Celebrity Wing of the WWE HoF why no Muhammad Ali?

[Chrome]

The tradition of tying in boxing and wrestling has been a long one. Muhammad Ali was a huge part of that stemming from his match against Antonio Inoki, confrontations with Gorilla Monsoon and other assorted appearances while he was the Heavyweight Boxing Champion of the World. After he retired, Ali was the special referee at the original Wrestlemania, and even in his weakened state has still been a friend to the business as evidenced by his appearance at Collision in Korea and Halloween Havoc 1994. Ali lived up to his moniker as the greatest and for a man who has earned so much respect in the sports world he has shown it back to the wrestling. It is difficult to put any other celebrity above him.

So Drew Carry can get in, and others... but Muhammad Ali who WRESTLED a few matches with the likes of Antonio Inoki, Gorrilla Monsoon, and others, interfeared in a few, was the enforcer of Wrestlemania I, and also use to coach Superstar Billy Graham on promo's isn't in the Hall of Fame?

WHY!!!

Ali w/ Freddie Blassie vs Buddy Wolfe (wrestler) w/ Dick the bruiser, Verne Gange ALi also cuts a promo after.. calling himself the lord of the ring. (Vince conducting the interview post match)

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ALi w/ Freddie Blassie cuts another promo on Anoki
Also explains how he got into wrestling
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Heck you can hear Vince on commentary. 2:03 minute mark

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Ali vs WWE HoFr Antonio Anoki

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Ali vs Kenny Jay (wrestler)
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Muhammad Ali as special enforcer at Wrestlemania
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There is more videos of Ali in wrestling but you get the point, he actually contributed to wrestling, why isn't he in the WWE Hof? Unlike most celebrities he actually contributed to wrestling AND while he was the heavy weight champion of the world in boxing.. and he assisted in the mainevent of the first wrestlemania.

So here is the question...

After seeing the videos above, do you all believe he belongs in the WWE HoF? If so why?

 

[TheHitMark-SirJoseOle]

Dude, great thought provoking post, I think Ali (when you consider his relationship with the wrestling world and the fact that so many other individuals who have done less with wrestling have been inducted) should be in there himself. Why this hasn't happened yet, I don't know for certain but now that you mention it I have one theory I could present and maybe this is the reason as to why he is not in the Hall of Fame...

I think WWE might be holding off until WrestleMania 30 for the HoF nod for Ali, it would make sense at this point to hold off two more years and wait until the 30th WrestleMania to do this. That's why I think we haven't seen an induction yet, could be wrong but just my two cents to throw in on that one.

But either way...no matter what the reason, Ali is deserving of being in the celebrity wing of the HOF.

 

[Carpathian Florist]

Or maybe they asked and he said "no" ?
As far as I know WWE asks permission to induct people and respects their decision or the decision of surviving relatives in the case of a potential posthumous inductee.

 

[Flip36]

in time, in time. I don't get how they figure when to induct certain people into the HOF, It made me sick that Drew Carey was inducted! He did nothing, Peter Rose at least got physical several times.

 

[Richard Blonoff]

I don't really like the celebrity HOF inductees but Ali is one that wouldn't really upset me. As you said he did wrestle a few times and had a part in a couple big WWF events

 

[The Brain]

Or maybe they asked and he said "no" ?

This is pretty likely. I'm sure WWE would love to get a huge name like Ali at one of their shows. There is no reason they would not have extended an invitation to him. I know Ali hasn't been in the best of health for many years now so he may not be up for a high profile appearance. My guess is the ball is more in Ali's court than WWE's with this.

 

[sajsSAMynwa1892]

I dont really know why ali isnt in there but he probably refused, he isnt the only one who should be in there, mike tyson an mr t should both be in there if pete rose and drew carey are! apparently mr t refused because he felt insulted that rose was inducted first, so ali may have felt similar

 

[Davi323]

This is pretty likely. I'm sure WWE would love to get a huge name like Ali at one of their shows. There is no reason they would not have extended an invitation to him. I know Ali hasn't been in the best of health for many years now so he may not be up for a high profile appearance. My guess is the ball is more in Ali's court than WWE's with this.

This. Usually, the WWE will only induct people that want to be inducted. Bruno Sammartino would have been inducted years ago, but he refuses to accept the invitation due to his significant hatred of Vince McMahon personally. Vince keeps offering, Bruno keeps saying fuck off. If someone says no, Vince doesn't go ahead and induct them anyway. If this is the case, and Ali has told Vince no, I suspect that Ali's deteriorating health probably has a large part in the decision, that he doesn't want to have to get up and give a speech in a public forum like that anymore. Ali may not want to be in that public of a place, and have his Parkinson's symptoms on display for all to see. It's also possible even with his contributions to wrestling, he may not feel like he is worthy of the Hall of Fame. I agree that he should have been the first celebrity inducted, but if Ali doesn't want to be inducted for whatever reason, what can we do about it?

It's simply beyond comprehension that Ali not being in the HOF is a simple oversight on McMahon's part, and I have never heard anything about any animosity whatsoever between them that would make me think McMahon refuses to offer the invite out of spite, despite his willingness to look beyond grudges in the past. I just cannot believe that the idea of inducting Muhammad Ali into the WWE Hall of Fame could ever have been nixed by Vince. Like Brain, I think this is probably due to some reservations on Ali's part, not Vince McMahon's.

 

[Remix]

If Ali is going to go into the HoF, then it should be posthumous for a few reasons. The first is obvious, Ali has been suffering from a degenerative neuropathic disease for over two decades. He doesn't make many public appearances for that reason. Why should he go through the struggles that being inducted would bring, such as walking to the mic, speaking and, of course travelling there. The second reason is related to the first, if you want to induct Ali, it should be the memory of Ali as he was. Not the hunched over, shuffling shadow of his former self that he is now. Or he just might not want to go in for a multitude of reasons.

 

[mrfantastic111]

To my knowledge, Vince's family used to work and deal with the promotors of Ali, notably at MSG. Back then Pro-Wrestling promotors worked alot with boxing promotors. These traditions of cross-brand promoting is still evident, as Dana White has said in interviews that he often has lunch with Vince.

 

[The Perfect Max]

I believe that Muhammad Ali should be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. I feel that the WWE HoF has been wasted in areas, just like the celebrity wing. Drew Carrey? Really? But someone like Ali would be a big asset to the celebrity wing. I feel that he would have already been asked, but he probably said "no" just like others have said above.

I remember reading someone that each year from 2011, a celebrity and diva would be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame, so, you never know but he may be inducted this year, next year or the year after.

 

[The Suplexer Perfecter]

I believe that Muhammad Ali should be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. I feel that the WWE HoF has been wasted in areas, just like the celebrity wing. Drew Carrey? Really? But someone like Ali would be a big asset to the celebrity wing. I feel that he would have already been asked, but he probably said "no" just like others have said above.

I remember reading someone that each year from 2011, a celebrity and diva would be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame, so, you never know but he may be inducted this year, next year or the year after.

No. Dear god no. It would make WWE an even more laughing stock in the eyes of the sports and regular media. I personally wouldn't want to see Ali on stage in his current condition anyway. He made one stupid appearance ring side at Mania 1. Just leave it alone. No more celebrities too. It's a total disgrace to have nobodies in a "hall of fame" when so many people still aren't.

 

[HUKSTER]

He made one stupid appearance ring side at Mania 1. Just leave it alone. No more celebrities too. It's a total disgrace to have nobodies in a "hall of fame" when so many people still aren't.

LEARN TO READ THE POST BEFORE POSTING... you end up looking like an asshat. In the OP he shown a lot of matches ALi had in a WRESTLING RING in WWE/WWF/WWWF LOOK AT THE VIDEOS for proof and he was in WCW like the OP stated during a Halloween Havoc. NOT Just Wrestlemania I.

In any event, if the WWF is to have the celebrity wing to the Hall of fame then I agree that Ali NEEDS to be in there. None of us even know for sure if he was even asked. But he certainly is deserving.

Note* That video of ALi and Freddie Blassie doing an interview during the talk show was HILARIOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!! lolol