Damian Priest's Hollywood Connection: WWE Star's Movie Appearances Explored
By Ali Hammad August 27, 2024 12:25
Known for his large frame, magnetic charisma, and in-ring ability, Damian Priest has rapidly made a name for himself throughout the map of professional wrestling. Less well-publicized, though, is Priest's developing relationship with Hollywood and his exploration of the film world. In this article, we will look at the complete biography of Damian Priest, like his WWE career and movie bits & how these two things fit together.
Rise to Prominence in WWE
Before we break down some of Priest's ties to Hollywood, it helps to first get a sense of this path in WWE. Priest was signed by WWE in 2018 and debuted on the NXT roster. Pretty soon, he became a familiar face for his distinct personality part rockstar, part goth. His ring style, an assortment of power moves, and agility unusual for his size were different from many of the other wrestlers at the time.
During his run in NXT, one of the highlights for Priest was capturing the North American Championship, which he held on to for 67 days. That reign was one of the things that helped put him on top in WWE's developmental territory. It would be the year 2021 when Damian Priest made his way onto Raw with a more significant deal and an even bigger impact, being entered into the Royal Rumble match that took place at that time, where he instantly eliminated four other competitors.
Priest had a strong run on the main roster and was involved in significant storylines over his short time with WWE. He did it in 2021 when he became the United States Champion, having held it for an impressive reign of 191 days. His reign made him a top draw on Raw, which is WWE's A show. Priest has been a part of some big angles as well, such as working with International music sensation Bad Bunny, which included an excellent tag team match at WrestleMania 37.
At present, Priest is heavily involved in quite a few top WWE stories since becoming one of The Judgment Day's key members in their recent heel turn.
Movie Appearances
Damian Priest's career in the WWE is well-documented, but his trips to Hollywood are not as publicized. Regardless, even those few appearances give a good idea of what Priest the entertainer was about and showcased his crossover potential in more liberating ways.
Priest would have one memorable role in a movie, appearing in the 2023 film "80 for Brady." Hollywood icons Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, Rita Moreno, and Sally Field lead this all-star cast for a sports comedy about four best friends heading down to see Tom Brady play in Super Bowl LI. A cameo by Priest himself in the film, paired with fellow WWE superstar Davey Boy Smith Jr.
It's simply a scene where the show's main characters run into some NFL guys and personalities. Yet Priest could assert his stage presence and look unique amongst many stars. Though not a lead role, this cameo illustrated WWE's increasing forays into mainstream entertainment and the potential star power of Priest behind the wrestling ring.
WWE Studios occasionally produces action and horror films. One of the superstars is also a star wrestler, who helps them extend their careers in acting. This includes an appearance via the WWE Network special "The Horror Show at Extreme Rules" in 2020. Of course, this was a wrestling event, not an actual movie, but it did have aspects that made it feel like more than just watching Priest act for the first time on screen.
Effects on WWE's Image and Career
While Damian Priest's Hollywood ties are mainly in an incubation phase, their impact on his WWE persona and where he is headed cannot be overstated. His appearance in "80 for Brady" and his work with WWE Studios projects helped establish him as more than just a wrestler.
WWE's glamor and razzle-dazzle of that "Rockstar" side of the character match perfectly with Hollywood. Through his nickname, The Archer of Infamy, and catchphrase, Live forever, he transforms into a mythological figure that reaches far beyond the wrestling stage. This makes him suited to other media that cater to crossover appeal with his fungibility and accessibility rather than depth in character.
The WWE has previous experience with superstars being able to crack it in showbiz over in Hollywood, with Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and John Cena being notable hits. While Priest's move across is still in its infancy, his immediate film outings suggest he may have the clout and presence to do so.
It's too soon to say if Damian Priest is poised to become WWE's next major crossover star. Getting his foot in the door appears promising so far. How he retains such easy charisma and a lovable-heel presence remains to be seen.
While it's still a work in progress, and he owns his craft more as time passes, there's no doubt that Damian Priest will continue to have an interesting journey for fans of wrestling and cinema. His tale speaks to the growing overlap of sports entertainment and Hollywood, where sport meets narrative and outlandish personas align with cinema-like aesthetics.
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