“He didn’t want to go to Vietnam,” WWE legend reveals how his induction of Muhammad Ali into the WWE Hall of Fame received criticism from the veteran community

The Undertaker inducted the boxing great into the 2024 WWE Hall of Fame.

“He didn’t want to go to Vietnam,” WWE legend reveals how his induction of Muhammad Ali into the WWE Hall of Fame received criticism from the veteran community

WWE Hall of Fame 2024 inductee Muhammad Ali (via Wrestling Inc. and WWE)

On the eve of WrestleMania XL, WWE inducted legendary boxer Muhammad Ali into their Hall of Fame. The Undertaker was the one to posthumously bestow the honor on Ali, with the latter’s wife, Lonnie Ali, gracing the occasion in person. However, in the aftermath, Taker received a bit of criticism from the veteran community for putting Ali in.

Elucidating his experience on the Six Feet Under podcast, The DeadMan mentioned how the pioneering pugilist refused to be drafted into the US military back in 1966. He didn’t partake in the Vietnam War and was eventually convicted of draft evasion. At a time when he was entitled to serve in the armed forces, The Louisville Lip cited religious beliefs that forbade him from waging war overseas.

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Undertaker continued while saying that he has resented Muhammad Ali‘s decision for years. However, he alluded to The People’s Champ’s ironclad beliefs that made him do what he did. Quite obviously, that was a major reason why Taker caught flak from the US Army veterans for conferring the deceased soul with WWE Hall of Fame status. On the same night, Ali’s widow, Lonnie, gifted a People’s Championship to The Rock.

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I got a little heat from part of the veteran community," Callaway said. "Muhammad Ali refused to go into [military service]. He didn't want to go to Vietnam. He didn't see why [he should] go 6,000 miles from home and fight somebody he had no [problem with].
The Undertaker on inducting Muhammad Ali into the 2024 WWE Hall of Fame

In the same conversation as listed above, The Phenom also broached the issue of holding the HOF ceremony immediately after SmackDown. As a result, the night goes excessively long, with fans forced to leave the arena only past midnight. For instance, this year’s edition saw the building getting emptied immediately after Paul Heyman had dispensed his Hall of Fame speech.

Has The Undertaker spoiled the host city for next year’s WrestleMania?

WWE hasn’t officially announced a location for next year’s WrestleMania. But the fans are already under the impression that it’s going to be in Las Vegas, especially after The Undertaker spilled the beans on it.

The Undertaker
The Undertaker (via WWE)

He inadvertently spoiled the host city for WrestleMania 41 while speaking on his podcast. Quite recently, at WrestleMania XL, The Lord of Darkness got into a physical altercation with The Rock. It was pandemonium once that gong hit Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.

He ended up executing a chokeslam on The Great One. It’s worth noting that Taker wasn’t the first choice for the spot but was put in that position once WWE couldn’t agree on financial terms with ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin.

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