Notable NBA players to have made guest appearances in professional wrestling

NBA.com Staff

Notable NBA players to have made guest appearances in professional wrestling image

On Sep. 24, Satnam Singh - India's first-ever NBA Draft pick - announced his transition to professional wrestling by signing with All Elite Wrestling (AEW). 

The Indian follows the footsteps of NBA Legend Shaquille O'Neal, who participated alongside Jade Cargill in a mixed tag team match against Cody Rhodes and Red Velvet on 'AEW: Dynamite' earlier in 2021. 

Singh and O'Neal are on a long list of players who have either made guest appearances or participated in the squared ring whether that's with WWE, AEW or even WCW. 

Most recently, NBA Champions Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis stopped by when AEW and the WWE respectively visited Milwaukee after the Bucks clinched the 2021 title. 

Here's a look at the other most notable players from that list: 

Trae Young at MSG

In the first round of the 2021 playoffs, Trae Young put on a show against the Knicks at the Madison Square Garden. Hitting dagger shots and taking bows at halfcourt, Young heard it from the crowd at the Garden. 

If that wasn't enough, Young returned just over two months later when the Garden hosted WWE Smackdown. 

Prior to the 2021-22 Media Day, the WWE even surprised Young with a custom 'Hawks' WWE championship belt. 

Shaquille O'Neal

Prior to competing in AEW earlier this year, the Hall of Famer has made a couple of notable appearances on WWE.

First in 2009, having signed with the Cleveland Cavaliers as a free agent, the Big Aristotle was the guest host on Monday Night Raw. 

Years later, in 2016, he participated in the 3rd annual Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal during Wrestlemania 32 at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. 

Enes Kanter

After signing with the Boston Celtics as a free agent in 2019, forward Enes Kanter made an appearance wearing the No. 11 jersey on Monday Night Raw. 

That's not all, he even briefly claimed the WWE's 24/7 Title from R-Truth. 

LeBron James 

Before his illustrious NBA career took off, The King took in the complete experience of Monday Night Raw back in 2003. 

Take a look at his flip phone, an illustration of how far James has not just lasted but dominated the league. 

Dennis Rodman and Karl Malone

The 94-feet of an NBA court is not the only place that forward Dennis Rodman and Karl Malone. 

Fresh off battling each other in the back-to-back NBA Finals in 1997 and 1998, Rodman and Malone faced-off in the 'Bash at the Beach' pay-per-view in 1998. 

As documented in the 'Last Dance', Rodman also made an appearance on WCW just a day before Game 4 of the 1998 NBA Finals.

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NBA.com Staff

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