The Great Muta To Be Inducted Into 2023 WWE Hall Of Fame

After much speculation, WWE confirmed that The Great Muta will be inducted into the 2023 WWE Hall of Fame, with the Japanese icon set to be inducted by Ric Flair.

Flair made the announcement on WWE’s The Bump on March 15, following reports from ESPN that the Devilish alter-ego of the fabled New Japan ‘Musketeer’ would be taking his place in the HOF.

One of only five men to have held the IWGP Heavyweight Championship, All Japan Triple Crown, and the NOAH GHC Heavyweight Championship, Muta is also a former NWA Worlds Heavyweight Champion, having reigned with ‘big goldie’ in 1993 after victory over long-time rival Masahiro Chono at NJPW’s annual January 4 Tokyo Dome show.

Muta - the alter-ego of Keiji Muto - wrestled a highly publicised retirement tour in 2022 and 2023, culminating with a quick exhibition loss to Chono at Keiji Muto Grand Final Pro-Wrestling 'Last' Love ～ Hold Out ～ in the Tokyo Dome in February 2023. The last match under the Great Muta gimmick occurred in January.

Whilst 80s and 90s WCW fans will remember Muta best for his rivalry with Sting, Sting’s employment by AEW obviously made an induction appearance very difficult. Muta did also wrestle Flair on many occasions, with the two clashing over the NWA Worlds Heavyweight Championship. The pair’s last singles outing came in the 1995 G1 Climax, where Keiji Muto defeated Flair in the tournament.

Muta is the second name announced for the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2023, joining former WCW alumnus Rey Mysterio as the only names confirmed for the prestigious honour thus far.