Fans of both basketball and wrestling have been blessed over the years with the long history of NBA stars appearing at professional wrestling events like Smackdown and WrestleMania. For those who are passionate about both, such crossovers can be a fun treat that combines their two passions, but for those only interested in one these events can be seen as a distraction that can have detrimental effects on their sport. Some dedicated wrestling fans feel that the appearance of NBA stars can take the spotlight from their favorite wrestlers and reduce major events to gimmicks. Likewise, some NBA fans feel like their favorite players appearing at wrestling events can be a distraction from their main objective, winning basketball matches. For example, Atlanta Hawk’s star Trae Young’s Atlanta Hawks were among the favorites to win the Southeast Division at the start of the season according to OddsChecker, with many fans using their NBA betting offers to back him as an MVP candidate.
Many of those fans were disappointed to see him at a WWE smackdown event during preseason in September 2021, believing that it was unnecessary at a time when he should have been focused on preseason training. Additionally, him being kicked out of the event gave Knicks fans at Maddison Square Garden the chance to taunt him in the arena and create memes to mock him and Hawks fans online, even though it was a scripted scene. So why do these appearances happen and who do they benefit?
Famous examples
Trae Young isn’t the first NBA star to appear at a wrestling event, and he certainly wouldn’t have been the most natural pick in many people’s eyes. He is of course a talented player, but at 6”1 he is on the smaller end of the NBA player height scale, while fans typically imagine the games biggest stars in a wrestling ring. Past appearances fit the bill a bit more with the games biggest stars typically taking part in these crossover events. 6”7 Dennis Rodman and 6”9 Karl Malone made history in 1998 when they faced each other in a pay-per-view event known as “Bash at the Beach”. More recently, the NBA’s most famous “big man” Shaquille O’Neal has appeared at two WWE events, first in 2009 and again in 2016, before appearing in AEW March 2021.
Why does it happen?
One of the main positives of NBA stars appearing in wrestling events is the promotion it gives to the sport. While wrestling is extremely popular, it has to compete for the nation’s attention with basketball, football, baseball and ice hockey, as well as soccer and cricket on the international stage. NBA players are some of the most famous people in America, so using their recognizable faces to promote wrestling can only help bring new fans. These faces also help bring in more revenue for the wrestling companies as brands will pay more money to advertise during shows that feature NBA stars. These appearances are mutually beneficial, with the players receiving greater publicity and media exposure, which can help them secure endorsement deals.
Other celebrities at wrestling events
NBA players aren’t the only celebrities to have featured at wrestling events, actors, musicians and television hosts have made appearances, as well as other athletes. 45th president of the United States, Donald Trump has famously appeared at five editions of WrestleMania, a partnership which began at the IV edition, which was held at one of his venues. Flo Rida, Sean “Diddy” Combs and Pitbull are all examples of musicians who have appeared at the event, Rapper Snoop Dogg even performed admirably as Master of Ceremonies at WrestleMania XXIV in 2008. Many boxers have appeared at wrestling events including Muhammad Ali, Mike Tyson and Floyd Mayweather.
Conclusion
While some fans may not enjoy NBA player appearances at wrestling events, they are certainly here to stay. NBA stars are celebrities in their own right and should be seen as such when making these appearances, which increase the audience, appeal and fanbase of wrestling.
