Stephanie McMahon Headlines the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2026
The former co-CEO and chairwoman of WWE, Stephanie McMahon, has been announced as the first inductee into the WWE Hall of Fame class of 2026.
The surprising news was revealed by The Undertaker, WWE Hall of Famer, during the WrestlePalooza broadcast on Saturday. The Undertaker, in his iconic “American Badass” persona, arrived at the ring on his motorcycle, where McMahon was sitting in the front row. After asking McMahon “Are you ready?”, The Undertaker informed her that she would be the first to be honored in the 2026 class.
Daughter of WWE’s former president, Vince McMahon, Stephanie held multiple roles in the company from 1998 to 2023. She started as an account executive and receptionist in 1998, before making her first on-screen appearance in 1999, within the framework of Vince McMahon’s rivalry with The Undertaker. Subsequently, she became a wrestler and won the WWF Women’s Championship in 2000, while simultaneously working in management roles, such as director, senior vice president of creative writing, executive vice president of creative development and operations, and chief brand officer.
McMahon continued making frequent appearances and participated in notable rivalries. One of them became reality when she began dating and married professional wrestler Paul “Triple H” Levesque in 2003.
In 2019, McMahon’s appearances became more sporadic as her role in the company grew. She was named interim president and CEO following an investigation by the board of directors into allegations of sexual misconduct against her father. She resigned from the position in 2023, but has made periodic appearances for the company despite not having a position at WWE.
The 2026 Hall of Fame ceremony is scheduled to be held during WrestleMania weekend in Las Vegas in April.
