Top 10 Celebrity Appearances at Wrestlemania

Wrestlemania is more than just wrestling - it's a part of pop culture. Several of the biggest sports and entertainment stars have participated in this grand event. Below are my top 5 celebrity appearances:

1. Muhammad Ali, Wrestlemania I: Ali was a guest official for the night’s main event. Ali is arguably the greatest professional boxer of all time. Ali has defeated the likes of George Foreman, Joe Frazier and Sonny Liston en route to a 56-4 record with 37 knockouts.
2. Ray Charles, Wrestlemania II: Ray Charles opened up the WrestleMania 2 pay-per-view event with his unforgettable rendition of America the Beautiful – Charles is a legendary piano player and recording artist, who, despite being blind, combined gospel and blues to churn out such classic hits as Hit the Road Jack and I Can’t Stop Loving You. His amazing talents even led the great Frank Sinatra to dub him the “genius.”
3. Joe Frazier, Wrestlemania II: Frazier was Mr. T's corner man for his boxing match against "Rowdy" Roddy Piper. Smokin' Joe, as he was called, was one of the most famous Heavyweight boxers of all time. He is most remembered for his memorable rivalry with Muhammad Ali. He defeated Ali, in their first fight, winning a 15-round decision at Madison Square Garden. He lost their rematch, which set up the famous "Thrilla in Manilla" fight. He put up a valiant effort, but lost when his corner threw in the towel after the 14th round.
4. Bob Uecker, Wrestlemania III: Uecker and Mary Hart were roving interviewers and commentators throughout the evening. Nicknamed "Mr. Baseball," Uecker was a less-than-stellar baseball player for the Brewers, Cardinals and Phillies, but is perhaps more well-known for his work in sports broadcasting. He also starred in several beer commercials as well as in the television show Mr. Belvedere.
5. Donald Trump, Wrestlemania IV: Trump, owner of the Trump Plaza hotel and casino, was the gracious host of the event. Donald Trump is the billionaire and real estate tycoon who hosted WrestleMania IV at his own Trump Plaza hotel and casino. He is now most widely known for his television show, The Apprentice.
6. Lawrence Taylor, Wrestlemania XI: This Hall of Fame linebacker from the New York Giants is considered to be perhaps the best ever at his position. He took his talents from the grid iron into the wrestling ring, though, when he fought Bigelow in the main event. Taylor shocked the world when he was able to pin his adversary’s shoulders to the mat for the 1-2-3.
7. Pamela Anderson, Wrestlemania XI: Anderson accompanied Diesel to the ring for his WWE Championship match against Shawn Michaels. Former Playboy Playmate Pamela Anderson was best known at the time for her work on the television show Baywatch. The blonde bombshell also went on to star in the feature film Barb Wire.
8. Mike Tyson, Wrestlemania XIV: Tyson was the special ringside enforcer for the Stone Cold vs. Shawn Michaels WWE Championship main event. Tyson was considered the “baddest man on the planet” during his hey day as a professional boxer. Even after he lost some of his mystique, he was still the most feared man in the sport of boxing. Mr. McMahon recruited Iron Mike to help officiate the Stone Cold vs. Shawn Michaels main event. Tyson fooled everyone in pretending to be aligned with Michaels’ D-Generation X heading into the event, but in the end, he revealed his allegiance to Stone Cold when he counted the 1-2-3 and raised the Rattlesnake’s hand in victory.
9. Pete Rose, Wrestlemania XIV: Rose was a guest ring announcer for the Kane vs. Undertaker match. Pete Rose is one of the greatest baseball players of all time, as he holds the all-time hits record, but he is probably best known for betting on and being banned from baseball. His appearance led to him being Tombstoned by Kane, which would go on to become an annual tradition and help him get elected into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2004.
10. Isaac Hayes, Wrestlemania XV: Hayes had ringside seats for the event and performed at the WrestleMania Rage Party the night before WrestleMania XV. Hayes’ lent his unmistakable voice to the theme song of Shaft, and it earned Hayes an Academy Award for Best Original Song for a Motion Picture in 1971. Hayes latest claim to fame is as the voice of Chef on the hit animated series Southpark.