PITTSBURGH -- While the buzz of the sports world on Monday night centered on Brett Favre challenging his former team, the eyes of Pittsburgh fans were on another NFL quarterback as Ben Roethlisberger stepped into the World Wrestling Entertainment ring to guest host "Monday Night RAW."
Those looking for an alternative to the Vikings-Packers "Favre Bowl" certainly got it as Big Ben kicked off the WWE's live show at Wachovia Arena in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., with his own "Diva Bowl."
The match featured the WWE’s female performers competing in football uniforms, with one team wearing Steelers jerseys. For those keeping score at home, the Black & Gold squad prevailed.
Later in the show, Roethlisberger engaged in a verbal war of words with WWE Unified Tag Team Champions the Big Show and Chris Jericho, prompting the two-time Super Bowl quarterback to call an audible and summon his offensive line for backup.
The Big Show (7 foot, 485 pounds) was no match for the combined 1,945 pounds of lineman Darnell Stapleton, Willie Colon, Justin Hartwig, Trai Essex, Chris Kemoeatu and Max Starks.
After backing the Big Show and Jericho out of the ring, the Steelers were joined by D-Generation X superstars Shawn Michaels and Triple H.
Roethlisberger and his o-line temporarily traded in the black and gold of the Steeler Nation for the green and black of the D-X Army, posing with the group and performing their signature "crotch chop."
When Jericho attempted to flee the ring, Roethlisberger and his teammates -- clad in D-X t-shirts -- blocked his exit. The show went off the air as Roethlisberger, his o-line and D-X celebrated in the ring.
Staying true to his word, Roethlisberger refrained from any physical involvement in the matches.
His
Ben Roethlisberger Foundation, which works to give grants to police and fire departments’ canine units, was mentioned several times throughout the show.
Asked if he saw the show, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said his family doesn't watch wrestling at home because he doesn't want his kids to see the moves and try them.
Monday night marked Roethlisberger’s second major primetime appearance outside the NFL in recent months.
In July, he was in an episode of Shaquille O’Neal’s reality series
"Shaq Vs." Roethlisberger got the best of the four-time NBA champion, topping O’Neal on the gridiron and in a game of "H-O-R-S-E."
WWE adopted the guest host format for RAW during the summer, with former "Price is Right" host Bob Barker, "Entourage" actor Jeremy Piven and the Rev. Al Sharpton among those who have taken over the duties.
Roethlisberger and other Steelers have often been seen in the crowd at local WWE shows at Mellon Arena.
The WWE will hold its "Bragging Rights" pay-per-view at the Mellon Arena on Oct. 25.
Earlier in the day, Roethlisberger and the Steelers will play host to Favre and the Vikings at Heinz Field.
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