Muhammad Ali will take his rightful place in the WWE Hall of Fame, being the fourth name confirmed for this year’s class. WWE issued the following:
As reported by Variety, Muhammad Ali will be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2024.
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.
On June 26, 1976, Ali competed in “The War of the Worlds” which was an exhibition match against WWE Hall of Famer Antonio Inoki inside the Nippon Budokan arena in Tokyo, Japan.
The match, which was competed under specific rules, resulted in a 15-round draw in front of 32,000 fans in the crowd. The bout was also broadcast on closed-circuit television to nearly 33,000 fans inside Shea Stadium in Queens, New York.
The event was a huge success and brought in countless new fans to the industry while also being viewed as a precursor to modern mixed martial arts. Both Ali and Inoki became friends after the event with Inoki even using Ali’s theme music and catchphrases as his own.
After retiring from the boxing ring with a career record of 56-5 with 37 knockouts, Ali returned to the squared circle where he served as the special guest referee for the inaugural WrestleMania in 1984 during the main event between Hulk Hogan & Mr. T and “Rowdy” Roddy Piper & “Mr. Wonderful” Paul Orndorff.
Ali’s defining moment in the match came when he punched Piper with his signature right hand – a move that restored order to the bout.
Ali sadly passed away on June 3rd, 2016, at 74, but his legacy as one of the greatest athletes persists, and his work to modernize and globalize professional wrestling helped seamlessly blend the world of sports and entertainment.
Muhammad Ali to be Inducted into WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2024
Muhammad Ali, the legendary boxer and global icon, will be honored with induction into the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2024. This announcement comes as no surprise, considering Ali’s immense impact on both the sports and entertainment worlds.
Ali, a three-time World Heavyweight Boxing Champion and Olympic gold medalist, is widely regarded as one of the most iconic figures in sports history. His charisma, confidence, and unmatched boxing skills made him a force to be reckoned with inside the ropes. Known simply as “The Greatest,” Ali’s influence extended far beyond his athletic achievements.
As an activist, artist, and personality, Ali established himself as one of the most renowned figures worldwide. His work outside of the boxing ring showcased his commitment to social justice and equality. Ali’s outspokenness on civil rights issues and his refusal to be drafted into the Vietnam War made him a symbol of resistance and empowerment for many.
While Ali is primarily remembered for his boxing career, he also left a lasting impact on the sports-entertainment world. On June 26, 1976, Ali participated in “The War of the Worlds,” an exhibition match against WWE Hall of Famer Antonio Inoki in Tokyo, Japan. The bout, which took place under specific rules, ended in a 15-round draw in front of a crowd of 32,000 fans. The event was also broadcast on closed-circuit television to nearly 33,000 fans at Shea Stadium in New York.
This groundbreaking match not only brought in countless new fans to the industry but also served as a precursor to modern mixed martial arts. Ali and Inoki formed a friendship after the event, with Inoki even adopting Ali’s theme music and catchphrases as his own.
After retiring from boxing with an impressive record of 56-5 and 37 knockouts, Ali made his mark in the squared circle once again. He served as the special guest referee for the main event of the inaugural WrestleMania in 1984. The match pitted Hulk Hogan and Mr. T against “Rowdy” Roddy Piper and “Mr. Wonderful” Paul Orndorff. Ali’s defining moment in the match came when he punched Piper with his signature right hand, restoring order to the bout.
Although Ali passed away on June 3rd, 2016, at the age of 74, his legacy as one of the greatest athletes of all time lives on. His contributions to modernizing and globalizing professional wrestling cannot be overstated. Ali’s involvement helped seamlessly blend the worlds of sports and entertainment, paving the way for the success and popularity of WWE today.
With his induction into the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2024, Muhammad Ali will rightfully take his place among the elite performers and contributors in the history of professional wrestling. His impact on the industry will forever be remembered, and his legacy will continue to inspire generations to come.