Wrestling owes much of its modern existence to television. When TV debuted in the 1950s, it changed so much with culture and sports. Wrestling was able to take off with several of its prime stars also becoming TV stars as well. Over the years, wrestlers have popped up in numerous TV series, sometimes as themselves or otherwise playing a part. Often, they’re picked to play bad guys, which makes sense given their physiques. The “Arrowverse” shows have used a few like Edge, Cody Rhodes, and others in a variety of roles, and several appearances are famous.
A few other parts tend to fall through the cracks. Some are on comedies with allow wrestlers to play against type and show off in interesting ways. Others are forgotten action shows which didn’t get the attention as other series. While some wrestler appearances are intriguing, others can be overlooked gems. Here are ten appearances by wrestlers on TV shows that fans may have forgotten to show some surprising acting skills of these stars.
10 John Morrison on The Last Ship
John Morrisons’ recent return to WWE has been getting folks buzzing and looking back on his past work. Morrison has parlayed his good looks into a variety of TV roles on GLOW and Baby Daddy. He also had a few episodes of The Last Ship.
The TNT drama focused on a Navy ship handling a global pandemic. Morrison played Ares, a street fighter recruited to help infiltrate a Greek millionaire’s home. He had to show off some fighting before sacrificing himself to save the crew. It’s a small role but shows Morrison off nicely as a fighter.
9 Goldberg on Desperate Housewives
With his beefy build, it’s no shock Goldberg has been on several TV shows. He’s been on Law & Order SVU, NCIS Los Angeles, and others playing on his size and strength. But Desperate Housewives? Yes, Goldberg did show up on an episode of the wild ABC dramedy. It took place in the time when Carlos was in jail with Goldberg a hulking inmate.
Like the other inmates, he’s excited when Gabrielle (Eva Longoria) drops by for a visit. When Gabby’s lawyer hits on her, Goldberg warns him not to do anything, and a near-riot breaks out. It’s just weird seeing Goldberg on this show.
8 Buff Bagwell, Booker T, and Scott Steiner, Charmed
The wild supernatural WB series could always throw in some weird antics for the sisters. In one episode, the girls have to head to the underworld to rescue an innocent soul. The head demon (Ron Pearlman) has them face a trio of demons played by Booker T, Scott Steiner, and Buff Bagwell.
A hilarious bit has Steiner doing one of his usual insane promos while Alyssa Milano just stares in disbelief. They engaged in a wild special-effects filled wrestling match with the sisters winning. It shows how hot wrestling was in the late ‘90s to get this episode.
7 The Rock on That 70s Show
Before he was dominating Hollywood, the Rock had to pay his dues in some smaller TV shows. That includes an appearance on the popular Fox comedy when the gang takes in some wrestling matches. The genius is that Rock is playing his own father, Rocky Johnson, complete with afro and mustache.
He even predicts how “one day, my son will be the most electrifying man in wrestling.” This episode becomes more emotional with the recent passing of the senior Johnson, so it was great to see the Rock pay tribute to his dad.
6 Hulk Hogan on The Love Boat
Over the years, Hulk Hogan has been on a lot of TV shows from his own “Thunder in Paradise” to “Baywatch.” Yet it’s forgotten how he once appeared on the long-running ABC hit. He plays himself who’s on the cruise ship as part of a special wrestling match, doing a wild promo.
The main plot is that his two opponents (Bruce Jenner and Tim Rossovich) are best friends who become real rivals when one falls for his partner’s sister. When that spills into their match, Hogan charge in to take them both out (“you’re a disgrace to the integrity of my profession!”). Few could match Hogan in his prime for star power.
5 Mick Foley on Boy Meets World
Many know that Vader had a recurring role on the beloved ABC sitcom as the father of a bully. But some might not remember he wasn’t the only WWE star on it. In one episode, Eric and Jack end up getting kicked out of their apartment by the girls. They decide the only logical thing to do is to have a wrestling match but need a referee.
The door bursts open to show Mick Foley as Mankind (“where am I?”) He oversees the match and later gives the guys “advice” with Mr. Socko. Foley just fit in with this wacky comedy.
4 Shawn Michaels on Baywatch
In 1996, Shawn Michaels was WWE champion but still managed to work in an episode of the mega-popular series. The plot is that the girlfriend of a gangster runs out with some evidence of his wrongdoing. She goes to her daughter, who turns out to be Pamela Anderson’s CJ.
HBK is the gangster’s bodyguard sent after both of them. Shawn does fit in with the beach setting and believable as a scumbag. If you’ve ever wanted to see the Heartbreak Kid and David Hasselhoff go at it, you’re in luck.
3 Big Show on Royal Pains
This long-running USA series focused on Hank, a doctor who was the go-to medical expert for folks in the Hamptons. In “Keeping the Faith,” he meets a major movie star played by Paul “Big Show” Wight. He’s been having some issues, and Hank realizes he’s being affected by the fake dentures he wears for his star movie role of “The Garbage Man”.
Wight is fun talking on the challenges of being so massive in size but willing to dress up to entertain kids at a party. It’s good seeing Show enjoying himself more.
2 The Road Warriors and Ric Flair on Learning the Ropes
This 1988 TBS sitcom starred Lyle Alzado as a school teacher who moonlights as a masked professional wrestler. As Ted Turner practically owned WCW at this point, it’s little wonder some stars made an appearance. That included Ric Flair as himself facing Alzado in a match.
Also, the Road Warriors popped in for a party scene that included Hawk biting off the top of a bottle. The show would also have brief in-ring cameos by Sting, Lex Luger, and other stars but was canceled after one season. It’s still fun to see them trying some comedy.
1 Roddy Piper on Highlander
Based on the cult movie “Highlander” focused on Duncan Macleod, a 400-year old Scotsman who occasionally has to duel other Immortals to the final death. In “Epitaph for Tommy,” Duncan is jogging at an amusement park when he’s attacked by Anthony Galen, played by Roddy Piper.
Piper plays the role with relish as Galen is part of a plan by a woman to take over her father’s company. The finale is a fantastic sword duel between Duncan and Galen at the amusement park with an exciting conclusion. Piper clearly enjoyed playing the bad guy.