Overview
- Shown on the big screen Saturday at WrestleMania 42 in Las Vegas, Stephen A. Smith drew loud boos and responded by leaning back, spreading his arms, and smiling.
- His appearance overlapped with the New York Knicks’ Game 1 at Madison Square Garden, which the Knicks won 113-102, and he was not at the game.
- Fans on social media blasted the choice, calling him a phony Knicks fan, echoing Josh Hart’s recent jab that he is a “part-time” supporter.
- ESPN streamed WrestleMania under its new U.S. rights deal and aired the first hour on ESPN2, and other sports stars shown on the broadcast such as George Kittle and Tyrese Haliburton were cheered.
- Follow-up coverage showed Smith laughing off the reaction and playing the villain role, a turn that fits WWE’s crowd-participation culture and his on-air persona.