LIVE 2024 WWE Hall of Fame Ceremony Recap

Posted by admin on April 6th, 2024

2024 WWE Hall of Fame Ceremony Recap – We start off with a video package that talks about what it means to be a Hall of Famer while showing previously inducted wrestling legends and some of their greatest moments. The video then shifts to those who will be inducted tonight.

Jackie Redmond and Corey Graves are at the podium and excited to kick things off. They talk about some of the big names in the house. They show Paul “Triple H” Levesque, who is sitting next to Stephanie McMahon (wearing an ECW hat). They show CM Punk, the Usos, Trish Stratus, Kurt Angle, and Rey Mysterio. But now… it’s time for tonight’s 2024 Hall of Fame legends. When mentioning Paul Heyman, an ECW chant broke out.

Paul Heyman will be the first person to be inducted tonight. They go to a video package for him.

Paul Heyman, inducted by Roman Reigns

Roman Reigns said he “loves his wise man” so there was no way he could turn down the chance to induct him. Reigns was casual and out of character here. He talked about Heyman’s ability to motivate and how he knows what to say, how to say it, and when to say it. Reigns kept this short and light-hearted.

Paul came out to the ECW theme, deservedly so. Stephanie is even wearing that friggin’ ECW beret.

MASSIVE ECW CHANTS, followed by “Paul E” and “You deserve it” chants.

Heyman said, “You’re damn f**king right I do.” That got an ECW chant.

Heyman said he didn’t prepare anything tonight as he wanted to feel the room. He pointed out Rob Van Dam, who was sitting with his wife Katie Forbes and Tommy Dreamer. He said he asked RVD how he could truly reveal himself. He asked his son and his daughter, who were sitting next to CM Punk, asking how he could predict himself as “me” and like Rob Van Dan, he took a hit off a joint.

The Dudley Boyz are also in attendance.

Heyman said he got to do with his life what he wanted to do with his life. He gets to work with men and women in the art of sports…entertainment, no, professional wrestling. He’s the first inductee in a class picked by Paul Levesque. The crowd chanted for Triple H. He praised HHH for taking on a leadership role that was sorely needed for the men and women in the locker room. He praised HHH’s allowing talents to have freedom to become the superstars they have become. Heyman said for the rest of his life, he wants to be a Paul Levesque Guy and shook HHH’s hands. The crowd chanted for Paul Levesque.

Heyman pointed out that Stephanie McMahon here and that she was wearing a ECW hat. It was time for her to admit after all these years that she married the wrong Paul. That got a ECW chant. He said they’d get to ECW, but first he wanted to address his children. He said this is what he wants them to do with their lives. He said if anyone messes with them, they are two seats down from Haku. He said it’s not about money but about being worthy of people’s respect and about pursuing your dreams again and again and failing 101 times and succeeding on the 103rd time. It’s about waking up and can’t waiting to get into it. He told them to pursue their dreams and they’ll stand in front of their peers and friends and fans and their children because of the body of work. He told them how much he loved them and how much he missed his mother and his father were here tonight.

He asked where Cody Rhodes was. He said that he wishes Dusty Rhodes was here to see this. Philly chanted for Dusty. He said that covers all the mushy shit.

He said it was time to talk about ECW. Heyman pulled out his old leather jacket, a cell phone and an ECW hat. I won’t even pretend this didn’t make me misty eyed and happy all at once. He said there comes a time for every man that you have to accept reality. He said the reality in 1993, the industry sucked. He had a vision that created the Tribe of Extreme. It couldn’t have happened any other place than Philadelphia. He praised the ECW Arena. He said Eric Bischoff got the idea of the Cruiserweights from the ECW Arena. He praised the Dudleys and RVD. He said they were Napster, they were out to change the industry. He said that ECW is alive today in the passion of those in the industry and those who love professional wrestling.

If you think the spirit of ECW died in a bankruptcy court in 2001, “You can suck my f***ing d**k.”

Heyman joked that he’s gotten himself canceled again. He said they aren’t going to cancel him, because if they do, he’s going to come back bigger and badder. He ran down everything he went through in WCW and then WWE, even mentioning Brock Lesnar. He said when he was canceled as Raw Exec Director, Roman Reigns brought him back to the Island of Relevancy. He said he’s been canceled 100 times and will come back 101, stronger, smarter and wiser. He spoke about how proud he was to work with today’s talents.

Heyman ran through all his catch phrases through the guise of “My Name is Paul Heyman” and closed it out by saying he has to pee but this isn’t a lifetime achievement award as he’s just getting started. He said he’s going to be disruptive all over again and that’s not a prediction, it’s a spoiler.

Bull Nakano, inducted by Madusa

Madusa spoke of Nakano’s work and ability to transform and entire room with her presence. She said that Nakano’s work set the stage for today’s talents. It was a great nice speech but the audience live was blown away by Heyman and haven’t gotten their second wind.

Bull Nakano came out wearing her makeup, which was nice to see. She said she’s waited a long time. She came to WWF in 1994, 30 years ago, when she was 26, Life was tough as she couldn’t speak English. She said living and competing here was a challenge She praised Madusa. The crowd chanted, “Thank you both.” he thanked everyone from the bottom of her heart. She thanked WWE for giving her the opportunity and she tried her best. She said the award means so much to her and thanked everyone so very much.

Madusa presented her with flowers and you culd see this was an emotional moment for both of them.

Muhammad Ali, inducted by The Undertaker and accepted by his widow, Lonnie Ali

The Undertaker was here to induct Muhammad Ali. Philly popped for that. Undertaker praised Ali as a person and a fighter.

Ali’s widow Lonnie Ali accepted for him and talked about his work as an activist and a fighter. He learned from wrestling to become a global star and it could be argued he was the first global sports villain. He taunted Roddy Piper at the first ever Wrestlemania as the special guest referee. She noted how hard Ali fought against racism in a time Black athletes were meant to “keep their mouth shut” but no one ever could. Ali was an activist to the end and deserved every gift he’s been bestowed. She knows he would have been honored to be in the WWE Hall of Fame and thanked WWE for honoring him. She said Ali was The People’s Champion because of the fans and in 1998, The Rock asked Ali for permission to use that name and tonight, it is her honor to give the Rock “The People’s Championship.”

The Rock came out. The crowd booed, then chanted his name. Rock said Ali was one of his heroes as a kid. He was part of The Nation of Domination and he was getting booed. He asked Ali with respect if he could use the name out of respect. Ali offered it to him and he said that being offered this title means so much to him. He heeled the crowd for booing him after he mentioned The Final Boss name. Some of the crowd booed and some cheered. He thanked Lonnie again and they left together.

–– Inducted tonight ––