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WWE always likes capitalizing on sports stars and celebrities in general. There was a whole phase on RAW where celebrities were appearing week-in and week-out. While that was a bit too much, having celebrities and sports stars around can result in fun segments.
This list looks at six instances where sports stars attacked WWE wrestlers, whether it was from the front row or not. A special mention of Ronda Rousey, who wasn't included in the list. Although her WrestleMania 31 attack on Stephanie McMahon happened during her MMA career, she eventually transitioned to WWE less than three years later:
#6. Trae Young - Attacked WWE legend Rey Mysterio on SmackDown
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This is the most recent entry on this list. Atlanta Hawks player Trae Young made an impact at Madison Square Garden on his last outing as he led them to a first-round NBA playoffs win over the New York Knicks.
His return to Madison Square Garden wasn't on the court but right outside the squared circle. When WWE held their MSG show, Trae Young would come back to try and "haunt" Knicks fans in WWE, but that didn't happen.
During a multi-man tag team match, Trae Young attacked WWE legend Rey Mysterio in an attempt to cost his team the match. However, the man who Sami Zayn invited was ejected from ringside, leading to a furious reaction.
The WWE Universe, however, was more than pleased. Backstage, Trae Young was fuming, while Sami Zayn tried to make things right. The NBA All-Star Guard walked away from Zayn.
#5. Wayne Rooney - The Manchester United legend slapped Wade Barrett
It was November 2015 and WWE was in the midst of their highly-anticipated UK tour. On an episode of RAW in Manchester, a certain Manchester United legend was sitting in the front row of the audience.
It was none other than Wayne Rooney. The "feud" began 9 months before when Barrett accused Wayne Rooney of diving in an FA Cup match against Preston North End.
On an episode of RAW in November 2015, Rooney was seen with his son Kai. During a match, Wade Barrett berated the Champions League winner by telling him that he didn't want to embarrass him in front of his son. He added that Rooney did that every time he stepped on a football pitch.
Rooney slapped Barrett to a roaring reaction from the crowd. Following the incident, Wade Barrett visited Old Trafford, Manchester United's home stadium. However, Rooney didn't appear to be there.
#4. Rob Gronkowski - Two major appearances for WWE
There were two big instances where Rob Gronkowski was physically involved in WWE. The first was at WrestleMania 33 in the Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal.
Jinder Mahal looked like he was on the verge of winning it, with Gronkowski's real-life friend Mojo Rawley in it as well. Mahal took a cheap shot at Gronkowski, who eventually came back to attack The Modern Day Maharaja.
He ultimately assisted Mojo Rawley in winning the Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal. 3 years later at WrestleMania 36, Gronkowski was the host. He won the 24/7 title and lost it two months later -- becoming the longest-reigning 24/7 champion in a single reign.
Reggie looks to be on the verge of breaking that record as of this writing.
#3. Shaquille O'Neal - Got into a physical altercation in WWE with The Big Show... twice
In 2009, Shaquille O'Neal was a special guest celebrity on RAW. He got into a physical altercation with The Big Show and they would have a proper staredown 7 years later at WrestleMania 32. On that occasion, O'Neil eliminated Damien Sandow, but both Big Show and himself were eliminated by a large chunk of the participants in the Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal.
Although he had long-teased a match against The Big Show, with the two constantly feuding out of the ring, the match for WrestleMania 33 never came to be. WWE wasn't able to reach an agreement with Shaquille O'Neal.
O'Neil had his only actual match in AEW, where he teamed up with Jade Cargill to successfully beat Cody Rhodes and Red Velvet.
#2. Floyd Mayweather - Had a match in WWE against The Big Show
Floyd Mayweather wasn't a popular boxer, nor was he popular in WWE when he appeared. At No Way Out 2008, Floyd Mayweather saved Rey Mysterio from Big Show, with WWE presenting the boxing legend as a babyface.
It wasn't met with a great reception from fans, as Floyd Mayweather's personality outside the ring wasn't popular. Big Show's nose was broken by Mayweather in that attack and the wrestling legend challenged him to a match at WrestleMania 24.
In a No DQ bout, Floyd Mayweather defeated Big Show. He would appear on RAW over 16 months later in 2009, assisting MVP and Mark Henry to defeat Jeri-Show.
#1. Mike Tyson - One of the most important sports star appearances?
Mike Tyson's appearance and WWE run for WrestleMania 14 couldn't have been more perfectly timed - at least from one point of view. Mike Tyson was coming off his highly controversial DQ loss to Evander Holyfield, where he infamously bit his ear.
Even then, Mike Tyson was arguably the biggest sports star in the world and WWE capitalized on it by having him sign on for a run leading up to WrestleMania 14. At the time, Tyson was aligned with DX, led by Shawn Michaels.
Shawn Michaels was to defend the WWE Championship against 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin in the main event of WrestleMania 14. While Mike Tyson was originally the scheduled special guest referee, he was turned into a ring enforcer for the main event.
It was an incredible storyline that was meant to coronate 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin as the face of WWE. Tyson and Austin even got involved in an altercation. However, at WrestleMania 14, Tyson was the one who counted the pinfall as Austin won his first World Championship.
After the match concluded, a furious Shawn Michaels was knocked out by the heavyweight legend. He also famously knocked out Chris Jericho on RAW years later.
