Following Sexxy Red's terrific WWE NXT debut on Tuesday night (May 28), Advertising sign explores some of hip-hop's greatest moments in wrestling.
More than ever, hip-hop's love for wrestling is becoming more and more clear. Last night (May 28), Sexxy Red made her WWE NXT debut, where she not only unveiled a new women's title for the fledgling brand, but announced that she will also be heading to Vegas to host her upcoming premium live event company's NXT Battle Ground on June 9.
In addition to her twerking skills and eccentric attitude in the spotlight, Sexy's appearance on WWE TV last night significantly bridged the gap between hip-hop and wrestling. In previous interviews, Cardi B has revealed her love for the sport and wanting to clash in the ring with some of today's top superstars. Rappers like Wale and Westside Gunn are longtime fans of the sport and have even developed business endeavors that pay tribute to wrestling, most notably Wale's annual WaleMania event.
With WWE and now AEW proving to be staunch supporters of rap, it's only a matter of time before more rappers step up — and maybe even step into the ring one day, like Bad Bunny or Logan Paul.
“I think it's just cool right now, man,” WWE Superstar Big E previously said Advertising sign. “I don't know exactly what to point to, but now you have The Rock involved. You have [WWE president] Nick Khan is involved. You have so many connections to sports and entertainment. I feel like a lot of people were closeted to wrestling because it wasn't cool, because it was the bad thing – but now that it's becoming more accessible to people, I think a lot of people are coming out of the woodwork. “
Advertising sign compiled a list of the ten best wrestling moments with some of today's biggest hip-hop stars.
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10. MGK
After performing his songs “Till I Die” and “Little More” during his return to Ohio on Monday Night Raw in 2015, MGK received a major dose of pain when Kevin Owens powerbombed him through the stage. Dazed and rattled, MGK never returned to WWE, but don't be surprised if he follows Owens in search of revenge. — KARL LAMAR
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9. Salt-N-Pepa
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8. Westside Gunn
You can pretty much guarantee that Gunn will be at every Mania event for the rest of his life. His adoration for the squared circle stems from his raps, having previously released beloved projects with Griselda brothers Conway titled Nash & Hall, paying homage to the respected label duo Kevin Nash and Scott Hall.
“Scott Hall in the nWo? That na was the sickest,” Gunn said Advertising sign last October. This is my favorite wrestler of all time. He does not get this from the other [Razor Ramon] with the chains and the toothpick. I am both. He's like me in real life.”
While Gunn has yet to get his hands dirty in WWE, he did walk off AEW superstar Daniel Garcia in 2022 during an episode of Dynamite. Gunn even has his own wrestling company, 4thRope. — CL
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7. Run DMC
Who would have thought that hip-hop would go this far? The legendary Queens crew presented a “WrestleMania Rap” during WrestleMania V in Atlantic City. But this appearance wouldn't have happened if DMC wasn't such a huge fan of Hulk Hogan. The legendary emcee talk to me sportskeeda telling the outlet the road manager set it up for him as a birthday present. He is also a fan. In the same interview, Stone Cold and Randy Orton brought up the DMC name, crediting the wrestling magazines that made him a fan at a young age. —ONE D
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6. Wales
Wale is a wrestling fan in love with the action-packed action produced by the WWE. Not only did Wale team up with WWE Superstar Big E to create his “Feel the Power” theme song, but he walked out on the New Day heavyweights before their WrestleMania 37 match.
“It was a pleasure to have him perform for me at WrestleMania in my hometown,” Big E said. Advertising sign earlier this year. “It was special. I am so grateful to have Wale on my team. He has also done so much to make wrestling cool.
In 2017, Wale was the referee for a comedy freestyle battle between The New Day and The Usos. He also established his historic event, WaleMania, which celebrates the world of wrestling during each WrestleMania season. — CL
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5. Action Bronson
Not only does he make hella wrestling references in his raps, but he's reminiscent of a young Bam Bam Bigelow. Action took all that wrestling knowledge and applied it when he appeared in his hometown of Queens for AEW Rampage: Grand Slam in 2022. He performed his song “Intention of the PresidentWhile walking, Hook team partner in the ring for their match against Angelo Parker and Daddy Magic of the Jericho Appreciation Society. Fellow wrestling superfan Westside Gunn was ringside to watch his peer take home the W. — ONE D
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4. Rick Ross
Ross' colorful commentary and meme-worthy moments are too good not to be on TV. In 2022, Rozay appeared in AEW. Channeling his boss's energy to moderate a conversation between Keith Lee and Swerve Strickland, Ross engaged Lee in a war of words, calling him a “big mother” and a “big geek” during his cartoons. Also, who can forget Rozay's “false accusations” golden call. — CL
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3. Sexy Red
“Get it sexy, get it sexy.” That's what the crowd shouted this Tuesday during the St. Louis rapper's highly anticipated WWE NXT appearance. Sexyy Red had a night of many events. Meet Shawn Michaels and sang his theme song “Sexy Boy” with him., unveiled the new NXT North American Championship Women's belt, announced that she will be hosting NXT Battleground in Vegas in June, accompanied Trick Williams and Je'Von Evans to the ring, twerked, did a split and finally drove announcer and legend Booker T crazy . Unfortunately, it didn't get a chance to appeal to anyone at RKO he wrote on Twitter Last week. — ONE D
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2. Snoop Dogg
Snoop Dogg is considered one of the greatest rappers of all time, and is also a WWE Hall of Famer. From hosting Raw in 2009 to commentating a Philadelphia street match at this year's Mania, Snoop has shown that he has the mic skills and in-ring experience to take on any wrestler in the locker room. After Shane McMahon went down due to injury at WrestleMania 39, The Doggfather rushed The Miz and delivered an amazing People's Elbow to the delight of the crowd. — CL
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1. Bad Bunny
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Lady Gaga & Ariana Grande, “Rain on Me” (2020)
Duet type: Icons only
Because it works: A dance-pop banger where two dancefloor divas unleash a flood of emotional catharsis, “Rain on Me” instantly entered the queer karaoke canon and is a reliable choice for anyone looking to raise the energy of the room when flagging.
But which place is better? Gaga's spoken word section in the eye of this vocal storm (not to mention her staccato “rain – on – me” intonation throughout) is the elegant highlight of this duet. — J. Lynch
from our partners at https://www.billboard.com/lists/sexxy-red-hip-hop-best-wrestling-moments/