Top 10 WrestleMania celebrities countdown: No. 2
MIKE TYSON
In the late '90s, the WWE was on the losing end of a ratings war with rival WCW for about a year and a half. While WWE had been gradually narrowing the gap, the company still needed something to get over the hump and past WCW.
Enter Mike Tyson.
The controversial former heavyweight boxing champion was brought in to be the special enforcer referee for the WWE title match between champion Shawn Michaels and "Stone Cold" Steve Austin at WrestleMania XIV in 1998.
Tyson reportedly was paid $3.5 million to appear at the event. Some wrestling pundits criticized the move, saying Tyson wasn't worth it, but they couldn't have been more wrong.
With Tyson as the centerpiece, WrestleMania XIV more than tripled the buy rates from the previous year's show. More importantly, Tyson -- who KO'd Michaels after the match and celebrated in the ring with the victorious Austin -- gave "Stone Cold" a rub, and with Austin as the new face of WWE, the company quickly shot past WCW, and the rest is history.
I will count down the Top 10 WrestleMania celebrities every day through Sunday.
To view the entire list, click here.
Associated Press photo
Categories: Top 10 WrestleMania celebrities
Comments
Where are your thoughts on Impact? This wrestlemania gibber-jabber is pointless if I don't know what you think about TNA!
Posted by: Kennis | April 2, 2011 9:43 PM
i love you shawn michaels.hbk
Posted by: asante@morrison | April 2, 2011 9:57 PM
I am kind of surprised that Cyndi Lauper and William Perry didn't make the list. Lauper helped start the Rock N Wrestling connection which led to Piper/Hogan and Wrestlemania and Perry was in the battle royal at Wrestlemania 2 in Chicago and the crowd was very into it and his battle with Big John Studd was fun. Liberace and Rourke over those 2...tough call.
Posted by: G | April 2, 2011 10:46 PM
I really wonder who your no 1 is???? I had Tyson as 1 and Trump as 2. I have not seen Mr T. I wonder if he is not your number 1.... And did u check The Rock on "Piers Morgan". He confirmed that he is "very open to the idea of wrestling again". Can you smell what The Rock is cooking?
Posted by: Anonymous | April 3, 2011 9:47 AM