WWE Star Addresses Idea That Celebrities Are ‘Taking Up Spots’ From Full-Time Talent

WWE

A WWE star has addressed the idea that celebrities are “taking up spots” from full-time talent in the company.

While celebrities have long played roles on WWE programming to different extents throughout the company’s history, recent years have seen some major names from within the entertainment and sporting world featured in prominent spots.

Whether it be Travis Scott showing up during the main event of WrestleMania 41, or Jelly Roll competing at WWE SummerSlam 2025, the implementation of celebrities is something some fans are not on board with, with many wishing that these spots would go to full-time WWE talent instead.

Speaking to Busted Open Radio, WWE star Damian Priest admitted that he felt the same way as many fans before he joined WWE, but feels differently now he’s on the other side, commenting on the commitment names like Jelly Roll and Bad Bunny have shown for their runs in WWE.

Priest said:

“Before I was in WWE, like most fans, I was like, ‘They’re taking away time from the Superstars, they’re taking away spots, we don’t wanna see that, we want wrestlers.’

“But now on the other side, first of all, it’s a little different with celebrities now from back then. Celebrities now, they’re not coming in just to promote a song or an album or a movie – they’re actually putting in the time.

“Jelly Roll’s doing exactly what Bad Bunny did. He moved to Florida to be at the PC full-time, because he’s taking this seriously. So it’s a little different when somebody takes it a little extra serious.

“But on our side, it’s kinda like, you start realizing and appreciating what Bunny, Jelly Roll and guys like that – when they’re on a show and advertised, the extra eyeballs that get to see me. I’m not even in that match but I’m gonna get extra eyeballs on me, and I’m creating a new fan. Maybe that person will now in turn like me because of what they saw, and I’ll have another follower. A follower for the business or a follower for personal gain. You can’t lose. It’s good for everyone.”

Addressing the idea of celebrity names “taking up spots” specifically, Priest says that its largely up to the WWE stars to ensure they keep their spot on TV.

He continued:

“I don’t believe in ‘taking up spots’. We’re all in control of our own situation within the company – obviously within reason. And to me it’s like, we’re there, we got the job, and it’s on us to maintain staying on TV or whatever.

“So I don’t believe in the ‘taking up a spot’ – I believe in, you did something in your life to deserve this moment right now. That’s how you got here is because of whatever you did in your life. So everybody’s journey is different and whatever reasoning, so I don’t play into that. But I definitely appreciate what it brings to our business now.”

Jelly Roll is set to team with Randy Orton to take on the team of Drew McIntyre and Logan Paul at WWE SummerSlam.

In related news, Damian Priest recently addressed the status of a potential Bad Bunny WWE return – click here for full details.

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• jelly roll
• wwe
• Damian Priest
• BAD BUNNY

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