Claudio Castagnoli says pro wrestling needs to stay the core of the business even as influencers and celebrities become more involved.
Castagnoli acknowledged that celebrities and influencers help bring in an audience but said the in-ring product has to stay at the heart of everything.
The comments came on an episode of Sky Sports’ Unpacked released Friday, 8/7/2026. Asked about influencers entering wrestling, Castagnoli said celebrity involvement is nothing new, but the type of crossover has shifted with the rise of social media.
“This is not a brand new thing. There was always maybe celebrities. In the past, it was more like football players or bodybuilders, or stuff like that. Now it’s influencers just because of how everything evolved.
As much as that is part of the business because it brings an audience in and it keeps things, I guess, interesting, I feel the core of the wrestling business is still wrestling. And you shouldn’t lose that.”
Darby Allin made a similar point in April, saying AEW should continue prioritizing pro wrestling rather than trying to turn its talent into celebrities bigger than the product.
Celebrity and influencer crossover remains common in wrestling’s biggest companies. At WrestleMania 42, WWE featured IShowSpeed in a six-man tag, teaming with Logan Paul and Austin Theory against The Usos and LA Knight. It was IShowSpeed’s second WWE match following his appearance in the 2025 Men’s Royal Rumble.