2026 WWE Hall Of Fame Inductees: The First Name Has Already Been Revealed, And There Are Some Long-Overdue Choices Who Should Join Them

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I was expecting to hear about the WWE Hall of Fame class of 2026 after the new year, but it looks like WWE has a surprise for us! They’re breaking with tradition and announcing the inductees earlier than usual. It’s exciting to know who will be joining the legends when the Hall of Fame ceremony takes place in Las Vegas during WrestleMania 42 weekend next April! I can’t wait to find out who they are!

As of right now, only one person has been announced for the 2026 WWE Hall of Fame-and it’s a major star! But more names will be revealed soon, celebrating some of the greatest wrestlers of all time. Here’s a look at who’s already confirmed and my predictions for who else deserves a spot.

Stephanie McMahon

We recently finished our predictions for WrestlePalooza 2025, and we didn’t expect the biggest news to come from the first event on ESPN’s new streaming service. The Undertaker surprised everyone by announcing that Stephanie McMahon would be inducted into the Hall of Fame, joining her husband, Triple H, her grandfather, Vincent J. McMahon, and other wrestling legends.

Stephanie McMahon grew up immersed in the wrestling business, as her grandfather founded the company and her father, Vince McMahon, greatly expanded it. Over the years, she made significant contributions both behind the scenes as an executive and as an in-ring performer – she even held the Women’s Championship for 146 days in 2000. She remained a key figure in WWE until her departure in 2023.

It’s still unknown who will present Vince McMahon’s Hall of Fame induction, but Triple H seems like a likely choice.

Wrestlers That Should Be Inducted Into The WWE Hall Of Fame Class of 2026

Currently, Stephanie McMahon is the sole inductee announced for the 2026 WWE Hall of Fame, but more names will be revealed soon. I have a few wrestlers – and one particularly famous match – in mind that I believe deserve to be honored next April.

Bray Wyatt

It’s hard to believe it’s only been two years since Bray Wyatt passed away at just 36. Known as the “Eater of Worlds,” he was a truly unique and influential performer in WWE, and it feels like a long time since he last wrestled. While his father, Mike Rotunda, and uncle, Barry Windham, were recently honored with induction into the WWE Hall of Fame, Wyatt himself has not yet received that recognition.

It would be fantastic to see Wyatt join his father and grandfather, Blackjack Mulligan, as a Hall of Famer, and 2026 seems like a fitting year. The logo for WrestleMania 42 is quite dark and edgy, and Wyatt’s iconic moth symbol would be a perfect addition to it to celebrate the occasion.

Batista

Dave Batista, widely considered one of the best to transition from wrestling to acting, was originally scheduled to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2020. However, the pandemic forced a postponement, and he hasn’t been honored yet. It’s unfortunate, as the former WWE Champion and two-time Royal Rumble winner deserves to be recognized alongside fellow greats like Triple H, Eddie Guerrero, and Kurt Angle.

I wouldn’t be shocked to see Batista inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2026, reflecting on his accomplishments both as a wrestler and beyond. He’s certainly earned a spot among the greats at this point in his career.

Mickie James

WWE usually only adds one woman to the Hall of Fame each year, but Stephanie McMahon is such a big name, they might make an exception. Normally, I’d argue for Chyna to be inducted, but with McMahon already a likely pick, that seems unlikely. However, Mickie James deserves serious consideration – she’s a five-time WWE Women’s Champion and a one-time Divas Champion, making her a great candidate for next April’s ceremony.

Throughout her career, whether in WWE, TNA, or promotions worldwide, Gail Kim has built a strong case for wrestling hall of fame induction. She was one of the most dominant female wrestlers of the early 2000s, and few others achieved the same level of success as this former TNA Knockouts Champion.

Demolition

I’ve repeatedly mentioned Demolition when discussing WWE Hall of Fame-worthy tag teams. WWE, TKO, Triple H, or anyone in a position to make it happen, it’s time to finally recognize Ax and Smash for their contributions. Many other teams, like The Road Warriors, Natural Disasters, and Freebirds, have been inducted, and it’s time to give these legends the honor they deserve.

Demolition was one of the most dominant and memorable tag teams in WWE history. They won the Tag Team Championship three times, delivered countless exciting matches, and had a truly iconic and intimidating persona, captivating fans for years. They deserve to be remembered as all-time greats.

The Rock vs. Hollywood Hulk Hogan – WrestleMania 18

Before the 2025 Hall of Fame event, WWE revealed a new tradition called “Immortal Moment,” designed to celebrate the most iconic matches in wrestling history. They kicked things off by highlighting the legendary five-star match between Bret Hart and Steve Austin from WrestleMania 13, famous for its incredible moment where both wrestlers switched between being the ‘good guy’ and the ‘bad guy’.

With so many great matches to pick from for a rematch, I believe The Rock versus “Hollywood” Hulk Hogan’s match from WrestleMania 18 deserves special attention. It’s a perfect way to honor the legacy of Hulk Hogan by revisiting one of his most memorable performances – a truly exciting WrestleMania bout that had a lasting impact on wrestling. It would also be a great reason to bring Dwayne Johnson back to WWE television.

Like always, these predictions could be way off. However, I wouldn’t be shocked if some of them actually happen when WWE holds its event in Las Vegas in April 2026.

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2025-09-23 20:10