Since Steve mainly focused on the show itself I’ll discuss some of the off air/backstage stuff that you probably wouldn’t have seen on TV whilst raiding the hotel mini bar. First off I’d like to say that I’ve never been to a Hall of Fame and was extremely excited. Although I enjoyed the event, it definitely wasn’t what I expected.
Firstly I’d like to rant on the fans. To all the morons that came dressed in t-shirts and shorts, or those that thought wearing a 1997 NWO shirt was appropriate, go to hell! Show some damn respect, this is the Hall of Fame and about the legends; it is not for the fans explicitly. I felt ashamed that they needed to put up signs telling fans to be respectful and not to cat call during the ceremony. It didn’t stop the little marks near me hooting and hollering!
On the flip side WWE themselves seemed to encourage this by selling boatloads of Austin merchandise. Seriously, this is not the night to be plugging this junk. We are here to listen and honor these legends as adults, not junk buying kids.
The setting itself was lovely and seeing all the wrestlers and their families come out, dressed like movie stars really drove home the importance of the ceremony.
Some interesting notes here; Cody Rhodes arrived with Beth Phoenix on his arm (let the speculation begin), Gail Kim arrived with her former Diva friends Molly Holly and Jackie Gayda, and DiBiase Sr probably got the pop of the arrivals! Cena and Edge both got big boos.
Hornswoggle who had been in character all weekend turned up in a suit. The only people not dressed smartly were JTG (in his gangsta crap), Jimmy hart who was in his cheesey music suit and Honky Tonk Man who was in his gimmick. I hope JTG gets punished, because Shad managed to be suited.
People of note in attendance included DDP (he’s friends with Austin), ROH star Bryan Danielson was with William Regal and Bobby Heenan! I did not see Kevin Nash or any TNA stars.
Everything else was said in the previous report. The stars were all timed with a big digital clock in plain view and poor Finkel sounded like he was rushing a class report.
As I say, you cant not enjoy such a unique event, but I expected far more respect from the fans and at least a long Austin speech.
Anyway, roll on Wrestlemania!
By Mark Fosters on April 5th, 2009
wrestlingtruth.com