WWE has always pursued crossover appeal. Vince McMahon and co. want to consider that their company is relevant in American pop culture and have continuously invited various celebrities as guest stars on the show.
Kim Kardashian was the hostess of Wrestlemania 24 and even wrestled as part of a promo for Total Divas. This list includes the top 5 instances of celebrities showing up at WrestleMania.
- Mike Tyson
During his heyday in professional boxing, Mike Tyson took time out to act as the special enforcer for the WWE title match between Shawn Michaels and Stone Cold Steve Austin at Wrestlemania 14.
Tyson would be built up during the weeks leading up to the event, shoving Austin on Raw and becoming an honorary member of Michael’s Degeneration X. At Wrestlemania, Tyson would double cross Michaels and count the 1-2-3 for Austin to win the Championship.
‘Iron Mike’ was paid $ 3 million by the WWE for these appearances. Tyson would return to the WWE in 2010, teaming up with Chris Jericho against D-X, only to knock his partner out in yet another twist.
He would be inducted into the Celebrity wing of the WWE Hall of Fame in 2012
- Pamela Anderson
Pamela Anderson was one of the most fawned over celebrities in the 1990s and it was no surprise that the then WWF contacted her to make an appearance at the Royal Rumble and WrestleMania events of 1995.
Several promos were aired prior to her Rumble appearance with superstars including Diesel and Shawn Michaels, leaving kayfabe messages on her answering machine. Anderson announced at the Rumble that she would make an appearance at Mania in the corner of the man who wins the Rumble match.
However at Wrestlemania, she accompanied the champion Diesel to the ring instead of the Rumble winner Shawn Michaels.
She would have another brush with the WWE in 2006 when she shared a kiss with WWE Diva Trish Stratus during that year’s Canada Walk of Fame ceremony.
3.Donald Trump
The Republican Presidential candidate Donald Trump has made multiple appearances in the WWE, most notably in a WrestleMania hair vs hair match against Vince McMahon.
The match was supposed to be between the two billionaires, but two representatives – Bobby Lashley and Umaga did battle in the ring all the same. Trump was protected during the promos and the match such that the WWE fans had gone to resent the so-called babyface Trump.
Trump was victorious in the match, but the only bright spot was the Stunner that special referee Stone Cold delivered on the controversial businessman after a beer fest to thunderous applause.
This an example as to how not to book celebrities in a WWE feud.
4. Floyd Mayweather
Arguably the biggest celebrity entry into the WWE over the past decade, professional boxer Floyd Mayweather wrestled The Big Show at Wrestlemania.
In a classic case of WWE fans not wanting to see celebrities get the better of pro wrestlers, the heel Big Show was cheered at the expense of Mayweather leading up to the match, forcing the WWE to let Mayweather indulge in heel antics to gain heat.
The feud began with Mayweather breaking The Big Show’s nose courtesy of a punching combination at No Way Out and it culminated in a No Disqualification Match at Wrestlemania 24. The 150 pound Mayweather would be booked to win the match by knocking out the 500 pound Big Show with a brass knuckle punch, much to the chagrin of the crowd.
‘They asked me if I'd work with Money Mayweather and put him over, and I said absolutely. I've put over way worse," said Show a number of years after the match.
Muhammad Ali
The custom of celebrities showing up at WrestleMania started at the first installment of ‘Mania itself and the man who started it was none other than boxing legend Mohammad Ali.
Hogan would start his customary win at WrestleMania whereas Piper and Mr.T would battle in a boxing match at WrestleMania next year.
