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HUGE CELEBRITY GOING INTO WWE HALL OF FAME THIS YEAR

WWE just issued the following press release announcing that Donald Trump, who's rivalry with Vince McMahon led to a huge gate and PPV at Wrestlemania 23, would be inducted into their Hall of Fame. We mentioned a few weeks back in the Elite section that there was some talk of Trump and Cyndi Lauper going in:

TRUMP TO ENTER WWE® HALL OF FAME

STAMFORD, Conn., February 25, 2013 – WWE announced today that Donald J. Trump will be a celebrity inductee into the WWE Hall of Fame on Saturday, April 6, 2013 at Madison Square Garden. Mr. Trump has been a part of WWE's most popular events and storylines dating back to WrestleMania® IV in 1988 and WrestleMania V in 1989 when he hosted the pop-culture extravaganzas in Atlantic City.

In 2009, Mr. Trump "purchased" WWE and then "resold" WWE back to Mr. McMahon a week later for double the price. In his most famous WWE storyline, Mr. Trump challenged Mr. McMahon to a "Battle of the Billionaires" match at WrestleMania XXIII, resulting in an all-time record for pay-per-view buys and Mr. McMahon's head being shaved at the hands of "The Donald."

"It was literally the thrill of a lifetime performing in front of 80,000 enthusiastic fans during the 'Battle of the Billionaires' match at WrestleMania XXIII," said Donald Trump, Chairman and President, The Trump Organization. "I've always enjoyed and respected WWE's brand of entertainment and look forward to the ceremony in my hometown at Madison Square Garden."

"Donald is a global icon whose status brought an unmatched level of publicity and grandeur to WWE," said Vince McMahon, WWE Chairman and CEO.

Mr. Trump is the pre-eminent developer of quality real estate both in the United States and abroad, and has made the Trump brand synonymous with excellence. His portfolio includes dozens of award-winning skyscrapers, hotels, golf courses and clubs. He is an accomplished and best-selling author of over a dozen books including one of the best-selling business books of all time, The Art of the Deal. Mr. Trump is also the star and co-producer of the NBC hit series, The Apprentice, which premieres its 13th season on Sunday, March 3.

Mr. Trump is the latest celebrity inductee entering the WWE Hall of Fame, joining Drew Carey, Pete Rose, Bob Uecker, Mike Tyson and William "Refrigerator" Perry. Other members of the 2013 WWE Hall of Fame Class include Bruno Sammartino, Mick Foley, Bob Backlund and Trish Stratusâ„¢.

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