Why is the WWE inducting boxing legend Muhammad Ali into its Hall of Fame?
The former three-time world champion and sports icon will also have his name in the history of WWE. Here’s why.
Muhammad Ali was known as The Greatest for his accomplishments in boxing, his charisma, and his fight for social rights and peace.
The sports legend died in 2016, but his memory remains as alive as ever and keeps receiving recognition. WWE announced that Ali will be posthumously inducted into its Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2024 on April 5 during WrestleMania 40 weekend.
Ali, named Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr. before converting to Islam, will join other celebrity inductees, including boxing great Mike Tyson, actor Mr. T, or all-time MLB hits leader Pete Rose.
With a record of 56 wins (37 KOs) and five losses, he became a three-time world heavyweight champion. His career had lots of great fights, although his trilogy against Joe Frazier and his clash with George Foreman known as The Rumble in the Jungle are probably his most remembered bouts.
Besides his great performances in the ring, he’s also known for his influence and his work as an activist and a cultural icon, which made him become one of the most renowned names in the world.
Why will Muhammad Ali be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame?
The light heavyweight gold medalist in the 1960 Olympics in Rome was also involved in the world of wrestling, which also explains his induction into the WWE Hall of Fame.
In 1976, Ali participated in The War of the Worlds, competing in an exhibition fight against WWE Hall of Famer Antonio Inoki inside the Nippon Budokan Arena in Tokyo. The 15-round fight, which ended in a draw under specific rules, was followed by more than 30,000 fans in the crowd.
To get ready for that clash, Ali had previously faced WWE Hall of Famer Gorilla Monsoon, a match that was held at the Philadelphia Arena.
Another of his famous appearances in the WWE took place after he retired from boxing, in 1985. He served as a special guest referee for the main event of the inaugural WrestleMania, between Hulk Hogan & Mr. T and Rowdy Roddy Piper & Mr. Wonderful Paul Orndorff, at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Ali’s most notorious moment came when he punched Piper with a right hand.
His last appearance in the WWE-entertainment world came in 1995 at WCW’s Collision in Korea tour of North Korea when he was recognized as a guest of honor.