1. The Big Show vs. Floyd Mayweather - WrestleMania XXVIII
Floyd Mayweather was an undefeated boxer and, arguably, the best fighter in the world. By hopping the guardrail and rescuing Rey Mysterio from the clutches of The Big Show, he put himself on a collision course with the World's Largest Athlete. A blockbuster, marquee match between the two would be booked for WrestleMania XXVIII, Dubbed "The Biggest vs. The Best," the contest dominated the hype leading into the Showcase of the Immortals. With that sort of promotion comes a considerable amount of pressure. Considering the fact that Mayweather had never wrestled a match only intensified said pressure. In front of 74,000-plus fans, Mayweather stepped up to the proverbial plate and hit a grand slam home run, delivering a performance few could have expected. A cocky, arrogant and naturally unlikable guy, he stalled early, then sold like a champ for some truly punishing offense at the hands of his giant opponent. The chops he endured were particularly brutal but he managed to not only survive, he fought back and used a pair of brass knuckles to fell the giant. As has been the common denominator throughout the top-half of this list, taking the role seriously and putting effort into one's performance helps celebrities excel in unfamiliar waters. Mayweather did that, just as Taylor, Menounos and Mr T had before him and as a result, their matches were giant successes. They have laid the groundwork for all future celebrities involvement in the world of professional wrestling to follow and set the bar high for any future Hollywood or sports stars that hope to ply their trade inside the 20x20 squared circle.
Erik Beaston is a freelance pro wrestling writer who likes long walks in the park, dandelions and has not quite figured out that this introduction is not for Match.com. He resides in Parts Unknown, where he hosts weekly cookouts with Kane, The Ultimate Warrior, Papa Shango and The Boogeyman. Be jealous.
