8 Best Celebrity Appearances In TNA Wrestling

The use of celebrities is important to any major wrestling promotion. WWE showcased this for decades with names like Mike Tyson, Muhammad Ali and Cyndi Lauper all helping the promotion get new eyes on the product. Even AEW today uses celebs whenever they feel it made sense for business.

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TNA returning as a name has fans thinking about their history, and they had their fair share of celebrity moments. Many were highly disappointing, like having Tito Ortiz as the big "August 1 Warning" surprise, or bringing in Jersey Shore cast members for bad comedy segments. The following names ended up on the better side of TNA’s best celebrity appearances.

8 Billy Corgan Smashed His Way Onto The Scene

Tried To Make TNA His Wrestling Home

Played On-Screen Authority Figure During Rebrand
Wanting To Help Backstage Led To More Drama
Ultimately Left For Own Project With NWA

TNA’s relationship with Billy Corgan was quite confusing given all their changes in management throughout the years. Corgan is an avid wrestling that used his success as lead singer of the Smashing Pumpkins to own the NWA brand today and try to help ECW in the past.

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The stint running TNA creative was meant to implement change to a struggling product and even saw him moving into a President role. Corgan did a solid job in an on-screen authority figure role until backstage disagreements over money and missed promises led to their falling out.

7 Dennis Rodman

Best WCW Celebrity Had Forgotten TNA Appearance

Held Appeal For WCW Success
Distance From NBA Did Hurt His Fame
Didn't Get Involved Beyond Appearing Ringside

Most fans have no idea that Dennis Rodman appeared for TNA since his memorable moments took place in WCW and even had a more memorable recent appearance for AEW. However, TNA was able to bring Rodman in at a time when they needed any attention.

Rodman appeared at ringside during a match between the 3 Live Kru and Team Canada factions since he was billed as friends with the former trio. TNA didn’t get much more out of Rodman, but it was a cool selling point at the time given his history with WCW.

6 Steve “Mongo” McMichael

Chicago Crowd Loved Getting To Cheer Mongo In TNA

Timing Made Sense For Mongo Appearing In Chicago
WCW Run Earned Him Wrestling Respect
TNA Only Used Him For Guest Referee Spot

Another celebrity/athlete from WCW days to get a one-off appearance in TNA was former NFL star Steve “Mongo” McMichael. Mongo wrestled for the Four Horsemen and enjoyed getting to continue using his physical athleticism for work.

TNA didn’t have McMichael wrestle since he was older, but he was a guest referee. Mongo appeared in his hometown of Chicago to officiate a Monster’s Ball hardcore match between four teams. Even though he was a slow counter as someone not used to the role, his charm added to the appearance.

5 Shaquille O'Neal

Rare Wrestler To Appear For Four Main American Promotions

TNA Convinced Shaq For Backstage Segment
Friendship With Hogan Was Referenced From WCW
Shaq Never Wrestled Singles Match Until AEW

Shaquille O'Neal has made history as a rare celebrity to appear for WWE, WCW, TNA and AEW. The passion for wrestling made it tempting whenever someone reached out with a fun offer for the basketball legend to have fun.

Shaq’s TNA appearance was rather minor, but it provided a lot of fun when interracting with former WCW ally Hulk Hogan. TNA had a backstage segment of O’Neal offering Hogan help against the Aces and Eights to make the heel group feel even more credible.

4 Toby Keith

Country Music Star Appeared As Favor For Jeff Jarrett

Jarrett Knew Keith Was A Realisitc Celebrity
Had Memorable Moment During Early PPV Years
Jarrett Still Praises Toby Today

Jeff Jarrett used his connections and friendship with Toby Keith to get the popular country singer of the 2000s on TNA TV. The early PPV years featured Jarrett throwing many ideas at the wall to see what could get attention.

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Keith being advertised for a musical performance and agreeing to more provided a fun use of a famous figure. Jarrett’s heel character disrespecting Toby’s performance led to Keith entering a battle royal that night just to get revenge eliminating Double J in a fun little angle.

3 Lou Ferrigno

Hulk Puns Created All-Time TNA Comedy Segment

Foley & Lou Had Great Comedy Timing
Segment Made Sense For Nash's Sense Of Humor
Nash & Foley Benefited With Follow-Up

TNA booked their funniest use of a celebrity when Lou Ferrigno was around for a single comedic segment involving a few big names. Mick Foley became paranoid when Hulk Hogan was joining TNA and asked Kevin Nash to set up a meeting with Hulk to discuss the future before Hogan arrived.

The hilarious reveal was Ferrigno meeting Foley at a gym instead of Hogan and comically replying “I’m Hulk” when referencing his top past acting role as The Incredible Hulk. TNA nailed the comedy perfectly with Lou committing to joke and even set up a major brawl between Nash and Foley afterwards.

2 Chris Rock

TNA Benefited From Surprising Movie Relationship

Major Comedy Star Helped TNA Get Attention
Cut Promo As Thank You For Using Their Show To Film
Movie Scene Filmed At TNA Featured Him In Ring

Many fans who never watched TNA would be stunned to realize a major celebrity like Chris Rock appeared for TNA. This was a cool back story of TNA being used to film a wrestling scene for the movie Head of State.

TNA didn’t get much mileage out of Rock appearing on their show since he wasn’t doing anything physical or taking part in an angle. However, Chris cutting a promo on TNA PPV putting over the company did create some buzz since he was extremely popular in the early 2000s.

1 DeAngelo Williams

Had Rave Reviews For First & Only Match

Dave Meltzer Called Him Greatest Celebrity Wrestler Ever
Had Interest In Another Match From TNA
Was Content Achieving Dream After One Match

Former NFL running back DeAngelo Williams wanted to chase his dream of wrestling a match and received an opportunity in TNA when they needed attention. Williams teamed with Moose against the heel team of Chris Masters and LA Knight.

Anyone watching was in awe of DeAngelo having an outstanding rookie match. Dave Meltzer even went as far as to call him the best celebrity to ever wrestle a match at that point. Williams was fine having his dream fulfilled with just one match and never returned despite there being interest.