"2008 WWE Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony" Talkback (Spoilers)

[The Penguin]

The Hall of Fame ceremony is tonight which means we are less than a day away from WrestleMania XXIV! You can watch the first part on WWE.com right now with the final hour airing on USA at 11 p.m. ET, scheduled for that time are the inductions of Ric Flair, Rocky Johnson and Peter Maivia.


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Be a part of the 2008 WWE Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
Written: March 28, 2008

The WWE Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony is an elegant, emotional, star-studded event that recognizes the in-ring achievements of the inductees and offers historical insights into this century-old sports-entertainment attraction. And WWE.com will bring it to you LIVE Saturday night, starting at approximately 7:30 p.m. ET/4:30 p.m. PT. The last hour of the ceremony will air on USA Network Saturday night, at 11 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT.

Past WWE Hall of Fame Inductees have included Hulk Hogan, Gov. Jesse Ventura, Andre the Giant, Jerry "The King" Lawler, Bret "Hit Man" Hart, Jim Ross, Sgt. Slaughter, The Fabulous Moolah and "The Mouth of the South" Jimmy Hart.

This year, Ric Flair, Rocky Johnson, High Chief Peter Maivia and more sports-entertainment legends to be announced over the coming weeks will be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. To find out the names of the 2008 inductees as they are announced, please continue to visit WWE.com or watch your favorite WWE television programming.

[VCXZX]

The Rock just completely owned Cena with his diss of "The Marine". I know it was meant in jest and all (since he mentioned Doom) but it was very good to see Cena get served by one of the very best after those snide comments he made a few months ago.

Rock did a magnificent job with the induction of his father/grandfather. And based on his opening monolague of sorts, the WWE hasn't been the same since he became a full-time actor. its like he never left.

Its a shame we have to wait till the Mania DVD for the complete Flair speech. From what I read, it sounded very amazing, and too bad they were pressed for time because it would've been a classic. I could've done without the smooching of HHH and HBK.

So next year in Houston, I predict Steve Austin, the Funks and Von erichs to be inducted to the HOF.

[email2003]

WrestleMania is coming to back Houston!? WTF!? When was this!? How come I didn't here about this!?:eek:

Also, damn, I forgot the HOF was on tonight. I was busy playing Super Smash Bros. Brawl and I forgot.

[Temple Fugate]

This was great. I was hanging out with a friend and I didn't even know it was happening tonight, but I had to watch, for Rick Flair especially. His speech was amazing.

I'd like to watch Wrestlemania. The last one I saw was XX. Unfortunately my friend and I would have to split the hefty bill only two ways, and neither of us can afford it.

[ShadowGUN]

LOL at The Rock commenting about the WWE using The Marine as torture in Iraq. That was priceless. I also love when he interacted with Mick Foley(Mr. Socko had a tuxedo) and Santino("It doesn't matter what your name is"). Rocky Johnson and Ric Flair speeches where pretty touching.

[Cortez2301]

Can anyone tell me who inducted the hall of famers this year?

[Djm912]

Rock inducted his father and grandfather.
JBL inducted the Briscos.
Pat Patterson inducted Mae Young.
HHH inducted Ric Flair.

Regarding the Hall of Fame Ceremony, I really enjoyed it and Flair's speech had me nearly in tears myself, but one thing......

I'm so annoyed by hearing people in the crowd and seeing people online always make sure they get their little shots in on Cena, HHH, and Shawn.

Shut up for one night. It's not about them, it's not about you, it's about the Hall of Fame, and this is coming from someone who despises HHH....passionately. Shut up for one night.

No wonder people in the business always look down on fans.

[Cortez2301]

Rock inducted his father and grandfather.
JBL inducted the Briscos.
Pat Patterson inducted Mae Young.
HHH inducted Ric Flair.
Thanks for that man.

[PTurkey]

Also, JR inducted Gordon Solie (represented by his 5 children. 2 of his sons made speeches)
Dusty Rhodes inducted Eddie Graham (represented by his son, Mike Graham)

I caught most of the WWE.com stream of this, as well as the televised part. I knew nothing about Eddie Graham, but his son made a fantastic speech. He broke out a photo of the very first NWA convention with people from around the world. I thought this induction would be one I'd tune out, but Dusty Rhodes and Mike Graham kept me glued to it.

Pat Patterson's stories about Mae Young were hilarious.

Supposedly, The Rock was on stage for a whole hour, so a lot of stuff was cut for broadcast. I wouldn't mind seeing an uncut version of that.

There was this one idiot in the crowd who kept yelling out "HOGAN" during Mike Graham's speech. I wanted to punch that guy in the throat so hard. It almost makes me wish WWE closed the ceremony to the public, just because of some disrespectful fans.

[SirLemming]

I'm getting mixed messages here: was the USA version a live broadcast of the final hour, or a pieced-together hour showcasing highlights from the ceremony?

If it was the latter, then I have to wonder why they included only 3 inductions, 2 of which were The Rock's family members. Plus recaps and relatively unnecessary speeches about wrestling in general, which could have been cut to make room for Mae Young and someone else.

[hobbyfan]

Rock inducted his father and grandfather.
JBL inducted the Briscos.
Pat Patterson inducted Mae Young.
HHH inducted Ric Flair.

Regarding the Hall of Fame Ceremony, I really enjoyed it and Flair's speech had me nearly in tears myself, but one thing......

I'm so annoyed by hearing people in the crowd and seeing people online always make sure they get their little shots in on Cena, HHH, and Shawn.

Shut up for one night. It's not about them, it's not about you, it's about the Hall of Fame, and this is coming from someone who despises HHH....passionately. Shut up for one night.

No wonder people in the business always look down on fans.

You forget that JR inducted Gordon Solie.

There's always going to be a section of the fanbase that will make fools of themselves to get themselves over at the expense of the talent. I thought Cena stated a pretty strong case hmself when he told the audience that what the fans felt about him on this night wasn't relevant, but that the Hall of Fame was. Amen!

[hobbyfan]

As per usual, the induction special was same-day tape. In fact, it was still going on live when they went on the air at 11(ET).

Rock took up the first 1/2-hr.+ for his dad & grandfather. The monologue was just flat hysterical. I was ROTFLMAO!!!! Vintage Rock. Cena's reaction to the "Marine" joke was priceless. Stephiekins was blushing. Now the whole world knows for sure who her babydaddy is. Santino got pwned. That mohawk has to go, son.

Very funny, too, seeing Coach sitting behind Snitsky and in front of Duggan. Talk about a bad seating arrangement! Could've been worse. Coach could've been forced to work a Knicks game if they were playing (also works for MSG).

I noticed Big Show tearing up as Flair's speech started. Flair started to cry, too, but fought off the tears. The speech went long, from what I've read elsewhere, but Flair came off as the revered uncle we all love. I may just break down and get the DVD. I say that every year, but wimp out. Now, I do have some catching up to do.

What? They're back in Houston next year already? Probably @ Reliant Stadium, which just hosted the NCAA's. Yeah, count on Austin going in, Dory Funk, Jr. and maybe Terry, because no one really knows if Terry's actually retired this time. I'd say if the Von Erichs go in, the Freebirds go in with them. It'd only be the right thing.

[The Penguin]

I don't mess much with WWE.com (although I'm gonna see if I can get the battle royal to work tonight, so I only saw the USA segment.

The Rock was great having back and he certainly made full use of the stage. He had a lot of fun before he gave great inductions of his father and grandfather. I loved how he went after so much of the WWE crowd and the Marine-Doom joke was hilarious. :lol:

I just love how the Hall of Fame can give one a great appreciation for the stars of the past and while I knew some about Rocky Johnson, I felt like I got a lot of Peter Maivia's induction and then the speech from his daughter/Rock's mom.

The Flair speech was great and I get the WrestleMania DVD every year so I look forward to the full version. I think we all know that despite his contributions to wrestling, Ric Flair is not perfect and going in I honestly wondered if he was going to be somewhat apologetic in front of his children; not because I felt he had too, I just thought he might. That turned out to be one of the more touching parts of the speech. The camera of his children had the best shot of Reid and you could tell that he and his siblings were moved throughout. If I wasn't sure before, I was sure then that tonight will be Flair's last official match.


I'm getting mixed messages here: was the USA version a live broadcast of the final hour, or a pieced-together hour showcasing highlights from the ceremony?

If it was the latter, then I have to wonder why they included only 3 inductions, 2 of which were The Rock's family members. Plus recaps and relatively unnecessary speeches about wrestling in general, which could have been cut to make room for Mae Young and someone else.It's been like all of the TV airings have been, slightly shortened versions of the bigger inductions with an acknowledgment of the others from the night. I don't know that I would call it pieced together as even with time cuts, it was particular inductions, not complete highlights of everything.

The Johnson-Maivia inductions were a package deal and that left time for Flair. It would have been more awkward than some of the cheering/speech edits to only show one of their inductions. I don't see how cutting anything would have made room for Mae Young. Cena's speech is the only thing that could have been cut to make room for that.