In an unexpected display at Fanatics Fest on June 22, 2025, actor-comedian Kevin Hart left the WWE community stunned after pinning superstar Cody Rhodes, drawing laughter and surprise from the attending audience and the wrestling world. The lighthearted incident, which took place during Cody Rhodes’ entrance, added an unforgettable moment to the event, quickly catching traction online and reinforcing the buzz around Kevin Hart pins Cody Rhodes at Fanatics Fest.
Comedic Surprise Leaves Fans Speechless at Fanatics Fest
As Cody Rhodes made his arrival at the wrestling celebration, fans watched as he greeted Kevin Hart with a friendly hug near the stage. What started as a jovial exchange rapidly escalated into a playful scuffle as Hart and Rhodes tumbled to the floor, catching the attention of an alert referee. Moving swiftly, the official delivered a three-count with Hart atop Rhodes, transforming the hug into a comedic upset. This impromptu “victory” thrilled onlookers, bringing together WWE’s high-energy style with Kevin Hart’s trademark humor.
Hart’s ability to make even a mock pinfall seem memorable became a talking point, especially as social media posts and fan reactions circulated online, showcasing the viral nature of the encounter. Footage rapidly spread, and fans debated why official WWE accounts had removed clips of the moment, intensifying the intrigue.
“Not sure why wwe deleted it but here’s Kevin Hart pinning Cody 😂 The way Kevin had to use his whole bodyweight to even knock Cody slightly off balance has me in tears. #CodyRhodes pic.twitter.com/xHI790lM0V”
—✩⁺₊✩☽⋆Rachel ⋆☾✩⁺₊✩ (@wrestlebelle), Fan
Tiffany Haddish Channels The Rock While AJ Francis Reflects on Viral Moments
The entertainment for fans did not stop with Kevin Hart pins Cody Rhodes at Fanatics Fest. Actor Tiffany Haddish impressed the crowd with an entrance inspired by the larger-than-life persona of The Rock, further blurring the boundaries between Hollywood and the world of wrestling entertainment. Her performance was designed to evoke the charisma and confidence of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, adding another celebrity highlight to the event.
Elsewhere in the wrestling circuit, AJ Francis revisited his own viral moment—a teased high-risk dive over the ropes—during a WWE NXT six-man tag match. Francis teamed up with Wes Lee and Trick Williams to secure a victory over Josh Briggs, Yoshiki Inamura, and Elijah. Reflecting on the spot, Francis explained that the dramatic tease was suggested by WWE producer Steve Corino, who encouraged Francis to play with the crowd’s expectations concerning his previous botched dive on SmackDown.
“I didn’t think of the spot actually. That was Steve Corino. Steve Corino wanted me to do the dive, and I told him, I’ll never do the dive again, except at WrestleMania. You know, since all these people want to pretend that that’s the only thing I’ve ever accomplished in my life is is fu*king up that dive. They don’t have the same energy for Vikingo, who did it more recently than me. They don’t have the same energy for Jey Uso, who did it more recently than me. They don’t have the same energy for a lot of people that have done it more recently than me. They just are di*k eaters and go out of their way to try to make it the only thing I’ve ever done. I’ve main-evented two TNA pay-per-views in the last six calendar months, I’ve made Superstars like Joe Hendry in the last year. I’ve helped make First Class the greatest team in TNA, as well as made myself the best big man in the business, bar none, and that’s all people want to talk about.”
—AJ Francis, WWE NXT Performer
Francis further offered insight into how the execution of the spot unfolded:
“So, Steve Corino comes up with the idea. I said, ‘Well, instead of actually doing the dive, which I’ll never do again until WrestleMania, instead, how about I fake like I’m gonna do the dive and then I troll the audience?’ I was gonna go out and do [a more direct gesture] to the audience after I didn’t do the dive. Shawn Michaels was like, ‘Can’t do that on TV.’ So I was like, ‘Alright, I’ll just point at them and laugh.’ That’s fine. That’s fair. It came off really well. It was a great spot. It was a great break spot, going into commercial. Obviously, WWE posted it on all their social media. So, they appreciated it, too. It was a good thing. So, shout out Steve Corino.”
—AJ Francis, WWE NXT Performer
Mick Foley Reminisces on His Wrestling Journey and Future Plans
The eventful period in wrestling circles continued with Hall of Famer Mick Foley discussing his legendary career and reflecting on in-ring encounters that shaped an era. Appearing in conversation with D-Von Dudley, Foley offered in-depth thoughts on working with Triple H, describing the experience of sharing a ring with such a respected performer.
“You just know you’re in the ring with greatness. This has nothing to do with move sets. You know you’re in the ring with a ring general. You know you’re in the ring with a guy who’s making you the best you can be. So there have been, over the years, people who have said, ‘He wasn’t as good as people thought.’ It’s like, no, I actually think he’s better than you realize. He was that good. Whenever you can watch a match, you go, ‘Wow, there’s just something about a Triple H match.’”
—Mick Foley, Wrestling Legend
He continued to elaborate on their matches:
“It didn’t matter who he was with; it was gonna have shades of a Triple H match. I hoped that I could take my brawling style and make it work with anyone. I was so glad that I caught him at the tail end of my full-time career, when he was trying to push through and become that single guy he knew he could be, and he was simultaneously helping me with the best landing I could have ever asked for.”
—Mick Foley, Wrestling Legend
Looking ahead, Foley also addressed plans for a final tour to coincide with the 30th anniversary of his acclaimed Hell in a Cell bout with The Undertaker, detailing what the milestone means to him.
“The only reason I don’t fix the teeth now is they are a reminder of that night I love being here in your gym and seeing all the mementos around me. I love houses where guys have other stuff, but I don’t really have a wrestling house. What I do have is my smile. I thought now that I’m 60, maybe I’ll fix it. I might wait until I’m 63. 30 years of Hell. I’m going to go back out on the road again for one final tour in 2028 for the 30 Years of Hell Tour, and the idea is to hang it up completely, fix my teeth, maybe start wearing nice clothes so no one knows who I am, and just disappear into the night.”
—Mick Foley, Wrestling Legend
Celebrity Appearances and Viral Moments Energize the Wrestling Community
This period in wrestling was marked by crossover moments, with stars such as Kevin Hart, Tiffany Haddish, and personalities like Mick Foley blending entertainment and athleticism in unexpected ways. Their appearances, combined with the in-ring drama provided by AJ Francis, Wes Lee, Trick Williams, and others, created a social media frenzy that elevated the status of Fanatics Fest.
Tiffany Haddish’s homage to The Rock drew strong responses from the crowd, while topics like Kevin Hart pins Cody Rhodes at Fanatics Fest continued dominating discussion. Elsewhere, news surrounding upcoming tours, the status of popular events like Night of Champions, and rumors about talent decisions—such as Bronson Reed reacting to talk of Steve Austin’s potential return—kept fans engaged and excited for what’s next.
The buzz extended to conversations about legendary moments and ongoing achievements. Foley’s prospective farewell tour in 2028 aims to close out a storied career, while performers like AJ Francis strive to define their legacy despite public scrutiny.
What This Means for WWE Fans and the Industry
The viral moment where Kevin Hart pins Cody Rhodes at Fanatics Fest illustrates how celebrity crossovers continue to energize pro wrestling, reaching new audiences and redefining what’s possible at live events. As the WWE universe weaves together renowned athletes, icons from entertainment, and emotional narratives, fans are promised an industry intent on evolution and spectacle.
Looking ahead, the wrestling world remains poised for more surprises, bridging the gap between performance and entertainment with every unexpected appearance, viral clip, and heartfelt career milestone. With upcoming angles, prospective returns, and anticipated retirements looming on the horizon, WWE and its fans are set for an enduring period of excitement and unpredictability.
