Muhammad Ali to be inducted into WWE Hall of Fame

  • Ian Carey
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Muhammad Ali has been announced for the WWE Hall of Fame. 

Ali joins Paul Heyman, Bull Nakano, and The U.S Express as those who will be inducted into the Class of 2024. 

The news was first reported by Variety on Monday. 

From WWE.com:

One of the most iconic figures in sports history, the three-time World Heavyweight Boxing Champion and Olympic gold medalist was known around the world for his charisma, his confidence, and his ability to back it up inside the ropes.

Known simply as “The Greatest”, Ali’s influence transcended sports as his work as an activist, artist, and personality established him as one of the most renowned figures in the entire world.

Although best known as a boxer, Ali made a great impact in the sports-entertainment world.

Ali’s first foray into sports entertainment occurred in 1976 when he faced Antonio Inoki in Japan. The match also aired on 150 closed-circuit venues across the United States. 

The story goes that Ali’s camp expected the bout to be a worked contest while Inoki’s did not. As a result, several rule changes were negotiated in the days leading up to the event. 

The majority of the match saw Inoki lie on his back and kick Ali repeatedly in the legs. This led to Ali suffering blood clots and reduced mobility in his legs for the remainder of his career. Fans were very negative about the match and chanted for a refund. 

Ali was also a special referee for the main event of WrestleMania I in 1984. Ali would be a special outside enforcer while Pat Patterson officiated the action inside the ring. It was later said that this was done as Ali’s Parkinson’s disease was setting in and they did not feel he would be able to referee the full match. 

Ali passed away on June 3, 2016, at the age of 74.