WrestleMania 40 (or XL) is right around the corner as the upcoming PLE and obvious yearly contention for wrestling show of the year have fans wondering how the Grandest Stage of Them All will fair this year after a tumultuous 2023 filled with huge ups and downs. Regardless of some of the dour notes that the company has left on the collective unconsciousness in the recent past, there is a lot of excitement building around the event with the card beginning to look better and better as the weeks go on. While Cody and Roman continue their story, Judgment Day remains a threat, and the women’s division continues to be carried by Rhea Ripley, one thing to note is that WrestleMania is about more than just the stories and performances.
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This is an event that attracts all kinds of fans due to some celebrity appearances. Ever since the first WrestleMania with appearances from Cyndi Lauper, Mr. T, Liberace, and Muhammad Ali, celebrities have been a part of the overall show and continue to be a small highlight for a lot of the casual fans who like to see how some of these stars also enjoy the world of professional wrestling.
We Could See Sylvester Stallone At ‘Mania In Philadelphia
The Italian Stallion Would Be Right At Home
- Acting since 1968
- Nominated for both Best Original Screenplay and Best Actor in 1977’s Oscars
- Longtime professional rival Arnold Schwarzenegger has made multiple appearances for WWE since the 80s
The “Rocky” actor is no stranger to having scenes in a wrestling ring, famously featuring a young-and-upcoming Hulk Hogan in a scene for the third installment of his legendary boxing franchise. With rumors popping up of a possible role in the 40th WrestleMania event, seeing the Philadelphia icon might be a sure bet for a surprise appearance. He will most likely be in a host or special cameo in the opening video to welcome the crowd, but an appearance is an appearance and it would be a great touch to the presentation to add such a well-recognized movie star.
Will Joel Embiid Accept Triple H’s Invitation?
WWE Won’t Fine Him For Doing Crotch Chops
- Drafted to the NBA in 2014
- Was invited to WrestleMania 40 by Triple H last year
- Went down with a lateral meniscus injury, but is already working in the weight room
Starting at center for the Philadelphia 76ers, and well regarded as one of the best big men in the NBA, Joel Embiid made waves with a controversial call back to the Attitude Era when he did the DX crotch chop during a few celebratory moments. These taunts landed him in some trouble with the league, with fines being issued and Triple H even offering to help pay the fine on X.
When it comes to the likes of Embiid, his 7-foot-frame makes him an immediate visual threat, meaning it would not be out of the question to believe he could get involved in the ring. However, the big damper on this is that Joel himself said that he might not be able to make it, but this was before his season-ending injury in his left knee and it could all still be an elaborate work cooked up by Triple H.
Bryce Harper Has Been Seen In WWE Before
The Biggest WWE Show Deserves The Showman
- 2022 NLCS MVP
- Joined the Phillies in 2019
- Got into an infamous scrap with the Colorado Rockies dugout
Combat sports enthusiast and one of the best MLB players of the last decade Bryce Harper has made an appearance on WWE before when attending an episode of Monday Night Raw back in 2017 when he was still a part of the Washington Nationals so it would not be unprecedented to see him appear. Still part of the Phillies organization, it is a good bet to think he could be in attendance for WrestleMania in front of his beloved home crowd fans. It would probably be unreasonable to think he could do much else, but it would only add to the star-studded affair.
Post Malone Recently Worked With WWE 2K24
A WrestleMania Appearance Could Be Next
- Curated the soundtrack for WWE 2K24
- Joins the likes of Bad Bunny and Fred Durst as rappers included in an official WWE video game
- His song “Sunflower” with Swae Lee became the first RIAA “double-diamond” single in history (20x Platinum)
Recently added into the official WWE 2K24 roster, Texas rapper Post Malone has been an avid wrestling fan for years. He has shown respect for the medium and has shown love for the Attitude Era, specifically. Now working with WWE several times through several small collaborations, it would be reasonable to think that Post Malone might even eventually get in the ring like fellow rapper Bad Bunny did. It would be interesting to see if his eccentric performance style could translate to an in-ring/onscreen persona.
Kevin Hart & Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson Have Great Chemistry
Kevin Is The Rock’s True Rival!
- Reportedly the highest-earning comedian of 2023, via Billboard
- Last WWE appearance was at WrestleMania 39
- Has appeared in five feature films with The Rock
With The Rock around the company in full swing as part of the TKO board, it feels like only a matter of time before he brings at least someone from Hollywood over to make a cameo with him. There are very few options as notably possible than Kevin Hart, who has established a working relationship with The Rock through several features, and the two seem to have a good sense of camaraderie off the set as well with their playful professional rivalry. While his last appearance was at the highly memorable WrestleMania 39, where he was just the person introducing the show, he could definitely get a more active role backstage in a segment with his Jumanji co-star.
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Hart might be short in stature, but he is easily one of the most recognizable comedians of the modern era and is also set to star in the much anticipated Borderlands film adaptation, which adds to the chances of him showing up but only caveat might be that he did make an appearance at last year’s Mania, so he could be a one-and-done.
Bradley Cooper Could Make Another WWE Appearance
A Maestro Might Make A Sighting
- Almost starred as Vince McMahon in a biopic, before being axed by Vince himself
- His films have grossed $13 billion worldwide
- Most recent film was his directorial debut Maestro
One of the most talented actors in the industry today, and now an established director as well, Bradley Cooper is both a Philly native and a former guest on Monday Night Raw. His appearance was to promote the release of 2010’s A-Team film reboot and feels like one of the least talked about celebrity cameos in WWE history, but it could be in the cards for him to make an appearance at this year’s WrestleMania. He is finally coming off of the crazy height of workflow he found himself in throughout the 2010s as he appeared in critically loved and commercially successful film franchises like The Hangover and The Guardians of The Galaxy, so perhaps he might indulge in enjoying a bit of wrasslin’ and wave to his fellow Philly faithful. It would even be more poetic justice, as he was highly rumored to be playing Vince McMahon in a biopic film until it was shelved.
Dana White Is Now Indirectly Linked To WWE
UFC’s Headhoncho In WWE Would Blow The Minds Of MMA Fans
- Net worth of $500 million
- President of UFC since 2001
- Good friends with Rob Gronkowski, who appeared at WrestleMania 33 and 36
It might be a bold prediction, but the fact of the matter is that Dana White is now intrinsically linked to the WWE as they both fall under the Endeavor umbrella now, which can only mean that there is at least some level of respect between the companies. White has been uncharacteristically entertaining the idea of a WWE/UFC crossover event or initiative of some kind, and with UFC 300 looming as one of the biggest and most important shows in the history of the company, it would be a good look for him to promote it at WrestleMania. Unfortunately, fans of both UFC and WWE might not be expecting a Vince McMahon vs. Dana White staredown anytime soon, but at least he would help show good faith in WWE as a sister company.
Any Of The “It’s Always Sunny” Cast
The Gang Goes To WrestleMania
- The show is set to be in its 16th season on FX, lasting since 2005
- Danny DeVito and Roddy Piper first appeared on screen together in 1985 during the MTV/WWE War To Settle The Score event
- Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney both own the Wrexham FC club, and star in a reality show about it, making Reynolds a possibility to appear as well
FX’s cult-classic and still ongoing comedy series It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia is easily one of the funniest shows on television in the modern era. Those familiar with the show might not know that there was an entire episode dedicated to professional wrestling and they even continuously featured ‘Rowdy’ Roddy Piper as a washed-up wrestler up to hijinks with the main cast. It is clear that the group of comedians all like wrestling enough to feature it heavily, but they also have a history of doing episodes surrounding big sporting events in Philadelphia like the World Series and Super Bowl. WrestleMania still might not have the clout that those other names have, but it would be within reason to see them dedicate an entire episode to the Showcase of the Immortals. Furthermore, there are so many routes that the gang can go on in terms of storytelling, meaning that their potential appearance at the event could end up being filmed for the show where they will feature a plot surrounding the event.
Jake Paul Could Help His Brother Win His Match
Logan Paul Is The Current WWE United States Champion
- 26 million Instagram followers
- Brother Logan Paul has been wrestling for WWE since 2022
- 9-1 record in boxing
By far, one of the most intriguing aspects about the inclusion of Logan Paul in WWE among his plethora of notable matches has been the looming question of if his brother Jake will join the federation as well. They both have had similar trajectories and success in boxing, and Jake seems more intent on proving himself as a serious fighter, but there has to be a part of the brothers that want to put on a show against one another in front of their rabid fan base. Not only has Jake Paul recently appeared on SmackDown alongside his brother during the latter’s feud with Kevin Owens, but the brothers have never shied away from marketing themselves even further, and there is no better way to do that than to start the build for a possible Jake vs. Logan match soon. He just might be a bit busy with his feud with Mike Tyson for the foreseeable future…
Is The Door Open For A Conor McGregor WWE Appearance?
This Appearance Would Shock The World
- Conor’s last fight 2 fights were lost to Dustin Poirier in 2021
- Stands with a 22-6-0 record
- The first dual champion in UFC history
Michael Chandler shocked the MMA world when he called out Conor McGregor on Monday Night Raw a few weeks ago, largely because it was the first real look at the synergy between WWE and UFC under the TKO umbrella. While McGregor might seem like the perfect MMA star to transition to the squared circle for his obvious physical talents as well as braggadocious personality along with the best microphone skills in the industry, he has formerly been very opposed to a lot of WWE. He even got into a public feud with several wrestlers a few years ago when he had some disparaging remarks about professional wrestling.
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However, it is officially confirmed that the “door is open” for a WWE run. And with Chandler showing up already, it is only a matter of time before The Notorious One gets into the action and fulfills his destiny as he could join the list of seriously tough guys that have wrestled with the company, and probably the most legitimate competitor since Brock Lesnar. That would also fill a void that desperately needs to be filled, bringing that air of toughness that the WWE has been lacking for the last few years.