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With the news of the passing of Rocky Johnson, PWInsider.com is reprinting the following coverage is as it originally appeared live from the 20 WWE Hall of Fame ceremony from Orlando, Florida:
The Rock is up first.
After a video package, Todd Grisham introduced The Rock who received a monster standing ovation. The crowd chanted "Please Come Back". Rock seemed genuinely moved and thanked everyone humbly before whipping out his trademark "Finally the Rock has come back to Orlando."
Rock said he wanted to congratulate all the new Hall of Famers tonight and seeing everyone tonight, shouting out Steve Austin. The crowd chanted "One More Match" at them. Rock asked the crowd if they wanted to see them wrestle one more time. Fans chanted "Austin-Rocky". Rock said he loved Austin and they headlined three Wrestlemanias. He told a story of them facing off in the ring at Wrestlemania and saying to Austin in the ring that they were going to make history ... so Austin punched him in the face and said "shut up".
Rock then pointed out a smiling Mick Foley. He said Foley was the only man who can use a sweaty sock to make Rock a better man. Foley whipped out a Socko drawn to wear a tuxedo.
Rock pointed out Coachman then said, "Awww no one cares about you". Rock pointed out Chris Jericho and said he can't believe Jericho is still talking about the night he beat Rock and Austin but its better than talking about the haircut that makes him look 12 years old.
Rock asked where Triple H was. He said HHH is so obsessed with winning the WWF...he corrected himself and said WWE title...then said somehow that makes Stephanie pregnant. They showed her in the front row.
Rock then said that other than going to Iraq this is the most special night of the year. He said that there's controversy because the military has a new torture technique...forcing insurgents to watch "The Marine". John Cena laughed and Rock said "Hey, I made Doom." He told Cena that he hasn't made it until a building chants "you suck" and Rock knows that better than anyone.
Rock then tricked Santino into trying to say his name and pulled out "it doesn't matter what your name is".
Rock closed out with "If you smell what the Rock is cooking" then said that was "The Rock part". They were having audio problems with the upper deck being unable to hear him. Rock joked it was a billion dollar company with no real mics.
Rock read a statement he said he wrote last night as a third generation star who loves the business. Fans chanted "Please Come Back" while another catcalled for him to stay away. There was a "No More Movies" chant. He finally started using a handheld mic and the place popped. Rock said he loves and misses the "interactive nature" of wresting.
Rock read a wonderful speech about the passion of being a wrestler and the learning experiences that come with being a wrestler. He discussed his father and grandfather and they went to video features.
Rocky Johnson gave a nice speech saying if you would have told him he would make history and be part of a dynasty, he would have said you were crazy. He talked about being one half of the first African American tag champs and put over the Wild Samoans. He said he worked for the NWA and considers WWE his home.
Johnson then thanked Lia Maivia for all she did for the Samoans in the business and being the only Samoan promoter. He thanked his wife for sticking with him for 35 years and thanked his children, including Dwayne. He said he Rock resisted getting in the business and said he would only train him on the condition Rocky wouldn't go hard on him.
Rocky told a story of teaming with Rock in the Bahamas saying his son tried to tell him he was doing everything wrong, which led to the punchline of Rocky refusing to tag in because he wasn't doing it right.
He then praised Jimmy Snuka for breaking the door down for Islanders in the business. He talked about the racial prejudices he dealt with while breaking in. He told stories of wrestling Ric Flair in Charlotte and called him a class act who made him look like a million dollars. He said Flair helped him become a black performer fans could believe in. He told a story of wrestling in Memphis as the Southern Heavyweight champ.
Harley Race is in the house.
Rocky said he'd like to be remembered for paving the road for not just black athletes but all athletes. He thanked Lia Maivia, Sika, Greg Valentine, Andre the Giant, Linda McMahon and more.
He then told a story of teaching the Rocky Johnson shuffle to Muhammad Ali and joked Shane McMahon stole it.
They tried to play music to cut him off and he then finally closed out.
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