ENTERTAINMENT

Kid Rock bodyslams his way into WWE Hall of Fame

Rock has a long history with World Wrestling Entertainment, and will be inducted at a ceremony next month in New Orleans

DetroitNews

Kid Rock is heading to the Hall of Fame.

Not the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame — not yet, at least. In the meantime, the Son of Detroit will be inducted into World Wrestling Entertainment’s Hall of Fame at a ceremony next month, WWE announced Monday.

The WWE Hall of Fame induction ceremony takes place April 6 at New Orleans’ Smoothie King Center, two nights prior to this year’s WrestleMania, April 8 at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.

“Every time I go to a WWE event I always have a good time; there is nothing like it and no better fans in the world,” Rock told Billboard in a story announcing the Hall of Fame honor. “The Hall of Fame ceremony will be a fun night and it will be great to see everyone again. I have so much respect for what those guys and girls do. I’m grateful to WWE for letting me be a part of WrestleMania weekend.”

A video package honoring Rock will likely air during WWE’s “Monday Night Raw” program which will air live on Monday from Little Caesars Arena.

The timing of the announcement makes sense: Rock’s “New Orleans,” a track from his 2007 album “Rock N Roll Jesus,” is one of the theme songs for this year’s WrestleMania.

Rock will be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame’s celebrity wing. Previous inductees include Pete Rose, Snoop Dogg, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Mike Tyson, Mr. T and Donald Trump.

Kid Rock has a long history with the WWE. His “American Bad Ass” was used as a theme song for the Undertaker during the wrestler’s early ’00s makeover as a street-tough biker. “I wanted something with a lot of energy, and I wanted something to express the attitude I’m coming back with,” ’Taker said in an interview at the time. “Kid Rock’s ‘American Bad Ass’ hits it on the head.”

Rock’s cover of ZZ Top’s “Legs” was used as entrance music for Stacy Keibler and was included on 2002’s “Forceable Entry” collection of theme songs. That same year, Rock’s “Lonely Road of Faith” was used to score a montage of historic WWE clips through the years.

Rock also performed a medley of “Bawitdaba,” “Rock N Roll Jesus,” “Cowboy,” “All Summer Long” and “So Hott” at WrestleMania 25 at NRG Stadium in Houston.

During WrestleMania’s last visit to New Orleans, in 2014, Rock’s “Celebrate” was used as the show’s theme song.

Already announced inductees into 2018’s WWE Hall of Fame class include Goldberg, the Dudley Boyz, Ivory and Jeff Jarrett.

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