WWE.com has now confirmed the story that was leaked then removed from their site last Friday: Stone Cold Steve Austin will lead the Class of 2009 into the WWE Hall of Fame during WrestleMania weekend.

Here's the official statement from WWE.com:

It’s time to raise a glass — of beer, naturally — to the most popular WWE Superstar in history, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin.

It’s official! The six-time WWE Champion will be inducted into the 2009 WWE Hall of Fame on April 4 in his home state of Texas at Houston’s Toyota Center, the night before WrestleMania XXV. “Stone Cold” is the first Superstar announced for this year’s Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony in what promises to be one “Hell Yeah” of an evening.