Bruce Prichard On Why Hall Of Famer Never Wrestled In WWE

Bruce Prichard has explained why legendary Japanese star The Great Muta never worked for WWE.

Despite being inducted into the WWE Hall Of Fame by ‘Nature Boy’ Ric Flair during a star studded ceremony in Los Angeles on 31st March 2023, the former four-time IWGP Heavyweight Champion never competed in a bout in a WWE ring during a storied career that spanned almost 40 years.

Muta, real name Keiji Muto, wrestled sporadically for World Championship Wrestling for a decade following his debut in March 1989, famously battling the likes of Flair, Lex Luger and Sting, from whom he captured the WCW World Television Championship on 3rd September 1989.

During a recent edition of his popular podcast, ‘Something To Wrestle‘, WWE Executive Prichard explained why Muta never came close to working for WWE, revealing that a lack of interest in Muta’s long term friend and manager Gary Hart had a significant impact on any potential deal:

“There was a language barrier there, so it was somewhat difficult. You would’ve had to go through Gary Hart, and there was no [WWE] interest in Gary, especially at that time. Gary had already been up and had meetings with Vince and Pat, or a cup of coffee. And there was no interest there.”

Prichard later confirmed that he had met Muta whilst visiting a WCW event in Connecticut in 1989 with fellow WWE stalwart Pat Patterson, but revealed that nothing beyond a friendly greeting occured:

“Yeah, we went to say hello, and again, he was under contract. It just never happened.”

Bruce Prichard Makes Admission About Commentary Career

As well as holding significant responsibility behind the scenes, Prichard also made his name as a television character of his own right after portraying the controversial Brother Love persona for three years following his on-screen debut in June 1988.

Despite his success in the role, Prichard recently admitted that another broadcasting position was not suited to his talents, revealing that he considered himself the ‘worst play by play commentator’ on Earth’.

H/T: WrestlingInc for the above transcription.