WWE Hall of Fame 2024 Induction Live Coverage - April 5th, 2024
“Then. Now. Forever. Together.” The WWE video leads us into the show.
A brief preshow takes place with numerous interviews with WWE Superstars. The production crew transitions the Wells Fargo Center from being decorated for SmackDown, which ended moments ago, to the WWE Hall of Fame setup.
The WWE Hall of Fame ceremony kicks off at 10:25 p.m. Eastern.
Video: The video first showcases the numerous greats inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in years past, then showcases the inductees for the Class of 2024.
We go live into the Wells Fargo Center. Jackie Redmond and Corey Graves will be our hosts for the evening. Tonight, we gather to honor some of the extraordinary achievements of some of the most iconic superstars in wrestling history. They call attention to Paul “Triple H” Levesque, who is seated next to his wife, Stephanie McMahon. McMahon is wearing her ECW cap from the Alliance Era. CM Punk is also shown in the crowd. Jimmy and Jey Uso, seated away from each other before their WrestleMania match tomorrow night, are shown. Trish Stratus is also shown, as is Kurt Angle, and Rey Mysterio.
Tonight, seven larger-than-life legends will be enshrined and immortalized in the WWE Hall of Fame. Our first inductee will be Paul Heyman. There is a massive “ECW” chant.
Video: The career of Paul Heyman.
Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns is introduced to the arena. He will be inducting his Wise Man into the WWE Hall of Fame. Reigns gets to the podium, and the crowd begins to boo him. Reigns says, “WWE Hall of Fame… acknowledge me!” Reigns will admit this is a ridiculous spot to be in. He’s supposed to cut a promo about the greatest promo in the history of this business who, for the first time ever, is coming out to talk about himself. How did he land this gig? He loves his Wise Man, so he couldn’t say no. Reigns wondered what he should say. Heyman is going to come out and talk about his history before transitioning perfectly into the future and cutting a promo.
The Wise Man taught him that every week is an invitation for the next one. No matter what happens, as long as their children are healthy, they’re blessed men. The wisest piece of advice came from Heyman on a rental car shuttle. Reigns was drunk. It had to be good advice because he remembered all of it. Reigns told Heyman that if he was on his side, there would be nothing he couldn’t do in this business. Heyman chuckled and politely rejected his offer. Heyman said, “Joe, you don’t need me. You don’t need anyone. The only thing you need is to do it yourself, to believe in yourself.” Heyman told him he’d have the world in the palm of his hand. Heyman always says the words you need to hear. Heyman knows what to say, how to say it, and when to say it. That’s why he’s the greatest communicator of all time. The Tribal Chief doesn’t happen if he’s not with the Wise Man. The moment he’s not with the Wise Man is the moment you won’t see the Tribal Chief anymore. Reigns doesn’t care how his character is presented. He’s a good man. No, he’s a great man. No, he’s a mensch. No matter how you judge this book, you should read it because you won’t experience a story quite like it. Reigns asks the crowd to join him in acknowledging the newest member of the WWE Hall of Fame: Class of 2024, “The Wise Man” Paul Heyman.
Paul Heyman
Paul Heyman comes out to the old ECW theme, and there is a loud “ECW” chant. Heyman embraces Rob Van Dam, Tommy Dreamer, and Bubba Ray Dudley/Bully Ray on his way to the ring. Heyman then gets in the ring and embraces Reigns. Reigns leaves the ring. Heyman stands alone in the ring and listens to a loud “ECW” chant. He looks humbled. There is a cardboard box on the podium.
A “Paulie” chant picks up. Heyman looks like he has tears in his eyes. A “You deserve it” chant picks up. CM Punk is on his feet, clapping for his former advocate. Heyman leans into the microphone and says, “You damn right I deserve it.” The crowd cheers and gives him a standing ovation. There was a word in that sentence that was bleeped. Heyman looks down and smiles. Another “ECW” chant picks up in the city where the brand was born.
Heyman says he didn’t prepare anything for tonight because he wanted to feel the room. Heyman isn’t very good at speaking as himself. Heyman asked someone who has been up here, Rob Van Dam, and said he’s just “a Jew boy from the Bronx.” He’s never talked about himself as himself. Then RVD said in his eloquent manner (Heyman fakes taking a drag of a doobie). Heyman then asked his son, Jacob, who is sitting next to his sister, Azalea, and they are sitting next to a man he respects, CM Punk. He asked his son how he presents himself as Paul Heyman, and Jacob said (Heyman takes another fake drag) to ask Van Dam.
Heyman said he is the beneficiary of mass praise for doing with his life exactly what he wanted to do with his life. Heyman gets to work with the men and the women in this beautiful performance art known as sports en… professional wrestling. Heyman is the first person announced and the first headliner in a class completely picked by Paul Levesque. A proud Stephanie puts a hand on her husband’s shoulder. A “Triple H” chant picks up. Only one person can drive the car out of chaos and assume true control of the locker room. The leadership that was sorely needed by the men and women in this beautiful performance art has been bestowed on them by Paul Levesque. Levesque gets a big ovation. Heyman always breaks the rules. Levesque asked him not to speak about him. The way he has assumed the pencil of this company and has led them to a creative freedom backstage where more superstars are emerging into the main event in front of everyone’s eyes and the manner in which he leads… Heyman wants to say for prosperity, he will be a Paul Levesque guy. Heyman shakes hands with Levesque.
A “Paul Levesque” chant picks up for maybe the first time in wrestling history. Heyman wants to call attention to Levesque’s lovely bride, Stephanie. If his daughter grows up to be half the woman she is, he will have raised a great lady in his household. Heyman also wants to call attention to Stephanie’s cap, adorned with the letters ECW. It’s time for Stephanie to admit she married the wrong Paul! The crowd, as well as the Levesques, laugh heartily.
Another “ECW” chant picks up. Heyman says we’ll get there. To his children… Heyman becomes emotional. This is what he wants them to do with their lives. It’s not about the money. He doesn’t mean doing it on television or sitting in the front row with luminaries with accomplishments in this business that pale compared to his. If anyone messes with them, they’re two seats down from Haku. It’s not about the money. It’s about being worthy of people’s respect and admiration. It’s about pursuing your dreams and failing and going again. You fail 100 times and succeed on the 101st. It’s about waking up the next morning, and you can’t wait to get into it because the world isn’t “f-ing” ready for you. Heyman promises they’ll be standing on a podium in front of a group of peers and you will hear the love for the body of work that you put together with the true passion of your lives. Heyman has been an orator for 40 years of his life. His father was a far greater orator than he could be. Heyman will never be able to find the words to say how much he desperately loves them both. Heyman wishes his mother could be here tonight to see this. Heyman wishes his father was here tonight to see this. Heyman becomes emotional talking about his parents.
Heyman asks where Cody Rhodes is. “The American Nightmare” is shown sitting next to his wife. Heyman turns around to face him. Heyman says, “I so wish your father was here tonight to see this, too.” Heyman bows to Rhodes as a show of respect. Rhodes looks moved. A “Dusty” chant picks up.
Heyman says that covers all the mushy s–t. Now, it’s time to talk about ECW. Heyman opens up the beat-up cardboard box and pulls out his old leather trenchcoat. Heyman puts it on to a big ovation. Heyman also puts on a headset and one of his old Paul E. Dangerously cellphones. Heyman says he broke this over the head of Sting when Rick Rude won the United States Championship in a f—ed up company called WCW. Heyman then puts on an ECW cap.
Heyman is getting in ECW mode. There comes a time in every man’s life when you have to accept reality. The reality for this man is that in 1993, this industry sucked. You had plumbers, garbagemen, and clowns running around, but what happened to the love of the art of professional wrestling? As a kid, he bulls—-ed his way into Madison Square Garden. WCW wouldn’t listen to the Wise Man. He had to find a place that would accept his vision and bring hip-hop and heavy metal into wrestling, as well as sexy women fighting and real men bashing each other in the face. They needed to create a tribe of extreme. It would have never happened in any other place than “Phila-f—ing-delphia.” Where did “Stone Cold” Steve Austin drink his first beer? Down the road in the ECW Arena? Where did Eric Bischoff get the idea for cruiserweights? The ECW Arena. Where did the Dudleys say, “You’re going through a table, and everyone is going to like it, so D-Von, get the f—ing table?” The ECW Arena. Where did RVD get his start? ECW. Bubba Ray Dudley said it best. They weren’t here to last. They were Napster and were here to disrupt the industry. For those who think the concept of extreme died in the ECW Arena, he disagrees. For those who think ECW lives no more, he disagrees with the assessment. ECW is alive today in the matches that are performed and the concepts brought forth. If they think ECW died in a bankruptcy court in 2001, you can -MAJOR BLEEP-.
Heyman chuckles. CM Punk leaned to his son and said his father got himself canceled again. Heyman says they’re not going to cancel him because he’ll come back bigger, badder, and stronger than before. They canceled him in WCW, so he became the manager of the Samoan Swat Team. They canceled him, and he came back as “Mean Mark.” Heyman passed him to Bruce Prichard and got him to come back as The Undertaker. Heyman was on commentary with Jim Ross to teach that Okie commentary. They canceled him in WCW, so he came back to ECW. They canceled him in ECW, so he came back to be the 1 in 21-1 with Brock Lesnar. When the Zombie Apocalypse happened, he got canceled as the Executive Director. His 800-pound gorilla was in Saskatchewan, so he was rescued on the Island of Relevancy with Roman Reigns.
Heyman has been canceled 100 times in this business, he came back at 101. If they cancel him, he’ll come back at 102. Heyman has had the honor and privilege of not only working with a Samoan Dynasty that will rule for years to come, but he works with the future of the business. He gets to work with Bron Breakker, Rhea Ripley, Carmelo Hayes, Trick Williams, Jade Cargill… he sees the things in them that he saw in the generation before them with Steve Austin, the Undertaker, Seth Rollins, Becky Lynch, and Charlotte Flair.
It’s time to take this bitch home. Heyman says, “Ladies and gentlemen, my name is Paul Heyman. Welcome to the Class of 2024 PAUL of Fame. I stand before you not only as the former advocate of Brock Lesnar, I stand before you as the biggest fan of Chicago’s own CM Punk.” He also stands before you as the reigning, defending, Undisputed WWE Universal Heavyweight Champion Roman Reigns. Heyman is blown up, he has to pee, he has taken too long, and he assures you of this… this is not a Lifetime Achievement Award. Heyman is just getting started. You ain’t seen nothing yet. There’s more disruption of this business pumping through his heart. He’ll disrupt it all over again. That’s not a prediction. That’s a spoiler. Heyman bows to the crowd, and his music plays. Heyman shakes hands with Levesque and walks off.
Video: The career of Bull Nakano.
Corey Graves says the Undertaker is in the house, as well as a certain Final Boss. He then introduces WWE Hall of Famer Alundra Blayze.
WWE Hall of Famer Alundra Blayze/Medusa makes her way to the ring. Blayze says it’s been quite an evening so far. Paul Heyman knows how to light up a room. She thanks her CEO of the Dangerous Alliance and congratulates him. Blayze says it’s with immense pride and admiration that she inducts her esteemed colleague, Bull Nakano/Burunakano, into the WWE Hall of Fame. Her iconic look was a testament to rebellion. Her speed and blunt force style were cutting edge. It continues to influence modern-day WWE talent.
Nakano didn’t dream of changing the industry. She rebuilt it with her ferocious tenacity. They weren’t just colleagues. They were gladiators locked in a crucible that changed women’s wrestling. They set an international standard that continues to shape women’s wrestling today. They tended to push the boundaries of what women’s wrestling was back in the day. Their battles highlighted a hard-hitting style, including Nakano’s signature nunchucks and kendo sticks. Tonight, we celebrate not just Nakano’s championships but the legacy she forged. Nakano is more than a Hall of Famer. She’s a pioneer and a testament to the unwavering human spirit. She’s also her friend. Blayze introduces the incomparable Bull Nakano to the WWE Hall of Fame.
Bull Nakano
Bull Nakano comes out with her signature face paint, but her signature hairstyle is much more subdued. Nakano is honored to accept the award. She has waited a long time for it. She had a good experience in WWE in 1994. It was very tough. She couldn’t speak English, so she had a hard time getting rental cars to get to the venue. There were no cell phones. It was a challenge, but with the help of many friends, she continued with the tour. Nakano wants to thank Medusa, who continued to fight alongside her. A “Thank you, Bull” chant picks up. Nakano is thankful to her. Nakano also thanks everyone who supported her. She thanks WWE for this great opportunity. She did her best to not waste it. Most of all, thank you to the WWE Universe. They accepted Bull Nakano. Nakano is emotional talking about that. That 1994 run meant a lot to her. If there is such a thing as being reborn, she wants to be professional wrestler Bull Nakano again and be back in the WWE ring. She would look forward to seeing them all again. This award is a treasure to her. Nakano thanks the fans. The crowd gives her a standing ovation.
A video airs for Rhea Ripley vs. Becky Lynch tomorrow night on WrestleMania Night One.
Video: The career of Muhammad Ali.
WWE Hall of Famer “The Undertaker” Mark Calaway makes his way to the podium to induct Muhammad Ali into the WWE Hall of Fame. A loud “Undertaker” chant picks up. Undertaker says, “Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee.” Undertaker rattles off a few Ali quotes and says he’s always wanted to say that. Only one man can truly claim to be the greatest professional boxer of all time: Muhammad Ali. Immortalized as a household name, his contributions to boxing have been unprecedented. A multi-time World Champion, he took on guys like George Foreman. As an athlete and humanitarian, he might be one of the most decorated individuals of all time. Olympic Gold Medalist, Presidential Award Recipient… he’s a legend amongst legends. It is his humble honor to induct Muhammad Ali into this year’s WWE Hall of Fame. Undertaker introduces Lonnie Ali to accept the award in honor of the late Muhammad Ali.
Muhammad Ali
Lonnie Ali, the wife of the late Muhammad Ali, comes up to the podium. She says, “Boxer, champion, advocate, citizen of the world, ambassador of each.” Ali led by example and was a role model to all. Ali lived his life with purpose and continues to inspire generations of fans. She met him at 6-years-old, and he became the love of her life. Ali was never her babysitter. He loved all people, and they loved him right back. Ali also loved the roar of the crowd. He learned it from WWE Hall of Famer Gorgeous George. Ali transcended sports and entertainment. He was the original sports entertainer. Ali rode the waves and punched “Rowdy” Roddy Piper in the first-ever WrestleMania. As a Special Guest Referee, his job was to keep order. Nothing brought order faster than his signature anchor punch. If he wasn’t throwing punches, he was living up to his moniker as the Louisville Lip. Ali could back it all up in the ring.
Outside the ring, he used that mouth to combat racism. His mouth was seldom shut. Even during his battle with Parkinson’s Disease, he remained an active and engaged humanitarian. He had a knack for making lemons into lemonade. Ali is deserving of every honor he has received. He’d have been thrilled and honored to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. She thanks WWE for honoring him tonight. In 1998, a young wrestler asked to use “The People’s Champion” out of respect for Ali. Ali was happy to grant that request. It’s her honor to present The Rock with “The People’s Championship.”
The Rock comes out to boos and embraces his family before getting in the ring. A “Rocky” chant lightly picks up as he embraces Ali. A custom WWE Championship with a Brahma Bull on it is given to The Rock. The Rock takes the People’s Championship and approaches the microphone. The crowd starts to boo him. The Rock thanks Lonnie Ali for the title. Muhammad Ali was one of his heroes. When he was a kid, his family spent time with Ali. His father, “The Soulman” Rocky Johnson, was a boxer and sparred with Ali. In 1998, he joined the Nation of Domination. He would run around and call himself the People’s Champion. They were in Louisville one night, and the Ali family was there. He wanted Ali to know he was using it with respect. The Rock has a lot of nicknames, including the Final Boss… he tells those who are booing to shut their mouths and enjoy the ride he’s taking them on. Of all the nicknames he has, “The People’s Champion” means the most. He thanks Ali for the title.
Video: The career of The U.S. Express.
Taylor and Mika Rotunda are welcomed to the ring. Taylor is better known as Bo Dallas or Uncle Howdy. They are brother and sister of the late “Bray Wyatt” Windham Rotunda. Mika greets the people in attendance. Taylor says they want to acknowledge Windham Rotunda, also known as Bray Wyatt. He should be with them tonight. He may not be on the stage, but he’s here.
There would be no Windham Rotunda without Barry Windham and Mike Rotunda. Taylor says they are here to induct into the WWE Hall of Fame the legendary tag team known as The U.S. Express, Barry Windham and Mike Rotunda. Mika says they’re Uncle Barry and Dad to them. 40 years ago, a packed arena stood on their feet as they came to the ring. Taylor says they exuded charisma and athletic talent. They dominated the roster as the WWF Tag Team Champions. They inspired countless wrestlers and fans. Mika says as they induct the U.S. Express into the WWE Hall of Fame, they’re acknowledging their lasting impact on pro wrestling. Taylor says, “Dad… Uncle Barry… on behalf of your family, former colleagues, and countless WWE fans around the world, thank you for the memories. Thank you!”
The U.S. Express (Barry Windham and Mike Rotunda)
The U.S. Express makes their way to the podium in matching black suits and red bow ties. Barry Windham is wearing a baseball cap. Mike Rotunda thanks his children for the speech. Rotunda wants to thank the WWE Universe around the world, especially here tonight in Philly. Without them, they don’t exist. Philadelphia is kind of an ironic and full-circle moment for him. He came to this city with his family when he was 8 years old and competed at the halftime of a Steelers vs. Eagles game at Franklin Field doing punts. Now he’s coming back and getting inducted with his brother in law into the WWE Hall of Fame. That’s full circle for him. Windham grew up in the business with his father being Blackjack Mulligan. Rotunda would have never gotten to the wrestling business if not for Syracuse University. The coach who recruited him was Tom Coughlin, who had a few Super Bowl teams with the New York Giants. It was there he met Dick Beyer and went to Germany to learn how to be a pro wrestler. After that, he went to the Carolinas for a year and a half. Everyone he met is in the Hall of Fame now. Then Dusty Rhodes called the Crockett Promotion and told them they needed a babyface. Dusty put them together as a tag team.
Windham says his sister was staying with him. She met Rotunda. Six months later, they were married. 40 years later, here they are. Rotunda says a great moment was being part of the first WrestleMania. No one knew what the outcome would be. Rotunda was 26, and Windham was 24. They were crazy. 40 years ago, he couldn’t have married a better person than his wife. Back to WrestleMania I, they should have gotten hazard pay for working with the Iron Shiek and Nikolai Volkoff. They had the same match, but those two would always change it up.
In closing… Rotunda becomes emotional. They pull out their cell phones to get to their speech. Rotunda wishes his son Windham could have been here. In honor of Windham… he loses his place on his cell phone. In honor of Windham, he asks the crowd to join them. Rotunda holds up his cell phone, and it has the flashlight on. Bray Wyatt’s music plays, and the fireflies light up the Wells Fargo Center.
An video hypes up Seth “Freakin” Rollins vs. Drew McIntyre on WrestleMania XL Night Two.
The New Day, consisting of Xavier Woods, Kofi Kingston, and Big E, make their way to the ring. It’s great to see Big E standing with them. Woods calls attention to the three of them together in a WWE ring again. Tonight is not about them. Big E says they are here to commemorate a man whose charisma and oratory skills influenced generation after generation. Big E is fired up. Woods and Kingston tell him to take it down a notch. Kingston says that’s why people loved Thunderbolt Patterson. They talked to Patterson, and one thing stood out: “I love people.” By unapologetically being this unorthodox version of himself, he brought so many people together. Woods says Patterson pushed people for equal pay so the future of professional wrestling would be better for them all. Big E says the work that Patterson and others like him did is the reason they, as black performers, can stand here and do what they love for a living. Big E thanks Thunderbolt Patterson. Without him, Woods wouldn’t have become King of the Ring. Without Patterson, Big E wouldn’t have become the WWE Champion. Kingston says there is no KofiMania without Patterson.
Big E shouts, “AWWW PHILLY! DON’T YOU DARE BE SOUR! CLAP FOR HALL OF FAMER THUNDERBOLT PATTERSON!”
Thunderbolt Patterson
Thunderbolt Patterson is wheeled out to the arena by his friend and radio host, Scott Spears. Patterson rises from his wheelchair and embraces Gerald Brisco. JBL also shakes hands with him and hugs him.
Video: The career of Thunderbolt Patterson.
Thunderbolt Patterson is in the ring with Scott Spears and standing at the podium. Spears is praising Patterson’s career. Patterson is the Jackie Robinson of professional wrestling. Spears asked Mike Mooneyham where Thunderbolt ranks in the history of pro wrestling. Mooneyham said Patterson is an eleven. Patterson was wrestling in Abeline. Word came that the sheriff’s wife was killed and warned them not to bring Thunderbolt Patterson. A composite was made that looked like Thunderbolt Patterson. It turned out the sheriff killed his wife. That’s the type of racism Patterson had to endure. Somebody said baseball was a better game because Jackie Robinson got to play. Wrestling was better because Thunderbolt Patterson was in it. A “Thunderbolt” chant picks up. It’s with great pride and privilege that he helps induct a man who hasn’t been in a professional wrestling ring in 31 years, Thunderbolt Patterson.
Thunderbolt Patterson comes up to the microphone. Patterson says he must pray. Patterson says, “Our father in heaven, I come to his evening as humble as I know how. I come as an empty pitcher before a full fountain, knowing that you have all the power to fulfill and supply all of my needs. Oh, thank you, Jesus. Thank you, Lord.” Patterson says, “Heaven high giving God all of the honor and all of the glory ’cause had it not been for the Lord… putting me in the path of good people… all over this world.” Patterson says everyone here has a little more education than him. What you say and think comes back to you. The Devil does not need no kind of help at all. Patterson asks for an “amen.” Had it not been for the Lord and a few good people, he would not be standing here tonight. Everyone is seeing the same thing: lying, hating, and killing. It’s time to stop playing the race card. It’s time to stop killing people. It’s time to treat people the way you want to be treated. Patterson doesn’t want to take up any more time. Patterson wants to say something. If it had not been for the Lord… he was chosen for this moment. He was chosen by our Father in heaven to do His will, not our will. Patterson wants to take this time to thank the Lord. He wants the Lord to touch their mind and spiritually renew them so they can have a clear and full understanding of the truth. Had it not been for Gerald Brisco, Mr. Prichard, and Brian Blair, as well as Mike Mooneyham, they kept him alive. If not for the Lord and good people on his side, he wouldn’t be here. We must come together, love one another, and stop playing the race card. Patterson thanks the crowd and says to be good to one another.
Lia Maivia
Video: The career of Lia Maivia.
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, the Final Boss, makes his way to the podium to induct his grandmother. Before he gets into this and gets everyone home because they’ve got a big weekend ahead, he congratulates all the WWE Hall of Fame inductees. His grandmother, Lia Maivia, was a real trailblazer in the world of professional wrestling. What his grandmother was able to do was change the game and open so many doors for wrestlers and women. When his grandfather, “The High Chief” Peter Maivia, was passing away, his dream was to promote Polynesian wrestling and make it a success. She gave her word to him that she would carry on the promotion and his name. She did that. In the early 80s, there was a lot of competition and different promotions. From Verne Gagne to Jim Crockett to Vince McMahon, they would all send their talent to his grandmother. From Andre the Giant to Ric Flair to the Von Erichs, the Freebirds, Bob Backlund, Nikita Koloff, and others. That included one of his heroes, Dusty Rhodes.
The Rock has a handheld microphone and says he wants to take a moment because this is a big weekend. When it comes to the Rhodes Family… The Rock turns to Cody Rhodes, who stands up from his seat. The Rock says when it comes to the Rhodes family, he has nothing but reverence and respect for Dusty Rhodes and Momma Rhodes. When it comes to what they’re going to do this weekend in less than 24 hours, what happens between Rhodes and The Rock, as well as Seth “Freakin” Rollins and Roman Reigns, it’s not business. It’s personal. A “Cody” chant fires up.
The Rock says on behalf of the Johnson family and the Anoai family (he calls attention to his mother and calls her “the real Final Boss”, Ata Maivia-Johnson, who wants to lay the SmackDown on Rhodes’ candy ass), he thanks Philadelphia and the wrestling world. The Rock thanks his grandmother. The Rock wants to get ready for WrestleMania. The Rock walks off as the show comes to an end.
