WWE waited longer than usual to start announcing WWE Hall of Fame inductees this year, leading some to question whether the ceremony was even happening at all.
Never fear, however, as the Class of 2023 is very real, just a bit smaller than usual. That appears to be by design, as the induction ceremony will also not be a standalone event like it has been in some previous years.
Instead, the honorees will get their time in the spotlight right after SmackDown the night before WrestleMania 39 begins in earnest in Los Angeles. Here’s everything you need to know about this year’s ceremony.
WWE Hall of Fame 2023
- Date: Friday, March 31, 2023
- Location: Crypto.com Arena
- Start time: 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT
- How to watch: Live on Peacock in the United States or on WWE Network in the rest of the world
Note that this is a not a separate event for live attendees, so fans with tickets to SmackDown the night of March 31 will also get to see the Hall of Fame ceremony.
WWE Hall of Fame 2023 inductees
(Last update: March 30, 2023, 7:45 p.m. ET)
- Rey Mysterio – Widely considered the most famous luchador of all time, Mysterio is a three-rime world champion, WWE Triple Crown and Grand Slam champion, and won the 2006 Royal Rumble. He performed in ECW, AAA, CMLL, NJPW and WCW as well, and likely has the most recognizable wrestling mask ever. He will reportedly be inducted by Konnan, his long-time friend and former tag team partner in multiple promotions.
- The Great Muta – Whether under the Muta name of his real name of Keiji Muto, he influenced wrestlers all over the world during a career spanning nearly four decades — and one that just ended earlier this year. One of just a handful of wrestlers to win the top titles in all three of Japan’s biggest promotions, Muta is credited with inventing or popularizing many maneuvers that are commonplace in the ring today. Interestingly, he never wrestled a WWE match, and admitted to being surprised by this honor. Nevertheless, he will be inducted by fellow icon Ric Flair.
- Andy Kaufman – WWE almost always includes a non-wrestler in each Hall of Fame class, and Kaufman straddled that line more than most. The offbeat comedian displayed an understanding of pro wrestling that was ahead of his time during a feud with Jerry “The King” Lawler that extended to TV and fooled many into thinking it was real. Kaufman passed away young in the 1980s and many believe this recognition is long overdue. He will be inducted by Lawler, though it’s unclear if The King will be in L.A. in person as he continues to recover from a stroke suffered earlier this year.
- Stacy Keibler – A familiar face to anyone who was around for the last days of the WWE Attitude Era, Keibler first made her name in WCW — originally as a Nitro Girl, then as a manager and wrestler. She migrated to WWE during the Invasion storyline and became a fixture in the early 2000s, competing with and against the likes of Trish Stratus, Lita and Torrie Wilson. Keibler left WWE after finding crossover fame as an early contestant on “Dancing with the Stars,” but has returned periodically since then. She inducted Wilson into the Hall of Fame several years ago and will join her friend in Los Angeles.
- Tim White – Originally getting his exposure to pro wrestling as the agent for Andre the Giant, White became a referee in 1993 and went on to a long career with numerous highlights. White was the third man in the ring, or rather, cage, for the famous 1998 Hell in a Cell match between The Undertaker and Mankind. Injuries forced his retirement from active in-ring work in 2004, but he remained with WWE in different capacities until 2009. White passed away last summer but will join Kaufman as a posthumous inductee and was also named this year’s Warrior Award recipient.