Former NFL star Rob Gronkowski opened WWE's biggest event of the year Saturday night as the host of WrestleMania 36. He kicked off the first night by introducing himself as "Gronk, your WrestleMania host with the most."
In typical Gronk fashion, he had no trouble capturing the audience's attention. The three-time Super Bowl champ sported sunglasses and a blue animal print zip-up jacket to start the show.
Who better to kick things off and get you pumped than @RobGronkowski and @MojoRawleyWWE?! #WrestleMania pic.twitter.com/d99mcsdZDQ
— WWE (@WWE) April 4, 2020
"WWE picked the right guy to host [WrestleMania] because I know how to start a party on Saturday night and finish it 30 hours later," he said.
Twitter seemed entertained early on.
Your "#WrestleMania host with the most" @RobGronkowski is ready to PAARRRRTAYYYYY! 🎊🎉
— WWE WrestleMania (@WrestleMania) April 4, 2020
*insert Kristen Wiig Bridesmaids gif* pic.twitter.com/rXeBXgbRYa
impressed as hell with Gronk’s work on the prompter
— Mike Golic Jr (@mikegolicjr) April 4, 2020
WrestleMania 36 is one of the very few sporting events taking place during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The event went on as scheduled, but no audience members were present at WWE's Performance Center in Orlando, Fla.
Gronk hosting WrestleMania, then, seemed to fit in with the weirdness of everything else mid-pandemic.
2019:
— Mark (@WrestlingJebus) April 4, 2020
"Hey!
If you think this year is bad!
Next year WrestleMania will be in front of 0 fans & hosted by the Gronk!"
2020: "LOL good one....oh crap"#Wrestlemania36 #WrestleMania pic.twitter.com/kfyiJC5bok
Did anyone predict the Pats dynasty would end with a Round 1 loss to Ryan Tannehill, Brady leaving for the Bucs and moving into Jeter’s house in Tampa, and Gronk hosting a no-fan WrestleMania?
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) April 4, 2020
The Twitter reactions to Gronk appeared to become more negative as the night went on.
I am a boomer when I see Gronk
— Bryan Alvarez (@bryanalvarez) April 4, 2020
Can I set my TV up to automatically mute Gronk when he talks?#WrestleMania
— J O E (@Walk_With_Joe) April 4, 2020
Gronk and Mojo are your #Wrestlemania36 host. Ten years from now, remember that this was everyone's rock bottom. @Matmenpodcast
— Treehouse Vince (@TreehouseVince) April 4, 2020
Gronk himself got in on some WWE action. He took down former champion R-Truth in the middle of a segment, but co-host Mojo Rawley jumped in, stole the pin and reclaimed the 24-7 title.
Did @MojoRawleyWWE really just STEAL that #247Championship win from @RobGronkowski?! #WrestleMania pic.twitter.com/ei1uScBnD7
— WWE (@WWE) April 5, 2020
I can’t believe Mojo just threw his friendship down the drain with Gronk..
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) April 5, 2020
I mean. Wow.
It was an eventful Saturday night for Gronk inside an empty arena. His work earned him only mixed reviews on Twitter.