Damian Priest Defends Jelly Roll’s Involvement in WWE After Fan Backlash

Damian Priest has now come to Jelly Roll’s defense after the singer received a ton of backlash over his involvement in WWE programming recently.

While speaking on Busted Open Radio, Damian Priest defended Jelly Roll and explained that it’s different with celebrities now compared to how it was in the past. Today, they’re not just showing up to promote songs or albums. He pointed out how Jelly Roll is doing exactly what Bad Bunny did by moving to Florida to train full time at the Performance Center because he’s taking it seriously.

“It’s a little different with celebrities now than back then. Celebrities now, they’re not coming in just to promote songs and albums. Jelly Roll is doing exactly what Bad Bunny did — he moved to Florida to be at the PC full time because he’s taking it seriously.”

The Archer of Infamy said that when someone puts in that extra effort, it changes how people inside the business view them. He’s come to really appreciate what talents like Jelly Roll and Bad Bunny bring to WWE.

Priest stated that whenever they’re on a show and advertised, it draws more eyes to the product, and even if Priest isn’t in the same match, those extra viewers still see him. That means he’s potentially creating new fans, people who might start liking him just because they happened to tune in that night.

Priest added that it benefits both the business and his personal brand. From his perspective, it’s a win for everyone involved.

“So it’s different when someone takes it extra seriously. On our side, you start appreciating what Jelly Roll, Bad Bunny and guys like that bring. When they’re on a show and advertised, it means extra eyeballs get to see me. I might not even be in that match, but I’m gonna get extra eyeballs on me, and I’m creating a new fan. Maybe that person will now in turn like me because of what they saw, and now I’ll have another follower, for the business and for personal gain. You can’t lose — it’s good for everyone.”

Priest also shot down the idea that celebrities take spots away from full-time talent. Priest believes everyone is in control of their own situation within the company, at least within reason.

The former WWE World Heavyweight Champion says they’ve already earned their jobs, so it’s on them to keep performing well enough to stay on TV. He doesn’t see it as anyone taking someone else’s spot. Instead, he feels people reach those moments because of what they’ve accomplished in life. Ultimately, he values what these crossovers bring to WWE today.

“I don’t believe in taking up spots. We’re all in control of our own situation within the company, right? Within reason. To me it’s like we’re there, we got the job, so it’s on us to maintain staying on TV or whatever. So I don’t believe in taking up a spot. I believe you did something in your life to deserve this moment right now — that’s how you get there, because of what you did in life. But yeah, I appreciate what it brings to our business now.”

Jelly Roll is set to team up with Randy Orton and square off against Logan Paul and Drew McIntyre in a tag team match at the SummerSlam Premium Live Event next month. While tons of fans aren’t happy about this match, Damian Priest clearly sees it differently, and it’s obvious his opinion will never change.

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