WWE has announced that the iconic match between Hulk Hogan and Andre the Giant at WrestleMania 3 in 1987 will receive the WWE Immortal Moment Award at this year’s Hall of Fame induction ceremony. The legendary bout — best remembered for Hogan’s historic bodyslam on the 520-pound giant — joins Bret Hart vs. Steve Austin from WrestleMania 13 as only the second recipient of the award since WWE introduced the category last year.
The announcement described the moment in fitting terms: “The slam heard around the world. The iconic showdown between Hulk Hogan and Andre the Giant at WrestleMania 3 will be honored with the WWE Immortal Moment Award at the 2026 WWE Hall of Fame Ceremony.” The match saw Hogan defending the WWE Championship against Andre, who had been undefeated for fifteen years heading into Pontiac Silverdome.
Hulk Hogan vs. Andre the Giant Joins Both Late Legends in Their Third and Second Hall of Fame Inductions Respectively
The recognition carries particular emotional weight given that both men are no longer alive. Andre the Giant passed away in January 1993 at 46 years old and was posthumously inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame later that year — making this his second overall induction. Hulk Hogan, who passed away in July 2025 after suffering a heart attack, was inducted individually in 2005 and again as part of the nWo in 2020, making this his third Hall of Fame honor. The match joins Stephanie McMahon, AJ Styles, Dennis Rodman, Demolition, Sid Eudy, and Bad News Brown in the 2026 class. The induction ceremony takes place Friday, April 16 at Dolby Live at Park MGM in Las Vegas, following SmackDown.