Sixers’ Joel Embiid Getting Public Support From WWE Superstars

Even though Joel Embiid was born in 1994, the 2022 NBA MVP is a big fan of Professional Wrestling and the "Attitude Era" that dominated the WWF (now rebranded WWE) during the late 1990s.  Many people growing up during the mid-90's to early 2000's identified with the rebellious and anti-establishment storylines from the "Attitude Era" and Joel Embiid has gotten in trouble for his latest WWE-related celebration.

Joel Embiid was fined $35,000 for what the NBA called "obscene gestures" for his celebration after a score in the second quarter of Sunday's win over the Portland Trail Blazers. This is the second time that Embiid has been fined for celebrating with the D-Generation X "Suck It" Chop (he was fined $25,0000 in January during a game versus the Brooklyn Nets).

D-Generation X was a group headlined by WWE Superstars Triple H and Shawn Michaels that showcased irreverent behavior.  The group incorporated adult humor and themes into their skits over the traditional family-friendly content that WWF was known for in the 1980's.  The "DX Chop" became a famous gesture symbolizing an anti-establishment message for many pro wrestling fans.

Now 25 years after the D-Generation X group debuted on television, Triple H is the Chief Content Officer for World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) and he publicly invited Joel Embiid to the biggest annual event of the Pro Westling Calendar: Wrestlingmania XL is coming to Philadelphia April 6th and 7th in 2024.

The problem is the Philadelphia 76ers will be on a three-game road trip from April 4th through April 7th so Joel Embiid will be out of town that weekend. The two-time NBA Scoring Champion thanked Triple H publicly for the invite.

This is not the first time Embiid and Triple H have connected though, as they previously did a couple years ago during the NBA Playoffs. For the Sixers' traditional "Ring the Bell" pre-game ceremony for home games, the WWE Superstar walked out with Joel Embiid as they wore D-Generation X shirts and the famous theme music played to hype up the crowd.

I have to point out that Joel Embiid has performed well in the games he channels the D-Generation X attitude on the court:

*After the pre-game ceremony with Triple H, the Sixers big man scored 39 Points and grabbed 9 Rebounds plus had 3 Blocks in Game One of the 2021 Eastern Conference Finals versus the Atlanta Hawks
*In the Sixers game versus the Minnesota Timberwolves April 3, 2021 Joel Embiid finished the game with 24 Points and 8 Rebounds plus 3 Blocks
*Game Two of the Sixers versus Washingon Wizards playoff series in the 2021 NBA Playoffs, Joel Embiid had 22 Points and 7 Rebounds as the 76ers won by 25 points.
*In the game against the Brooklyn Nets on January 25, 2023 Embiid went 13-13 on Free Throws as part of a 26 Points and 10 Rebounds performance
*On Sunday October 29, 2023 versus the Portland Trail Blazers we saw Joel Embiid score 35 Points to go along with 15 Rebounds and Six Blocks

The other lead member of D-Generation X also got involved in the Joel Embiid support on social media, as Sean Michaels publicly invited the reigning NBA MVP to come out to any WWE NXT show. Michaels is the defacto "General Manager" of NXT and does operations work behind the scenes for the popular WWE property known for its creativity.

NXT has famously launched the careers of many future WWE Superstars and would be a fun environment to see Joel Embiid be involved in a skit. The Philadelphia 76ers just hope he doesn't try to perform any stunts though as Sixers fans already stress out whoever Embiid falls during an NBA game.