10 Best WWE Cameos On Late Night Television

Where else can you see a turkey get Tombstoned?

Wrestlers appearing on late night TV used to be more of a regular occurrence. Back in the late 80s and throughout the 80s, Hulk Hogan was a staple on hosts' guest lists. He would come on the show, spew his catchphrases, and mug for the camera, all while staying in character. For many old school wrestlers, professional wrestling was an all-consuming, lifestyle choice. But fast forward to today, and kayfabe is pretty much dead and buried. That's meant that these funny/awkward moments (of wrestlers interacting with and scaring people) are becoming increasingly rare. Usually, wrestlers' late night appearances occur directly before a major PPV, like Wrestlemania or SummerSlam. The WWE already knows that the die-hards fans will tune in, but for the event to be a success, the casual fans have to tune in as well. And late night television €” from Carson to Conan, from SNL to Stern €” provides the perfect platform for getting the word out, and bringing that casual fan back for the big show. There have been many hits and just as many misses, but WWE stars appearing on late night TV is usually at least noteworthy. The novelty of seeing these guys and girls entertaining outside of their usual arena is always there.

Contributor
Contributor

Kevin is an AP English Language teacher and freelance writer from Queens, NY. His focus is on American pop culture and American issues. He wrote a weekly column for Complex called "Throwback Thursdays," which spotlighted video games and trends from previous console generations. Kevin has also been published in VIBE, Salon, PopMatters, Joystiq, and Racialicious. Follow him on Twitter to learn more.