WWE Monday Night Raw brought the action live to Florida tonight, featuring a special appearance by NHL Hall of Fame goaltender Roberto Luongo from Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise. The legendary Vancouver Canucks netminder, who also spent 11 seasons with the Florida Panthers, was prominently featured during the broadcast, much to the delight of both wrestling and hockey fans in attendance.
Luongo, who was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame and won the Stanley Cup as an executive with the Panthers in 2024, was shown at ringside during the event. WWE superstar CM Punk, known for his sharp wit, gave Luongo a shout-out on air, acknowledging the hockey legend’s presence and contributions to the sport. The camera panned to Luongo, who received a warm reception from the WWE Universe.
Backstage, Luongo spoke with WWE correspondent Jackie Redmond, where he opened up about his love for professional wrestling. The former goaltender shared that he has been a longtime fan and now enjoys watching WWE programming with his children. Luongo fondly recalled one of his favourite wrestling memories, citing the iconic Hell in a Cell match between The Undertaker and Mankind as a moment that left a lasting impression on him.
During the backstage interaction, CM Punk joined in to greet Luongo personally. Punk, a well-known Chicago Blackhawks supporter, humorously mentioned his lingering bad memories from the 2011 NHL Playoffs when Luongo’s Canucks defeated the Blackhawks in a dramatic Game 7. Despite the rivalry, Punk graciously congratulated Luongo on his recent Stanley Cup victory, showing mutual respect between the two athletes.
WWE’s ability to attract high-profile sports figures like Luongo truly underscores its growing mainstream appeal. The company has recently enjoyed a surge in popularity, particularly in Canada, where its events have reached new heights. Earlier this month, WWE announced that Survivor Series: WarGames 2024 will be held on Saturday, November 30, at Rogers Arena in Vancouver. This will mark the first-ever Survivor Series event in the city, adding to WWE’s expanding presence in Canada.
The announcement follows the record-breaking success of WWE’s Money In The Bank event held in July at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto. That Premium Live Event set a new benchmark as the highest-grossing WWE arena event in Canadian history, showcasing the company’s strong following in the country.
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