Smark Out Moment

After retiring from boxing in 2007, Floyd Mayweather Jr. wandered into the world of wrestling, among others. He memorably broke the nose of Big Show, which resulted in a challenge to a one-on-one in WrestleMania XXIV, a match that turned into another Mayweather money fight. The unbeaten boxing champion knocked Big Show out using brass knuckles and reportedly pocketed a $20 million paycheck as a result. This was not the first time (and neither the last) a non-wrestler shows up in the ring at WWE. Actually, there is a long string of fighters coming from various sports trying their luck in the ring.

Ronda Rousey

The elephant in the room and most obvious person to start with is Ronda Rousey.

The wonder girl of UFC and one of the most feared female fighters ever is currently holding the Raw Women's Championship.

She first stepped in a WWE ring at WrestleMania 31 in March 2015 when Stephanie McMahon taunted and slapped The Rock, ordering him to leave the ring. The Rock said he wouldn't hit a woman, but he had a "very good friend" who would gladly do so, retrieving Rousey from the audience. As you might expect, McMahon flew out of the ring with the altercation ending with Rousey and The Rock celebrating and The Authority retreating.

This would later be revisited in a match at WrestleMania 34 between Rousey and Kurt Angle against Stephanie McMahon and Triple H, which would kick off Rousey's true career in WWE. Since then, she has remained undefeated in singles competition and the three other women in her clique of Four Horsewomen of MMA (Shayna Baszler, Jessamyn Duke and Marina Shafir) have all joined the NXT roster and seen success of their own.

Ricky Hatton

Another athlete to show his worth in the WWE ring was English welterweight boxer, Ricky Hatton. He was at the pinnacle of his career in 2005, with world titles and championship belts, he ultimately lost both to Filipino boxer Manny Paquiao in 2009.

The same year, possibly to prove himself worthy, he did a short stint in the November 9 edition of WWE Raw. There, he took on Chavo Guerrero in a match that ended with the wrestler being knocked out by a massive right hook.

Arnold Schwarzenegger

Former bodybuilder and governor, current actor and forever the Terminator, Arnold Schwarzenegger also did a short but memorable appearance in the WWE - and, given his innate talent for entertainment, he was a perfect fit.

His stint with the WWE was brief but at least funny. He made his debut next to the ring at the WWF SmackDown in 1999, where he absolutely "destroyed" Triple H - the wrestler, after losing a match, tried to avenge Arnold's interference by attacking him outside the ring and got a flurry of punches in return. This performance was enough to ensure Arnold to receive the "World Box Office Champion" title.

His contributions to sports and entertainment were recognized by an induction into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2015.


This is just scratching the surface of non-wrestling athletes working alongside WWE. From football players like Rob Gronkowski getting involved in the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal at WrestleMania 33 and Lawrence Taylor main-eventing WrestleMania 11, to Shaquille O'Neal's appearances throughout the years, to golfers (not just Kerwin White), Ninja Warrior's Kacy Catanzaro joining the NXT roster and so much more, proving if an athlete has that it-factor, WWE is a potential home for them.