15 Times WWE Stars Made Cameos BEFORE They Were Famous

WWE fame is difficult to achieve and arguably even harder to cling onto once someone gets it. The business moves fast. It always has, and so today's treats become yesterday's news rapid. It's fair to assume that almost everybody on this list thought they'd be lucky to get the cameo spots they did at the time - not many of them could've figured they'd go on to become company full-timers who enjoyed or are currently enjoying the careers they did/do.

Even those with ambition surely thought it'd be a long way to the top if they wanted to rock and roll in WWE main events or work iconic title bouts on PPV/PLE. Then, even if they did secure full-time status on the roster, they might have to contend with a creative process that has farted out nonsensical gimmick changes which backfired immediately on those involved.

It's so much fun to look back on some of the cameos many regulars across Raw, SmackDown and NXT made. There's a decent chance your favourite wrestler appeared as a security guard, enhancement worker (often in comedic spots that could've been considered totally humiliating), mascot, pay-per-view extra who spent ample time in the makeup chair and more at some point.

One future multi-time World Champ was even cast as a young dude who was just out for a couple of beers when all hell broke loose at the bar. It's risky business going for a night out when WWE is in town, apparently!

Enjoy these 'before they were somebody' cameos. They were the bittiest of bit parts, but they got everyone's foot in the door and there were often fascinating backstories behind them.

If you want something done right, you've got to Do It Yourself. Or get Tommaso Ciampa as a tag-team partner in DIY, which technically isn't doing anything by yourself. What's up with that name anyway? It doesn't make a lick of sense for a tag-team do be called something that implies solo action. Behave yourselves, lads.

OK, enough of that.

On the 27 March 2007 episode of SmackDown, DIY's Johnny Gargano took his WWE bow as "Liechtenstein Champion" Cedrick Von Haussen. He was dressed in...interesting attire for a match against MVP. It was short, but 'Johnny Wrestling' looked happy to be there regardless. Quite why none of his opponents on NXT or the WWE main roster has ever referenced this is anyone's guess. Maybe they did and it just slipped under the radar!

Mr. Von Haussen did the J.O.B in quick fashion for Porter shortly before the established star moved on stare at the lights for Chris Benoit at WrestleMania 23 in a United States Title match. There was to be no 'Mania spotlight for Gargano - he didn't work another bout for the company until losing to Brodus Clay (as Joey Gray) on the 22 September 2011 edition of Superstars.

WWE surely missed their chance to promote 'The Clay & Gray Attack' there. They could've been tag champs long before Johnny was jiving with Ciampa on NXT. Or not. A gig was a gig for Gargano back in '07, but he must've been rolling his eyes when he saw what Vince McMahon's creative team had whipped up for him.

"Liechtenstein Champion" indeed.