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WWE Hall of Fame 2023: Top Highlights from Rey Mysterio, Great Muta and All Speeches
Rey Mysterio took his rightful place in pro wrestling immortality Friday night as the headliner of the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2023.
The former WWE and world champion topped a class that also included Stacy Keibler, The Great Muta, Warrior Award recipient Tim White and celebrity wing inductee Andy Kaufman.
On a night in which they were celebrated for their contributions to WWE and the industry as a whole, these are the highlights of their unforgettable induction speeches.
2023 Inductees
1 of 6Announced for this year's class:
- Rey Mysterio
- Stacy Keibler
- The Great Muta
- Andy Kaufman (celebrity inductee)
- Tim White (Warrior Award recipient)
Stacy Keibler
2 of 6Stacy Keibler joined the likes of Alundra Blayze, "Sensational" Sherri Martel, Trish Stratus, Lita and Beth Phoenix Friday night as the first inductee of this year's Hall of Fame class.
Inducted by fellow Hall of Famers Mick Foley and Torrie Wilson, Keibler showed gratitude for the fans who supported her throughout her career. She was gracious, shined a light on the women who were influential in her evolution as a performer and credited Fit Finlay for doing his best to turn her into a wrestler.
The former Duchess of Dudleyville called Bubba Ray and D'Von Dudley her greatest teachers, shouted out Shane "Hurricane" Helms and wrapped up her speech by reiterating her appreciation for the WWE fans.
One of the core four women during the early 2000s, Keibler set the tone for the night's proceedings with a humble speech that recalled her early fandom of the business and served as a fitting conclusion to her pro wrestling career.
Top Moments
- "For those of you asking 'what the heck is Mick Foley doing inducting Stacy Keibler,' I've been asking myself the same question for the last two weeks," Foley said.
- "If Stacy Keibler feels like she has one match left in her, might I suggest her vs. Molly Holly in a match to determine the nicest person on the planet?"
- "These women were such pillars of the company. They were ambassadors for WWE," Foley said.
- "Wrestling is a far cry from ballet," Wilson said of her and Keibler's rude awakening to the industry.
- "Those 42-inch legs were insured by Lloyds of London."
- "Despite offers coming from Hollywood, she stepped out of the limelight to be the best mom she could be."
- "It is good to be home!" Keibler exclaimed at the top of her speech.
- "You are the real reason I am standing here today," the inductee said of her fans.
- "You are the magic of our show."
- "Including a young one who held up a sign just hoping Bret Hart would look my way."
- "Little did a young girl from Baltimore, sitting in the crowd and wearing her nWo shirt, know that she would have the biggest 'pinch me' moment of being inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame."
- "I'm humbled to join this gritty, gracious group."
- "To the Dudley Boyz, you were my greatest teachers."
- "Our friendship shows what is possible when women are powerful and lift each other up," Keibler said of her best friend, Wilson.
- "Thank you all for helping me make my dreams come true."
Andy Kaufman
3 of 6Andy Kaufman was one of the greatest and most influential celebrity performers in professional wrestling history, so much so that his influence is still felt today in some of the industry's top heels.
Friday, he took his place in the Hall of Fame in one of the longest overdue inductions in memory.
His longtime rival, Jerry "The King" Lawler was unable to attend the ceremony because of a recent stroke, so Kaufman's Memphis manager, Jimmy Hart, handled the honors. He spoke of Kaufman's dedication to his heel persona before introducing the newly enshrined performer's family.
Kaufman's brother, sister and children accepted the honor on his behalf, delivering a short and sweet speech that informed the world of his love for wrestling before he ever had the opportunity to set foot in a squared circle in Memphis. Kaufman died in May 1984.
A great performer who was gone far too soon, Kaufman took his rightful place among the men and women he idolized and inspired.
Top Moments
- Lawler, unable to appear in person following a recent stroke, introduced Jimmy Hart to help him induct Kaufman.
- The fast-talking Hart told stories of Kaufman relishing in the heat he would garner from fans.
- Hart told a story of Kaufman demanding a doctor and ambulance following a handicap match in Memphis.
- "He loved this business so much, he would do anything for it," Hart said.
- Hart introduced the Kaufman family, who accepted the honor on behalf of the late inductee.
- "He got into wrestling because he was a lifelong fan," Kaufman's brother, Michael, said.
- "Andy saw the beauty in this world and that's why he ignored all of the people who told him to stop wrestling; who said it was bad for his career," his sister, Carol, said.
The Great Muta
4 of 6"Nature Boy" Ric Flair was essential in getting the American audience to accept The Great Muta as a legitimate main event star in the early days of WCW. Friday night, he inducted his friend and colleague into the Hall of Fame with a speech that ventured off-topic more than once but ended emotionally.
Flair thanked Muta for taking care of his son, Reed, a decade ago and said he would love him forever for that.
Muta, not a strong speaker in English, simply thanked WWE for the honor of his induction before basking in the adulation of the fans.
It would have been nice to hear more from Muta, but the circumstances are understandable and the fans and Superstars in attendance showed him plenty of love to really put over how important he is to the history of professional wrestling.
Top Moments
- "I got a call from Kevin Dunn and asked, 'what did I do now?' I've gotten a couple of calls like that in the 30 years that I've been there," Flair said.
- Flair mentioned Sting, Hiroshi Hase and the Steiner Brothers, among others, in the first couple of minutes of his induction speech. He then said "s--t" but did not get censored.
- "He was the greatest Japanese wrestler I have ever been in the ring with."
- "And Shawn, you didn't create the moonsault. Muta did," Flair said.
- "10 years ago, I left my son in his care and he treated him as if he was his own. I will love you forever," Flair said before embracing his friend.
- Muta said he did not speak English well but thanked WWE for the honor.
Warrior Award Recipient: Referee Tim White
5 of 6Legendary referee and backstage jack-of-all-trades Tim White deservingly entered the annals of the WWE Hall of Fame as the recipient of the 2023 Warrior Award.
The APA's John "Bradshaw" Layfield and Ron Simmons did the honors of inducting the man whose bar, The Friendly Tap, they were responsible for destroying on more than one occasion.
The former tag champions talked of the influence White, who died in June 2022, had both in the ring as an official and behind the scenes, where he looked out for the boys and the business. They introduced his brothers, Pat and Tom, to accept the honor on his behalf.
Pat White spoke on behalf of the siblings and said there was no crying in wrestling. His speech, like most on this night, was short but conveyed gratitude for the honor and the fans who were always so appreciative of his brother.
Top Moments
- Layfield told of White sparring with "Marvelous" Marvin Haggler and his friendship with fellow Hall of Famer, "Golden Boy" Arnold Skaaland.
- "Anytime he needed a new wall, a new TV or new barstools, Timmy would go to the writers..." Simmons said.
- "I am incredibly honored to have known and been friends with him," said Simmons.
- "You never heard anyone say anything bad about Tim White," Layfield said.
- "Guys like Tim, Arnold Skaaland and Jack Lanza are the pillars upon which WWE was built," Layfield added."
- "If my brother was here today, he would say thank you and express his deep gratitude to WWE," Tim's brother said.
Rey Mysterio
6 of 6The greatest luchador in pro wrestling history and one of the five or so greatest in-ring performers of all time headlined this year's ceremony, despite still being an active competitor.
Rey Mysterio was inducted into the Hall of Fame by former WCW star and international icon in his own right Konan.
After one of the great induction speeches from K-Dogg, Mysterio took center stage and captivated the audience with stories of his early days in the industry and the unbreakable bond he has with his ride-or-die, his wife, Angie.
There were tears, stories of opportunities in ECW and WCW, and thank yous to the many Superstars who helped him achieve this honor.
One of the most memorable moments came not in anything Rey said, but in what son Dominik did. Early in the speech, he rose from his seat and left the speech, turning his back on his father as he, Rhea Ripley and Damian Priest left the area.
It was a great moment that enhanced a storyline that will culminate in Saturday's hotly anticipated family grudge match.
Mysterio wrapped up his speech by thanking both Konan and the fans, without whom none of what he has accomplished in professional wrestling would have been possible. The former took a chance on him, sold him to promoters, and the fans accepted him despite not looking like the musclebound superheroes that dominated the industry at that time.
Mysterio broke the mold, changed the game, and set an example that stars all over the industry today have followed to successes of their own. He has proved an adaptable in-ring performer, capable of working with any wrestler of any size, shape or background.
Without hyperbole, the bias of recency or living in the moment, Mysterio is absolutely one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time. The proof is in the many classic encounters he has been a part of, his ability to convince the audience to invest in him even after 20 years of support, and the fact that he has woven classic stories and matches with every major star of the last four decades.
He belongs in the conversation with Bret Hart, Shawn Michaels, Ric Flair and Eddie Guerrero as the best to ever lace a pair of boots. Friday, at least in the eyes of WWE officials, he entered it.
Top Moments
- "An eclectic crowd, much different than when I broke into the industry 30 years ago," Konan said of the fans and the wrestlers in attendance.
- "I had to convince promoters to use that," Konan said, pointing to a picture of a young Mysterio with long hair and who weighed 115 pounds.
- "I was going to PT Barnum and Col. Tom Parker him to anyone who would listen."
- "I know it looks like he hasn't hit puberty, but he's special," Konan said of his first introduction of Mysterio to AAA's Antonio Pena.
- "Pauly understood that talent has no weight, height or gender. You're just talented."
- "If you don't sign him, I guarantee you will regret this in perpetuity," Konan said of a conversation with Kevin Sullivan.
- "Thank god he had a match with Dean Malenko and not someone bitter."
- "Give these people your best and educate their ignorance," Konan said of a conversation he had with Mysterio before his WCW tryout with Malenko.
- "It's time to give him his flowers while he's still active."
- "He's an incredible family man. I've often asked if I could be adopted. Maybe I can replace Dominik."
- "Stand up and show reverence, you're about to see a legend."
- "I call Rey a scarecrow. Why? Because he's outstanding in his field."
- Overwhelming chants of "you deserve it" filled the arena as Mysterio took to the podium.
- "I wanted you to see the tough Rey Mysterio. I'm crying right now," the inductee said.
- Dominik, Rhea Ripley and Damian Priest walked out on the speech. "Let me just say this...I'll take care of business tomorrow."
- "Despite our age difference, Konan and I clicked right away. Big brother, little brother."
- Mysterio choked up telling the story of his wife, Angie, sending him money so he could continue his dream of succeeding in wrestling.
- "There would be no Rey Mysterio without Psychosis."
- "His heart never changed. Always had the same heart," Mysterio said of Eddie Guerrero.
- "Thank you to everyone in WWE for believing in me and giving me an opportunity of a lifetime."
- "Thank you, WWE, for letting me break the mold of what a Superstar should look like."
- "We also thank God for the life we have and Konan second." Mysterio credited his friend with giving him the life he has.
- "You guys made the name 'Rey Mysterio' immortal."
