WWE Hall of Fame (2019)
{{short description|WWE Hall of Fame induction ceremony}}
{{Use American English|date=January 2023}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2023}}
{{Infobox Wrestling event
|name = WWE Hall of Fame
|image =WWE Hall of Fame 2019 induction ceremony poster.jpg
|promotion = WWE
|date = April 6, 2019
|venue = Barclays Center
|event = WWE Hall of Fame
|lastevent2 = 2018
|nextevent2 = 2021
}}
The 2019 WWE Hall of Fame was a professional wrestling event produced by WWE that featured the introduction of the twentieth class into the WWE Hall of Fame. It took place on April 6, 2019, from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York,{{Cite news|url=https://nypost.com/2018/03/15/wrestlemania-is-coming-back-to-metlife-stadium/|title=WrestleMania is coming back to MetLife Stadium|date=2018-03-16|work=New York Post|access-date=2018-03-30|language=en-US|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180316151719/https://nypost.com/2018/03/15/wrestlemania-is-coming-back-to-metlife-stadium/|archive-date=2018-03-16}}{{cite web|url=https://www.charitybuzz.com/catalog_items/suite-for-10-at-wrestlemania-35-plus-tickets-to-wwe-1496524|title=Suite for 10 at WrestleMania 35 Plus Tickets to WWE Hall of Fame Ceremony & WrestleMania Axxess Sessions April 5-7, 2019|publisher=Charitybuzz|access-date=2018-03-30|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180331035953/https://www.charitybuzz.com/catalog_items/suite-for-10-at-wrestlemania-35-plus-tickets-to-wwe-1496524|archive-date=2018-03-31}} as part of WrestleMania 35 weekend. The event aired live on the WWE Network.
Background
On February 18, 2019, WWE announced their first inductees to the 2019 Hall of Fame class, D-Generation X.{{cite web|url=https://www.solowrestling.com/new/78555-dgeneration-x-primer-nominado-al-wwe-hall-of-fame-2019|title=D-Generation X, primer nominado al WWE Hall Of Fame 2019|date=18 February 2019|work=www.solowrestling.com|access-date=18 February 2019}} Although other members have been part of the group, only Triple H, Shawn Michaels, Chyna, Road Dogg, Billy Gunn and X-Pac will be included as part of the induction.{{cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/wwe/story/_/id/26024475|title=D-Generation X to be inducted into WWE HOF|date=18 February 2019|work=ESPN.com|access-date=18 February 2019}} D-Generation X originally had been planned to be inducted into the 2013 Hall of Fame class,{{cite web|url=https://www.solowrestling.com/new/70367-xpac-habla-de-bruno-sammartino-y-su-introduccion-al-wwe-hall-of-fame|title=X-Pac habla de Bruno Sammartino y su introducción al WWE Hall of Fame|date=20 April 2018|access-date=23 April 2018}} but plans were scrapped after Bruno Sammartino agreed to be inducted. With D-Generation X's induction, Michaels joined Ric Flair as a two-time inductee, having been inducted individually in 2011.{{cite web|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/other-sports/wrestling/wwe-confirm-d-generation-x-14016613|title=WWE confirm first Hall of Fame Class of 2019 inductees|date=18 February 2019|work=mirror|access-date=18 February 2019}} Following Chyna's death in 2016, many industry stalwarts, such as Stone Cold Steve Austin and{{Cite web|url=https://ftw.usatoday.com/2016/04/stone-cold-steve-austin-chyna-death-wwe-hall-of-fame|title=Stone Cold Steve Austin: Chyna deserved better than posthumous WWE Hall of Fame induction|date=2016-04-27|website=For The Win|language=en|access-date=2019-02-18}} Mick Foley, spoke out in favor of Chyna being included in the Hall of Fame,{{Cite web|url=https://dailyddt.com/2018/07/11/mick-foley-said-honored-induct-chyna-wwe-hall-fame/|title=Mick Foley Said He Would Be 'Honored' To Induct Chyna Into WWE Hall of Fame|date=2018-07-11|website=Daily DDT|language=en-US|access-date=2019-02-18}} but she had been repeatedly excluded until 2019 due to her venture into pornography following the end of her professional wrestling career.{{cite web|url=https://www.cleveland.com/news/2019/02/wwe-will-finally-induct-chyna-into-hall-of-fame-along-with-dx.html|title=WWE will finally induct Chyna into Hall of Fame along with DX|work=cleveland.com|date=February 18, 2019 |access-date=18 February 2019}}
On February 26, 2019, The Honky Tonk Man was announced as the first individual inductee for the 2019 Hall of Fame ceremony. On April 5, 2019, it was announced that former Money Inc. manager Jimmy Hart would induct The Honky Tonk Man.
On March 3, 2019, Torrie Wilson was announced as the first female individual inductee for the 2019 Hall of Fame ceremony.{{Cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/espnw/culture/article/26133301/wwe-names-torrie-samantha-wilson-hall-fame|title=WWE names Torrie 'Samantha' Wilson to Hall of Fame|website=espnW|date=March 4, 2019 |access-date=2019-03-04}} She was inducted by fellow former women's wrestler Stacy Keibler.
On March 11, 2019, Harlem Heat (Booker T and Stevie Ray) were announced.{{Cite web|url=https://uproxx.com/prowrestling/harlem-heat-wwe-hall-of-fame-booker-t-stevie-ray/|title=WWE Hall Of Fame, Harlem Heat Is Coming For You|date=2019-03-11|website=UPROXX|access-date=2019-03-11}} With Harlem Heat's induction, Booker T will join Michaels and Flair as a two-time inductee, having been inducted individually in 2013.{{Cite web|url=https://ftw.usatoday.com/2019/03/harlem-heat-wwe-hall-of-fame-2019|title=Harlem Heat joins the WWE Hall of Fame class of 2019|date=2019-03-11|website=For The Win|language=en|access-date=2019-03-11}} Prior to Booker T asking Stevie Ray to induct him, the two had not talked in five years.{{Cite web|url=http://network.wwe.com/video/v39659883/?contentId=&contextType=wwe-show&contextId=wwe_24|title=WWE 24|website=WWE Network|language=en-US|access-date=2019-03-11}}
On March 18, 2019, it was announced that WWE's Senior Director of Talent Relations Sue Aitchison would be the recipient of the 2019 Warrior Award.{{Cite web|url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/wwe-senior-director-talent-relations-sue-aitchison-receiving-warrior-award-hall-fame-ceremony,%20/wrestling/wwe-senior-director-talent-relations-sue-aitchison-receiving-warrior-award-hall-fame-ceremony|title=WWE Senior Director Of Talent Relations Sue Aitchison Receiving Warrior Award At Hall Of Fame Ceremony {{!}} Fightful Wrestling|website=www.fightful.com|language=en|access-date=2019-03-18}} Aitchison is credited with WWE's relationship with the Make-A-Wish Foundation{{Cite web|url=https://www.solowrestling.com/new/79246-sue-aitchison-recibira-el-warrior-award-en-la-ceremonia-del-wwe-hall-of-fame-2019|title=Sue Aitchison recibirá el Warrior Award en la ceremonia del WWE Hall Of Fame 2019|last=Solowrestling|date=2019-03-18|website=www.solowrestling.com|language=es|access-date=2019-03-18}} and WrestleMania Reading Challenge program.{{Cite web|url=https://pwinsider.com/article/124950/2019-wwe-hall-of-fame-warrior-award-recepient-named.html?p=1|title=2019 WWE HALL OF FAME WARRIOR AWARD {{sic|RECE|PIENT|nolink=y}} NAMED {{!}} PWInsider.com|website=pwinsider.com|access-date=2019-03-18}}
On March 25, 2019, it was announced that the original Hart Foundation (Bret Hart and Jim Neidhart) would be inducted into the Hall of Fame.{{Cite web|url=https://uproxx.com/prowrestling/hart-foundation-wwe-hall-of-fame-2019-inductee-jim-neidhart-bret-hart-jimmy-hart/|title=The Hart Foundation Are The Latest Inductees Into WWE's Hall Of Fame|date=2019-03-25|website=UPROXX|access-date=2019-03-25}} With the Hart Foundation's induction, Hart joined Booker T, Michaels and Flair as a two-time inductee, having been individually inducted in 2006.{{Cite web|url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/the-hart-foundation-to-be-inducted-into-wwe-hall-of-fame-155904104.html|title=The Hart Foundation to be inducted into WWE Hall of Fame|website=finance.yahoo.com|date=March 25, 2019 |language=en-US|access-date=2019-03-25}}
Brutus "The Barber" Beefcake was announced as the final individual inductee for the 2019 Hall of Fame ceremony. On April 4, 2019, it was announced that he would be inducted by Mega-Maniacs teammate Hulk Hogan (Hogan's third time as inductor, having previously inducted "Mean" Gene Okerlund in 2006 and "Macho Man" Randy Savage in 2015).
Inductees
=Individual=
=Group=
- Class headliners appear in boldface
| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%" |
| style="width:1%;"| Image
! style="width:25%;"| Group ! style="width:20%;"| Inducted by ! class="unsortable"| WWE recognized accolades |
|---|
| rowspan=1|
| None |{{small|One of the leading factions of the Attitude Era, they are credited as having "[pushed] the envelope as to what was accepted on TV." |
| colspan=4| Shawn Michaels ({{small|Michael Hickenbottom}}) – {{small|Two-time inductee. Previously inducted in 2011 for his individual career.}} Triple H ({{small|Paul Levesque}}) – {{small|Later inducted in 2025 for his individual career.}} Chyna ({{small|Joan Laurer}}) -- {{small|Posthumous inductee: First woman to participate in the Royal Rumble match and King of the Ring tournament. Two-time WWF Intercontinental Champion (the only woman to win the title). One-time WWF Women's Champion. Recognized by WWE as a trailblazer and inspiration to many future female wrestlers. }} Billy Gunn ({{small|Monty Sopp}}) – {{small|10-time WWF Tag Team Champion, one-time WWE Tag Team Champion, one-time WWF Intercontinental Champion, one-time WWF Hardcore Champion, 1999 King of the Ring winner.}} Road Dogg ({{small|Brian James}}) – {{small|Five-time WWF Tag Team Champion, one-time WWE Tag Team Champion, one-time WWF Intercontinental Champion, one-time WWF Hardcore Champion.}} X-Pac ({{small|Sean Waltman}}) – {{small|Two-time WWF European Champion, two-time WWF Light Heavyweight Champion, two-time WCW Cruiserweight Champion, four-time WWF Tag Team Champion, one-time WCW World Tag Team Champion.}} |
| rowspan=1|
| Harlem Heat{{Cite web|url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/harlem-heat-be-inducted-2019-wwe-hall-fame,%20/wrestling/harlem-heat-be-inducted-2019-wwe-hall-fame|title=Harlem Heat To Be Inducted Into The 2019 WWE Hall Of Fame {{!}} Fightful Wrestling|website=www.fightful.com|language=en|access-date=2019-03-11}} | None |{{small|10-time WCW World Tag Team Champions}} |
| colspan=4| Booker T ({{small|Robert Huffman}}) – {{small|Two-time inductee. Previously inducted in 2013 for his individual career.}} Stevie Ray ({{small|Lash Huffman}}) – {{small|One-time WCW Television Champion.}} |
| rowspan=1|80px
| The Hart Foundation{{Cite web|url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/hall-of-fame-hart-foundation-a-unique-and-proudly-canadian-team-160056694.html|title=Hall of Fame Hart Foundation a unique and proudly Canadian team|website=finance.yahoo.com|date=March 25, 2019 |language=en-US|access-date=2019-03-25}} | None |{{small|Two-time WWF Tag Team Champions}} |
| colspan=4| Bret Hart – {{small|Two-time inductee. Previously inducted in 2006 for his individual career.}} Jim Neidhart – {{small|Posthumous inductee: Represented by his daughter Natalya. One-time NWA Southern Heavyweight Champion.}} |
=Warrior Award=
| class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size: 95%" |
| style="width:25%;"| Recipient {{small|(Birth name)}} ! style="width:30%;"| Presented By ! class="unsortable"| Notes |
|---|
| Sue Aitchison{{Cite web|url=https://www.stamfordadvocate.com/business/article/Stamford-based-WWE-executive-receives-Warrior-13697023.php|title=Stamford-based WWE executive receives Warrior Award|last=Schott|first=Paul|date=2019-03-18|website=StamfordAdvocate|access-date=2019-03-18}}
|Dana Warrior |{{small|Longtime WWE employee, spearheaded many of WWE's charitable programs, including its partnership with the Make-A-Wish Foundation}} |
=Legacy=
| class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size: 95%" | |
| class="unsortable"| Image
! style="width:25%;"| Ring name ! class="unsortable"| WWE recognized accolades | |
|---|---|
| 75px
|Bruiser Brody{{cite web|url=https://www.pwinsider.com/article/125436/ten-new-wwe-hall-of-fame-legacy-inductees-.html?p=1|title=TEN NEW WWE HALL OF FAME LEGACY INDUCTEES - PWInsider.com|website=www.pwinsider.com}} |Held numerous regional NWA championships. Pioneer of the "hardcore" style. | |
| 75px
|Wahoo McDaniel |Five-time NWA United States Heavyweight Champion (Mid-Atlantic version) | |
| 75px
|Luna Vachon |Part of the Vachon wrestling family | |
| |S. D. Jones {{small|(Conrad Efraim)}} |Three-time NWA Americas Tag Team Champion | |
| 75px
|Professor Toru Tanaka | Inaugural WWWF International Tag Team Champion Three-time WWWF World Tag Team Championship |
| 75px
|Held numerous regional NWA championships | |
| |Joseph Cohen
|Media executive whose accomplishments included developing two of WWE's eventual broadcast partners, MSG Network and USA Network (part of Comcast now, a WWE television partner) | |
| 75px
|Longtime Japanese professional wrestling promoter | |
| 75px
|Buddy Rose |Held numerous regional NWA championships | |
| 75px
|Longtime wrestling promoter |
Incidents
=Assault on Bret Hart=
During the induction of The Hart Foundation, as Bret Hart and Natalya delivered their speech, a man trespassed into the ring and tackled Hart. The live broadcast on the WWE Network suddenly blacked out when the attack happened and then the broadcast returned live with cameras panned to the crowd. In the immediate aftermath, several wrestlers including his nephew Davey Boy Smith Jr., Dash Wilder, Scott Dawson, Braun Strowman, Heath Slater, Drew McIntyre, Big Show, Shane McMahon, Big E, and Drake Maverick, as well as MMA fighter Travis Browne subdued the man. Hart and Natalya resumed their speech. The man was arrested.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbssports.com/wwe/news/fan-jumps-barricade-attacks-bret-hart-at-2019-wwe-hall-of-fame-induction-ceremony/|title=Fan jumps barricade, attacks Bret Hart at 2019 WWE Hall of Fame induction ceremony|website=CBSSports.com|date=April 7, 2019 |language=en|access-date=2019-04-07}} The incident was removed from repeat airings of the ceremony on the WWE Network.
The man was taken into police custody and faced criminal charges, of which were not disclosed as the official was not authorized to discuss the case and spoke on the condition of anonymity.{{Cite web|url=https://www.si.com/wrestling/2019/04/06/bret-hart-attacker-wwe-police-arrested|title=Person who attacked Bret Hart at WWE event arrested|website=SI.com|date=April 6, 2019 |language=en|access-date=2019-04-07}} He was charged with two counts of third degree assault, one count of criminal trespass, and one violation of local law of disorderly conduct the next day.{{Cite web|url=https://www.f4wonline.com/wwe-news/bret-hart-assailant-be-arraigned-following-wwe-hof-incident-281116|title=Bret Hart assailant to be arraigned following WWE HOF incident|date=2019-04-07|website=WON/F4W - WWE news, Pro Wrestling News, WWE Results, UFC News, UFC results|language=en|access-date=2019-04-09}} WWE issued a statement on the incident, reading: "An over-exuberant fan surpassed our security at ringside and made his way briefly into the ring. The individual has been turned over to the proper authorities."{{Cite web|url=https://www.wrestlinginc.com/news/2019/04/wwe-issues-statement-on-bret-hart-fan-incident-652818/|title=WWE Issues Statement On Bret Hart Fan Incident, Videos Of Wrestlers Getting Physical|date=2019-04-06|website=Wrestling Inc.|language=en|access-date=2019-04-07}} Dave Meltzer from Wrestling Observer Newsletter reported that Hart visited the hospital on Saturday night following the attack, suffering some discomfort with his hip replacement from the fall. Despite this, Hart made an appearance, during the entrance of Natalya and Beth Phoenix, the next day at WrestleMania 35.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mandatory.com/wrestlezone/news/1076789-bret-hart-hospitalized-after-last-nights-attack-by-fan|title=Bret Hart Hospitalized After Last Night's Attack At WWE Hall Of Fame|date=2019-04-07|website=Wrestlezone|access-date=2019-04-09}}
=Resignation of Robert Evans=
Reportedly, WWE writers were asked not to mention WWE chairman and CEO Vince McMahon when helping to write speeches for Hall of Fame inductees. As a result, after Bret Hart thanked McMahon during The Hart Foundation's induction, Robert Evans, who was responsible for writing the line in the speech, got into a dispute with McMahon, and Evans ultimately quit the company.{{Cite web|url=https://www.f4wonline.com/wwe-news/robert-evans-quits-wwe-creative-during-hall-fame-281451|title=Robert Evans quits WWE creative during Hall of Fame|work=Wrestling Observer Newsletter|last=Meltzer|first=Dave|author-link=Dave Meltzer|date=April 11, 2019|access-date=April 17, 2019}}