LAS VEGAS - Those who were honored and those who shared their stories at the Heroes & Legends Ceremony Tuesday night laughed and cried, but mostly laughed.

Tater Porter and the late Brent Thurman were inducted in the PBR Ring of Honor, while Leanne Lambert, Rob Smets and Little Yellow Jacket were also recognized for their contributions to the PBR, in a ceremony at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino.

"I'm glad to be here," said Porter as he concluded a crisp, humorous speech. "I just don't know what to say.

"This is my world title."

Looking out at the audience, several speakers referenced the caliber of greatness they were among on what will be remembered as a historic occasion for the PBR. This year's induction ceremony took place immediately following the first-ever Legends Reunion, which brought together 140 past and present bull riders.

The audience represented 14 of the first 17 PBR world title winners, along with 22 of the first 32 inductees into the Ring of Honor.

'This is my world title.'

Porter and Thurman represent only the 33rd and 34th inductees.

Wacey Cathey, who was inducted in 2001, spoke on behalf of his friend and traveling partner Thurman. He said, "This is the toughest thing I ever had to do."

Choking back tears, he said his plan was to "tell funny stories."

At his own induction, he said little more than "thank you," because he admitted he'd rather ride Bushwacker backwards with the flank rope than stand in front of a crowd and talk.

"This is a friend," said Cathey, who added that his own career was extended at least five years because of the passion and drive Thurman instilled in him, "and I owe him."

Brent Thurman was remembered for his gregarious personality and toughness.

Thurman, who was tragically killed during the 10th round at the National Finals Rodeo in 1994, was remembered as much for his zest for life as he was for his toughness.

Kay Thurman stood on stage and - at least for some of the newcomers - introduced the audience to her son, who lost his life doing what he loved at the age of 25.

She called her son "an angel on Earth" and thanked Cathey for all he did for Brent and for her. "You stood for me when I couldn't stand for myself," she said.

The night concluded with Porter's induction.

Both Justin McBride and J.W. Hart praised Tater Porter for his rapport with fans.

In a pre-taped video, former CEO Randy Bernard reminded the crowd that Porter used to travel with Justin McBride, J.W. Hart and Michael Gaffney, which he described as "trouble waiting to happen."

Hart,referencing a small accident at the bar in the room, said, "Oh boy, do we have stories - most of which either start or end with breaking glass."

'Oh boy, do we have stories - most of which either start or end with breaking glass.'

But the night began with a love story.

Leanne Lambert, who has been married to Cody Lambert for the past 29 years, received the Sharon Shoulders Award.

She said upon hearing of her selection, she had two thoughts. One, she was nervous about speaking in public, and two, no wife deserved it more than her, considering who her husband is.

In a rare show of emotion, the PBR founder and current livestock director said his wife often does things for others because she feels sorry for them. "And she said, 'yes,' to me," he added as the punch line.

Upon making his way to the stage to talk about Little Yellow Jacket, the first-ever Brand of Honor recipient, Tom Teague was accompanied by Joe Berger.

"I don't deserve anything," said Teague, who praised Berger for raising LYJ and thanked the Berger family for allowing him the opportunity to buy into him. "All I did was tag along."

In return, Berger praised Teague, calling him "the best partner I ever had."

Ty Murray called LYJ, who passed away in September, 10 times more than a handful, while two-time Stock Contractor of the Year Jeff Robinson said he was the Michael Jordan of bucking bulls. Robinson explained that everything Jordan had on the basketball court, LYJ had in the arena.

Robinson also added that LYJ, who was renowned for how much he loved the game, was as good when he retired as when they broke him out.

Jerome Robinson agreed.

He said, "They bucked him every time the band played."

One of the more impassioned moments of the night came when Smets took the stage. The longtime bullfighter, who retired only after breaking his neck a third time in Reno, Nev., shared some rather personal stories.

'Was it worth three broken necks?' Smets asked. 'You're damn right.'

His mother couldn't make it to the ceremony. Tuesday morning, she boarded a flight to Las Vegas, but passed out, and the plane made an emergency landing in Portland, Ore., where she was admitted to a local hospital.

As proud as he was to be the recipient of the first Jim Shoulders Lifetime Achievement Award - an honor named after the man responsible for giving him one of his earliest opportunities - he beamed with pride in telling onlookers that his eldest daughter was about to make him a grandfather.

As he said, Tuesday night brought his career "full circle."

"Was it worth three broken necks?" he asked. "You're damn right."

NEWS & NOTES

RETRO WEDNESDAY: Be sure to wear your retro-western best to the opening round tonight as a trubute to the LEgends Reunion attendees, who will be honored in the arena.

TV GUIDE: The 2011 PBR World Finals will be televised live in HD on VERSUS at 9 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and on NBC at 4 p.m. ET on Sunday. DIRECTV will have the first-ever 3D broadcast of bull riding at 4 p.m. ET on DIRECTV's 3D channel, n3D™ (channel 103).

WORLD FINALS: A complete listing of events in Las Vegas and ticket information can be found here.