WWE has announced that Hulk Hogan vs. Andre the Giant from WrestleMania III will receive the Immortal Moment Award at the 2026 WWE Hall of Fame ceremony. The match becomes only the second to receive this honor, following Steve Austin vs. Bret Hart from WrestleMania 13.
The WrestleMania III main event took place in 1987 at the Pontiac Silverdome in Michigan. On that night, Hulk Hogan defeated Andre the Giant to retain the WWF Championship in front of a record-setting crowd. The match remains one of the most recognized moments in wrestling history.
The highlight of the bout came when Hogan lifted and bodyslammed Andre the Giant, a moment that WWE has replayed for decades. That scene continues to stand as one of the defining visuals of WrestleMania and WWE as a whole.
The Immortal Moment Award was introduced in 2025 to honor matches that have had a lasting impact on WWE history. The first recipient was Steve Austin vs. Bret Hart from WrestleMania 13, a match widely praised for its storytelling and influence.
This year’s induction also allows WWE to honor Hulk Hogan following his passing in July 2025. Hogan had already been inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame twice during his career. He entered as a solo inductee in 2005 and later as part of the nWo in 2020 alongside Kevin Nash, Scott Hall, and Sean Waltman.
Andre the Giant holds a unique place in WWE history as well. He was the first-ever inductee into the WWE Hall of Fame in 1993, shortly after his passing. His legacy remains closely tied to WrestleMania III and his rivalry with Hogan.
The 2026 WWE Hall of Fame ceremony is scheduled for Friday, April 17, at Dolby Live inside Park MGM in Las Vegas. The event will take place during WrestleMania 42 weekend and will celebrate some of the most important moments and figures in WWE history.
With this announcement, WWE continues to highlight the lasting impact of WrestleMania III, ensuring that one of its most iconic matches receives recognition for its place in wrestling history.
2026 WWE Hall of Fame Class
- Stephanie McMahon
- AJ Styles
- Demolition (Ax and Smash)
- Dennis Rodman
- Sid Vicious (posthumous Legacy Award)
- Bad News Brown (posthumous Legacy Award)
- WWE Immortal Moment Award: Hulk Hogan vs. Andre the Giant — WrestleMania III
WrestleMania III Immortal Moment Award Honors Hogan vs Andre
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