On April 18/19, the WWE Hall of Fame ceremony reached its zenith with Triple H’s induction speech, which lasted over an hour and captivated wrestling fans around the world. The anticipation built throughout the event, marking his induction as the main event of the evening. Triple H's heartfelt speech began at the 3-hour and 15-minute mark of the Hall of Fame YouTube livestream and concluded just over an hour later.
The ceremony kicked off with a humorous and emotional introduction from Shawn Michaels, a close friend of Triple H. His speech elicited laughter and tears from the audience, setting the stage for the touching moment that followed. As Triple H made his way to the stage, he shared a warm hug with Michaels, admitting that he had already been in tears for 15 minutes prior to his address.
In his speech, Triple H, who currently serves as WWE’s Chief Content Officer, took the time to express his deep gratitude to everyone who has supported him throughout his life and career. He emphasized a belief that “there isn’t a self-made man on this planet,” highlighting the importance of community and support in achieving success. He acknowledged influential figures such as Steve Austin, Mick Foley, William Regal, and Terry Taylor, with a special mention of his relationship with the legendary Dusty Rhodes, who once told him, “booking ain’t easy, kid.”
Triple H became emotional as he reflected on his relationship with Dusty Rhodes, turning away from the microphone in a moment of vulnerability. He also shared a touching moment with Cody Rhodes, Dusty's son, conveying the significance of Dusty in his life. Moving on, he discussed the formation of Evolution, praising Ric Flair as the greatest of all time. He acknowledged Randy Orton, who was present, and expressed his disappointment that Batista could not attend. Triple H revealed that witnessing Orton and Batista evolve into the men they are today inspired him to give back to the wrestling community.
During his speech, Triple H paid tribute to the late Chyna, expressing his gratitude for her contributions to wrestling that have inspired countless female wrestlers. He also spoke candidly about his complicated relationship with Vince McMahon, expressing his appreciation for the valuable lessons he learned from McMahon throughout his career. Fans can listen to Triple H's full comments regarding McMahon through a clip shared during the ceremony.
As his speech progressed, Triple H turned his attention to his family, praising Linda McMahon as a role model and Stephanie McMahon as his unwavering rock. He celebrated the achievements of his three daughters, emphasizing the importance of family support in his life. He concluded his emotional address with a powerful promise: “I promise you that I will do everything in my power, give everything that I have to take this business that we all love and keep it alive, for the next generation who will keep it alive when I’m gone.”
In a signature moment, Triple H concluded his speech with his iconic phrase, stating, “So to everybody out there, supporters, haters, I do not care, I’ve got two words for you… I was thinking ‘thank you’, but I’ll go with ‘suck it.’ Thank you very much.” His closing remarks left a lasting impression on the audience, encapsulating his journey and dedication to the wrestling industry.
Beyond Triple H's induction, other notable figures such as Michelle McCool, Bret Hart, Stone Cold Steve Austin, Lex Luger, and the families of Typhoon Fred Otterman and Earthquake John Tenta also delivered heartfelt speeches during the ceremony. For fans eager to stay updated on the latest WWE news and stories leading up to WrestleMania 41, feel free to click here for more information.
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