Captain’s log, stardate April 6, 2021. The WWE Hall of Fame: the final frontier.
Captain Kirk himself, William Shatner, will be beamed into the WWE Hall of Fame as a member of the Class of 2020. He will take his place in sports-entertainment history during the 2021 WWE Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, streaming next Tuesday, April 6, on Peacock in the United States and WWE Network everywhere else. News of Shatner’s induction was first reported by USA Today.
Shatner is beloved by millions around the world for his iconic portrayal of James T. Kirk, captain of the USS Enterprise in the original “Star Trek” television series, as well as the motion picture series. He’s also starred in “T.J. Hooker,” was the host of “Rescue 911,” won Emmys and Golden Globe Awards for his portrayal of Denny Crane on “Boston Legal,” and has released numerous spoken-word albums and best-selling books.
He made his first trek into the WWE Universe in early 1995, when he appeared as the special guest on Jerry “The King” Lawler’s “King’s Court.” Shatner didn’t take too kindly to Lawler’s badgering and sent “The King” flying with a monkey flip. Shatner returned to RAW one week later to be in Bret “Hitman” Hart’s corner for a showdown with Jeff Jarrett. When Road Dogg got a little too close to the action, Shatner decked him with a big right hand and rammed him into the turnbuckle.
The disagreement between Shatner and Lawler turned out to be water under the bridge, as Shatner returned to WWE in 2007 to induct “The King” into the WWE Hall of Fame.
Shatner came back to the red brand as a special guest host in February 2010, giving the WWE Universe a memorable night as only he can, including a dramatic interpretation of several Superstar entrance themes and using his skills as The Priceline Negotiator to settle disputes. In addition, Shatner was also the narrator for the WWE Network reality series “WWE Breaking Ground.”
Currently, Shatner is the host of “The UnXplained” on The History Channel, which explores the world’s most fascinating and inexplicable mysteries. He also stars in the romantic comedy “Senior Moment,” which is in theatres and on-demand now. Shatner additionally enjoys doing philanthropic work, especially through his annual Hollywood Charity Horse Show, which raises funds for children’s and veterans charities.
Don’t miss William Shatner take his place in the WWE Hall of Fame during the 2021 Induction Ceremony, streaming next Tuesday, April 6, on Peacock in the United States and WWE Network everywhere else.
At 90, William Shatner will be inducted into the Celebrity Wing of the WWE Hall of Fame. He called the honour “fantastic.” When asked if he was larger than life, as many WWE superstars appear to be, Shatner feigned modesty before upshifting to full-on, tongue-in-cheek bravado – as a Hall of Famer is entitled. “I am not larger than life. I’m life itself. OK?”
He said the energetic vibe at WWE events is similar to a “Star Trek” convention. “It’s very much the same, the approbation, the joy,” he says. “The enthusiasm the wrestling audience shows toward its favourite people is not dissimilar to the enthusiasm ‘Star Trek’ fans show.” Before confessing, “I’m going to admit it now. I missed a career when ‘Star Trek’ was over, I should have gone into wrestling as Captain Kirk.”
All pics and videos courtesy of WWE