10 Best Celebrity Matches (Plus 6 We’d Rather Forget!)

When Elvis Presley nearly stepped into the ring with Jerry Lawler in 1977, it could have been professional wrestling’s greatest celebrity moment. Though that match never materialized, countless celebrities have stepped into wrestling since Muhammad Ali faced Antonio Inoki in 1976—with results ranging from iconic to regrettable. From nine era-defining bouts to six that we’d rather forget, these are the most unforgettable celebrity clashes in wrestling history!

10 Greatest Celebrity Wrestling Matches That Changed The Business Forever

10. Hulk Hogan & Mr. T vs. Paul Orndorff & Roddy Piper (WrestleMania 1, 1985)

Mr. T hoists up Roddy Piper during his match alongside partner Hulk Hogan at the first WrestleMania on March 31st, 1985, at Madison Square Garden.
Mr. T hoists up Roddy Piper during his match alongside partner Hulk Hogan at the first WrestleMania on March 31st, 1985, at Madison Square Garden. Photo Credit: WWE.

The main event of the first-ever WrestleMania showcased the perfect blend of sports and entertainment as WWF Champion Hulk Hogan teamed with television star Mr. T to battle "Rowdy" Roddy Piper and "Mr. Wonderful" Paul Orndorff at Madison Square Garden. The match featured an all-star supporting cast, with Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka in Hogan and Mr. T’s corner, while "Cowboy" Bob Orton accompanied Piper and Orndorff.

The bout emerged from a heated rivalry that began on Piper’s Pit, leading to a confrontation at “The War to Settle the Score” in February 1985. The WrestleMania clash reached its climax when Bob Orton accidentally struck Orndorff with his cast, allowing Hogan to secure the pinfall victory.

This historic match established WrestleMania as wrestling’s premier event and created the template for celebrity involvement that continues today. Adding to the star power, boxing legend Muhammad Ali served as the special guest referee, while baseball manager Billy Martin acted as ring announcer and musician Liberace kept time.

9. Pat McAfee vs. Adam Cole (NXT TakeOver XXX, 2020)

Pat McAfee faces off against Adam Cole at NXT TakeOver XXX on August 22nd, 2020, in what would become one of NXT’s most memorable celebrity encounters.
Pat McAfee faces off against Adam Cole at NXT TakeOver XXX on August 22nd, 2020, in what would become one of NXT’s most memorable celebrity encounters. Photo Credit: WWE.

The rivalry between former Indianapolis Colts All-Pro punter Pat McAfee and Adam Cole ignited in March 2018 at an NXT live event in Indianapolis, when McAfee prevented Cole from interfering in a match against Aleister Black.

Tensions escalated in July 2020 during an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, where Cole stormed off set after McAfee made comments about his height and success with The Undisputed Era.

The situation reached its boiling point on the August 5 episode of NXT when McAfee, serving as guest commentator, punted Cole in the head while Cole was being restrained.

The following day, Triple H appeared on ESPN’s Get Up! to challenge McAfee to a match at TakeOver XXX on Cole’s behalf.

In his in-ring debut, McAfee showcased surprising athleticism, including a spectacular backflip spot that had fans talking. However, Cole secured the victory with his Panama Sunrise finisher.

The rivalry continued into the fall, with McAfee returning to form The Kings of NXT stable and facing Cole again at NXT TakeOver: WarGames in December 2020.

8. Dennis Rodman & Hulk Hogan vs Karl Malone & DDP (WCW Bash at the Beach, 1998)

NBA stars Dennis Rodman and Karl Malone bring their basketball rivalry to WCW’s Bash at the Beach on July 12th, 1998, at the Cox Arena in San Diego.
NBA stars Dennis Rodman and Karl Malone bring their basketball rivalry to WCW’s Bash at the Beach on July 12th, 1998, at the Cox Arena in San Diego. Photo Credit: WWE.

The rivalry between NBA stars Dennis Rodman and Karl Malone carried over from the 1998 NBA Finals into the squared circle at WCW’s Bash at the Beach. Just weeks after Rodman

’s Chicago Bulls defeated Malone’s Utah Jazz for the NBA championship, the two power forwards met again – this time as professional wrestlers at the Cox Arena in San Diego.

The build-up began during the NBA Finals when Rodman and Malone deliberately tripped each other during a loose ball play to promote their upcoming match.

Rodman aligned himself with Hollywood Hulk Hogan and the nWo, while Malone joined forces with fan-favorite Diamond Dallas Page. Before the match, Malone even played a role in Hogan losing the WCW Championship to Goldberg on Nitro.

The 23-minute main event saw both NBA stars attempt wrestling moves, with Malone executing Page’s signature Diamond Cutter on Rodman. However, The Disciple’s interference allowed Hogan to pin Page for the victory.

The celebrity attraction proved highly successful, drawing 10,095 fans to the arena and generating 580,000 pay-per-view buys – the second highest buyrate in WCW history.

Want to dive deeper into Dennis Rodman’s wild journey in the wrestling world? From his unforgettable clashes to behind-the-scenes drama, we cover it all in our in-depth feature entitled, The Surprising Way Dennis Rodman Wormed His Way into Wrestling!

7. Shaquille O’Neal & Jade Cargill vs. Cody Rhodes & Red Velvet (AEW Dynamite, 2021)

NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal during his mixed tag team pro wrestling match on AEW Dynamite, March 21st, 2021, at Daily’s Place in Jacksonville, Florida.
NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal during his mixed tag team pro wrestling match on AEW Dynamite, March 21st, 2021, at Daily’s Place in Jacksonville, Florida. Photo Credit: AEW.

NBA Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal, a four-time NBA champion and 15-time All-Star, brought his larger-than-life presence to All Elite Wrestling in 2021. O’Neal was no stranger to sports entertainment, having appeared as a WWE RAW guest host in 2009 and even confronting The Big Show at WrestleMania 32.

Beyond basketball, O’Neal had established himself as a cultural icon through movies like "Kazaam," platinum-selling rap albums, numerous television appearances, and various business ventures including his famous Gold Bond endorsements.

The match, dubbed "The Crossroads," opened that night’s episode of Dynamite and marked the first wrestling match for both O’Neal and his partner Jade Cargill.

The bout emerged from a storyline involving Cody Rhodes and Brandi Rhodes, with Red Velvet stepping in as Cody’s partner after Brandi announced her pregnancy.

O’Neal, who would turn 49 just three days after the match, demonstrated surprising athleticism in his wrestling debut, exchanging chops with Rhodes and delivering powerful slams.

The match reached its climax when Rhodes executed a crossbody block that sent both him and O’Neal crashing through two tables at ringside.

While Rhodes and O’Neal lay among the wreckage, Cargill secured the victory for her team by defeating Red Velvet.

Following the match, O’Neal was shown being loaded into an ambulance, but when Tony Schiavone attempted to interview him, the NBA legend had mysteriously vanished.

6. Floyd Mayweather vs. Big Show (WrestleMania 24, 2008)

Floyd Mayweather sizes up The Big Show during their David vs. Goliath encounter at WrestleMania 24 on March 30th, 2008, at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando.
Floyd Mayweather sizes up The Big Show during their David vs. Goliath encounter at WrestleMania 24 on March 30th, 2008, at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando. Photo Credit: WWE.

The clash between undefeated boxing champion Floyd Mayweather and The Big Show originated at WWE No Way Out in February 2008. Originally planned as a tag team match featuring Dave Bautista and Rey Mysterio, injuries forced WWE to pivot to a singles encounter between the 159-pound boxer and the 441-pound giant.

At the Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Florida, in front of 74,635 fans, Mayweather initially employed a "catch me if you can" strategy against Show. After finally catching the boxer, Show dominated with chops, body shots, and stomps to the arm. Mayweather’s entourage attempted to help their fighter escape, but Show dragged him back to the ring.

The No Disqualification stipulation came into play when Mayweather used a steel chair to level the playing field. After multiple chair shots brought Show to his knees, Mayweather secured brass knuckles from one of his fallen cornermen. The match concluded when Mayweather knocked out Show with a brass knuckles-assisted right hand.

The bout generated significant mainstream attention, with Mayweather reportedly earning $20 million for his appearance. The event itself drew 1,041,000 pay-per-view buys, making it one of WWE’s most successful celebrity crossover matches.

5. Bad Bunny vs. Damian Priest (Backlash, 2023)

Bad Bunny sizes up Damian Priest during their San Juan Street Fight at WWE Backlash on May 6th, 2023, at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico José Miguel Agrelot.
Bad Bunny sizes up Damian Priest during their San Juan Street Fight at WWE Backlash on May 6th, 2023, at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico José Miguel Agrelot. Photo Credit: WWE.

Grammy Award-winning artist Bad Bunny’s journey in WWE began at the 2021 Royal Rumble, leading to his in-ring debut at WrestleMania 37, where he teamed with Damian Priest to defeat The Miz and John Morrison.

After a brief appearance in the 2022 Royal Rumble match, where he lasted eight minutes before being eliminated by Brock Lesnar, Bad Bunny returned to WWE in 2023 for his first singles match.

The San Juan Street Fight at Backlash emerged from Bad Bunny, preventing Dominik Mysterio from using a steel chain at WrestleMania 39, which led to Priest putting the musician through an announce table on the following Raw. Bad Bunny responded on April 24, 2023, attacking Priest with a kendo stick and challenging him to a street fight.

At Backlash, Bad Bunny entered to his hit song "Chambea" with a shopping cart full of weapons. The match featured a Michinoku Driver by Bunny, a powerbomb through tables in the crowd, and weapon spots, including kendo sticks, chairs, and chains.

When The Judgment Day’s Finn Bálor and Dominik Mysterio interfered, Rey Mysterio emerged, followed by Puerto Rican legends Carlito and Savio Vega alongside the LWO. After the chaos cleared, Bad Bunny secured victory with his signature Bunny Destroyer finisher.

The bout required weeks of recovery time for Bad Bunny, who later revealed it took him three days before he could walk comfortably again. He has since expressed interest in returning to WWE in a January 2025 interview with Rolling Stone, stating, "I want to put my life at risk in the ring. I felt like I didn’t risk it enough, and I want to scare my mother!"

4. Stephen Amell vs. Christopher Daniels (All In, 2018)

Stephen Amell showcases his wrestling ability against Christopher Daniels at All In on September 1, 2018, at the Sears Centre Arena in Chicago.
Stephen Amell showcases his wrestling ability against Christopher Daniels at All In on September 1, 2018, at the Sears Centre Arena in Chicago. Photo Credit: AEW.

Stephen Amell, best known for his eight-season run as Oliver Queen in The CW’s "Arrow" (2012-2020) and later starring in the Starz wrestling drama "Heels" (2021-2023), has demonstrated unique dedication to professional wrestling beyond most celebrity appearances.

Amell’s first professional wrestling singles match took place at All In, an independent wrestling event that drew 11,263 fans to the Sears Centre Arena in Hoffman Estates, Illinois. The match emerged from a storyline on the Being The Elite YouTube series, where Daniels had framed Amell for a murder in a Japanese hotel room.

The 12-minute bout, refereed by wrestling legend Jerry Lynn, saw Amell attempt a diving elbow drop that resulted in him crashing through a table on the floor. After Lynn moved both competitors back into the ring to avoid a count-out, Amell nearly secured victory with a schoolboy pin and later countered Daniels’ Angels’ Wings with a bridging pin.

The match concluded when Daniels executed his signature Best Moonsault Ever finisher for the victory. In a show of respect, both men shook hands after the match. This marked Amell’s first singles match, following his tag team appearances at WWE SummerSlam 2015 and ROH Survival of the Fittest 2017.

3. Johnny Knoxville vs. Sami Zayn (WrestleMania 38, 2022)

Johnny Knoxville prepares to unleash chaos during his Anything Goes Match against Sami Zayn at WrestleMania 38 on April 3, 2022, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
Johnny Knoxville prepares to unleash chaos during his Anything Goes Match against Sami Zayn at WrestleMania 38 on April 3, 2022, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Photo Credit: WWE.

The rivalry between Jackass Forever star Johnny Knoxville and Sami Zayn ignited during the 2022 Royal Rumble match, where Zayn eliminated Knoxville. The tension escalated when Zayn crashed the Jackass Forever red carpet premiere, leading to his ejection from the event. Knoxville retaliated by flying a plane over Los Angeles displaying Zayn’s personal phone number, prompting Zayn to challenge Knoxville to an Anything Goes match at WrestleMania.

Their paths crossed again when Knoxville cost Zayn the Intercontinental Championship on the March 4 episode of SmackDown, helping Ricochet capture the title just three weeks after Zayn had won it from Shinsuke Nakamura.

At WrestleMania 38, the match featured an array of Jackass-style stunts and interference. Chris Pontius appeared as "Party Boy," while Wee-Man emerged from under the ring to deliver a bodyslam to Zayn. The bout incorporated various weapons, including a bowling ball, a giant hand contraption, and multiple low blows from a specially designed kicking machine.

The match concluded when Knoxville deployed a taser on Zayn before trapping him in a giant mousetrap for the pinfall victory.

This match at WrestleMania 38 went approximately 20 minutes, an impressive feat for the then-50-year-old Knoxville. It marked Knoxville’s first singles victory in professional wrestling, following his earlier appearance in the 2022 Royal Rumble match. The performance was so well received that both men received a standing ovation when they returned backstage to the Gorilla Position.

The rivalry has continued long after their WrestleMania encounter. At WrestleMania 39 in 2023, Knoxville was spotted in the crowd heckling Zayn throughout his tag team championship match, chanting "Sami Sucks" and telling him "I literally hope you break your leg. And your face."

As recently as December 2024, the two have continued their feud through social media exchanges, with Zayn stating in August 2023 that he feels "it’s not over" between them.

The match’s success led Sami Zayn to later call it his "Andy Kaufman moment" and rank it among his top 5-10 favorite matches of his career. Knoxville himself acknowledged the match’s impact, noting how rare it is for someone at age 50 to "put 20 minutes in at WrestleMania and had people on their feet."

Want to learn more about the wild history between WWE and the Jackass crew? Check out our deep dive into Steve-O’s infamous 2006 encounter with Umaga, the canceled SummerSlam 2007 match that never was, and all the chaotic moments in between in "Jackass and Their Strange History with WWE."

2. Lawrence Taylor vs. Bam Bam Bigelow (WrestleMania 9, 1995)

NFL legend Lawrence Taylor faces off against Bam Bam Bigelow in the main event of WrestleMania 9 on April 2nd, 1995, at the Hartford Civic Center in Connecticut.
NFL legend Lawrence Taylor faces off against Bam Bam Bigelow in the main event of WrestleMania 9 on April 2nd, 1995, at the Hartford Civic Center in Connecticut. Photo Credit: WWE.

The build to this historic main event began at the 1995 Royal Rumble when NFL legend Lawrence Taylor, seated at ringside, laughed at Bam Bam Bigelow following his loss to Diesel. An enraged Bigelow shoved LT, leading to a media frenzy that culminated in Taylor accepting Bigelow’s WrestleMania challenge.

Taylor spent two months training at the WWE facility in Stamford, Connecticut, working with WWE personnel, including Diesel and Shawn Michaels. The match garnered mainstream attention, with outlets like Sports Illustrated and USA Today covering the build-up extensively.

At WrestleMania XI, in front of 15,000 fans at the Hartford Civic Center, Taylor was accompanied by a team of NFL players, including Ken Norton Jr., Chris Spielman, and Steve McMichael. Bigelow entered with his Million Dollar Corporation stablemates. After 11 minutes and 42 seconds of action, Taylor secured victory with a forearm off the second rope.

The match received praise from wrestling critics, with Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter rating it 2.75 stars and noting Taylor’s impressive performance for a non-wrestler. The event drew a 0.7 buyrate on pay-per-view, with Taylor’s involvement helping to generate mainstream media coverage that WWE sought. Further, Lawrence Taylor holds the title of being the first non-wrestler to headline WrestleMania as the final match on the card.

1. Andy Kaufman vs. Jerry Lawler (Memphis Wrestling, 1982)

Andy Kaufman and Jerry Lawler’s infamous confrontation on Late Night with David Letterman on July 28, 1982, which made mainstream headlines and brought professional wrestling to a wider audience.
Andy Kaufman and Jerry Lawler’s infamous confrontation on Late Night with David Letterman on July 28, 1982, which made mainstream headlines and brought professional wrestling to a wider audience. Photo Credit: NBC.

The unlikely feud between Hollywood star Andy Kaufman and wrestling legend Jerry Lawler revolutionized celebrity involvement in professional wrestling. What began with Kaufman’s controversial "Inter-Gender Wrestling Champion" act in Memphis evolved into one of wrestling’s most memorable storylines.

The story begins in late 1981 when Andy Kaufman, star of the hit TV show Taxi, approached the WWF about wrestling but was turned down by Vince McMahon Sr. for being a "Hollywood Type." Through wrestling photographer Bill Apter’s connection, Kaufman found his way to Memphis Wrestling, where he began his legendary feud with Jerry Lawler.

Kaufman first gained notoriety in Memphis by wrestling women as the self-proclaimed "World Inter-Gender Wrestling Champion," offering $1,000 to any woman who could pin him. During these matches, he would deliver inflammatory promos about southern culture and hygiene, drawing intense hatred from the Memphis crowd.

The rivalry escalated on April 5th, 1982, when Kaufman faced Lawler at the Mid-South Coliseum in front of 10,000 fans. The match ended when Lawler delivered two piledrivers that left Kaufman stretchered from the arena.

The feud reached national attention through their July 28th, 1982, appearance on Late Night with David Letterman, where Lawler slapped Kaufman out of his chair, leading to Andy’s profanity-laden tirade that made The New York Times front page.

Their commitment to maintaining kayfabe was unprecedented – even after Kaufman’s death in 1984, Lawler continued protecting the legitimacy of their rivalry. It wasn’t until the 1995 release of the movie "Man on the Moon" that Lawler revealed they had actually been friends throughout their program.

Want to discover the full story behind wrestling’s most revolutionary celebrity feud? Read our deep dive into "Andy Kaufman and Jerry Lawler – The Truth Behind Their Feud" to learn about the elaborate hoax that changed wrestling forever.

Special Mention: Elvis Presley vs. Jerry Lawler – The Match That Never Was (Mid-South Coliseum, 1977)

Left: Elvis Presley performs at Crisler Arena in Ann Arbor, Michigan, on April 25, 1977, just months before his planned wrestling match. Right: Jerry "The King" Lawler makes his entrance as NWA Southern Heavyweight Champion at the Mid-South Coliseum, circa 1974-1977. Photo Credits: Elvis ’77 The Final Curtain (left), CWA (right).

Five years before Andy Kaufman revolutionized celebrity wrestling in Memphis, an even bigger star almost made history in the same territory. In the summer of 1977, Elvis Presley – the original “King” of Rock and Roll – was in serious talks to face Jerry “The King” Lawler in what would have been professional wrestling’s most ambitious territory-era celebrity match.

The proposed karate vs. wrestling match at the Mid-South Coliseum had progressed beyond mere speculation, with Elvis’s father, Vernon Presley, personally contacting Lawler to discuss details.

The idea for this historic match emerged during a car ride to Louisville when Jerry Lawler and his driver Mickey Poole discussed the possibility of a karate versus wrestling match, inspired by the recent Muhammad Ali versus Antonio Inoki bout. Through Mickey’s brother, who served as president of the Elvis Presley International Fan Club, the concept reached Graceland.

Elvis’s connection to Memphis wrestling ran deep. Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, he regularly attended matches at Ellis Auditorium, watching from the stage area thanks to a longtime employee named Mr. Coffee. His uncle Vester maintained the family’s wrestling connection, frequently bringing a young Lisa Marie to Monday night shows at the Mid-South Coliseum.

The King of Rock and Roll’s martial arts credentials were substantial – he trained extensively with champion Bill Wallace and co-owned the Memphis Karate Institute.

In July 1977, Elvis’s father, Vernon Presley personally contacted Lawler to discuss the match details. During their conversation, Vernon explained that while Elvis was enthusiastic about the concept, he needed to complete an upcoming tour and focus on conditioning before finalizing arrangements.

Three weeks after these initial discussions, on August 16th, 1977, Elvis passed away at age 42.

The proposed bout would have united Memphis’s two most prominent entertainment draws of the 1970s – Elvis regularly sold out the Mid-South Coliseum for concerts, while Lawler packed the same venue every Monday night for wrestling.

6 Controversial Celebrity Wrestling Matches We’d Rather Forget!

6. Muhammad Ali vs. Antonio Inoki (Boxer vs Wrestler, 1976)

Antonio Inoki delivers leg kicks to Muhammad Ali during their controversial boxer vs. wrestler bout on June 26th, 1976, at the Nippon Budokan in Tokyo, Japan.
Antonio Inoki delivers leg kicks to Muhammad Ali during their controversial boxer vs. wrestler bout on June 26th, 1976, at the Nippon Budokan in Tokyo, Japan. Photo Credit: New York Post.

The highly anticipated "War of the Worlds" match between WBC/WBA Heavyweight Champion Muhammad Ali and Japanese wrestling legend Antonio Inoki took place at Tokyo’s Nippon Budokan on June 26, 1976. With Ali set to earn $6.1 million and a potential audience of 1.4 billion viewers across 134 countries, expectations were high for this unprecedented clash of combat styles.

Hours before the bout, last-minute rule changes severely restricted Inoki’s arsenal. The new regulations stated he could only kick while having one knee on the canvas, and many grappling techniques were prohibited. The 15-round contest saw Inoki spend most of the time on his back, launching over one hundred kicks at Ali’s legs, while the boxing champion landed just six punches.

The match ended in a controversial split draw, with judge Kokichi Endo scoring for Ali (74-72), Kou Toyama favoring Inoki (72-68), and referee Gene LeBell declaring it even (71-71).

After the match, Ali suffered significant leg damage that required hospitalization, developing blood clots and anemia from bleeding into the muscles.

The aftermath saw fans at the Budokan throwing trash into the ring while demanding refunds, earning the event the nickname "The Rip-Off of the Century."

Want to discover how this bizarre encounter helped launch Mixed Martial Arts? Read our deep dive into "Muhammad Ali and Antonio Inoki Bizarre Encounter in Japan" for the complete story behind this historic clash.

5. Team Pacman (Ron Killings & Adam “Pacman” Jones) vs. Kurt Angle & Sting (TNA No Surrender, 2007)

Adam ‘Pacman’ Jones stands alongside Ron Killings after winning the TNA Tag Team Championships at No Surrender on September 9th, 2007, in Orlando, Florida.
Adam ‘Pacman’ Jones stands alongside Ron Killings after winning the TNA Tag Team Championships at No Surrender on September 9th, 2007, in Orlando, Florida. Photo Credit: TNA Wrestling.

On August 6th, 2007, TNA announced the signing of suspended Tennessee Titans cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones. The partnership emerged after Jones received a one-year suspension from the NFL and sought opportunities in professional wrestling. However, the Titans quickly obtained a restraining order that prevented Jones from physical contact in the ring.

TNA negotiated a compromise allowing Jones to appear but with strict limitations – he could not "touch or be touched, use or be hit by any object or anything else that could injure him."

Jones made his first appearance at Hard Justice, where a storyline with Ron Killings (currently R Truth in WWE) began after a confrontation during a Mike Tenay interview.

At No Surrender on September 9th, 2007, Team Pacman challenged Kurt Angle and Sting for the TNA World Tag Team Championships. Despite Jones being legally restricted from physical involvement, Team Pacman captured the titles in a 5-minute and 56-second match when Jones secured the pinfall.

The reign lasted until Bound for Glory on October 14th, 2007, where Rasheed Lucius "Consequences" Creed substituted for Jones under the Freebird Rule. A.J. Styles and Tomko won the championships when Jones’s attempted interference backfired – he threw cash at referee Earl Hebner, inadvertently distracting him long enough to miss Team Pacman’s pin attempt.

4. Zeus & Randy Savage vs. Hulk Hogan & Brutus Beefcake (SummerSlam, 1989)

Zeus confronts Hulk Hogan during their tag team match at SummerSlam on August 28th, 1989, at the Meadowlands Arena in East Rutherford.
Zeus confronts Hulk Hogan during their tag team match at SummerSlam on August 28th, 1989, at the Meadowlands Arena in East Rutherford. Photo Credit: WWE.

The feud between Hulk Hogan and Zeus emerged from the 1989 film "No Holds Barred," where actor Tommy "Tiny" Lister Jr. portrayed the villainous Zeus opposite Hogan’s character Rip.

Following the movie’s June 2 release, Zeus made his WWF debut on May 27th at a WWF Superstars taping, attacking Hogan during an interview segment.

The storyline intensified at Saturday Night’s Main Event XXII on July 18th, 1989, at the Broome County Arena in Binghamton, leading to a tag team match at SummerSlam. Zeus was paired with Randy Savage, who had lost the WWF Championship to Hogan at WrestleMania V, while Hogan teamed with Brutus Beefcake.

The match highlighted several production issues that would come to define Zeus’s brief wrestling career. His in-ring repertoire consisted primarily of choking, punching opponents’ trapezius muscles, and more choking. Despite being promoted as an invincible character impervious to chair shots, Zeus’s limited wrestling ability required Randy Savage to carry much of the match’s workload.

The feud continued through December 1989, culminating in a steel cage match at No Holds Barred: The Movie/The Match pay-per-view from Nashville Municipal Auditorium. The entire program represented WWF’s attempt to extend the movie’s promotional lifecycle, though the film’s poor reception (scoring just 10% on Rotten Tomatoes) and Zeus’s limited wrestling capability ultimately hampered its effectiveness.

3. Snooki, Trish Stratus & John Morrison vs. Dolph Ziggler & LayCool (WrestleMania 27, 2011)

Snooki alongside Trish Stratus and John Morrison during her WrestleMania debut on April 3rd, 2011, at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.
Snooki alongside Trish Stratus and John Morrison during her WrestleMania debut on April 3rd, 2011, at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. Photo Credit: WWE.

Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi entered WrestleMania 27 at the height of her mainstream popularity. As the breakout star of MTV’s "Jersey Shore," which drew over 8 million viewers at its peak, Snooki had already established herself as a New York Times bestselling author and mainstream star in the United States.

The match originated from a March 14, 2011 episode of Raw when Snooki confronted Vickie Guerrero backstage. After taking down LayCool at ringside following Vickie’s victory over Trish Stratus, the six-person mixed tag team match was set for WrestleMania.

Originally planned for a longer duration, the match lost significant time when the previous bout (The Undertaker vs. Triple H in a No Holds Barred Match) went over its allotted slot. The abbreviated 3-minute encounter saw Morrison hit Starship Pain on Ziggler outside the ring before Snooki secured victory with a cartwheel splash on McCool.

The match garnered controversy for multiple reasons. The Georgia Dome crowd heavily booed Snooki despite her athletic background as a former cheerleader. Additionally, post-match tension emerged when Morrison allegedly snubbed Stratus during celebrations, reportedly protesting his girlfriend Melina’s exclusion from the card. This incident led to a heated backstage confrontation between Morrison and Stratus, where Morrison claimed she had taken Melina’s spot.

The bout marked Snooki’s only WWE in-ring appearance until her return at the 2024 Royal Rumble, thirteen years later.

2. Cain Velasquez vs. Brock Lesnar (WWE Crown Jewel, 2019)

Cain Velasquez faces off with Brock Lesnar at Crown Jewel on October 31st, 2019, at King Fahd International Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Cain Velasquez faces off with Brock Lesnar at Crown Jewel on October 31st, 2019, at King Fahd International Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Photo Credit: WWE.

Cain Velasquez is one of the few fighters to have defeated Brock Lesnar in a legitimate contest to win the UFC Heavyweight Championship. Nine years later, on October 31st, 2019, Velasquez made his WWE in-ring debut at Crown Jewel in Saudi Arabia, facing Lesnar for the WWE Championship.

The build to this championship match began on October 4th, 2019, during SmackDown’s FOX debut, when former UFC Heavyweight Champion Cain Velasquez made his surprising WWE debut. Moments after Lesnar defeated Kofi Kingston for the WWE Championship, Velasquez stormed the ring alongside Rey Mysterio, whose son Dominik had been attacked by Lesnar on Raw days earlier.

The storyline played off their legitimate UFC history – Velasquez had previously defeated Lesnar by first-round TKO at UFC 121 in 2010 to capture the UFC Heavyweight Championship. WWE officially announced the match at a Las Vegas press conference on October 11, 2019, where Velasquez vowed to exact revenge for the Mysterios.

At Crown Jewel, the highly anticipated rematch lasted only a few minutes. After trading strikes and some ground-and-pound attempts from Velasquez, Lesnar secured a Kimura Lock for the submission victory. Post-match, Lesnar continued the hold until Rey Mysterio intervened with a steel chair, leading to Lesnar executing an F-5 on Velasquez onto the chair before retreating.

The match received criticism for its brief duration and limited offense from Velasquez, who had impressed in two previous matches for Mexico’s AAA promotion. CBS Sports rated the bout a "C," noting the decision "failing to let Velasquez get somewhat over was confusing."

The match marked Velasquez’s only WWE pay-per-view appearance, as he was released from his contract in April 2020.

1. David Arquette’s WCW Championship Victory (WCW Thunder, 2000)

David Arquette celebrates his controversial WCW World Championship victory on WCW Thunder, April 26th, 2000, at the Five Seasons Center in Cedar Rapids.
David Arquette celebrates his controversial WCW World Championship victory on WCW Thunder, April 26th, 2000, at the Five Seasons Center in Cedar Rapids. Photo Credit: WWE.

On April 26th, 2000, WCW Thunder aired one of professional wrestling’s most controversial moments. To promote the film "Ready to Rumble," actor David Arquette found himself in a tag team match where Diamond Dallas Page defended his WCW World Heavyweight Championship alongside Arquette against Jeff Jarrett and Eric Bischoff. The unusual stipulation stated that whoever scored the pinfall would become champion.

The match culminated when Arquette speared Bischoff for the pin while Jarrett simultaneously pinned Page. When referee Mickie Jay ran in, he only acknowledged Arquette’s pinfall, making the "Scream" actor the new WCW World Heavyweight Champion. The title change occurred just 24 hours after Page had won the championship from Jarrett on Nitro.

Arquette’s 12-day reign as champion was widely criticized for delegitimizing wrestling’s most prestigious title. The decision came during WCW’s declining period, with the company attempting to generate mainstream publicity. While Arquette, who donated his earnings to the families of Owen Hart, Brian Pillman, and Darren Drozdov, expressed discomfort with the booking decision, the damage to WCW’s credibility was significant.

The controversial championship victory remains a pivotal moment in wrestling history, often cited as emblematic of WCW’s creative struggles in its final years before being purchased by WWE in 2001.

When Stars Align: The Legacy of Celebrities in Pro Wrestling Matches

Left: Shaquille O’Neal makes his AEW debut at Daily’s Place in Jacksonville in 2021. Center: Elvis Presley performs at Crisler Arena just months before his planned match with Jerry Lawler in 1977. Right: David Arquette celebrates his controversial WCW World Championship victory at Thunder in 2000. Three moments that showcase wrestling’s evolving relationship with celebrity involvement across five decades.
Left: Shaquille O’Neal makes his AEW debut at Daily’s Place in Jacksonville in 2021. Center: Elvis Presley performs at Crisler Arena just months before his planned match with Jerry Lawler in 1977. Right: David Arquette celebrates his controversial WCW World Championship victory at Thunder in 2000. Three moments that showcase wrestling’s evolving relationship with celebrity involvement across five decades. Photo Credits: AEW (left), Elvis ’77 The Final Curtain (center), WCW (right).

Celebrity involvement in professional wrestling has evolved dramatically since the days of Muhammad Ali and Antonio Inoki’s 1976 encounter. While some crossover appearances have elevated the industry and created unforgettable moments, others serve as cautionary tales of what happens when star power overshadows wrestling tradition.

The most successful celebrity matches share common elements: genuine commitment to the craft, respect for the business, and storylines that play to the celebrity’s strengths.

From Kaufman’s pioneering work with Jerry Lawler to Bad Bunny’s recent in-ring excellence, these moments have helped bridge the gap between mainstream entertainment and professional wrestling, bringing new eyes to the product while creating lasting memories for fans.

Whether triumphant or tragic, each celebrity encounter has contributed to wrestling’s rich tapestry, teaching valuable lessons about what works – and what doesn’t – when worlds collide.

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John Harris is a passionate professional wrestling fan with a deep appreciation for the entertainment and storytelling aspects of the industry. A recent college graduate with a media background, he is eager to shine a light on pro wrestling’s rich history through his writing. While nostalgic for modern wrestling, he enjoys exploring and sharing stories from eras before his time. His favorite wrestlers include Bryan Danielson, Johnny Gargano, Bray Wyatt, and Charlotte Flair.