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WWE Hall of Fame 2025 Coverage
Michael Cole and Pat McAfee are the hosts of the WWE Hall of Fame 2025. Joe Tessitore narrates a video package about the Hall of Fame.
Cole talks about his journey in wrestling - starting out as a fan in the 1970s and 1980s. He’s now been in the WWE for 28 years and even had a match at WrestleMania. Cole’s biggest thrill, though, has been providing the soundtrack to moments in wrestlings. He’s humbled and honored to do so. Tonight, though, is the biggest honor of Cole’s career. McAfee agrees. He’s loved wrestling since stealing the PPVs as a kid. McAfee is excited to induct some legends tonight.
A video package airs for Lex Luger.
Lex Luger - Inducted by Diamond Dallas Page
Diamond Dallas Page is honored to induct someone into the WWE Hall of Fame for a second time. They aren’t celebrating the just impact that Lex Luger had on the business, but his rebirth. Luger was given every gift in the book when he was born and was a physical specimen. Luger was destined to be money in wrestling. Luger was a member of the Four Horsemen and carved out a legacy in the NWA, WCW, and WWE. DDP talks about the Lex Express and Luger slamming Yokozuna. DDP covers Luger leaving WWE for WCW in secret. Luger made waves and created memories during the Monday Night Wars. Luger’s hardest battles were outside of the ring, though, thanks to his lifestyle. Real strength isn’t what a person builds in the spotlight, though, it’s what a person does in the shadows. Luger found his purpose and realized it’s better to build people up instead of tearing people down. There’s always hope and tonight stands as proof.
Lex Luger comes out and STANDS at the podium. Luger says that there was a plan to walk for longer, but he took an unexpected bump yesterday. He’s standing for this no matter what, though. What a ride and journey. Luger never expected to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame, but is thankful. Luger thanks DDP for being relentless. Luger thanks all of his other friends for sticking with him. Luger thanks the jail chaplain that helped him find god. Luger thanks the fans.
Luger tells a story about Pastor Steve, the jail chaplain. Luger never wanted to go to Walmart with him because he thought he was better than the store. Luger didn’t understand the fans at first. When he finally walked into Walmart, though, when he was feeling unlovable - fans recognized him and showed him so much love. It gave him hope. It changed him from a wrestler who wasn’t a fan to a fan of wrestling. Luger loves what wrestling is today and is proud of what WWE has become.
Luger’s mom would always ask him if he was going to go into the WWE Hall of Fame. She unfortunately passed away recently, but Lex Luger lets his mom know that he made it.
Pat McAfee picks apart Michael Cole acting like Triple H on an episode of RAW.
A video package airs for Kamala.
Kamala - Legacy Wing
Jean Harris, Kamala’s wife, is shown in the crowd. She stands and gives everyone a wave.
A video package airs for Michelle McCool.
Michelle McCool - Inducted by The Undertaker
The Undertaker says, “It’s Vegas. It’s Friday night. I’m here for a good time, not a long time.” He’s not here as the Phenom or the Deadman. Tonight, he’s just Mark…or a mark. He’s a husband and a father. He’s a man who gets to honor one of the greatest people in life and the wrestling business. Michelle McCool came to WWE with her working boots and something to prove. She went out and earned everything. McCool never wanted The Undertaker to speak on her behalf. He didn’t know what to say, so he said, “When I do speak, you better listen.” It was three months before he could eat solid food again. McCool was the first Divas Champion and the first person to hold the Divas Championship and Women’s Championship. She was in the great team, LayCool. McCool was a pioneer before the women’s evolution. The most amazing thing about McCool, though, is who she is when the camera isn’t rolling. She’s a woman of faith, a mother who leads with love, and the strongest person in their family. McCool picked The Undertaker up when he couldn’t pick himself up. She made him a better man, a better father, and a better person. McCool stepped away from the WWE at the top of her game so that she could be a mother, which was more important to her. Her fingerprints are still all over the women’s division today. Without McCool, many of the women would not have gotten the opportunities that they have now and they are smashing it now. McCool is more than a Hall of Famer - she’s a legend and The Undertaker’s best friend.
Michelle McCool comes out and jokes that The Undertaker told a few lies. McCool says that some of the biggest moments can just sneak up on a person. She thinks back to 2004 and getting a random 203 number from WWE Headquarters (for Tough Enough). She let it go to voicemail because she was scared of failing. Wrestling wasn’t just entertainment in her house - it was sacred. It was a form of bonding. In 2008, she decided to give WWE another try with the Diva Search. She got the call again and realized her life was about to change. What if she was enough just as she was?
Tonight is not just her story - it’s everyone’s story. Everyone is enough. Period. McCool talks about how having grit is not about feeling pain or not. It’s about fighting through pain and proving that there’s no quit. As long as someone fights, they are still in the game. McCool talks about how things weren’t always easy during the Divas Era. She was told to tone it down, but didn’t and was rewarded. Therefore, not every voice deserves attention. A person’s calling is bigger than other people’s commentary.
Lastly, failure isn’t fatal. McCool has been dealing with severe liver and kidney diseases for over 25 years. She was having wrestling hallucinations while in the hospital and wouldn’t stop talking about The Undertaker. During that time, though, she believed that her hard times would be temporary. McCool never believed she’d be in the Hall of Fame. Some of the biggest moments didn’t just happen in the ring, but outside of it - all the tours to see the troops and hanging out at the Special Olympics. McCool thanks the fans for all the support. She thanks the WWE. She thanks Sharmell, Natalya, Fit Finlay, John Cone, and Layla, among others. McCool suggests a LayCool reunion. It could be flawless. Lastly, McCool thanks her family and The Undertaker.
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