WWE Hall of Fame - Class of 2009 (USA Airing)
April 4, 2009
Houston, TX (Toyota Center)
Report by: Adam Martin of WrestleView.com

- The WWE promo hits.

- An opening video plays showing past WWE Hall of Fame inductees and the inductees set for tonight's Class of 2009 Hall of Fame.

- We are now inside the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Todd Grisham welcomes us to the show and introduces the host of tonight's ceremony, Jerry "The King" Lawler. Jerry Lawler gets a good reaction from the crowd in Houston. Lawler welcomes everyone to this special night and calls it his favorite night of the year where the past, present and future of WWE come together to honor the greats. He gets things started by introducing "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair. Ric Flair struts to the podium and gets a big reaction from the crowd in Houston. Flair said it is an honor to be on this same stage a year ago. He said he has another honor to induct his longtime friend and greatest in-ring opponent, Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat.

- A video package plays highlighting the history of Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat.

- Up next: Ric Flair inducts Ricky Steamboat into the Hall of Fame.

===COMMERCIAL BREAK===

- A video package highlighting WrestleMania 1 airs.

- "Rowdy" Roddy Piper is shown in the crowd.

- We are back with Ric Flair and puts over Ricky Steamboat as his greatest opponent ever. He said Steamboat was a fan's wrestler and embodied what a true good guy should be. Flair said the girls loved Steamboat and said he would put him up against the Von Erich's any night. He said Steamboat was a great performer in the ring each and every night. Flair said it was guys like Steamboat that made him a legend and said they probably wrestled each other 2,000 times. He said he feels the work they did in the ring will play a role for decades to come. Flair said they have shared blood, sweat and tears and now have sons trying to follow in their footsteps. He introduces Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat.

===COMMERCIAL BREAK===

- A video for WrestleMania 25 tomorrow night airs.

- We are back and we see Ric Flair and Ricky Steamboat hugging. Flair and Steamboat then do a quick lock up, smile and hug a second time. Steamboat wipes a few tears away as the crowd chants, "STEAMBOAT." He said he is humbled to be as blessed as he is, to have made good friends and the great ones who have come and gone. Steamboat said so many set the bar night after night. He said laying on the mat after a one hour draw and looking over your shoulder mouthing the words, "We got them." Steamboat recalled the times the young talent would want feedback on their matches. He brought up a plane ride with a then young talent who asked him question after question and turned into a star on his own: Triple H. Steamboat said his career was not measured on wins and losses, but rather the performance. He said Flair always pushed him to the limit and took him to school every night they locked up. Steamboat brought up stars from the past that he worked with and told Chris Jericho that they are taking him to school tomorrow. He also mentions the guy he had his last match with: Steve Austin. Steamboat thanks Jim Ross for the nights he did commentary for his matches. He said he had some great men to work with and doesn't think he would be here today without them. Steamboat thanks all the superstars for giving him this moment tonight and said to Mickey Rourke (who was in the audience) that this was his Oscar. He closes saying this was an honor.