By Wade Keller, Torch editor

-A classy Hall of Fame introductory video aired with clips of previous HOF classes.

-Todd Grisham introduced the ceremony. He said he is The Great One, but added, "His name is Duane Johnson, but to us he'll always be The Rock." Johnson walked out. He got a huge ovation. They cut to Steve Austin, Shane McMahon, and John Cena standing and applauding. No sign of Triple H standing and applauding. A huge chant of "Rocky, Rocky" broke out. He soaked up the cheers. Then he began to talk as Johnson in his regular voice. He said it was an honor to be there. He stopped, smirked a bit, and said something just wasn't right. He pulled out a wireless mic and went into the "Finally, The Rock has come back to Orlando!" bit. The crowd ate it up and chanted "Welcome Back" and "Rocky."

"Damn, that felt good," he said. "Thank you." He congratulated all of the Hall of Fame inductees. He said on a personal note it's really wonderful to come back to see so man smiling faces. He pointed to Austin. He asked to see Mick Foley. They cut to him in the crowd. The crowd chanted "Foley, Foley." Rock said, "Yeah, the Rock 'n' Rock Connection. Only in this business is it okay for a 280 pound man can pull a stinky sock that he stuffs in his crotch area and stuff it down my throat. It made me a better man." He asked if he still has the sock. Foley stood up and put it on. It was wearing a "tux" tonight. Rock said, "I actually meant do you have it at home." He made fun of him for drawing the tux on it. He then pointed to Coach. The crowd boos. He said, "Nobody cares about you." He called out for Chris Jericho. Rock said, "How are you doin', man. The funny thing is, I still can't believe you're still talking about the night you beat 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin and myself, same night. You're still talking about it. I heard it a couple weeks ago. guess it's better than talking about the haircut that makes you look like a 12 year old boy." Jericho feigned being upset and stood up. Then he smiled and said he's right. Rock said he loves the highlights. "They look awesome! Backstreet Boys, coming back to Orlando." He said, "Speaking of hair, where's Triple H?" He said he's backstage getting ready to induct Ric Flair. He said Triple H is so obsessed with winning the WWE Title that the mere thought of that makes Stephanie McMahon pregnant. He congratulated a very much showing Stephanie.

He said tonight is the most important night for WWE each year except for when they go to Iraq. He said there was a problem this past year. He said apparently there was some unfortunate trouble this year with illegal torture. "Apparently they would find Iraqi insurgents. They'd sit them down, tie them up, and make them watch copies of 'The Marine.'" They cut to John Cena who made a truly hideous mock face, then he broke into a smile. Cena then bowed for The Rock, showing respect. Rock said, "I'm only kidding. By the way, I made 'Doom.'" Rock laughed.

He said something about a "Santana or San Francisco" in the crowd. Santino Marella stood up. He made fun of his hair, calling it a "faux hawk and a rat tail at the same time." He asked him what his name was again. He said, "My name is..." Rock interrupted and said, "It doesn't matter what your name is." He said tonight what matters is the Hall of Fame inductees. He said without them, there would be no WWE. He said, "There would be no trailblazing, eyebrow raising, jabroni beating, pie eating, you know the face, you know the name, ready to induct my family into the Hall of Fame, People's Champ The Rock, if you smelllllll what The Rock is cooking."

That was one of the best anythings I've ever witnessed in wrestling. He was phenomenal - classy, funny, charismatic, gracious, and not a hint of being too big of a star to be there.

[Commercial Break]

-Rock introduced a video of his father, Rocky Johnson. After the video aired - the same one that aired on TV previously - he introduced his dad. He walked to the podium and hugged his son. The fans chanted, "Rocky, Rocky." He said he never thought in his wildest dreams he'd ever be standing there accepting this award. He said it's a pleasure and an honor. He said he never believed he'd be part of a family dynasty. He said he has wrestled for "the NWA and many smaller promotions overseas, and finally for the World Wrestling Federation which is now WWE." He said the highpoint came when he and Tony Atlas n 1983 became the first black tag team champions. He said it's great to share this honor with "High Chief" Peter Maivia. The showed Afa standing in the crowd applauding. He said he paved the road for many athletes of color and he'd like to be remembered for that. He said the friendships he made in wrestling are some of the most important things in his life. There was some clear editing of his comments to fit TV time. Rock told his dad he loved him and made sure he carried some paper from the podium back with him.

[Commercial Break]

-The Rock introduced a video package on his grandfather, Peter Maivia. Afterward, Rock said his performances inspired him to become a pro wrestler. He said when his dream come true to step foot into a WWF ring in 1996, his sole purpose at that time was to make his family proud. He choked up and paused. The crowd applauded. He said his family question is, "Grandpa, I hope I've made you proud because I sure am so proud of you." He said to induct his grandfather, he introduced his mother, "the real rock of the family." In a funny moment, Rock didn't know which way to leave the stage behind her and he walked back and forth looking for the first time something less than supremely confident. She applauded all WWE wrestlers for their chosen profession. "We have lived and loved this wrestling business all of our lives. Here we are, the Hall of Fame," she said. "Dad, as you look down from Heaven, take your final bell. This is your big finish." They showed Jimmy Snuka in the crowd, smiling with sunglasses on. She asked him to soak up the applause just one more time. "Dad, you my champion. I love you," she said. The showed Harley race standing and applauding. Rock waved goodbye to the fans.

[Commercial Break]

-John Cena stepped out onto the stage for his usual mixed reaction. They showed Randy Orton looking on in the crowd. Cena appeared to have a black eye or cut just to the right of his right eye. Cena said, "Judging by the excitement and atmosphere in the building tonight, I think everyone can tell WrestleMania is tomorrow." He went on to tout that WrestleMania is the most fabulous entertainment spectacular on this planet. He said, "Ladies and gentleman, how you feel about me is not relevant. What is relevant is there would be no WrestleMania if it were not for these Hall of Fame legends that we speak of." He seemed a little moody tonight. He said oftentimes performers explain they would not exist with the fans. He said that's damn true. He said the Hall of Famers turned all of them into fans. "It is them who made me turn on the channel. It is them who made me so passionate about this business today. It is them who made me so proud to walk down that aisle tomorrow and be a part of WrestleMania." He then said: "Ladies and gentleman, you don't have to like me. Hell, you don't have to know me, but I'm asking you to rise and stand up and show your appreciation for those we respect." They went to a brief video package on the earlier inductions (covered in detail in my report earlier).

[Commercial Break]

-Out came Triple H to his music. He walked up to the podium. They showed Orton glaring his way from the crowd. "I can tell you right now before I get started, this is awesome!" He said the fact that the fans would come out there and jam pack that arena just to show respect and love for the superstars of the past of this business, "thank you." They showed Shawn Michaels in the crowd smiling. He said he doesn't know how he'll say anything that will measure up. He said Flair not only deserves to be in the Hall of Fame, but deserves his own wing. They went to a video on Flair. It included soundbites of David Crockett, John Cena, Barry Windham, Edge, Arn Anderson, Harley Race, Chris Jericho, J.J. Dillon, Shawn Michaels, Dusty Rhodes, other dignitaries, and C.M. Punk. (Who doesn't quite belong in that group? Punk is like the Hal Sparks of WWE video packages. You just wonder what he did to get inserted into that video given the stage of the career he is in compared to everyone else.) Really cool video. Its videos like that which make even die-hard WCW fans grateful that WWE owns so much vintage footage from over the decades.

[Commercial Break]

-They returned to Triple H talking at the podium about his passion for the business. He said that passion has made him the greatest of all-time in the ring and on the mic. He said it made him the greatest husband, grandfather, father, and friend. "Some things have changed. Now, when Ric's in the lobby of the hotel naked, it's because he can't remember where his room is. He can't see that he doesn't have his shirt on and he's forgotten that he didn't put on his pants. And well, let's just say, at Flair's age, sometimes even Space Mountain needs a little help getting up the first hill." They showed Ric's family laughing. Reid and David turned to look at each other and smile. Triple H said he's still waiting to hear the argument against Ric as being the greatest of all time. He said Ric is and always will be The Man. He said it was his extreme honor and privilege to induct him, his friend, the one and only "Nature Boy" Ric Flair. Reid was beginning to cry, and of course Ric was already bawling backstage.

Ric walked out to the ring, flanked by two women. Hunter and Ric embraced at the podium. Reid cried harder as Michaels was shown tearing up and applauding. They showed Austin, Shane, and Cena standing and applauding.

Ric thanked the crowd. They showed Big Show balling. Another gimmie. Ric said, "Please sit down, I swear." He said Ray Stevens told him way back, "The day you walk through the curtain and don't have goose bumps, that's the day you never need to walk through it again. I can tell you without reservation, I have goose bumps tonight." He said he was honored to be there. He said the journey began 35 years ago in Minnesota. He said everyone has decided he should be there, and that's honor enough, without him talking about anything he's accomplished. He said he did want to thank the people who got him there. He said it's an honor to be there as he's still active. He began to have trouble getting the words out. He said he respects every one of them "for the friendship, for the respect that you've shown me." He said the last seven years has been a special time. He said it's an honor to be inducted "here in Orlando, the second home of Space Mountain." He talked about the Eddie Graham Sports Complex, Amway Arena, and tomorrow nigh the Citrus Bowl being the home of his matches in Orlando over the years. He mentioned Gordon Solie.

He said pro wrestling has meant everything to him. He said it's the greatest sport in the world and he's been the luckiest man in the world to be part of the wonderful business. He said everything he has been, is, and will be is because of pro wrestling. (He means "sports entertainment." of course.) He said he hopes fans realize he gave them the best he could whether there were 100 of them or 10,000 of them. "I hope nobody ever went home feeling bad about spending money to see Ric Flair." He said there are so many people he owes so much to and he will never forget them. He said, "Shawn Michaels, you're coming up." There were some boos for Michaels. He said Triple H reminds him more of himself in his prime than anyone else in the wrestling business. He said Triple H has been a great friend and restored his confidence. He said he wishes he could have turned back the clock and wrestled Triple H for the world title "when I was real good." He went back to Michaels. He said Shawn told him he always wanted to be like him. He said he's become one of the greatest superstars in the history of the business. "I knew Shawn eclipsed me when I came home one day and Reid asked me if I could do a moonsault," he said. "I said no." He said his oldest son David idolized him. But he added that tomorrow Michaels better have it all together.

He said he is very proud of his award. He said he's even prouder and more thankful to have a wonderful family. Reid kept crying. He's surely Ric's son. No doubt now; not that there ever was. He said his mom and dad, Kay and Dick, are gone now, but their memories will never die. He said he knows they'd be proud right now. He said his dad taught him that with hard work, he can achieve anything. He said he was the bravest man he's ever known. He said his mom was an amazing woman who gave more than she got. He said they'd be very proud to be here, but they're in a better place. He said that's tough because Orlando is a beautiful place right now. He thanked his wife, Tiffany. He said she's his best friend who inspires him daily like no one else has before. He said the past few years have been up and down, but she's been by his side. "She calls being married to me a mixed blessing," he said. "Imagine that. I've tested her. She's tough. No more naitchin'. That doesn't fly anymore." He said she filled a part of his heart that was missing. He shifted to his children, Meagan, David, Ashley, and Reid. He said they're the true blessings of his life and he's so proud of them all. He said he considers himself so blessed to have something so special in his life as them. He said they're now his heroes.

He then thanked his first two wives. There was some laughter in the crowd. He said: "Please, take this very seriously, because I mean this very seriously. When I was with Leslie, I was completely out of control. She made a wise decision and she's very happy in her life now. Beth spent 27 years with me. They both were wonderful, wonderful mothers to the kids. Through all the highs and lows, they both took great care of my lifes greatest lessons, my children." He said as he's gotten older, he's worried that he wasn't there enough for his children. He apologized to them because, he said, nobody loves his children more than he does. He said he leaves knowing that his final match could be tomorrow. He said he's honored be performing in front of the most awesome crowd he's ever performed in front of and there's no better opponent. He said he was going to "cut a promo," but it isn't going to happen now (in other words, he was too emotional). He just said in a normal voice, "To be the man, you gotta beat the man." He thanked everyone who travelled so far. He said they were giving him the wind-up signal. "I love you. I love you all, whooo!"

Well, that was pretty much right there as the best anything I've seen in the business. What a great moment for all long-time fans to experience and all newer fans to share. I am so happy he acknowledged his first two wives. I am so happy he apologized for not being there for his kids enough. It's that kind of introspection that makes it so much easier to look back on the great product that he helped make happen without regret because he's made peace with the sacrifices along the way.

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