Current:Home > ContactBoxing icon Muhammad Ali to be inducted into 2024 WWE Hall of Fame? Here's why. -Blueprint Wealth Network
Boxing icon Muhammad Ali to be inducted into 2024 WWE Hall of Fame? Here's why.
View
Date:2025-04-28 00:46:13
The latest inductee announced to the 2024 WWE Hall of Fame class is boxing and global icon Muhammad Ali, the company announced Monday.
Ali, who died in 2016 at the age of 74, is third inductee of this year's class, joining Paul Heyman and Bull Nakano.
"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," WWE said in a statement. "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."
Why is Muhammad Ali going into WWE Hall of Fame?
Even with all of his accolades in and out of the boxing ring, Ali also made notable impact in the professional wrestling world.
In the very first WrestleMania in 1985, Ali served as the special guest referee for the main event tag team match between Hulk Hogan and Mr. T vs. "Rowdy" Roddy Piper & "Mr. Wonderful" Paul Orndorff. By the time of the event, Ali had already retired as an accomplished boxer.
As the match was erupting in chaos, Ali delivered an iconic moment when he punched Piper with his signature right hand. Hogan and Mr. T would win the match in the showcase that would become WWE's flagship event.
In addition to his achievement in professional wrestling, Ali also competed in "The War of the Worlds" match against wrestler Antonio Inoki in Tokyo, Japan in 1976. The match was fought under special mixed rules and is seen as the precursor to what modern mixed martial arts is today. The 15-round bout would end in a draw.
Now, Ali will join Inoki as a WWE Hall of Famer.
"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," WWE said.
The 2024 WWE Hall of Fame ceremony will take place during WrestleMania weekend, with the inductions occurring on April 5 at at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia after "Smackdown."
veryGood! (72484)
Related
- The Super Bowl could end in a 'three
- Blinken calls for protecting civilians as Israel prepares an expected assault on Gaza
- Is the ivory-billed woodpecker officially extinct? Not yet, but these 21 animals are
- Suzanne Somers, star of 'Three's Company' and 'Step by Step,' dead at 76
- How to watch new prequel series 'Dexter: Original Sin': Premiere date, cast, streaming
- Yuval Noah Harari on the Hamas attack: Terrorists are waging a war on our souls
- Wisconsin Senate poised to give final approval to bill banning gender-affirming surgery
- India’s Supreme Court refuses to legalize same-sex marriage, says it is up to Parliament
- Senate begins final push to expand Social Security benefits for millions of people
- Georgia’s cash hoard approaches $11 billion after a third year of big surpluses
Ranking
- Federal court filings allege official committed perjury in lawsuit tied to Louisiana grain terminal
- Israel suspends military exports to Colombia over its president’s criticism of Gaza seige
- Here are the key leaders joining the Belt and Road forum and their wish lists to Beijing
- Tyga Seeking Legal and Physical Custody of His and Blac Chyna’s Son King
- Charges tied to China weigh on GM in Q4, but profit and revenue top expectations
- Here are the Top 10 most popular Halloween candies, according to Instacart
- Poland’s voters reject their right-wing government, but many challenges lie ahead
- Code Switch: Baltimore teens are fighting for environmental justice — and winning
Recommendation
In ‘Nickel Boys,’ striving for a new way to see
How much is that remote job worth to you? Americans will part with pay to work from home
'Love is Blind' Season 5 reunion spoilers: Who's together, who tried again after the pods
'We're not monsters': Community mourns 6-year-old amidst fears of anti-Muslim hate
Jamie Foxx gets stitches after a glass is thrown at him during dinner in Beverly Hills
Horoscopes Today, October 16, 2023
The Commerce Department updates its policies to stop China from getting advanced computer chips
Suzanne Somers' Husband Alan Hamel Details Final Moments Before Her Death