Football and professional wrestling collided this week as Manchester City striker Erling Haaland teamed up with wrestler and actor John Cena for a promotional skit. Cena, known for his recent comic cameo at the Oscars, donned a City replica shirt and scarf, a blonde wig, and sipped on milk, a favorite of Haaland's, during the video call from Florida.
The duo shared banter, with Cena joking about not being seen, a nod to his wrestling persona, before revealing details of City's upcoming preseason tour in the United States, including stops in New York and Orlando.
While rare, there have been other instances of football and wrestling crossing paths. Notable examples include Jose Mourinho and Wayne Rooney appearing on WWE broadcasts. Rooney famously slapped wrestler Wade Barrett during a live show in Manchester, while Mourinho was playfully roasted by Shane McMahon at an event in 2007.
In 2019, Mexico striker Raúl Jiménez welcomed wrestler Sin Cara to the Wolves training ground, showcasing their friendship. Former goalkeeper Tim Weise transitioned from football to professional wrestling, making his WWE debut after retirement.
In 2020, WWE legend Triple H encouraged West Ham United's Declan Rice to stay at the club to 'build a legacy and become a hero.' These unique crossovers between football and wrestling continue to entertain fans and create unexpected connections between the two worlds.
