The legendary "Nature Boy" Ric Flair led WWE's Hall of Fame Class of 2008, which also included such greats as Gordon Solie, Eddie Graham, Gerald Brisco, Jack Brisco, Mae Young, "Soulman" Rocky Johnson and High Chief Peter Maivia. The ceremony, which drew more than 7,000 hardcore WWE fans, took place at the Amway Arena at 600 West Amelia Street in downtown Orlando, Florida.

Flair was inducted by WWE superstar Triple H, while The Rock inducted his father, Rocky Johnson, and his grandfather, High Chief Peter Maivia. In addition, Young was inducted by 1996 WWE Hall of Fame inductee Pat Patterson, the Brisco Brothers by John "Bradshaw" Layfield (JBL), Graham by 2007 inductee "The American Dream" Dusty Rhodes and Solie by 2007 inductee Jim Ross.

As for the ceremony itself, it lasted a whopping 4 1/2 hours - longer than WrestleMania XXIV by over half an hour! Yes there were lulls during this time but it was well worth it to get to highlights like Flair's humorous and highly emotional speech, which lasted well over an hour. The Rock had a great time hamming it up ("Finally, The Rock has come back to Orlando!") and making fun of wrestlers such as "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, John Cena, Chris Jericho, Triple H, Santino Marella and Mick Foley, who actually brought along a sock with a tuxedo drawn on it!

The Rock then introduced his father, Rocky Johnson, who said his greatest memory of professional wrestling occurred in 1983 when he and Tony Atlas defeated the Wild Samoans to capture the World Tag Team Championship. The Rock later talked about the influence of his grandfather, Peter Maivia, and introduced his mother, Ata, who delivered an emotion-packed acceptance speech for her father.

In a raunchy but humorous speech, JBL inducted the Brisco Brothers, Jack and Jerry, into the WWE Hall of Fame. Known for their workmanlike demeanor in the ring, the Briscos were actually party animals who engaged in some legendary drinking exploits. JBL referred to the Brisco Brothers as the "greatest tag team in the history of professional wrestling.”

Mae Young has been involved in wrestling in some form or other in eight decades (she began her professional career in 1939!) and was inducted by her longtime friend, Pat Patterson, himself a Hall of Fame inductee. An enthusiastic Young, who was the first U.S. Women's Champion, accepted the honor as she became the third woman inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. Dusty Rhodes inducted legendary wrestler, promoter and trainer Eddie Graham. Eddie's son, Mike, humbly accepted the award for his father, who passed away in 1985. JR said Gordon Solie was "truly an inspiration." Members of Solie's family gave a heartfelt acceptance speech for the "Dean of Wrestling Announcers."

The grand finale of the 2008 WWE Hall of Fame Ceremony was the induction of Flair, who received a lengthy standing ovation and then proceeded to entertain the audience with lively stories of his wrestling tenure for the next hour and a half or so. During this time, Flair thanked just about anybody and everybody he ever met during his legendary career, told some hilarious stories about fellow wrestlers such as Andre the Giant, waxed nostalgic about the Four Horsemen (the original members of which featured Flair, Arn Anderson, Ole Anderson and Tully Blanchard) and revealed that his greatest opponent of all time was Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat. And on he went, until Triple H informed him to end the speech because of time constraints. However, as far as the audience was concerned, this "kiss-stealing, wheeling, dealing, jet-flying, limousine-riding son-of-a-gun" could have talked of his wrestling exploits all night . . . WOOOOOOOOO!!!

COMPLETE LIST OF WWE HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES

1993: Andre the Giant
1994: Arnold Skaaland, Bobo Brazil, "Nature Boy" Buddy Rogers, Chief Jay Strongbow, "Classy" Freddie Blassie, Gorilla Monsoon, James Dudley
1995: Antonino Rocca, "Big Cat" Ernie Ladd, George "The Animal" Steele, Ivan Putski, The Fabulous Moolah, The Grand Wizard, Pedro Morales, "Baron" Mikel Scicluna, "Captain" Lou Albano, Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka
1996: Jimmy Valiant, Johnny Valiant, Johhny Rodz, Killer Kowalski, Pat Patterson, Vincent J. McMahon
2004: Big John Studd, Bobby "The Brain" Heenan, Don Muraco, Greg "The Hammer" Valentine, Harley Race, Jesse "The Body" Ventura, Junkyard Dog, Sgt. Slaughter, "Superstar" Billy Graham, Tito Santana, Pete Rose
2005: Hulk Hogan, "Rowdy" Roddy Piper, "Cowboy" Bob Orton, "The Mouth of the South" Jimmy Hart, "Mr. Wonderful" Paul Orndorff, Nikolai Volkoff, The Iron Sheik
2006: Bret "The Hitman" Hart, Eddie Guerrero, "Mean" Gene Okerlund, "Sensational" Sherri, Verne Gagne, Blackjack Mulligan, Blackjack Lanza, "Mr. USA" Tony Atlas, William "The Refrigerator" Perry
2007: "The American Dream" Dusty Rhodes, "Mr. Perfect" Curt Hennig, Jerry "The King" Lawler, Nick Bockwinkel, Mr. Fuji, The Iron Sheik, The Wild Samoans, Jim Ross
2008: "Nature Boy" Ric Flair, "High Chief" Peter Maiva, "Soulman" Rocky Johnson, Mae Young, Gerald Brisco, Jack Brisco, Eddie Graham, Gordon Solie

NOTE: Alternative Reel would like to take the opportunity to thank Adam Hopkins of the WWE and Jason Maderer of the Central Florida Sports Commission for all their assistance with our coverage of WrestleMania XXIV.