I have to admit… I thought they were gonna blow it on this one.
The natural inductor for William “Paul Bearer” Moody was the Undertaker. If it were anyone else, it would be a go, and there would be nothing to talk about. However, Mark Calaway is a man who is so protective of his character that he had never appeared either on stage or in the crowd at the Hall of Fame.
Related: WWE 2014 Hall of Fame Photos
Would Taker break character for, essentially, the first time in almost 25 years to induct Bearer? Or is the man literally so connected to his character that he would slight the man who was by his side most of those years just to protect it? Or would he come out and do some corny in-character induction?
Rumors were that Moody’s sons were going to induct him. I guess this works, as they would certainly want to honor their father. However, no one really cared about them largely since no one really knew them. I am sure they were known backstage as most families are, but the rest of us could stand next to them and never know it.
So.. Who do they choose? They went with Bearer’s other “son” and had Kane induct him. The presentation that Kane gave was great. He told some interesting stories and he made us all appreciate the contribution that Moody made…. the quintessential inductor.
Michael and Daniel came out and graciously accepted the honor on their father’s behalf… and then…
THE GONG STRUCK! THE LIGHTS WENT OUT!
And The Undertaker came out, fully dressed out, fully in character, and paid a very proper and very respectful tribute to his “father” and manager. Then we break for commercial.
I am not afraid to criticize WWE when they mess something up. I don’t work for them, so I can say what I want. But they knocked this one out of the park! WAY TO GO WWE!
Of course, your comments and thoughts are always welcome.
