| WWE Hall of Fame (2017) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 Promotional poster featuring wrestlers inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame class of 2017 | |||
| Promotion | WWE | ||
| Date | March 31, 2017 | ||
| City | Orlando, Florida | ||
| Venue | Amway Center | ||
| WWE Hall of Fame chronology | |||
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WWE Hall of Fame (2017) was the event which featured the introduction of the 18th class to theWWE Hall of Fame. The event was produced byWWE on March 31, 2017, from theAmway Center inOrlando, Florida.[1] The event took place the same weekend asWrestleMania 33.[2] This was the first time the Hall of Fame ceremony was not held the night before WrestleMania insteadNXT TakeOver: Orlando was held the night before WrestleMania. The event aired live on theWWE Network,[3] and was hosted byJerry Lawler. A condensed one-hour version of the ceremony aired the following Monday afterRaw on theUSA Network.[4]
On January 16, 2017, WWE announced that Angle would be inducted into theWWE Hall of Fame.[5] As a celebrated amateur wrestler, Angle had an aversion to professional wrestling, considering it "beneath" him.[6] He was offered a 10-year contract with the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) following the 1996 Olympics,[7] but talks fell apart when he told company chairmanVince McMahon that he would be unwilling tolose any matches.[8] Angle's opinion of professional wrestling changed when he began watching the WWF'sMonday Night Raw in 1998: he observed "world class athletes doing very athletic things", and developed an admiration forStone Cold Steve Austin's talents as an entertainer.[7] Angle later conceded that his negative attitude toward the industry was misguided and "stupid".[6] Angle was signed to a five-year deal by August 1998, following a three-day tryout.[9] On August 25, 2006, Angle was granted an early release from his WWE contract because of health reasons.[10][11] Angle stated in theKurt Angle: Champion documentary DVD that he asked for his release from WWE because he could not take time off and was working hurt, severely on some occasions. He also stated that when he quit, WWE lost their top talent, as he was at the very top of the payroll.[12] Following his release, Angle did not reappear on any WWE programming until his Hall of Fame induction.
Due to the launch of theWWE Network shortly beforeWrestleMania XXX, this event featured the fourth "Red Carpet" event as a one-hour pre-show prior to the start of the event.Michael Cole andMaria Menounos hosted the pre-show.
In 2016, WWE introduced a new category for the Hall of Fame called the "Legacy" wing. Inductees under this new category feature wrestlers from the early years of professional wrestling, primarily during the early part of the 20th century.[13] All inductees in 2017 were inducted posthumously and were recognized with a video package at the ceremony.[14] Those inducted in the 2017 legacy category wereMartin "Farmer" Burns,June Byers,Haystacks Calhoun,Judy Grable,Dr. Jerry Graham,Luther Lindsay,Joseph "Toots" Mondt,Rikidōzan, andBearcat Wright.
FollowingThe Ultimate Warrior's death in April 2014,[15] 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."[16] As is the normal case, his widow Dana Hellweg presented the award. The 2017 inductee wasEric LeGrand. LaGrand was recognized for being a formerRutgers University football player. After LeGrand was paralyzed in 2010, rather than letting it defeat him, he became a motivational speaker.
Theodore Long was inducted by his long time travel-matesThe APA (John "Bradshaw" Layfield andRon Simmons). During the induction ceremony Layfield and Simmons shared memories of Long on the road, how he never was willing to pay for anything, and how much money he owed them.
Diamond Dallas Page was inducted by his former bossEric Bischoff. During his induction speech, Page spoke about how muchDusty Rhodes, who had died two years prior, meant to him, and helped guide his career.
Natalya inducted her best friendBeth Phoenix. The two shared stories of how their careers started and how much the other meant to them and how it got them both where they are too. Phoenix went to introduce her husband however she was interrupted byTony Chimel who offered to help her, and then announcedEdge.[17] Phoenix also shared stories about Edge and stories of them from before they retired.
"Ravishing" Rick Rude was inducted byRicky Steamboat. Due to Rude's passing in 1999, Rude's induction was posthumously accepted by his widow Michelle and his two surviving children, daughter Merissa and son Rick Rood Jr.
The Rock 'n' Roll Express membersRicky Morton andRobert Gibson were inducted byJim Cornette. Cornette shared stories of managing them during their early years. Gibson and Morton discussed what it was like to travel with each other for so many years, and discussed how they are as close as brothers.
Kurt Angle was the final member to be inducted, with his induction being done byJohn Cena (who had debuted against Angle back in 2002). This event marked Angle's return to the WWE after an over 10-year absence (most of which he spent working with rival promotion TNA). Angle roasted himself during his speech, referencing many of his old bits, including singing "I'm Just a Sexy Kurt" (his version of Shawn Michaels' theme) and finished by chugging two bottles of milk (a Stone Cold Steve Austin-inspired taunt he had previously done once in 2001 as part of his milk-based re-enactment of Austin giving The Corporation a beer bath in 1999).
On the April 3 episode ofRaw after WrestleMania, Angle made his first WWE appearance in nearly 11 years afterMr. McMahon appointed Angle as the new general manager ofRaw.[18] On October 20, WWE announced Angle's in-ring return after 11 years, replacingRoman Reigns due to medical issues and teaming withDean Ambrose andSeth Rollins to faceThe Miz,Cesaro,Sheamus,Braun Strowman, andKane in a5-on-3 handicapTables, Ladders, and Chairs match atTLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs.[19]
| Image | Group | Inducted by | WWE recognized accolades |
|---|---|---|---|
 | The Rock 'n' Roll Express[42][43][44] | Jim Cornette[45] | Four-timeNWA World Tag Team Champions(Mid-Atlantic Version) Four-timeNWA World Tag Team Champions Ten-timeSMW Tag Team Champions[46] |
| Ricky Morton (Richard Morton) - Two-timeWCW World Six-Man Tag Team Champion, one-timeNWA World Junior Heavyweight Champion Robert Gibson (Ruben Gibson) - One-timeSMW Beat the Champ Television Champion | |||
| Image | Recipient (Birth name) | Presented By | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Eric LeGrand[47][48] | Dana Warrior | FormerRutgers University football player LeGrand was paralyzed during the 2010 game against Army. He has gone on to become a renowned motivational speaker.[49] |
Kurt Angle recently signed a five-year deal with the World Wrestling Federation.
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