is her dad’s friend, the man who hired her to NXT, and is now her boss. She’s so excited to see him get inducted tonight.
A Jey Uso vs. Gunther video package airs.
Randy Orton and his wife are with Redmond and Rosenberg. Orton says that the Hall of Fame is always awesome. Seeing his father get inducted was a great moment, but Triple H getting inducted is a close second. Orton gives Triple H and Evolution credit for making him who he is.
Triple H and Stephanie McMahon are stopped by Rosenberg before they enter the Hall of Fame. WWE has a surprise for Triple H. Stephanie tells Rosenberg that they are missing some of their family, so Rosenberg asks her questions to fill time. Stephanie is very proud of Triple H and says she could never keep her hands off of him. Triple H is proud of Stephanie, as well. He is thrilled that Stephanie is back doing stuff with and for WWE.
It’s time for the surprise - a Triple H statue! Triple H jokes that the statue’s nose looks too big. Triple H is incredibly touched and honored to have a statue of him.
Bianca Belair joins Redmond and Rosenberg. Belair says it’s still fun to get dressed up for a special night - especially when she can do it with Montez Ford. Ford joins them and soaks in the moment. Ford says that WrestleMania weekend is about Belair and he can’t wait to see how great she does. Belair says that WrestleMania never gets old and to be one of the people to be on the card and wrestling for a title is amazing. She’s undefeated at WrestleMania and will be leaving this weekend still undefeated.
Byron Saxton is with Logan Paul on the Red Carpet. Paul is feeling humbled, good looking, and hot. He’s been drinking Prime all day to stay hydrated. Paul can’t believe that he’s already being inducted into the Hall of Fame so early in his career. He can’t wait for everyone to hear his speech. Paul wrote it with ChatGPT and he thinks it’ll make his mom cry. Triple H and Nick Khan believed in him and he’s going to name drop them during his Hall of Fame speech.
Paul Heyman is with Redmond and Rosenberg. Heyman doesn’t want to talk to Rosenberg, so he focuses on Jackie. Heyman says that Triple H steered WWE out of chaos and has done it brilliantly. Heyman cannot convey how much respect he has for Triple H. As for tomorrow, Heyman will always be loyal to his Tribal Chief. He will always be loyal to CM Punk. He will never be disloyal to either.
That’s a wrap for the Red Carpet. Stay tuned for the WWE Hall of Fame 2025 coverage!
Michael Cole and Pat McAfee are the hosts of the WWE Hall of Fame 2025. Joe Tessitore narrates a video package about the Hall of Fame.
Cole talks about his journey in wrestling - starting out as a fan in the 1970s and 1980s. He’s now been in the WWE for 28 years and even had a match at WrestleMania. Cole’s biggest thrill, though, has been providing the soundtrack to moments in wrestlings. He’s humbled and honored to do so. Tonight, though, is the biggest honor of Cole’s career. McAfee agrees. He’s loved wrestling since stealing the PPVs as a kid. McAfee is excited to induct some legends tonight.
A video package airs for Lex Luger.
Lex Luger - Inducted by Diamond Dallas Page
Diamond Dallas Page is honored to induct someone into the WWE Hall of Fame for a second time. They aren’t celebrating the just impact that Lex Luger had on the business, but his rebirth. Luger was given every gift in the book when he was born and was a physical specimen. Luger was destined to be money in wrestling. Luger was a member of the Four Horsemen and carved out a legacy in the NWA, WCW, and WWE. DDP talks about the Lex Express and Luger slamming Yokozuna. DDP covers Luger leaving WWE for WCW in secret. Luger made waves and created memories during the Monday Night Wars. Luger’s hardest battles were outside of the ring, though, thanks to his lifestyle. Real strength isn’t what a person builds in the spotlight, though, it’s what a person does in the shadows. Luger found his purpose and realized it’s better to build people up instead of tearing people down. There’s always hope and tonight stands as proof.
Lex Luger comes out and STANDS at the podium. Luger says that there was a plan to walk for longer, but he took an unexpected bump yesterday. He’s standing for this no matter what, though. What a ride and journey. Luger never expected to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame, but is thankful. Luger thanks DDP for being relentless. Luger thanks all of his other friends for sticking with him. Luger thanks the jail chaplain that helped him find god. Luger thanks the fans.
Luger tells a story about Pastor Steve, the jail chaplain. Luger never wanted to go to Walmart with him because he thought he was better than the store. Luger didn’t understand the fans at first. When he finally walked into Walmart, though, when he was feeling unlovable - fans recognized him and showed him so much love. It gave him hope. It changed him from a wrestler who wasn’t a fan to a fan of wrestling. Luger loves what wrestling is today and is proud of what WWE has become.
Luger’s mom would always ask him if he was going to go into the WWE Hall of Fame. She unfortunately passed away recently, but Lex Luger lets his mom know that he made it.
Pat McAfee picks apart Michael Cole acting like Triple H on an episode of RAW.
A video package airs for Kamala.
Kamala - Legacy Wing
Jean Harris, Kamala’s wife, is shown in the crowd. She stands and gives everyone a wave.
A video package airs for Michelle McCool.
Michelle McCool - Inducted by The Undertaker
The Undertaker says, “It’s Vegas. It’s Friday night. I’m here for a good time, not a long time.” He’s not here as the Phenom or the Deadman. Tonight, he’s just Mark…or a mark. He’s a husband and a father. He’s a man who gets to honor one of the greatest people in life and the wrestling business. Michelle McCool came to WWE with her working boots and something to prove. She went out and earned everything. McCool never wanted The Undertaker to speak on her behalf. He didn’t know what to say, so he said, “When I do speak, you better listen.” It was three months before he could eat solid food again. McCool was the first Divas Champion and the first person to hold the Divas Championship and Women’s Championship. She was in the great team, LayCool. McCool was a pioneer before the women’s evolution. The most amazing thing about McCool, though, is who she is when the camera isn’t rolling. She’s a woman of faith, a mother who leads with love, and the strongest person in their family. McCool picked The Undertaker up when he couldn’t pick himself up. She made him a better man, a better father, and a better person. McCool stepped away from the WWE at the top of her game so that she could be a mother, which was more important to her. Her fingerprints are still all over the women’s division today. Without McCool, many of the women would not have gotten the opportunities that they have now and they are smashing it now. McCool is more than a Hall of Famer - she’s a legend and The Undertaker’s best friend.
Michelle McCool comes out and jokes that The Undertaker told a few lies. McCool says that some of the biggest moments can just sneak up on a person. She thinks back to 2004 and getting a random 203 number from WWE Headquarters (for Tough Enough). She let it go to voicemail because she was scared of failing. Wrestling wasn’t just entertainment in her house - it was sacred. It was a form of bonding. In 2008, she decided to give WWE another try with the Diva Search. She got the call again and realized her life was about to change. What if she was enough just as she was?
Tonight is not just her story - it’s everyone’s story. Everyone is enough. Period. McCool talks about how having grit is not about feeling pain or not. It’s about fighting through pain and proving that there’s no quit. As long as someone fights, they are still in the game. McCool talks about how things weren’t always easy during the Divas Era. She was told to tone it down, but didn’t and was rewarded. Therefore, not every voice deserves attention. A person’s calling is bigger than other people’s commentary.
Lastly, failure isn’t fatal. McCool has been dealing with severe liver and kidney diseases for over 25 years. She was having wrestling hallucinations while in the hospital and wouldn’t stop talking about The Undertaker. During that time, though, she believed that her hard times would be temporary. McCool never believed she’d be in the Hall of Fame. Some of the biggest moments didn’t just happen in the ring, but outside of it - all the tours to see the troops and hanging out at the Special Olympics. McCool thanks the fans for all the support. She thanks the WWE. She thanks Sharmell, Natalya, Fit Finlay, John Cone, and Layla, among others. McCool suggests a LayCool reunion. It could be flawless. Lastly, McCool thanks her family and The Undertaker.
An AJ Styles vs. Logan Paul video package airs.
A video package airs for Dory Funk, Sr.
Dory Funk, Sr. - Legacy Wing
Dory Funk, Jr. and Stacy Funk (Dory Funk, Sr. 's granddaughter) are shown in the crowd and acknowledged.
A video package by Tom Rinaldi for Triple H airs.
Michael Cole points out that Jimmy Hart is in the crowd tonight. Hart was instrumental in the success of The Natural Disasters.
A video package airs for The Natural Disasters.
The Natural Disasters
Fred Ottman (Typhoon) and his son come out with John Tenta’s (Earthquake) family. John Tenta’s son, John, talks about finding his father on the floor with VHS tapes all around him. He was watching his own segment and cracking up. It was Earthquake entertaining John Tenta, just like he entertained all the fans. He is so proud to call John Tenta his father. The moment was bittersweet because it was his father looking back on his life - a life that was coming to an end. However, his father lived a full, happy life.
John Tenta’s daughter, Joanna, always admired her dad for always being himself. He never took himself too seriously - a person can be fierce and gentle at the same time. She’s been training to follow in his footsteps. She thanks Uncle Fred for being a great tag team partner and friend. She recalls Fred and John riding the Dumbo ride at Disney and laughing really hard.
Fred Ottman is grateful to have The Natural Disasters inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. Ottman had a great time with John Tenta and cherished all the moments they had. Ottman talks about getting the call to become Typhoon and teaming up with Earthquake. Ottman loved the idea. Sometimes tag teams don’t gel, but The Natural Disasters did.
Ottman recalls hearing about Tenta’s cancer coming back after being in remission. It broke Ottman’s heart. Tenta must be looking down now, though, smiling so big. Ottman misses Tenta and this induction is for him.
Some of the top Stunners of Stone Cold Steve Austin’s career are shown.
A video package airs for the WrestleMania 13 Match between Steve Austin and Bret Hart.
Immortal Moment: Steve Austin and Bret Hart - Inducted by CM Punk
CM Punk says he only has two minutes to talk about the two greatest, elite workers this business has ever seen. Nobody wants to hear from him anyway. They want to hear from Steve Austin and Bret Hart. People tend to speak in hyperbole with “best” and “worst.” Punk believes that the hyperbole should be saved for this match - it’s perfect. CM Punk is the best in the world, but this night is not about him. The match means a lot to him and a lot of wrestlers and fans. Punk shouts out Ken Shamrock for being a great referee in the match. Punk gives credit to the Chicago fans that were there live for the match. Punk only ever tried to walk in the shadow of giants. All he will continue to do is follow in the footsteps of legends. He’s been fortunate to have a lot of mentors in wrestling. Punk has lost a lot of them, but is thankful that Bret Hart and Steve Austin are here to be given their flowers.
Bret Hart and Steve Austin come out. CM Punk presents them with a trophy/statue of their heads (split in half and placed together) to commemorate the match.
Bret Hart says that it’s a huge honor to be the first person with three Hall of Fame rings. Hart knew right away that the match with Austin was the best match he ever had. Hart quotes a famous painter, “Art is a wound turned to light.” He feels that’s a perfect statement for the match. Hart feels that he always got along well with Austin, but he also had trust and respect with him. That’s what means the most to him now.
Steve Austin says that he’s talked about this match so much. Blowing smoke up their asses tonight seems like overkill. When he got the finish that night, he wasn’t sure about it. He doubted it. Austin feels like the match was basic and simple, but that’s what can make a match great. Austin thanks Ken Shamrock, but is pissed that Shamrock looked better than both him and Hart. Austin also thanks the commentators of the match - Vince McMahon, Jim Ross, and Jerry Lawler. They laid down the soundtrack of what Austin and Hart did. It was a great time in Austin’s life. Watching the video packages makes Austin emotional, so it’s time to drink a beer.
The Induction of Paul “HHH” Levesque.
Cole and McAfee put over Levesque again before we get to another video package. This video package, set to “Nothing Else Matters” by Metallica, showed footage from Levesque in the independents, as Terra Rysing and Jean-Paul Levesque in WCW, and of course all the WWF/E stuff. Comments from Foley, Austin, The Rock, John Cena, Randy Orton, Batista, Shawn Michaels and Michael Cole put over HHH. Footage of some of his most over-the-top WrestleMania entrances were shown. Dusty Rhodes and Seth Rollins comments highlighted how he developed NXT. Nick Kahn, Charlotte Flair, and Cody Rhodes also talked up his influence on the business side of things. Highligths of HHH’s mainstream media appearances and movies were shown.
Shawn Michaels Inducted Paul “HHH” Levesque. 60-year-old Shawn still comes out to “Sexy Boy.” Michaels immediately makes a joke about how this show is all about “a$$-kissing,” then tells the NXT crew if he’s not there tomorrow, that joke didn’t go over well in the back.
Kevin Nash and Sean Waltman were shown in the crowd when Michaels started talking about “The Clique.” Michaels called out the criticism that Levesque wouldn’t have been able to become the most powerful man in the business if he didn’t marry the boss’s daughter. Some hecklers in the crowd got a little rowdy at that line. Levesque’s parents were shown in the crowd. Michaels made a joke about how close he and Levesque are, and assured Stephanie the only times he’s ever kissed Levesque were on live TV.
Michaels talked about how Levesque’s good business instincts should have told him to cut Michaels off, but he stood by his friend. Instead of “just get in another car like anyone else” he stuck with him, and then went on to become the new leader of DX. Michaels also put over how Levesque created NXT. Michaels put over NXT as a place where the passion for the business lives all the time. He created an environment where you could “create a WWE superstar.” And now nearly the entire WrestleMania card is nearly all “NXT alumni.” What started out for Shawn as “just checking out NXT” for “2 hours, 3 days a week” is now a 24 hour grind with emails coming in “per Paul” at 1am in the morning. “The Paul I worked for is a pain in my a$$.” “If you think the reign of terror from 2002-2005 was something, try working for the dude!” But Levesque didn’t leave Michaels in the 90s, so Shawn isn’t going to leave him.
Shawn put over Hunter as “the guy to take WWE into the future.” No one else can go from collaborating with Bad Bunny to working with CM Punk. Michaels put over how Levesque can manage the business and creative sides of this business and still have a love for it all. Shawn got choked up when he brought out HHH and told him that he loved him.
Paul “HHH” Levesque’s Acceptance Speech.
I have a feeling he’s not only getting two minutes.
The crowd chanted “You Deserve It!” before Levesque could get started. Linda, Stephanie, their daughters and Levesque’s parents were all shown in the front row. Along with Cody and Brandi Rhodes.
Levesque put over his theme and Lemi’s friendship. He called out Rich Hering who did his first show for the “WWWF” 55 years ago, and has never left the company. Rich is “the Wolf” (from Pulp Fiction) because if there was something Paul couldn’t fix, Hering could.
Levesque didn’t know how to put the speech together. Some of these speeches are short, some are long, and some of them like Mr. T’s are still going on. Levesque realized this isn’t about him, but the people who got him there. Being a wrestler is all he’s ever wanted since he saw Chief Jay Strongbow when he was five yeards old. Levesque talked about how his parents taught him a work ethic (and also, it’s his parents 61st wedding anniversary). He told a story about how his sister Lynn beat up a bully for him. Lynn also had a similar cardiac event as he did, and she’s made such a great recovery she is an inspiration for others.
Levesque put over his first workout partners from the first gym he walked into when he was 15 years old who encouraged him and taught him how to work out. He also talked about Arnold Schwarzenegger’s book was a blueprint for his success, and meeting Ted Arcidi in the gym. Arcidi tried to dissuade him (calling the business something that got bleeped), but Arcidi hooked him up with Killer Kowalski.
After the first day of training, Kowalski told Levesque to come back the next day, even though Levesque didn’t have the money to pay him just then. The lessons that Kowlaski taught him are the lessons he’s teaching the kids in NXT today. Levesque thanked Eric Bischoff for taking a change on a “GUD” (geographically undesirable) and hiring him for WCW. Levesque also talked about meeting Dusty Rhodes, a mentor who taught him “booking ain’t easy, kid.” Levesque directly addressed Cody, telling him “your dad meant the world to him.”
Levesque talked about hooking up with Arn Anderson, who took a liking to Levesque. Since Levesque didn’t drink, he could drive Arn home. He also learned a lot from Harley Race, and told a sweet story about Harley picking out earrings for Hunter’s first born daughter. Levesque put over “Stunning” Steve Austin and Mick Foley for being helpful in the not-so-great WCW environment.
He also talked about working with Terry Taylor, who encouranged Levesque to go to the WCW Power Plant. Levesque went to the Power Plant and worked out with Taylor and Steve Regal, and Taylor took Levesque into his home. He also talked leaving WCW just before Regal and Levesque were going to be the Blue Bloods (with Sherri Martel, apparently?) and he encouraged Paul to leave WCW for WWF so “Vince can make you a big star.”
When Levesque got to the WWF, he’s about to get his own rental to drive himself from Boston to Portland, Maine, when Kevin Nash shows up with a skecthy fan and invites him to ride with Scott Hall, Shawn Michaels and Sean Waltman and they spent the whole ride talking about business. He told a funny story about how Scott Hall would start the ride with, “Can we not talk about business tonight… but before do you how in your match you did…” and then they’d spend the whole ride talking about the business.
Levesque tells a story about how early on when he’s driving the Clique (actually on day one), where Shawn and Kevin are pretty drunk, Waltman is passed out in his strawberry shake, and Scott Hall is accusing the cook of “putting a booger in his eggs.” Levesque and Shawn drag Waltman out of the restaurant. Waltman is still passed out, so Levesque tried to slap him awake. They took Waltman to the hospital, and eventually they get to the hotel, where they have an hour to sleep before they have to get up and drive to the next town. And for some reason, Levesque loved it and decided he was gonig to ride with those guys from then on.
Levesque put over everyone’s strengths in the Clique. Nash saw the business like a movie. Waltman was the measuring stick; if you couldn’t work with him, you couldn’t work. Michaels put it all together like nobody else, and Scott Hall could simplify things it a way that would just change your view of the business. He told a funny story about how Hall legitimately knocked him out during a match on Monday Night Raw.
He put over all the great wrestlers he got to work with a learn from early on, from Bret to Shawn to Steve to the Bushwackers. There were all different styles there for him to learn from.
Levesque talked about forming DX with Shawn Michaels and meeting Joanie Laurer (Chyna). Levesque immediately saw Laurer as his “heater” (they’d tried putting him with Curt Hennig and Curtis Hughes, which didn’t work otut for different reasons). Folks in the crowd immediately call out “Hall of Fame” for Laurer, and Levesque said “damn straight.”
Levesque said how much fun working with the second iteration of DX was (the group with Billy Gunn, Road Dog and Waltman). He talked about how Steve Austin was a mentor and how they were both honest with each other. Levesque called out Mick Foley for giving him “the gift of toughness” and called the Street Fight and Hell in the Cell Match two of his favorite matches. Levesque called Foley “one of his favorite oppoents of all time, and one of my favorite people of all time.”
Levesque talked about Evolution. He called Ric Flair “the greatest of all time” and talked about giving two young guys the opportunity to become stars. Those guys were Randy Orton and Dave Batista. Levesque talked about how Orton and Batista taught him the gift of giving back. Watching Orton and Batista become two of the biggest stars in the business, and also Orton become a great father and Batista a big movie star. That is what lit a fire in Levesque to do it for others. He thanked Orton “you “for being the pain in the a$$ that you were.”
Levesque thanked Dr. James Andrews, Dr. Jeff Dougas and Kevin Wilk who helped put him back together and rehabilitate him after his injuries.
Levesque talked about going to the production meetings three hours earlier than the rest of the crew. He talked about learning from Jack Lanza, Pat Patterson and George Steele. Levesque put over Patterson as the greatest “finish guy” in the generation before his. Patterson was one of the first people to encourage Levesque to get into the creative side of the business.
This lead Levesque to developing the Performance Center and NXT, and he learned from Dusty Rhodes and his booking philosophy. There he worked with Matt Bloom, Terry Taylor and William Regal with the next generation of the business. It started with Roman and Seth, Becky and Charlotte and Bayley. It was “the fountain of youth” and inspiried Hunter and later Shawn, bringing back their passion for the business.
Levesque called out Michael Hayes as “this generation’s Pat Patterson” and another person he’s learned a lot from. Bruce Prichard had to navigate between “the office” and “the talent” that he’s learned a lot from. Ed Koski is a writer who Levesque gave credit to for a lot of things that happen and he’s learned a lot from.
Levesque talked about Paul Heyman’s Hall of Fame ring. Levesque had “consigliary” inscribed on that ring. Levesque put over his mother-in-law Linda for being an inspiration for his daughters. He called Shane McMahon the brother he’s never had (also please don’t jump off anything high).
Levesque goes to talk about Vince (and the crowd pops). Levesque called it “a complicated story,” put said Vince was the one to encouraged him to go to those production meetings. He called Vince a friend and a mentor. “He’s my kids’ grandfather, so it’s complicated.” He went on, “When there’s somebody that helps propel you that far, you owe them so much. He taught me so much. What to do, what not to do. I’m grateful for all those lessons. I love you Vince.” They then cut to all the McMahons in the front row appaluding.
Levesque moved on to The Undertaker, the locker room leader when that meant “being the f*cking locker room leader.” He talked about doing a shot of Jack Daniels with The Undertaker in one of the early days (he tried not to throw up). When Levesque’s relationship with Stephaine started, it was the Undertaker he went to for advice about it. “If you love her, go get it. If anybody doesn’t like it, they can [something gets bleeped].”
Levesque talked about the health scare in 2021. He was running coast-to-coast for 20 days. He thought he had pneumonia, but he was in heart failure. He was “on the one yard line.” Now, Levesque sees this as a gift, and that it’s the people around you that matter. Laying in bed, he didn’t think about business meetings or production meetings, but “Steph and those girls.” He still works as hard as he did, but he knows what’s important now, “Steph and those girls.”
Levesque’s oldest daughter, Auroa, is studying for a Ph.D. in phyiscal therapy and plays softball. Murphy, 16, rides horses and plays running back for the boy’s football team, because “I wanna prove to myself that I can.” And Vaughn, 14, is the fashion icon of the family who loves to sing, dance and have fun. Levesque called Stephanie his best friend and his rock, and that he couldn’t imagine a better partner, forever. “Not a bad commitment level for a guy who’s just trying to get a better spot in his job.”
Levesque then got to Nick Kahn, who he’s known for about a decade. Kahn is one of the best business people he’s ever met with a great mind for business. Levesque said he could not do his job without Kahn, and a big part of everything that is happening in WWE because of him.
At the end of the day, this weekend he’s still just a guy watching what he loves to watch, just like when he was five years old. He puts over the roster as the best athletes in the world. Inside, he’s still that little kid, and all the people’s he’s mentioned have helped prop that little kid up. He told the talent to encourage other and try to lift people up.
Levesque gets around to thanking “the fans, call them the WWE universe, call them marks.” Levesque said that he’s nothing without the fans, whether they’ve loved him or hated him. (I think a fan shouted out they hated Levesque, and he said “feelings mutual, just for you”). Levesque promised to do everything in his power to keep the business alive for the next generation when he’s gone. “Because you made me who I am, and I will never forget it.” “I’ve got two words for you.” The crowd shouted back, “Suck it!” “I was thinking thank you, but I’ll take it.”
After the speech, Levesque grabbed a water bottle and did trademark entrance.
04-19-2025, 05:58 AM
LionDen
Scheduled for tonight:
*Triple H will be inducted by Shawn Michaels
*Michelle McCool will be inducted by The Undertaker
*Lex Luger will be inducted by Diamond Dallas Page
*The Natural Disasters will be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame
*CM Punk will induct the WrestleMania 13 match between Stone Cold Steve Austin and Bret Hart
*Kamala, Dory Funk, Sr., and Ivan Koloff will be inducted into the Legacy Wing of the WWE Hall of Fame
