Best Boxing Cameos in WWE

Over the course of history, there have been so many appearances in the WWE from people who are more well known in other industries. Movie stars, TV stars and musicians have all dipped their toes into the wrestling pool. Naturally, not all of them work, it could be said that some of these appearances have gone from the sublime to the ridiculous. However, when stars of the world of boxing come over to sports entertainment, it seems to have a more profound effect.

So, let’s take a glance at some of those cameos made by the pugilists into the squared circle, look at how they were received, who they faced and more.

Floyd Mayweather

https://youtu.be/CASXye4AZ-o

The introduction of one of the best boxers in the history of the sport didn’t come as a surprise when he first appeared in the WWE in 2008. However, the timing of the appearance maybe did. It came within a month of his world title victory over Ricky Hatton. Just as quickly as it was announced that ‘Money’ Mayweather would be heading into the WWE universe, his appearance at No Way Out certainly stoked the fires of interest even more. Mayweather broke the nose of the Big Show, when defending a pain stricken Rey Mysterio. It was the perfect setup for the already arranged bout between the little and large pair at WrestleMania 24, which ended in similar controversy. As brass knuckles were used by the boxer to gain an advantage over his 7-foot-tall adversary, it will always be remembered as one of the best appearances by a ‘non-wrestler’ into the sport.

Tyson Fury

https://youtu.be/Jzxtzac04Dc

From one former boxing great, to one from the current era, Tyson Fury is a firm fan of the WWE and there was no better indication of that when he stepped into the world of wrestling back in 2019. Although his appearances in the WWE have been relatively brief, they’ve been impactful. The first appearance came as the Brit was suitably annoyed when Braun Strowman taunted the heavyweight boxer, who was sat ringside with his family at a Friday Night SmackDown event. After a war of words it culminated in a bout between the two in which Fury took victory. Although he’s not been back, Fury has never distanced himself from the WWE. Following his recent victory over Deontay Wilder in the boxing ring his eyes are set on another prize. He wants to unify his status as heavyweight world champion by defeating Oleksandr Usyk, and the latest boxing betting odds from Coral suggest he will do so, too. However, the self-confessed fan of the WWE could well be back to finish what he started in wrestling, after all it’s not the first time a boxer has come back to the sport after their main career has come to an end.

Mike Tyson

 https://youtu.be/yWGOir5a16Y

He has been something of a regular in the WWE since his first appearance in 1998. The boxer was the world champion at the time and his appearance was a real coup for wrestling. Nickamed as The Baddest Man on the Planet, Tyson was a star for the WWE and brought so much publicity with him. It was suggested that his appearance cost the company $3.5 million, but his presence kept WWE firmly ahead of WCW in the ratings, which was invaluable. Of course, he kept up his character traits, too. After starting a pre-bout brawl with ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin, his appearance as a ringside enforcer in the Texas Rattlesnake’s bout against Shawn Michaels was never going to be peaceful. Michaels found himself on the end of a trademark punch from the boxer after defeating Austin. It was the first of many appearances, which extended well beyond Tyson’s retirement from boxing in 2005. Such has been his impact on wrestling, Tyson was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2012, too.

Muhammad Ali
https://youtu.be/_–4_zeUBQY

Probably the most iconic figure in the world of boxing is Muhammad Ali, but beyond that his impact transcended the sport in which he excelled. He was a popular attraction wherever he went and his appearance as special guest referee at the first WrestleMania event will never be forgotten. Although many remember Ali’s appearance as the referee, Ali took part in a memorable bout against wrestling legend Antonio Inoki back in 1976, too. Initially, Ali thought it was to be an exhibition of sporting excellence, but it turned out Inoki took it far more seriously than that. It was to be a true crossover of both worlds which has gone down in legend. Equally as notable is the fact that Ali cites wrestling culture, and a former wrestling icon as the driving force behind his larger than life persona. Gorgeous George, was known for his character arguably more than his prowess as a wrestler in the 1940s and Ali loved that. Ali introduced some of those traits into his own pre-fight press calls, and it endeared him to as many as it pushed away. Now, that showmanship has become largely part of the culture in both disciplines. Highlighting just how influential both athletes were in their respective sports, and there is truly the room for a crossover between them, too.