It is no surprise that WWE talents and fans wait for the Hall of Fame event every year. The marquee event celebrates the legacies and achievements of wrestlers as they get elevated to the upper echelon in the pro wrestling business.
The other factor about WWE’s Hall of Fame is that it recognizes talents outside their roster. The company has also feted people from other spheres of life. Former US President Donald Trump received the honor in 2013, while a year earlier, boxing legend Mike Tyson was inducted by Shawn Michaels and Triple H.
This year, Vince McMahon’s promotion chose to bestow the rare honor on a Japanese wrestling legend, who never set foot inside the WWE ring. The Great Muta entered the arena to a thunderous reception from the crowd and guests, but he strayed away from the conventions. However, fans were in awe of the recently retired wrestler.
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I don’t speak English very well, says The Great Muta
While most Hall of Fame speeches tend to be long, the 60-year-old wrestler ended it in a minute. “Hello, I’m Great Muta,” he said in his usual gruff voice. “I don’t speak English very well,” the inductee stated. What followed was a series of ‘thank you’ to the promotion and fans. “I’m so honored to be in the WWE Hall of Fame,” Muta added before ending his speech with “Good night, everybody.”
It was understood that his inability to converse in a foreign language for long played a big part in keeping the speech short. But fans were in total agreement and even said that is how it should be done.
“Absolutely legendary! Great Muta’s Hall of Fame speech was spine-tingling and emotional. A true icon of wrestling who will never be forgotten. #GreatMuta #HallOfFame,” tweeted one user.
Absolutely legendary! Great Muta's Hall of Fame speech was spine-tingling and emotional. A true icon of wrestling who will never be forgotten. #GreatMuta #HallOfFame Follow me I'll follow back
— J_lynch🍔 (@Jlynch02426235) April 1, 2023
Another said, “my man said thank you and dipped, that’s how it should always be.”
my man said thank you and dipped, that's how it should always be
— mike🙄😌 (@mikedadreadhead) April 1, 2023
A third fan observed, “English isn’t Great Muta’s first language so his speech being just short and sweet was perfect for him. #WWEHOF”
English isn’t Great Muta’s first language so his speech being just short and sweet was perfect for him. #WWEHOF
— kelsey (@itsmekelsey_x) April 1, 2023
The Great Muta’s hall of fame induction speech was one of the shortest of all time due to his lack of English but damn, was it special .
— Dave MacIntyre (@DaveMacIntyre) April 1, 2023
Thts how every speech should be.
— David Jacobus (@JacobyCheese) April 1, 2023
Great Muta with the greatest Hall of Fame speech ever.
— Humble Wrestling (@WrestlingHumble) April 1, 2023
The 4x IWGP Heavyweight Champion was inducted by longtime friend and fellow Hall of Famer Ric Flair. An emotional Flair also thanked Muta for taking care of his son, Reid Flair, as one of his own.
Muta spewed the iconic poison mist as his final gesture on the stage.
The Great Muta wanted to face Dwayne Johnson as his final opponent, and asked for royalties
The 6x IWGP Tag Team Champion retired from professional wrestling this year on 21 February. Interestingly, he wanted to face Dwayne Johnson as his final opponent.
According to ESPN reporter Marc Raimondi, the plan didn’t come to fruition as The Brahma Bull was “too expensive”.
I asked Muto about the report he was trying to get The Rock as his last match. He nodded and said, in English with a smile, "too expensive." Muto is still not sure why WWE chose to induct him since he never stepped in a WWE ring before. Muto: "I was like, 'What? Really? Why me?'"
— Marc Raimondi (@marcraimondi) March 23, 2023
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He also told the reporter that Johnson and he met two or three times. “He actually admitted that his People’s Elbow was a mimic of my move. So I asked him for royalties. But we were joking and he didn’t pay anything, but we really had a good conversation,” Muta said, according to Raimondi.
Muto on why The Rock:
I met him before two or three times. He actually admitted that his People's Elbow was a mimic of my move. So I asked him for royalties. But we were joking and he didn't pay anything, but we really had a good conversation.— Marc Raimondi (@marcraimondi) March 23, 2023
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Watch This Story: Fans Rejoice as WWE Confirms 60-Year-Old Japanese Wrestler as a Hall of Fame Inductee Despite Never Wrestling for the Company
What do you think of The Great Muta’s HoF induction speech? Let us know in the comments.