At WrestleMania 38 on April 2 and 3, 2022, celebrities will flock to the pay-per-view event. Logan Paul, Pat McAfee, and Johnny Knoxville will be competing in matches at one of the biggest events in pro wrestling history. They will certainly make sure to leave a big impact during an event that features title matches and rivalry bouts on wrestling’s biggest stage.
The above names aren’t the only celebrities that have ever competed or just even stepped foot in a ring at WrestleMania, either. From Jersey Shore’s Snooki to NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal to NFL’s William Perry, WWE has had its fair share of crossovers into the mainstream. Some have even sung, whether WWE songs or to honor America.
There are some celebrities who have exceeded expectations, while others were just there to be a part of the experience. What were some of your favorite celebrity moments at WrestleMania?
The Sporting News looks into the top celebrities and athletes to make an impact at “The Showcase of the Immortals.”
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10. Pete Rose
For three WrestleMania’s, Pete Rose could not catch a break. The MLB’s all-time hits leader, who is deemed ineligible for the Hall of Fame after gambling on the sport, was the perfect heel for wrestling fans to despise. Using his tough baseball personality, Rose would generate heat wherever he went. His rivalry with Kane, where “The Big Red Machine” would continuously beat up the former Cincinnati Red legend, will be forever etched in everyone’s minds.
Rose got Tombstoned by Kane at WrestleMania XIV before his match against The Undertaker. The very next year, Rose dressed as The San Diego Chicken to try and ambush him, to no avail. In 2000, Rose tried one last attempt to get the last laugh but failed. Taking one for the team, Rose was an MVP of WrestleMania at one point.
9. Akebono
One of the most popular sumo wrestlers of all time, Akebono was the first non-Japanese-born wrestler to reach Yokozuna. Following a career in sumo, he became a kickboxer before joining the world of pro wrestling. One of his many stops in the business was in WWE, where he challenged The Big Show at WrestleMania 21.
In a sumo bout that was in good taste, Akebono beat The Big Show, with the audience interested in every move. Although a one-time appearance, his impact at WrestleMania, like him, was strong.
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8. Cyndi Lauper
Outside of Mr. T, Cyndi Lauper was one of the biggest influences in WWE’s transformation to mainstream phenomenon. The singer had a legitimate friendship with “Captain” Lou Albano, who appeared in the Girls “Just Wanna Have Fun” music video. Lauper helped WWE by having MTV produce live wrestling on cable during the “Rock ‘n’ Wrestling Connection.”
She would accompany Wendi Richter in her match at WrestleMania I against Leilani Kai in 1984, helping Richter win the WWF women’s championship. Lauper would also be in her corner against The Fabulous Moolah at “The Brawl to End it All” event.
7. Donald Trump
The former President of the United States has a long history with Vince McMahon’s WWE. Trump sponsored WrestleMania IV and V and was shown in the front row several times during the events. The Trump Organization even helped build the foundation for WrestleMania Axxess.
What Trump is most known for recently, however, was his involvement in the Battle of the Billionaires at WrestleMania 23. In a hair vs. hair bout, Trump had Bobby Lashley represent him while McMahon had Umaga. Trump would clothesline McMahon, and once Umaga lost, Trump helped shave McMahon’s head. “Stone Cold” Steve Austin got the last laugh by giving Trump a Stone Cold Stunner.
6. Butterbean
In one of the most interesting moments in WrestleMania history, Eric Esch, known as Butterbean, would compete in a legitimate boxing match against pro wrestlers at WrestleMania XV. The man with 58 wins via knockout took out Bart Gunn with a vicious shot. The highly-controversial “Brawl for All” series ended with a bang. Gunn injured and knocked out “Dr. Death” Steve Williams beforehand, with someone getting injured a theme of the event.
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The fight didn’t last long, and the “Brawl for All” was not remembered fondly. Butterbean’s knockout shot, however, will never be forgotten.
5. Mr. T
The originator. Known for The A-Team and Rocky III, Mr. T helped WWE reach a mainstream audience by appearing at WrestleMania I. Teaming with Hulk Hogan against Paul Orndorff and Roddy Piper, Mr. T and Hogan performed various Hollywood-like vignettes to promote the match.
Once WrestleMania I was a success, Mr. T would return at WrestleMania II. He faced Piper in a boxing match and had Joe Frazier in his corner. The fight ended up being a DQ win for Mr. T.
4. Mike Tyson
One could probably say that Mike Tyson helped usher in WWE’s Attitude Era. “The Baddest Man on the Planet” made $3.5 million to be the special referee between “Stone Cold” Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels at WrestleMania XIV. It was worth every penny, as the former heavyweight champion, who was serving a suspension in 1997 for biting Evander Holyfield’s ear, literally punched his and WWE’s ticket into a new era.
The setup was perfect, with Tyson joining WWE, Austin interrupting Tyson, the two getting into a brawl, and the Austin-Michaels match. Tyson counted the three for Austin at the end of the match, and the former D-Generation X teammate punched Michaels right in the jaw to end the night.
3. Lawrence Taylor
The NFL Hall of Famer in Lawrence Taylor almost set the bar for celebrities competing at WrestleMania. At WrestleMania XI, LT and Bam Bam Bigelow put on a commendable performance. NFL players joined Taylor around the ring, and Salt ‘n’ Peppa even performed during the event. The way it was presented and how Taylor gave it his all made it feel like a big-time match.
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With a flying forearm off the top rope, Taylor would beat a performer in Bigelow who may have been the only man who could have helped carry that match.
2. Bad Bunny
Bad Bunny has become a special topic among wrestling fans. The music sensation has no wrestling background but is a big wrestling fan. That became evident when he performed one of his new hit songs at The Royal Rumble. He would then interfere in the Royal Rumble match, costing John Morrison and The Miz a shot at gold. The feud was set for WrestleMania 37.
During this time, Bad Bunny won the 24/7 Title and presented it everywhere he went, even on Saturday Night Live. Bad Bunny and Damian Priest faced Miz and Morrison and exceeded all expectations. He performed a Canadian Destroyer outside the ring and dove off the top rope. His commitment to WWE, like training in the Performance Center, provided him with praise from wrestling fans who at first questioned why he was there.
1. Floyd Mayweather
When The Big Show returned to WWE programming for the first time since 2006 at No Way Out 2008, everyone was surprised. Even more surprising? The now-slim giant would face off against Floyd Mayweather at WrestleMania 24.
Mayweather saved Rey Mysterio from a Big Show attack and legitimately punched him, breaking Big Show’s nose. It was shocking at the time, as the line between reality and pro wrestling was crossed. Mayweather would use his cocky “Money” personality perfectly in a WWE ring, from promo work to his in-ring work at WrestleMania. Mayweather would put on a realistic performance against a man known for his size, knocking him out with brass knuckles to win the match.
Not only did Mayweather hold his own, and then some, but he competed in wrestling between knocking out Ricky Hatton and facing Juan Manuel Marquez a year later in a boxing ring because he could. That is just Mayweather being Mayweather.