WrestleMania 40 was anticipated to have its share of celebrity appearances and surprises at Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field. But Night 1 on Saturday came with two beloved Philadelphia Eagles stars crashing the party.
Both Lane Johnson and newly retired Jason Kelce decided to disrupt one match for World Wrestling Entertainment’s biggest event.
Which Match Did Jason Kelce and Lane Johnson Interrupt?
Turns out the tag-team battle pitting Rey Mysterio and Andrade vs. Dominik Mysterio and Santos Escobar had a third team get involved during their match.
That team happened to be the Johnson/Kelce duo. And they came out of nowhere to catch Dominik Mysterio off guard by hopping over the rail.
The younger Mysterio, best known for his villain gimmick as a member of the faction “Judgment Day,” attempted to end his match by turning to a steel chair. But the two beloved Eagles linemen — clad in Eagles-colored wrestling masks — thwarted Mysterio’s attack and showed how “Philly strong” they are together.
PHILLY STRONG.@JasonKelce & @LaneJohnson65 just destroyed @DomMysterio35 at #WrestleMania XL! pic.twitter.com/k2xZdODDHA
— WWE (@WWE) April 7, 2024
With the help of the Super Bowl-winning linemen, the WWE legend Rey Mysterio went on to finish the match with his famed “619” move with both his son and Escobar on the ropes before hitting his final splash.
Andrade and the Hall of Famer then earned the three count to secure their WrestleMania victory.
Both men would go on to remove their masks to reveal their identities in front of their longtime home stadium. They went on to draw hordes of loud cheers for their crashing entrance into the wrestling spectacle.
Both Eagles Join Long List of NFL Talent To Take Part in WrestleMania
Johnson and Kelce went on to continue this streak for the WWE: NFL players who became involved in WrestleMania.
Here are some notable moments involving the NFL/WWE crossover at the annual sports entertainment spectacle.
Lawrence Taylor Has Management Help
LT had a famed match with former wrestler Bam Bam Bigelow at WrestleMania 11. Banks stepped in as a special manager to his fellow New York Giant. That would be Taylor’s lone WrestleMania match, which took place two years after his retirement from the league.
But standing in his corner were some heavy NFL representatives: Reggie White, Steve McMichael and Chris Spielman.
William “The Refrigerator” Perry Joins Rare Battle Royal
The beloved Chicago Bears defender and part-time running back during their famed 1985 Super Bowl title run was another past WrestleMania participant. Except he entered WrestleMania 2’s battle royal that involved other NFL players.
Dallas Cowboys Hall of Famer Ed “Too Tall” Jones served as a special guest referee. Former Cowboys Harvey Martin was among the battle royal participants.
Rob Gronkowski Becomes Multi-Time WrestleMania Participant
Two WrestleMania’s featured Rob Gronkowski: The 33rd installment and WrestleMania 36.
During the former, the four-time Super Bowl-winning tight end was seen getting into a heated argument with Jinder Mahal during the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal. “Gronk” eventually entered the ring to help his friend Mojo Rawley to win the match.
Then, three years later, Gronkowski went from host to winning the WWE 24/7 Championship in Tampa Bay.
George Kittle Lays Out The Miz
The San Francisco 49ers All-Pro tight end is an avid wrestling fan. But he got his WrestleMania moment in 2023 at SoFi Stadium.
“The People’s Tight End” gave his friend Pat McAfee an assist against WWE legend The Miz — which included the thunderous clothesline he gave to the former WWE heavyweight champion.
Pat McAfee Gets a Beer, Plus Stunner
The former Indianapolis Colts punter turned famed ESPN radio personality is a WWE regular. But outside of his match with The Miz, McAfee has another famed WrestleMania moment.
KEEP READING: Could WWE Be in Kelce’s Future?
In 2022, McAfee not only defeated Austin Theory but shared some celebratory beers with WWE legend Stone Cold Steve Austin — only to hit him with his famed “Stone Cold Stunner.”
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