The Undertaker understands the backlash surrounding his induction of Muhammad Ali into the WWE Hall of Fame earlier this month. 

The Dead Man played a pivotal role in this year’s WrestleMania and discussed the entire weekend in-depth on his Six Feet Under podcast. The Undertaker shocked fans by appearing in the Bloodline Rules main event to lay the smack down on The Rock one more time. The experienced provided him a sense of closure on his decades-long WWE career. However, the weekend was not without controversy.

Boxing legend Muhammad Ali was a cultural icon and a highly controversial figure. Much of the conflict surrounded his unwillingness to conscript in the US Army during the Vietnam War back in 1967. The Undertaker says some people called him out and even questioned his patriotism for honoring Ali. He has a special message for those folks, as you can read below. 

“I mean, my goodness!”

The Dead Man explained that even through he doesn’t agree with Ali’s decision to avoid serving in the US military when called upon, he is still able to recognize what Muhammad Ali accomplished as a boxer and humanitarian.

“I was there and I was so tickled to be there and be able to induct Muhammad Ali. I’m glad you brought that up. So I got a little heat from part of the veteran community. For people that don’t know, Muhammad Ali, I don’t know who wouldn’t know this, but Muhammad Ali refused to go into the army.

He didn’t want to go to Vietnam. He didn’t see why that he was gonna go 6000 miles away from home to fight somebody that had no….and he didn’t do it and he ended up losing everything. To be honest, for a large part of my life, I resented Ali over that.”

“But the thing when you look at everything that Muhammad did and not even the athletic end of it, not even the boxing side of it, but the things that he did as a humanitarian and everything. I don’t agree, I still don’t agree with not going. Your country asked you to go do something, you could do it.

That’s how I am and I wouldn’t, but when you think about the conviction that he must have had in the beliefs, such a strong belief in what he thought was right and what he thought wasn’t. He gave up everything.”

The Undertaker shares strong political opinions and knows that many people disagree with. However, he’s not going to stand for anybody hurling insults at him or questioning his loyalty to the United States of America.

“I think too it was like ‘I thought Undertaker was a patriot.’ Man, kiss my ass! Kiss my Patriot ass. It just rubbed me a little bit. There are a lot of reasons.. I get some of it but to give me hate over inducting Muhammed Ali. I mean, my goodness.”

Muhammad Ali registered for conscription in the US Army on his 18th birthday in 1962. As a result of his refusal to join the Army for the Vietnam War, the New York State Athletic Commission suspended his boxing license.

The World Boxing Association then stripped him of his title and other boxing commissions followed suit. A case was also registered against Ali but his conviction was reversed by the Supreme Court in 1971.

Paul Heyman is now a WWE Hall of Famer, and fans won’t forget his induction speech any time soon. The same is true for those within the company who witnessed his speech.

Brock Lesnar has been all but erased from WWE history at this point. The company did not even show him in the highlight video package for Heyman before his time on the show. That did not stop Paul E from mentioning the 1 in 21-1 several times. WWE realized who they were inducting, and where the ceremony went down as well.

After a day has passed since Heyman’s speech, I have been told that many within WWE are considering what Paul E did as one of the greatest promos in WWE history.

Internal Reaction to Paul Heyman’s WWE Hall of Fame Speech

I reached out to ask about Heyman name-dropping Brock Lesnar so much after WWE has made obvious efforts to not mention him. I was told by a tenured member of the creative team that Paul Heyman had a bit of “free rein.”

Prior to Heyman’s speech, several members of the creative team were told that, “We’re inducting Heyman in Philly, and we know what the audience is going to want, and we’re going to let Heyman give it to them.”

Some within the company consider Heyman’s speech to be the greatest Hall of Fame speech, if not the greatest promo, in WWE history. It was viewed as “insane” by many, in a very good way.

I was additionally told that what struck many people backstage was that Heyman wasn’t cursing just for the sake of it; he used profanity strategically to emphasize his points, which made it all the more effective. 

Heyman’s control of the audience was also praised as “a master class in psychology,” where “the ebb and flow of his promo resembled the structure of a public speech or rally unlike anything seen before in WWE.”

I will have more in an exclusive on @sescoops soon, but concerning Paul Heyman's #WWEHallOfFame speech:

Members of the team were told: "We're inducting Heyman in Philly, and we know what the audience is going to want, and we're going to let Heyman give it to them." pic.twitter.com/U4XLE325C6

— Aaron (@AaronVarble) April 7, 2024

Paul Heyman’s induction was first on the night, so more people would see it. Those props that Heyman used were also legit, as they added even more legitimacy and nostalgia to his speech.

In the end, nobody had anything bad to say about any portion of Heyman’s speech, even his mention of Brock Lesnar. If anything, Heyman is seen as more of a GOAT than ever at this point.

Welcome the Daily Drop, your daily roundup of wrestling news and rumors for Saturday, April 6. This is a day that a lot of fans have waited for, because it is officially WrestleMania Saturday. We also have NXT Stand & Deliver to take care of, so let’s get right to it!

NXT: Stand & Deliver starts first today, with the broadcast beginning at noon EST. You can check out the updated card below:

• Singles Match: Trick Williams vs. Carmelo Hayes
• NXT Championship Match: Ilja Dragunov (c) vs. Tony D’Angelo
• NXT Women’s Championship Match: Lyra Valkyria (c) vs. Roxanne Perez
• NXT North American Championship Match: Oba Femi (c) vs. Dijak vs. Josh Briggs
• NXT Tag Team Championship Match: Baron Corbin & Bron Breakker (c) vs. Axiom & Nathan Frazer
• Thea Hail, Fallon Henley & Kelani Jordan vs. Jacy Jayne, Kiana James & Izzi Dame
• Pre-Show Match: Shawn Spears vs. Joe Gacy

WWE:

– WWE World Brawl: AJ Styles and LA Knight threw down at WWE World for a brawl that lasted well over three minutes. It was chaos, and we have the video.

– Stand & Deliver Gate: Shawn Michaels disclosed that Stand & Deliver in Philly is set to become the second highest-grossing event for NXT, following closely behind NXT Brooklyn.

– The Rock’s Training: SEScoops also had an exclusive where Shawn Michaels explained exactly why Gallus was picked to train with The Rock for his WrestleMania 40 match.

– WWE Draft: Triple H confirmed that another WWE Draft is coming, possibly in May.

– Andre Winner: Big Bronson Reed won the 10th annual Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal on SmackDown.

– Cody’s Bus Fire: Cody Rhodes’ bus caught on fire before WrestleMania. That was not a surprise he wanted at all.

– Vince McMahon’s Absence: The fact that Vince McMahon isn’t around for WrestleMania 40 weekend has made a lot of people within the company pretty happy.

– One More Match: Triple H spoke on the idea of wrestling again. He’s happy being retired, but he does train every day.

WrestleMania 40 night one starts at 7:00 PM EST. It will be a loaded show, headlined by a massive tag team match, that is being billed as the biggest ever. You may check out the updated card below:

• Rhea Ripley (c) vs. Becky Lynch for the Women’s World Championship
• Gunther (c) vs. Sami Zayn for the WWE Intercontinental Championship
• The Judgment Day (Finn Bálor and Damian Priest) (c) vs. #DIY (Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa) vs. The Awesome Truth (The Miz and R-Truth) vs. The New Day (Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods) vs. A-Town Down Under (Austin Theory and Grayson Waller) vs. New Catch Republic (Pete Dunne and Tyler Bate) – Six-Pack Tag Team Ladder match for the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship
• Jey Uso vs. Jimmy Uso
• Bianca Belair, Jade Cargill, and Naomi vs. Damage CTRL (Dakota Kai, Asuka, and Kairi Sane)
• Latino World Order (Rey Mysterio and Andrade) vs. Santos Escobar and “Dirty” Dominik Mysterio
• The Bloodline (The Rock and Roman Reigns) vs. Cody Rhodes and Seth “Freakin” Rollins

AEW:

– Tony Khan Called Out: Brandon Tate of The Boys detailed exactly what happened when it comes to them “no-showing” events to combat Tony Khan’s narrative.

– AEW May Move: AEW and WBD are exiting their window of exclusive talks. We may see AEW programming move if they can’t figure something out.

– AEW At WWE HOF: Keith Lee was accidentally shown on screen during the WWE Hall of Fame ceremony. He is married to Michin, so he was there for the ceremony. However, he wasn’t supposed to be seen on camera.

– Forbidden Door: Toni Storm claimed that the Forbidden Door is always open. We will have to see who steps through that door to challenge her next.

Upcoming Wrestling Shows

Looking ahead, here are some of the major upcoming shows that we have in the pipeline:

April 6: NXT Stand & Deliver and WrestleMania XL Saturday from Philadelphia, PA.

April 7: WrestleMania XL Sunday from Philadelphia, PA.

April 21: All Elite Wrestling presents AEW Dynasty live on pay-per-view from St. Louis, Missouri at the Chaifetz Arena.

May 4: WWE Backlash France from Décines-Charpieu, France at the LDLC Arena.

A heart-touching tribute was rightfully paid to the late WWE Superstar Bray Wyatt (Windham Rotunda) at the WWE Hall of Fame 2024 Induction ceremony.

In an emotional segment, the Rotunda Family honored Bray Wyatt, who tragically passed away in August last year. While Wyatt was not inducted, his father, Mike Rotunda, alongside Barry Windham was inducted as part of the U.S. Express.

Tribute to Bray Wyatt

Wyatt’s real-life brother, Taylor Rotunda (better known as Bo Dallas in WWE) and his sister Mika Rotunda did the honors of inducting the legendary U.S. Express into the Class of 2024. During the segment, they paid homage to Wyatt.

“We would be remiss not to take a moment not to acknowledge Windham Rotunda, also known as Bray Wyatt. He should also be standing on this stage with us tonight. He may not be on this stage. But we know he’s here.”

After the speech concluded, Mike Rotunda urged the fans to join him and light up their phones like Wyatt’s entrance. This was a fitting tribute to the late superstar.

“I wish that our son Windham could have been here, he would have liked to see his old man go in the Hall of Fame.”

The segment concluded with Mike and the crowd lighting up their phones with Bray Wyatt’s entrance song playing in the background.

Beautiful moment as the siblings of Bray Wyatt take a moment to remember him tonight before inducting their father and uncle into the WWE Hall of Fame. ???#WWEHOF pic.twitter.com/b3BN0HsAQE

— WWE (@WWE) April 6, 2024

"I wish that our son Windham could have been here, he would have liked to see his old man go in the Hall of Fame."

Bray Wyatt's father, Mike Rotunda, leads a touching tribute to his son with the help of Barry Windham and the WWE Universe. #WWEHOF pic.twitter.com/h2aqUwV5WN

— WWE (@WWE) April 6, 2024

This year’s class included Paul Heyman, U.S. Express, Bull Nakano, Muhammed Ali and Thunderbolt Patterson. There had been talks of Bray Wyatt possibly being inducted into this year’s Hall of Fame Class but that didn’t happen.

Bray Wyatt’s legacy

Wyatt gained massive success when he revamped his persona as the leader of the Wyatt Family back in NXT. The character would lead him to great heights after joining the main roster where he won the WWE Championship and WWE Universal Championship. 

Eventually, he debuted his popular ‘Fiend’ gimmick which was widely well-received by the fans. However, he was released by the company in 2021 but would go on to make his comeback the following year.

In his returning match, Wyatt defeated LA Knight in a Mountain Dew Pitch Black Match at Royal Rumble last year. Unfortunately, it was his final match before passing away.

Bray Wyatt is not with us anymore, but his legacy will live on forever. 

The Rock may not have the people on his side anymore, but he was presented with a custom ‘People’s Championship’ at the WWE Hall of Fame 2024 ceremony. 

The Final Boss was at the ceremony to posthumously induct his grandmother Lia Maivia into the WWE Hall of Fame as part of this year’s class. Before this induction though, The Rock was invited to the ring by Lonnie Ali, the widow of the legendary Muhammad Ali. Lonnie spoke about The Rock asking for permission to use the term ‘People’s Champion,’ a moniker that had often been associated with the boxing icon. Lonnie then presented The Rock with the People’s Championship which features the Brahma Bull logo. 

Muhammad Ali's wife, Lonnie, tells a story about @TheRock asking her husband for permission to use the monicker "The People's Champ" then awards him The People's Championship. ?#WWEHOF pic.twitter.com/7NtQWwAayW

— WWE (@WWE) April 6, 2024

Who Has Been Called the People’s Champion? 

While Ali and The Rock have been known as the People’s Champion, they’re not the only individuals to have been bestowed with that moniker. In World Championship Wrestling, ‘Diamond’ Dallas Page was referred to as the People’s Champion before the name was given to The Rock. During an Inside the Ropes event, Page recalled discussing the name with the Brahma Bull. 

“I hear, ‘Hey Diamond’… he says, ‘You know, there’s only one people’s champion’… I just look at him, took that pregnant pause and said, ‘you know, Rock, you’re right… And you, well, you’re looking at him‘.”

There have also been ‘People’s Champions’ outside the world of wrestling. In addition to Ali, boxers Michael Spiknks and Manny Pacquiao have used the moniker. Cricketer Usman Khawaja, Snooker player Alex Higgins, and Basketball player Will Barton have also used the term.

The 2024 WWE Hall of Fame ceremony saw some controversy towards the end as The Rock had a verbal altercation with a fan in attendance. 

The Brahma Bull was on hand to posthumously induct his grandmother Lia Maivia into the WWE Hall of Fame. In the closing moments of the show, however, The Rock could be seen having a tense face-off with a fan who was in the front row. 

The fan told the Final Boss that “Cody’s coming for you,” referencing Cody Rhodes’ efforts to ‘finish the story’ at WWE WrestleMania 40. The Rock told the fan to “watch your f***ing mouth.” 

what did the fan say? ? #WWEHOF pic.twitter.com/Y7yhTM1HKv

— s?up (@Soupakuo) April 6, 2024

You can check out another perspective of the altercation in the tweet below: 

The final boss #WrestleMania pic.twitter.com/7L3scWaNER

— Jordy (@JordyDud) April 6, 2024

Lia Maivia is the third person that The Rock has inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. In 2008, on the eve of WrestleMania 24, The Rock inducted his father Rocky Johnson, and his grandfather (and Lia’s husband) ‘High Chief’ Peter Maivia. 

This interaction with the fan highlights The Rock’s heel persona which has been a hit with audiences since WWE decided to turn him into a villain. The character change has also been praised by those who know the Brahma Bull best. 

The Rock at WrestleMania 40

Cody Rhodes hopes to ‘finish the story’ at WrestleMania 40 but The Rock is planning on ruining the American Nightmare’s weekend. On WWE WrestleMania 40: Saturday, Rhodes will team with Seth Rollins to face The Rock & Roman Reigns. The match will determine the stipulation for the following night. 

On WWE WrestleMania 40: Sunday, Cody Rhodes will challenge Roman Reigns for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship. This match will either be under ‘Bloodline Rules’ or see the Bloodline banned from getting involved. No matter the stipulation, this match will be Cody’s final title shot at Reigns, an edict put in place by The Rock. The Final Boss flexed his muscles as part of TKO’s Board of Directors to make this stipulation happen. 

It’s been years since Keith Lee was signed to a WWE contract, but the Limitless One was spotted this week during the WWE Hall of Fame ceremony. 

The former NXT Champion and current AEW star was in the background of a backstage segment that saw CM Punk being interviewed by Kayla Braxton. It appears that somebody off-screen pointed out to Lee that he was in the shot as the wrestler quickly got out of the way. 

Lee’s real-life wife and WWE star ‘Michin’ Mia Yim was being interviewed across the backstage area by WWE’s Cathy Kelley.

No way Keith Lee didn’t see a camera man, CM Punk & a whole interview set ? pic.twitter.com/4AQCXegrZT

— Macho T (@ItsMachoT) April 6, 2024

This humorous situation led to Lee’s name trending on X (formerly known as Twitter.) Some fans even compared it to a similar situation where Road Warrior Hawk accidentally appeared during a backstage interview and quickly realized his mistake. 

Same energy pic.twitter.com/D0NvxZTQDg

— TJ Lynch (@tjlynch40) April 6, 2024

Keith Lee

In WWE NXT, Lee captured the NXT Championship and NXT North American Championship and is to date the only Superstar to hold both titles simultaneously. Lee had far worse luck on the main roster and after a strong debut, would miss months of programming due to COVID-19 and heart inflammation. He was released from WWE in November 2021. 

Lee joined AEW in March 2022 at that month’s Revolution pay-per-view and captured the AEW World Tag Team Championships with Swerve Strickland that July. Their reign was ended by The Acclaimed that September. A match between Lee and Strickland was scheduled to happen at AEW Worlds End in December 2023. Lee has been out of action since December 2023 and is currently recovering from double surgeries that he underwent in January 2024.

The man who will induct Paul Heyman into the WWE Hall of Fame this Friday was revealed during the April 1, episode of WWE Monday Night Raw. 

Heyman was the first name announced for this year’s class of Hall of Fame inductees. The honor is richly deserved given Heyman’s success in multiple roles in the world of wrestling. Heyman has served as a manager, a producer, a promoter, and as a member of WWE’s creative team throughout his lengthy career. 

Paul Heyman’s WWE Hall of Fame Inductor

During a backstage segment on the April 1, episode of WWE Monday Night Raw, Heyman, The Rock, and Roman Reigns were seen conversing. Reigns had to leave early to work on his ‘speech’ for the Wise Man. Heyman then made clear to anyone who hadn’t figured it out that Reigns would be inducting him into the WWE Hall of Fame. 

BREAKING NEWS: @HeymanHustle will be inducted into the #WWEHOF this Friday night … by @WWERomanReigns! pic.twitter.com/6Yh6UMAFyU

— WWE (@WWE) April 2, 2024

WWE Hall of Fame 2024

Heyman is hardly the only notable name to make up this year’s class of WWE Hall of Famers. The US Express will also be inducted this year, the only tag team as part of the 2024 class. Bull Nakano was announced as a WWE Hall of Fame inductee. The Japanese star is a former WWE Women’s Champion and is currently the commissioner for the all-women’s Sukeban promotion. 

Thunderbolt Patterson has also been confirmed as an inductee. The late Muhammed Ali will be posthumously inducted for his contributions to the world of Sports Entertainment. 

The final inductee is Lia Maivia, one of the first female wrestling promoters and a trailblazer in her own right. Her induction was announced by her grandson The Rock and will come 16 years after her husband ‘High Chief’ Peter Maivia was inducted in 2008. 

WWE Hall of Fame Inductors

Here is the known inductors for this year’s WWE Hall of Fame: 

• Paul Heyman: Inducted by Roman Reigns

• Bull Nakano: Inducted by Madusa

• The US Express: Currently Unknown

• Muhammad Ali: Inducted by his widow Lonnie Ali

• Thunderbolt Patterson: Inducted by Scott Spears

• Lia Maivia: Inducted by The Rock

WWE is about to take over Philly for WrestleMania weekend. The WWE Hall of Fame will also be a high point for many fans, and we’re getting more information about the ceremony.

The 2024 WWE Hall of Fame ceremony is set for April 5, 2024, at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, the night before WrestleMania XL. It will be live-streamed at 10 pm Eastern Time on Peacock in the United States and the WWE Network internationally, following WWE SmackDown. Inductees include Paul Heyman, Bull Nakano, The U.S. Express, Muhammad Ali, and Thunderbolt Patterson.

Who inductees a WWE Hall of Famer into the class is always an important decision. Now, it has been revealed that journalist Scott Spears will induct Thunderbolt Patterson.

Thunderbolt Patterson’s WWE Hall of Fame Induction

The Marion Star reports that Scott Spears was asked by Thunderbolt Patterson to induct him into the WWE Hall of Fame.

Following this news of Patterson’s induction, he shared his thoughts in an interview with Scott Spears on “Now With Scott Spears” on WGH Talk radio in Marion, Ohio.

While expressing his gratitude, Patterson stated, “I feel good. It’s something that I dreamed about, and if it had not been for the Lord, it would not have happened.” He also credited wrestling personalities Geraldo Brisco and Bruce Prichard, journalist Mike Mooneyham, and Spears for their contributions in keeping his legacy alive, leading to his induction into the Hall of Fame.

Spears spoke about how much of an honor it is for him when reacting to Thunderbolt Patterson asking him to do the honor of inducting him into the 2024 WWE Hall of Fame. He also doesn’t take this honor lightly.

“This is such an honor for me. I have been friends with Thunderbolt for many years, and there is no one more deserving of this honor than him. For him to ask me to induct him is one of the great honors I have ever received, and I don’t take that lightly.”

Who Is Scott Spears

Spears, an award-winning journalist with the Associated Press, has interviewed notable figures including Dr. Maya Angelou, Bill Cosby, Phil Donahue, Betty White, Larry King, and five Ohio governors.

“Now With Scott Spears” can be heard weekdays 8:15-10 a.m. live at wwgh1071.com or by downloading the TuneIn Radio app and searching “WGH Talk.” The 2024 WWE Hall of Fame will air on April 5 after SmackDown, one night prior to WrestleMania 40’s first night.

WWE has announced their Hall of Fame inductees for this year, and Bray Wyatt’s name isn’t on the list. 

This year’s WWE Hall of Fame will mark the first year after TKO’s takeover. It will also be the first class that is chosen without any input from Vince McMahon.

Wyatt’s absence from this year’s WWE Hall of Fame induction is related to WWE’s upcoming ‘Bray Wyatt: Becoming Immortal’ Peacock documentary, which  premieres on April 1.

Hall of Fame Absence

Bray Wyatt was once thought to be a lock for this year’s Hall of Fame class, but his father Mike will be the only Rotunda family member inducted in Philadelphia.

This week’s Wrestling Observer newsletter states WWE sources indicate the decision to pass on inducting the Eater of Worlds  may have influenced by the Peacock doc.

“[It] had something to do with the decision not to induct Wyatt into the Hall of Fame this year, that this year they were doing the big documentary for him and would induct him later.”

WWE reportedly has plans to induct him at a later date, but it was not noted when he will receive this honor.

Bray Wyatt: Becoming Immortal

The new Peacock project, a documentary titled “Bray Wyatt: Becoming Immortal,” set to premiere on April 1st, is receiving a big spotlight.

The Undertaker is slated to provide narration for the documentary. Interviews have been conducted with Wyatt’s family, as well as with such names like Hulk Hogan, John Cena, Becky Lynch, Triple H, Alexa Bliss, and Bo Dallas, along with archival footage from various points in his career.

WWE owns every moment of Bray Wyatt’s time in a pro wrestling ring. He did not appear for any other company during the time between his 2021 release and his Extreme Rules 2022 comeback. You can watch the trailer below.

2024 WWE Hall of Fame

Paul Heyman was the first to be revealed as part of the WWE Hall of Fame’s class of 2024. The US Express (Mike Rotunda & Barry Windham) and Bull Nakano were later confirmed. Thunderbolt Patterson then joined this year’s group along with Muhammad Ali in the celebrity wing.

The Rock will reportedly have a hand in having his grandmother, Lia Maivia, inducted this year as well. It was previously reported that Haku was a strong possibility, but his name has not been announced.

The 2024 WWE Hall of Fame ceremony will air on April 5th after SmackDown, one night before WrestleMania 40 kicks off.

Thunderbolt Patterson, an influential though often overlooked name in wrestling, will be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame on the eve of WrestleMania 40. He will be inducted on Friday, April 5, following that evening’s episode of WWE SmackDown. 

Patterson began his wrestling career by moving to Texas and working with Dory Funk Sr. (father of WWE Hall of Famers Dory Funk Jr. and Terry Funk.) His dedication to wrestling saw him move far from his home in Iowa.

Patterson immediately captivated audiences with his interviews that featured a delivery reminiscent of Black Southern church pastors. It was this charisma that his contemporary Virgil Runnels would take inspiration from, transforming the son of a plumber into the ‘American Dream’ Dusty Rhodes. 

In the ring, Patterson faced legends including Bruiser Brody and WWE Hall of Famer The Sheik. He was also an accomplished tag-team wrestler and was an ally of the late Ole Anderson. The two would eventually split and their brutal rivalry would serve as a catalyst for the launch of the legendary Four Horseman. 

Behind the scenes, Patterson was vocal about supporting his fellow wrestlers and ensuring fair treatment. He spoke openly about ensuring the health and safety for wrestlers and was also vocal against racial discrimination in the industry. 

WWE Hall of Fame 2024

Thunderbolt Patterson is the fifth name confirmed for this year’s class of the WWE Hall of Fame.

Earlier this month, Paul Heyman was announced as an inductee after turning down the honor in the past. More recently, Bull Nakano was announced as a WWE Hall of Fame inductee. The Japanese star is a former WWE Women’s Champion and is currently the commissioner for the all-women’s Sukeban promotion. 

The US Express will be inducted this year, the only tag team to have received the nod so far. Boxing icon Muhammad Ali will be posthumously inducted on April 5. 

Paul Heyman was the first name announced as an inductee in the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2024. This was a completely non-controversial choice among the wrestling community. Even if one were to only consider his on-screen work as a manager, his efforts have been worthy of recognition.

Heyman’s career spanned a number of territories, leading to an important run at the head of The Dangerous Alliance that dominated WCW programming in 1992. From there, he served as the manager, consultant, or wise man to no fewer than three long-reigning world champions in WWE (in addition to briefer stints managing others).

Heyman was a key color commentator in the late stages of the Attitude Era as well, particularly during the Invasion angle, and then an on-screen authority figure.

On top of the work fans have seen firsthand, though, there are Heyman’s behind-the-scenes work, which include major contributions during multiple eras of WWE programming. Perhaps most importantly of all, though, he’s the evil genius most widely credited with masterminding ECW when it caught fire in the 1990s.

For all of the aforementioned reasons and more, Heyman should become the first non-wrestler WWE Hall of Fame inductee to go on last, officially headlining the Class of 2024.

The 2024 WWE Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony Will Occur In Philadelphia

Paul Heyman was born and got his start in pro wrestling in New York. His first claims to national fame came in the south or in the Midwest with the AWA, depending on which promotions one most paid attention to.

However, when it comes to the heart of Heyman’s contributions to the wrestling business, it all comes back to Philadelphia. In the Cit of Brotherly Love, Heyman was the driving creative force behind Eastern Championship Wrestling’s reinvention as Extreme Championship Wrestling. More than a simple rebrand, Heyman tapped into the wrestling atmosphere. He recognized the limitations of the family friendly products WWE and WCW produced at the time and capitalized on an opportunity, promoting an edgier, more adult style.

Indeed, the general consensus is that the more realistic presentation WCW embraced in the Monday Night War and the Attitude Era that elevated WWE to such heights were directly influenced by ECW’s success. In addition to pushing a different style of wrestling, there were the individual stars Heyman cultivated. Some, like Mike Awesome, Raven, and The Sandman peaked in ECW as Heyman hid their weaknesses, capitalized on their strengths, and put the right creative behind them. Other acts like The Dudley Boyz, Taz, and Eddie Guerrero would become foundational contributors for bigger promotions for years to come—talents in whom Heyman recognized profound potential who might not have wound up on the radar of bigger companies had Heyman not spotlighted them first.

All of these successes were born out of a bingo hall in Philly. Hardcore mirrors the gritty spirit of the city and the city remains inextricably linked to the ECW legacy. As such, Heyman is quite arguably the wrestling legend most synonymous with Philadelphia and a perfect choice to headline during a WrestleMania weekend staged there.

Paul Heyman Is Part Of The Current WWE Main Event Picture

One of the struggles of the WWE Hall of Fame is that, in presenting the induction ceremony is a live event held in a reasonably sized arena, broadcasted live. There’s a pressure not to simply induct worthy names, but induct draws—names modern fans will recognize and be excited about. Main eventers tend to have staying power, such that even fans who weren’t watching their primes stil know the names and have at least some familiarity with their work. Mid-card acts, tag teams, and managers have a tougher go of it.

In 2023, Rey Mysterio headlined the Hall of Fame class. In addition to having had a lengthy, legendary career the luchador benefited from still being a part of the active roster, embroiled in a hot father-son feud at the time. This dynamic meant everyone who might attend a Hall of Fame induction ceremony—even children who weren’t yet born for either of Mysterio’s world title wins—were still familiar with him.

Paul Heyman has been active in wrestling since since the 1980s, meaning he truly spans generations of fans. But perhaps most importantly for his status as a Hall of Fame draw, he has been heavily embroiled in The Bloodline’s main event storyline that has dominated nearly four years of WWE programming. That’s in addition to standing in the corner of top champions like Brock Lesnar and CM Punk off and on for the preceding two decades. Thus, Heyman is that rare manager whose main event level credentials are beyond reproach.

Paul Heyman Could Deliver One Of The Greatest WWE Hall Of Fame Induction Speeches Ever

One of the awkward realities of WWE Hall of Fame induction ceremonies is that not all speeches are created equally. Regardless of star power, some talents are simply better talkers than others. Meanwhile, there are those talents who clearly take the induction seriously and craft speeches perfectly tailored to the moment, in contrast to those who take a more cavalier approach.

A big part of Paul Heyman’s legacy in wrestling is being an all-time great promo guy. He’s a brilliant wrestling mind with a real sense of history too, all of which is a recipe for a genuinely special induction speech. Rather than someone else being forced to follow the speech of the night, the most straightforward answer is to let Heyman close out the evening.

In the end, whether Paul Heyman goes on first, last, or somewhere in between for his WWE Hall of Fame induction, the bottom line is that after WrestleMania 40 weekend he’ll be a bona fide Hall of Famer. Few men—and particularly few men who were never proper wrestlers—were ever more worthy of this particular brand of recognition. There’s also a small sense of poeticism to Heyman being featured here as a sort of antithesis to Vince McMahon’s style and aesthetic. Heyman headlining may well further establish the launch of a new era in WWE.

Rob Van Dam is a bonafide WWE Hall Of Famer and now so is the man who put him on the map in Paul Heyman, but who will induct the original orchestrator of extreme?

In the upcoming episode of “1 Of A Kind With RVD” Van Dam said that he wasn’t originally planning on attending the WWE Hall Of Fame this year, but with Heyman getting announced, RVD said he’ll have to make plans.

Per usual, a lot of the fun speculation heading into WrestleMania is who will induct the inductees and there are several names who are worthy of inducting Heyman, including RVD. However, Rob had his own thoughts regarding that matter.

“I think they can definitely find somebody better than me. You know, it’d be an honor. And of course, if I was, nominated and asked to do it, I would give it my best.”

If I were to induct Paul Heyman…

Van Dam added that if he were to induct Heyman, he’d want input from other wrestlers who were impacted by Heyman, but named three names who would be more fitting to do the actual induction.

“I mean, [Tommy] Dreamer, Bubba [Ray Dudley]. Taz, those guys, they know Paul a lot more than I do. They were in New York. 

“I would see him on the weekends. They’d see him all week too and they were there in the office and the production studio helping move the TV forward, also with the merchandise and just booking towns.”

Taz or RVD would both be interesting names considering both have a working relationship with AEW, but Van Dam is featured in WWE 2K24 and has an upcoming figure set to be released by Mattel.

Heyman leads a Hall Of Fame class that so far has Bull Nakano, The U.S. Express and Muhammad Ali.

The new episode of 1 Of A Kind With RVD releases Monday at 4:20 PM ET.

Please credit “1 Of A Kind With RVD” and h/t to SEScoops for the transcription.

WWE has unveiled another addition to its 2024 class of the WWE Hall of Fame. In an announcement today, it was revealed that they will induct The Greatest. Muhammad Ali will be immortalized in this year’s hall of fame class.

This year is Triple H’s first year to make the WWE Hall of Fame call, and he is going all out. Muhammad Ali will join this year’s class. Ali’s widow, Lonnie Ali, set to induct him.

WWEShop is already selling this t-shirt commemorating Ali’s forthcoming induction.

Muhammad Ali In Pro Wrestling

Variety reported first that Muhammad Ali will be in the 2024 class of the WWE Hall of Fame. Ali’s induction into the WWE Hall of Fame adds to the roster of esteemed inductees for the Class of 2024, which includes Paul Heyman, Bull Nakano, and the tag team the U.S. Express (Mike Rotunda and Barry Windham).

Ali is known worldwide for his legendary boxing career, also ventured into professional wrestling on several occasions. He was also involved in the pro wrestling world.

He engaged in an exhibition match against Japanese wrestling icon Antonio Inoki in Tokyo in 1976. Prior to that bout, he made a memorable appearance at a WWE event, where he challenged Gorilla Monsoon in the ring. 

Ali was also a special guest referee for the main event of WrestleMania I in 1985, where Hulk Hogan and Mr. T faced off against Roddy Piper and Paul Orndorff. That may be his most famous footnote in WWE history. 

He was also the guest of honor at the historic “Collision in Korea” pay-per-view event held in North Korea in 1995, the same event that is still mysteriously absent from the WWE Network or Peacock. 

Who was Muhammad Ali

Renowned as one of the greatest boxers of all time, Ali achieved numerous accolades throughout his career, including winning an Olympic gold medal for the United States in boxing in 1960 and becoming the undisputed world heavyweight champion. 

His boxing record includes victories over opponents such as Sonny Liston, Ken Norton, Joe Frazier, and George Foreman, among others. His final professional boxing match went down in 1981, wrapping up his career with 56 wins, 5 losses, and 37 knockouts. Will Smith also played him in a 2001 biopic.

Beyond his athletic achievements, Ali was also involved social activism, famously refusing to be drafted into the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. That decision resulted in him being stripped of his heavyweight championships.

Sadly, Ali passed away in 2016 at the age of 74, leaving behind an enduring legacy both inside and outside the ring.

The 2024 WWE Hall of Fame ceremony is scheduled for April 5 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, The event will be available for live-streaming on Peacock starting at 10 p.m. ET/9 p.m. CT.

Per @Variety Muhammad Ali will be inducted into the #WWEHOF Class of 2024 in Philadelphia. pic.twitter.com/d1joZMH2Yg

— SEScoops (@sescoops) March 11, 2024

Former WWE and ECW World Champion Rob Van Dam is pleased that Paul Heyman is getting his proverbial ‘flowers’ with his upcoming Hall of Fame induction. 

Earlier this month, it was announced that Heyman will be inducted as part of this year’s class on April 5. The honor is richly deserved for Heyman, who has excelled in various roles in wrestling. In addition to being Roman Reigns‘ special counsel, Heyman has managed others, worked as a commentator, a writer, and ran ECW during the company’s peak.

Rob Van Dam on Paul Heyman’s Induction

Few names did better under the watchful eye than RVD, who became a success in both the original ECW and WWE. In a recent interview with Wrestle Binge, the former World Champion was pleased that Heyman is getting his due. 

“It’s pretty cool they’re giving him his flowers because he was the man. He was the one that made ECW happen… he’s the guy that made everything possible.”

RVD also heralded Heyman’s work in WWE and recalled many in the company being opposed to Paul at first due to his ECW history. 

“When I was there back then… he didn’t get a lot of respect in the way of the other agents didn’t like ECW, were trying to fight it, didn’t want it to come in. They were giving him a hard time.”

Van Dam concluded by stating that ECW became a success of Heyman’s leadership, braveness, and passion, and is pleased to see the sacrifices Heyman has made pay off. 

WWE Hall of Fame 2024

Heyman will be part of what is shaping up to be a star-studded class of inductees. Bull Nakano will be inducted this year. The former WWF Women’s Champion had a successful run in and out of WWE and is currently the commissioner of Bushiroad. The US Express will also be inducted as part of this year’s class. 

H/T – Fightful

Paul Heyman has shared why he turned down the WWE Hall of Fame ahead of his induction the night before WrestleMania 40. 

Earlier this month, it was announced that Heyman will be inducted as part of this year’s class on April 5. The honor is richly-deserved for Heyman, who has excelled in various roles in wrestling. In addition to being Roman Reigns’ special counsel, Heyman has managed others, worked as a commentator, a writer, and ran ECW during the company’s peak.

Turning Down the WWE HOF

While Heyman will be inducted this year, the Bloodline’s spokesman has turned the honor down in the past. Sitting down with TMZ Sports, Heyman explained his reasoning for why he didn’t want to be inducted years earlier during his run with Brock Lesnar. 

“If I had accepted the award while I was The Advocate for Brock Lesnar and none of my work with Roman Reigns and The Bloodline was part of my Hall of Fame induction, then by now, we’d be sitting there saying, ‘Oh, how did we induct him five years ago and missed this whole chapter of his career.’”

The only flaw of Heyman’s plan, as he pointed out in the interview, is that he has no plans on wrapping up his career despite his impending induction. 

“Roman Reigns and I are not going anywhere. We plan on sticking around. He will continue to be the reigning defending Undisputed WWE Universal Heavyweight Champion in the greatest title run of all time.”

WWE Hall of Fame 2024

Heyman will be part of what is shaping up to be a star-studded class of inductees. Bull Nakano will be inducted this year. The former WWF Women’s Champion had a successful run in and out of WWE and is currently the commissioner of Bushiroad. The US Express will also be inducted as part of this year’s class. 

WWE’s Hall of Fame is getting a big focus, because they dropped several names this week. One name that is expected, is still missing, but Bray Wyatt’s flowers may still be on the way.

Paul Heyman was revealed as part of the WWE Hall of Fame’s class of 2024. The US Express (Mike Rotunda & Barry Windham) and Bull Nakano were also been confirmed, with Haku and Lia Maivia rumored as well. There is a very likely chance that Bray Wyatt will be announced for this year’s class, joining his father, Rotunda, and uncle, Windham.

2024 WWE Hall of Fame & Bray Wyatt

WWE has announced a few names for their 2024 WWE Hall of Fame so far. This will be the first year without Vince McMahon’s input, and Paul Heyman was the first name announced. More names are expected, and one of them could be the Eater of Worlds.

The pro wrestling world is still in mourning over the tragic loss of Bray Wyatt. He left JoJo Offerman and his children behind, along with so many incredible stories left to tell. As WWE announces their Hall of Fame inductees this year, fans are waiting for Wyatt’s name to be called.

“I’m surprised they haven’t announced Bray Wyatt,” Dave Meltzer remarked on Wrestling Observer Radio. It was then noted that the US Express are Wyatt’s father and uncle, so it would be clear synergy with the whole thing.

“It’s his family, you know, Barry’s his uncle, and Mike’s his dad, um so, maybe that’s part of the synergy. They should [induct Bray Wyatt] absolutely they should. He was the first guy I thought of when they were doing this year.”

We will have to see who has their name announced for the WWE Hall of Fame next. Honoring Bray Wyatt with a Hall of Fame induction only makes sense. If his name is added to this year’s lineup, then Triple H would have booked an incredible first class of the WWE Hall of Fame.

The Rock has a Say in 2024 WWE Hall of Fame

The Rock also has a say in the WWE Hall of Fame this year. It is reported that he is going to place is grandmother into this year’s class. They will apparently work Lia Maivia’s induction into his WrestleMania storyline.

Bray Wyatt’s Legacy in WWE

Bray Wyatt certainly deserves a WWE Hall of Fame induction, if not three. One for himself, another with the Wyatt Family faction, and a third as the Fiend, because that character stretched beyond the pro wrestling bubble. Hopefully, Wyatt gets his flowers during WrestleMania 40 weekend.

WWE signed Bray Wyatt to a Legends contract. They are also giving 100% of the proceeds of all of his merchandise to JoJo Offerman. There is also a new project about Wyatt in the works. The company continues to take care of Windham Rotunda’s family, so it’s very likely they will honor his legacy in the best way they can.

SEScoops will have more on this story, and so much more, as things progress down the road to WrestleMania. Keep checking back, because we will have Hall of Fame announcements posted as soon as they are officially revealed. 

The Hall Of Fame reveals came as a surprise to both Barry Windham and Mike Rotunda, but both couldn’t be happier about doing so together.

It was revealed on Friday that the U.S. Express would be the third Hall Of Fame induction announcement for 2024.

Speaking with Peter Rosenberg on “Cheap Heat,” Mike Rotunda comments how he didn’t see it coming.

“It was kind of out of the blue. I wasn’t expecting it. It means a lot. You’re getting rewarded for a lifetime of work. So a nice honor to have and have the respect of the officials that elect to put you in there and all the guys that I worked with to make me look good.”

Going in with Rotunda will be Windham’s second induction into the Hall as he went in as a member of the Four Horsemen originally. Despite that, Windham notes how much this particular induction means to him.

“It was a really big surprise and this one is special because I get to go in with my best friend and that makes it all that much bigger.”

Rotunda then went on to detail how he and Windham came to meet and talked about wrestling Jesse Ventura for only a minute and a half. Then him and Barry ended up bonding in Toronto.

They didn’t see one another for about a year-and-a-half, but then Dusty Rhodes called and got Rotunda down in Florida. Dusty ultimately put them together as a tag team. Rotunda would note that he and Windham would go thirty minutes while Dusty would work a main event that was seven minutes.

As of now, Windham and Rotunda join Bull Nakano and Paul Heyman as the current class for 2024.

Please credit Peter Rosenberg and h/t to SEScoops for the transcription.

The Rock has a lot of pull in WWE as a member of TKO’s board of directors. That is a shoot, and so is the idea that he may place someone very close to him in the WWE Hall of Fame this year.

It was previously noted that The Rock has a say in picking the WWE Hall of Fame this year. He apparently pulled for one name in a big way and now we know who it is. His own grandmother.

Lia Maivia Rumored For 2024 WWE Hall of Fame

Reports from Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful Select suggest Lia Maivia as a potential inductee into this year’s class. While not confirmed, this speculation aligns with previous reports indicating The Rock’s involvement in selecting this year’s inductees.

Maivia’s legacy is noteworthy, and she had a big hand in pro wrestling history as a promoter. She took over Polynesian Pro Wrestling in 1982 following the passing of her husband, “High Chief” Peter Maivia. As one of the first female wrestling promoters, Maivia led PPW to its best year in 1985, drawing a crowd of 20,000 fans. She sadly passed away in 2008, but she remained a part of the pro wrestling world until her death.

2024 WWE Hall of Fame Inductees

WWE has already started the process of unveiling names for the upcoming Hall of Fame ceremony, with Paul Heyman notably taking the spotlight as the first announcement under the Triple H era.

Additionally, The US Express (Mike Rotunda & Barry Windham) and Bull Nakano have been confirmed. More names are expected to follow in the upcoming weeks. Haku is also rumored for this year’s class.

The 2024 WWE Hall of Fame ceremony is scheduled to coincide with WrestleMania weekend, following SmackDown on April 5th, at the Wells Fargo Center, the night before Mania’s first night.

SEScoops will have more on this story, and so many more. Please keep checking back for the stories you need.

The Rock took a seat on the TKO board of directors, and that came with $30 million in company stock. He also has a lot more say in things than some fans realized at first.

Currently, Paul Heyman, Bull Nakano, and the U.S. Express duo of Barry Windham and Mike Rotunda have been confirmed as inductees for the ceremony scheduled on April 5, 2024.

WWE is starting the process of announcing Hall of Fame inductees this year. Although fans thought that Triple H was the only man in control of those names, it seems that The Rock’s new deal has given him some say in that as well.

Rock’s Involvement

The Rock is making significant moves, both behind the scenes and in the wrestling ring. Not only is he set to wrestle at WrestleMania, but he also holds a position on the board of TKO and has secured the intellectual property rights for all Rock-related terms and names.

Johnson’s influence extends beyond his upcoming tag team match with Roman Reigns against Seth Rollins & Cody Rhodes during WrestleMania weekend.  According to Fightful Select, WWE sources have confirmed The Rock has provided input on this year’s WWE Hall of Fame inductees. 

Rock’s influence should become more apparent once the remaining members of this year’s class are announced, but it’s worth noting that one WWE source told Fightful Rock had a hand in selecting all of this year’s inductees

The Rock is scheduled to appear on tonight’s SmackDown, where Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins answer the WrestleMania challenge laid out last wee by the Bloodline. If (and when) that match is made official, it will be his first time wrestling a full match in nearly a decade. 

Aside from an impromptu 6-second victory over Erick Rowan at WrestleMania 32 in 2019, the People’s Champ hasn’t wrestled since 2013, when he dropped the WWE Championship to John Cena in the main event of WrestleMania 29.

WrestleMania 40 will be huge, but The Rock didn’t get in ring shape for just one match. There’s still big money in Rock vs. Roman Reigns, and WWE has a plan for when that match could happen:

The US Express will take their place as WWE Hall of Famers next month as part of this year’s class of inductees.

The legendary team consisted of Mike Rotunda and Barry Windham and wowed fans with their dynamic offense during the 1980s. One of several highlights of the team’s run saw them defend the WWF World Tag Team Championships at WrestleMania 1. Unfortunately for the pair, they’d lose the gold to The Iron Sheik and Nikolai Volkoff, marking the first title change in the show’s history. 

Despite the patriotic nature of the team, the pair were introduced to each other in a Toronto dressing room in 1982. The pair would work for various NWA territories before coming to the WWF. 

Family Ties

The pair’s bond extended beyond the ring though. Rotunda would marry Windham’s sister Stephanie. The pair would welcome two children, Taylor (Bo Dallas) and the late Windham (Bray Wyatt) Rotunda. 

Seeing Double

This induction will be the second for Windham. He was inducted in 2012 as part of the legendary Four Horsemen stable. Ironically, Windham’s first induction marked the first-ever two-time induction, as Ric Flair had become a WWE Hall of Famer four years prior. 

WWE Hall of Fame 2024

The US Express is the first tag team announced for this year’s class of indcutees and the third announcement overall. Earlier this month, Paul Heyman was announced as an inductee after turning down the honor in the past. More recently, Bull Nakano was announced as a WWE Hall of Fame inductee. The Japanese star is a former WWE Women’s Champion and is currently the commissioner for the all-women’s Sukeban promotion. 

The 2024 WWE Hall of Fame ceremony will stream live on Peacock directly after WWE SmackDown on April 5.

This year’s edition of the WWE Hall of Fame is a special year. Triple H will pick his first class of inductees, and now we know the second name on his list.

Paul Heyman was announced this week as the first entrant in the 2024 Class of the WWE Hall of Fame. This was a huge addition to the Philly festivities. Now, Bull Nakano’s name is joining this year’s list of inductees.

An unbelievable talent with an unforgettable look, and a mean streak a mile long.

Bull Nakano isn’t just one of the best Women’s wrestlers of all time – she’s one of the best of all time, period. #WWEHOF pic.twitter.com/ft8JmnUfIw

— Triple H (@TripleH) March 6, 2024

Bull Nakano’s WWE Hall of Fame Induction

ESPN broke the story today that Bull Nakano will be joining Paul Heyman as an inductee in the 2024 WWE Hall of Fame.

The 56-year-old Japanese pro wrestling legend spoke about this big honor. She has raked up a lot of championships throughout her career, but she was always missing a Hall of Fame induction.

“During my active years, I was able to get championship belts in Japan, America and Mexico. But just one thing was missing — I didn’t get inducted into the Hall of Fame. I wanted this. Finally, in 2024 in WrestleMania week, I am able to get this.”

Who is Bull Nakano

Nakano entered Japan’s women’s wrestling circuit, known as “joshi,” in the early 1980s. At that time, women’s wrestling experienced significant popularity in Japan, often attracting larger crowds and higher TV ratings than men’s wrestling.

As a formidable heel with face paint, Nakano emerged as a prominent figure in All Japan Women’s Pro-Wrestling, becoming one of its top attractions. She claimed victories in the AJW championship and WWWA title matches, engaging in historic encounters alongside and against renowned names like Dump Matsumoto, Kyoko Inoue, Akira Hokuto, and Aja Kong.

In the 1990s, Nakano ventured beyond Japan, taking her talents to Mexico where she secured the CMLL World women’s championship in 1992. Among U.S. audiences, Nakano gained recognition for her feud with Alundra Blayze in WWE. She also beat Blayze for the WWF women’s title at the Tokyo Dome in 1994, an event that was seen by over 42,000 fans in attendance. While it was uncommon for a WWE title to be defended in Japan, Nakano won it there, and she defended it once before relinquishing it back to Blayze in 1995.

WWE Hall of Fame Date

The 2024 WWE Hall of Fame is an upcoming professional wrestling event created by WWE, marking the induction of the 25th class into the WWE Hall of Fame. The ceremony is scheduled for April 5, 2024, at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, occurring the evening prior to WrestleMania 40.

One of wrestling’s most legitimately tough men and a former WWE Tag Champion could be joining Paul Heyman in the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2024. 

On the latest edition of Wrestling Observer Radio, it was noted that Haku’s name has come up as a potential WWE Hall of Fame inductee.

Haku is the father of Tama Tonga, who recently signed with WWE after wrapping up his time in New Japan Pro Wrestling. TKO Board Member Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson has previously called Haku his uncle, though the pair are not blood-related. 

Haku in the Ring

Haku’s sole championship win in WWE saw him hold the Tag Team Championships with Andre the Giant. Haku held several titles in the NWA and other promotions, including Puerto Rico’s WWC. 

During his time in WCW, Haku, known as Meng, won the WCW Hardcore Championship. In one of the final defections of the Monday Night War, Haku returned to the WWF in January 2001 while still holding the WCW Hardcore title.

The Toughest Man in Wrestling

Haku, who also competed as Meng, is widely regarded by wrestlers to be one of, if not the toughest man to ever step in the ring. 

Ric Flair once described Haku as “the toughest son of a b**** I’ve ever met” and said he would have dominated MMA had he entered the Octagon. 

Many more of his contemporaries have acknowledged Haku as the most legitimately tough person in wrestling, Hulk Hogan, ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin, Goldberg, Big Van Vader, and The Rock. 

One legendary tale of Haku’s toughness saw the wrestler get into an altercation with some men at a Baltimore Airport bar in 1989. After the men called wrestling fake, Haku handily fought the men, despite being outnumbered, and bit the nose off of one of the individuals. 

Shane Douglas once said that he’d be better off fighting the U.S. Army than legitimately fighting Haku. He also recalled an incident when law enforcement attempted to restrain Haku, who was able to fight them off. 

During the altercation, Haku was hit in the face with a baton while sprayed with a can of mace but neither caused him any pain. 

WrestleMania is in Philadelphia this year, and that city means a lot to Paul Heyman. He will be inducted into the Hall of Fame this year, which is a perfect location for him to receive that honor. It turns out that this was not the first time WWE tried to enshrine him into their Hall of Fame.

This year will mark the first year that Triple H gets to pick his Hall of Fame. Paul Heyman just so happens to be the first name that was announced under this new era. Although it’s not clear when WWE tried to induct him before, Heyman turned down that spot in the past.

Paul Heyman’s WWE Hall of Fame Induction

Paul Heyman’s induction into the WWE Hall of Fame this year wasn’t unexpected, given his longstanding contribution to WWE programming. As we stated above, the Philly location made everything perfect.

During a segment on Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer revealed insights into Paul Heyman’s induction. He highlighted that this year’s class was selected by Paul Levesque rather than Vince McMahon, signifying a shift in decision-making authority.

Meltzer mentioned that Heyman had previously declined the offer to join the Hall of Fame but accepted this time, likely influenced by being the inaugural Paul Levesque inductee and the connection to Philadelphia, the birthplace of ECW, a pivotal chapter in Heyman’s career. Additionally, Meltzer speculated that Heyman’s inclusion might fulfill the requirement for a main eventer in the class.

“Yeah, so trivia note, this will be the first Hall of Fame class chosen by Triple H, and not Vince McMahon. So, Paul Heyman is the first Triple H Hall of Famer. He’s been offered the Hall of Fame before, but he turned it down with the idea that, you know, he’s still active. He didn’t want to be in the Hall of Fame until his career was over. I think the idea of being the first Triple H inductee, and it’s in Philly where ECW is from, and one of his main career claims to fame is ECW, maybe his biggest in a lot of ways, so there’s that.”

It was noted that “he has been offered this before,” but this year was a year he took the honor. It’s unknown exactly why Heyman didn’t turn it down this year, but fans in Philly will certainly show up to give Paul E his flowers.

2024 WWE Hall of Fame

As of this writing, we do now know who will induct Paul Heyman into the WWE Hall of Fame. We will have to see who else receives an honor this year to round out the class.

The 2024 WWE Hall of Fame ceremony will go down after the final SmackDown before WrestleMania 40. Although no other inductees have been announced, Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer mentioned that they heard a rumor that Haku is receiving an induction this year as well.

SEScoops will have continued coverage of this story as more information is made available. 

The wrestling world has shared their respect for Paul Heyman following the news that Heyman will be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame later this year. 

The industry veteran who today serves as the special counsel to The Bloodline is the first name confirmed for this year’s class of inductees. It’s fitting that Heyman is being inducted in Philadelphia, as ECW is synonymous with the City of Brotherly Love. 

Reactions to Paul Heyman in the WWE Hall of Fame

With such a significant career in wrestling, many stars have paid tribute to Heyman ahead of his induction into the WWE Hall of Fame. Reigning Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns made it clear he acknowledges the Wise Man. 

?? https://t.co/UlSsqxDW98

— Roman Reigns (@WWERomanReigns) March 4, 2024

Heyman’s fellow ECW alum Bully Ray was happy to welcome Paul E. into the club of WWE Hall of Famers. The Dudley Boyz took their spot in 2018. 

CONGRATS!!!!! Welcome to the club. Well deserved. @HeymanHustle

We will be sending your HOF ring via FedEx.

The tracking # is….?? https://t.co/nxp3HbOEcw

— Bully Ray (@bullyray5150) March 4, 2024

WWE Raw General Manager Adam Pearce may have had issues with the Bloodline, but he was able to recognize that Heyman’s induction is well deserved. 

It is official.
And well deserved. https://t.co/ne7fg7FPoi

— Adam Pearce (@ScrapDaddyAP) March 4, 2024

Tommy Dreamer, another man who worked closely with Heyman in ECW, was appreciative of all that Paul had done for the industry. 

Congratulations @HeymanHustle entire career made a mark wherever he went
Florida,Continental,Memphis,AWA
WCW,ECW WWE
He changed the industry
He is great at everything he has ever done in the wrestling business
Well deserved. https://t.co/ipovXo2TUU

— Tommy Dreamer (@THETOMMYDREAMER) March 4, 2024

Sam Roberts, who has worked with WWE and Heyman several times, is excited to hear what Heyman has to say in his induction. 

HUUUUGE. Can’t wait for this https://t.co/0Bo3oZcO3f

— Sam Roberts (@notsam) March 4, 2024

Triple H was pleased to share the news of the induction of the legendary wrestling personality. 

He’s been a promoter, a manager, an executive, a “Wiseman,” and now, a @WWE Hall of Famer.

There’s more to say about @HeymanHustle, but as always, it’s best to let him say it himself… with a live microphone in Philadelphia. #WWEHOF pic.twitter.com/qEZF4lxR3g

— Triple H (@TripleH) March 4, 2024

Rafael Morffi, who until recently was a VP for All Elite Wrestling, also shared his congratulations to Heyman.

Congrats to @HeymanHustle – well deserved for so many reasons! https://t.co/BtryoAKU58

— Rafael Morffi (@rmorfnyc) March 4, 2024

WWE Hall of Fame 2024

Heyman is so far the only name confirmed for this year’s Hall of Fame. The ceremony will take place on Friday, April 5, following that night’s edition of SmackDown on FOX. Heyman will become the first active manager to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.