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Eagles Legend Jason Kelce Opens Up About WrestleMania Experience

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Devon Platana | Last updated Nov 26, 2024 12:41 PM ET

Philadelphia Eagles legendary offensive lineman Jason Kelce made headlines in April when he appeared at WrestleMania XL.

A lifelong pro wrestling fan, Kelce — along with Eagles offensive tackle Lane Johnson — assisted former world champion Rey Mysterio and Andrade in their tag team victory over Santos Escobar and Dominik Mysterio. The gridiron duo looked like naturals in the ring as they celebrated the victory shirtless in front of a jam-packed Philadelphia crowd.

Even though it's been six months since the event, Kelce's WWE debut is still on his mind. The seven-time Pro Bowl center discussed his unforgettable experience when he appeared on Monday's edition of "The Rich Eisen Show."

"I didn't really know what to expect," Kelce told Eisen. "It got announced that (WrestleMania) was coming to Philly and (WWE) wanted Lane and I to be a part of it."

"Lane and I went to a couple of wrestling gyms in South Jersey and we were doing moves and bumps. I learned how to bump, how to clothesline, how to get slapped in the chest and act like it doesn't hurt. It actually does hurt."

When people think about professional wrestling, one of the first topics to be brought up is whether it's fake or not. Even though the winners of each match are predetermined (aside from the occasional in-match audible), Kelce insists that there isn't anything "fake" about what he went through at WrestleMania.

"I learned how to bump, how to clothesline, how to get slapped in the chest and act like it doesn't hurt," Kelce said. "It actually does hurt... When you're there next to the stage, that mat is not soft. It is a full-on board."

"A lot of people say wrestling is fake. So is the TV show you're watching."

BAH GAWD THAT’S JASON KELCE’S MUSIC @WWE #WrestleMania pic.twitter.com/Nn2aQyKkhD
— New Heights (@newheightshow) April 7, 2024

With an explosive personality and a body built for football, many fans saw Kelce as a natural fit for the WWE world. Having said that, the former Cincinnati blocker's life is quite busy now that he's an ESPN analyst and will launch his first talk show, "They Call It Late Night with Jason Kelce," beginning on Jan. 4.

It might not be long before Philadelphia fans see Kelce back in the squared circle, though. WWE is bringing "Friday Night SmackDown" back to Wells Fargo Center on March 7.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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