WWE Hall of Fame (2016) was the event which featured the introduction of the 17th class to the WWE Hall of Fame. The event was produced by WWE on April 2, 2016, from the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. The event took place the same weekend as WrestleMania 32. The event aired live on the WWE Network, and was hosted by Jerry Lawler. A condensed one-hour version of the ceremony aired the following Thursday on USA Network, after SmackDown.

Event Due to the launch of the WWE Network shortly before WrestleMania XXX, this event featured the third ever "Red Carpet" event as a one-hour pre-show prior to the start of the event. The pre-show was hosted by Michael Cole and Maria Menounos.

The Godfather was inducted by his long-term friend whom he often traveled the road with, the members of The Acolytes Protection Agency, John "Bradshaw" Layfield and Ron Simmons.

Stan Hansen was inducted by his overseas partner and rival Vader.

Jacqueline was inducted by The Dudley Boyz (Bubba Ray Dudley and D-Von Dudley).

In 2016, WWE introduced a new category for the Hall of Fame called the "Legacy" wing. Inductees under this new category feature wrestlers from the early years of professional wrestling, primarily during the early part of the 20th century. All inductees in 2016 are inducted posthumously and were recognized with a video package at the ceremony. Those inducted in the 2016 legacy category were Mildred Burke, Frank Gotch, George Hackenschmidt, Ed "Strangler" Lewis, Pat O'Connor, Lou Thesz and "Sailor" Art Thomas.

The Fabulous Freebirds were the group inductee into the Hall of Fame. Representing them were Michael Hayes, Terry Gordy (represented by his son, Ray Gordy), Buddy Roberts (represented by his son Buddy Roberts Jr.), Jimmy Garvin. The Freebirds were inducted by The New Day members Big E, Kofi Kingston, and Xavier Woods. Following their induction Hayes sang their song Badstreet U.S.A.

Big Boss Man was inducted by Slick. Due to his death in 2004, his induction was accepted by his wife Angela and his daughters Lacy and Megan.

Snoop Dogg was inducted by John Cena. Snoop Dogg spoke about what it was like growing up a fan of professional wrestling, and gave what an honor it is to see his cousin Sasha Banks now wrestling for WWE.

Following The Ultimate Warrior's death in April 2014, WWE introduced the Warrior Award, in 2015, for those who have "exhibited unwavering strength and perseverance, and who lives life with the courage and compassion that embodies the indomitable spirit of the Ultimate Warrior." Joan Lunden became the second recipient of The Warrior Award. The Ultimate Warrior's wife Dana inducted Lunden and spoke of her recent return to the public eye and openly discussing her breast cancer diagnosis in addition to becoming a spokeswoman for Susan G. Komen.

Sting was the final inductee and was inducted by Ric Flair. Flair went on to ramble much throughout his speech, focusing on himself rather than talk about Sting. Sting spoke about what a long journey it was to come to WWE, and how proud he was to finally be in WWE. Sting then announced that he wanted to retire in WWE and used the opportunity to officially announce his retirement. Despite this, Sting later debuted in rival promotion All Elite Wrestling (AEW) in late 2020, coming out of retirement, and competed in his first match in over five years at AEW's Revolution pay-per-view on March 7, 2021.

Inductees Individual Class headliners appear in boldface Image Ring name(Birth Name) Inducted by WWE recognized accoladesSting()Ric FlairSix-time WCW World Heavyweight ChampionTwo-time WCW International World Heavyweight ChampionTwo-time NWA World Heavyweight ChampionTwo-time WCW United States Heavyweight ChampionThree-time WCW World Tag Team ChampionThe Godfather()The Acolytes Protection Agency(John "Bradshaw" Layfield and Ron Simmons)One-time WWF Intercontinental ChampionOne-time WWF Tag Team ChampionBig Boss Man()SlickPosthumous inductee: represented by his widow Angela and his daughters Lacy and MeganFour-time WWF Hardcore ChampionOne-time WWF Tag Team ChampionJacqueline()The Dudley Boyz(Bubba Ray Dudley and D-Von Dudley) Two-time WWF Women's Champion and the first African American WWF Women's ChampionOne-time WWE Cruiserweight Champion (the only woman to win the title in WWE)The first African American woman to be inductedOne-time UWF Women's World Champion14-time USWA Women's ChampionStan Hansen()Vader One-time AWA World Heavyweight ChampionOne-time NWA United States Heavyweight Champion

Group Image Group Inducted by WWE recognized accoladesThe Fabulous FreebirdsThe New Day(Big E, Kofi Kingston, and Xavier Woods)Michael Hayes () – One-time NWA United States Heavyweight Champion.Terry Gordy – Posthumous inductee: represented by his son Ray Gordy. One time NWA Americas Heavyweight Champion, one-time WCW World Tag Team Champion, one-time NWA World Tag Team Champion. Two-time Triple Crown Heavyweight Champion and seven-time World Tag Team Champion in All Japan Pro Wrestling. Buddy Roberts () – Posthumous inductee: represented by his son Buddy Roberts Jr. One-time NWA Texas Heavyweight Champion, one-time WCCW Television Champion.Jimmy Garvin () – Four-time NWA American Heavyweight Champion, one-time AWA World Tag Team Champion

Celebrity Image Recipient Occupation Inducted by AppearancesSnoop DoggRapperJohn Cena

Warrior Award Image Recipient Presented By NotesJoan LundenDana Warrior

Legacy

Image Ring name WWE recognized accoladesOne-time and first NWA World Women's Champion for almost twenty years from 1930 to 1950Two-time Women's World ChampionOne-time World Heavyweight Wrestling ChampionThree-time American Heavyweight Champion One-time European Greco-Roman Heavyweight Champion and first ever World Heavyweight Wrestling ChampionFour-time World Heavyweight ChampionOne-time holder of the Boston version of the AWA World Heavyweight ChampionshipOne-time NWA Florida Heavyweight ChampionOne-time NWA World Heavyweight ChampionThree-time NWA Central States United States Heavyweight ChampionOne-time (and inaugural) AWA World Heavyweight ChampionOne-time AWA World Tag Team ChampionOne-time holder of the Boston version of the AWA World Heavyweight ChampionshipTwo-time World Heavyweight Wrestling ChampionThree-time NWA World Heavyweight ChampionBilled by WWE as "one of sports-entertainment's first African-American stars", a frequent challenger for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship

References