Joan Jett to play Ronda Rousey to the ring at WrestleMania 35
WrestleMania is the place where pro wrestling and pop culture meet. And this year, Ronda Rousey is getting a grand entrance courtesy of Joan Jett.
Ronda Rousey has been using Joan Jett’s iconic 1980s hit, “Bad Reputation,” as her walk-out music since her days with the UFC. It’s been a defining part of her persona as a fighter and now, as a WWE Superstar and Raw Women’s Champion. And with WrestleMania 35 — and Rousey’s main-event bout defending her belt against Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair — approaching, it was only fitting that Jett take part in what is an often celebrity-studded event.
On Tuesday, the WWE announced that Jett will be live at WrestleMania to play Rousey to the ring. Per Neil Lawi, the senior vice president and general manager of WWE Music Group:
"The Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll, Joan Jett, is a music legend and icon for powerful women everywhere. Her performance at this year’s WrestleMania promises to be both exhilarating and inspiring, and we are honored to watch her join a distinct list of extraordinary performers who have lit up the WWE stage."
Breaking: @joanjett will perform @WrestleMania @MetLifeStadium Jett will play her hit song “Bad Reputation” as WWE Raw Women’s Champion @RondaRousey makes ring entrance and defends her title in the main event against @WWE Superstars @BeckyLynchWWE and @MsCharlotteWWE pic.twitter.com/XecQqp624n
— WWE Public Relations (@WWEPR) March 26, 2019
.@RondaRousey is a girl that does what she wants to do #WrestleMania35 #SeeYouThere pic.twitter.com/s08w1kDvro
— Joan Jett & the Blackhearts (@joanjett) March 26, 2019
Having musicians play wrestlers to the ring is a regular occurrence at WrestleMania. Limp Bizkit, Motorhead, Snoop Dogg and Living Colour have been among those to do so in recent years and the show often features other musical acts either as de facto “halftime performers” or special musical guests. This year, WWE Superstar Elias will serve as the show’s headlining musical guest, but it definitely looks like his guitar stylings will be outshined by the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer.
Jett won’t be the only celebrity in attendance, as WrestleMania is an event that works hard to merge the worlds of professional wrestling (or sports entertainment, depending on one’s semantic preferences) and pop culture.
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Saturday Night Live performers Colin Jost and Michael Che will serve as special correspondents at WrestleMania 35 and, according to a decision made by Alexa Bliss during her “Moment of Bliss” talk show on this Monday’s Raw, will also be taking part in the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal.