While Will Osprey and Matt Riddle seem to be dominating discussion about match of the weekend, Mark Henry takes it for speech of the year. This was maybe my favorite HOF speech next to Bret Hart’s.
This guy is so positive, humble, aND a great speaker. I loved how he brought up diversity in an open and non-confrontational way. He realistically gave props to Ron Simmons for being the first black WCW world champion but acknowledged there was another black world champion before him (I believe Bearcat Wright but Iwill get fact checked, I’m sure. )
In contrast, to the terrible Hillbilly Jim speech filled with hyperbole, exaggeration and a lack of charisma, I could have listened to Mark Henry speak all night.
People were throwing Jeff Jarrett’s name as a possible future GM. Mark Henry would be amazing. He can act, do comedy, be serious, be physical and unlike Kurt Angle aND Shane McMahon, remember his lines!
Huge respect for this man. I’ve worked with at risk youth as well and I know that’s his passion now that he’s pretty much retired. He’s an inspiration! Skip Kid Rock and watch this speech now!
Thanks for the head’s up!! About halfway in to the ceremony. For me, this is the first year where it’s been a challenge to sit through some of these speeches.
Mark Henry was speech of the night by a wide margin at the HOF on Friday. From the section about wanting Owen Hart in the HOF where he deserves to be to his props to Ron Simmons to breaking the salmon jacket out again, I didn’t look away however long he was on stage.
For the others last night outside of the Dudleyz, ooopf…
The Dudley Boyz felt gimmicky
HillBilly and Ivory was dreadful
HHH and Kid Rock did a really nice job explaining musics role in making memories and forging bonds between people.
I also thought Kid Rock was endearing as a person in a way I’d never expect and he seemed genuine. “Go where you’re celebrated and not where your just tolerated” was a hell of a line and made me think this acknowledgement meant more something to him. Whoever wrote the speech did a very nice job (wonder if it was just him)
Jeff Jarret was wildly disappointing and a let down. Stupid song schtick after was laughable after the Free Birds did it.
Henry was so awesome! He’s really one of the all time genuine fun guys who Gets It in the business.
Heyman was perfect in the introduction for Goldberg and I really thought Goldberg was genuine and humbled and happy to have this renewed bond with the wrestling world in a way his family can enjoy.
Lil Mark Henry v Lil Goldberg at Mania 45, who says no?!
The “JJ” Robertson video was inspirational and heartwarming. And then Dana Warrior kind of brought it back down again by turning the segment into an Ultimate Warrior eulogy.
I’ll definitely check out Henry’s speech when I get a chance. Will skip hillbilly Jim’s thanks, didn’t want to see kid rocks, but it seems some people on Twitter were annoyed at his speech, what was that about.
The whole warrior thing leaves a massive sour taste in my mouth particularly with the involvement of the Susan g komen foundation so don’t really fancy watching much of that, even though it must have been a big thrill for the kid.
@MJfromNJ did a good job recommending. I liked Goldberg’s speech but it dragged. I liked some of the dudleys, especially D-Von. Kid Rock was short and sweet.
I think it was due to his line about body slamming democrats but politics aside those complaints are what happens today when people on Twitter take snippets without other context.
He said he was told not to talk about two things: Vince and Politics - so he goes into a bit about thanking Vince (which obviously pops this audience). Then he has a line about the environment makes him want to bodyslam Democrats (in an entirely joking manner to get a pop doing the other thing he was told not to).
The arena was split some laughed and some boo’d . He immediately pivoted to how he loves that the WWE welcomes everyone of all beliefs and that at the end of the day we are all people and need to find common ground. The delivery of the inclusion and unity message was well delivered and to me overshadowed specifically saying Democrats. Sure that’s a headline grabber and in this climate here in the States it is walking a line but in context it was not ill advised.
The overall theme of his speech was about acceptance of people and he went out of his way to say he was told once to “go where he’s celebrated not tolerated” (a really good line that ties in too perfectly to his song this weekend) and this meant more than a Grammy.
Henry legit almost had a tear drop from my eye. What a great speech.
I enjoyed the Dudley’s and Jarrett, but I was cleaning my place while it was playing in the background. I think most HoF speeches are boring if you’re just sitting on the couch watching them.
Ivory was kind of boring. She has a cool story though. I skipped Skid Rock because I hate that guy and I turned off Goldberg halfway through because I felt like he was just repeating what he said on WWE 24 or whatever the doc was.
Maybe it was because I grew up watching Hillbilly Jim, and as a kid loved him to no end but I enjoyed his speech. It felt real, it didn’t have the charisma of some others but I liked it all the same.
The Dudley’s speech was a great start but Henry’s speech was by far the best, and I admit to getting choked up when he made his plea to Martha Hart. JJ Robertson, well he just killed it. Jarrett was very appreciative and i liked his speech until the song started and Kid Rock kept it short which was also appreciated… I can forgive Ivory and Hillbilly as when are they ever going to have a forum like that ever again…
The worst was Dana Warrior’s Intro. It had very little to do with JJ and was mostly about her reflections on her husband’s passing. Then we ended with Goldberg who was very disappointing and sounded at times, bitter.
The whole night was long but it always is, and i want to give a positive review to Stephanie McMahon who took a lot of barbs and kept smiling through it all to the bitter end…
The HOF had become more skippable by the year for me. It used to be my highlight, before the Takeovers started. They’re been forcing some of these entrants (Ivory, Kid Rock). They can’t seem to get the tone right, between letting them ramble or over producing the speeches.
Love his speech. What put it over the top for me is when he was talking about D Lo Brown and he quoted Professor X from X-Clan. Brought me back to the early 90’s.
For those that don’t know what he was refering to or if you are too young.
