This year’s WWE Hall of Fame ceremony takes place just before the biggest wrestling event of the year. But what does boxing legend Muhammad Ali actually have to do with wrestling?
Muhammad Ali is considered one of the most outstanding sports athletes of the 20th century. (Source: xyz photos / depositphotos.com)
- Shortly before WrestleMania, the annual WWE Hall of Fame ceremony takes place.
- In addition to some WWE greats, boxer legend Muhammad Ali is also one of the new additions.
- The WWE and Muhammad Ali have a shared history that goes back many years.
Wrestling fans can expect a big spectacle this weekend. WrestleMania 40 is the biggest wrestling event of the year. But shortly before that, Friday Night SmackDown took place again with the annual ceremony for the WWE Hall of Fame 2024 afterwards. In addition to WWE greats “The Wise Man” Paul Heyman, Bull Nakano, Barry Windham, Mike Rotunda, Lia Maivia and Thunderbolt Patterson, another special personality is among this year’s newcomers.
This is none other than boxer legend and sports icon Muhammad Ali. The American boxer will be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame this Friday along with the aforementioned WWE greats. But you might be wondering what Ali has to do with wrestling. So how did he end up inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame?
This is what connects the WWE and Muhammad Ali
The WWE and Muhammad Ali have a shared history. The boxing legend made three notable appearances at WWE events throughout his life. Ali’s first came in 1976 when he entered the ring after a match between Gorilla Monsoon and Baron Mikel Scicluna and confronted Monsoon. After Ali retired from professional boxing in 1981, two more appearances at WWE events followed.
He was actually part of the very first WrestleMania in 1985, serving as guest referee for the main event, the tag team match between Hulk Hogan and Mr. T against “Rowdy” Roddy Piper and “Mr. Wonderful” Paul Orndorff. Towards the end of the match, Ali famously beat Piper, helping Hogan and Mr. T win the match.
His third and final appearance came in 1994, at WWE’s Halloween Havoc event, when he presented Hulk Hogan with the title belt after Hogan defeated Ric Flair in a cage match. Even though it was just a small appearance, it was a big moment for WWE and the fans. That evening, Hulk Hogan and Muhammad Ali were reunited, having previously set a milestone by appearing at the first-ever WrestleMania event.
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