Ring of Fire: Mayweather Crosses Over

Back in 1998, Iron Mike Tyson crossed over from the boxing ring to the WWE ring to become the man that cemented Stone Cold Steve Austin's name in the history books forever.

Tyson delivered two shocking blows to the Attitude Era: first the three second slap on the mat that delivered Austin his first WWE Championship and then a knockout punch to Shawn Michaels after the match was over.

At the end of the month, several things will be happening. The NCAA Final Four will come to a close. The NBA's elite 16 teams will start to appear. Spring camp will be in progress for the major college football programs. And the biggest party of the spring will go down in Orlando as WWE holds its annual "Showcase of the Immortals," Wrestlemania.

And the man considered the greatest fighter in the world will step in between the wrestling ropes to add to the boxing-wrestling history books.

After watching Around the Horn and Pardon the Interruption, I had to throw my two cents worth in after hearing that Floyd Mayweather was jumping from the big time to the lowest circus of all.

Obviously, some of these guys have never seen a Wrestlemania in their lives, and if they did, it must have been when their inner child was enjoying life. Wrestlemania was just a gimmick in the beginning. Something to compete with the best sporting events of the spring, which isn't much except for March Madness. But something's different about then and now.

Since its birth, Wrestlemania has grown to become a showcase of great talent, daredevil skills, and athleticism from practically all walks of life.

Who can forget the showdown between Hulk Hogan and Mr. T? How about when Thomas "Hitman" Hearns entered the WWE ring and brawled with several members of the Hart Foundation? And obviously everyone remembers the rivalry between Tyson and Austin.

Several sports stars have appeared at WWE events. Evander Holyfield appeared on WWE programming last summer for a boxing match against Matt Hardy, and no one thought he was making a mistake. Even NASCAR drivers are making appearances on TNA Wrestling.

Here's the kicker: If this was just some gimmick, why does the thrill of Wrestlemania get bigger and bigger every year?

On the other side of the fence, some people are right. Wrestlemania is not the Daytona 500 or the Super Bowl or the World Series. But after the ratings on several major sporting events have dropped, the WWE's premier event has always been in the Top 5 of the ratings food chain every year. This year, it will be no different.

The difference between all those events and Wrestlemania is simply this: the "Showcase of the Immortals" happens at the perfect time. They only have to compete with one major sporting event around that time and that's the NCAA Tournament. By the end of March, we will have our final two. On March 30th, the world's attention turns to Orlando.

On March 30th, Mayweather will face the Big Show in a one on one encounter. Now for those who aren't familiar with why this is happening, I got your scoop...right here!

At the WWE's last pay-per-view, No Way Out, Mayweather was at ringside enjoying the match between Rey Mysterio and World Champion Edge. After the match, the Big Show made his shocking return to the WWE and proceeded to attack an obviously injured Mysterio. 

Mayweather jumped over the barrier and slid into the ring to confront the Big Show who then decided to shove the WBC Welterweight Champion. Big Show added even more insult to injury when he got down on one knee and told Mayweather to take his best shot, which he did. The man known as "Money" got three and a half shots on Show, breaking his nose in the process, then booked it out of the arena floor.

Big Show apologized the next night on RAW, but then threw out an offer that Mayweather's ego couldn't refuse. Money accepted and now the stage and time are set. March 30th at Orlando, Florida in the Citrus Bowl will be the next venue to add their name into the history books.

So, for all the ones that believe this will just be swept under the rug, pay attention. Wrestlemania brings out the lovers and haters of the sports entertainment business. This will be must-see TV, and the world will be watching.

When "Money" steps into the ring, will you be watching? I bet you will just because you love boxing, and Floyd Mayweather is a boxer. He'll wrestle for the night, so deal with it.