10 Reasons Why Hot 97’s Summer Jam Is Rap’s Wrestlemania

Having attended WWE’s Wrestlemania and Hot 97’s Summer Jam in the past year, I can tell you a thing or two about the inescapable links between the biggest spectacle in Sports Entertainment and the biggest show in Hip-Hop. Hip-Hop is as more about the entertainment value than it ever is about the true essence of what Hip-Hop is, sort of like actual wrestling is to Wrestlemania. The grandeur, the spectacle and the moments of Hot 97’s Summer Jam is almost always talked about more than the celebration of actual talented artists and rappers at the yearly event. Take a walk with us to see just how similar the two events are. 
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The Stadium 

The one thing that draws artists, fans, and more from all over the country to Hot 97’s Summer Jam is the allure of rocking a crowd bigger than most may ever see in their lifetime. Just like Wrestlemania, all of the artists that come to Summer Jam “get up” for the yearly festival. You will definitely see an artist bring out another artist for this particular show that you may not see on their own tour. At Wrestlemania, you will definitely see a wrestler go “all out” to have their own “Wrestlemania moment” and steal the show. The chance to leave an impression on 60,000+ spectators is never lost on those who perform on each stage because in either profession, next year is not promised.

The Play-By-Play

What separates Hot 97’s Summer Jam from being just a concert and a full on show, is that there is actually a resemblance of a play-by-play. Throughout the show, Angie Martinez, Miss Info, DJ Enuff, Cipha Sounds, Peter Rosenberg and more all take turns of playing Jim Ross and Jerry “The King” Lawler by keeping the audience abreast of the show’s goings on. Whether it be on the radio, on twitter, or live on stage, the DJ’s make sure that you get an experience even if you aren’t actually at the show.

Satisfying The Internet Nerds 

Just like how Hip-Hop has “blog favorite” rappers, Pro Wrestling has the IWC also known as the Internet Wrestling Community. So at the biggest show of the year, the respective juggernauts of Hot 97 and the WWE will throw a collective bone to the rap/wrestling nerds. Summer Jam has it’s Hot 97 Festival stage which featured internet darlings, Kendrick Lamar, Schoolboy Q, Pusha T, A$AP Rocky and Azealia Banks. At Wrestlemania you usually get a schmozzy battle royal or a criminally short match that usually consists of the guys that are probably more purely talented then their main event coutnerparts, but not ready for the big stage according to “the machine.” Sound familiar?

The Heel Turn

To those who don’t know exactly what a “heel turn” is, it is a wrestling term for when a huge fan favorite turns his (or her) back on his fans and becomes a “bad guy,” or a “heel.” One of the biggest Wrestlemania moments in history was when the hometown hero, Stone Cold Steve Austin, sold his soul to the devil himself Vince McMahon in Texas’ Wrestlemania X-7. Fast forward to last night and a similar hometown hero, Nicki Minaj, was supposed to come back to the NYC metro area to put on an unforgettable show for her die hard fanbase. Due to other circumstances, that didn’t happen, letting down a legion of her fans and in this case, making her a heel.

The Surprise Returns

When you’ve always thought you’ve seen it all, Hot 97’s Summer Jam and WWE’s Wrestlemania always seems to pull a rabbit out of their hat and get somebody to perform that makes you say, “now where the hell have they been?” Last night, the legendary Lauryn Hill took the stage to a surprised and raucous MetLife Stadium, just when Nicki Minaj pulled out of her performance. This was strikingly similar to Wrestlemania IX when Bret Hart took an L to the mighty Yokozuna only to be saved by none other than the Immortal Hulk Hogan.

Fat Guys With Their Shirt Off

Listen, if you are uncomfortable with watching portly guys sweat and wobble around with their shirt off, neither event is for you. From Bone Crusher to Rick Ross, and The Big Show to Akebono you are almost guaranteed to see some sloppin and floppin in the summer breeze when you attend either event.

Stealing The Show

Despite not being the “main act” at Wrestlemania or Summer Jam, you better believe there is always an act that comes in and steals the show right from under the main event’s nose. Last night, Young Jeezy did just that when he brought out T.I., Ne-Yo, and the first appearance of 2 Chainz for the night. Surprise guests are always good for cheap pops, but Jeezy held the crowd in the palm of his hands by running threw his endless supply of hits as well as his latest material off of TM-103. Stealing the show is almost always more impressive than delivering on a big main event.

Actual Athletes 

Just because Hip-Hop and Pro Wrestling is as real as VH-1 reality shows, doesn’t mean that it doesn’t attract the attention of real, big time athletes. In years pasts, Wrestlemania has brought out stars like Floyd Mayweather Jr., Mike Tyson, Alex Rodriguez and more. Last night, Victor Cruz graced the stage that was placed on the same field of his Super Bowl champion, New York Giants.

Controversy 

Controversy? Oh there was a whole ton of that going on last night at Summer Jam, and it was all drummed up by one of the biggest rap/wrestling nerds alive, Peter Rosenberg. It was almost certain he might have been partially inspired by CM Punk’s epic speech dissecting the crap that was WWE last year that turned the indy darling into a true top star. Although he did tread lightly when compared to Punk’s ethering of the company he worked for, Rosenberg shot sharply at main event act, Nicki Minaj, just as effectively as Punk crapped all over then-WWE Champion, John Cena. I’m just surprised Rosenberg didn’t do it all while sitting Indian-style.

The Main Event Never Live Up To The Hype

No matter how much you try and hype yourself up for it, the main event always ends more with a whimper and not with a bang. In years past, the biggest acts at Summer Jam would never go on last because most fans would start to leave in an attempt to beat traffic, leaving the poor final act to perform to a crowd of about 60-40% capacity. If that wasn’t the case, the final act was probably the same final act as the year before without much change. Similar to Wrestlemania, their main events have only featured your Hulk Hogans, Stone Cold Steve Austins, or John Cenas. This year, Rick Ross was your John Cena. Oh, and the awkward Raekwon and Method Man ending? The hell was that?