On the eve of WrestleMania, WWE paid tribute to sports-entertainment’s biggest legends at the 2022 WWE Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. The Undertaker, Vader, Queen Sharmell, The Steiner Brothers and Warrior Award recipient Shad Gaspard were the honorees on this emotional night.
WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2022 immortalized forever
The Steiner Brothers enter the WWE Hall of Fame
There was no finer way to kick off the 2022 WWE Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony than with Rick and Scott Steiner. Inducted by Rick’s son and Scott’s nephew, NXT Superstar Bron Breakker, Big Poppa Pump and The Dog-Faced Gremlin emphasized the importance of family as they entered the hallowed hall.
Queen Sharmell joins the WWE Hall of Fame
The next inductee, Queen Sharmell, was presented to the WWE Universe by her king, two-time WWE Hall of Famer Booker T. The Queen was grateful to receive sports-entertainment’s highest honor and expressed that gratefulness for everyone who helped her get there, from WCW’s Nitro Girls, to the frightening Boogeyman, and especially her husband.
Shad Gaspard honored with the 2022 Warrior Award
Perhaps the most emotional moment of the night came with the presentation of the Warrior Award to Siliana and Aryeh Gaspard, the wife and son of the late Shad Gaspard. It was a fitting tribute to a true hero as his family reflected on his life and the sacrifice he made to save his son.
Vader immortalized in WWE Hall of Fame
Up next, it was Vader Time, as the legendary bruiser was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame by his wife Debra and son Jesse. They paid tribute to the titan inside the ring and the husband and father he was outside it, before thanking fans around the world for helping to make Vader’s legacy one that will never be forgotten.
The Undertaker immortalized with induction into WWE Hall of Fame
After a rousing induction speech by WWE Chairman Mr. McMahon, who paid tribute to The Deadman’s 30 years of dedication to WWE, it was time for The Undertaker to receive sports-entertainment’s highest honor.
The Phenom gave the WWE Universe a look at the man underneath the black hat. In a speech that was incredibly motivational, The Undertaker paid tribute to those who helped him get to that moment in time, while giving the world an insight into the mental moves that made him a WWE Hall of Famer.
Queen Sharmell to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2022
As first announced by Complex.com, Queen Sharmell will be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame’s Class of 2022 and will be enshrined in the hallowed hall during the 2022 WWE Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony as part of WrestleMania Week.
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The WWE Hall of Fame ceremony will take place Friday, April 1, at American Airlines Center in Dallas as part of WrestleMania Week. The event will stream live, exclusively on Peacock in the U.S. and WWE Network everywhere else. In addition, for the first time in history, WWE will present both Friday Night SmackDown and the 2022 WWE Hall of Fame Ceremony live on the same night at American Airlines Center, giving all fans in attendance an unprecedented opportunity to witness both events for one price. Tickets for the special 2-for-1 SmackDown + Hall of Fame are now available via Ticketmaster.
While she may be a former Miss Black America, winning 1991 Miss Black America Pageant at age 20, Sharmell was never just another pretty face. Behind that beauty stood an extremely cunning mind, and Sharmell was not afraid to do whatever it took to help her husband, Booker T, succeed in the squared circle and achieve success of her own.
Queen Sharmell came to prominence during her time in WCW, first under the name Storm before eventually redefining herself as Paisley. As a member of The Nitro Girls, she soon became a competitor and accompanied other competitors to the ring.
After signing with WWE and training in OVW in 2001, Sharmell donned a blonde wig and added her special brand of talent to The Suicide Blondes as Sister Sharmell. She also became a backstage interviewer.
Perhaps her greatest contribution in WWE, though, was her association with real-life husband Booker T. Accompanying Booker to the ring, Queen Sharmell made quite a splash when she began interfering in her spouse’s matches. Although the fan-favorite Booker feigned innocence at first, the charade was eventually broken, and the WWE Universe learned what a mastermind the lovely Sharmell really was.
When Booker T won the King of the Ring Tournament in 2006, he started referring to himself as King Booker, and inevitably, his bride became Queen Sharmell. Together the pair began using faux English accents and carried a superior attitude, becoming the couple that the fans simply loved to loathe. When King Booker defeated Rey Mysterio at The Great American Bash to become the new World Champion, Queen Sharmell and Booker T took their place on the top of the mountain.
