WWE Confirms Inductees For WWE Hall Of Fame 2020 and 2021 Classes!
WWE reports.
Titus O’Neil to receive 2020 Warrior Award at WWE Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
WWE Global Ambassador Titus O’Neil has been named the recipient of the 2020 Warrior Award. Named after WWE Hall of Famer The Ultimate Warrior, The Warrior Award is presented to an individual who has exhibited unwavering strength and perseverance and who lives life with the courage and compassion that embodies the indomitable spirit of The Ultimate Warrior. The news was first reported by the Tampa Bay Times.
The Warrior Award presentation will be part of the WWE Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, streaming tomorrow, Tuesday, April 6 at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. ET exclusively on Peacock in the U.S. and on WWE Network everywhere else.
Titus O’Neil is one of the most philanthropic Superstars in WWE history. A fixture in the Tampa Bay community and passionate about giving back to families in need, O’Neil founded The Bullard Family Foundation, an organization that provides families and children in need with special moments, programs, and resources to help build character, develop relationships, and strengthen communities around them. In addition, O’Neil is an Ambassador for WWE, helping thousands of individuals through various nonprofits and WWE partners including Susan G. Komen, Boys & Girls Clubs of America and Special Olympics. His passion for community and uplifting others inspired him to write his first book, “There’s No Such Thing as a Bad Kid: How I Went from Stereotype to Prototype,” in 2019. O’Neil is a Tampa Bay native and graduated from the University of Florida where he was a standout football player for the Gators.
“Titus is a dedicated father, humanitarian and WWE Global Ambassador. His unwavering passion to help others in need is simply unmatched,” said Stephanie McMahon, WWE Chief Brand Officer. “Although he does not seek recognition, I am thrilled that his work will be spotlighted to WWE fans around the world.”
In addition, the Wrestling Observer reports that the WWE Hall of Fame 2021 Class will have its own Celebrity Wing inductee in the form of Ozzy Osbourne. (UPATE #1: WWE has confirmed Osbourne’s induction.)
The Warrior Award inductee for the WWE Hall of Fame 2021 Class has not revealed at press time.
(UPDATE #2: WWE announced the 2021 Warrior Award winner as being long-time WWE employee Rich Hering.) WWE’s report is below.
Longtime WWE employee Rich Hering to receive 2021 Warrior Award at WWE Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
Longtime WWE employee Rich Hering has been named the recipient of the 2021 Warrior Award. Named after WWE Hall of Famer The Ultimate Warrior, The Warrior Award is presented to an individual who has exhibited unwavering strength and perseverance and who lives life with the courage and compassion that embodies the indomitable spirit of The Ultimate Warrior. The news was first reported by The Stamford Advocate.
As WWE’s Senior Vice President of Government Relations and Risk Management, Hering began his career more than 50 years ago with Vince McMahon’s father, Vincent J. McMahon, and helped WWE expand from a regional promotion into the juggernaut it is today. Whether it is leading security efforts, working with state athletic commissions and other organizations on WWE events or overseeing the health and well-being of WWE talent and fans, Hering has consistently gone above and beyond the call of his day-to day responsibilities.
“On behalf of everyone at WWE, we are proud to present Rich Hering with this incredible honor,” said Stephanie McMahon, WWE Chief Brand Officer. “Rich has dedicated more than half a century to WWE and the WWE Universe and has truly seen and done it all. From ensuring the health and safety of WWE Superstars and employees; presiding over the wedding of Macho Man and Miss Elizabeth; and being an ‘uncle’ to Dana Warrior and her children, Mattie and Indy, there is no one more deserving of this accolade.”
(UPDATE #3: WWE has also announced the Legacy Wing inductees for the 2020 and 2021 classes.)
Per the WWE Network schedule, the WWE Hall of Fame 2020 will stream on April 6, 2021 tonight from 8:00 pm EST to 9:30 pm EST while the WWE Hall Of Fame 2021 will stream from 9:30 pm EST to 11:00 pm EST.
Watch this space for more on the WWE Hall of Fame ceremonies for 2020 and 2021.
Finally, Mandatory reports that Vince McMahon has final say of who gets in the WWE Hall of Fame after a deliberative process beforehand.
Update (March 31, 2021)
WWE Rounds Out WWE Hall Of Fame 2020 Class With Iconic Celebrity Celebrating 90th Birthday!
WWE reports.
William Shatner to be inducted into WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2020
Captain’s log, stardate April 6, 2021.
The WWE Hall of Fame: the final frontier.
Captain Kirk himself, William Shatner, will be beamed into the WWE Hall of Fame as a member of the Class of 2020. He will take his place in sports-entertainment history during the 2021 WWE Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, streaming next Tuesday, April 6, on Peacock in the United States and WWE Network everywhere else. News of Shatner’s induction was first reported by USA Today.
Shatner is beloved by millions around the world for his iconic portrayal of James T. Kirk, captain of the USS Enterprise in the original “Star Trek” television series, as well as the motion picture series. He’s also starred in “T.J. Hooker,” was the host of “Rescue 911,” won Emmys and Golden Globe Awards for his portrayal of Denny Crane on “Boston Legal,” and has released numerous spoken-word albums and best-selling books.
He made his first trek into the WWE Universe in early 1995, when he appeared as the special guest on Jerry “The King” Lawler’s “King’s Court.” Shatner didn’t take too kindly to Lawler’s badgering and sent “The King” flying with a monkey flip. Shatner returned to Raw one week later to be in Bret “Hit Man” Hart’s corner for a showdown with Jeff Jarrett. When Road Dogg got a little too close to the action, Shatner decked him with a big right hand and rammed him into the turnbuckle.
The disagreement between Shatner and Lawler turned out to be water under the bridge, as Shatner returned to WWE in 2007 to induct “The King” into the WWE Hall of Fame.
Shatner came back to the red brand as a special guest host in February 2010, giving the WWE Universe a memorable night as only he can, including a dramatic interpretation of several Superstar entrance themes and using his skills as The Priceline Negotiator to settle disputes. In addition, Shatner was also the narrator for the WWE Network reality series “WWE Breaking Ground.”
Currently, Shatner is the host of “The UnXplained” on The History Channel, which explores the world’s most fascinating and inexplicable mysteries. He also stars in the romantic comedy “Senior Moment,” which is in theatres and on demand now. Shatner additionally enjoys doing philanthropic work, especially through his annual Hollywood Charity Horse Show, which raises funds for children’s and veterans charities.
Don’t miss William Shatner take his place in the WWE Hall of Fame during the 2021 Induction Ceremony, streaming next Tuesday, April 6, on Peacock in the United States and WWE Network everywhere else!
In addition, it appears that the rumors that Titus O’Neill being the 2020 recipient of the Warrior Award for his humanitarian good works was true as per the WWE Hall of Fame 2020 class photo that leaked online from the pre-taped event.
Congrats to Bill Shatner on this latest honor and to Titus O’Neil as well.
Original (March 29, 2021).
WWE Confirms First 5 Inductees For WWE Hall Of Fame 2021 Class? Plus A BIG Change For WWE Hall Of Fame 2021 Class!
Due to Covid-19, the WWE Hall of Fame 2020 induction ceremony did not happen. As such, 2020 and 2021 classes will be inducted together. The first 4 WWE 2021 Hall of Fame inductees have been announced by WWE; the first three on the main WWE website while the fourth one was originally announced via WWE India.
Molly Holly.
Eric Bischoff.
Kane.
The Great Khali.
You can read more about the confirmed WWE 2021 Hall of Fame inductees here. While it has not been confirmed yet publicly by the WWE source, many dirtsheets are indicating that their WWE sources note that the fifth inductee for the WWE 2021 Hall of Fame class will be RVD. (UPDATE: RVD is confirmed for WWE HOF 2021.)
In addition, you can read about the WWE 2020 Hall of Fame inductees here.
OG NWO “Hollywood” Hulk Hogan, Kevin Nash, Scott Hall and Sean Waltman.
The Bella Twins.
JBL.
The British Bulldog Davey Boy Smith.
Jushin “Thunder” Liger.
Batista.
However, the big change to the WWE 2020 Hall of Fame class is that Batista will not be inducted as per his announcement below.
The 2020 and 2021 WWE Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will stream on Peacock in the United States and the WWE Network around the globe on Tuesday, April 6, 2021.
Wrestlemania 37 will be a two-day affair this year on Saturday, April 10, 2021 and Sunday, April 11, 2021.
