Ali's induction into the class was conducted by another iconic figure and now fellow Hall of Famer, The Undertaker.
The selection of The Undertaker, a figure deeply intertwined with WWE's rich history and legacy, added a profound layer of respect and admiration to the induction. During the ceremony, hosts Corey Graves and Jackie Redmond introduced The Undertaker, who delivered heartfelt accolades to Muhammad Ali.
He shared personal anecdotes of his interactions with Ali, praising him for his pivotal role in revolutionizing boxing and for his significant, though lesser-known, contributions to the world of professional wrestling.
Muhammad Ali's ties to wrestling run deep and diverse. In 1976, Ali stepped into the wrestling ring for an exhibition bout against Antonio Inoki, a legendary figure in Japanese wrestling.
This crossover event followed Ali's appearance at a WWWF (World Wide Wrestling Federation, the precursor to WWE) event, where he bravely challenged Gorilla Monsoon, further blurring the lines between boxing and wrestling.
Ali's involvement in WWE history extended beyond that; he acted as the special guest referee for the main event of the inaugural WrestleMania in 1985, a tag team match featuring Hulk Hogan and Mr. T against Roddy Piper and Paul Orndorff. Moreover, Ali was the guest of honor at the "Collision in Korea" event in 1995, a controversial pay-per-view held in North Korea.
