Cliff Notes – WWE icon in tears over surprise Hall of Fame announcement at WrestlePalooza
- Stephanie McMahon has been announced as the first inductee into the WWE Hall of Fame class of 2026, a surprise revealed by The Undertaker during WrestlePalooza.
- The announcement took place in front of a live audience, with Stephanie visibly emotional as she embraced The Undertaker after the reveal.
- Stephanie, a significant figure in WWE history, will join her husband Triple H in the Hall of Fame, marking a notable milestone in her career.
WWE icon in tears over surprise Hall of Fame announcement at WrestlePalooza
The Undertaker made the surprise announcement for Stephanie McMahon (Picture: WWE)
Stephanie McMahon is the first inductee in the WWE Hall of Fame class of 2026.
The 48-year-old pioneer of the wrestling business will join her husband Paul ‘Triple H’ Levesque in the annals of history when WrestleMania returns to Las Vegas in April.
Stephanie was blindsided by the surprise announcement during Saturday’s WrestlePalooza premium live event as she was seen in the front row before the main event.
The Undertaker came out to the ring on a motorcycle, lapping the ring before joining his longtime friend and co-worker on the front row.
After some back-and-forth banter about how long they’ve known each other, the Dead Man revealed he was ‘honoured’ to make a special announcement.
He confirmed Stephanie is the first inductee into the 2026 Hall of Fame as she looked gobsmacked by the big reveal and looked to be tearing up as she hugged ‘Taker.
Hall of Famers Nikki and Brie Bella were quick to react to the news, as they posted on their joint X account: ‘Omgosh Steph!!! 🥰🥹 Congrats!! Love this so much!!! 🤍✨🙏🏼’
And Naomi, who recently stepped away after announcing her pregnancy, added: ‘If I have the baby at the Hall of Fame will yall help me bc I can’t miss mothers @StephMcMahon induction ⚠️ ❤️🤭👏#Wrestlepalooza’
Stephanie was born into the business but forged her own path both on camera and behind the scenes.
Stephanie will join her husband Triple H in the Hall of Fame (Picture: Chad Salvador/Variety via Getty Images)
She and Undertaker had a major on-screen feud, while she got married to Triple H as part of a storyline years before they actually tied the knot.
Stephanie played a pivotal on-screen role in the ECW/WCW Invasion angle, while she’s a former Women’s Champion.
WWE WrestlePalooza 2025 full results
Brock Lesnar pinned John cena
The Vision defeated The Usos
Women’s World Title: Stephanie Vaquer beat Iyo Sky
Mixed Tag: AJ Lee and CM Punk defeated Becky Lynch and Seth Rollins
WWE Title: Cody Rhodes (c) pinned Drew McIntyre
Her run alongside Triple H in The Authority dominated WWE for years, and they teamed up in what was her final match at WrestleMania 34.
During an eventful night at WrestlePalooza, the show started with Brock Lesnar decimating John Cena with fans wondering what it means for the remainder of the latter’s retirement tour.
Jey Uso appeared to bust himself open with a steel chair, bringing his and twin Jimmy’s reunion to an abrupt end as they lost to The Vision’s Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed with LA Knight as the special guest referee.
Brock Lesnar destroyed John Cena in the opening match (Picture: Michael Marques/WWE via Getty Images)
It’s been an eventful night in front of a packed crowd (Picture: Rich Freeda/WWE via Getty Images)
Up next, Stephanie Vaquer continued her meteoric rise up the ranks as she overcame Iyo Sky in a phenomenal match to become Women’s World Champion.
In the penultimate match, AJ Lee and CM Punk looked like they were having the time of their lives as they overcame fellow husband-and-wife duo Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch.
And in a blockbuster main event, Cody Rhodes was able to overcome Drew McIntyre to retain the WWE Championship.
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