WWE Matches/Moments Now Inducted Into Hall Of Fame; WrestleMania 13 Classic Up First (WWE News)
2025's WWE Hall Of Fame will include "Immortal Moments". New HOF wing added.
WWE announced during Friday's episode of SmackDown that various matches and moments will now be eligible for induction into the company's Hall Of Fame as part of a new "Immortal Moments" wing.
The first bout to go in is a classic. Bret Hart vs. Steve Austin represented a huge step up for the latter's WWF career. Their match together at Survivor Series 1996 had already played before rave reviews, but the special 'No DQ Submission' encounter moderated by UFC man Ken Shamrock at WrestleMania 13 became an instant classic; WWE has replayed footage of Austin passing out in a pool of his own blood rather than submitting to Hart's trademark Sharpshooter countless times since 1997.
Few would argue against the idea that it's a deserving first pick for this logical Hall Of Fame tweak. The match is still regarded as a live blueprint for how to properly execute the double turn trope. Nobody has ever mastered it quite as well as Bret and Steve did back in '97. Hart came out looking like a bitter veteran who refused to get with the times, whereas Austin rocketed up the card as the new antihero for a generation ready to embrace 'Attitude' full tilt.
SmackDown was taped over in London, England on Friday. It aired earlier in select international markets, but beams to the United States in the usual time slot. News of this new "Immortal Moments" idea for the HOF has been greeted positively since word hit social media.
Most fans seem to agree that it's a neat evolution for the company's annual celebration of WWE's (and sometimes the broader industry's) history.
Bret Hart & Steve Austin Will Be In Attendance
WWE also revealed that both Bret Hart and Steve Austin will actually be in attendance for the 2025 Hall Of Fame ceremony on Friday night, 18 April. Of course, that event happens just 24 hours out from the opening night of WrestleMania 41 festivities. Both Saturday and Sunday belong to WWE's current roster, but Triple H and troops will honour the past beforehand.
Hunter will actually be one of the folks being honoured himself. He's already been announced as a lead inductee this year, and is joined by other legends like Lex Luger, Michelle McCool and The Natural Disasters. More names will be announced in due course, but Bret vs. Austin being the first specific match to get inducted has everyone talking.
It'll be fun to hear the 'Hitman' and 'Stone Cold' reminisce about one of their best battles. It'll also be interesting to find out whether or not they're in the house for 'Mania's traditional Hall Of Fame reprise spot on either night in Allegiant Stadium.