It was speculated that Shawn Michaels was referring to Ric Flair when he said he couldn’t mention someone’s name during his WWE Hall of Fame induction speech. Shawn revealed on Twitter that he was talking about Vince McMahon. He wrote:

“There seems 2b confusion on the “who” I couldn’t mention during my speech. It was Vince. He doesn’t want focus on him. U wanna c the real Vince watch the HOF ring presentation on the WWE Diary w/me. The rest is gimmick, don’t believe what u read. It sounds like a schill but its fact. But of course that’s jus 1 guys opinion that actually knows him…for 20+ yrs. Whadda I know.”

Labels: 2011 WWE Hall of Fame, ric flair, shawn michaels

Posted by Matt Loede at 7:41 PM | Permalink | Comments

WWE decided to remove Sunny’s induction from Monday’s WWE Hall of Fame broadcast on the USA Network. Instead, they instead went with Drew Carey’s induction since they have a promotional deal with him to push his new TV show.

The one-hour special opened up with Dusty Rhodes inducting The Road Warriors and Paul Ellering. The show closed with Shawn Michaels being inducted by Triple H.

A video package highlighted the inductions of Sunny, Abdullah the Butcher and Bullet Bob Armstrong.

Labels: 2011 WWE Hall of Fame, sunny

Posted by Matt Loede at 10:40 AM | Permalink | Comments

Video of the Hall of Fame as Kevin Nash and X-Pac joined HHH and HBK on stage at the Phillips Arena in Atlanta.

Labels: 2011 WWE Hall of Fame, Kevin Nash. Shawn Michaels

Posted by Matt Loede at 1:23 PM | Permalink | Comments

- Below is the final list of entrants into the 2011 WWE Hall of Fame class:

* Shawn Michaels

* The Road Warriors & Paul Ellering (Reportedly inducted by Dusty Rhodes)

* Sunny

* Hacksaw Jim Duggan (Inducted by Ted DiBiase)

* Bullet Bob Armstrong (Reportedly inducted by his sons)

* Abdullah the Butcher (Inducted by Terry Funk)

* Drew Carey (Inducted by Bob Barker)

Labels: 2011 WWE Hall of Fame

Posted by Matt Loede at 11:54 PM | Permalink | Comments

World Wrestling Entertainment announced this afternoon that Abdullah the Butcher will inducted into the organization's Hall of Fame on Saturday, April 2 in Atlanta, Georgia. It's interesting to note that WWE.com's bio on The Butcher notes that while he never brawled two-time WWE Champion Bruno Sammartino or went the distance with Bob Backlund at Madison Square Garden, all three wrestling icons will be together when he's inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.

The text reads: "Still active today even though he’s in his 70s, The Butcher has battled every legend in nearly every promotion on the planet — except WWE. Despite his decades in the ring, Abdullah never brawled with Bruno Sammartino for the WWE Championship or went the distance with Bob Backlund in Madison Square Garden. These are dream matches that will never happen, but these icons will all be together when The Butcher takes his rightful place in the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2011."

It appears to be a mistake on the website's part as Sammartino and Backlund aren't members of the WWE Hall of Fame, not to mention that it is far fetched that Sammartino would involve himself with WWE. Since his retirement from in-ring competition in 1987, he has been highly critical of the organization's lurid storylines, over-the-top theatrics, and drug and steroid abuse. The living legend has been particularly critical of Vince McMahon, saying that "Junior" has been detrimental to his father's creation. Sammartino has refused induction into the WWE Hall of Fame, as well as to provide commentary on retrospectives of his career.

Meanwhile, Backlund reportedly refused an invitation into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2004 because he didn't consider himself retired. He competed for TNA Wrestling in 2007 at the age of 58 and made an appearance at the 15th Anniversary of Raw on December 10 of that year, participating in the 15th Anniversary battle royal.

Labels: 2011 WWE Hall of Fame, bob backlund, bruno sammartino

Posted by Matt Loede at 7:16 PM | Permalink | Comments

World Wrestling Entertainment announced on their website that the incomparable Abdullah the Butcher will inducted into the company's Hall of Fame on Saturday 4/2 in Atlanta, Georgia.

Abdullah, who will be inducted by longtime rival Terry Funk, has actually never competed for WWE, making it a pretty unique induction. He's been a longstanding tradition in the Atlanta area, where he lives and operates his restaurant, Abdullah the Butcher's House of Ribs & Chinese Food.

Labels: 2011 WWE Hall of Fame, Abdullah the Butcher

Posted by Matt Loede at 2:40 PM | Permalink | Comments

WWE will likely announce Abdullah the Butcher for their Hall of Fame during tonight's Raw. The word making the rounds is that Terry Funk will be inducting Abby.

Labels: 2011 WWE Hall of Fame, Abdullah the Butcher

Posted by Matt Loede at 11:24 AM | Permalink | Comments

Sunny, considered by many to be the first Diva in World Wrestling Entertainment history, will be revealed as the next inductee into the WWE's Hall of Fame Class of 2011.

Labels: 2011 WWE Hall of Fame, sunny

Posted by Matt Loede at 5:55 PM | Permalink | Comments

WWE officials are already contemplating candidates for induction into next year’s Hall of Fame class. The primary names being discussed are Trish Stratus, given that it will likely take place in her hometown of Toronto, and The Rock.

The idea with Rock is it would be mark ten years after his memorable WrestleMania match with Hulk Hogan, which took place in Toronto.

Labels: 2011 WWE Hall of Fame, the rock, trish stratus

Posted by Matt Loede at 11:52 AM | Permalink | Comments

WWE had success with their Hall of Fame tickets going on sale this past weekend. As of now, the only seats left are some of the $50 tickets in the top level of the arena. The $60 and $75 seats are all sold out. The ceremony will likely be sold out entirely by the time April gets here.

Labels: 2011 WWE Hall of Fame

Posted by Matt Loede at 12:44 PM | Permalink | Comments

Based on recent talks within WWE, other names considered for this year’s Hall of Fame class include Arn Anderson, Dean Malenko, Lex Luger, Ron Simmons, Madusa and The Honky Tonk Man, who turned it down last year because he had a prior commitment that paid better.

Vince McMahon has wanted Ted Turner to be inducted, for the publicity value, but Turner accepting the induction isn’t likely.

WWE officials will make a push for Sting to be inducted if he doesn’t re-sign with TNA but he’s expected to stick around for another year. Another name talked about is Bill Goldberg, as noted before.

Labels: 2011 WWE Hall of Fame, ted turner, vince mcmahon

Posted by Matt Loede at 12:02 AM | Permalink | Comments

There is a lot of talk about inducting Teddy Long into the WWE Hall of Fame next year since it’s in Atlanta, his home city.

Labels: 2011 WWE Hall of Fame, teddy long

Posted by Matt Loede at 9:26 PM | Permalink | Comments

Nothing is set in stone yet for the 2011 WWE Hall of Fame ceremony in Atlanta. Since it is being held in Atlanta, obvious pushes are former WCW stars Ron Simmons and Arn Anderson. WWE is also open to Lex Luger and Sting being inducted, if Sting doesn’t sign with TNA for another year.

There has been talk of putting Arn Anderson in the Hall with a Four Horsemen group consisting of Barry Windham and Tully Blanchard.

Jim Ross has been pushing for Danny Hodge to be inducted as well.

Labels: 2011 WWE Hall of Fame

Posted by Matt Loede at 10:11 AM | Permalink | Comments

Ric Flair said in a media interview this week in the UK that WWE will be inducting Arn Anderson into the Hall of Fame next year in Atlanta.

Labels: 2011 WWE Hall of Fame, arn anderson, ric flair

Posted by Matt Loede at 10:51 PM | Permalink | Comments

Because WWE in general wasn’t happy with this year’s Hall of Fame ceremony, they have been working on next year’s event in advance. Names currently being discussed include Bill Goldberg, Ron Simmons, Lex Luger and The Steiner Brothers. Sting is also being talked about but his status with TNA will always play a factor, obviously.

While it probably will never happen, two people in the company brought up Ted Turner’s name this past week. It’s said that Goldberg and Simmons are likely a lock for next year’s class.

Labels: 2011 WWE Hall of Fame, goldberg, sting

Posted by Matt Loede at 7:55 PM | Permalink | Comments