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Mike Johnson, reporting from Houston:
The televised portion of the WWE Hall of Fame opened with a video feature on
the Hall of Fame class members. Todd Grisham then introduced our host,
Jerry Lawler.
Lawler came out to a standing ovation. The Toyota Center chanted his name.
Lawler said tonight was a special night and his favorite night of the career.
He said it was the night the past, present and future collide.
Lawler said that they would kick the night off with the quintessential Hall of
Famer, Ric Flair.
Ric Flair said that he wanted to follow on a comment Kevin Von Erich
made. He said they are all brothers in WWE...old timers, current stars and
today's talent. He said they are all brothers and shouldn't forget it.
Flair said he's had a lot of blessings in his career but the biggest was the day
Ricky Steamboat walked into Jim Crockett's Mid-Atlantic office. He said he
is in the position tonight to do for Steamboat what Triple H did for him last
year. Flair said he and Steamboat have been intertwined since that first
day and today things come full circle as he gets to induct one of his best
friends and his greatest wrestling opponent, Ricky Steamboat.
Ricky Steamboat
They aired a video piece on Steamboat's career.
Flair said that over the 36 years he's stepped inside the ring with the
greatest stars, but whenever he's asked who his favorite opponent is, its Ricky
Steamboat. He said Steamboat epitomized what a fan's wrestler was...built
like a Greek God and being able to go every night He said the women
loved Steamboat.
Flair said he wrestled 2,000 times against Steamboat and that as good as the
matches were in 1989, the bouts in the 70s were better but sadly they weren't
seen by anyone but those in the arena. Flair said they both settled in
Charlotte to raise families, opened gyms together and have sons who are carving
their own chapter in the Flair-Steamboat feud.
Flair said it doesn't get any better than this and that Steamboat was the purest
good guy to ever walk the aisle. He asked everyone to give it up for
Steamboat.
Steamboat came out and hugged Flair for a long time and then the two locked
up playfully. The fans chanted Steamboat's name. Steamboat began to
break up and cry, noting he knew he would but he didn't know it would be before
he started talking.
He said that when he looks back, he feels humbled by what he's been blessed
with. He said that he thinks of the great ones who have left and are
remembered by their performances, the fans who trusted you to provide them with
entertainment, the nod of the pencil knowing you did a good job, and laying in
the back after a draw and being told "we got them", he knew he was a
blessed man.
Steamboat talked of young wrestlers asking him for advice and for him to watch
their matches for advice, telling stories of John Laurinaitis and riding an
airplane with a young Triple H while getting into a deep discussion about the
business.
Steamboat said his career wasn't about wins and losses but knowing that he gave
his all every night in the ring. He said that the work with Ric Flair
helped give him the work ethic he brought into the ring with Valentine, Piper,
Snuka, Blackjack Mulligan, Jake Roberts, Bret Hart, Harley Race, and Arn
Anderson. Steamboat told Chris Jericho to be prepared because tomorrow he
is being taken to school.
Steamboat said he pushed them all but he was pushed back. He said he had
great partners he worked with and without them, he wouldn't be here today.
He thanked them for his career and his Hall of Fame.
Steamboat pointed out Mickey Rourke in the crowd and said tonight, this is his
Oscar. The crowd popped huge for Rourke.
Steamboat thanked and praised the creative team and the other producers.
Steamboat thanked his ex-wife Bonnie for all the outfits she made and for
blessing him with his son, Richie. He then introduced his son, who stood
up. Bonnie was crying her eyes out.
Steamboat closed out by thanking his current wife and saying he is extremely
humbled and thanked everyone.
Coverage continued on next page.
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