WrestleMania is one of the WWE’s most important events. Each spring since 1985,the WWE has brought together some of its most successful wrestlers who hash out year-long feuds between the ropes. There’s guts, glory, and more than a handful of celebrity guest wrestlers.

These have run the gambit over the years, from a Chris Jericho cross-promotion of Tim Burton’s Planet of the Apes in 2001 to the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, belting out ‘America The Beautiful’ to open up the third annual event in 1988.

Part pro sport and part acting gig, professional wrestling’s ongoing success might surprise a traditional sports fan. It doesn’t have a set of clear rules, won’t be played at the Olympics any time soon, and doesn’t often feature on afree sports bet offer from oddsmakers given the difficulties of betting on the WWE.

However, what the WWE lacks in traditional representation it makes up for in a wild ride, truly athletic stunts, and a cast of unforgettable characters. Even better, the depth of bets is starting to expand as the sport becomes more mainstream—and one of those prop bets on offer is whether a celebrity will win a match during WrestleMania.

As the biggest pro wrestling event in the world, WrestleMania has seen celebrities from all industries step foot in the ring. Some, like the cast of Jackass, have been huge successes. Others, like the flops listed below, have gained notoriety for being some of the worst celeb appearances (including RAW segments).

Number One: Kevin Federline

Back in 2006, the former partner of pop star Britney Spears was at the height of his fame. As mentioned above, most celebrity appearances on WWE coincide with promoting another project; for K-Fed, this was a studio album.

Fans were torn about the worst part of the performance—was it when John Cena attempted to out-rap Federline? When Federline showed up at another RAW event and the WWE powers-that-be let a D-list celebrity pin Cena? Many are still wondering.

Number Two: Jerry Springer

On the surface, Springer should be a hit for the WWE, as the TV personality knows drama and timing. Unfortunately, both of his appearances were incredibly awkward. What should have been a killer segment with Springer mediating The Bella Twins turned into a masterclass in horrendous acting.

Was it Springer’s fault, or another mishandling from WWE producers who banked too much on performers delivering complex dialogue?



Number Three: Gronk

This call-out isn’t based on Gronk’s lack of acting skills or mismanagement from the WWE. Instead, reports from other wrestlers hint that the NFL star was actually the problem. As he prepared to host WrestleMania for his second appearance in the WWE, wrestlers reported a subpar attitude behind the scenes that led toa subpar reception from fans.

Number Four: Donald Trump

Once again, the WWE looked to have a winner when Donald Trump, of The Apprentice fame at the time, signed on for a WrestleMania appearance. Typically, fans enjoy seeing non-athletic celebs jump into the ring and get their hands dirty—a line like ‘you’re fired’ only adds to the hype and serves to drive a longstanding feud between Trump and Vince McMahon.

Unfortunately, the WWE forever ruined this interesting dynamic when they sent Bobby Lashley and Umaga into the ring on behalf of Trump and McMahon, respectively. Though WrestleMania 23 saw Stone Cold Steve Austin down the future president with a Stunner, audiences were noticeably cold to the new routine.

Number Five / Best of the Worst: The Muppets

Once again part of a 2011 promotion of The Muppets, this RAW crossover was hilarious, confusing, and memorable. Highlights include Miss Piggy’s altercation with Vickie Guerrero and Jack Swagger and Swagger’s attack on Gonzo.

In 1997, Alex Fernandez went back to his hometown of Miami Beach, becoming the last key player in South Florida’s first championship team. Following seven successful seasons in Chicago, the right-hander added veteran composure and a powerful fastball to a Marlins rotation that quickly gained national attention.

In 1997, Fernandez led the rotation with Kevin Brown and Al Leiter. He posted a 17-12 record, a 3.59 ERA, and 183 strikeouts, establishing himself as the high-leverage pitcher the organization expected when they signed him to a then-record deal. His season was marked by a remarkable performance at Wrigley Field in April, where he was just two outs shy of a no-hitter before settling for a dominant one-hit shutout. He was the key driver for a team that advanced to the postseason, winning the NLDS and helping the franchise reach its first National League Championship Series.

After being chased early in an NLCS start against the Braves, Fernandez was found to have been pitching with a torn rotator cuff. While his teammates famously won the 1997 World Series, Fernandez was more of a spectator in the dugout, observing from the sidelines as he prepared for a difficult surgery. His career was completely halted during the 1998 season, making him one of the few veterans to survive the notorious "fire sale" that broke up the championship team.

Fernandez returned to the mound in 1999, authoring a deceptively strong 3.38 ERA over 24 starts and proving there was still life in his arm. Yet the physical toll of his 1997 workload proved too great; after eight starts in 2000, the shoulder issues sealed his decision to step away from the game.

Traded to the Marlins while still in the minors with Arizona, Brad Penny proved himself a hard-throwing right-hander with a commanding mound presence. He quickly went from prospect to reliable starter. Although he later became an All-Star in Los Angeles, his time in Miami was marked by consistent pitching that helped secure the franchise's second championship.

In 2000, Penny became a regular in the rotation, and by 2001, he proved he belonged with a 3.69 ERA and a personal best of 154 strikeouts over 205 innings. During these early seasons, he served as a consistent presence despite roster changes. By 2003, he had established the dependability essential for a deep playoff run, ending the regular season with 14 wins and helping Florida secure a Wild Card spot.

The best story of Penny’s career in South Florida was the 2003 World Series.  During baseball’s biggest stage, Penny started and won both Game 1 and Game 5. He was a giant of efficiency in those two outings, allowing only five runs over 14 innings (a 3.21 ERA) and outdueling David Wells and José Contreras. While he wasn't named the MVP of the series, his two victories were the foundational pillars that allowed the Marlins to secure their second World Series title in six games.

He was traded to the Dodgers at the 2004 Trade Deadline but returned for a brief stop a decade later, though he did not play much in his second run.  With the Marlins, he had a record of 50-43 with a 4.12 ERA and 583 Strikeouts.

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A former Arizona Razorback, Brian Anderson has spent the first six years of his career with the Miami Marlins, debuting in 2017 with 25 Games, keeping his rookie eligibility intact for the following year.  

In 2018, Anderson demonstrated his value by appearing in 156 games, leading all Marlins players in plate appearances and runs scored. His 161 hits and .273 average earned him a fourth-place finish in the National League Rookie of the Year voting, establishing him as a foundational piece of the franchise's future. He paired that offensive efficiency with a strong arm, often sliding into right field to accommodate team needs while maintaining a high level of performance at third base.

During the 2019 season, authoring a campaign that saw him set career highs in multiple power categories. He blasted 20 home runs and drove in 66 runs while posting a solid .811 OPS before a fractured hand in August cut his year short.  Despite the injury, he remained a central figure in the clubhouse, eventually becoming the first player in the history of the Marlins' home park to record a three-homer game in 2020.

Between 2021 and 2022, he was restricted to fewer than 100 games each season, which hampered his ability to regain the power stroke he showed earlier in his run. He eventually departed in November 2022 after being non-tendered, signing as a free agent with the Milwaukee Brewers. 

Anderson compiled 487 hits, 57 home runs, and a .257 batting average as a Marlin.