WWE Hall of Fame (2016) explained

WWE Hall of Fame (2016)
Caption:The 2016 WWE Hall of Fame set
Promotion:WWE
Date:April 2, 2016
Venue:American Airlines Center
City:Dallas, Texas
Event:WWE Hall of Fame
Lastevent2:2015
Nextevent2:2017

WWE Hall of Fame (2016) was the event which featured the introduction of the 17th class to the WWE Hall of Fame. The event was produced by WWE on April 2, 2016, from the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. The event took place the same weekend as WrestleMania 32.[1] The event aired live on the WWE Network, and was hosted by Jerry Lawler. A condensed one-hour version of the ceremony aired the following Thursday on USA Network, after SmackDown.[2]

Event

Due to the launch of the WWE Network shortly before WrestleMania XXX, this event featured the third ever "Red Carpet" event as a one-hour pre-show prior to the start of the event. The pre-show was hosted by Michael Cole and Maria Menounos.

The Godfather was inducted by his long-term friend whom he often traveled the road with, the members of The Acolytes Protection Agency, John "Bradshaw" Layfield and Ron Simmons.

Stan Hansen was inducted by his overseas partner and rival Vader.

Jacqueline was inducted by The Dudley Boyz (Bubba Ray Dudley and D-Von Dudley).

In 2016, WWE introduced a new category for the Hall of Fame called the "Legacy" wing. Inductees under this new category feature wrestlers from the early years of professional wrestling, primarily during the early part of the 20th century.[3] All inductees in 2016 are inducted posthumously and were recognized with a video package at the ceremony.[4] Those inducted in the 2016 legacy category were Mildred Burke, Frank Gotch, George Hackenschmidt, Ed "Strangler" Lewis, Pat O'Connor, Lou Thesz and "Sailor" Art Thomas.

The Fabulous Freebirds were the group inductee into the Hall of Fame. Representing them were Michael Hayes, Terry Gordy (represented by his son, Ray Gordy), Buddy Roberts (represented by his son Buddy Roberts Jr.), Jimmy Garvin. The Freebirds were inducted by The New Day members Big E, Kofi Kingston, and Xavier Woods. Following their induction Hayes sang their song Badstreet U.S.A.

Big Boss Man was inducted by Slick. Due to his death in 2004, his induction was accepted by his wife Angela and his daughters Lacy and Megan.

Snoop Dogg was inducted by John Cena. Snoop Dogg spoke about what it was like growing up a fan of professional wrestling, and gave what an honor it is to see his cousin Sasha Banks now wrestling for WWE.

Following The Ultimate Warrior's death in April 2014,[5] WWE introduced the Warrior Award, in 2015, for those who have "exhibited unwavering strength and perseverance, and who lives life with the courage and compassion that embodies the indomitable spirit of the Ultimate Warrior."[6] Joan Lunden became the second recipient of The Warrior Award. The Ultimate Warrior's wife Dana inducted Lunden and spoke of her recent return to the public eye and openly discussing her breast cancer diagnosis in addition to becoming a spokeswoman for Susan G. Komen.

Sting was the final inductee and was inducted by Ric Flair. Sting spoke about what a long journey it was to come to WWE, and how proud he was to finally be in WWE. Sting then announced that he wanted to retire in WWE and used the opportunity to officially announce his retirement.[7] Despite this, Sting later debuted in rival promotion All Elite Wrestling (AEW) in late 2020, coming out of retirement, and competed in his first match in over five years at AEW's Revolution pay-per-view on March 7, 2021.[8] [9]

Inductees

Individual

ImageRing name
(Birth Name)		Inducted byWWE recognized accolades
Sting[10]
Ric FlairSix-time WCW World Heavyweight Champion
Two-time WCW International World Heavyweight Champion
Two-time NWA World Heavyweight Champion
Two-time WCW United States Champion
Three-time WCW World Tag Team Champion		The Godfather[11] [12]
The Acolytes Protection Agency
(John "Bradshaw" Layfield and Ron Simmons)		One-time WWF Intercontinental Champion
One-time WWF Tag Team Champion[13]
Big Boss Man[14] [15]
SlickPosthumous inductee: represented by his widow Angela and his daughters Lacy and Megan
Four-time WWF Hardcore Champion
One-time WWF Tag Team Champion[16]
Jacqueline[17] [18]
The Dudley Boyz
(Bubba Ray Dudley and D-Von Dudley)		Two-time WWF Women's Champion and the first African American WWF Women's Champion
One-time WWE Cruiserweight Champion (the only woman to win the title in WWE)
The first African American woman to be inducted
One-time UWF Women's World Champion
14-time USWA Women's Champion
Stan Hansen[19] [20]
VaderOne-time AWA World Heavyweight Champion
One-time NWA United States Heavyweight Champion[21]

Legacy

ImageRing name
WWE recognized accolades
One-time and first NWA World Women's Champion for almost twenty years from 1930 to 1950
Two-time Women's World Champion
One-time World Heavyweight Wrestling Champion
Three-time American Heavyweight Champion

One-time European Greco-Roman Heavyweight Champion and first ever World Heavyweight Wrestling Champion

Four-time World Heavyweight Champion
One-time holder of the Boston version of the AWA World Heavyweight Championship
One-time NWA Florida Heavyweight Champion
One-time NWA World Heavyweight Champion
Three-time NWA Central States United States Heavyweight Champion
One-time (and inaugural) AWA World Heavyweight Champion
One-time AWA World Tag Team Champion

One-time holder of the Boston version of the AWA World Heavyweight Championship
Two-time World Heavyweight Wrestling Champion
Three-time NWA World Heavyweight Champion
Billed by WWE as "one of sports-entertainment's first African-American stars", a frequent challenger for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship

Notes and References

  1. Web site: WWE Hall of Fame Show Preview. 1 April 2016. 3 April 2018.
  2. Web site: How to watch the WWE Hall of Fame 2016 ceremony. 11 April 2018.
  3. Web site: Congratulations to the 2016 WWE Hall of Fame Legacy inductees. WWE. April 2, 2016. April 2, 2016. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20160421205400/http://www.wwe.com/shows/wwe-hall-fame/wwe-hall-fame-2016/article/legacy-inductees. April 21, 2016.
  4. Web site: Caldwell. James. 4/2 WWE Hall of Fame Report – Complete Live Coverage of Sting, Freebirds, more inducted, plus Red Carpet Report. PWTorch.com. April 2, 2016. April 3, 2016. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20160403055232/http://www.pwtorch.com/site/2016/04/02/2016hofreport/. April 3, 2016.
  5. Web site: Ultimate Warrior passes away . WWE . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20141109111045/http://www.wwe.com/inside/ultimate-warrior-passes-away-26223975 . November 9, 2014 .
  6. Web site: WWE fan Connor Michalek to receive first-ever Warrior Award at 2015 WWE Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. WWE. March 9, 2015. March 9, 2015. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20150311131925/http://www.wwe.com/classics/wwe-hall-of-fame/connor-michalek-warrior-award-2015-27168837. March 11, 2015.
  7. Web site: Sting announces his retirement during WWE Hall of Fame induction. Martin. Damon. April 3, 2016. Fox Sports. April 3, 2016. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20160410101232/http://www.foxsports.com/wwe/story/sting-announces-his-retirement-during-wwe-hall-of-fame-induction-040316. April 10, 2016.
  8. Web site: Sting Set To Compete At AEW Revolution, Teams With Darby Allin Against Team Taz. Fightful. Jeremy. Lambert. January 21, 2021. January 21, 2021.
  9. Web site: Powell. Jason. AEW Revolution results: Powell’s live review of Kenny Omega vs. Jon Moxley in an Exploding Barbed Wire Death Match for the AEW Championship, Young Bucks vs. Chris Jericho and MJF for the AEW Tag Titles, surprise debut, Face of the Revolution ladder match for a TNT Title shot. Pro Wrestling Dot Net. March 7, 2021. March 7, 2021.
  10. Web site: WWE's Sting on the Hall of Fame, Seth Rollins and life after wrestling. 1 April 2016. 3 April 2018.
  11. Web site: The Godfather Is The Latest Inductee To The WWE Hall Of Fame Class Of 2016. 22 February 2016. 3 April 2018.
  12. Web site: WWE adds 'The Godfather' to Hall of Fame class of 2016. 22 February 2016. 3 April 2018.
  13. Web site: The Godfather to be inducted into WWE Hall of Fame's Class of 2016. WWE. February 29, 2016. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20160225221822/http://www.wwe.com/shows/wwe-hall-fame/article/godfather-inducted-wwe-hall-fame-class-2016. February 25, 2016.
  14. Web site: Big Boss Man's greatest WWE rivalries: From Nailz to Hulk Hogan. 3 April 2018.
  15. Web site: Big Bossman to be inducted into WWE Hall of Fame. 7 March 2016. 3 April 2018.
  16. Web site: Pappolla. Ryan. Big Boss Man to be inducted into WWE Hall of Fame's Class of 2016. WWE. March 7, 2016. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20160308102029/http://www.wwe.com/shows/wwe-hall-fame/article/big-boss-man-inducted-wwe-hall-fame-class-2016 . March 8, 2016.
  17. Web site: Jacqueline joins WWE Hall of Fame class of 2016. 14 March 2016. 3 April 2018.
  18. Web site: Jacqueline Moore Added to WWE Hall of Fame - InvestorPlace. 14 March 2016. 3 April 2018.
  19. Web site: Stan 'The Lariat' Hansen joins WWE Hall of Fame class of 2016. 21 March 2016. 3 April 2018.
  20. Web site: Stan Hansen And His Bullrope To Be Inducted Into WWE Hall Of Fame With Class Of 2016. 21 March 2016. 3 April 2018.
  21. Web site: Melok. Bobby. Stan Hansen to be inducted into WWE Hall of Fame's Class of 2016. WWE. March 21, 2016. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20160323230657/http://www.wwe.com/shows/wwe-hall-fame/wwe-hall-fame-2016/article/stan-hansen-wwe-hall-fame-2016 . March 23, 2016.
  22. Web site: Fabulous Freebirds to Enter WWE Hall of Fame – Finally. 3 April 2018.
  23. Web site: The Fabulous Freebirds to Be Inducted in WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2016. 1 March 2016. 3 April 2018.
  24. Web site: Snoop Dogg Channeled Hulk Hogan And Ric Flair To Celebrate His WWE Hall Of Fame Induction. 1 April 2016. 3 April 2018.
  25. Web site: Melok. Bobby. Snoop Dogg to be Celebrity Inductee in WWE Hall of Fame's Class of 2016. WWE. March 28, 2016. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20160329122125/http://www.wwe.com/shows/wwe-hall-fame/wwe-hall-fame-2016/article/snoop-dogg-celebrity-inductee-wwe-hall-fame-2016 . March 29, 2016.
  26. Web site: Joan Lunden To Receive 'Warrior Award' From The WWE At Hall Of Fame Ceremony In Texas!. 28 March 2016. 3 April 2018.
  27. Web site: WrestleMania Fever Hits North Texas. 3 April 2018.
  28. Web site: Joan Lunden to receive 2016 Warrior Award at 2016 WWE Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. WWE. March 28, 2016. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20160331023829/http://www.wwe.com/shows/wwe-hall-fame/wwe-hall-fame-2016/article/joan-lunden-warrior-award-wwe-hall-fame-2016 . March 31, 2016.

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