Ever wonder which celebrities stepped into WWE’s hallowed squared circle only to be lost in the sands of time?
From game show hosts throwing legitimate punches to Hollywood A-listers getting physical, these forgotten moments will make you question your wrestling memory!
The Game Show Legends Who Brought Their Own Brand of Entertainment
Drew Carey’s Royal Rumble Shocker
Back in 2001, game show legend Drew Carey didn’t just show up at the Royal Rumble – he actually entered the match!
Looking completely out of place in his business suit, Carey became the first comedian to ever enter the prestigious battle royal.
When Kane made his entrance, Carey’s face turned whiter than Sheamus’s, and he eliminated himself faster than you can say “The Price is Right.”
What makes this moment even more special is how Carey actually negotiated his own elimination – he insisted on running away from Kane rather than taking any bumps, proving that sometimes the best wrestling moments come from knowing your limitations.
Bob Barker’s Raw Deal
In 2009, Price is Right legend Bob Barker hosted Raw and delivered one of the most surprisingly entertaining episodes ever.
The then-85-year-old Barker didn’t just stand around – he got into a legitimate verbal confrontation with Chris Jericho that had fans rolling with laughter. What made this appearance special was Barker’s natural charisma and perfect timing.
When he ended up dropping Chavo Guerrero with a punch that actually looked better than most of Shane McMahon’s offense, the crowd went absolutely bananas.
Barker later revealed he practiced that punch for hours beforehand, determined to make it look as realistic as possible.
The episode also featured multiple Price is Right-style games with WWE superstars, including a hilarious moment where Santino Marella kept overbidding on everything.
It proved that sometimes the best wrestling moments don’t need any wrestling at all.
Hollywood Heavy Hitters Who Brought Real Star Power
Hugh Jackman’s Legitimate Right Hook
Here’s one that’ll blow your mind – Wolverine himself once knocked out Dolph Ziggler with a legitimate punch! During a 2011 Raw appearance, Hugh Jackman got physically involved in a segment with Ziggler and Zack Ryder.
The punch looked so good because, according to backstage reports, Jackman accidentally caught Ziggler with a real one.
Ziggler, being the pro he is, sold it like death and even posted photos of his broken jaw online afterward (though that part was just good marketing).
What many forget is that Jackman actually returned to WWE several times after this, including a memorable segment where he helped Zack Ryder win the United States Championship.
Each time he appeared, Jackman showed genuine enthusiasm for professional wrestling, treating it with respect rather than treating it as just another promotional stop.
Mickey Rourke’s WrestleMania Moment
Fresh off his role in The Wrestler, Mickey Rourke showed up at WrestleMania 25 and knocked out Chris Jericho.
What makes this appearance so forgotten is that it almost didn’t happen – Rourke initially backed out due to his Hollywood agents advising against it, only to change his mind at the last minute.
The behind-the-scenes drama actually added to the authenticity of the moment, as Rourke’s genuine passion for wrestling shone through.
He had spent months training with legendary wrestler Afa the Wild Samoan to prepare for his role in The Wrestler, and that respect for the business was evident in how he carried himself during his WWE appearance.
The resulting segment was brief but memorable, proving that sometimes the best celebrity appearances are short and sweet.
Stephen Amell’s Arrow-Perfect Performance
Before celebrities regularly wrestled full matches, Arrow star Stephen Amell set the bar incredibly high.
At SummerSlam 2015, he teamed with Neville against Stardust and King Barrett in what many expected to be a typical celebrity match where the actor would do minimal work.
Instead, Amell shocked everyone with a performance that would make many independent wrestlers jealous.
He executed a picture-perfect top rope crossbody that looked like he’d been doing it for years, took legitimate bumps, and even engaged in complex sequences with his opponents.
What many forget is that Amell spent months training for this match, working with WWE’s developmental system to ensure he could deliver a performance worthy of the WWE audience. His dedication set a new standard for celebrity involvement in wrestling matches.
Television Personalities Who Left Their Mark
Snoop Dogg’s Wrestling Evolution
Long before he was inducting his cousin Sasha Banks into the Hall of Fame, Snoop Dogg was mixing it up in WWE rings. At WrestleMania XXIV, he served as a guest host and master of ceremonies for a Lumberjill match.
But the real forgotten gem came in 2009 when he actually got physical on Raw, laying out Chavo Guerrero with a spear that looked more like a gentle hug.
The D-O-Double-G even landed a few punches that would make Shane McMahon’s worked shots look like prime Mike Tyson.
What many forget is that Snoop’s involvement with WWE spans multiple decades, including serving as a guest announcer, performing live entrances for wrestlers, and even getting inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame’s celebrity wing.
His genuine love for wrestling has been evident throughout all his appearances, making him one of the most authentic celebrity guests in WWE history.
Sports Stars Who Stepped Into The Ring
Mike Tyson’s Multiple Memorable Moments
While everyone remembers Tyson’s role at WrestleMania XIV, they forget his return in 2010 where he knocked out Chris Jericho while serving as guest host of Raw.
Iron Mike proved he still had that knockout power, even if it was in a wrestling ring rather than a boxing ring. The best part?
Jericho later admitted he was legitimately nervous about taking a punch from Tyson, even though it was all planned out.
What makes Tyson’s WWE appearances so special is how he always treated professional wrestling with respect, understanding the parallels between boxing and wrestling when it comes to entertainment and storytelling.
His various appearances over the years have always felt special, whether he was serving as an enforcer, a guest referee, or getting physically involved in matches.
Floyd Mayweather’s Big Show Showdown
While his WrestleMania XXIV match with Big Show is remembered, many forget the incredible build-up that included Mayweather legitimately breaking Big Show’s nose at a press conference.
The authenticity of that moment led to one of the most unique celebrity matches in WWE history. What’s often forgotten is how Mayweather insisted on being portrayed as a heel despite WWE’s initial plans to make him a babyface.
This led to some genuinely compelling television as Mayweather’s natural charisma and arrogance made him a perfect wrestling villain.
The match itself exceeded all expectations, with Mayweather showing a surprising aptitude for professional wrestling psychology.
Why These Moments Matter
Looking back at these forgotten celebrity appearances reminds us of how WWE has always been more than just professional wrestling – it’s entertainment that transcends genres and brings together stars from all walks of life.
These moments, while often forgotten, helped pave the way for the more elaborate celebrity involvements we see today.
They proved that with the right approach and attitude, anyone from any background could step into the wrestling world and create magic.
