Damian Priest, known for his passion for music and wrestling, will skip WWE‘s Wrestlepalooza event on September 20 to host a Slayer concert at Hersheypark Stadium in Pennsylvania. This decision highlights Priest’s deep connection to heavy metal and aligns with the date of WWE’s premium live event, drawing attention to his unique role outside the ring.
Damian Priest’s Music Passion Shapes His WWE Persona
Damian Priest openly embraces his identity as a metalhead, even incorporating Slayer’s guitarist Kerry King into his WWE entrance theme. His admiration for the band runs deep, influencing his wrestling character as he named his signature move, the South of Heaven, after one of Slayer’s singles. This musical influence has become an integral part of his persona in WWE.
Scheduling Clash: Slayer Concert vs. Wrestlepalooza
In April, it was revealed that Damian Priest would host the Slayer concert months in advance of WWE’s Wrestlepalooza, announced more recently by Triple H as a last-minute Premium Live Event. The pre-planned concert may explain why Priest has not been heavily involved in major WWE storylines or feuds recently, despite the event occurring on the same night as Wrestlepalooza.
While Priest has been engaged in a growing rivalry with Aleister Black on SmackDown—after Black attacked him and caused a hairline jaw fracture—his in-ring activity has been limited. Most recently, Black secured a victory over Priest in a singles match, demonstrating Priest’s struggles as he recovers from injury.
Anticipation Builds for Priest’s Role at the Slayer Event
As a lifelong fan of Slayer, Damian Priest is enthusiastic about hosting the band’s concert, which celebrates one of the “Big Four” thrash metal bands alongside Metallica, Anthrax, and Megadeth. The 1981-formed group holds a legendary place in metal history, and Priest is honored to bridge the worlds of wrestling and metal through this partnership.
“I’ve been a Slayer fan since I was a kid. The metal/wrestling connection is special. Slayer’s legacy is part of wrestling’s fabric, and metal owes them a lot. I’m honored to host Slayer’s show and bring wrestling to their world. 9/20 — Hershey Park Stadium, PA: will I see you there?” —Damian Priest
Priest’s Career Highlights and Future Prospects
Damian Priest’s WWE journey has been marked by significant achievements, including cashing in his Money in the Bank contract at WrestleMania last year to defeat Drew McIntyre and claim his first World Title. His evolving career now includes this crossover with the music world, showcasing his diverse interests beyond wrestling.
Hosting the Slayer concert is expected to boost Priest’s profile outside WWE, while his recent injury and absence from key storylines suggest a possible shift in focus for his character. Fans will be watching to see how Priest balances his dual passions and what impact this event will have on his wrestling career moving forward.
