WWE Hall of Fame (2014)

WWE Hall of Fame (2014)
PromotionWWE
DateApril 5, 2014
CityNew Orleans, Louisiana
VenueSmoothie King Center
WWE Hall of Fame chronology
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WWE Hall of Fame (2014) was the event which featured the introduction of the 15th class to the WWE Hall of Fame. The event was produced by WWE on April 5, 2014, from the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana.[1] The event took place the same weekend as WrestleMania XXX.[2] The event aired live on the WWE Network,[3] 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]

It was reported by some news outlets that the 2014 class of the WWE Hall of Fame was the most highly anticipated class yet.[5]

Event

Due to the launch of the WWE Network shortly before WrestleMania XXX, this event featured the first 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, and Renee Young.

After Lita was inducted by Trish Stratus she shared a number of stories about how she started in professional wrestling from Mexico until eventually winding up in the WWE. One story Lita told was how she first met Arn Anderson and her desire to meet Rey Mysterio. Lita expressed that Anderson helped her meet Mysterio in exchange for a Miller Lite. Lita stated she never fulfilled that promise and wanted to now, at which point Stratus return with three Miller Lites, which Lita, Anderson and Mysterio shared.[6]

Jake "The Snake" Roberts was inducted by Diamond Dallas Page. During both of their speeches, the two spoke about Roberts' issues with alcoholism and how he spent many months living with Page and attempting to rehab.[7] Roberts credited DDP Yoga with saving his life. Roberts concluded by thanking his kids for giving him a second chance after all he had put their family through over the years.

Mr. T was inducted by Gene Okerlund into the Hall of Fame.[8]

Paul Bearer was posthumously inducted by Kane. During the induction, Kane shared several stories about traveling with Bearer and about their relationship. Due to Bearer's passing in March 2013 his induction was accepted in his honor by his sons Daniel and Michael Moody. Also The Undertaker made his appearance and pays respect to his manager, Paul Bearer.

Razor Ramon (Scott Hall) was inducted into the Hall of Fame by fellow The Outsider member Kevin Nash. Hall, similar to Roberts, spoke of his person issues with alcohol, and thanks Page for saving his life. Following the introduction two were joined on stage by fellow Kliq members, Triple H, Shawn Michaels and Sean Waltman.

Carlos Colón was introduced by his two sons Carlito, Eddie, and nephew Orlando Colón. Carlito before delivering his speech said that the WWE cut the amount of time he had to speak down, and it made him feel like he never really left the WWE.

The Ultimate Warrior was the final inductee into the 2014, inducted by Linda McMahon. At the end of the Warrior's speech he announced that he had signed a long-term contract that would allow him to serve as an ambassador for the WWE for several years to come.

Aftermath

Although The Ultimate Warrior announced he signed a long-term contract with the WWE, his appearance at Raw the following Monday would be his final WWE appearance. Warrior died on April 8, 2014, in Scottsdale, Arizona.[9] According to reports, Warrior clutched his chest and collapsed at 5:50 p.m. while walking to his car with his wife outside of their hotel in Arizona. He was rushed to the hospital where he was pronounced dead at age 54.[10] Warrior's colleagues said Warrior appeared frail during WrestleMania weekend, and said that he was sweating profusely and breathing heavily backstage.[11]

Following his death, the WWE created the Warrior Award, with the first award given at the 2015 Hall of Fame ceremony. The Warrior Award 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."[12]

Inductees

Individual

  • Class headliners appear in boldface
Image Ring name
(Birth Name) 		Inducted by WWE recognized accolades
The Ultimate Warrior
(James Hellwig/Warrior) 		Linda McMahon One-time WWF World Heavyweight Champion
Two-time WWF Intercontinental Heavyweight Champion
Jake "The Snake" Roberts
(Aurelian Smith Jr.) 		Diamond Dallas Page Credited as the inventor of the DDT, held several regional championships[13]
Lita[14]
(Amy Dumas) 		Trish Stratus Four-time WWF/WWE Women's Champion
In 2023, she also won the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship
Paul Bearer[15]
(William Moody) 		Kane Posthumous inductee: Represented by his sons Michael and Daniel
Longtime manager in WCCW (as Percy Pringle III) and in WWE (as Paul Bearer) most notably managing The Undertaker, Mankind and Kane[16]
Carlos Colón
(Carlos Colón González) 		Carlito, Eddie, and Orlando Colón Promoter of World Wrestling Council (WWC) in Puerto Rico
26-time WWC Universal Heavyweight Champion[17]
Razor Ramon
(Scott Hall) 		Kevin Nash Four-time WWF Intercontinental Champion
Two-time WCW United States Heavyweight Champion
Seven-time WCW World Tag Team Champion
1997 World War 3 winner[18]

Celebrity

Image Recipient
(Birth name) 		Occupation Inducted by Appearances
Mr. T[19]
(Lawrence Tureaud) 		Actor Gene Okerlund Headlined the first WrestleMania, co-headlined the second, and made appearances and wrestled in WCW (including a match at Starrcade in 1994)[20]

References

  1. ^ "'Ohhh yyyes,' Paul Bearer is going into the WWE Hall of Fame". Retrieved 3 April 2018.
  2. ^ "Mercedes-Benz Superdome to host WWE's WrestleMania XXX". Retrieved 3 April 2018.
  3. ^ "Mr. T to enter WWE Hall of Fame live on WWE Network". 18 March 2014. Retrieved 3 April 2018.
  4. ^ "Details On USA Network's 2014 WWE HOF Special - WrestlingInc.com". Retrieved 11 April 2018.
  5. ^ "2014 WWE Hall of Fame". Gambit. Retrieved 3 April 2018.
  6. ^ "Wrestlemania 30: WWE Hall of Fame induction ceremony highlights - Philly". Retrieved 3 April 2018.
  7. ^ "WWE Hall Of Fame Ceremony: Jake 'The Snake' Roberts' Emotional Induction Stuns Crowd". 6 April 2014. Retrieved 3 April 2018.
  8. ^ "Mr. T is inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame: photos". Archived from the original on 16 October 2016. Retrieved 3 April 2018.
  9. ^ "Ultimate Warrior passes away". WWE. Archived from the original on November 9, 2014.
  10. ^ "Warrior news: Report – Ultimate Warrior initial Cause of Death". Pro Wrestling Torch. Archived from the original on April 11, 2014. Retrieved April 9, 2014.
  11. ^ "Warrior News: Report – Warrior appeared to be "very sick" prior to death, Hall of Fame special includes Warrior message, Jim Ross blogs on Warrior's legacy". Pro Wrestling Torch. Archived from the original on April 12, 2014. Retrieved April 9, 2014.
  12. ^ "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.
  13. ^ "Jake "The Snake" Roberts". WWE. Archived from the original on February 22, 2014. Retrieved February 23, 2014.
  14. ^ "Lita to be inducted into WWE Hall of Fame 2014 at Wrestlemania 30". 11 February 2014. Retrieved 3 April 2018.
  15. ^ "Paul Bearer to be inducted into WWE Hall of Fame - Philly". Retrieved 3 April 2018.
  16. ^ "Paul Bearer". WWE. Archived from the original on February 28, 2014. Retrieved March 23, 2014.
  17. ^ "Carlos Colon". WWE. Archived from the original on February 24, 2017. Retrieved February 19, 2017.
  18. ^ "Scott Hall". WWE. Archived from the original on March 28, 2014. Retrieved March 24, 2014.
  19. ^ "Mr. T inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame". Retrieved 3 April 2018.
  20. ^ "Mr. T". WWE. Archived from the original on March 21, 2014. Retrieved March 17, 2014.