WWE star Logan Paul channeled retired NFL running back Marshawn Lynch during a Friday appearance on ESPN’s First Take” to promote this weekend’s WrestleMania 42.
Paul, who wore black tinted sunglasses, seemed disinterested in being there, as he complained about his 5 a.m. call time — and used Lynch’s famous, “I am only here so I don’t get fined” line.
“I would love to answer your question, it’s just so hard because it’s so early and the neurons haven’t quite started firing so maybe you can ask me a more simple question,” Paul said, referring to “First Take” host Shae Cornette.
“What are you most looking forward to this weekend at WrestleMania?” Cornette asked.
Paul is in a six-man tag team match at WrestleMania 42, taking place at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Saturday and Sunday, and streaming live on Netflix, but he has other priorities to attend to first.
“Sleeping in tomorrow morning, which I can do before my match, which I was unable to do this morning because it’s 5 in the morning and they had me come on this show, which is crazy,” Paul explained.
“But I’ll do it because I’m a good employee, the best employee they have, and so that’s why I am here.”
That’s when ESPN contributor David J. Dennis said, “The fans don’t quite like you sometimes,” which set Paul off.
“What are you talking about, bro?” the YouTube personality said. “I will walk right now. I will actually walk right now because I am only here so I don’t get fined. You give me a reason to walk, I will walk, bro.”
It’s very possible Paul’s demeanor was all kayfabe, the wrestling tradition of maintaining his in-ring character in public.
Paul, Austin Theory and IShowSpeed will take on WWE veterans the Usos and LA Knight Speed in a six-man tag team match on Saturday night.
Paul signed a multi-year contract with WWE in 2022, and made his in-ring debut at WrestleMania 38 in April 2022, teaming up with The Miz to defeat Rey and Dominik Mysterio.
He faced Seth Rollins during WrestleMania 39 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif. the next year.
[Notigroup Newsroom in collaboration with other media outlets, with information from the following sources]
