Kinny Killa – Are Celebrities Hurting The WrestleMania Build?

Chairshot OG Kinny Killa makes his return discussing celebrity involvement in this year’s WrestleMania!

Celebrity involvement with WrestleMania has been a historical constant since the very first one in 1985. We can look at Mr. T, Cyndi Lauper, and Floyd Mayweather to name a few. A lot of early involvement of celebrities were long term storylines which built to a main event match and a focused on bringing wrestling into the mainstream. While celebrity involvement continues to be a thing for WrestleMania, their transition into the business has been very successful with clear examples in Logan Paul, Pat McAfee, and Jelly Roll. But are celebrities hurting this year’s build to WrestleMania?

“Hurting” is a strong word, as some have been involved in storylines or involved with wrestlers for a good period of time. The real question is, do some of the celebrities bring value to any of the matches? For Jellyroll and iShowSpeed, I would say yes due to the positions they’re in and the athletic feats that would help the layout of the matches and could go viral. For Pat McAfee and Lil Yachty, at such a late stage in the build for WrestleMania, I believe their involvement doesn’t bring any value to the matches. The focus on the storylines to their linked matches have been elsewhere and had enough pull or heat without them.

Some may say my view is quite pessimistic which isn’t generally my nature, so let’s put a positive spin on this and ask the question – In 2026, what does successful integration into a WrestleMania look like for a celebrity?

Dedication to understanding and performing in the business 

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, but in this business it can only get you so far – like a cheap pop or maybe even an injury. Fans appreciate when celebrities put their all into something that fans only wish they could do. Put on some wrestling gear, have their own music play them to the ring, and do a Macho Man elbow drop from the top rope. We’ve seen this done perfectly with Logan Paul, a YouTube influencer often hated as a personality. WWE used this background for him to become a short term heel for a WrestleMania storyline with a wrestler with a similar background, The Miz. Logan Paul enjoyed the feeling of being hated as a fictional character, as this could be portrayed as only seen on TV. In return, he dedicated his life to learning the craft in the ring and on the mic. If you want to see a successful mainstream celebrity WWE gimmick today, just turn on Monday Night Raw and watch as you hear the start of his theme song – “Eyyyyy Yooooooo”. Logan Paul, we see you!

A long term storyline build that makes sense

The wrestling terms “shoot” and “work” are often blurred today, but real life situations that have been squashed can also act as a spark for something in the wrestling world. In 2026, it could be something as simple as a social media post taken the wrong way by a heel, or a visit to a late night talk show which can erupt into chaos. Another way is to tie a larger-than-life celebrity to a long main event feud that will bring in more eyes to it, along with the bonus of somewhat being involved in the match. Exhibit A is one of the best examples of this happening. Enter the “Baddest Man On The Planet,” Mike Tyson. He was a controversial figure in 1998, and WWE knew he would bring eyes to WrestleMania no matter what he did. Having Mike Tyson linked to Stone Cold Steve Austin in his match with Shawn Michaels as an enforcer in the main event at WrestleMania 14 was a master stroke. Austin was being pushed to become the next star for the previous 12 months. Shawn Michaels and DX did everything to stop Austin’s momentum the moment he won the Royal Rumble. Adding Mike Tyson as a foil added extra intensity to the storyline, teasing the prospect of Austin and Tyson coming to blows. What transpired at WrestleMania 14 was perfect, ending the show with a scene people always paid to see from “Iron Mike” – a knockout!

Being humble and entertaining the fans

Lastly, understanding the business is one thing, but being humble enough to understand the task at hand, executing this within a match format, and entertaining the fans at the same time is key. Just look at the comedic chaos that was Sami Zayn VS Johnny Knoxville at WrestleMania 38. No matter how “carny” or silly it was, both understood what had to be done. And no one understood more than Johnny Knoxville. He used his trademark gimmick to be involved in a match that was funny and entertaining along with a serious character in Sami Zayn. Knoxville took several big bumps and delivered his unique arsenal in such a hilarious way, that he endured himself to the fans in the stadium and watching at home. Comedic chaos it was, but it was praised for its timing and execution.

To curb stomp my point across, celebrities helped give birth to WrestleMania and bring it to a mainstream audience. With the age of social media, influencers are continuing to push wrestling to different areas of the world through just a few clicks. If celebrities want to continue to help the wrestling business thrive and help grow each other’s “stock”, be dedicated, learn the business, use your notoriety to help build a storyline and reap the rewards after by leaving the ring in a better state than when you entered. Just ask Bad Bunny what his match at Backlash in 2023 did for him, WWE, and Puerto Rico.

Let the sirens ring! Kinny Killa is your hook up, so “Holla if ya hear me”!

Written by Kinny Killa