WWE’s 2020 & 2021 WWE Hall of Fame induction ceremony aired tonight on Peacock for U.S. subscribers and the WWE Network for international subscribers from the WWE ThunderDome in Tampa, Florida.

2020 WWE HALL OF FAME

The show opened with Jerry ‘The King’ Lawler as the host of the 2020 WWE Hall of Fame, with the ceremony held on stage, with a podium for King as host and those being inducted. King mentioned that tonight is a very special occasion and that he is happy to present the men and women who did not get to bask in the glory last Spring the opportunity do so tonight and said that with the WWE, we roll with the punches. It was then revealed that the first inductee is former WWE Champion John ‘Bradshaw’ Layfield.

JOHN ‘BRADSHAW’ LAYFIELD
A video package aired, which was followed up by Jerry ‘The King’ Lawler stating that in a bar fight between King Kong and Godzilla, the winner would be JBL. JBL came out and said that if you are waiting for a wrestling God from Texas to cry, then you will be let down and said that he told his grandfather in Sweetwater, Texas that he would be a professional wrestler and that those dreams came true. JBL credited Brad Rheighans for his training and noted that he went to the Sportatorium with no experience, knocked on the door and asked James Beard for a job, that Lou Perez was not there and that he was put in the ring, sight-unseen, for twenty minutes with Rod Price and that on that night, he fell in love with professional wrestling.

JBL then told a story about one night that he got so much heat in Germany that he knew he would not make it back to the locker room, noting that Fit Finlay saved him from someone who saw him coming and that the guy was so scared that he dropped a knife and ran. JBL said that he fell in love with getting that white-hot heat and told a story about how he gave Eddie Guerrero’s mother a heart attack on Mother’s Day, but noted that without Eddie Guerrero, he would not be standing where he is today and wishes that Eddie Guerrero was still here. JBL then put over Ron Simmons and their run with the APA, which he joked was a “toned down” version of the two of them, made for television. JBL then put over John Cena, stating that Cena ended his historic run and that if you are going to end a run, then you should do it with someone who is a credit to the wrestling business like John Cena.

JBL said that the WWE allowed him to go all over the world and work with various charities, entertain the Troops and do so much more and that if he was asked if he would do it over again, he would do every bit of it. JBL said that he would love one more time to stand in the ring and hear “VIVA LA RAZA” and watch Eddie Guerrero come out, or to be there as the lights go out and The Undertaker’s music hits. JBL said that he would like to be in some no-name town that people have never heard of and getting into a car with Ron Simmons, The Godfather and Teddy Long with a bunch of beer and enjoying the night. JBL said that he wanted to say that to everyone who thinks that he may have ever wronged them or said something offensive in the locker room over the years, cry me a river, because he’s a Wrestling God and he’s in the WWE Hall of Fame.

There was footage shown from the Red Carpet as Rhea Ripley and Peyton Royce were interviewed. Peyton said that she is happy to see the 2020 Class finally getting honored, to which Rhea said that they are the ones who paved the way and that she grew up watching The Bella Twins, but tonight was the first chance that she had to finally meet them and said that they welcomed her right away. Rhea then told a story of meeting them as a fan and now meeting them as a WWE superstar. Randy Orton was interviewed next and said that he loves being at the WWE Hall of Fame, mentioning that he had the honor to induct his own father. Orton said that he has a relationship with everyone in the WWE Hall of Fame and is happy to see them get their honor. The New Day were interviewed next and were asked about the nWo being inducted. Kofi Kingston said that he is excited for them to get the honor, but that he is also excited for The Bella Twins, two women who he came up with and said that he has never met a pair of harder working people and that to see people getting their due is awesome as they brought so much change with the Women’s Revolution, the WWE Evolution pay-per-view, the first Women’s Royal Rumble Match and the first Women’s Money in the Bank pay-per-view and that to see them get their due is awesome. Xavier Woods teased that next year, maybe The New Day will be getting inducted.

“THE BRITISH BULLDOG” DAVEY BOY SMITH SR.
A tremendous video package aired, with Harry Smith, Georgia Smith and Diana Hart introduced as those accepting the honor. Harry said that they wanted to thank the WWE for the induction, as well as the opportunity and thanked the fans for their years of support, as without them, nothing would have been possible and said that his father was so versatile as an athlete as he could pull of unreal moves, but be powerful and dramatic and that while he had a huge physique, what was truly huge was his heart and his personality.

Harry said that his father had a great sense of humor and that at times had him laughing and bending over and believes that his father’s best match in the WWE was his match against Bret Hart at SummerSlam ’92 as that is a match that no one is ever going to forget, noting that his favorite memory of his father in wrestling was that match and that it is a match that he could watch over and over again and never be tired of. Harry put over his father’s match against Owen Hart for the European Championship as something that both men were really proud of and said that The British Bulldogs and The Hart Foundation evolved tag team wrestling. Harry put over the late Dynamite Kid having great matches with his father in Japan as what inspired his own wrestling style today and is proud to carry on his father’s legacy and knows that he is with him in spirit in the ring alongside Dynamite Kid and that he feels that same spirit is with them tonight.

Harry said that Davey was a great father, a great athlete and a great performer and that he will never be forgotten by his friends, his family and the WWE Universe and that he wanted to thank the WWE and the fans from the bottom of his heart and thanked everyone who ever shared the ring with his father. Harry said that he knows that there was a delay, but that he wanted to welcome his father officially to the WWE Hall of Fame.

More footage from the Red Carpet was shown, as Nikki Cross was interviewed and said that tonight was exciting and amazing and put over The British Bulldog being inducted, noting that Harry’s speech was wonderful and that she had to fix her make-up. Nikki said that she loved getting to meet Diana and Georgia for the first time and that everything was so emotional, praising the SummerSlam ’92 match and how The British Bulldog had an amazing career in both the WWE and WCW. Braun Strowman was interviewed next and was asked as to what the WWE Hall of Fame means to him. Strowman said that it is one thing to travel the world and do what they can do for the company, but that the Hall of Fame induction cements your legacy, as it’s the cherry on top and praised those being inducted. Drew McIntyre was interviewed and asked what The British Bulldog being inducted means to him. Drew said that it is about time as growing up, everyone always said that no one from Scotland ever got signed to the WWE, but that Bulldog was representation for him as when he saw the flag fly, like others, it made him believe that he could get there too and that he wants to inspire others and see it as that if he can do it, so can they and that is what The British Bulldog done for him.

JUSHIN “THUNDER” LIGER
A video package aired before Liger introduced himself via video link as a representative of New Japan Pro Wrestling. Liger thanked the WWE for the honor and said that he was excited, had goosebumps and that it was the first time that he had been nervous to speak, but that he was honored to receive his plaque and Hall of Fame ring. Liger said that he is glad that he became a professional wrestler and thanked all of his fans in the WWE.

WILLIAM SHATNER – CELEBRITY INDUCTEE
William Shatner was introduced via video link from his home and noted that he was born in Montreal, an area where a lot of great wrestlers have come from, to this day and that while he never wrestled, it was a great honor to throw Jerry ‘The King’ Lawler out of the ring all those years ago. Shatner said that he is a big fan of the WWE and accepted the honor as someone who has the delight of following some of his greatest heroes.

Additional footage was shown from the Red Carpet. The Miz and John Morrison were interviewed, with The Miz stating that it was amazing to see William Shatner go into the WWE Hall of Fame, putting over Shatner’s renditions of several WWE themes. John Morrison said that it makes sense that Lawler and Shatner are friends as they have found the fountain of youth and look amazing. Mustafa Ali was interviewed next and said that he has come in peace tonight and is excited to see the nWo being inducted tonight. Ali said that Retribution did not have the level of success that the nWo had, but that it is okay, because he is living and learning and that to see the nWo get the honor today is huge. Bobby Lashley and MVP were interviewed next and put over JBL being inducted. MVP said that JBL had an influence on both of their careers and that he deserved his recognition tonight.

LEGACY WING INDUCTEES
A video package aired announcing that the 2020 Legacy Hall of Fame inductees would be Ray “The Crippler” Stevens, Brickhouse Brown, “Dr. Death” Steve Williams, Baron Michele Leone and Gary Hart.

THE BELLA TWINS (BRIE BELLA & NIKKI BELLA)
The Bella Twins (Brie Bella and Nikki Bella) came out and done a bit where they both tried to speak at the same time. Brie Bella started things off stating that it was an honor to be inducted alongside her sister as they have shared everything from the womb to the soccer field to the wrestling ring. Nikki Bella said that they have changed the world and that they were shown the world and kicked it down and that as twins, they fight for everything, to be the fastest, the smartest or the strongest twin. It was noted that they showed up at the WWE Diva Search audition and that they were not picked, but wanted a taste of wrestling and were sent to Deep South Wrestling in Georgia where they found their place, noting that women were only in the margins in WWE at the time, so it was clear from back then that they would have to fight like they always had. They noted that they fought inside the ring and backstage and knew that, with a special crew of women, that they could force the women’s scene forward to the point that it only made sense for the WWE to make it the main event of a WrestleMania.

They noted that through Total Divas and Total Bellas, they were able to inspire young women, create new female fans and make it possible for women to always be in the ring and not just alongside it, and be in a world where they could be the hero, the villain or sometimes both. Nikki said that she got to be the longest-reigning WWE Divas Champion and said that they are both proud to have taken part in the first-ever WWE Evolution pay-per-view and the first-ever WWE Women’s Royal Rumble Match and are now getting to see others continue on that battle. They both put over names that came up alongside them both male and female, before thanking Steve Keirn, Mark Carrano, Tom Prichard, Dusty Rhodes, Scott Armsong, Pat Patterson and others, including John Laurinaitis, who they joked that they could call Dad. Nikki thanked John Cena for helping her to find her fearless side, before both thanked everyone behind the scenes for everything that they do for not just The Bellas, but for everyone who is part of the road family. Brie thanked her husband Daniel Bryan for sacrificing their private life to show the world of women in professional wrestling and thanked him for being the father to their children. Nikki said that she wanted to thank Artem and said that in around 18 years, Buddy (Brie’s son) and Mateo (her son) will be back as the next generation.

Additional footage from the Red Carpet was shown. Nia Jax was interviewed and said that The Bella Twins were so supportive backstage. Shayna Baszler said that many people may or may not know this, but her actual WWE debut was on Total Divas where she was helping to train Nikki Bella some submission moves and takes pride in seeing them now as WWE Hall of Famers. Mandy Rose and Dana Brooke were interviewed next and put over The Bella Twins for their work in the company and building their brand outside out of it. Lana and Naomi were interviewed next. Lana said that seeing The Bella Twins get inducted was incredible, while Naomi said that being in the locker room and the reality show with them allowed them to know the two in a different way and said that she is super proud of them and to see where they are now is exciting. Sheamus was interviewed next about Titus O’Neil receiving the Warrior Award. Sheamus said that there is not one person who could argue this and put over what Titus O’Neil had done raising money locally in the Tampa Bay area and said that he is always on his phone and is always working to help out as many charities as possible.

TITUS O’NEIL – WARRIOR AWARD
A video package aired before Titus was introduced. Titus said that he grew up in poverty with a single mother who was the victim of sexual assault and was labelled as someone who would be dead or in jail at a young age, noting that he ended up in a Sheriff’s Ranch in Florida and heard the words that changed his life forever, “I love you and I believe in you” and that many had told him that they loved him, but that their actions told a different story, noting that words are powerful and that they led to him changing and going from being an under-performing student to becoming the first person in his family to graduate high school and college with honors.

Titus said that this allowed him to work with charities, both inside and outside of the WWE and build a legacy with his own sons, noting that he wants a legacy that can help others as there are kids who are labelled bad and are asked what is wrong with them, but that few will actually ask what happened to those kids and that providing moments and assistance has allowed him to change the experiences that others have dealt with and that there is no question that the WWE platform has allowed him to put smiles on faces for which he is eternally grateful for, but that he wanted to always build a life that was significant. Titus said that winning the Warrior Award means that he has lived a life of significance and that he wants to continue that work with the help of his partners and sponsors to provide affordable house, transportation, clothing and food to those in need. Titus said that the honor is impactful and that he truly believes that we should be respectful to everyone we come into contact with and that while you don’t like or agree with them, you can respect them and that is what heroes of humanity do. Titus thanked his family, his co-workers, his friends and others for helping him grow and prosper as both a fan and a worker, thanking them and said that believes in them.

nWo (HULK HOGAN, KEVIN NASH, SCOTT HALL & SEAN “X-PAC” WALTMAN)
Sean “X-Pac” Waltman opened the nWo’s speech and thanked his wife, Nash and Hall for having his back for the past 30 years and thanked Hogan for always being so cool to him over the years, creditting Hogan with being the one that hit Hogan with a Steel Chair at WrestleMania 18 after the match against The Rock as locking him into the main event for the rest of his run. Scott Hall said that he thought that being inducted as Razor Ramon several years ago was great, but that being alongside his best friends and the guy who made him want to be a professional wrestler is amazing.

Kevin Nash said that there were a lot of things that could have made the nWo work and that there were a lot of things that could have made it not work, noting that had Vinnie Vegas and The Diamond Stuff moved to WCW as opposed to Razor Ramon and Diesel, then it would not have worked and said that if their contracts had not expired just six days apart, then it would not have worked, just like if he had shown up around 18 months later and said surprise, the same can be said, it would not have worked. Kevin Nash said that the nWo is indeed for life as he gets to see 5-year-olds give him the Wolfpac symbol while they are wearing an nWo shirt and said that they may not have been The Beatles, but the nWo was at the very least Led Zeppelin.

Hulk Hogan said that the nWo is still alive and told a story about how Hulkamania had ended and that he was on a movie set making Santa With Muscles trying to figure out what was his next move and saw Scott Hall make the jump to WCW. Hogan said that Eric Bischoff was in his ear about the nWo and that he saw the heat and how real it was and that it felt as if the WWE was invading WCW. Hogan said that he picked up the phone and told Bischoff that he was thinking about making the move and that Eric told him that if he did not want to be in the nWo, then it was going to be Sting. Hogan put over the fact that Sean Waltman rounded them out and made the group even better. Hogan said that the nastier they became and the worst of the bottom-feeders that they became, the more the fans loved them. Hogan put over his beach shop in Clearwater and how he sells tons of nWo merchandise daily and claimed that the nWo version of the WCW World Championship he was holding is something he was never defeated for, noting that they needed to make another run. Hogan said that after the first main event and that the second main event goes down, then the nWo should be waiting in the wings to teach everyone a lesson and said that was wishful thinking, but that everyone knows that the nWo is for life and are now in the Hall of Fame, for life.

2021 WWE HALL OF FAME

Corey Graves and Kayla Braxton were introduced as the co-hosts for the 2021 version of events and put over the class and those being inducted tonight, before a video package aired announcing Rob van Dam as the first to be inducted.

ROB VAN DAM
RVD said that it was an amazing honor and that he was experiencing a complete circle of life, nothing that thirty years ago, he was finishing up in the USWA promotion in Memphis and that he drove from Battle Creek in Michigan to Tampa in Florida because it was such a hot-bed for professional wrestling. RVD said that he drove down in a Ford Mustang that was held together with coat-hangers, no insurance and a stolen insurance tag on the plate and said that the reason that he is standing here right now is totally because of the response that the fans had for him and that it is because of the fans that he wanted to get into wrestling in the first place, because he was a fan himself.

RVD told a story about the night that his father passed away and that 20 hours after he got the news, he had a signing scheduled in Chicago and thought about not doing the signing, but chose not to tell anyone about what had happened and just tapped into the positive energy from the fans, noting that he felt so much love and excitement from everyone that it got him through the signing and helped to bail him out of the hole that he was in and that the exchange of energy with the fans is always a two-way street. RVD said that he is tickled to death to think that he could somehow improve people’s lives by just seeing him doing his thing, but noted that we have things that we have an affinity for that pick our spiritual vibrations up and that it is a tremendous honor to be part of the WWE Hall of Fame and put in with prestigious legends who influenced him, hoping that when people think about his story and his journey, they think about individuality and that every step of the way, life is about choices and that there were people who wanted to change him, but that he stuck to his guns.

RVD said that he had so many people to thank, and thanked his parents for letting him follow his dreams, even though to them it must have seemed crazy to graduate high school and turn down a scholarship at Michigan State to fight the odds. RVD thanked The Sheik for training him into the business and for teaching him the lesson of when to listen to someone and to adjust, as well as when to ignore it and that The Sheik told him to not listen to anyone else as they did not know what they were talking about. RVD thanked every promoter who trusted him to be in the ring when he was very young and very green with veterans of the business such as Manny Fernandez and Greg “The Hammer” Valentine. RVD thanked Sabu for helping to train him and for teaching him to be an individual and said that there was no greater high than standing on the top rope and said that he’d know. RVD said that being here and being inducted is a victory for us all and that if he had the time to name every fan, he would do so, but that he can’t, so he wanted to thank the WWE Universe.

There was footage shown from the Red Carpet. Sasha Banks was interviewed and said that she was looking forward to seeing everyone inducted, but especially Molly Holly, noting that she remembers seeing Molly at an independent wrestling event and being so shy to talk to her, but that Molly asked her if she was a model, to which Banks noted that she told Molly that she wanted to get into the wrestling business and that Molly spoke to her for around twenty minutes telling her that she was going to be a huge star and said that Molly gave her that confidence. Big E was interviewed and put over Molly Holly being inducted, stating that she was the master of her craft and put over her time as part of WCW before dragging Greg Hamilton off-screen. Carmella was interviewed next and put over Molly Holly, stating that she was ahead of her time and a trailblazer for women like her and said that you didn’t just have to be one thing, as Molly could be a babe, could go in the ring and was talented on the mic, noting that she could do it all and you can not talk about the women’s evolution without talking about someone like Molly Holly.

MOLLY HOLLY
Molly came out to open her speech and joked about how there were only two people who had their head shaved bald at WrestleMania, noting that one was the greatest talent ever, while the other was Vince McMahon. Molly put over the backstage crew and said that if this was a high school, then they would have been the ones who she would have wanted to have lunch with as they were the ones who gave her a nod of approval and helped her to become who she is, noting that she would stay after shows and wrap cable just to be part of their world and give back a little more and named several names, both past and present. Molly then put over the fans for overlooking her shortcomings and focusing on her good qualities, lifting her up and cheering her on and that for that, she is eternally grateful.

Additional footage from the Red Carpet was shown as The Street Profits were interviewed and put over Rob van Dam being inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. Rey Mysterio and Dominik Mysterio were interviewed, with Rey stating that one of his favorite competitors to be in the ring with was Kane, while Rob van Dam was one of his favorite tag tea matches and said that they created some moves together. Dominik Mysterio said that he had a ton of Kane and Rob van Dam action figures and remembers being in the crowd and hating Kane’s pyro, but loving Kane, to which Rey Mysterio joked that to this day, Dominik still hates that pyro.

THE GREAT KHALI
The Great Khali appeared via a video link and said that he was so happy to be inducted and was so happy when he was told the news by Ranjin Singh that he would be inducted. Khali said that he could not be there in-person, but that the fans are in his heart and thanked everyone on behalf of himself and his family for the honor of being inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. Khali asked the fans to take care of themselves and said that once again, he is honored to be inducted.

Additional footage from the Red Carpet was shown, with Ranjin Singh making an appearance, stating that The Great Khali was an inspiration to everyone around the world and not just in India. Bianca Belair was interviewed and discussed being inspired by Molly Holly who broke barriers and said that she had the honor of being in the ring with her at the Royal Rumble, noting that seeing her getting inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame feels like she was getting the flowers and the crown that she deserved.

OZZY OSBOURNE – CELEBRITY INDUCTEE
Ozzy Osbourne appeared via video link and noted that he felt like he did not deserve it, but mentioned the comparisons between the music business and the professional wrestling business. Osbourne thanked the fans, Vince McMahon and Triple H for the honor of being inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.

LEGACY INDUCTEES
A video package aired announcing that the 2021 Legacy Wing inductees are Dick The Bruiser, Pez Whatley, Buzz Sawyer, Ethel Johnson and Paul Boesch.

ERIC BISCHOFF
A video package aired putting over Bischoff’s start in the AWA as well as putting World Championship Wrestling programming head-to-head with WWE programming, as well as his run as the WWE RAW General Manager. Bischoff thanked everyone and said that the honor was amazing, but was told that he only has three minutes and then paid tribute to the late Rosey and Jamal from Three Minute Warning. Bischoff said that he did not know 34 years ago when he drove to Verne Gagne’s office in Minneapolis that he was going to go on a lifelong road trip and said that he got to experience things in that office that he only saw from the distance as a fan and that the road trip was over after a time, so he drove to Atlanta for an amazing opportunity that would change his life and the lives of his family forever.

Bischoff said that opportunity gave him the chance to explore the what if’s in his imagination, but that trip also came to an end, or so he thought, noting that one morning, while he was in his office, the phone rang and he received an invite that he thought would be impossible and that a journey provided him with experiences and possibilities. Bischoff said that everything that he has been able to do, including tonight, is because he had the chance to stand on the shoulders of giants who came before him. Bischoff said that he wants to thank the giants who gave him those opportunities, the ones who have taken the industry from a circus sideshow to one of the most powerful forms of entertainment anywhere in the world and said that it is a uniquely American art-form and that he wants to thank everyone from the bottom of his heart, no matter where they are in the Universe for being part of his road trip and his journey, noting that it has been one hell of a ride, but that the best is still to come.

Additional footage from the Red Carpet was shown. Seth Rollins was interviewed and said that Eric Bischoff changed the game forever and said that some people did not like that, but that Bischoff made waves and that now, he is in the Hall of Fame and no one can ever take that away. Kevin Owens was interviewed and said that he was never a fan of WCW and despised it growing up as he was a WWE guy, but that when Eric Bischoff showed up on WWE television as the General Manager, he flipped out, noting that his father asked him to refrain from losing his mind. Owens said that Eric went from almost taking down the WWE to becoming such a vital part of WWE RAW and WWE SmackDown for such a long time and that Bischoff deserves the distinction. Owens said that he went from despising Bischoff to Eric being one of his favorite people to be around when they worked together. Baron Corbin was interviewed next and said that Eric Bischoff was not afraid to hurt peoples emotions or feelings in his work and that is something that he tries to do himself. Corbin said that he believes that everyone who tries to irritate people owes Bischoff a lot for being able to do that.

RICH HERING – WARRIOR AWARD
A video package aired putting over Hering’s 51 years as part of the company, including his criminal justice days, as well as his New York State Athletic Commission days. Footage also featured Hering ringside as an official at WrestleMania and being the one to officiate the marraige of Randy Savage and Miss Elizabeth. Hering said that he wishes that Dana Warrior and the Warrior girls were present for this presentation and said that he will always be grateful because of who this award represents. Hering said that he is thankful to all of the stars that he worked with for 51 years as they all worked to take the company from a regional wrestling company to an international phenomenon. Hering praised all of the employees and said that they work day in and day out to make the company what it is and thanked everyone for yesterday, today and tomorrow with his gratitude.

Additional footage from the Red Carpet was shown. Edge was interviewed about being a member of the Hall of Fame. Edge said that he was super excited for this year’s class and remembers just how nervous and full of butterflies he was that night in making sure that his speech went right. Edge said that seeing Molly Holly get her honor means so much to him as she was crucial in his wife Beth Phoenix’s career, while Glenn Jacobs, the man behind the Kane character, is one of his best friends and that if there is one person who deserves to be in the WWE Hall of Fame, then it’s Kane. Bayley was interviewed and said that her brother’s favorite wrestler was Kane, so he was a big inspiration to her.

KANE
A video package aired on Kane, who made his way out with his mask in a glass case and placed it on the podium. Kane said that he is wondering once again, as he has for most of his career how he is here today, as he was a farm boy from Missouri and that things like this do not happen to people him, but said that he was surrounded by great people, starting with his parents and said that they were always big fans of him, even during the lulls of his career, noting that his mother loved the Dr. Isaac Yankem DDS character and joked about how she once held a sign that said I raised Kane at a show. Kane praised his children and said that he missed a lot of ball games, a lot of dances and a lot of parties and that is his one regret, while he also regrets all of the time that he missed with his wife, noting that in this business, marriages often don’t last, but that he has been with her for over two decades and has had a lot of great tag team partners, but none of them as great as his wife.

Kane said that he has countless people to thank, but can’t thank everyone and wanted to thank those who made it possible for him to even come to the WWE including Jim Ross, Dutch Mantel, Jim Cornette and Jim Ross, apologizing to Jim Ross for setting him on fire all those years ago. Kane said that if it was not for the names you never hear behind the scenes, you would never know names like Kane and many others and thanked a number of people who drive, who make sure that the talents are where they need to be and such, including the camera operators to those working in the truck, those who yell at him from Gorilla and are probably doing so right now, to everyone else. HHH thanked those who have stepped inside the ring and said that it sounds corny and cheesy, but they put smiles on faces and everyone is better for it.

Kane thanked Paul Bearer and The Undertaker for being Kane’s family and said that his first match against The Undertaker was at Smoky Mountain Wrestling’s Superbowl of Wwrestling show, a building that the Knox County Mayor’s office looks out upon and noted that it was Unabomb, managed by Al Snow, facing off against The Undertaker, the first of many times that he was dropped on his head from a tombstone by The Undertaker. Kane said that when he first learned of the character, it was like being Scottie Pippen being invited to come work with Michael Jordan and noted that their storyline was the greatest story ever told in the history of the company, noting that they used to love pushing Paul Bearer’s buttons and done so once that it made him so mad that he did not talk to Kane for several weeks, while they once scared a trooper who found out that he had just pulled over The Brothers of Destruction.

Kane said that as a performer, he was always rushing to the next town, however nowadays, with a chance to reflect, he realized what a journey it has been and that none of it would have been successful if it was not for the fans, thanking the fans for the privilege and for making Kane one of the most memorable characters ever. Kane said that if a farm boy from Missouri with no gifts, except a good work ethic and stubborness can stumble through life and fail again and again, only to go on to be an internationally known entertainer and then entering the Knox County Mayor’s office and WWE Hall of Fame, if someone like him can do that, imagine what you yourself could do.