Top 10 WrestleMania celebrities: No. 9
MUHAMMAD ALI
“The Greatest” was brought in to be the special enforcer referee for the historic main event at the first WrestleMania in 1985, which pitted Hulk Hogan and actor Mr. T against Roddy Piper and Paul Orndorff.
Ali stayed outside the ring for the most part while former wrestler Pat Patterson handled the in-ring refereeing duties.
However, Ali did get physically involved on a couple occasions, including early in the match when he jumped into the ring and threw a few punches at Piper as all four competitors were mixing it up.
Ali was more of a supporting player than an integral part of the match, but his mere presence on the show helped establish WrestleMania as a wrestling event that was like no other.
I will count down the Top 10 WrestleMania celebrities every day through April 3.
To view the entire list, click here.
Photo courtesy of WWE
Categories: Top 10 WrestleMania celebrities
Comments
Cool. :)
Posted by: Sharan | March 27, 2011 10:28 AM
It's funny to watch Ali interacting with the heels. Rumor had it that he was really swinging away at Roddy Piper. It looks like Piper is legitimately concerned about getting punched by Ali. Piper takes an awkward dive out of the ring to avoid Ali's punches at one point in the match.
Posted by: The Man | March 27, 2011 10:48 AM
One of the greatest appearances at Wrestlemania. I'll always remember Ali.
Posted by: Christopher Kandrat | March 27, 2011 9:44 PM
Mr.T needs to be number 1 kev he was one of the selling points that makes Wrestlemania what it is today agree or disagree
Posted by: sean lang | March 28, 2011 3:02 PM
Agreed 'T' was a great selling point for WM. Prior to WM 1, he was on Saturday Night's Main Event in a boxing match against 'Ace' Cowboy Bob Orton, Roddy Piper's body guard. And the next year at WM 2,'T' was in a boxing match against Piper. Mr. T really helped WWF go main stream back then.
Posted by: Anonymous | March 29, 2011 7:53 AM