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2015 WWE Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony: Highlights and observations from the program

2015 WWE Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony: Highlights and observations from the program

Posted: Apr 2nd 2015 By: Vaughn Johnson

One of the annual traditions of WrestleMania weekend took place at the SAP Center in San Jose, Calif. Saturday night when the WWE inducted 10 new members into its Hall of Fame.

As usual, the night was full of great stories and memories. But this year was also filled with a number of emotional and touching moments that would have made even the toughest of grapplers shed a tear.

Without further adieu, here are my highlights and observations from the 2015 WWE Hall of Fame induction Ceremony:

- Rikishi was the first to be honored as his two sons, Jimmy and Jey Uso, inducted him with a humorous speech about their father. Rikishi took the stage and paid homage to every member of the famous Anoa?i family that has participated in the professional wrestling industry.

Almost everyone Rikishi mentioned was cheered, with the exception of Roman Reigns, who will be challenging Brock Lesnar for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship Sunday night. Reigns drew the ire fans on multiple occasions throughout the night, as they jeered him every time he popped up on the titantron. Rikishi?s speech was heartfelt, concise and fun.

- Up next was the Living Legend Larry Zbyszko, who was inducted by his hero and mentor Bruno Sammartino. Sammartino told the story of the first couple of times he met a young Zbyszko in Pittsburgh and how he begged to be taught how to become a wrestler. Eventually, Zbyszko pestered Sammartino enough that he finally obliged.

When Zbyszko came out to give his acceptance speech, he corroborated Sammartino?s story, but went into even greater details about his idolization of the longest-reigning WWE Champion of all time. Zbyszko focused his speech on how much he looked up to Sammartino as a fan and is now standing by his side in the WWE Hall of Fame.

Zbyszko, who did not prepare a speech, came across with genuine emotion, routinely stopping himself so that he would not get too emotional.

- Alundra Blayze came up next and provided arguably the most entertaining speech of the night. Blayze touched on a number of subjects, but none bigger than the time she dropped the WWE Women?s Championship on Monday Night Nitro almost 20 years ago.

Blayze had a trashcan brought on to the stage and began pulling out various items, a pair of bra and panties, saying that she hated when the WWE began doing them. She also pulled out a bottle of Jim Ross? famous barbeque sauce. She eventually pulled out the exact title she dropped into a trashcan. She then put it on her shoulder and said that the title belt was back where it belonged and that was the WWE.

Aside from that recreation of history, Blayze thanked a number of people, but none more important than her husband, who has served in the U.S. Army for 30 years and made it back home in time to see her get inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. Before tonight, Blayze hadn?t seen her husband in almost a year.

Blayze also let loose with language a couple of times as well. She didn?t hold back from using a couple of four-or-five-letter words during her acceptance speech.

- The mood took a more heavy tone after Blayze?s speech, as it was now time to give the late Connor Michalek the first-ever Warrior Award. Presenting the Warrior Award was the wife of the late Ultimate Warrior, Dana Warrior.

Warrior gave an emotional speech about her husband, their two daughters and all of the support she?s received from the WWE and the fans during the past year. She then acknowledged the courage Connor Michalek showed in the face of insurmountable odds.

Warrior then gave way to Daniel Bryan, who was Connor Michalek?s favorite wrestler. Bryan gave a heartwarming speech about Connor Michalek?s quick wit and passion for professional wrestling.

In the end, Connor Michalek?s father Steve accepted the award on behalf of his son and thanked the WWE and their fans for all of their support. He ended his speech by bringing out Connor Michalek?s little brother, who told his older brother that he loved him.

- In an effort to lift everyone?s spirits, The Bushwackers were next in line to receive Hall of Fame honors. John Laurinaitis, who had been their flag bearer during the early stages of his career, inducted them. Laurinaitis? speech was short and to the point, which gave way to Luke and Butch.

The Bushwackers came from behind the curtain with their patented march and proceeded to tell a number of entertaining stories. They were just fantastic together. Eventually, they thanked a number of people, but in particular, they thanked Roddy Piper, Ted DiBiase and Bret Hart, who did The Bushwackers? trot up to the stage.

- As entertaining as those speeches were, they took up a lot of time, which forced the rest of the program to go at a bit of a quicker pace. Ric Flair inducted Tatsumi Fujinami and proclaimed him as the greatest Japanese wrestler he?s ever seen. Fujinami does not know a ton of English, which made his acceptance speech very short.

- Next up was Randy Savage. Although the fans sort of balked at the fact that Savage wasn?t closing the program, once Hulk Hogan and talked glowingly about Savage, the fans didn?t voice their displeasures all that much. Once of the main points that Hogan expressed during his induction speech was that Savage?s intensity and attention to detail helped make everyone he ever worked with better. Hogan said that Savage always brought the absolute best out of him.

This set up Savage?s brother Lanny Poffo to accept the induction on behalf of his late brother. As expected, Poffo had a number of poems ready to pay tribute to his big brother. He did not disappoint.

- Up next was box office sensation and former California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. Triple H inducted Schwarzenegger and used a bunch of his famous movie catchphrases to do so. Schwarzenegger was generally well received from the fans in San Jose, as he told numerous stories about how much of a fan of wrestling he really was. Every time Schwarzenegger?s time as governor of California was mentioned, it was met by a chorus of boos.

- Last but certainly not least was Kevin Nash, who was inducted by Shawn Michaels. Michaels told the story of how he discovered Nash while he was Vinnie Vegas in World Championship Wrestling and told Rick Steiner that he was looking at Nash to be his bodyguard on television. Steiner relayed the message to Nash, which brought him up to the WWE.

Nash then came out and provided an entertaining end to a long, but fun afternoon at the WWE Hall of Fame.

 

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Spotlight in History

  • 1978 Jose Lothario def. Assassin 1 for the TSW Louisiana Title
  • 1985 The Von Erichs (Kerry Von Erich & Kevin Von Erich) def. The Dynamic Duo (Gino Hernandez & Chris Adams) for the WCCW American Tag Team Titles
  • 2008 Michael Barry def. Angel Williams for the IZW Heavyweight Title
  • 2008 New Canada (The Canadian Red Devil & The Canadian Luchadore) became the ComPro Tag Team Champions
  • 2008 The Gentlemen Thugs (Cast-Iron Cothern & Shane Morbid) def. New Canada (The Canadian Red Devil & The Canadian Luchadore) for the ComPro Tag Team Titles
  • 2009 Jermaine Johnson def. Ky-ote Joe for the MSWA Oklahoma Title
  • 2013 Mike Foxx def. Tim Storm for the NWA-TXO Heavyweight Title
  • 2013 Genesis (Carrion Arcane & Kristopher Haiden) def. The Rock Star Mafia (Dane Griffin & Armani) for the NWA-TXO Tag Team Titles
  • 2013 The Rock Star Mafia (Dane Griffin & Armani) def. Genesis (Carrion Arcane & Kristopher Haiden) for the NWA-TXO Tag Team Titles
  • 2014 Kevin Morgan & became the IZW Tag Team Champions
  • 2014 Jordan Jacobs def. Drake Gallows for the IZW Impact Division Title
  • 2014 Claudia def. Bree Ann for the NWA-TXO Rose Title
  • 2014 The Brotherhood (Kyng Benjamin & Akuma Jones) def. A. C. Slaughter (Aaron Anders & Clint Cassidy) for the UWE Tag Team Titles
  • 2014 Fuel def. Tim Rockwell for the UWE Heavyweight Title
  • 2025 Gideon Vane became the EPW International Champion
  • 2025 Miles Bane became the NAW Openweight Champion

Week of Sun 09-20 to Sat: 09-26

  • 09-20 1978 Jose Lothario def. Assassin 1 for the TSW Louisiana Title
  • 09-20 1985 The Von Erichs (Kerry Von Erich & Kevin Von Erich) def. The Dynamic Duo (Gino Hernandez & Chris Adams) for the WCCW American Tag Team Titles
  • 09-20 2008 Michael Barry def. Angel Williams for the IZW Heavyweight Title
  • 09-20 2008 New Canada (The Canadian Red Devil & The Canadian Luchadore) became the ComPro Tag Team Champions
  • 09-20 2008 The Gentlemen Thugs (Cast-Iron Cothern & Shane Morbid) def. New Canada (The Canadian Red Devil & The Canadian Luchadore) for the ComPro Tag Team Titles
  • 09-20 2009 Jermaine Johnson def. Ky-ote Joe for the MSWA Oklahoma Title
  • 09-20 2013 Mike Foxx def. Tim Storm for the NWA-TXO Heavyweight Title
  • 09-20 2013 Genesis (Carrion Arcane & Kristopher Haiden) def. The Rock Star Mafia (Dane Griffin & Armani) for the NWA-TXO Tag Team Titles
  • 09-20 2013 The Rock Star Mafia (Dane Griffin & Armani) def. Genesis (Carrion Arcane & Kristopher Haiden) for the NWA-TXO Tag Team Titles
  • 09-20 2014 Kevin Morgan & became the IZW Tag Team Champions
  • 09-20 2014 Jordan Jacobs def. Drake Gallows for the IZW Impact Division Title
  • 09-20 2014 Claudia def. Bree Ann for the NWA-TXO Rose Title
  • 09-20 2014 The Brotherhood (Kyng Benjamin & Akuma Jones) def. A. C. Slaughter (Aaron Anders & Clint Cassidy) for the UWE Tag Team Titles
  • 09-20 2014 Fuel def. Tim Rockwell for the UWE Heavyweight Title
  • 09-20 2025 Gideon Vane became the EPW International Champion
  • 09-20 2025 Miles Bane became the NAW Openweight Champion
  • 09-21 1954 Johnny Valentine def. Joe Christie for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 09-21 2002 Shadow of Death def. Terry Montana for the OCW Oklahoma Hardcore Title
  • 09-21 2012 Tim Storm became the NWA-TXO Heavyweight Champion
  • 09-21 2012 Kyra Maya became the NWA-TXO Rose Champion
  • 09-21 2013 Nasty Swag (Robert Lee & Ace Archuleta) became the UWE Tag Team Champions
  • 09-21 2019 Slice & Kill (Skylar Slice & Killista) def. The Proclamation (Ethan Cole & Reed) for the UWE Tag Team Titles
  • 09-21 2024 Brandon Warhawk def. Seth Daniels for the UWE Apex Title
  • 09-21 2024 Fuel def. Killbane for the UWE Heavyweight Title
  • 09-21 2024 Party Bird Crew (Smitty & Birdman) def. Black Flag Rising (Anarchy [2nd] & Faded Ghoul) for the UWE Tag Team Titles
  • 09-21 2024 Super Crash Brothers (Badger James & Trench Blythe) def. Party Bird Crew (Smitty & Birdman) for the UWE Tag Team Titles
  • 09-22 1971 Bill Watts def. Dusty Rhodes for the TSW North American Title
  • 09-22 2001 Jenna Love became the OPW Oklahoma Womens Champion
  • 09-22 2001 Justin Lee def. Dexter Hardaway for the OPW Oklahoma Light Heavyweight Title
  • 09-22 2012 Crossfire Morrison def. Drake Gallows for the SWCW Hardcore Title
  • 09-22 2012 Kareem Sadat def. Crossfire Morrison for the SWCW Hardcore Title
  • 09-22 2023 Tommy Prince became the TexPro Dynasty Champion
  • 09-22 2023 Nashoba became the MajCW 24/7 On Call Champion
  • 09-22 2023 Skidz def. Nashoba for the MajCW 24/7 On Call Title
  • 09-22 2023 Oscar Amazing def. Skidz for the MajCW 24/7 On Call Title
  • 09-23 1974 Tex McKenzie & Johnny Valentine def. The Blackjacks (Blackjack Mulligan & Blackjack Lanza) for the WCCW American Tag Team Titles
  • 09-23 1975 Jose Lothario def. Billy Graham for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 09-23 2000 Grenade def. Ichiban [2nd] for the OPW Oklahoma Light Heavyweight Title
  • 09-23 2016 Xavior became the MSWA Mid-South Cruiserweight Champion
  • 09-23 2016 Nikki Knight def. Skylar Slice for the MSWA Ladies Title
  • 09-23 2016 Psycho Mike def. Brock Landers for the MSWA Oklahoma Title
  • 09-23 2017 Kikutaro def. Ryan Davidson for the ComPro Oklahoma X Division Title
  • 09-23 2017 Dusty Gold def. Randy Price for the IZW Impact Division Title
  • 09-23 2017 Erica def. Paige Turner for the IZW Womens Title
  • 09-23 2017 Double D def. Kevin Morgan for the IZW Heavyweight Title
  • 09-23 2017 Drake Gallows def. Sam Stackhouse for the BCW Buzzsaw Title
  • 09-23 2017 Xavior def. C. J. Ward for the MSWA Mid-South Heavyweight Title
  • 09-23 2017 The Omega (O’Brien & O’Malley) def. The Cursed (Blade [2nd] & Kuda) for the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Titles
  • 09-23 2023 Skidz def. Oscar Amazing for the MajCW 24/7 On Call Title
  • 09-23 2023 Koko def. Dan Webber for the UWE Heavyweight Title
  • 09-23 2023 Sweetness (Cappuccino Jones & Romeo Reese) def. Southern Aristocracy (Eddie LeVaughn & Anthony Wild) for the UWE Tag Team Titles
  • 09-23 2023 Killbane def. Leo Fox for the UWE Apex Title
  • 09-24 2002 The Professionals (John Zorthos & Julian Wolfenbarger) became the ACW Tag Team Champions
  • 09-24 2016 Ricky Starks def. Ky-Ote for the IWR Revolutionary Title
  • 09-24 2022 London Calling (Dutch Hagen & Richie Adams) def. Toxic Masculinity (Johnny Lightning & Johnny Dynamite) for the WFC Tag Team Titles
  • 09-24 2022 Martin Justice def. Tyler Watts for the EPW International Title
  • 09-24 2022 Logan Knight def. Kareem Sadat for the EPW All-American Title
  • 09-24 2022 Olivier Vegos def. Danni Bee for the NCWO Women's Title
  • 09-25 1965 Don Kent def. Red McKim for the TSW Missouri Junior Heavyweight Title
  • 09-25 1981 The Great Kabuki def. Kerry Von Erich for the WCCW American Heavyweight Title
  • 09-25 1999 Big Daddy Moore def. Rocco Valentino for the OPW Oklahoma Heavyweight Title
  • 09-25 1999 The Casualties of War (Malice & Shrapnel) def. Red Eagle & Night Hawk for the OPW Oklahoma Tag Team Titles
  • 09-25 1999 Kid Flash def. Tarantula for the OPW Oklahoma Light Heavyweight Title
  • 09-25 2004 Michael Barry def. Brandon Groom for the NWA-OK Oklahoma Heavyweight Title
  • 09-25 2010 Wage def. Bernie D for the IZW Impact Division Title
  • 09-26 1978 Terry Latham & Ricky Fields def. Seigfried Stanke & Kurt Von Hess for the TSW Louisiana Tag Team Titles
  • 09-26 1984 Adrian Street def. Terry Taylor for the MSW Television Title
  • 09-26 2004 John O'Malley def. Mr. Brown for the ACW Hardcore Title
  • 09-26 2009 Jeremy Quinn III became the ACW Heavyweight Champion
  • 09-26 2014 Paul Puertorico def. Matt Majestic for the SRPW United States Title
  • 09-26 2020 Brian Dixon def. Ethan Cole for the BPW Lion Heart Title
  • 09-26 2020 The Ritual (Samedi & Shadow Gemini) became the BPW Oklahoma Tag Team Champions
  • 09-26 2025 Riley Grinn def. Tommy Dean for the BUW No Pressure Title
09-20
  • Justin Lee Sep 20th Today!
  • Pepper Martin Sep 20th Today!
  • Joey Stixx Sep 20th Today!
  • Boz Sep 20th Today!
  • Ethan Page Sep 20th Today!
  • Greg Valentine Sep 20th Today!
  • Randy Rhodes Sep 20th Today!
  • Bishop Simon Sep 20th Today!
  • Chuck Singer Sep 20th Today!
  • Jack Brisco Sep 21st
  • Connor Jones Sep 21st
  • Ricky Morton Sep 21st
  • Harley D Sep 22nd
  • Mike Chacoma Sep 22nd
  • Red River Brawler Sep 22nd
  • Satine Sep 22nd
  • Doug Somers Sep 22nd
  • Cole Crittenden Sep 23rd
  • Rocco Valentino Sep 23rd
  • O'Malley Sep 23rd
  • Clayton Bloodstone Sep 24th
  • Connor Crunk Sep 24th
  • John J. Bishop Sep 24th
  • Jason Bruce Sep 24th
  • Kai Fayden Sep 24th
  • Joe Jones Sep 24th
  • Len Rossi Sep 24th
  • Jimmy Garvin Sep 25th
  • Chief Mike Sep 25th
  • Toots Estes Sep 25th
  • Angel [2nd] Sep 25th
  • Jhamil O$Neal Sep 26th
  • Ka$haNova Sep 26th
  • BB Sep 26th
  • Kendo Nagasaki Sep 26th
  • Clifton Clinstock Sep 26th
  • Chris Matthews Sep 26th
  • Lone Eagle Sep 26th
  • Ben Miller Sep 27th
  • Tyler Cordingley Sep 27th
  • Alec Bisogno Sep 27th
  • Angel Camacho Sep 27th
  • Scott Lee Sep 28th
  • Trey Count Sep 28th
  • Billy Ray [2nd] Sep 28th
  • Kamille Sep 28th
  • Tommy Prince Sep 28th
  • Rip Tyler Sep 28th
  • Ann Casey Sep 29th
  • Bang Bang Bennett Sep 29th
  • Skandar Akbar Sep 29th
  • David Sammartino Sep 29th
  • Kidd Riggs Sep 30th
  • Seth Coburn Sep 30th
  • Lady Starwind Sep 30th
  • Raymon Downey Sep 30th
  • Marlboro Slim Sep 30th
  • Fred Urban Sep 30th
  • Hector Guerrero Oct 1st
  • Abilene Maverick Oct 2nd
  • Waldo Von Erich Oct 2nd
  • Mike Foxx Oct 2nd
  • James Southard Oct 2nd
  • Abilene Maverick Oct 2nd
  • Cold Blooded Chris Oct 2nd
  • Funnybone Oct 2nd
  • Don Fargo Oct 3rd
  • Crystal White Oct 3rd
  • Johnny TV Oct 3rd

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