Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid was fined by the NBA after a celebration during their game against the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday. The celebration was an ode to legendary wrestling legend Triple H, otherwise known as Paul Levesque. And this led Levesque to make an interesting proposal to Embiid for WrestleMania 40 later this year.
Embiid and the 76ers dominated the Trail Blazers on Sunday. But one moment in particular had Embiid so fired up that he celebrated using Triple H’s classic “D-Generation X” celebration.
JOEL IS FIRED UP pic.twitter.com/dnfKmpPEl6
— NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) October 30, 2023
According to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, Embiid was issued a $35,000 fine for the celebration on Tuesday night.
76ers star Joel Embiid has been fined $35,000 for his D-Generation X/Triple H celebration vs. Blazers on Sunday.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 31, 2023
The fine obviously hurts, but it seems like Triple H is presenting Embiid an opportunity to make that money back and then some.
Triple H took to social media on Tuesday shortly after the fine became public, offering Embiid an opportunity to take part in WrestleMania 40 in Philadelphia where he would be able to celebrate like that “all day”.
“Hey @JoelEmbiid,” tweeted Triple H. “I know a place where you can do that all day, and everyone will love it. WrestleMania 40 is right there in Philly…”
Hey @JoelEmbiid – I know a place where you can do that all day, and everyone will love it. @WrestleMania 40 is right there in Philly… https://t.co/2Ab1w781qU pic.twitter.com/swVCzt5N8E
— Triple H (@TripleH) October 31, 2023
Triple H is currently the Head of Creative at WWE, which means that he has the final say of anything going on television. So this proposal from him is certainly significant. Fans of both the WWE and the NBA offered their opinions on this offer on social media.
Was the celebration and fine just a work all along? https://t.co/SLLDSZwXaZ
— Andrew Visnovsky (@AndrewVisnovsky) October 31, 2023
We on our way Wrestlemania https://t.co/IXUKxHt8Eh
— Teddy (@tedgotthebread) October 31, 2023
Would be a crime to not show up and crotch chop with DX https://t.co/z7sdVW202O
— Troy Taroff (@TroyTaroff) November 1, 2023
The Triple H and Joel Embiid combo is the best. https://t.co/R8XpirJboj
— Michael Steinrock (@Mikesteinrock) November 1, 2023
Gotttttta make an appearance now! https://t.co/xKsl6jTDf9
— billy stagliano (@bill_stags) October 31, 2023
We have seen plenty of sports stars take part in WrestleMania crossover moments in the past, so it wouldn’t be the most outlandish thing to happen if Embiid was indeed able to participate in the event.
However, there is a very solid chance that the NBA schedule will directly conflict with WrestleMania in April, which would likely rule out Embiid from taking part in it.
