Darius Rucker is coming to SummerSlam, and this time he’s not just wearing the merch.
Commentary confirmed on Monday’s Raw that the two-time Grammy winner will perform the National Anthem before Night Two of SummerSlam on Sunday, August 2, in Minneapolis. WWE made it official on social media shortly after.
A Real Wrestling Fan, Not a Bit
Rucker has been open about loving wrestling, specifically the 1980s, for years, and he’s already got the paperwork to prove it. Back in April, he announced a merch partnership with WWE through Fanatics, writing on Instagram: “Not sure if y’all know this, but I’m a HUGE wrestling fan!! Have been my whole life! That’s why I’m so excited to share the new @wwe line in my @fanatics collection.” The collection includes pieces built around CM Punk and Roman Reigns.
Before he was a country hitmaker, Rucker fronted Hootie & the Blowfish, the Top 40 band behind “Only Wanna Be With You,” “Hold My Hand,” and “Let Her Cry.” He later reinvented himself in Nashville with hits like “Wagon Wheel” and “Don’t Think I Don’t Think About It,” picking up a Grammy for Best Country Solo Performance along the way.
Night Two Only
Fans hoping to catch Rucker on Night One will have to settle for Night Two instead. He’s already booked to perform at River State Park in Indianapolis on Saturday, August 1, the same night SummerSlam kicks off. Sunday’s anthem slot lines up perfectly with his tour schedule.
SummerSlam already has a stacked card: Oba Femi vs. Brock Lesnar in Hell in a Cell, CM Punk defending the Undisputed title against Cody Rhodes, and Seth Rollins challenging Roman Reigns for the World Heavyweight Championship. Now it’s got a Grammy winner opening the show, too, and it’s hard to think of a better fit. Country radio and Monday Night Raw don’t usually share an audience, but Rucker’s been living in both worlds long before WWE noticed.
