Stephen A. Smith fully leaned into his villainous persona at WrestleMania 42’s opening night, drawing loud jeers from the crowd at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Saturday.
Crowd Reaction at the Event
The ESPN personality attended the two-day wrestling spectacle, where WWE cameras highlighted several celebrities in the audience, including NFL star George Kittle and NBA player Tyrese Haliburton. While most stars received cheers on the big screen, Smith faced resounding boos from fans.
Unfazed by the hostility, Smith closed his eyes, leaned back with arms outstretched, and laughed heartily before settling into his seat.
ESPN Broadcast Milestone
Smith’s presence aligns with WrestleMania’s debut broadcast on ESPN platforms. The early matches aired on ESPN’s cable channel, with premium bouts streaming later on ESPN+.
Recent reports confirm Smith secured a lucrative ESPN contract valued at approximately $20 million per year.
Presidential Run Rumors Quashed
Smith has teased a potential 2028 presidential bid over the past 18 months. However, during a guest spot on Sean Hannity’s Fox News podcast, he dismissed the idea over financial concerns.
Hannity pressed, “I think it’s all bulls***. I don’t think you’re running, am I right?”
Smith replied, “I don’t think I’m running either because I gotta give up my money. I ain’t giving up my money, Sean. I can tell you right now, let me put the presidential aspirations to bed. If I have to give up my money, it’s not happening.”
