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The 2019 WWE Hall of Fame ceremony is now history and undoubtedly proved to be one of the most memorable ceremonies of all time. Several of WWE's most popular Superstars saw themselves permanently enshrined as part of wrestling history in this year's Hall of Fame Class.
The 2019 class included DX (Triple H, Shawn Michaels, Billy Gunn, Road Dogg, Sean Waltman, and Chyna), The Hart Foundation, Harlem Heat, Torrie Wilson, Honky Tonk Man, Luna Vachon, and Bruiser Brody among others.
While the ceremony will go down as one of the best ever, it wasn't without controversy. An unruly fan dressed in a reggae-inspired costume jumped the barricade, eluded security, and proceeded to attack 61-year-old Bret 'Hitman' Hart.
Despite the fan's efforts to make himself the center of attention, he was promptly and appropriately removed by a host of WWE talent and security. The show was able to continue and Hart gave one of the evening's most memorable speeches (more on that later).
While the incident will for better or worse always be remembered, we aim to focus on the show's very best moments, moments that pulled on the heartstrings, and brought tears to the eyes of real wrestling fans everywhere. Join us as we focus on the very best of this year's ceremony with The 5 Most Inspiring Moments From The 2019 WWE Hall Of Fame Ceremony.
#5. John Cena Returns For Make A Wish
John Cena is a sixteen-time world champion and as one of the greatest wrestlers of all time has earned his place on the Mount Rushmore of professional wrestling. Cena has also become a world renown film star and a multi-million dollar earning Hollywood icon.
While these obviously praise worthy endeavors, Cena would be pleased to know that he won't only be remembered as a wrestler or an actor. He will also be remembered for his commitment to charity through the Make A Wish Foundation. Cena has granted 619 Make A Wish wishes thus far, the most ever.
The sixteen-time world champion made his way to the ring to present the Warrior Award to Susan Aitchinson, a long time WWE employee, who is well known for her charitable efforts. Aitchinson, who is responsible for Cena's introduction to the organization, has helped coordinate more than 6,000 wishes for WWE.
Cena acknowledged what he learned from Aitchinson, "Never underestimate the power of a wish. Always approach the chaos with a smile." Cena proceeded to give Atchison a great deal of credit as "The reason...I do what I do."
#4. Torrie Wilson Honors Her Father Just Days After His Passing
Torrie Wilson accepted the honor of being inducted into the 2019 WWE Hall of Fame class with a heavy heart. Her father, Al Wilson, who was involved in a WWE storyline with his daughter in the early 2000s passed away only days before her induction.
Wilson, at age 43, has committed her life to physical fitness and looked as stunning as ever despite her recent loss. She was humble and at times emotional during her speech, Wilson took time to thank Stacy Keibler, Hulk Hogan, Kevin Nash, Fit Finlay, Michelle McCool, Candice Michelle, and Victoria. Her closest friends in the audience were well aware of Al Wilson's passing, so tears flowed freely and abundantly.
Wilson talked about the experience she had working with her father in WWE, "I feel so blessed to have this crazy experience with him." The new WWE Hall of Famer opened up about how it brought the two of them closer and allowed them to spend time together. With tears in her eyes, she sent a prayer, "Dad, I know you're here with me." There wasn't a dry eye in the house.
#3. Hulk Hogan's WWE Return
WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan hasn't been seen on WWE television since making his long-anticipated return at WWE's Crown Jewel pay-per-view this past November. Although he is a cultural lightning rod and often at the center of controversy, Hogan's contributions to the world of professional wrestling cannot be ignored.
Hogan is still a hero to man. The WWE Hall of Famer was a part of four Hall of Fame speeches tonight alone. Honky Tonk Man gave Hogan credit for pointing him in WWE's direction. According to Honky Tonk Man, he would have never pursued WWE, if Hogan hadn't suggested it in the first place. Torrie Wilson gave Hogan credit for helping to launch her career and Hogan's contributions to Make A Wish were highlighted in Susan Aitchinson's moving speech.
Hogan was there specifically to induct long-time friend Brutus "The Barber" Beefcake, but Beefcake's own Hall of Fame speech gave so much credit to Hogan the close friends may as well have been inducted as a tag team.
According to Beefcake, Hogan was there for him through some of life's darkest moments, when his parents passed, and when he nearly lost his life in a parasailing accident. In a touching display of friendship, Beefcake said of Hogan, "I am your friend to the end."
#2. Bret Hart and Natalya Honor Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart
Many will remember the Hart Foundation's 2019 WWE Hall of Fame induction for an imbecilic fanatic that snuck past security in an attempt to take down legendary WWE Hall of Famer Bret "Hitman" Hart. It's truly a shame considering Bret Hart and Natalya delivered one of the most impassioned, eloquent, and memorable tributes of all time.
Uncle and niece walked hand in hand as they made their way to the ring with one purpose in mind: to honor the late Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart, who passed away last August.
Natalya started things off and promised to do her best to put herself in her father's shoes. In a touching display of love and respect, Natalya thanked her mother Ellie and her dad's Hart Foundation partner, Bret "Hitman" Hart.
An emotional Natalya professed, "Davey, Dynamite, My Dad, Owen, Stu are all together watching us tonight." She then listed a large number of WWE Superstars inspired by The Hart Foundation including her own husband Tyson Kidd, Sheamus, and Cesaro.
Natalya revealed the last conversation she had with her father, who said, "The greatest thing I ever did besides being a father to my 3 girls was being in WWE."
Bret Hart, who claimed to have never had an argument or disagreement with Neidhart, also poured his heart out, "I loved Jim. Jim was the best friend I ever had." He gave credit to Jim Neidhart and Adrian Adonis for drastically altering his career path. WWE had decided to make him a cowboy, but after a car ride with the two legends, Bret heard enough to drastically oppose any such nonsense. When he was questioned as to what he'd like to do, he proposed the idea for the Hart Foundation, all without any of Neidhart's knowledge.
Hart shared several funny and heartwarming stories about his times with Neidhart and eloquently added, "Nothing vanishes between the mirrors or heart of my mind."
The two time Hall of Famer closed by saying that of all the things the Hart Foundation accomplished he is "Always most proud" of the friendship he shared with Neidhart.
Hart closed with a dream he has about a joyous meeting he would one day share with long lost friends from the world of professional wrestling. Hart said that when that day comes, he would immediately seek out and embrace his Hart Foundation partner Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart.
#1. Chyna Finally Gets Her Due
DX may have had the most memorable Hall of Fame induction speech of the evening. In typical DX fashion, Shawn Michaels, Sean Waltman, Triple H, Billy Gunn, and Road Dogg participated in their fair share of shtick and juvenile humor. It was nostalgic, endearing, and a great change of pace from today's too often stale corporate, opinion group tested publicly traded product.
It wasn't all squirt guns and adult humor, however. The members of DX made sure that Chyna, who passed away in April 2016, also received her well deserved recognition.
Shawn Michaels gave high praise to Chyna, referring to her as, "One of the most important members of DX." The crowd responded with one of several "Thank you Chyna" chants that were heard throughout the induction ceremony.
Michaels continued,
"This group would have not reached the heights it reached without the contribution of the biggest and best trailblazer. We wouldn't be where we're at or what we are without the contribution of the 9th Wonder of the World."
Waltman echoed Michaels' sentiments, "Joanie, you were the magic ingredient in the DX recipe." With the approval of the audience in attendance, Waltman suggested that the Women's WrestleMania Battle Royal be re-named as the Chyna Memorial Battle Royal.
Triple H also spoke fondly of the late Joanie Laurer, "I wouldn't be where I am without her in my career. DX wouldn't be where it is."
Triple H also spoke of tomorrow's historic first ever all-female WrestleMania main event and believed it was fitting that Chyna enters the WWE Hall of Fame the night before. He referred to her as "The most impactful woman to ever step foot in the ring."
As the crowd continued with its "Thank you Chyna" chants, Triple H added, "The real her would love this. She loved you."
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