Folks, just when you thought WrestleMania Weekend was already packed tighter than a Royal Rumble ring at entry #30, WWE went ahead and said, “You know what this needs? A roast.”
In a move straight out of Comedy Central’s playbook, WWE has officially announced “The Roast of WrestleMania,” happening after Night Two of WrestleMania 41 on April 20 at Fontainebleau Las Vegas. This event will feature a lineup of WWE superstars bracing themselves for an absolute verbal smackdown, led by roastmaster Tony Hinchcliffe.
Who’s Getting Roasted?
The lineup includes some of WWE’s most roastable personalities, including Sami Zayn, Braun Strowman, Paul Heyman, and The Miz. (Let’s be honest, Heyman alone could fuel an entire hour of material.) Expect jokes about Sami’s conspiracy theories, Miz’s reality TV career, and Braun’s ability to flip vehicles but not always book a flight to TV tapings.
Not Televised – But Plenty of Burns
According to WWE’s press release, this event will NOT be televised (probably for the best). If you want to witness the carnage firsthand, pre-sale tickets drop March 19, with general sales starting March 21.
Hinchcliffe’s Controversial Past Looms Large
Now, while Hinchcliffe is best known for his “Kill Tony” podcast and his work on The Roast of Tom Brady, his involvement is already raising eyebrows. Last year, he made headlines for his appearance at a Donald Trump rally at Madison Square Garden, where his jokes on Puerto Rico, a Black audience member, and the Israel-Palestine conflict were widely criticized as offensive and racist.
WWE, a company that loves a good PR headache, seems unfazed by the controversy. But one part-time WWE star who might have an issue? Bad Bunny. The Puerto Rican megastar has never directly responded to Hinchcliffe’s remarks, but shortly after that rally, he began endorsing Trump’s opponent, Kamala Harris, leading many to believe it was his way of making a statement.
Will This Roast Be Legendary or a PR Disaster?
WWE roasting itself sounds hilarious in theory, but with Hinchcliffe’s history, there’s potential for this to be the most awkward event since that time DX invaded WCW and got ignored.
One thing’s for sure—Paul Heyman’s rebuttals alone might make it worth the price of admission.