The Undertaker has finally taken his rightful place in the WWE Hall Of Fame after an illustrious wrestling career spanning over three decades. WWE chairman Vince McMahon himself inducted the Dead Man. This was only the second time the boss took the time to do so after Stone Cold Steve Austin.
For the induction, the ring had several mannequin-like silhouettes, displaying the various looks of The Phenom over the years. McMahon first claimed that HOF is his favorite night of the year because fans and performers get a chance to say thank you to the inductees. Mr McMahon said that of all the performers of the past, there is no one more deserving of an induction than the one he is going to induct tonight.
He listed some of The Undertaker’s greatest opponents. He praised Taker for his loyalty to WWE, mentioning how even at the height of Monday Night Wars, WCW never bothered to call because they knew the former world champion would not leave.
The Undertaker then came down the aisle. He received a huge standing ovation. He hugged Vince McMahon and told the chairman that he loved him. The ovation continued when the lights came back on. The moment made the wrestling legend emotional alongside all the fans.
Taker mentioned how he loves the business but it doesn’t come without sacrifice. He said that he wouldn’t be here without all the people that helped him in and outside the ring. The Undertaker said that his first thank you is to the WWE Universe. He said that fans’ passion is the motivation he needed on many nights to push through the pain to perform. Taker said that the night is not only about him, it’s about each and every one of the fans.
The Last Outlaw told the story of how he got into wrestling. He recalled how he had a promising career ahead of him in basketball before graduating school but his heart was already into wrestling. He was worried about what his parents and teammates would say if he chose pro wrestling. This is when his brother David told him that he can’t live his life for what anyone else wanted him to do. He can only live his life for himself. This moment made everything clear for him. The journey of becoming a wrestler was not glamorous but it was the way he found his true identity.
Taker detailed the life lessons he has learned from his father and Mr McMahon. He mentioned Stephanie McMahon and joked that she is the little sister he never wanted. He thanked Shane McMahon before remembering the many names he spent time with on the road. The list included people such as The Godfather, Yokozuna, Brian “Crush” Adams and more.
The Undertaker remembered the importance of Paul Bearer in his career. He also recalled how Bearer used to put cucumbers in his drink if he left them alone. He said his story with Kane is the greatest wrestling story ever told. He claimed that Kane has the gift of making everything around him better, including Taker. He talked about his family and mentioned how he loves all of them. He remembered his parents and said that they were his biggest fans.
He finally talked about Vince McMahon. He remembered how the boss wasn’t completely sold on him at first but he gave him a shot. Taker said that he is standing here because of Vince and Mr McMahon changed his life. He thanked the fans once again for their unwavering support. He said that now that he has entered the Hall Of Fame, we can be rest assured that he will Rest In Peace. The Undertaker bowed to the crowd to another big applause.
His music began as he started leaving. But he came back and put on the leather jacket and black hat from one of the mannequins. He says ‘Never say Never!’ He stopped midway to raise his fist in his signature gesture. The Undertaker then marched back as the Hall Of Fame ceremony went off air.
