TYSON FURY recently became heavyweight world champion of the boxing world by beating Deontay Wilder in their eagerly-anticipated rematch.
What’s most impressive is that he did so having ventured into the world of WWE just months earlier – proving he’s not only a showman in the boxing ring, but in the world of wrestling too.
Tyson Fury made a shock appearance at SmackDown as he confronted Braun Strowman ringsideCredit: WWE
Heavyweight boxer Fury, 31, made a shock appearance at SmackDown last year as he confronted fellow giant Strowman ringside before a melee broke out.
But Fury is not the first, nor will he be the last, recognisable face to enter Vince McMahon’s American wrestling stable.
Here we take a look at ten of the best WWE crossover cameos…
Donald Trump
Before heavily-criticised US leader Trump ruled the White House, he was a recurring presence in the front row of WWE shows.
The Trump Plaza in Atlantic City hosted both WrestleMania 4 and WrestleMania 5 and 18 years later the entrepreneur made his in-ring debut.
Trump took on WWE owner McMahon in the “Battle of the Billionaires” with Bobby Lashley representing him against Umaga, who fought in his bosses’ honour at WrestleMania 23 in 2007.
Despite taking a stunner from Stone Cold Steve Austin, as well as clotheslining Mr McMahon, Trump came out on top as Lashley scored the pin – and Vince was shaved bald as a result.
Donald Trump shaved Vince McMahon’s head at WrsetleMania 23Credit: Getty Images – Getty
Floyd Mayweather
After Mayweather knocked out Brit Ricky Hatton to cement his place as No1 boxer on the planet he decided to take a year off from the sport, and compete in the ring in a different capacity.
Floyd spent 2008 training with WWE legend Triple H and built up to a match with the Big Show at WrestleMania 24.
Mayweather even broke the Big Show’s nose for real prior to the clash, at the No Way Out PPV.
The Welterweight boxer was victorious at Mania and remained undefeated in the ring.
Floyd Mayweather clashed with the Big Show and defeated him at WretleMania 24
Mr T
Star of The A-Team and Rocky 3, Mr T – real name Laurence Tureaud – debuted for the WWE in 1985 as Hulk Hogan’s tag-team partner at the very first WrestleMania, beating Roddy Piper and Paul Orndorff.
After starring in the third instalment of Rocky, Mr T returned for a boxing match against Bob Orton and then Piper at WrestleMania 2.
He would then appear twice on WCW, in 1989 and then in 1994, before coming back to WWE television in 2001 featuring on RAW.
Mr T was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2014, receiving the honour from legendary announcer Gene Okerlund.
Mr T debuted for the WWE in 1985 as Hulk Hogan’s tag-team partner at the very first WrestleMania
Mike Tyson
Before Gypsy King Tyson, came Iron Mike Tyson, as the heavyweight legend made a splash in pro wrestling in 1998.
Tyson appeared as an enforcer for the clash between Stone Cold and Shawn Michaels at WrestleMania 14.
The boxer turned on Michaels after Austin scored a pin and the “HeartBreak Kid” was on the end of a knockout punch from Iron Mike.
Tyson would return to Raw in 2010 teaming up with Chris Jericho to battle Triple H and HBK, though he switched on his tag partner and delivered another stiff KO.
Mike Tyson appeared as an enforcer for the clash between Stone Cold and Shawn Michaels at WrestleMania 14Credit: Reuters
Wayne Rooney
England’s greatest goalscorer made a WWE cameo in 2015 confronting Brit Wade Barrett on a Raw show at the Manchester Arena.
Rooney slapped Barrett and was greeted by a massive cheer from the crowd.
The ex-Man Utd striker revealed he was a lifelong fan of pro wrestling and even teased he would make a transition to WWE after football.
Rooney is yet to make a second cameo appearance despite moving out to the US in 2018 to play for MLS side DC United.
Now back in England as Derby player-coach, he’s put his WWE dreams aside for a few more years at least.
Wayne Rooney made a WWE cameo in 2015 confronting Brit Wade Barret on a Raw show at the Manchester Arena
Kevin Federline
Other than being the ex-boyfriend of Britney Spears, Federline is otherwise known as the celebrity who pinned ring legend John Cena.
K-Fed first got into an altercation with then WWE champion Cena in 2006 and appeared at the Cyber Sunday PPV helping King Booker defeat his rival.
The next night on Raw Federline pinned Cena in a no-disqualification match after an interference from Johnny Nitro and Umaga.
The WWE icon got his own back, though, delivering two “FU” finishers to K-Fed.
Kevin Federline defeated John Cena in a no-disqualification match after an interference from Johnny Nitro and Umaga
Muhammad Ali
Boxing legend Ali helped promote the first ever WrestleMania in 1985, featuring as a guest referee for the main event.
The match featured Hogan and Mr T against Orndorff and Piper.
During the tag match Ali climbed up on to the ring apron and took a swing at Piper.
But before then Ali even took a slam from Gorilla Monsoon in 1976 after the heavyweight champion got in the ring and confronted the wrestler.
Boxing legend Ali helped promote the first ever WrestleMania in 1985, featuring as a guest referee for the main event
Snoop Dogg
Rap royalty Snoop is a Hall of Famer after debuting at WrestleMania 24 where he served as the Master of Ceremonies in a Lumberjill Match between Maria and Ashley vs Melina and Beth Phoenix.
He returned a year later as the special guest host of Raw and became an instant hit after ordering a match between Cena and Triple H.
The hip-hop star even got in the ring to protect Hornswoggle from being attacked by Chavo Guerrero, delivering a huge spear to the third-generation wrestler.
Snoop is also cousins with current WWE star “The Boss” Sasha Banks and rapped her into the ring WrestleMania 32.
Snoop Dogg is cousins with current WWE star Sasha Banks
Shaquille O’Neal
Basketball icon and avid WWE fan O’Neal made his wrestling bow at WCW Bash at the Beach 1994 as he accompanied Hulk Hogan to the ring, along with Jimmy Hart.
Shaq was a special guest host on Raw in 2009 and became a ringside enforcer in a match between Cryme Tyme and Tag Team Champions Chris Jericho and Big Show.
After the match, O’Neal and Big Show had a confrontation inside the ring which lead to Shaq shoulder blocking his fellow giant, leading to rumours they would clash at WrestleMania.
Their rivalry would be settled at Mania – seven years later – as the former basketballer entered the third Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal.
Shaq entered the third Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal
Arnold Schwarzenegger
Terminator Schwarzenegger featured on WWE television for the first time in 2003 on an episode of SmackDown.
Mr McMahon presented Arnie the “World Box Office Championship” — a replica WWE Title — before the actor beat down Triple H with some heavy punches, after trading words with The Rock.
Schwarzenegger then featured on Raw in 2014 and nailed The Miz across the jaw.
At WrestleMania 31 in 2015 Arnie was inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Arnold Schwarzenegger featured on WWE television for the first time in 2003 on an episode of SmackDown
Jericho reveals moment Mike Tyson was allowed to KO him in WWE
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
