WRESTLING NEWS
A Look Back At Chris Rock's Underwhelming TNA Appearance
By SEAN NEUMANN
In 2002, comedian Chris Rock appeared on the "NWA–TNA PPV #16" episode for less than a minute — an incident that left TNA fans wondering what was he there for. Rock himself looked directionless when in-ring interviewer Goldy Locks put a microphone in front of him, welcomed him to the show, and introduced him to the ecstatic audience.
The former-SNL star thanked Locks, saying, "I just want to say that NWA-TNA is the best wrestling in the whole world!" adding, "If you think this is fake, come down here and get your a** kicked!" Locks then ushered the confused Rock out of the ring, raising his hand before he awkwardly said alright and scurried away.
As it turns out, Rock appeared on the show because of his movie "Head of State," which was released the following year. TNA and some of its wrestlers made a cameo in the 2003 political comedy where Rock's character makes a campaign appearance at a TNA wrestling event and talks to the crowd before being pummeled by a group of wrestlers.
Interestingly, both the movie and the NWA-TNA episode feature the same fans in the background shots behind the ring. Moreover, Rock's character May Gilliam is also wearing the exact outfit that he had on during his brief TNA appearance, meaning the movie scene was shot on the same night.