Nick Khan: ‘Expect a bunch of surprises’ at WWE WrestleMania 39

WWE may have some surprises in store for WrestleMania 39. 

Nick Khan told ESPN’s First Take on Thursday that the company has “got to make it big” this year in Los Angeles. When asked what fans can expect from the event, Khan responded: 

Expect a bunch of surprises, that’s what we’re known for, this is WrestleMania. We pulled some out at Royal Rumble a couple of months ago in San Antonio. Here at SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles, two-night event, we got to make it big. So, that’s what we expect to have happen. 

Earlier in the conversation, Khan spoke about how celebrity involvement has been a big part of WrestleMania’s history. 

Khan said:

It really started with Mr. T, which was Vince McMahon’s vision with WrestleMania I to get the most relevant, or one of the most relevant celebrities at that time along with Cyndi Lauper to come over, the Rock N Wrestling Connection, and to get eyeballs on our product that way.

If you think about it, it then continued with Floyd Mayweather. It used to be, as you knew, boxers came into the sports entertainment, the WWE world, on the downside of their career. 

Then you look at Floyd, he came into it when he was on the upswing. Tyson Fury did the same thing and I think Bad Bunny, when he finally came in during WrestleMania Tampa two years ago. Bad Bunny really set the stage that this is where you go if you’re building your brand, not once you’re on the downside. I think that applies to Ronda, it applies to Logan, it applies to Pat McAfee and the other good folks you mentioned. 

Earlier this week, Khan noted that Pat McAfee is not expected to be part of WrestleMania this year. McAfee returned to WWE for one night at the Royal Rumble in January but has not returned to his previously held position at the SmackDown commentary position.