WWEs new Immortal Moment category for the Hall of Fame Class of 2025 might feel freshbut the inspiration behind it isnt coming from Stamford. Its straight outta the UFCs playbook.
On the March 28 episode of SmackDown, WWE dropped the bombshell that Stone Cold Steve Austin vs. Bret Hitman Harts legendary WrestleMania 13 clash will be the first match inducted into the Hall of Fame under the new category. The iconic 1997 I Quit showdown is often credited for launching Austin into superstardom and flipping Hart into a heel rolethanks to that unforgettable moment where Austin passed out in the Sharpshooter, never quitting.
But why now? Why create an entirely new Hall of Fame lane just for a match? According to Dave Meltzer in the latest Daily Update, WWE borrowed the concept from UFC. Credit this one to Ant Evans at UFC, Meltzer wrote. When Evans took over the UFC Hall of Fame years ago, in an attempt to make it credible after Stephan Bonnar he came up with the idea to induct legendary matches.
Evans needed a way to justify Bonnars inclusion after his legendary 2005 brawl with Forrest Griffinso UFC started honoring fights instead of just fighters. The format worked, giving fans a new way to celebrate epic showdowns. WWE clearly took notice and decided to bring that strategy to the squared circle.
With names like Triple H, Michelle McCool, Lex Luger, and The Natural Disasters already confirmed for this years Hall of Fame, adding Austin vs. Hart as the first Immortal Moment brings a whole new level of historic credibilityand a reminder that sometimes the matches are just as legendary as the people in them.
Should more classic matches be inducted into the Hall of Fame? What showdown would you crown as WWEs next Immortal Moment? Sound off in the comments below.
