Danhausen, Warren-raised WWE Superstar, curses ESPN's Stephen A. Smith
April 17, 2026
The interaction happened on ESPN's 'First Take' on Friday.
A memorable and bizarre encounter unfolded on ESPN's "First Take" when WWE superstar Danhausen made a surprise appearance and playfully "cursed" the show's prominent host, Stephen A. Smith. The Warren-raised wrestler, known for his eccentric, face-painted persona, crashed the set during a promotional segment for the upcoming WrestleMania 42 event, leaving Smith and the panel momentarily bewildered. The interaction has since sparked a flurry of discussion online, blending the worlds of professional wrestling and mainstream sports commentary in an unusual fashion.
During the live broadcast, Danhausen, who describes himself as "very nice, very evil," introduced himself to the hosts. The exchange took a turn when Smith, a famously outspoken commentator, remarked that he had heard of Danhausen and called him a "bad luck charm." Staying in character, Danhausen retorted that he is, in fact, a good luck charm and could even curse the enemies of Smith's beloved New York Knicks. However, citing Smith's "rude" on-air demeanor towards him, Danhausen declared, "so unfortunately, you are cursed!" The wrestler then vanished from the frame, leaving a visibly confused Smith to process the strange turn of events.
This television moment is part of a broader promotional push for Danhausen, who recently signed with WWE in February 2026 after a stint with All Elite Wrestling (AEW). His character is built around a unique blend of horror-inspired aesthetics and offbeat humor, with the act of "cursing" his opponents being a signature element of his performance. This gimmick has been a key part of his rise on the independent circuit and now on the global stage of WWE. The appearance on a major platform like ESPN serves to introduce his unconventional style to a wider audience ahead of WWE's biggest event of the year.
The incident is the latest in a series of promotional activities for Danhausen leading into WrestleMania 42 in Las Vegas. While he is not scheduled for a formal match, reports indicate that he is expected to be part of a significant in-stadium segment during the weekend's festivities. There has been internal discussion about a possible on-screen interaction with WrestleMania host and wrestling legend John Cena, an idea Danhausen himself has fueled by expressing a desire to meet the 17-time World Champion. His presence has also been felt through other means, including a branded Goodyear Blimp seen over Las Vegas.
For now, the "curse" on Stephen A. Smith remains a lighthearted and theatrical moment designed to generate buzz. It effectively highlights Danhausen's unique brand of entertainment and leverages the crossover appeal between professional wrestling and sports media. As WrestleMania 42 approaches, all eyes will be on whether the "very nice, very evil" superstar's curse has any lingering effects, and what his highly anticipated role will be on the grandest stage of them all. The public reaction has largely been one of amusement, with fans of both wrestling and sports enjoying the unexpected and comical confrontation.
Source: detroitnews