Muhammad Ali To Be Inducted Into The WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2024
As reported by Variety, world renowned boxer Muhammad Ali will be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame later this year. The induction, set to take place on April 5th, will see him be inducted into the Class of 2024 by his widow, Lonnie Ali.
Ali’s History in Professional Wrestling
Although Ali is celebrated worldwide as a three-time World Heavyweight Boxing Champion and Olympic gold medalist, he also dabbled in professional wrestling. In 1976, he appeared in a WWWF (now WWE) show against Gorilla Monsoon, and later in the year fought in an exhibition match against WWE Hall of Famer Antonio Inoki. The match resulted in a 15-round draw in front of 32,000 fans, and is regarded as the precursor to the explosion in the popularity of modern Mixed Martial Arts (MMA).
His journey in wrestling continued following his retirement from boxing as he appeared as a special guest referee at the first ever Wrestlemania in 1985, and he later went on to become a guest of honour at the infamous “Collision in Korea” held in North Korea in 1995.
Legacy
Before passing away in 2016 at the age of 74, Ali retired from professional boxing in 1981 with a record of 56 wins and five losses, with 37 wins by knockout. Considered one of the best boxers of all time, Ali is known for his charisma, charm, and impact on the professional combat sports industry. Muhammad Ali will join the Hall of Fame Class of 2024 alongside fellow inductees Paul Heyman, Bull Nakano, and the tag team the U.S. Express (Mike Rotunda and Barry Windham).
Fans can watch the induction on April 5th as it is broadcast live on Peacock from the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, at 10 p.m. ET/9 p.m. CT.
