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Many moons ago, pro wrestling was thought of as a real sport. Then, in the 1980s, Vince McMahon Jr. propelled Hulk Hogan and the WWE's colorful, kid-friendly product into the American mainstream, calling his product—and, considering the WWE's influence, pro wrestling as a whole—“sports entertainment,” essentially lifting the veil on the business. Calling wrestling "sports entertainment" served multiple purposes: McMahon could publicly acknowledge the scripted aspects of his business to shut up dissenters without explicitly having to say “fake” or “predetermined,” brand his product with some distinct marketing that still accurately described the program, and most importantly, stop frequently forking over costly state athletic commission since wrestling was still considered potentially legitimate.
Still, that doesn't mean there isn't an immense and intense amount of athleticism and fortitude required of wrestlers to ply their trade, especially as out-of-shape guys receive very few roster opportunities. After all, pulling off a decent match demands serious cardio, strength, and timing, so that “sports” part still has its place.
Because of that, in addition to legit athletes' general interest in interacting with wrestling, there's long been a strangely symbiotic relationship between the real and predetermined worlds. The Miami Heat recently posed with WWE Championship belts, Ric Flair has given pep talks to the San Francisco 49ers, Ronda Rousey has practiced pro wrestling when not focusing on MMA, and ex-Edmonton Oilers goalie Jason LaBarbera once had an airbrushed image of CM Punk adorning his mask. Likewise, wrestling's history includes several names who have come from sports (“Macho Man” Randy Savage played as an outfielder for the farm teams of the Reds, White Sox and Cardinals), gone into sports (prior to his WWE and UFC stints, Brock Lesnar tried out for the Minnesota Vikings), or incorporated sports elements or references into the show (the Spirit Squad once included a member named Kenny Dykstra, and an off-color Kobe Bryant rape-case joke on Raw cost WWE manager Abraham Washington his job). Hell, when Richard Sherman's pre-Super Bowl interview went viral because writers repeatedly compared it to a classic pro wrestling promo.
Bringing legit athletes into the wrestling ring adds credibility and star power to the entertainment. For athletes, this shift means an opportunity to flex their muscles as personalities or entertainers, and try something unusual and new. A few athletes have even taken stabs at wrestling careers; curiously, this has happened much more often after wrestling's legitimacy was debunked.
With the 18th anniversary of Lawrence Taylor's pro wrestling debut at WrestleMania XI in 1995 just behind us and the 30th edition of WrestleMania, the event that has frequently brought pro athletes to wrestling, unfolding this Sunday, here's our complete history of pro athletes crossing over. Since this is a hefty list, as a general rule, we're excluding anyone who gained more fame in the wrestling business than in their sports days (so you won't see Olympic-level weightlifter Mark Henry or Miami Hurricanes defensive tackle Dwayne "the Rock" Johnson here), as well as most boxers and MMA fighters who appeared in wrestling since there's a good dozen or two of those alone.
Did we somehow skip anyone? Call us out in the comments.
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Jack Johnson Pioneers the Pro Athlete Into Wrestling Crossover
Year: ~1913
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Ages before a laid-back folk singer of the same name came along to make music for college kids, "Jack Johnson" referred to a hugely important boxer in the early 1900s. Along with being a world-class pugilist, Johnson was a black athlete during the Jim Crow era, back when the black athlete was an anomaly.
After establishing his dominance in his native sport, Johnson participated in wrestling matches with wrestlers of his era such as Jimmy Esson and Andre Sproul. Though these contests were likely entirely legitimate and thus not pro wrestling per se, they set the stage for inter-genre crossovers that would gain publicity in the decades to come.
Muhammad Ali Battles Antonio Inoki
Year: 1976
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Like Johnson, Ali will always be best known for his time in the boxing ring, but he, too, has also spent a good bit of time tinkering with wrestling. The former Cassius Clay adopted mannerisms from pioneering pro wrestler "Gorgeous George" Wagner when shaping his legendarily flamboyant personality, tangled with Gorilla Monsoon, and appeared at WrestleMania I as a guest referee for the main event.
Most importantly, he fought Antonio Inoki in a massively hyped boxer-versus-pro-wrestling exhibition match. While a totally legitimate contest, the Ali/Inoki bout ended up being a dull watch since Inoki basically laid on his back and just kept kicking at his opponent instead of rising to his feet. Thanks to Inoki's insistence on constantly employing kicks, Ali would suffer leg injuries and blood clots. The final result was a draw.
Billy Martin Guest Announces at WrestleMania I
Year: 1985
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The inaugural WrestleMania was a star-jammed affair, headlined by the appearances of Mr. T, Cyndi Lauper, and Ali. Long-time MLB second baseman and later manager Billy Martin played guest ring announcer, too. On the night of the show, the notorious Martin showed up sober as a judge, but in one discussion of his time working with the man on WWE's retrospective program Legends of Wrestling, "Mean" Gene Okerlund told a really entertaining story of filming a pre-WrestleMania I segment with Martin while the man was totally tanked. Luckily for everyone involved, the segment turned out fine in the end.
William Perry and Other NFL Players Show Up at WrestleMania II
Year: 1986
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At WrestleMania II, a whole heap of NFL players showed up to participate in a 20-person Battle Royal otherwise consisting of WWF wrestlers like Bruno Sammartino, Pedro Morales, and Big John Studd. Most famously, the match included Chicago Bears icon William "The Refrigerator" Perry, but Bill Fralic, Jimbo Covert, Ernie Holmes, Harvey Martin, and Russ Francis also participated. In the end, a WWF wrestler would be victorious as Andre the Giant last eliminated Bret Hart.
Note that because of his appearance here, Perry shares an unusual distinction with wrestling legends Sgt. Slaughter and "Rowdy" Roddy Piper: All three have appeared in a WWF ring, been immortalized as G.I. Joes, and been named WWE Hall of Famers.
Darryl Dawkins Becomes a Judge at WrestleMania II
Year: 1986
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This one's on the obscure side: 76ers and Nets center Darryl Dawkins judged the WrestleMania II boxing match featuring Mr. T versus "Rowdy" Roddy Piper.
Bob Uecker Commentates and Announces at WrestleMania III
Year: 1987
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WWE has their iconic WrestleMania images they love to show time and time again. One is of former MLB catcher and "Mr. Baseball" Bob Uecker getting choked by Andre the Giant at WrestleMania III, with Uecker pulling a memorably goofy face in the process. Uecker was an infectiously enthusiastic sport when he appeared at WrestleMania III-so much so that he returned for WrestleMania IV. If only he could have brought Mr. Belvedere along one of those times.
Lawrence Taylor Is in the Main Event at WrestleMania XI
Year: 1995
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Headlining a WrestleMania is a genuinely special accolade--an honor that Taylor received in the marquee show of 1995. After initiating a feud with Money, Inc.'s Bam Bam Bigelow at Royal Rumble by starting a shoving contest, Taylor settled the score at WMXI. At that WrestleMania, he was easily the most notable and wrestling-appropriate celebrity in the house, joining an oddball lineup that included Pamela Anderson, Jonathan Taylor Thomas and Nicholas Turturro.
In his match, Taylor pulled off several moves, including good-looking clotheslines and shoulder tackles, eventually pinning Bigelow. A host of other NFL personalities joined Taylor's side as managers, including Carl Banks, Rickey Jackson, Ken Norton, Jr., Chris Spielman, Reggie White, and, most tellingly, Steve McMichael. As far as non-wrestlers actually wrestling goes, this is as great an entry as you'll find.
Steve "Mongo" McMichael Joins the WCW Roster
Year: 1995
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After backing L.T. as a manager during WrestleMania XI, McMichael would join the WCW oster as a commentator and wrestler in late 1995, bringing along his dog Pepe and wife Debra in tow. As an in-ring talent, the Chicago Bear was bland and basic, but to some degree, that corniness was part of his charm. All things considered, he was a mediocre talent, but he didn't have the worst run, joining the Four Horsemen, winning a championship, andbeing one of the first men to feud with WCW golden boy Goldberg.
Michael Jordan Hits the Cover of WWF Magazine
Year: 1995
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As far as we know, MJ has never stepped foot inside a wrestling ring, so his appearance on the cover of the May 1995 issue of WWF Magazine is the next best thing.
Charles Barkley Appears on WCW Nitro
Year: 1995
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This is another one of those no one ever talks about. Sir Charles appeared on a December 1995 edition of WCW Nitro held in Phoenix, accompanying Ric Flair to the ring for an interview, all while Barkley was dressed in some hideously high-wasited, classically 1990s jeans. Compared to what his NBA peers would accomplish in WCW, the legendary Sun didn't really participate in the show, but he sure did look psyched to be there.
Bonus trivia for '90s basketball geeks: A.C. Green, Wayman Tisdale, Wesley Person, Sam Cassell, and Steve Nash also saw WCW in Phoenix, too. There's even footage of Green heckling Eddie Guerrero out there on YouTube.
Kevin Greene Joins WCW
Year: 1996
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Mongo will always be WCW's prime import from the sports world, but the late 1990s demand for any and all publicity-garnering talent in pro wrestling also revealed that linebacker Kevin Greene, then with the Carolina Panthers, wanted to have a go in the ring. He teamed with McMichael at the Great American Bash in 1996, but then McMichael turned him on join the Four Horsemen. Kevin Greene would reappear to avenge his injustice, and then eventually return to team with Bill Goldberg, who himself was once an Atlanta Falcons player.
Ken Shamrock Joins WWE
Year: 1997
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Okay, okay, we mentioned at the outset that no particularly notable athletes-turned-wrestlers would be here, but the success of this entry (and the next) justify the exception. Ken Shamrock, then memorably billed as the World's Most Dangerous Man, joined the WWF in 1997, arriving right as the Attitude Era was gaining steam and the WWF was transitioning from goofy, kid-friendly characters to a more serious and generally legitimate-looking show (which also it had its share of goofy albeit adult-friendly characters).
Shamrock was pushed hard as being a former UFC champion back when the UFC brand wasn't nearly as publicized or prestigious as it is today. Shamrock played a role in the classic Bret Hart/Steve Austin Match at WrestleMania 13, held the Intercontinental Championship when that really meant something, headlined a pay-per-view (In Your House: D-Generation X), won the King of the Ring in 1998, and set the stage for fellow mixed martial artist Dan Severn to join the WWF fray, too. Remarkably, Shamrock accomplished all this within a span of just two years, leaving the WWF in 1999 to resume his MMA career. He would reappear in wrestling sporadically.
Dennis Rodman Becomes Part of the NWO
Year: 1997
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In the 1990s, when Dennis Rodman wasn't marrying himself, dating Madonna, dyeing his hair bizarre colors, and racking up rings with MJ and Pippen on the Bulls, the Worm chased another passion: pro wrestling. After being suspended by the NBA for part of the 1996–1997 season, the lanky forward appeared in WCW by joining the New World Order, the heel faction du jour. As far as celebs go, Rodman joining the NWO was an ideal fit. On-screen, Rodman-who took to wearing a goofy top hat for WCW appearances-was inseparable from "Hollywood" Hulk Hogan, mocking the good guys and running amok. Rodman would compete in the ring in multiple matches, eventually facing an on-court rival Karl Malone (see our next entry) in the main event of at Bash at the Beach 1998.
Even after his big angles ended, he returned to WCW to participate in a storyline with Randy Savage. Then, once WCW bit the dust, Rodman continued to involve himself in wrestling, re-joining his old buddy for Hulk Hogan's Celebrity Championship Wrestling, a short-lived CMT reality series airing in 2008.
Karl Malone Teams With DDP
Year: 1998
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In wrestling's late 1990s heyday, when wrestling was everywhere, Diamond Dallas Page was one of WCW's marquee attractions. As proof of his prominence, he once attended a Jazz game where Karl Malone played. Sitting on the bench, the Mailman spotted Page in the crowd and threw up Page's immensely recognizable diamond-shaped hand sign-the same gesture that Page and Jay Z had a legal dispute over-much to Page's surprise. That marked the beginning of an unusual friendship, with DDP and Malone then appearing on the cover of WCW Magazine together.
This team-up culminated in Malone showing up in a WCW ring and eventually making a splash at Bash at the Beach 1998, teaming with DDP against Rodman and Hogan. Malone didn't look great wearing DDP's blue vinyl pants, but he did hit the Diamond Cutter and could executed some basic moves with confidence. Moreover, the guy looked like he loved wrestling.
WCW had this nasty habit of burning money on celebrities-it would bring in James Brown and Kiss for appearances but never (or barely) advertise 'em ahead of time-but Malone was one of their smartest and best investments. At the very least, he's way, way better than putting Jay Leno or David Arquette into the squared circle.
Mike Tyson Joins D-Generation X
Year: 1998
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Back when WCW Nitro was thrashing WWF Raw in the Monday night ratings, Vince McMahon's product needed a shot in the arm as it headed into the Attitude Era. Enter Mike Tyson, the Baddest Man on the Planet, who would become involved in a storyline altercation with Stone Cold Steve Austin on the road to his major match with Shawn Michaels at WrestleMania XIV. This happened less than a year after biting off part of Evander Holyfield's ear, so Tyson-mania still had a lot of juice.
First opposing Austin by joining Shawn Michaels and Triple H in D-Generation X, "Iron" Mike would go on to serve as Special Enforcer for the main event of WrestleMania XIV and rather inexplicably count the winning count and turn on the villains by giving Michaels a right hand knockout. The Tyson appearance is considered one of the turning points in the WWF's fortunes, aiding them in their quest to eventually beat WCW. Tyson would reappear on WWE Raw as the guest host in January 2010 (patching things up with DX) and entering the WWE Hall of Fame in 2012. He even appears as playable character in the WWE '13 video game.
Pete Rose Begins His Incredibly Entertaining WWE Run
Year: 1998
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The vast majority of pro athletes who step into wrestling rings do so as one-shot deals. But not Pete Rose.
The controversial Cincinnati Reds legend first appeared at WrestleMania XIV in Boston, coming out as a special announcer for the match between Kane and the Undertaker. But as the events unfolded, it became clear that announcing wasn't the only thing he was there to do. He happily mocked the Red Sox fans in attendance, mentioning that he left two tickets for Bill Buckner, but the man couldn't bend over to pick them up. After Rose's bit of trash talk, Kane came out and gave Rose a Tombstone Piledriver. Though Kane was a villain at the time, the Boston audience adored that moment.
A year later at WrestleMania XV, Rose would attack Kane dressed as the San Diego chicken and get foiled and beat again. At WrestleMania 2000, Kane trounced the guy for a third time. For his troubles, WWE inducted him into their hall of fame in 2004.
Butterbean Demolishes Bart Gunn
Year: 1999
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In 1998, the WWF had an absolutely terrible idea that it was on intent on following all the way through. The company launched Brawl For All, a toughman-style combat sports tournament where pro wrestlers were suddenly thrust into legitimate competition based on a needlessly complicated scoring system. Serious punches were thrown, injuries were suffered, and plans for "Dr. Death" Steve Williams to be the tournament's breakout star were shelved once he got knocked out by perpetual underdog Bart Gunn in a bout on Raw. Gunn ended up winning the entire tournament.
Gunn's big on-screen prize was a WrestleMania XV match with real-life boxer Eric Esch (a.k.a. Butterbean). 'Bean wiped the floor with Gunn, knocking him out in under 30 seconds. Gunn's credibility and career were sunk, and all for no particular reason: Just a few months earlier, Butterbean participated in a staged boxing contest against "Marvelous" Marc Mero, so it's anyone's guess as to why they didn't want to rig things a second time, too.
Akebono Tarō Faces Big Show
Year: 2005
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In the early and mid-1990s, one of the WWF's key characters was Yokozuna, an intimidatingly massive sumo wrestler who hailed from Japan. He steamrolled jobbers and Banzai Dropped anyone he could get his hefty mitts on. But the real man behind the character was no sumo wrestler. Instead, it was Rodney Anoaʻi, a member of the vaunted Samoan wrestling lineage who was just convincing enough to play that character to the hilt. No actual sumo wrestlers have ever appeared in the WWF or WWE until Akebono dropped by for WrestleMania 21.
The Hawaii-born, big-in-Japan wrestler, who was a legitimate yokozuna (i.e., the highest rank of sumo champion), faced the Big Show in a sumo match that looked to be legitimate. The contest itself was slow and dull-truth is, wrestling isn't built to mesh easily with actual athletic events, especially ones American audiences didn't know-but the mere spectacle of Akebono did add some star power that helped make the event feel bigger.
Pacman Jones Joins TNA
Year: 2007
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This appearance is another one of those that sounds decent to good on paper before anything happens on television. In a complete opposite of what happened with Lawrence Taylor at WrestleMania XI, NFL cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones showed up in TNA for a run that ended up as a total joke. His commitment to the Tennessee Titans squelched all possibilities of Jones appearing in the ring, as no physical contact was permitted, so he had to somehow keep appearing in wrestling while making excuses while he conspicuously went untouched. Jones ended up winning the tag titles with Ron Killings without ever actually doing any wrestling. It was a total bomb of an angle, with Killings heading to WWE not long thereafter and being repackaged as R-Truth. This was a waste of everyone's time.
In 2013, Jones returned to TNA for an appearance alongside the Bengals' DeQuin Evans, but why actively drudge up bad memories?
Floyd Mayweather Takes on Big Show at WrestleMania XXIV
Year: 2008
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As part of a WrestleMania's focus on incorporating wrestlers, the top-notch boxer know as "Money" was the big draw for WrestleMania XXIV. Going into a feud with Big Show, Mayweather kicked off the angle at No Way Out 2008 by making an appearance to help protect Rey Mysterio, clocking Show right in the nose. He legitimately broke his nose and left him bloody. Along the way, Money oscillated between being a heel and face; WWE audiences just weren't taking to his brash and egocentric character.
Still, the angle was totally worthwhile. Money would appear in vignettes leading to his big match, with the finale being a No Disqualification match against Show. Money scored the win in the end, just barely escaping.
Mayweather would later host WWE Raw in 2009. Past that, Triple H would continue the WWE/Money connection by walking Mayweather out to his 2012 bout against Miguel Cotto. Weirdly, Justin Bieber and 50 Cent also performed walk-out duties for Mayweather at the same show. Wonder what all their locker room banter was like.
Shaquille O'Neal Hosts Raw
Year: 2009
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If there was any athlete who should take a long, hard look at stepping between the wrestling ropes for competition, it's Shaq. In his Orlando Magic days, he appeared in WCW in 1994 to show his support for Hulk Hogan, who was just joining the company. Post-retirement, Shaq showed up on Raw in 2009 to host an edition of the show and have a confrontation with Big Show. A Shaq match against Show at WrestleMania was rumored for a while but has yet to materialize. What a shame, but at least there's still time. Shaq is a great fit for this medium.
Ben Roethlisberger Hosts Raw
Year: 2009
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The Steelers' star quarterback showed up as guest host on one edition of WWE Raw, taking D-Generation X's side as they feuded with Big Show and Chris Jericho. (Big Show appears in a lot of these entries, doesn't he?) The appearance itself wasn't anything spectacular, but, like L.T., Big Ben did bring along a posse-in this case, several other Steelers. All the Steelers posed with DX at the end of the show, so if you're somehow in the market for historical documentation of a Roethlisberger crotch chop, it's out there.
Mark Cuban Hosts Raw
Year: 2011
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Mark Cuban might not be an athlete, but his appearance on WWE Raw sure as hell warrants an appearance on this list. The outspoken Mavericks owner hosted Raw for the night when the show hit Dallas, leading Cuban to participate in an on-screen rivalry with Sheamus. At the end of the night, Sheamus speared Cuban through a table, allowing Cuban to join Vince McMahon Jr. and his son Shane in the rare ranks of really rich dudes who participate in potentially dangerous wrestling stunts for the hell of it.
Kyle Busch and Joey Logano Host Raw
Year: 2009
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Shaq, Cuban, and the Steelers certainly aren't the only athletes to come in for a hosting spot, as Raw guest hosts have also included a couple of NASCAR drivers, and...
Chad Ochocinco Hosts Raw
Year: 2010
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...a controversial wide receiver with a couple of different names, and...
Michael Strahan Hosts Raw
Year: 2013
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...and a famous New York Giant defensive end and now host of the same morning talk show that had the Undertaker and Paul Bearer as guests ages back when it was Live with Regis and Kathie Lee.
LeBron and Dwyane Wade Offer Birthday Greetings to The Rock
Year: 2011
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The Rock has always maintained a close connection to his hometown of Miami. From his days as a member of the Miami Hurricanes all the way through to his massive return to singles competition at WrestleMania XXVIII, the Rock has shown his hometown a lot of love.
In May 2011, WWE dedicated a Raw to celebrating the Rock's 39th birthday. (What a random number.) The celebration, which felt like one big sloppy wet kiss from WWE to Dwayne for coming back, included birthday greetings from Samuel L. Jackson, Steve Carrell, Ellen Degeneres, and more. On the sports front, LeBron James and Dwyane Wade appeared to wish him a happy birthday, and the two offered a well-intentioned but terrible impression of his "Can you smell what the Rock is cooking?" shtick. King James gave a much, much better Rock impression in an Instagram post this past January after the Rock hooked him up with a nice-looking replica championship belt.
Brandon Jacobs Drops by TNA Impact
Year: 2012
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Recently retired New York Giants running back Jacobs appeared on an episode of Impact Wrestling, managing James Storm for a night before Jacobs drove Bully Ray through a table.
Chael Sonnen Shows Up at Raw
Year: 2012
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Every athlete mentioned on this list has appeared on-air in an acknowledged, wrestling-company-sanctioned capacity-except for Chael Sonnen. The fantastically loudmouthed UFC competitor was seen in the audience of a February 2012 Raw in Portland, Oregon. Though Jim Ross tweeted about his appearance, Sonnen's appearance went unaddressed on air, which is a shame since if any single current athlete here is truly born to make it in wrestling past a novelty capacity, it's 100 percent Chael.
That said, he's had enough connections to WWE to indicate there's a chance he'll appear in an official capacity at some point. He's good friends with CM Punk, with Punk almost walking Sonnen out to a fight until WWE put the kibosh on it. Just this past March, Sonnen also revealed Stephanie McMahon's number on air during a talk show, goading the audience to call her to complain about CM Punk not making it to WrestleMania year. And in the most typically over-the-top, Sonnen-esque gesture, in 2013, he said that he would like to buy WWE once he retires.
Quinton "Rampage" Jackson Joins TNA
Year: 2013
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As part of Quinton Jackson's promotional duties for the 2011 flick The A-Team, where he would play a character made famous by another celebrity with a pro wrestling past, the MMA fighter appeared on WWE Raw to promote his flick. Intentionally or not, this relatively ho-hum appearance would set the stage for Jackson coming onto the TNA roster in June 2013, right as the UFC fighter signed an agreement with Bellator. Joining a revitalized version of the Main Event Mafia alongside TNA's top talent, Rampage's time in TNA was brief, and his future was left up in the air after Bellator pulled Jackson from his TNA duties early into his run. (Tito Ortiz, who was to have a MMA match with Jackson for Bellator around that time, incidentally, became involved in TNA's on-screen product, too, in what was a massive flop.)
Jackson making it to TNA was one of those confusing signings that could have led somewhere big if everything fell into place, but the partnership just wasn't meant to materialize. Don't give up hope on a return, though: As is always the case with wrestling, you never know when a pro athlete will feel the itch to involve themselves in the squared circle again.