Las Vegas, NV – The WWE universe is gearing up for a star-studded evening as the 27th annual WWE Hall of Fame ceremony unfolds on Friday, just one day before WrestleMania 42 takes center stage at Allegiant Stadium. According to ESPN, this year's class features a powerhouse lineup of inductees, including WWE Grand Slam Champion AJ Styles, former WWE CEO Stephanie McMahon, three-time tag team champions Demolition, two-time WWE and WCW Heavyweight champion Sid, wrestling veteran Bad News Brown, and celebrity inductee Dennis Rodman. The event, airing on ESPN Unlimited at 6 p.m. ET, promises to celebrate decades of wrestling excellence and larger-than-life personalities.
The WWE Hall of Fame, which began in 1993 with the induction of Andre the Giant as its inaugural member, has grown into a prestigious tradition honoring the sport's trailblazers. This year's ceremony highlights not only individual achievements but also a historic moment from wrestling lore. Organizers have selected the iconic Hulk Hogan vs. Andre the Giant main event from WrestleMania III as the Immortal Moment, a new feature introduced last year to spotlight legendary matches.
Leading the inductees is AJ Styles, whose nearly three-decade career has left an indelible mark on professional wrestling. Before making waves in WWE, Styles honed his craft on the independent circuit, in Ring of Honor, and notably in NWA-TNA, where he became the first X-Division champion in 2002. "The championship, which still stands today, was largely built on Styles' body of work," ESPN reported, emphasizing his role in defining the division's high-flying, fast-paced style.
Styles' accolades continued to mount as a two-time TNA World Heavyweight champion, with his first win in 2009 coming against future Hall of Famers Kurt Angle and Sting. His international stardom peaked in New Japan Pro Wrestling, where he captured the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship twice and led the influential Bullet Club faction starting in 2014. After 18 years outside WWE, Styles signed with the company in 2016, debuting as a surprise entrant in the Royal Rumble and instantly confronting Roman Reigns.
Within a year, Styles had ascended to the top, winning the WWE Championship twice and earning the moniker "The Face That Runs the Place" on SmackDown. His WWE tenure included three United States Championship reigns, two Intercontinental titles, and two tag team championships. A poignant highlight was his WrestleMania 36 match against The Undertaker, marking the Deadman's final appearance at the event. Styles retired from in-ring competition in January 2026, making his Hall of Fame induction a fitting capstone to a storied career.
Stephanie McMahon, daughter of WWE founder Vince McMahon, represents the family's pivotal role in shaping the industry. Introduced on-screen in 1999 as the quiet daughter of the boss, she quickly evolved into one of WWE's most compelling villains. Paired in a storyline marriage with Triple H, McMahon helped usher in the McMahon-Helmsley era, a dominant heel faction that captivated audiences.
"Stephanie mastered the art of crowd control that few WWE performers have been able to do, seamlessly combining confidence with just the right amount of whining and antagonism to rile up fans," according to ESPN's coverage. Her in-ring accomplishments include a 150-day reign as WWE Women's Champion in early 2000. Later, as SmackDown general manager, she transitioned to a babyface role before rejoining Triple H in 2013 as part of The Authority, once again embodying the company's top antagonists.
Off-camera, McMahon's influence was profound. Serving as executive vice president, chief brand officer, and co-CEO, she played a key part in the Women's Revolution. In July 2015, she introduced Charlotte Flair, Becky Lynch, and Sasha Banks on Raw, a moment ESPN described as "a turning point in the evolution of women's wrestling." Her dual legacy as performer and executive solidifies her as a cornerstone of WWE's history.
The tag team Demolition, consisting of Ax, Smash, and later Crush, brought a unique blend of aggression and face paint to WWE's late 1980s and early 1990s roster. Managed by Hall of Famer Mr. Fuji, they secured the WWE Tag Team Championship three times, with their first victory at WrestleMania IV in 1988 against Strike Force. That initial reign lasted a record 478 days, contributing to a total of 698 days as champions between 1988 and 1990.
Demolition's dominance defined the tag division during their peak, showcasing a style that stood out for its intensity. Crush joined in 1990, participating in their third title run and adding to the group's legacy. Their induction recognizes not just the titles but the visual and performative impact they had on fans.
Sid, known for his imposing presence and versatile character work, is a long-overdue addition to the Hall. Moving between NWA/WCW and WWE, he first gained prominence as part of the legendary Four Horsemen stable. His WWE debut in 1991 led to a main event spot at WrestleMania VIII in 1992, where he challenged Hulk Hogan for the championship.
Adopting the "Psycho Sid" persona in 1995, Sid served as both enforcer and rival to Shawn Michaels, culminating in two WWE Championship wins against Michaels and Bret Hart. He later returned to WCW for two Heavyweight title reigns, underscoring his cross-promotional success. Sid's ability to embody menace and athleticism made him a standout across eras.
As a legacy inductee, Bad News Brown embodies the tough-guy archetype that resonated in WWE's golden age. After a brief 1970s stint, he returned in 1988, winning the WrestleMania IV Battle Royal by last-eliminating Bret Hart. Brown feuded with top stars like Hulk Hogan, Randy Savage, and Roddy Piper, including matches against Jim Duggan at WrestleMania V and Piper at WrestleMania VI.
"Brown was a true tough guy – a persona that left a lasting mark in WWE," ESPN noted. His no-nonsense style and powerhouse build made him a formidable presence, even if his runs were shorter than some peers.
Celebrity wing inductee Dennis Rodman bridges basketball and wrestling with his flamboyant charisma. Already enshrined in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2011, Rodman debuted in pro wrestling in 1997 on WCW Monday Nitro alongside Hollywood Hulk Hogan. As a member of the New World Order, he competed in three matches: a loss with Hogan to Lex Luger and The Giant (now Big Show) at Bash at the Beach 1997, a victory over Diamond Dallas Page and Karl Malone in 1998, and a bout against Randy Savage at Road Wild 1999.
Rodman's rebounding prowess and eccentric personality translated seamlessly to the ring, earning him a spot among wrestling's celebrity crossovers. His induction highlights WWE's tradition of blending sports and entertainment icons.
The Immortal Moment honors the WrestleMania III clash between Hulk Hogan and Andre the Giant, drawing a claimed crowd of 93,000 to the Pontiac Silverdome in Michigan. The buildup featured tense "Piper's Pit" segments where former allies turned rivals, with Andre challenging Hogan for the WWE Championship. The match's climax – Hogan's legendary bodyslam of the 500-pound Andre – has been called "the bodyslam heard around the world," one of pro wrestling's most replayed and iconic scenes.
As the ceremony approaches, it underscores WWE's evolution from its 1980s heyday to a global powerhouse. With WrestleMania 42 looming, the Hall of Fame event serves as a reflective prelude, celebrating pioneers while looking toward the future. Fans and industry insiders alike anticipate tributes, speeches, and perhaps surprise appearances that could add to the night's lore.
This class's diversity – from in-ring technicians like Styles to executives like McMahon and cross-sport stars like Rodman – reflects wrestling's broad appeal. As WWE continues to expand, the Hall of Fame remains a vital link to its roots, ensuring that moments like the Hogan-Andre showdown endure for new generations.