Bad News Brown to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2026

WWE’s announcement read:

“Starting in the squared circle after winning the bronze medal in judo at the 1976 Olympics, Brown combined his grappling expertise with vicious brawling techniques he picked up on the mean streets of his hometown, Harlem, NY, to become one of sports-entertainment’s most feared competitors.

“After tearing through future WWE legends like Bret Hart at Stampede Wrestling in Calgary, Alberta, Bad News made his way to WWE in 1988. He made an instant impact, knocking out opponent after opponent with a devastating enzuigiri.

“Bad News preferred to keep to himself, making no friends. Even the most evil of WWE Superstars couldn’t warm up to Brown. At several Survivor Series events, the Harlem native opted to walk out on his team, rather than work as part of a unit.

“Brown demanded title opportunities, deriding the “beer-bellied sharecroppers” and “spineless cockroaches” he claimed were holding him back. Bad News went as far as to accuse then-WWE President Jack Tunney of colluding with stars like Hulk Hogan and “Macho Man” Randy Savage, putting his hands on the esteemed official when he denied the claims.

Bad News soon focused his attention on another unpredictable Superstar: “Rowdy” Roddy Piper. After The Hot Scot eliminated him from the 1990 Royal Rumble Match, Brown climbed back to the ring apron and forced Piper over the top rope and out of the fray, setting off a brawl no WWE official could halt.

“During summer 1990, WWE fans learned there was one thing that scared the hardened New Yorker: snakes. Jake Roberts surprised Bad News with a birthday gift of the reptilian variety, spooking the surly Superstar. Looking for a way to combat Roberts and his dangerous python, Damien, Brown went back to his roots, searching for the meanest, nastiest creature in Harlem. He had to go underground to find them, scrounging through subway tunnels to find the biggest sewer rats in The Big Apple.

“Though Bad News trained the rodents to feast on snakes, they couldn’t help him much in the ring against Roberts at SummerSlam 1990. After his defeat at the hands of “The Snake,” Bad News Brown disappeared from WWE.

“Brown passed away in 2007, but his legacy lives on as his fellow legends welcome him into the WWE Hall of Fame.

Sid Justice to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2026

From WWE.com:

Former WWE Champion “Sycho” Sid Eudy will be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame as a legacy inductee and a member of the Class of 2026.

A former two-time WWE Champion, Sid was one of the most imposing and terrifying competitors of his generation whose natural charisma popped off the screen every Monday night.

After a successful stint in WCW, Sid debuted as Sid Justice in WWE and served as the Special Guest Referee at SummerSlam 1991 where WWE Champion Hulk Hogan and The Ultimate Warrior teamed up against The Triangle of Terror in a 3-on-2 Handicap Match.

Later that same night, Sid saved Randy Savage and Miss Elizabeth from an attack at the evil hands of Jake Roberts and The Undertaker at the couple’s iconic newlywed reception.

After a few years away from WWE, Sid made his triumphant return to WWE as “Sycho Sid,” where he allied himself with Shawn Michaels and was in his corner at WrestleMania XI when The Heartbreak Kid challenged Diesel for the WWE Title.

That night would begin an iconic rivalry between the two with Sid winning the WWE Championship from The Showstopper at Survivor Series in 1996, joining the hallowed ranks of champions. After losing the title back to Michaels, Sid became a two-time champion by defeating Bret Hart on the Feb. 17, 1997 edition of Raw.

Established as one of the biggest and baddest wrestlers in the world, Sid returned to WCW in 1999 and immediately entered the main event scene, battling legends like Hulk Hogan, Sting, Goldberg, Booker T and many more.

An injury in 2001 threatened Sid’s career, but he refused to stay on the sidelines and returned to the independent wrestling scene with his return match even featuring current WWE Superstar Sami Zayn.

Sid passed away in 2024, but his influence is still seen in wrestling rings across the world.

Known as “The Master and Ruler of the World”, Sid’s reputation as one of the toughest and most visually captivating Superstars cemented his legacy in WWE, and he will now take his rightful place amongst his fellow legends in the WWE Hall of Fame.

NBA legend Dennis Rodman to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame

Dennis Rodman will be the fifth member of the 2026 WWE Hall of Fame class, Shams Charania reported on Friday morning.

Rodman, who was one of the NBA's most eccentric and imposing defensive figures during the Bulls' dynasty in the 1990s, became a key crossover component in World Championship Wrestling and the New World Order storyline during professional wrestling's heralded "Monday Night Wars."

Alongside the late Hollywood Hulk Hogan, Rodman joined the nWo faction in 1997, appearing several times that year and wresting in a tag-team match with Hogan against Lex Luger and The Giant at Bash at the Beach during the NBA's offseason.

Rodman's biggest — and most controversial — moment in WCW came the following year as he missed a practice while the Bulls were playing the Jazz in the 1998 NBA Finals, the last championship for the Jordan Era dynasty. Ultimately, the on-court rivalry manifested in the ring as Rodman and Hogan defeated Diamond Dallas Page and Karl Malone in a match at Bash at the Beach later that summer.

The final match of Rodman's WCW run came a year later as he took on Macho Man Randy Savage at the Road Wild event in August 1999.

Rodman's brief run in professional wrestling came during a time when the industry had truly broken into mainstream media and was referenced recently as NBA stars Tyrese Haliburton and Jalen Brunson brought their on-court rivalry into WWE programming in 2024.

Along with Rodman, this year's WWE Hall of Fame class includes Stephanie McMahon, A.J. Styles and the tag team Demolition. The ceremony will take place on Friday, April 17 in Las Vegas, a night before WrestleMania 42.

Rodman, a five-time NBA champion, was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2011. source: yahoo.com

Demolition to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2026

From WWE.com:

Demolition to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2026

One of the greatest tag teams of all-time will make history once again as Ax and Smash of Demolition enter the WWE Hall of Fame as members of the Class of 2026, as announced by The Undertaker.

Two words described the ultimate goal of Demolition — pain and destruction.

Clad in black leather and spikes, Ax and Smash steamrolled into WWE from Parts Unknown in the late 1980s and made it painfully clear that they were going to demolish any team that stood in their path.

The pair bulldozed through the tag team division and captured the World Tag Team Championship at WrestleMania IV, starting one of the most iconic title runs in history.

Ax and Smash dominated WWE as champions for the next 478 days, a record that stood for 28 years until it was surpassed by The New Day’s 484-day tenure in 2015-16.

Synonymous with tag team greatness, Ax and Smash now enter the Hall of Fame where their legacy will live forever.

AJ Styles receives WWE Hall of Fame induction news from The Undertaker

From WWE.com:

As announced by WWE Hall of Famer The Undertaker, AJ Styles will be inducted in the WWE Hall of Fame as a member of the Class of 2026.

Styles bid the WWE Universe farewell in his home state of Georgia when The Deadman arrived on the scene and delivered the special news to Styles in front of his family.

As a former two-time WWE Champion, Grand Slam Champion and an iconic list of rivalries that includes the likes of John Cena, Roman Reigns, The Undertaker, and more, Styles takes his rightful place among WWE legends.

Congratulations to AJ Styles on an incredible career and an amazing accomplishment!

Las Vegas Approves $6 Million Payment To WWE For WrestleMania 42

According to a report from LV Sports Biz, the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) is preparing to approve a $6 million payment to WWE in support of WrestleMania 42, which is set to take place next April. The approval is expected to be made official during the board’s upcoming meeting on Wednesday, November 12.

The report notes that LVCVA CEO Steve Hill is an enthusiastic supporter of WrestleMania and has often spoken about the significant economic and cultural impact the event brings to the city.

WWE will once again stage WrestleMania at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada, marking the first time since 1989 that the event has been held in the same city two years in a row. As part of WrestleMania weekend, WWE is also set to host several major events including SmackDown, NXT Stand & Deliver, and the Hall of Fame ceremony.

Originally, WrestleMania 42 was scheduled to take place at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana, on April 11 and 12, 2026. However, plans shifted, and the show will now take place at Allegiant Stadium on April 18 and 19, 2026. To compensate, New Orleans has been confirmed as the host city for the 2026 Money in the Bank Premium Live Event, scheduled for September 6.

The Undertaker Surprises Stephanie McMahon With 2026 WWE Hall of Fame Announcement At Wrestlepalooza

What a special night Wrestlepalooza turned out to be for Stephanie McMahon.

The former WWE Executive was in attendance at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse Saturday night, sitting ringside just before the main event match between WWE Champion Cody Rhodes and Drew McIntyre.

A hush had fallen over the arena after thousands of members of the WWE Universe witnessed AJ Lee win her first match in over a decade when she forced Becky Lynch to tap out to the Black Widow, but then the iconic gong of The Undertaker put the gassed crowd back on their feet.

The American Badass road down the ramp on his motorcycle, but stopped short of doing his usual circling of the entire wrestling ring. He spotted McMahon sitting in the front row, hopped off his bike and took a seat next to her. The crowd new something was up, they just didn't know what.

The Deadman then surprised everyone, Stephanie included, by announcing that she would be the first member of the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2026.

Hall of Fame announcements are typically withheld until WrestleMania season rolls around, so this was truly an unexpected announcement. Stephanie, overcome with emotion, gave her longtime friend a hug as the audience cheered on in approval.

This is the second straight year that The Undertaker has taken part in a surprise Hall of Fame announcement. It was just a few months ago when Taker, Shawn Michaels and WWE President Nick Khan informed Chief Content Officer Paul 'Triple H' Levesque that he would be headlining the class of 2025.

Next spring, presumably during WrestleMania weekend, Stephanie McMahon will receive her own Hall of Fame ring to match the one her husband wears.

Kevin Nash Defends Triple H’s Long WWE Hall of Fame Speech

“That was my whole thing (wanting to hear stories from Triple H). I think that — I mean, if Paul doesn’t go into the Hall of Fame that night, I’m not at WrestleMania. That was the reason I went. It wasn’t like Paul was stammering and I mean, it was just — he was gracious with the amount of people that he thanked. And there’s nobody that’s had that run. Nobody’s had that run. Nobody’s a 14-time world champion and the face of the company as creative-slash-face of the company. And nobody said — people are like, ‘I can’t believe that he’s so full of himself that he called it the Paul Levesque era.’ Paul never called it the Paul Levesque era. Other people made that statement, that it was now the Levesque era. That never came out of Paul’s mouth.”

credit Kliq This 411mania.com for the transcription.

Levesque Family

Arn Anderson On Triple H Mentioning Him In WWE Hall Of Fame Speech

On the latest episode of The ARN Show, Arn Anderson talked about Triple H mentioning him in his WWE Hall of Fame speech and more. You can check out some highlights below:

Arn Anderson on Triple H mentioning him in his WWE Hall of Fame speech: “Well when he first started, he came to WCW and Ric knew him through Gold’s Gym up north when Ric owned his Gold’s Gym. So that’s how he met him, and he was training to be a wrestler and just a gentleman. Perfect gentlement from the first time you meet him, just really a quality guy. And we took him under our wing, let him travel with us, and figured out pretty quick he’s a non-drinker, so he was the designated driver. Yes, that is absolutely correct. We were renting Cadillacs back then, so I’m sure that was okay with him.

“And for him to mention me in his Hall of Fame speech was very generous. Very nice things to say. And you know, his speech was long, but when you had the kind of career he’s had, that really doesn’t seem like a long time to recap all the things he’s done for the business. And I think we owe him a debt of gratitude.”

On Triple H as a person and professional: “Yeah, just the way he handles his business and the way he wants to learn every single thing he can from everybody that he talks to that he can learn from. So he’s dedicated to being smart and business-like. And besides his ability to work and the fact that he looked like a million dollars too, he’s the whole entire package. He’s a smart, well spoken — you name it, he’s got no flaws…

“He knows his business like — like you said, he’s always looked like a million dollars. He’s learned the business side of it. He’s a great worker. Everybody that works with him is better the next morning for having worked with him. He’s — no holes, no flaws, nothing missing. He’s the guy to have as a figurehead of your company, that’s for sure.”

credit The ARN Show 411mania.com

Triple H: Chyna Is Definitely Going Into The WWE Hall Of Fame

Chyna is in the WWE Hall of Fame as a member of D-Generation X, but her contributions to wrestling went beyond the group as she is a former WWE Women's Champion and WWE Intercontinental Champion, breaking barriers by regularly wrestling men during the Attitude Era.

At the WrestleMania 41 press conference, Bill Apter of Sportskeeda asked Triple H if Chyna could possibly go into the WWE Hall of Fame as early as next year.

"I don’t know about next year, but it’s definitely happening. There are a lot people, when you say ‘Hall of Fame,’ there are a lot of people that should be in the Hall of Fame and will be in the Hall of Fame. You just can’t put them all in at once. As far as Chyna, her contributions to the business alone. I can see it in all these women when they get in there. We’re at the age, unfortunately, where they all grew up idolizing her. I see it in their work, their gear, in what they think works and doesn’t. It all stems from that. She is in the Hall of Fame with DX, but she will be in the Hall of Fame by herself when the time is right, for sure," he said.

Sadly, Chyna passed away in 2016.

Bret Hart & Stone Cold Steve Austin to receive inaugural WWE Immortal Moment Award at the 2025 WWE Hall of Fame

WWE announced that WWE Hall of Famers Bret “The Hitman” Hart and “Stone Cold” Steve Austin will receive the inaugural “WWE Immortal Moment” award in-person at the 2025 WWE Hall of Fame Ceremony on Friday, April 18th at Fontainebleau Las Vegas.

The first-of-its-kind recognition pays homage to their seminal moment at WrestleMania® 13 in 1997 at the Rosemont Horizon in Chicago, where Austin became an unlikely hero thanks to a gutsy, albeit losing, effort against Hart in a “Submission Match” that featured Ken Shamrock as a special guest referee.

Leveraging Fontainebleau Las Vegas’ state-of-the-art, 90,000 square-foot BleauLive Theater, the 2025 Hall of Fame Ceremony will give the WWE Universe an unforgettable experience, headlined by 2025 WWE Hall of Fame inductees WWE Chief Content Officer Paul ‘Triple H’ Levesque, Michelle McCool, Lex Luger, Typhoon and Earthquake of The Natural Disasters, and other inductees to be announced in the coming weeks.

The Undertaker Pushes Back On Criticism Of Triple H Going Into WWE Hall Of Fame

On the latest episode of Six Feet Under, The Undertaker talked about Triple H going into the Hall of Fame, criticism of the move and more. You can check out some highlights below:

On Triple H going into the Hall of Fame: “Regardless of what people think, he is not going to put himself in the Hall of Fame. And if there’s anybody that is up there that deserves to be in the Hall of Fame — now I know he’s there in DX, but that’s completely different, right? But his resume speaks for itself. Anybody that understands anything about wrestling, he’s a first ballot Hall of Fame guy, but he is not going to put himself in there. And it’s just — there’s just certain people, it’s not a Hall of Fame if they’re not in it. And it has to be done. It has to, it had to be done.”

On backlash to Triple H going in: “And you know, all the jagoffs that have nothing to do but to get on social media sites and — you know, what? Screw them. It had to be done.”

credit Six Feet Under 411mania.com

WWE Hall Of Fame Icon Package Includes Meeting Triple H And Lex Luger For $8500

WWE has revealed the ticket packages for the 2025 Hall of Fame ceremony, including exclusive tiers featuring private meet and greets with Triple H and Lex Luger – but at an eye-watering cost.

The ticket details were posted via On Location, an event management company based in Raleigh, North Carolina. The lowest tier, the “Ultimate” package, is priced at $2,500 per person and includes premium balcony and lounge seating, all-inclusive beverages with dedicated servers, a priority pass entrance, and on-site support staff.

For those looking for a more exclusive experience, WWE is offering two higher tiers, the “Icon” and “Legend” packages, both of which include Hall of Fame stage access, upgraded seating, and a private meet and greet with the company’s Chief Content Officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque and Lex Luger, both of whom are to be inducted into the prestigious Hall of Fame at the event. Fans purchasing these premium packages will also receive a professional photo opportunity with both stars. However, these experiences come with a steep price tag. The “Icon” package starts at $8,500 per person, while the top-tier “Legend” package is priced at an astonishing $9,950 per person.

The 2025 Hall of Fame ceremony is scheduled to take place on 18 April at the Fontainebleau Las Vegas, where the promotion will honour its latest class of inductees. The full lineup of honourees has yet to be confirmed, but currently announced to be inducted are Triple H, Lex Luger, and Michelle McCool.

Lex Luger will be inducted into the 2025 WWEHOF

Triple H Receives Certificate From Connecticut State Assembly

WWE Chief Creative Officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque received an official citation from the Connecticut State Assembly, recognizing his recently announced WWE Hall of Fame induction.

Triple H wrote, “An honor to receive…Thank you to all in the Connecticut State Assembly for the recognition and the excitement around this year’s #WrestleMania.”

The WWE executive and former champion will be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2025 later this April during WrestleMania Week.

Michelle McCool will be inducted into the 2025 WWEHOF

Jim Ross Responds To Critics Of Triple H’s WWE Hall Of Fame Induction

WWE recently announced that Triple H will be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2025. WWE Hall of Famer and current AEW commentator Jim Ross has shared his thoughts on the upcoming induction, which was met with plenty of criticism.

While speaking on his Grilling JR podcast, Jim Ross congratulated Triple H and made it clear that he believed that he deserved the honor.

“Congratulations to Triple H for being inducted or going to be inducted soon,” he said. “Certainly… You know, anybody that says, ‘Well, he’s not deserving. The only reason he’s in is because of who he married.’ Is such bullsh*t. It’s weak. If you’re saying that stop. And stop embarrassing yourself.

“He was the top heel in the hottest era, one of the hottest eras of WWE, and now he’s the quarterback, the head coach of that same team that’s setting records. Give me a break. You know. Stop it. You’re embarrassing yourself by showing your ignorance. Don’t do that.”

JR also shared that he texted Triple H, and he heard back, as Triple H didn’t forget those who helped him.

“And so, I’m happy for him. I sent him a text the other day congratulating him. And believe it or not, it was the day after the Rumble, he texted me right back. So, he’s… He doesn’t forget those that have helped him along the way and those that he respects. And he’s doing a great job there,” Jim Ross said. 

Triple H Discusses His Reaction To Upcoming WWE Hall Of Fame Induction

This year's WrestleMania weekend will once again see the WWE Hall of Fame take place, which will be headlined by WWE CCO Paul "Triple H" Levesque. At the Royal Rumble Post-Show press conference, Triple H commented on his upcoming Hall of Fame induction.

"Nick [Khan] and I talked about the Hall of Fame many times, and he would always bring up the fact that, 'When are we are gonna put you in?' And I would say, 'Not now because no matter how I do it, it looks like I'm putting myself in the Hall of Fame,'" Triple H remarked. "He would say, 'Well, we have to do it eventually,' and I would say, 'Okay, well if we have to do it eventually, let's wait 3, 4, 5 years and then we'll talk about it.'"

At the company's town hall meeting last week, Shawn Michaels and The Undertaker made surprise appearances to give Triple H his Hall of Fame news. When Triple H noticed Khan walk aside, he got the impression that something involving him was happening. Soon to be a two-time Hall of Famer, Triple H's first induction came in 2019 as part of D-Generation X. 

"We did it with DX, it was a lot of fun. It's different when it's you, and while I've been a part of all of these and I've seen some talent see it as the biggest honor, I've seen other talent be like, 'Eh, whatever,'" Triple H continued. "Because of our passion for what we do, it hit me way harder than I thought it would. It's one of the most meaningful things in my career, and to have it come from Shawn and have it come from 'Taker ... [Khan] doing that for me was incredibly meaningful."

credit: "Royal Rumble Post-Show" with a H/T to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription

Paul Levesque To Headline WWE Hall Of Fame Class Of 2025

Insider reports that WWE Chief Content Officer Paul Levesque, aka Triple H, will headline the 2025 WWE Hall of Fame class. Despite his position of being in charge of the promotion, Levesque was said to be caught off guard by the decision, which was revealed to him today in a meeting by his wife, Stephanie McMahon, and fellow Hall of Famers Undertaker and Shawn Michaels.

Levesque has largely sat atop the WWE pyramid since the initial retirement of his father-in-law, Vince McMahon, in 2022, and has been credited for revitalizing WWE under his direction. However, his Hall of Fame induction has less to do with his executive career and more with his in-ring accolades. 

Levesque first gained notoriety in WCW from 1993 to 1994, before joining WWE and assuming his Triple H moniker. When he ended his in-ring career in 2022, he had wracked up 14 World Title reigns, as well as runs with the WWE Intercontinental, European, and Tag Team Championships. He also won the 1997 King of the Ring, the 2002 and 2016 Royal Rumbles, and along with Michaels was a founding member of the popular stable, D-Generation X.