Muhammad Ali Announced For 2024 WWE Hall of Fame

Muhammad Ali In Pro Wrestling

Variety reported first that Muhammad Ali will be in the 2024 class of the WWE Hall of Fame. Ali's induction into the WWE Hall of Fame adds to the roster of esteemed inductees for the Class of 2024, which includes Paul Heyman, Bull Nakano, and the tag team the U.S. Express (Mike Rotunda and Barry Windham).

Ali is known worldwide for his legendary boxing career, also ventured into professional wrestling on several occasions. He was also involved in the pro wrestling world.

He engaged in an exhibition match against Japanese wrestling icon Antonio Inoki in Tokyo in 1976. Prior to that bout, he made a memorable appearance at a WWE event, where he challenged Gorilla Monsoon in the ring. 

Ali was also a special guest referee for the main event of WrestleMania I in 1985, where Hulk Hogan and Mr. T faced off against Roddy Piper and Paul Orndorff. That may be his most famous footnote in WWE history. 

He was also the guest of honor at the historic "Collision in Korea" pay-per-view event held in North Korea in 1995, the same event that is still mysteriously absent from the WWE Network or Peacock. 

Who was Muhammad Ali

Renowned as one of the greatest boxers of all time, Ali achieved numerous accolades throughout his career, including winning an Olympic gold medal for the United States in boxing in 1960 and becoming the undisputed world heavyweight champion. 

His boxing record includes victories over opponents such as Sonny Liston, Ken Norton, Joe Frazier, and George Foreman, among others. His final professional boxing match went down in 1981, wrapping up his career with 56 wins, 5 losses, and 37 knockouts. Will Smith also played him in a 2001 biopic.

Beyond his athletic achievements, Ali was also involved social activism, famously refusing to be drafted into the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. That decision resulted in him being stripped of his heavyweight championships.

Sadly, Ali passed away in 2016 at the age of 74, leaving behind an enduring legacy both inside and outside the ring.

The 2024 WWE Hall of Fame ceremony is scheduled for April 5 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, The event will be available for live-streaming on Peacock starting at 10 p.m. ET/9 p.m. CT.