WWE Hall of Fame (2015)

Summary

WWE Hall of Fame (2015) was the event which featured the introduction of the 16th class to the WWE Hall of Fame. The event was produced by WWE on March 28, 2015, from the SAP Center in San Jose, California.[2] The event took place the same weekend as WrestleMania 31.[3] The event aired live on the WWE Network, and was hosted by Jerry Lawler. A condensed one-hour version of the ceremony aired the following Monday after Raw, on the USA Network.[4]

WWE Hall of Fame (2015)
The 2015 WWE Hall of Fame set
PromotionWWE
DateMarch 28, 2015
CitySan Jose, California
VenueSAP Center[1]
WWE Hall of Fame chronology
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2014
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2016

Event edit

Due to the launch of the WWE Network shortly before WrestleMania XXX, this event featured the second ever "Red Carpet" event as a one-hour pre-show prior to the start of the event. The pre-show was hosted by Michael Cole, Maria Menounos, Byron Saxton and Renee Young.

Rikishi was inducted by his sons The Usos (Jimmy and Jey Uso). The Usos spoke about what it was like growing up with their father's rear end being the focus on TV. Following induction, the three recreated the Too Cool dance, including Jimmy doing The Worm on stage.

Larry Zbyszko was inducted by Bruno Sammartino.

Alundra Blayze was inducted by Natalya. Blayze's husband was in attendance, the first time she saw him in nearly a year due to his active role in the military. During Blayze's speech she asked Natalya to come back out so she could make an old wrong right. Natalya brought with her a metal trashcan which she places beside Blayze. Blayze then pulled several gags out before pulling the WWF Women's Championship belt out of the garbage, which she had throw in the garbage twenty years earlier on Monday Nitro.

Following The Ultimate Warrior's death in April 2014,[5] WWE introduced the Warrior Award, in 2015, for those who have "exhibited unwavering strength and perseverance, and who lives life with the courage and compassion that embodies the indomitable spirit of the Ultimate Warrior."[6] The first Warrior Award was given to Connor Michalek and presented by Warrior's wife Dana, as well as Daniel Bryan. The award was accepted by Connor's father Steve.[7]

The Bushwhackers were inducted by John Laurinaitis.

Tatsumi Fujinami was inducted by Ric Flair, during the induction speech Flair spoke about the matches the two had over the years in Japan.

Randy Savage was inducted by long time friend/foe from both WWE and WCW, Hulk Hogan. Due to Savage's death in 2011 he was inducted posthumously, and his award was accepted on his behalf by his brother Lanny Poffo.

Arnold Schwarzenegger was inducted by Triple H.

Kevin Nash was the final inductee, inducted by longtime friend Shawn Michaels. Following the induction they were joined on stage by fellow members of The Kliq, Scott Hall, Sean Waltman and Triple H.

Inductees edit

Individual edit

  • Class headliners appear in boldface
Image Ring name
(Birth Name)
Inducted by WWE recognized accolades
  "Macho Man" Randy Savage[8][9][10]
(Randall Poffo)
Hulk Hogan Posthumous inductee: Represented by his brother Lanny
Two-time WWF World Heavyweight Champion
Four-time WCW World Heavyweight Champion
One-time WWF Intercontinental Heavyweight Champion
1987 King of the Ring
1995 World War 3 winner[11]
  Rikishi[12][13][14][15]
(Solofa Fatu Jr.)
Jimmy Uso and Jey Uso One-time WWF Intercontinental Champion
Two-time WWF/World Tag Team Champion
One-time WWE Tag Team Champion[16]
  Alundra Blayze[17][18][19]
(Debrah Miceli)
Natalya Three-time WWF Women's Champion
Known in other companies as Madusa, she became the first woman to win the WCW Cruiserweight Championship
One-time AWA World Women's Champion[20]
In 2019, Blayze won the WWE 24/7 Championship once.
  Larry Zbyszko[21][22][23]
(Lawrence Whistler)
Bruno Sammartino Two-time AWA World Heavyweight Champion
One-time WCW World Television Champion
One-time WCW World Tag Team Champion
One-time WWWF Tag Team Champion[24]
  Tatsumi Fujinami[25][26] Ric Flair Six-time IWGP Heavyweight Champion
One-time NWA World Heavyweight Champion
One-time WWF International Tag Team Champion
Two-time WWWF/WWF International Heavyweight Champion
Two-time WWF Junior Heavyweight Champion[27]
  Kevin Nash[28][29][30] Shawn Michaels One-time WWF World Heavyweight Champion
Five-time WCW World Heavyweight Champion
One-time WWF Intercontinental Champion
Nine-time WCW World Tag Team Champion
Two-time WWF Tag Team Champion
1998 World War 3 winner[31]

Tag team edit

Image Group Inducted by WWE recognized accolades
  The Bushwhackers[32][33][34] John Laurinaitis Known as the Sheepherders prior to joining WWE, they won over 20 regional tag team championships in the AWA, NWA, UWF, and Stampede Wrestling during their 40 year career[35]

Celebrity edit

Image Recipient
(Birth name)
Occupation Inducted by Appearances
  Arnold Schwarzenegger[36][37][38] Actor,
38th Governor of California
Triple H Has made numerous appearances on WWE programming[39]

Warrior Award edit

Recipient
(Birth name)
Presented By Notes
Connor "The Crusher" Michalek[40][41][42] Dana Warrior
Daniel Bryan
Posthumous recipient/inductee: Represented by his father Steve and brother Jackson.
Eight-year-old WWE fan who died of cancer. "Connor's Cure" cancer charity fund established in his honor by Triple H and Stephanie McMahon, run by Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh Foundation
[6]

References edit

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  2. ^ "WrestleMania 31". Retrieved 3 April 2018.
  3. ^ "Wrestlemania 31 officially coming to town". Retrieved 3 April 2018.
  4. ^ "WWE Hall of Fame 2015 special to air on USA Network". 19 August 2017. Retrieved 11 April 2018.
  5. ^ "Ultimate Warrior passes away". WWE. Archived from the original on November 9, 2014.
  6. ^ a b "WWE fan Connor Michalek to receive first-ever Warrior Award at 2015 WWE Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony". WWE. March 9, 2015. Archived from the original on March 11, 2015. Retrieved March 9, 2015.
  7. ^ "Connor Michalek's father and Daniel Bryan give touching, emotional WWE Hall of Fame speeches". 29 March 2015. Retrieved 3 April 2018.
  8. ^ "Macho Man" Randy Savage announced for WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2015: Raw, January 12, 2015, archived from the original on September 29, 2017, retrieved 2018-04-03
  9. ^ "'Macho Man' Randy Savage -- Makes WWE Hall of Fame ... Announcement Expected Tonight". Retrieved 3 April 2018.
  10. ^ "'Macho Man' Randy Savage truly lived the madness". 13 January 2015. Retrieved 3 April 2018.
  11. ^ "Savage to be inducted into HOF". WWE. Archived from the original on January 12, 2015. Retrieved January 12, 2015.
  12. ^ Rikishi is announced for the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2015: Raw, February 9, 2015, archived from the original on January 1, 2018, retrieved 2018-04-03
  13. ^ "Rikishi set to enter the WWE Hall of Fame". 19 August 2017. Retrieved 3 April 2018.
  14. ^ "Rikishi to be inducted into WWE Hall of Fame - Philly". Retrieved 3 April 2018.
  15. ^ "Rikishi to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame". 9 February 2015. Retrieved 3 April 2018.
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  17. ^ Alundra Blayze is announced for the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2015: Raw, March 2, 2015, archived from the original on September 22, 2017, retrieved 2018-04-03
  18. ^ "Madusa/Alundra Blayze Will Be The Next Inductee Into The WWE Hall Of Fame". 2 March 2015. Retrieved 3 April 2018.
  19. ^ "Alundra Blayze Joins 2015 WWE Hall of Fame Class". www.scifighting.com. Retrieved 3 April 2018.
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  25. ^ Tatsumi Fujinami is announced for the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2015, archived from the original on 2017-09-29, retrieved 2018-04-03
  26. ^ "Japanese Legend 'The Dragon' Tatsumi Fujinami Will Be Inducted Into The WWE Hall Of Fame". 18 March 2015. Retrieved 3 April 2018.
  27. ^ "Tatsumi Fujinami to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame's Class of 2015". WWE. Archived from the original on 2015-03-21.
  28. ^ "Kevin Nash is announced for the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2015: Raw, March 23, 2015 | WWE". Archived from the original on 2017-09-29. Retrieved 2018-04-03.
  29. ^ "Kevin Nash Enters WWE Hall of Fame, Like it or Not". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 3 April 2018.
  30. ^ "Downriver native Kevin Nash entering WWE Hall of Fame". Retrieved 3 April 2018.
  31. ^ "Kevin Nash to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame's Class of 2015". WWE. Archived from the original on 2015-03-25.
  32. ^ The Bushwhackers are announced for the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2015: Raw, February 23, 2015, archived from the original on September 29, 2017, retrieved 2018-04-03
  33. ^ "Bushwhackers get spot in WWE Hall of Fame". Stuff. Retrieved 3 April 2018.
  34. ^ "The Bushwackers to be inducted into WWE Hall of Fame - Philly". Retrieved 3 April 2018.
  35. ^ "The Bushwhackers announced for WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2015". Archived from the original on 2015-02-23.
  36. ^ Arnold Schwarzenegger announced for WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2015: Raw, Jan. 26, 2015, archived from the original on 2017-09-29, retrieved 2018-04-03
  37. ^ "Arnold Schwarzenegger to Join WWE's Hall of Fame". 26 January 2015. Retrieved 3 April 2018.
  38. ^ "Arnold Schwarzenegger -- I'm Entering WWE Hall of Fame, Baby". Retrieved 3 April 2018.
  39. ^ "Arnold Schwarzenegger to be Celebrity Inductee in WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2015". Archived from the original on 2015-01-28.
  40. ^ Connor Michalek to receive first-ever Warrior Award at 2015 WWE Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony: Raw, March 9, 2015, archived from the original on September 29, 2017, retrieved 2018-04-03
  41. ^ "WWE Hall of Fame to honor Pittsburgh wrestling fan who died at age 8". 10 March 2015. Retrieved 3 April 2018.
  42. ^ "WWE to honor Connor Michalek with first-ever Warrior Award - Philly". Retrieved 3 April 2018.