[10] Goldberg's return would include a run with the WWE Universal Championship,[11][12] and ended after his match with Lesnar at WrestleMania 33.

[15] On February 19, 2018, WWE announced that Jeff Jarrett would be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame on April 6,[16] an announcement that was met with "widespread surprise" due to the circumstances of Jarrett's departure from the promotion in 1999 and his role in founding Impact Wrestling.

[21][22][23][24] In a 2008 interview for a TNA special, Jarrett stated that not only were his negotiations cordial and in good faith, but that he also got stock options in WWF's IPO, which occurred two days after he left.

The event itself had kicked off with an image stating it was in memory of Johnny Valiant, who died two days earlier.

They both thanked their families, including a reference to Mr. T's long speech at the WWE Hall of Fame ceremony.

They continued by saying they are the first Extreme Championship Wrestling act to be inducted into the Hall of Fame, and thanked their fellow ECW wrestlers.

They invited Edge, Christian and The Hardy Boyz on stage with them, as Bubba Ray said it was thanks to the six of them together that they are where they are today.

Jim talked about the story of how he got involved in wrestling, and thanked Jim Ross, Dale Mann, Archie Gouldie, Stu Hart, Jerry Lawler, Jerry Jarrett and Pat Patterson for giving him the opportunities they did.

Jim finished by talking about his friends Johnny Valiant, André the Giant, Lord Alfred Hayes, Gorilla Monsoon, Bobby Heenan, Freddie Blassie, Lou Albano, Jimmy Snuka, Randy Savage, and Roddy Piper; who all meant so much to him but are no longer around to see his induction.

[29] A video montage was run next for the legacy inductees, which were Stan Stasiak, El Santo, Jim Londos, Sputnik Monroe, Boris Malenko, Dara Singh, Hiro Matsuda, Rufus R. Jones, Cora Combs, and lastly Lord Alfred Hayes.

Rock spoke briefly about his involvement in the WWE and finished by talking about his former bandmate Joe C. Lawler said the next inductee Jeff Jarrett, means a lot to him, as he helped train him during their times in Memphis.

Henry then transitioned into his Sexual Chocolate persona, talking to Stephanie McMahon before turning to his wife, and thanked Mae Young and Chyna for helping make the character.

Goldberg finished by thanking the fans, sharing a Stephanie McMahon story, and discussing the respect he had for Sting and Diamond Dallas Page.