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News: Long-Time WWE Employee Rich Hering to Receive “Warrior Award” at 2021 WWE Hall of Fame

The 2021 WWE Warrior Award winner was announced today. The following press release was posted on WWE’s Corporate website this morning with WWE saying that it was first reported by the Stamford Advocate. The article notes that Hering started working for WWE starting in 1970 as a consultant and then he officially became an employee in 1999, so his work with WWE goes back over 50 years.

04/06/2021

STAMFORD, Conn.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– WWE (NYSE: WWE) today announced that Rich Hering has been named the recipient of the 2021 Warrior Award. Named after WWE Hall of Famer The Ultimate Warrior®, The Warrior Award is presented to an individual who has exhibited unwavering strength and perseverance and who lives life with the courage and compassion that embodies the indomitable spirit of The Ultimate Warrior.

As WWE’s Senior Vice President of Government Relations and Risk Management, Hering began his career more than 50 years ago with Vince McMahon’s father, Vincent J. McMahon, and helped WWE expand from a regional promotion into the juggernaut it is today. Whether it is leading security efforts, working with state athletic commissions and other organizations on WWE events or overseeing the health and well-being of WWE talent and fans, Hering has consistently gone above and beyond the call of his day-to-day responsibilities.

“On behalf of everyone at WWE, we are proud to present Rich Hering with this incredible honor,” said Stephanie McMahon, WWE Chief Brand Officer. “Rich has dedicated more than half a century to WWE and the WWE Universe, and has truly seen and done it all. From ensuring the health and safety of WWE Superstars and employees; presiding over the wedding of Macho Man and Miss Elizabeth; and being an ‘uncle’ to Dana Warrior and her children, Mattie and Indy, there is no one more deserving of this accolade.”

The Warrior Award presentation will be part of the WWE Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, streaming tonight exclusively on Peacock at 8 pm ET in the U.S. and on WWE Network everywhere else.

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Here are some comments from Rich Hering, who has worked for WWE for 50 years. The comments come from the Stamford Advocate:

“It does have a very special meaning because of who it is named for and what it stands for. I was totally taken aback and surprised by it. Over the years, if you look at who else has received it, they have been very, very deserving people who have done so much in their community and for service organizations. It holds a special place to me because of The Ultimate Warrior, who I knew so well. To me personally, this is a very special honor.”

Rich talked about knowing The Ultimate Warrior’s wife and daughters:

“The girls call me Uncle Rich. They have ever since (the Ultimate Warrior passed away in 2014). When he passed I actually flew down and stayed with them and made the arrangements for his funeral. I think that’s why this award, more than anything I’ve ever received, is so special.”

Stephanie McMahon-Levesque, who is WWE’s Chief Brand Officer, commented on Hering winning the award:

“Rich has dedicated more than half a century to WWE and the WWE Universe, and has truly seen and done it all. From ensuring the health and safety of WWE Superstars and employees; presiding over the wedding of Macho Man and Miss Elizabeth; and being an ‘uncle’ to Dana Warrior and her children, Mattie and Indy, there is no one more deserving of this accolade.”

The WWE Hall of Fame Ceremony for 2020 and 2021 will air on Peacock/WWE Network at 8pm ET tonight. It was taped last week on two separate nights and will air in one broadcast.

Here’s the full WWE Hall of Fame class for 2020:

* New World Order (Hulk Hogan, Kevin Nash, Scott Hall & Sean “X-Pac” Waltman)

* John Bradshaw Layfield

* Nikki & Brie Bella

* “British Bulldog” Davey Boy Smith

* Jushin Thunder Liger

* Celebrity: William Shatner

* Warrior Award recipient: Titus O’Neil

Here’s the WWE 2021 Hall of Fame class:

* Kane

* Rob Van Dam

* Eric Bischoff

* The Great Khali

* Molly Holly

* Celebrity: Ozzy Osbourne

* Warrior Award recipient: Rich Hering

That’s the full list. Expect a lot of short speeches following the video packages this year. Back to normal ceremony next year hopefully.