Followers considering of boxing cameos in WWE little doubt suppose first of Mike Tyson at WrestleMania in 1998.
The Baddest Man on the Planet was a part of a months-long storyline that noticed him paired with D-Era X earlier than aiding Stone Chilly Steve Austin to the WWE title in Boston.
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Tyson then left Shawn Michaels laying in the course of the ring with a stern punch in what stays one of the vital talked-about boxer spots in wrestling historical past.
It isn’t the one one. Tyson appeared many extra instances in WWE; Lennox Lewis as soon as made a cameo at SummerSlam, Ricky Hatton even dabbled in a match on an episode of Uncooked and let’s simply say Floyd Mayweather earned massive.
One traditional second generally allowed to slide below the radar was that of Evander Holyfield’s knockout punch to a prime wrestling champion in 2007.
Former world heavyweight champion Holyfield as soon as stepped by means of WWE ropes and delivered a blow that left even seasoned wrestling followers blinking in disbelief.
It was August 2007, and WWE was experimenting with its Saturday Night time’s Most important Occasion revival on NBC – a nostalgic throwback to the ‘80s period of prime-time wrestling specials.
On this specific episode, they booked a boxing exhibition between Holyfield and then-WWE celebrity Matt Hardy, as a part of Hardy’s rivalry with upstart United States champion Montel Vontavious Porter.
MVP, on the time, was a cocky, trash-talking heel (wrestling unhealthy man) with a penchant for flaunting his ‘superior’ skills at each flip.
He had been locked in a feud with Hardy, and as a part of their ongoing competitors – which had already included every little thing from basketball shootouts to beer-drinking contests – MVP was booked right into a scripted boxing match along with his sworn enemy.
Actual-life medical issues meant MVP wasn’t in a position to compete within the match – a coronary heart difficulty had been detected and wanted to be investigated.
His situation was woven into the storyline, and he was taken from the match – so he introduced in a ‘substitute’ – Holyfield.
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The previous undisputed cruiserweight and heavyweight champ walked to the ring at Madison Sq. Backyard to a blended response – the Backyard is a famously loyal wrestling crowd.
Holyfield, ever the skilled, took the execution of the bout critically, punishing Hardy to the extent he confirmed mercy on his opponent and lobbied for the match to be stopped, such was the tag staff specialist’s state.
MVP, busy chirping and chuntering at ringside, wasn’t eager to see Hardy’s punishment ended too swiftly, so charged into the ring and started attempting to inspire Holyfield to maintain going.
Hardly one to endure fools, Holyfield ignored MVP’s ‘recommendation’ and turned to stroll away – at which level the wrestler put his palms on the boxer to spin him spherical, and obtained decked for his troubles.
A stern proper hand to the highest of Porter’s head left him laying and officers scrambling to wave the match off to finish the insanity earlier than issues obtained worse.
Talking years later, MVP confirmed that, whereas the storyline and match went as deliberate, the punch was very actual.
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“I advised Holyfield, ‘Don’t maintain again if it involves it,’” he stated on The Periods with Renée Paquette.
“I stated if it comes right down to it, and you are feeling it, simply go. And he did. I noticed stars. I’ve been hit laborious earlier than, however that was one thing else.”
“Holyfield hit him so laborious I believed we have been gonna want a resurrection, not a rematch,” he joked in a 2021 tweet.
Compared to the Tyson punch that’s firmly etched in wrestling folklore, WWE not often acknowledges the Holyfield match nowadays, nevertheless it proved a memorable second and one which gave the corporate a much-needed mainstream PR spike at a time when it was nonetheless reeling from the horrific Chris Benoit tragedy.
MVP would get better, after all. He went on to carry extra titles in WWE and New Japan, returned for a much-loved veteran run alongside Bobby Lashley within the Damage Enterprise, and have become one of many business’s most revered promo males.
However for just a few seconds on the Backyard, he was simply one other man who underestimated Evander Holyfield’s proper hand.
It would’ve appeared like a throwaway comedy section on the floor however, even in WWE, when Evander Holyfield hits you, you keep hit.