23 Years After Betraying Triple H for ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin, Mike Tyson Pays Tribute to D-Generation X in Rare Photo

Celebrity cameos have always been an integral part of WWE’s WrestleMania events. This was cemented at every WrestleMania, starting with Mr. T and Muhammad Ali since its inception. This ritual of having famous Hollywood and sports stars continues to this day. One of the most memorable cameos was in 1998 at WrestleMania XIV, with ‘The Baddest Man on the Planet,’ Mike Tyson. Now, 23 years after, Tyson pays tribute to his old friends in WWE.

Putting the Attitude Era to maximum use, Vince McMahon got Tyson to sign after his suspension from boxing in 1997. The controversy was great publicity for WWF, especially with Stone Cold Steve Austin the night before WrestleMania XIV. This followed many on-and-off again appearances to this date. He had a memorable feud with DX and the Texas Rattlesnake himself.

Mike Tyson pays tribute to D-X after all these years

Even though ‘Iron Mike’ never wrestled a match during his stint with WWF/WWE, he did bring more fans to watch it. To this day, wrestling fans rave about what could have been had he participated in a boxing match with Triple H in 2001. Xavier Woods met the boxing legend at Comic-Con 2023.  At the Tekken panel, the two exchanged pleasantries before posing for an image sporting the iconic ‘X.’

With entertainment being a major aspect of the WWE (WWF back then), the first appearance of Tyson had to be entertaining. Being escorted by Vince, clad in a Degeneration X t-shirt, Tyson entered the WWF title match as a special guest referee. This would mark his first appearance in the Steve Austin versus Shawn Michaels match.

But, things would take a sour turn when Tyson would turn on Michaels, helping Austin pick up the win. Furthermore, Tyson’s punch is still among the greatest WrestleMania moments. Sporting the X, among all the WWE gestures 23 years later, shows Tyson’s love for D-X. 

The Tyson-DX thing did end at WrestleMania XIV. On an episode of RAW in 2010, the boxing legend teamed up with Chris Jericho against his old foes.

READ MORE: “We Knew It Was Special”: WWE Legend Describes His Experience of Sharing the Ring With Boxing Legend Mike Tyson

As a rehash of his first appearance, he had a DX t-shirt underneath, switching alliances and knocking Jericho out. 

Tyson helped the WWE beat WCW

Tyson’s appearance at WrestleMania XIV wasn’t just a creative choice; it was an opportunity. McMahon used the situation to beat WCW in the Monday Night Wars and secure Austin as the face of the company. Anyone who saw the match remembers the boos and ‘Holyfield’ chants Tyson received. 

But, after Austin pinned Michaels and Tyson lifted up his hand in victory, the arena erupted. Preventing Michaels from cheating and helping Austin sealed Tyson as a household name in pro wrestling.

Three years later WWE had an idea of Triple H facing Tyson at WrestleMania. Set for WrestleMania X7 was a boxing match between The Game and Iron Mike. Unfortunately, the match could not go through. Tyson later was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2012. 

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