"Thank You Vince" Chants Break Out During WWE Hall Of Fame 2026 (WWE News)

Stephanie McMahon mentioned her father Vince during an emotional WWE Hall Of Fame speech.

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Chants of, "Thank You Vince" broke out during Stephanie McMahon's induction speech at the WWE Hall Of Fame 2026 ceremony on Friday night. The company held the bash after SmackDown had aired earlier, and Stephanie mentioned her father's impact on a HOF-worthy life and career on-stage.

That's when people in attendance began chanting for Vince McMahon.

Of course, Vince is still amidst legal woes due to the ongoing Janel Grant case. He wasn't on camera for the ceremony, and it's believed he stayed away completely. It's unclear whether that was McMahon's call or something handed down by TKO's executives, but it was surely the right decision regardless.

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Having Vince on hand would've been controversial to say the least, but there was probably no chance Stephanie wouldn't mention her dad. Being fair, it would've been quite the omission from her Hall Of Fame speech. As her father and one time boss, Vince gave Stephanie her start in the pro wrestling business and mentored her through her early career.

He also gave Triple H and Steph his blessing once they became a couple and raced towards marriage away from TV.

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The, "Thank You Vince" chants won't sit well with those hoping to see the back of the controversial ex-WWE figurehead. Recently, iconic announcer Jim Ross had alleged that McMahon was still involved in the creative process somewhere; or at least would be again in the future.

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Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.