Pacers’ Tyrese Haliburton Teases WWE Royal Rumble 2025 Appearance in Indianapolis

Paul KasabianFeatured Columnist IINovember 6, 2024

Sam Hodde/Getty Images

Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton teased a potential appearance at the next Royal Rumble, which takes place in Indianapolis’ Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday, Feb. 1.

Haliburton made his remarks during an interview with sports and entertainment journalist Landon Buford.

“I can’t tell you everything, but you might see me at the Rumble,” Haliburton said.

Landon Buford @LandonBufordTyrese Haliburton Hints at Possible @WWE Royal Rumble Appearancehttps://t.co/xP0OYWWWKl#WWERaw #YesCers #NBA #WWE pic.twitter.com/qdRsDIM4QH

Haliburton also told Buford his top five wrestlers of all time (John Cena, Shawn Michaels, Shelton Benjamin, The Undertaker and Roman Reigns).

Landon Buford @LandonBufordPacers’ Tyrese Haliburton Reveals His Top 5 Wrestlers:https://t.co/K94qC3dQRj#WWE #YesCers #NBA #WWERaw pic.twitter.com/KM0YG4k6P1

In addition, he laid out his Mount Rushmore of WWE finishers: Randy Orton’s RKO, Jeff Hardy’s Swanton Bomb, Undertaker’s Hell’s Gate and Shawn Michaels’ Sweet Chin Music.

Landon Buford @LandonBufordTyrese Haliburton Names His Mount Rushmore of @WWE Finishers: https://t.co/SROlGlvyN4#WWE #YesCers #NBA #WWERaw pic.twitter.com/mXVF6atkW7

Haliburton is a big wrestling fan and has made multiple appearances on WWE television. The most notable one occurred in late June, where he (sporting brass knuckles) teased a fight with New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (holding a steel chair) during SmackDown. Nothing ever came of the two rivals, who were flanked by Logan Paul and LA Knight, respectively. The showdown also notably occurred less than two months after Haliburton’s Pacers beat Brunson’s Knicks four games to three in the Eastern Conference semifinals.

In September, Haliburton also appeared on WWE NXT, helping facilitate a contract for a championship match between “All Ego” Ethan Page and Trick Williams.

WWE @WWE”Give me the contract, and I’ll get it done.”

After the chaos to start the show, @Pacers All-Star @TyHaliburton22 promises he will get @_trickwilliams and @OfficialEGO to sign the contract before the night ends! 👏#WWENXT pic.twitter.com/WSP8Qceg5N

He also had some Pacers teammates supporting him in the crowd and talked some trash to Orlando Magic fans too.

WWE @WWE”I would boo too if I had to be an Orlando Magic fan.”@TyHaliburton22 came with some backup in the form of some @Pacers teammates and then let the NXT crowd hear it! 😂#WWENXT pic.twitter.com/bvfeXNw7Ja

Haliburton and the Pacers host the Atlanta Hawks at 5 p.m. ET on Feb. 1 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. The Royal Rumble begins streaming at 6 p.m. that day, so perhaps Haliburton finishes playing, makes the quick trek over to Lucas Oil Stadium and shows up in front of thousands of fans with the event in progress.

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