the cast of Donkey will play a part in tonight’s royal rumble Pay to see.
With promotion for the new donkey forever film in full gear before its premiere on February 4, the cast looks to create an unforgettable and painful moment in WWE’s famously over-the-top battle royal.
TMZ already published images Brock Lesnar Body Slamming Friday Donkey member Wee Man at a restaurant table, but that’s just an appetizer for the main course. The leader of the Donkey band, Johnny Knoxville, is one of the 30 participants in the men’s Royal Rumble.
“I’m going to throw those superstars into the fifth row like paper planes,” Knoxville said, clearly embracing pro wrestling hyperbole. “I’m not impressed with their current lineup of superstars. They don’t have anyone big enough to throw me over the top rope.”
Knoxville has made appearances on WWE programming prior to the royal rumble, feuding with Sami Zayn. This is not uncharted territory for him, as the story between Donkey and WWE dates back more than a decade.
Knoxville had a role in the 2004 film. Stepping strong, starring WWE icon Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. In 2006, Donkey cast members Steve-O and Chris Pontius were in Raw and received a memorable and prolonged beating of Umag. And Knoxville came to WWE in 2008, tormenting the roster until The Great Khali, Hornswoggle, Beth Phoenix and The Boogeyman put an end to their mayhem.
The connection between Knoxville and professional wrestling has roots that go back to his childhood.
“I grew up in Tennessee and was a huge fan of Georgia Championship Wrestling growing up: Abdullah The Butcher, Mongolian Stomper, Mr. Wrestling I and II,” Knoxville said. “There was a real love for the sport.”
from Konxville donkey forever The film is also a remarkable story. the first film, Jackass: The Movie, was released in 2002, serving as the conclusion to a brief but successful run for the MTV show. Yet 20 years and four movies later, Donkey is still present in pop culture. When asked about the popularity and longevity of Donkey, Knoxville, 50, expressed genuine gratitude.
“We’re constantly amazed at how successful we’ve been,” Knoxville said. “We didn’t think it was going to be on television. Our pilot shut down halfway through filming. And when it came to television, we thought no one was going to see it. When we made a film, we thought that no one would come to come.
“Our expectations were always very low, and we have been blown away by the impact it had. It’s silly, it’s absurd, but it’s something I’ve done with my friends and I’m very proud of it.”
Knoxville added that he will not be participating in a solo mission in the Rumble. He promised to bring some friends from Donkey, and couldn’t resist the opportunity to talk about Brock Lesnar’s renowned defender, Paul Heyman.
“I’ve got some cornerbacks I’m going to bring with me,” Knoxville said. “He is much better than Paul Heyman. I hope it’s there. He also needs to be thrown over the top rope.”
More wrestling coverage:
• Preview and predictions for WWE’s ‘Royal Rumble’
• Roman Reigns details his recent experience with COVID-19
• Doudrop Ready for Breakout Moment at WWE’s ‘Royal Rumble’
• Lessons Learned at UFC Propel Stardom Champion Syuri to Pro Wrestling Success
Justin Barrasso can be contacted at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @justinbarrasso.
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Eddie is an Australian news reporter with over 9 years in the industry and has published on Forbes and tech crunch.