WWE WrestleMania Weekend: Controversy Over Ric Flair's Hall of Fame Speech
By Jerry Melnick
Mar 30, 2008
Ric Flair's WWE Hall of Fame 2008 acceptance speech has become the subject of controversy as everyone has praised it as the greatest acceptance speech ever delivered, but the monologue ran way over time and WWE production people were panicking because the USA Network special was already on the air when Flair was literally forced to wrap up his speech.
Controversy Over Ric Flair's Hall of Fame Speech (Image: Wenn)
Three times during Flair's very emotional acceptance, HHH, prompted by people in the back who actually came through the curtain, walked up to Flair and let "The Nature Boy" know they wanted the speech to be wrapped up. Everytime HHH approached Flair, he was viciously booed.
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Finally HHH, who is married to WWE Chairman Vince McMahon's daughter Stephanie, insisted that Flair finish, and Flair wrapped up his speech very quickly. Although his speech went on for over an hour, many in attendance felt he could go on all night, and no one would have complained.
World Wrestling Entertainment officials, of course, felt differently, especially since the USA Network special, which had to be edited, started at 11pm eastern time. Flair didn't finish his speech until right around 11:30, which of course had WWE production personnel in an uproar.
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The situation was even more chaotic due to the fact Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson was on stage for so long at the beginning of the ceremony. Several people made reference to this fact. JBL, in his induction speech for the Brisco Brothers, said that Johnson forgot the two most important words in wrestling, "Go Home" (which means "wrap it up").
Dusty Rhodes made a statement saying they have a great two hour special if they need it. HHH actually took a shot at The Rock, saying that The Rock's fans might now have to be called "Dwayne Fans" in reference to Rock's desire to be billed under his given name and not as "The Rock" anymore. The crowd booed HHH, who tried to turn the situation around by saying "Hey, I love the guy."
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Everyone but Flair and Johnson were told to keep the time short. Legendary announcer Jim Ross, who inducted Gordon Solie, was clearly annoyed at the fact his speech had to be abbreviated, and wasn't hiding it. Much more on the WWE Hall of Fame controversies can be found at Wrestling News Desk.com.
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