WWE Hall of Fame 2026 highlights: Top moments from induction ceremony
Jordan MendozaLAS VEGAS — A group of wrestling icons were immortalized into wrestling history with the 2026 WWE Hall of Fame induction ceremony.
One of the elegant parts of WrestleMania weekend, WWE honored those that have made massive contributions to the business, from the major stars to moments that turned wrestling into the mainstream success it is today. Seven people were honored in the night, as well as one of the most iconic shots in all of wrestling.
Here's a recap of the 2026 WWE Hall of Fame ceremony:
2026 WWE Hall of Fame class
- Stephanie McMahon
- AJ Styles
- Demolition (Ax and Smash)
- Celebrity: Dennis Rodman
- Legacy: Sid
- Legacy: Bad News Brown
- Immortal moment: Hulk Hogan vs. Andre the Giant at WrestleMania 3
AJ Styles
A true once-in-a-generation star, wherever he was, Styles shined. He took over the world from his time in Japan to becoming the face of TNA. He eventually made the jump to WWE, and he continued his excellence with the company that included multiple title reigns, including being a WWE Champion.
He was a top-tier athlete that could do it all in the ring, and he was just as good when it came to being an entertainer. He knew how to make a classic, as some of the top wrestlers have said their best matches came against Styles. He was beloved by the crowd, proven by the stunning reaction he got in France.
Styles longtime friends Gallows and Anderson inducted the "Phenomenal One."
AJ Styles makes his signature entrance
Just like how he did every time he came out to the WWE universe, Styles does his classic walk out into the arena.
AJ Styles is inducted into Hall of Fame
After his career just ended at Royal Rumble, Styles gets it out of the way with talking about if he misses wrestling. Even though the crowd chants "one more match," he said he doesn't miss it because he's able to go home to his family and not miss a single thing.
He thanks every promotor he worked for and every star he worked with. Even though he's not in the ring anymore, he mentions he still gets to work in helping the next generation of wrestling stars.
"I don't have to be the phenomenal AJ Styles anymore," he said. "My job is to find the next phenomenal one."
Styles closes it by noting he is honored to be part of the Hall of Fame class as the crowd gives him a standing ovation.
Legacy: Sid
A former two-time WWE Champion, Sid had the nickname “Sycho” for a reason. He was a terrifying and imposing force on the roster, with a career that includes major wins over Shawn Michaels and Bret Hart.
Sid died in 2024 and his family was there in honor.
Immortal moment: Hulk Hogan vs. Andre the Giant at WrestleMania 3
There may be no moment that may have changed wrestling more than the main event of WrestleMania 3. The unstoppable force meeting the immovable object, Andre the Giant was the titan of wrestling that hadn't been conquered, and Hogan was the mega star of the company. It sold out the Pontiac Silverdome in what was, at the time, the biggest match in wrestling history.
They met in an epic showdown that turned out to be an iconic moment, sealed by the everlasting image of Hogan picking up Andre the Giant to deliver a slam and then the leg drop to get the win.
It’s considered not just the greatest moment in WrestleMania, but perhaps all of wrestling with an image that has lasted generations.
Jimmy Hart is joined by the children of the stars, where it unveils the statue of the moment Hogan picked up Andre the Giant.
Celebrity induction: Dennis Rodman
An instrumental part of the greatest dynasty in the NBA, Rodman was grabbing rebounds for the Chicago Bulls when he decided to join the WCW and be part of the NWO. He wasn't just a celebrity in the business; Rodman really joined the group and it was a massive deal. So much so there was the infamous moment during the 1998 NBA Finals when he skipped practice to be on WCW Monday Nitro with Hulk Hogan.
A true celebrity that shined in wrestling, Rodman is one of the iconic crossovers in the business.
Kevin Nash and X-Pac are the ones to induct Rodman.
Dennis Rodman is inducted into Hall of Fame
Even though he's known for his basketball career, Rodman lets everyone know that this was truly a calling for him, and if it wasn't for playing hoops, he would have been a full-time wrestler. He's also sporting a Hogan shirt on the stage.
"This is my second home," Rodman said.
He mentioned how great WWE has been to him and veterans long after their involvement with the company, and shouts out Hogan's son, Nick, who he said he's known since Nick was a young child. He then does his best "Hulkamania" impression before closing it out the only way an NWO member could.
"NWO for life," he said.
Demolition (Ax and Smash)
One of the most accomplished tag team pairings in the early days of WWE, Ax and Smash were a crowd favorite. With their spiked shoulder pads and face paint, they were easily over as they bulldozed over any competition that came through.
Not only were they popular, they were extremely successful. They won the World Tag Team Championships at WrestleMania 4, and went on to hold the titles for a whopping 478 days, a record that stood for nearly 30 years.
Haku, Arn Anderson and Warlord inducted the team into the class.
"Demolition set the standard for tag teams," Anderson said.
Demolition is inducted into Hall of Fame
Smash recalled the moment when Demolition was first created, when Vince McMahon pitched the idea and asked them if they could pull it off.
"You're darn right I can be this character. I'm Demolition Smash," he said.
One half of the team said, even though they didn't work together long when it began, their connection was immediate and it set the stage for such a historic partnership.
Ax recalled that he never thought this day would come, and it took great opponents to turn them into the historic team.
Legacy: Bad News Brown
The first legacy inductee honored is Bad News Brown, a one-time Olympian that turned into a fearsome wrestler in the 1980s. He was a ruthless competitor who made few friends during his career, which began outside WWE before spending a few years in the company.
Brown died in 2007, and his family was in attendance in honor.
Stephanie McMahon is inducted into Hall of Fame
The heir of WWE accepts her honor, thanking her family for raising her in the business. She mentions all of them, including father Vince McMahon. A "Thank you Vince" chant breaks out inside the arena.
McMahon tells several stories of her career, from going on dinner dates with Andre the Giant to working the control room of WWE, and tells how much she has loved every single part of being in the company. She also takes time to talk about Conor's Cure, a pediatric cancer charity she started.
The crowd learns about the love story of McMahon and Paul "Triple H" Levesque, and she notes that he "started flirting with me first."
Stephanie McMahon delivers heel promo
Since she was also being inducted for her character work with WWE, McMahon turns on her in-ring persona, showing how the heel accepts it, giving a classic promo in the process.
"I was the most powerful boss (expletive) there ever was," she said. "Unless you want to be on my bad side, I recommend you get on your feet right now. Stand up and bask in my glory as I, Stephanie McMahon, am immortalized in the 2026 WWE Hall of Fame class."
Linda McMahon, Stephanie McMahon’s daughters speak
Joining Aurora, Murphy and Vaughn Levesque on the stage is Linda McMahon, in a rare on-screen appearance for her daughter’s induction.
Vince McMahon and Shane McMahon do not appear.
Stephanie McMahon
McMahon’s video introduction encapsulates an entire life in wrestling, from being born in the business, to becoming part of storylines to then being in charge of it.
It highlights some of her most viral moments, to her contributions with the women’s revolution and the charity work for WWE. Several top stars like Stone Cold Steve Austin, Roman Reigns, Randy Orton and Charlotte Flair talk about how impactful she’s been to the roster.
When is WWE Hall of Fame ceremony 2026?
The 2026 Hall of Fame ceremony takes place Saturday, April 18 on the East Coast, Friday, April 17 in the other time zones.
It is held at Dolby Live at Park MGM in Las Vegas.
WWE Hall of Fame start time
WWE’s ceremony begins at midnight ET/9 p.m. PT.
2026 WWE Hall of Fame class
- Stephanie McMahon
- AJ Styles
- Demolition (Ax and Smash)
- Celebrity: Dennis Rodman
- Legacy: Sid
- Legacy: Bad News Brown
- Immortal moment: Hulk Hogan vs. Andre the Giant at WrestleMania 3
How to watch WWE Hall of Fame 2026
The 2026 WWE Hall of Fame ceremony will air on the ESPN app in the United States. Internationally, it will be on YouTube.