WWE TO MAKE HALL OF FAME FOR REAL

 WWE has made the decision to start very soon on construction for a physical Hall of Fame. Officials are still looking for a city to house the Hall of Fame and carry the financial burden of running it but Orlando, Florida is a possibility. WWE is in the process of purchasing legendary memorabilia for displays in the new Hall of Fame building.

SHAWN MICHAELS TALKS ABOUT JOHN MORRISON, HALL OF FAME, PG ERA

WWE Hall Of Famer Shawn Michaels was a guest on this week’s edition of Wrestling News Live (located at www.wrestlingnewslive.tk/) on Monday hosted by JJ and Trey. The “Showstoppa” joined WNL for a 70 minute interview that can be heard at http://www.archive.org/download/WNL_6-20-11/Wnl6-20-11.mp3 starting at the 80 minute mark.


Below are some of the highlights:


Shawn’s thoughts on Scott Hall missing his Hall Of Fame induction:


“You have to admire him, You’ve gotta start somewhere and I remember Kevin telling me and me thinking ‘you know what, that’s gotta be a good start. The fact that he is aware of it and I think that’s good as that’s what we all want for (him). I know every one is (sympathetic) and everyone cares about Scott and we all do and I was actually really happy to hear that he’s at least aware of it to the point where he can make a statement like that. As we discussed that night, we all know there is going to be several other Hall Of Fame moments for some of the dudes in our group.”


Shawn’s thoughts on his induction into the Hall Of Fame:


“It’s one of those things like winning your first world championship that you always tell people about and its moments like that when it is all real. It doesn’t matter what all the naysayers say about our line of work and those moments. It’s the most real thing in the world and to get to share it with your present family and your work family and the guys that were the only family I had for many years on the road and being acknowledged in my line of work and having all the people, my extended family (there), it is very easy for me to well up and cry like a baby when I think about it because there is such an attachment for me to all of those people….. There is such a special connection from me to the people and I think it’s because they they knew how I felt about that line of work and how much it meant to me.”


Shawn’s thoughts on how the product has changed.


“I don’t wanna be one of those old timers that continually knock everything because on one hand it’s very tough on the younger talent these days as they are not having the luxury of what we had which is years of experience and countless matches with countless different styles before we came to the WWE. They are getting thrown from the frying pan into the fire.”


Shawn’s thoughts a return to WWE


“One, honestly I really don’t watch much right now and I do that purposely. I’ll tune in every now and then and I’ll tune in for a little bit then see something that I don’t care for and I go away. The reason I do that is because if I watch and I see something I don’t like and I turn away, I know that I’m not ready to come back and look at it objectively yet . I think there will be a time when I’d like to come back and help and contribute in the back if needed but to do that, I feel like I need to have a real washed, clean, objective, constructive point of view and for me personally, it feels like while I was working, I did not watch that much as I always felt I was too close to it to be objective.”


Shawn’s thoughts on John Morrison:


“His name comes up a lot, and a lot of people say ‘I like him but…’ and he’s a young guy and it’s my understanding that he just got injured and as much as you hate hearing about a guy getting injured, it’s never good but at the same time, I remember telling John Cena when he got hurt, ‘Dude they need to see you come back’. It’s part of the ‘warrior making’ stage and so I think John (Morrison) as the kids like to say, ‘He has to get some street cred’. He’s got to take some lumps, gotta take on a couple of scars, get beaten up a little but I certainly think there is potential there. He certainly has all the physical attributes that he needs. He is a sweetheart of a guy and I think that is what hurts him, I just don’t think he has a bad bone in his body.”


Shawn on why he choose not to hold the World Title one last time:


“No, No I didn’t. That’s (holding the belt) is a full time commitment and the guy that does that needs to make every show, doing absolutely everything and that just wasn’t for me. The deal with me coming back was still worth quite a bit but I didn’t do all the live events and I was taking (time after) darn near every WrestleMania off. That was just something, it was more important to me just to come back and I’m gonna be honest, I like it more than the way I did. I know there are some people like ‘You only held the world title this many times’. I just didn’t think it (was fair), I think the guy who does that needs to be the work horse and I no way wanted to be that.”

EDGE'S FUTURE WITH WWE

Edge is still under contract to WWE and will be working with them later this year to promote his new WWE Studios movie. Everyone expects Edge to remain a part of the WWE family, similar to Shawn Michaels.


Tonight’s SmackDown tapings is his last scheduled appearance for the company for the time being.

SHAWN MICHAELS WAS TALKING ABOUT WHOM AT HALL OF FAME

 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.”

BACKSTAGE NEWS ON ROCK AT WRESTLEMANIA

 Vince McMahon or The Rock were not in the crowd for Saturday night’s Hall of Fame ceremony. We don’t know yet if The Rock was there but he was probably backstage with Vince and The Undertaker.

HALL OF FAME TICKET SALE MORE THAN RAW

Going into WrestleMania weekend, word was that the Hall of Fame had more tickets sold than tonight’s RAW did. That could have changed by now as more RAW tickets were sold over the weekend. RAW probably won’t be sold out tonight unless they sold a lot of tickets over the weekend and today.

CM PUNK TALKS ABOUT SCOTT HALL

Scott Hall announced that he wouldn’t be attending the WrestleMania 27 festivities in Atlanta this weekend because the atmosphere would be too much for him to handle as he tries to stay sober.


Last night, CM Punk wrote the following on Twitter regarding Hall: “Is it true that Scott Hall didn’t attend the HOF due to it being a situation that threatened his sobriety? If so this needs to be commended.”

HBK CELEBRATING WEDDING ANNIVERSARY

 Shawn Michaels and his wife Rebecca are celebrating their 12th wedding anniversary this week as he is inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. Shawn’s entire family is in Atlanta to witness his induction and enjoy the WrestleMania 27 festivities.

RIC FLAIR GIFTS HBK A HALL OF FAME GIFT

 As seen before, Ric Flair presented Shawn Michaels with a Hall of Fame gift – a Western style belt buckle. The buckle is ruby-encrusted and has “HBK” on one side.

WWE HALL OF FAME 2011

Thanks to Ashley B. and Marc E. for the following coverage from tonight’s WWE Hall of Fame ceremony in Atlanta:


* Ric Flair and Ricky Steamboat arrived together, Road Warrior Animal is sitting with Sunny. Everyone is making their way in and this is truly an awesome sight. I’ve spotted JBL, Kevin Nash, Sean Waltman it looked like, Trish Stratus, Steve Austin and others.


* Jerry Lawler is hosting the ceremony. Hulk Hogan’s name got a bad reaction. Lawler introduces the first induction, Hacksaw Jim Duggan. Ted DiBiase Sr. comes out to induct Duggan. Ted talked about Duggan’s football career, his wrestling days and fight against cancer. Duggan came out to an ovation and talked about getting into the business. He ended his speech with a promo against the terrorists we fight and a trademark HOOOO. Duggan’s speech was met with lots of USA chants from the crowd.


* Other people we’ve spotted include Stephanie McMahon, Linda McMahon, Wendi Richter, Lex Luger, DDP, Sharmell, Booker T, Pat Patterson. Just about everybody is here.


* Road Dogg Jesse James, Scott Armstrong, Brad and Brian come out to induct their father Bullet Bob Armstrong. Great reaction from the fans for BG James who doesn’t look much different from his DX and TNA days. This induction was way shorter than Duggan’s.


* A fan was just ejected by security for yelling.


* All of the WWE Divas are out now to induct Sunny. Layla and Michelle McCool put her over big as the original Diva. Nice touch with the Divas inducting Sunny and a good speech by her. The Divas hung around on stage with her. Sunny talked about her late husband Chris Candido and getting into the wrestling business. She said that after tonight there is no debate on who the original Diva is anymore. Ashley notes that only LayCool spoke but the entire Divas roster was present for the induction.


* Lawler introduced Terry Funk next who talked about his history with Abdullah the Butcher. Funk is great on the mic as usual. Abdullah the Butcher was introduced next for another short speech. Abdullah got emotional and cried when talking about his family and talked about getting the call from WWE. He had his trademark fork with him. Big pop from Abdullah from the crowd. He thanked God, the fans and his family.


* The Road Warriors and Paul Ellering are being inducted next. Their name gets a huge reaction at first. Dusty Rhodes comes out to induct them and puts over how important they are to tag team wrestling. Dusty has the best speech of the night so far. Huge LOD chants as Animal and Paul Ellering come out. Ellering and Animal have an action figure of the late Hawk on the podium to commemorate him. Animal did most of their speech. He and Ellering talked about Hawk. Animal talked about the day Hawk died. They thanked their fans and family. Great moment.


* Drew Carey gets boo’d during his video and his jokes. Kane comes out to induct him. Drew said he doesn’t care about the boo’s.


* Triple H is out next to induct Shawn Michaels. Triple H came out to his King of Kings theme and put his friend Shawn over more than anyone else has in their speeches tonight. He said Shawn won’t admit that he’s in the Hulk Hogan Hair Club for Men. He also called Shawn the greatest performer he’s ever seen. He got emotional and told Shawn he loves him. Triple H talked about their history together and gave HBK a new nickname – Mr. Hall of Fame. Triple H has had the longest speech yet probably. Shawn is out next to a huge standing ovation from the crowd.


Shawn joked about how nervous he was. Michaels thanked everyone and said there was one name he should thank but he couldn’t say the name, obviously referring to Ric Flair. The crowd “Whooo’d” at this. Shawn thanked the WWE Universe, his family, the WWE talents and God. Great speech by HBK, showed a candid side of himself we don’t see often. Shawn left to DX music and was joined on stage by Triple H, Sean Waltman and Kevin Nash.

ROAD WARRIOR ANIMAL TALKS ABOUT HALL OF FAME

Road Warrior Animal appeared on Right After Wrestling this week and had the following to say about The Road Warriors and Paul Ellering going into the WWE Hall of Fame this year: 


"Well you know how it is. Jealousy is the greatest equalizer (in our business) sometimes. Guys who don’t get invited to it…it’s just jealousy. You look at the path people take in this business, and I knew it was going to be sooner-or-later." 


Animal also revealed that WWE is still working on a physical building for the Hall of Fame in Florida. He said: 


"WWE is looking at a big building in Tampa. I’m gonna donate some of my gear there – maybe some of my spiked-shoulder pads will go in the Hall. They’re getting stuff from everybody. And it’s gonna be an attraction – some place where fans can go. It’s gonna be like the pro-football hall of fame." 

TRIPLE H TO INDUCT SHAWN MICHAELS AT WWE HALL OF FAME

It was revealed at today's WrestleMania XXVII press conference in New York's Hard Rock Café that Triple H would be inducting Shawn Michaels into the WWE Hall of Fame on Saturday in Atlanta, Georgia. 


Triple H was introduced by Stephanie McMahon, the event's presenter. He kissed her upon his entrance and announced that he would be inducting Michaels, his friend, into the WWE Hall of Fame. He then vowed to end The Undertaker's undefeated WrestleMania streak on Sunday. 


Michaels said recently in interviews that he narrowed the list down to two candidates to induct him into the WWE Hall of Fame. 


The WWE Hall of Fame Induction ceremony airs this Monday prior to Raw on the USA Network. 

WWE RE-EDITS BIO OF ABDULLAH BUTCHER

 WWE’s Hall of Fame bio on Abdullah the Butcher talked about how he hadn’t brawled with Bruno Sammartino or Bob Backlund, but the three icons would be together when Abdullah enters the WWE Hall of Fame. WWE has since changed the article by replacing Sammartino and Backlund’s names with Hulk Hogan and Bret Hart.

SEAN WALTMAN ATTENDING HALL OF FAME, THANKS SHAWN MICHAELS

A fan asked Sean Waltman on Twitter if he would be attending the WWE Hall of Fame ceremony in Atlanta with Scott Hall and Kevin Nash. Waltman wrote the following: “yes. I got the official call confirming they are bringing me in for WM weekend.”


Waltman later wrote to Shawn Michaels that he was honored to see Shawn inducted this year and was happy for his friend. Shawn replied: “Thx buddy. I am really excited 2 see u guys!! Thx so much 4 coming. Wud’nt b the same w/out u all there”

WHO WILL INDUCT DREW CARREY

 Word going around WWE is that former The Price is Right and RAW guest host Bob Barker will be inducting Drew Carey into the WWE Hall of Fame this year. Carey is the current host of The Price is Right.

NEW HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE

"Bullet" Bob Armstrong, the patriarch of the Armstrong family, is the latest inductee to be announced for WWE's Hall of Fame Class of 2011 (presented by THQ's WWE All Stars, in stores March 29). 


The announcement was made on WWE.com instead of Raw, likely due to time constraints. 


The current Hall of Fame class includes Shawn Michaels, "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan and Armstrong. Duggan will be inducted by "The Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase. Michaels and Armstrong's inductors have yet to be announced. 

HBK TALKS ABOUT BEING AT WRESTLEMANIA,WHO WILL INDUCT HIM

Shawn Michaels was interviewed by WDFN.com this week and talked about WrestleMania 27, the WWE Hall of Fame and more. Shawn said that as of now, he’s not aware of plans for him to be involved in the Triple H vs. Undertaker at WrestleMania and feels the match doesn’t need him. Shawn said:


“I’ve heard all the rumors. As of right now, I’m doing one thing and one thing only at WrestleMania, and that’s the Hall of Fame.


I don’t think The Undertaker and Triple H need Shawn Michaels to deliver a spectacular match or make this incredibly interesting. Those two can do that on their own. Right now, as far as I’m concerned, I’m going to be there watching it like everyone else.”


Shawn said he hasn’t decided yet who will induct him into the Hall of Fame this year but mentioned names like Triple H, Kevin Nash, Scott Hall, Sean Waltman and others. Shawn said it’s a decision he will have to make pretty quick.

NEWS ON SUNNY IN HALL OF FAME

Regarding reports of Sunny being in the 2011 WWE Hall of Fame class, she responded to rumors back in January and said as of then, she had not been contacted by anyone in WWE. Sunny noted that she was booked for Ring of Honor events in Atlanta during WrestleMania weekend.

CHRIS JERICHO ON SHAWN MICHAELS IN THE HALL OF FAME, TALKS ABOUT HIS BOOK

 Chris Jericho recently spoke to SunSport in the UK. Here are some highlights:


Shawn Michaels being the greatest ever:
“The best way to put it is that Shawn IS the Hall of Fame. There’s nobody that has ever been in the business that deserves to be in the Hall of Fame more than Shawn Michaels. That includes Ric Flair, Hulk Hogan, The Rock, Steve Austin or anybody else. Shawn is the epitome of what the Hall of Fame is because to me he is the best performer of all time. He is not even close to anybody else.


You can debate it with me until the cows come home — you can say all you want. You can give me all the facts and figures, it’s not going to change my mind. I’m so excited that he is in the Hall of Fame, but it’s essential that he be in there. If he wasn’t it would be a waste of time.”


Stories in his new book and writing about topics such as Chris Benoit:
“I talked to Vince about it and Triple H too. I had a lot of confrontations with him when I first started, but it worked out.


“I think it was one of the reasons why WWE in the early 2000s was so exciting because there were a lot of guys rubbing each other up the wrong way personally, which led to them being better professionally.


I said I was telling stories the way I remember them and it wasn’t always rosy. Both of them were like, ‘Well, that’s life. Good for you. Go for it’. I wanted to make sure they each knew.


There were a lot of confrontations with Vince and a lot of harsh words spoken. But it was all done with love. Not to get sappy but it helped both of us understand the other better to where we have a great relationship and a lot of respect between us right now. Vince is one of my favourite people in the world.”

TRISH STRATUS, THE ROCK IN HALL OF FAME?

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.