After Sexxy Crimson’s torrid debut on WWE NXT Tuesday evening (Could 28), Billboard explores a few of hip-hop’s finest moments in wrestling.
Sexyy Crimson photographed Dec. 12, 2023, in New York.
Michael Tyrone Delaney
Greater than ever, hip-hop’s fondness of wrestling is changing into more and more clear. Final evening (Could 28), Sexxy Crimson made her debut on WWE’s NXT, the place she not solely unveiled a brand new girls’s title for the budding model however introduced she’ll even be heading to Vegas to host the corporate’s upcoming premium stay occasion NXT Battle Floor on June 9.
Apart from her twerking expertise and spunky perspective taking centerstage, Sexxy’s look final evening on WWE TV minimized the hole between hip-hop and wrestling significantly. In previous interviews, Cardi B has revealed her love for the game and eager to collide within the ring with a few of right now’s prime superstars. Rappers together with Wale and Westside Gunn have been longtime admirers of the game and have even developed enterprise endeavors that pay homage to wrestling, most notably Wale’s annual WaleMania occasion.
With WWE and now AEW proving to be staunch supporters of rap, it’s solely a matter of time earlier than extra rappers make the leap — and even perhaps getting within the ring at some point, like Dangerous Bunny or Logan Paul.
“I feel it’s simply cool now, man,” WWE famous person Large E beforehand informed Billboard. “I don’t know precisely what to level to, however you may have The Rock concerned now. You’ve gotten [WWE president] Nick Khan concerned. You’ve gotten so many connections with sports activities and leisure. I really feel like lots of people have been closeted wrestling followers as a result of it wasn’t cool, as a result of it was the nerdy factor to do — however now that it’s changing into extra accessible for folks, I feel lots of people are popping out of the woodwork.”
Billboard compiled a listing of the ten finest wrestling moments that includes a few of right now’s largest hip-hop stars.
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10. MGK
After performing his songs “Until I Die” and “Little Extra” throughout his Ohio homecoming on Monday Night time Uncooked in 2015, MGK obtained a heavy dose of ache when Kevin Owens powerbombed him via the stage. Dazed and rattled, MGK by no means returned to WWE once more, however don’t be stunned if he comes after Owens in quest of revenge. — CARL LAMARRE
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9. Salt-N-Pepa
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8. Westside Gunn
You possibly can nearly assure that Gunn will likely be at each Mania occasion for the remainder of his life. His adoration for the squared circle bleeds into his raps, as he’s beforehand launched beloved initiatives together with his Griselda brethren Conway, titled Nash & Corridor, paying homage to revered tag-team duo Kevin Nash and Scott Corridor.
“Scott Corridor in nWo? That n—a was the illest,” Gunn informed Billboard final October. That’s my favourite wrestler of all-time. That don’t take from the opposite [Razor Ramon] with the chains and the toothpick. I’m each. It’s like me in actual life.”
Although Gunn has but to get his palms soiled in WWE, he walked out AEW famous person Daniel Garcia in 2022 throughout an episode of Dynamite. Gunn even owns his wrestling firm, 4thRope. — CL
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7. Run DMC
Who would’ve thought hip-hop would take it this far? The legendary Queens crew carried out a “WrestleMania Rap” throughout WrestleMania V in Atlantic Metropolis. However this look wouldn’t have occurred if DMC wasn’t such an enormous Hulk Hogan fan. The legendary emcee spoke with sportskeeda telling the outlet his street supervisor set it up as a birthday present. He’s nonetheless a fan, too. DMC name-dropped Stone Chilly and Randy Orton in the identical interview, crediting wrestling magazines for making him a fan at a younger age. —AD
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6. Wale
Wale is a wrestling fanatic enamored with the action-packed, high-flying motion produced by WWE. Not solely has Wale teamed up with WWE Celebrity Large E to create his theme music “Really feel the Energy,” however he walked out the New Day heavyweight forward of his WrestleMania 37 match.
“It’s been a pleasure to have him carry out for me at WrestleMania in my hometown,” Large E informed Billboard earlier this yr. “That was particular. I’m so grateful to have Wale on my workforce. He’s additionally carried out a lot to make wrestling cool.
In 2017, Wale was the decide for a comical freestyle battle between The New Day and The Usos. He additionally established his storied occasion, WaleMania, which celebrates the world of wrestling throughout each WrestleMania season. — CL
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5. Motion Bronson
Not solely does he make hella wrestling references in his raps, he additionally resembles a younger Bam Bam Bigelow. Motion took all that wrestling information and utilized it when he appeared in his hometown of Queens for AEW Rampage: Grand Slam in 2022. He carried out his music “The Chairman’s Intent” whereas strolling tag workforce associate Hook to the ring for his or her match in opposition to the Jericho Appreciation Society’s Angelo Parker and Daddy Magic. Fellow wrestling superfan Westside Gunn was ringside to observe his peer take residence the W. — AD
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4. Rick Ross
Ross’ colourful commentary and meme-worthy moments are too good to not be on TV. In 2022, Rozay appeared on AEW. Channeling his boss power to average a dialog between Keith Lee and Swerve Strickland, Ross drubbed Lee within the battle of phrases, calling him a “massive motherfu–er” and “massive funky” throughout his animated outings. Additionally, who can overlook concerning the golden “false accusations” name by Rozay. — CL
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3. Sexxy Crimson
“Get it Sexyy, get it Sexyy.” That’s what the group chanted this Tuesday in the course of the St. Louis rapper’s a lot anticipated look on WWE NXT. Sexyy Crimson had an eventful evening. She met Shawn Michaels and sang his theme music “Attractive Boy” with him, unveiled the brand new NXT North American Ladies’s Championship belt, introduced that she will likely be internet hosting NXT Battleground in Vegas in June, escorted Trick Williams and Je’Von Evans to the ring, twerked, did a break up and in the end drove announcer and legend Booker T loopy. Sadly, she didn’t get an opportunity to RKO anyone like she tweeted final week. — AD
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2. Snoop Dogg
Snoop Dogg is taken into account one of many biggest rappers of all time, and he’s additionally a WWE Corridor of Famer. From visitor internet hosting Uncooked in 2009 to commentating on a Philadelphia Avenue Combat at this yr’s Mania, Snoop has proven that he has the mic expertise and in-ring expertise to sort out any wrestler within the locker room. After Shane McMahon went down as a consequence of an damage at WrestleMania 39, The Doggfather pounced on The Miz and delivered a staggering Individuals’s Elbow to the delight of the group. — CL
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1. Dangerous Bunny
