Michael Gerard Tyson, born on June 30, 1966, in Brooklyn, New York, is not only a boxing legend but also a notable figure in the world of professional wrestling. Widely considered one of the greatest heavyweight boxers of all time, Tyson's journey into wrestling added another dimension to his already illustrious career.
WWE Hall of Fame Induction
Mike Tyson was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2012 as part of the Celebrity wing. World Wrestling Entertainment announced that the iconic heavyweight boxing legend would join the 2012 WWE Hall Of Fame Class.
Early Wrestling Appearances
Mike Tyson was originally scheduled to debut in the WWE in February of 1990 but the appearance didn’t end up happening. He was scheduled as the referee in a match between Hulk Hogan and Randy Savage on Saturday Night’s Main Event but after losing the Undisputed Heavyweight Championship early in the month he was replaced by Buster Douglas.
WrestleMania XIV and the Austin Era
"Iron" Mike Tyson knocks out Shawn Michaels: WrestleMania XIV
He made his debut in the WWE in March of 1998 when he was announced as the special guest enforcer at the main event of Wrestlemania XIV between ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin and ‘H.B.K.’ Shawn Michaels. Brought in by Vince McMahon to boost Pay-Per-View buys for WrestleMania 14, Tyson was planted directly into the middle of an intense feud between aging star Shawn Michaels and rising heel “Stone Cold” Steve Austin.
Tyson was to assume the role of special guest enforcer, which in itself served questionable purpose. On the night following the 1998 Royal Rumble PPV, Tyson’s highly anticipated WWF “Raw” debut was stopped in its tracks by Royal Rumble winner “Stone Cold” Steve Austin. Turmoil between Austin and Tyson quickly led to a brawl, as Austin turbulently stated it was his ring that Tyson was stepping into.
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From here it was clear that HBK would have the advantage at WrestleMania for his long-awaited bout against Steve Austin, as in the weeks leading up to the big show Tyson exhibited his bias towards the witty cast of D-Generation X. WWE fans who thought this association would sway the brawler’s involvement at WrestleMania XIV were shocked when Tyson ended up being the one who counted the pin to give Austin his first WWE Title.
While Tyson’s true purpose was already in question, the largest holes in the plot show through following the conclusion of the main event in Boston on the night of March 29th, 1998. While one can wonder why Tyson did turn on DX and HBK, his process of doing so can be further questioned. Not only did he take subtle digs at Austin during moments when action spilled outside of the ring, but Tyson also nearly cost Austin the match multiple times in the ring.
Tyson didn’t hold back in interacting with Austin during the bout, and by almost causing Michaels to retain, his undercover plan nearly spoiled itself. Neither WWF programming nor Tyson himself ever explained the motive behind “Iron” Mike’s change of heart during the main event of WrestleMania 14, and it may not have needed to be.
Austin’s career took off following the win, Shawn Michaels retired for the first time after the bout, and DX went into a different direction under the full direction and control of Triple H. Hunter did mention the night after ‘Mania in an iconic promo that he often questioned Tyson’s trustability leading into the championship bout, but his doubts were ironically quelled by HBK.
Return to WWE in 2010
He returned to the company in January of 2010 as the guest host of Raw for an evening where he teamed up with Chris Jericho and wrestled his old rival Shawn Michaels and Triple H in the evening’s main event. Following his scene-stealing turn in the blockbuster comedy, “The Hangover,” Tyson returned to WWE in 2010 as the guest host of Raw where the former fighter clearly reveled being back in the ring.
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In his first-ever match, Tyson teamed with Chris Jericho to battle Triple H & HBK.
Mike Tyson: Boxing Career Highlights
Michael Gerard Tyson (born June 30, 1966) is an American former professional boxer who competed between 1985 and 2024. Tyson won his first 19 professional fights by knockout, 12 of them in the first round. Claiming his first belt at the age of 20, Tyson holds the record as the youngest boxer ever to win a heavyweight title. He was the first heavyweight boxer to simultaneously hold the World Boxing Association (WBA), World Boxing Council (WBC), and International Boxing Federation (IBF) titles, as well as the only heavyweight to unify them in succession.
Key Moments in Boxing
- Won first 19 professional fights by knockout.
- Youngest heavyweight champion in history at 20 years old.
- First heavyweight to simultaneously hold WBA, WBC, and IBF titles.
Personal Life
His first marriage was to actress Robin Givens from February 7, 1988 to February 14, 1989. His second marriage was to Monica Turner from April 19, 1997 to January 14, 2003. On May 25, 2009, Tyson's 4-year-old daughter, Exodus, was found unconscious and tangled in a cord, dangling from an exercise treadmill and later died of her injuries on May 26, 2009. Ten days later, Tyson wed for the third time, to girlfriend Lakiha Spicer, age 32, exchanging vows on Saturday, June 6, 2009.
Financial Struggles
While on the talk show The View in early May 2010, Tyson revealed that he is now forced to live paycheck to paycheck. He went on to say: "I'm totally destitute and broke. But I have an awesome life, I have an awesome wife who cares about me. I'm totally broke. I had a lot of fun. It (going broke) just happened. I'm very grateful.
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