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One of the most iconic figures in sports history, the man known as “the Greatest”, Muhammed Ali will join the U.S. Express, Paul Heyman, and Bull Nakano as part of this year’s WWE Hall of Fame class.
The biggest sports celebrity of his day, Ali was able to transcend sports through his work as an activist, artist, and larger-than-life personality. He also contributed to the wrestling world by refereering the first Wrestlemania main event in the tag team match Hulk Hogan and Mr. T vs. “Rowdy” Roddy Piper and “Mr. Wonderful” Paul Orndorff.
Ali was even able to deliver a right hook to Piper, helping turn the tide for Hogan and Mr. T. Piper would later say that Ali brought something special to the match and to the world of wrestling. Over the past few years, Ali has been tied to WWE products like action figures and is included as a playable character in WWE 2K24.
Inside the ring, Ali competed in an exhibition match against future fellow WWE Hall of Famer Antonio Inoki inside the Nippon Budokan arena in Tokyo, Japan. The event was dubbed “The War of the Worlds” and pitted Ali’s boxing against Inoki’s strong style wrestling and heavy kicks.
The result in a 15-round draw that had both men bloodied and is seen as the precursor to modern MMA bouts.
Ali passed away on June 3, 2016, at the age of 74. His legacy as one of the greatest athletes remains decades later, and his contributions to helping modernize professional wrestling in the “rock n’ wrestling” era are seen to this day.
