Drew Carey was announced on the March 14 episode of Monday Night Raw as the fifth inductee for the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2011. Carey is obviously not a professional wrestler, but was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame because of his appearance at the 2001 Royal Rumble.
Carey might have only made one WWE appearance but it was a big one. Carey had a few backstage promos with Mr. McMahon, among others, before putting himself into the Royal Rumble Match. With his participation in the Rumble, Carey became the first celebrity to ever compete in a Royal Rumble Match, entering the ring in the number six position. The ring was empty after the Hardy Boyz eliminated each other, and Carey boasted in the ring, playing to the crowd and celebrating. That was, until the number seven entrant in the 2001 Rumble came out.
The number seven entrant turned out to be “The Big Red Machine” Kane, and his entrance stopped Carey in his tracks. Kane entered the ring and stared at the popular celebrity. Carey was stuck with no way out, but tried to get out of the situation anyway he could. He offered a handshake to Kane, followed by money, but Kane was not buying.
Kane took Carey by the throat, about to chokeslam him, before the number eight entrant Raven came out to save Carey and fend off Kane. Carey climbed over the top rope, to eliminate himself in the only Royal Rumble event he will ever compete in. Carey shook hands with the crowd on his way out before making his way up the ramp and back to the dressing room.
Carey is a man of many talents, including being an actor, comedian, and game show host. He grew to fame with his own sitcom show, titled The Drew Carey Show, and also hosted the improv show Who’s Line Is It Anyway? After being out of the public eye for a few years, Carey returned as the new host of The Price is Right, replacing former host Bob Barker. Carey is already in his fourth year hosting the show, and the program is still going strong.
Carey joins the short list of celebrities who have made the WWE Hall of Fame. Among those who are already in the celebrity wing are former baseball player Pete Rose, baseball announcer and actor Bob Uecker, and former football player William “The Refrigerator” Perry. All these celebrities have vastly different professions, but they do share being in a WWE ring at one time and making a lasting impact.
Carey is the first celebrity to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame this year, and joins Tammy “Sunny” Sytch, “Bullet” Bob Armstrong, “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan, and “The Heartbreak Kid” Shawn Michaels on the confirmed list of people who will be inducted into the Class of 2011. The 2011 WWE Hall of Fame is less than three weeks away, taking place on April 2 in Atlanta, Georgia, the night before WrestleMania. With only two more episodes of “Raw” before the induction ceremony, more names are expected.
Sources:
Drew Carey WWE Hall of Fame Page
Bio of WWE Hall of Fame Inductee Drew Carey
