WWE have announced boxing legend Muhammad Ali as the next inductee into the WWE Hall of Fame.
Initially reported by Variety, WWE has announced that the sporting icon is the latest name to be honored by the WWE.
Ali was one of the most famous sportsmen in the world during his life, with billions of people across the world knowing him for his exploits in the ring. However, it was his trash-talking that really endeared him to the public.
The fighter could beat his opponent before the bell rang. His rhymes, jabs and jibes made him a must-watch figure, much like a modern-day WWE Superstar.
His fights against Joe Frazier (Rumble in the Jungle) and George Foreman defined boxing for a generation. However, he also spent time inside the wrestling ring.
The American boxer, who was born Cassius Clay, wrestled against fellow WWE Hall of Famer Antonio Inoki in Japan in a match that some have claimed drew over a billion viewers. This bout took place at the Nippon Budokan Arena in Tokyo, Japan. It was billed as “The War of the Worlds”.
The former World Heavyweight Champion was seen as an all-time great in sports. He famously tossed his Olympic gold medal away in protest of segregation, before being honored years later at Atlanta 1996.
Ali Appeared At WrestleMania I
The first WrestleMania was one of the most star-studded events in wrestling history. From Cyndi Lauper to Mr T to Liberace, it was a whose-who of celebrity royalty.
However, none shone brighter than Muhammad Ali.
The former boxer was retired by that point, and was recruited by Vince McMahon as the special guest referee for the main event. At the event, he helped take charge of Mr T and Hulk Hogan vs Paul Orndorff and Roddy Piper.
While he did not wrestle at all, he did get a good right hand in on Piper, which helped restore order to the bout.
Ali sadly passed away on June 3rd, 2016, at 74, but he inspired numerous WWE Superstars. The Rock took his “People’s Champion” moniker from Ali, and his pre-fight interviews definitely inspired multiple wrestler’s promos.
Muhammad Ali will be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame on Friday, April 5, 2024.
