Since the very first WrestleMania back in 1984 Vince MacMahon has always been a fan of using celebrities in wrestling storylines. From Mr T to Donald Trump to even Logan Paul, anyone and everyone who can give WWE more publicity will be used.
Ahead of WrestleMania 38 taking place this weekend we had a look back at 5 times footballers got involved with WWE and wrestling.
5 Time Footballers Got Involved In WWE
Wazza Slaps King Barrett Around
One of the more recent involvements of footballers getting involved in WWE in late 2015 Monday Night Raw was held in Manchester and who was the local celebrity? No other than Manchester United and England captain Wayne Rooney.
Preston native Wade Barrett and Dublin's own Sheamus were in the ring when Barrett decided to run down the crowd and more specifically Wayne Rooney and the underperforming Manchester United. Wazza told Barrett to say it to his face and Barrett went to oblige but was met with a swift slap.
Maybe Wayne should've taken a couple of lessons from Phil Bardsley and he would've knocked the former Intercontinental Champion out. Points for anyone who spots Darren Fletcher in the background of this clip.
Vinnie Jones Gets Shown A Red Card
Former Wimbledon and Chelsea midfielder Vinnie Jones wasn't shy when it came to mixing it up with the opposition. The former Welsh international holds the record for the fastest yellow card in a Premier League game when he was booked with just 10 seconds on the clock.
Well logically he mixed it up with WWE when they had the Capital Carnage event in London in 1998. He started off doing an in-ring interview where he told the crowd "it's going to be emotional" (we don't get it either). He then had a scrap with Hardcore Champion Big Boss Man, shoved him out of the ring and got shown a red card before a good old fashioned beer with Stone Cold.
22 years ago today: another blot on Vinnie Jones’ disciplinary record as he’s red-carded by referee Gerald Brisco at WWE’s Capital Carnage.
Looked a bit soft to me, Clive.
(👍🎥 @AK90s)pic.twitter.com/qvokQW4INP— A Funny Old Game (@sid_lambert) December 6, 2020
Grant Holt In The Ring?
Yes you read that correctly former Norwich striker Grant Holt has himself gotten in the ring and trained to be a professional wrestler. After retiring in 2018 he began his training and would go on to sign with Norwich-based WAW. He won his first match which was a 40 man royal rumble which is no mean feat.
Here’s the moment @Grantholt31 won a 40 person Rumble on his wrestling debut for @WAW_UK.
Go on Holty! pic.twitter.com/Y9KW8W0vBY— BBC Radio Norfolk (@BBCNorfolk) September 22, 2018
He's not the only footballer to actually get in the ring however as former Germany international goalkeeper Tim Wiese actually retired from his football career while at Hoffenheim in 2014 to sign with WWE. He would go on to have just one match at an even in Germany before leaving WWE in 2017.
News:
Former German Soccer Player @Tim_Wiese Made His WWE In-Ring Debut At The #WWEMunich Live Event in Munich pic.twitter.com/KY0CYzeLRN— Slice Wrestling (@EntSlice) November 4, 2016
Shane MacMahon Rinsing José Mourinho
Wouldn't you love to just slag off José Mourinho to his face and he not do anything about it? Well Shane O Mac got to live out that dream back in 2007 when Mourinho was in his Chelsea pomp. The special one was known for his work with the microphone almost as much as his work as a manager but on this occasion he stayed quiet as Shane MacMahon got to throw a couple of digs at him and Chelsea.
Andy Carroll Calling Out Triple H?
Not many wrestlers have been brave enough to call out Triple H during his illustrious career but that didn't stop current West Brom striker Andy Carroll from doing so. This came back in 2015 when Andy Carroll was still on the books at West Ham. Triple H, who is a Hammers fan, said in an interview that Carroll has the potential to be a wrestling star.
The big forward was swift to reply saying he only throws real punches and not fake ones. Someone with the injury record like Andy Carroll shouldn't be calling out The Cerebral Assassin.
No fake punches I'll drop you!! @TripleH #TheRealPedigree pic.twitter.com/8QbXQOOFpl
— Andy Carroll (@AndyTCarroll) December 16, 2015
WrestleMania 38 takes place this weekend and runs for two nights. Night One on Saturday night/Sunday morning features Dublin's Becky Lynch fighting for the women's title. Night Two will see the colossal Main Event of Brock Lesnar against Roman Reigns where the WWE and Universal Titles will be unified.
SEE ALSO: The Undertaker Tells Great Story On Brock Lesnar Joining The NFL
