WWE: 29 Iconic WrestleMania Moments

WrestleMania XI - NFL vs WWE

The company clearly relied on star power and crossover opportunities to elevate this event. They had Pamela Anderson and Jenny McCarthy escort HBK and Diesel to the ring for the secondary main event, and when it was time for the main event, Lawrence Taylor's all-pro team (an assembly of 5 football players to counter the 5 WWF baddies surrounding the ring) garners a big reaction from the audience. It triggers memories of the WrestleMania II battle royal, and feels like precursor to the cool factor infused by Floyd Mayweather at Wrestlemania 24.

And as much as Big Show did the job and made Floyd look great in the process at Mania 24, Bam Bam bumped and led like a champ for LT. At the time, I viewed this match through the lens of a non-football fan who resented this sideshow being billed as a main event. But looking back at it, Bam Bam's skills as a big man and his knack for entertainment stands out.

This moment represents the WWF's decision to use celebrities as a major draw. It wasn't a novel decision by that point, nor was it employed for the last time here. But Lawrence Taylor was Vince's way of bridging the gap that he perceived to exist between his company and where he wanted to be. It overshadowed the rest of the card that night.