List of celebrities involved with WrestleMania: Difference between revisions

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Revision as of 07:29, 3 September 2008

File:MrT.jpg
Mr. T was one of the first celebrities involved with WrestleMania.

WrestleMania is a professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by the promotion World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), formerly known as the World Wrestling Federation (WWF). The events feature wrestlers from the promotion's roster competing in a variety of professional wrestling match types, performances with pre-determined outcomes between wrestlers with fictional personalities that are portrayed as real for the entertainment of the audience. The WrestleMania franchise debuted in 1985 with WrestleMania I,[1] and has been produced annually since then. WrestleMania XXIV is the most recent production,[2] and WrestleMania XXV in April 2009 will celebrate the series' 25th anniversary.[3]

From its debut in 1985, aside from professional wrestling performances, celebrity involvement has been a major key in the production of WrestleMania events. WWE involves celebrities in the WrestleMania events to gain more hype and media attention for the event, in this way receiving more attraction to the event, pay-per-view buys, and ticket sales.[4][5] Celebrities involved in WrestleMania events have come from a range of occupations, including singing, acting, professional boxing, and modeling. Celebrities involved at WrestleMania usually appear in non-wrestling roles, such as singing, promoting a subject, or managing wrestlers at ringside. There have been exceptions however, where celebrities have had a professional wrestling role.

One of the first celebrities to appear at the first WrestleMania was Mr. T, who wrestled in the main event in a tag team match with Hulk Hogan. Aretha Franklin also appeared at the first WrestleMania and sang a rendition of "America the Beautiful." 22 years later, Franklin appeared at WrestleMania 23 and sang another rendition of the same song. At times, WWE has inducted celebrities into their Hall of Fame. For example, Chicago Bears defensive lineman William Perry, wrestled a match involving other NFL football players, and was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame as a "Celebrity Inductee" in 2004. Another celebrity was Mike Tyson, who appeared at WrestleMania XIV, and was originally planned to enforce the ringside area, though he was involved in a physical altercation with Shawn Michaels (Michael Hickenbottom). Pete Rose has made the most celebrity appearances at WrestleMania, with four overall appearances. Overall, there have been 94 celebrities involved at WrestleMania: 31 athletes, 26 musicians, 18 actors, and 20 others from different backgrounds.

Celebrities

Actors

Steve Allen (right)
Jenny McCarthy
Celebrity Appearance Role Ref
Steve Allen WrestleMania VI Interviewer
Pamela Anderson WrestleMania XI Valet of Diesel (Kevin Nash) in his WWF Championship match against Shawn Michaels (Michael Hickenbottom)
Robert Conrad WrestleMania II Guest referee at the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena in Los Angeles, California
Cathy Lee Crosby WrestleMania II Guest commentator at the Rosemont Horizon in Rosemont, Illinois
Jennie Garth WrestleMania X Guest time keeper
Susan St. James WrestleMania II Guest commentator at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale, New York
Marla Maples WrestleMania VII Guest time keeper
Jenny McCarthy WrestleMania XI Valet of Shawn Michaels in his WWF Championship match against Diesel
Cassandra Peterson WrestleMania II Guest commentator at the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena in Los Angeles, California
Regis Philbin WrestleMania VII Interviewer
Raven-Symoné WrestleMania XXIV Promoted the Make-A-Wish Foundation in an in-ring segment
Burt Reynolds WrestleMania X Guest ring announcer for the main event
Joan Rivers WrestleMania II Guest ring announcer at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale, New York
Ricky Schroeder WrestleMania II Guest time keeper at the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena in Los Angeles, California
Rhonda Shear WrestleMania X Guest time keeper
Mr. T WrestleMania I Wrestled in a tag team match with Hulk Hogan against Roddy Piper (Roderick Toombs) and Paul Orndorff
Jonathan Taylor Thomas WrestleMania XI Guest time keeper
Nicholas Turturro WrestleMania XI Interviewer and guest ring announcer

Athletes

Muhammad Ali
Billy Martin
Floyd Mayweather, Jr.
Reggie White
Celebrity Profession Appearance Role Refs
Akebono Tarō Akebono Sumo Wrestler 21|WrestleMania 21 Wrestled against The Big Show in a Sumo Match
Muhammad Ali Professional boxer WrestleMania I Guest referee for the main event
Carl Banks Linebacker for the New York Giants WrestleMania XI Manager of Lawrence Taylor in his match against Bam Bam Bigelow (Scott Bigelow)
Dick Butkus Linebacker for the Chicago Bears WrestleMania II Guest referee for the main event
Jim Covert Offensive tackle for the Chicago Bears WrestleMania II Wrestled in a Battle royal, an elimination style match where the last person remaining is the winner, involving other NFL football players
Darryl Dawkins Basketball player WrestleMania II Judge for the boxing match between Mr. T and Roddy Piper (Roderick Toombs)
Lou Duva Professional boxing trainer WrestleMania II Manager of Roddy Piper in his boxing match against Mr. T
Eric Esch Professional boxer WrestleMania XV Wrestled a standard wrestling match against Bart Gunn (Mike Polchlopek)
Bill Fralic Offensive guard for the Atlanta Falcons WrestleMania II Wrestled in a Battle royal, an elimination style match where the last person remaining is the winner, involving other NFL football players
Russ Francis Tight end for the San Francisco 49ers WrestleMania II Wrestled in a Battle royal, an elimination style match where the last person remaining is the winner, involving other NFL football players
Ernie Holmes Defensive tackle for the Pittsburgh Steelers WrestleMania II Wrestled in a Battle royal, an elimination style match where the last person remaining is the winner, involving other NFL football players
Rickey Jackson Linebacker for the New Orleans Saints WrestleMania XI Manager of Lawrence Taylor in his match against Bam Bam Bigelow
Ed Jones Defensive end for the Dallas Cowboys WrestleMania II Guest referee
Tommy Lasorda Pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers WrestleMania II Guest ring announcer at the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena in Los Angeles, California
Paul Maguire Linebacker for the Buffalo Bills WrestleMania VII Involved in a skit
Billy Martin Second baseman for the New York Yankees WrestleMania I Guest ring announcer
Harvey Martin Defensive end for the Dallas Cowboys WrestleMania II Wrestled in a Battle royal, an elimination style match where the last person remaining is the winner, involving other NFL football players
Floyd Mayweather, Jr. Professional boxer WrestleMania XXIV Wrestled in a No disqualification match against The Big Show (Paul Wight)
Steve McMichael Defensive tackle for the Chicago Bears WrestleMania XI Manager of Lawrence Taylor in his match against Bam Bam Bigelow
Ken Norton, Jr. Linebacker for the Dallas Cowboys WrestleMania XI Manager of Lawrence Taylor in his match against Bam Bam Bigelow
Vinny Pazienza Professional boxer WrestleMania XV Guest referee for the standard wrestling match between Eric Esch and Bart Gunn (Mike Polchlopek)
William Perry Defensive lineman for the Chicago Bears WrestleMania II Wrestled in a Battle royal, an elimination style match where the last person remaining is the winner, involving other NFL football players
William Perry Defensive lineman for the Chicago Bears WrestleMania 22 Appeared as a part of the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2006
Kevin Rooney Professional boxing trainer WrestleMania XV Judge for boxing match between Eric Esch and Bart Gunn
Pete Rose Player/Manager for the Cincinnati Reds WrestleMania XIV Guest ring announcer and involved in a physical altercation with Kane (Glen Jacobs)
Pete Rose Player/Manager for the Cincinnati Reds WrestleMania XV Dressed as the San Diego Chicken and involved in an altercation with Kane
Pete Rose Player/Manager for the Cincinnati Reds WrestleMania 2000 Was involved in an altercation with Kane and Rikishi (Solofa Fatu)
Pete Rose Player/Manager for the Cincinnati Reds WrestleMania XX Appeared as a part of the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2006
Chris Spielman Linebacker for the Detroit Lions WrestleMania XI Manager of Lawrence Taylor in his match against Bam Bam Bigelow
Lawrence Taylor Linebacker for the New York Giants WrestleMania XI Wrestled in a standard wrestling match against Bam Bam Bigelow
Mike Tyson Professional boxer WrestleMania XIV Ringside enforcer for the main event and was involved in a physical altercation with Shawn Michaels (Michael Hickenbottom)
Bob Uecker Catcher for the Atlanta Braves WrestleMania III
Interviewer
Bob Uecker Catcher for the Atlanta Braves WrestleMania IV Interviewer
Chuck Wepner Professional boxer WrestleMania XV Judge for boxing match between Eric Esch and Bart Gunn
Reggie White Defensive end for the Green Bay Packers WrestleMania XI Manager of Lawrence Taylor in his match against Bam Bam Bigelow
Larry Young Umpire WrestleMania XI Guest referee

Note: Multiple appearances by celebrities are sorted in different columns and rows for the purpose of sorting the content in the table.

Musicians

Ashanti
Ray Charles
Aretha Franklin
Cyndi Lauper
Celebrity(s) Genre(s) Appearance Role Refs
Ashanti R&B WrestleMania XIX Sang a rendition of "America the Beautiful"
Boyz II Men R&B/Soul WrestleMania XV Sang a rendition of "America the Beautiful"
Cab Calloway Jazz/blues WrestleMania II Judge for boxing match between Mr T and Rowdy Roddy Piper
Ray Charles R&B/Soul WrestleMania II Sang a rendition of "America the Beautiful"
Alice Cooper Rock WrestleMania III Manager of Jake Roberts (Aurelian Smith, Jr) in his match against The Honky Tonk Man (Roy Farris)
Drowning Pool Alternative metal WrestleMania X8 Performed "Tear Away" for the event and "The Game" for Triple H (Paul Levesque)'s entrance
Aretha Franklin Soul WrestleMania III Sang a rendition of "America the Beautiful"
Aretha Franklin Soul WrestleMania 23 Sang a rendition of "America the Beautiful"
Robert Goulet Ballad WrestleMania VI Sang a rendition of "O Canada"
Ice-T Hip-hop WrestleMania 2000 Performed "Pimpin' Ain't Easy" for The Godfather (Charles Wright)
Gladys Knight R&B/Soul WrestleMania IV Sang a rendition of "America the Beautiful"
Cyndi Lauper Pop WrestleMania I Manager of Wendi Richter in her match against the Fabulous Moolah
John Legend R&B/Soul WrestleMania XXIV Sang a rendition of "America the Beautiful"
Liberace Pianist WrestleMania I Guest time keeper
Limp Bizkit Nu/rap metal WrestleMania XIX Sang the theme song "Crack Addict" for the event and the theme song "Rollin'" for The Undertaker (Mark Calaway)'s entrance.
Little Richard R&B WrestleMania X Sang a rendition of "America the Beautiful"
Reba McEntire Country WrestleMania VIII Sang a rendition of "America the Beautiful"
Motörhead Heavy metal WrestleMania X-Seven Performed "The Game" for Triple H (Paul Levesque)'s entrance
Motörhead Heavy metal WrestleMania 21 Performed "The Game" for Triple H (Paul Levesque)'s entrance
Willie Nelson Country WrestleMania VII Sang a rendition of "God Bless America"
Ozzy Osbourne Heavy metal WrestleMania II Manager of The British Bulldogs in their match against The Dream Team
P.O.D Alternative metal WrestleMania 22 Performed "Booyaka 619" for Rey Mysterio (Oscar Gutierrez)'s entrance
Run-D.M.C. Hip-hop WrestleMania V Performed The WrestleMania Rap, a song created specifically for the event
Saliva Alternative metal WrestleMania X8 Performed "Superstar" for the event and "Turn the Tables" for the Dudley Boyz' entrance.
Salt-N-Pepa Hip-hop WrestleMania XI Performed "Whatta Man" for Lawrence Taylor in his match against Bam Bam Bigelow
Snoop Dogg Rap WrestleMania XXIV Master of Ceremonies for the Bunnymania match between Maria Kanellis and Beth Phoenix.
Donnie Wahlberg Pop WrestleMania X Guest ring announcer
Michelle Williams R&B WrestleMania 22 Sang a rendition of "America the Beautiful"

Note: Multiple appearances by celebrities are sorted in different columns and rows for the purpose of sorting the content in the table.

Other

Tara Conner
Kim Kardashian
Donald Trump
Celebrity(s) Occupation(s) Appearance Role Refs
Kitana Baker Model WrestleMania XIX Involved in a pillow fight with WWE Divas, Torrie Wilson and Stacy Keibler
Tanya Ballinger Model WrestleMania XIX Involved in a pillow fight with WWE Divas, Torrie Wilson and Stacy Keibler
Rona Barrett Businesswoman WrestleMania VI Interviewer
Ray Combs Comedian WrestleMania VIII Guest ring announcer
Tara Conner Beauty queen WrestleMania 23 Escorted Donald Trump to the ring during the "Battle of the Billionaires"
Chet Coppock Radio broadcaster WrestleMania II Guest ring announcer
Morton Downey, Jr. Talk show host WrestleMania V Guest on Roddy Piper (Roderick Toombs)'s "Piper's Pit", an in-ring talk show segment
Gennifer Flowers Model and Porn actress WrestleMania XIV Guest ring announcer and interviewer
Mary Hart Television personality WrestleMania III Interviewer
John Menick as Herb Portrayed Herb in Burger King's "Where's Herb?" WrestleMania II Guest time keeper at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale, New York
Kim Kardashian Model WrestleMania XXIV Hostess
Robin Leach Television host WrestleMania IV Presented the WWF Championship to Randy Savage after winning it in a tournament
G. Gordon Liddy Talk show host WrestleMania II Judge for boxing match between Mr. T and Roddy Piper
Clara Peller Portrayed "Lady" in Wendy's "Where's the Beef?" commercial WrestleMania II Guest time keeper at the Rosemont Horizon in Rosemont, Illinois
The Rockettes Dance company WrestleMania I Escorted Liberace to the ring as the guest time keeper
George Steinbrenner Businessman WrestleMania VII Involved in a skit
Alex Trebek Television personality WrestleMania VII Guest ring announcer
Donald Trump Businessman WrestleMania IV His owned venue hosted the event
Donald Trump Businessman WrestleMania V His owned venue hosted the event
Donald Trump Businessman WrestleMania 23 Was physically involved in WrestleMania 23 with the "Battle of the Billionaires."
Sy Sperling Businessman WrestleMania X Gave a hairpiece to WWF ring announcer Howard Finkel
Vanna White Television personality WrestleMania IV Guest time keeper

Note: Multiple appearances by celebrities are sorted in different columns and rows for the purpose of sorting the content in the table.

References

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  19. ^ Cite error: The named reference PWH results was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  20. ^ Cite error: The named reference WM21 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
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  51. ^ "WrestleMania 17 Celebrities". World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved 2008-08-21.
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External links