WWE has a habit of bringing in mainstream celebrities for major shows. This is likely a wise business move that supports the company’s global expansion. Many celebrities use their mainstream appeal to bring in a new audience to the sports entertainment industry.
The participation of celebrities in The Showcase of the Immortals has been a key factor in the company’s mainstream popularity. From the very first ‘Mania to today’s grand spectacles, well-known crossover stars have entertained fans in the ring. Some have even delivered performances that have surpassed fans’ expectations.
Thanks for the submission!
Although some celebrity matches haven’t been successful, others have become memorable moments. In this article, we will take a look at the four best WWE celebrity matches at WrestleMania.
#4. Hulk Hogan & Mr. T vs. Roddy Piper & Paul Orndorff (WrestleMania 1)
The first WrestleMania took place on March 31, 1985, at Madison Square Garden. It was a risky move by Vince McMahon and the WWF (now WWE). To attract a large audience, McMahon combined pro wrestling with elements of pop culture. Hulk Hogan, the company’s biggest star, teamed up with Mr. T, a huge celebrity at the time famous for his role in The A-Team.
They faced the notorious duo of “Rowdy” Roddy Piper and “Mr. Wonderful” Paul Orndorff. The rivalry was intensely personal, with Piper’s attacks on Mr. T increasing the drama. They made the main event an eagerly anticipated spectacle. The match itself was quite wild and intense, keeping fans engaged.
It wasn’t seemingly focused on perfect wrestling techniques. Instead, it was about creating an exciting show, which was the true purpose of WrestleMania. That’s not all. It perhaps demonstrated that involving celebrities in pro wrestling could be successful. If it hadn’t worked, WWE might never have relied so much on crossover appeal again.
#3. Damian Priest & Bad Bunny vs. The Miz & John Morrison (WrestleMania 37)
Bad Bunny displayed moments of brilliance during his aerial attack on The Miz and John Morrison at Royal Rumble. Although the artist had achieved success in many areas, stepping inside a squared circle to face a former WWE Champion like The A-lister was a completely new challenge for him.
Nevertheless, Bunny surprised many with his in-ring skills and dedication to the sport. His debut WWE match took place at WrestleMania 37, where he and Damian Priest defeated The Miz and John Morrison. Fans were amazed when Bunny executed a powerful Canadian Destroyer, a move usually performed only by seasoned wrestlers.
Ultimately, this match changed many fans’ opinions on celebrity appearances in wrestling. Bad Bunny didn’t just take part; he put on a performance that could compete with full-time WWE Superstars. The Miz also received praise for making Bunny look impressive and credible in the ring.
#2. Big Show vs. Floyd Mayweather (WrestleMania 24)
During WWE No Way Out 2008, Floyd Mayweather came to Rey Mysterio’s rescue from The Big Show. The two wrestlers had a tense standoff in the center of the ring. Big Show mocked Mayweather for his small stature by kneeling to imitate him. Mayweather responded with a couple of sharp punches to Show’s nose.
It signaled the start of a prominent rivalry that ultimately concluded at WrestleMania 24. WWE revealed that the match would be fought under No Disqualification rules. Throughout the feud’s buildup, Floyd was involved in numerous entertaining segments, including an official weigh-in with the towering superstar.
Fans were eager to see how Mayweather would fare against the giant athlete. It became one of the most memorable moments in WrestleMania history. The highly anticipated match truly met expectations and delighted WWE fans. Mayweather and The Big Show received widespread praise for their exceptional performances in their respective roles.
#1. Johnny Knoxville vs. Sami Zayn (WrestleMania 38)
Many had doubts regarding how Johnny Knoxville’s WrestleMania 38 match against Sami Zayn would unfold. The Jacka** star’s first singles match was packed with chaotic moments and stunt-filled action. The entire Jacka** team made an appearance, with Chris Pontius reprising his Party Boy persona.
That’s not all, as Wee Man also engaged in a brawl with Zayn before delivering a bodyslam to the WWE star. The bout was a masterpiece of slapstick violence. Knoxville and Zayn took several high-risk bumps involving giant mouse traps, bowling balls, and a party kicker leg. Overall, the match was a spectacle.
What made this match truly special was perhaps its ability to entertain in multiple ways. It wasn’t just a comedy segment. It was seemingly a thoughtfully produced contest that told a story and kept the audience interested throughout. The ending, in which Zayn was caught in a giant mousetrap, perfectly illustrated the fun and clever nature of the showdown.
Edited by Pratik Singh
