Legend dismisses Stephanie McMahon WWE Hall of Fame inductor rumor

Stephanie McMahon will be inducted into the 2026 WWE Hall of Fame before WrestleMania 42 in Las Vegas. Dutch Mantell, formerly known as Zeb Colter, recently addressed whether Vince McMahon could induct his daughter.

In 2024, Vince McMahon resigned as a board member of WWE's parent company TKO amid misconduct allegations. Stephanie McMahon previously resigned from the organization after her father's return in 2023. However, she is now back with the company as a podcast host and occasional on-screen character.

Many have speculated that Vince McMahon could give a speech to welcome Stephanie McMahon into WWE's group of legends. On Story Time with Dutch Mantell, Mantell explained why he cannot see the 80-year-old being his daughter's inductor.

"Wait a minute. I'm gonna go on record. I don't think it'll be Vince. No. I think they don't wanna go back and revisit their time with Vince again."

Stephanie McMahon's Hall of Fame induction was announced at Wrestlepalooza on September 20. The Undertaker surprisingly appeared and sat next to the 49-year-old in the front row to give her the news.

Dutch Mantell's memories of Stephanie McMahon in WWE

From 2013 to 2016, Dutch Mantell performed as the Zeb Colter character. During that time, Stephanie McMahon featured heavily on television as an on-screen authority figure.

Mantell did not work closely with the former Women's Champion, but he always had pleasant interactions with her backstage.

"She may have been on the creative team, and I don't know why. Maybe because of something she was doing, but she was always very nice, very friendly, but that's just on the outside. I don't know how she was inside the room."

In the same episode, Mantell gave his honest thoughts on Brock Lesnar and John Cena's match at Wrestlepalooza.

Please credit Story Time with Dutch Mantell and give an H/T to Sportskeeda Wrestling for the transcription if you use quotes from this article.

About the author

Danny Hart is a journalist who has been reporting on pro wrestling (WWE) at Sportskeeda since 2017. He grew up as a massive fan of football/soccer and wrestling, leading him to pursue a career in sports journalism.

Before assuming his current role, Hart worked as a football writer at Goal.com between 2009 and 2016. He prides himself on writing original content that is fact-based and highly accurate. Hart thoroughly proofreads his work before submitting it and relies only on credible sources for information.

Hart’s favorite pro wrestler is The Undertaker. He admires the 2022 WWE Hall of Famer’s ability to reinvent his character and remain relevant across his decades-long career. If given the keys to WWE’s creative department, he would bring back The Phenom for a farewell bout against AJ Styles in a stadium full of fans. Not only that, but he would love to have the multi-time world champion’s greatest rivals seated at ringside for the spectacle.

When not watching and covering sports, Hart enjoys long-distance running, playing video games, and listening to audiobooks and podcasts.

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Edited by Danny Hart