The Great Muta’s official induction into the WWE Hall of Fame has been confirmed by Ric Flair on “The Bump.” Keiji Muto, known in wrestling circles as The Great Muta, will join the WWE Hall of Fame as part of the 2023 class.
Ric Flair made the announcement on WWE’s “The Bump,” but it’s still unclear if Flair himself will perform the induction during the ceremony, which will be broadcast on Peacock following “WWE SmackDown” on March 31.
Muto becomes the second inductee announced for 2023, following Rey Mysterio, who was revealed as an inductee on Monday’s “WWE Raw.” Stacy Keibler is also rumored to be part of this year’s class.
WWE has opted for a more condensed list of inductees this year, suggesting a shorter broadcast than usual. The 2022 Hall of Fame included The Undertaker, Vader, Queen Sharmell, and the Steiner Brothers, with Shad Gaspard receiving the Warrior Award.
Muto’s inclusion is remarkable given his lack of WWE matches throughout his storied career, yet his influence on the wrestling world is undeniable. WWE recently allowed Shinsuke Nakamura to participate in Muto’s farewell tour with Pro Wrestling NOAH, where Nakamura defeated Muto. Muto’s last match occurred on February 21, with NJPW’s Tetsuya Naito emerging victorious.
Flair and Muto’s storied rivalry in the NWA included numerous bouts, including a memorable steel cage match. Flair’s high praise for Muto makes him an ideal choice to induct Muto into the Hall of Fame.