Singer Breaks Bone in WWE Training and Slams Haters Who Say ‘Wrestling is Fake’

Country superstar Jelly Roll is trading the stage for the squared circle this weekend—and he’s got something to say to anyone still calling wrestling fake.

The genre-blending artist is stepping into the action at WWE SummerSlam, teaming up with wrestling legend Randy Orton to take on Drew McIntyre and Logan Paul in a high-octane tag team match. And after taking a dropkick to the face and throwing down in multiple brawls, Jelly Roll isn’t holding back when it comes to defending the sport.

“Man, that ‘wrestling is fake’ stuff? That’s gotta go out the door,” he declared on ESPN’s Get Up. “There’s no fake way to land on plywood in front of 60,000 people. There’s no fake way to flip over a cable rope. I broke my pinkie in week one of training—by accident. It’s a constant collision.”

Jelly Roll’s road to SummerSlam began with a surprise appearance at WrestleMania 41, followed by his on-screen alliance with Orton. He’s already mixed it up with McIntyre and Paul—most memorably dropping a Black Hole Slam on Paul during Friday Night SmackDown.

But don’t let the bravado fool you—he’s grateful to have Orton by his side.

“I wouldn’t have had any courage to do this without Randy,” he admitted.

And the feeling’s mutual. Orton had nothing but praise for the artist, calling him “an amazing human being” who handles pressure like a pro.

“When he hosted Jimmy Kimmel, he was being pulled in every direction,” Orton said. “But he still took five minutes to meet my wife. That’s the kind of guy he is—makes time for everyone. And in our world, he’s working as hard as anyone, if not harder.”

SummerSlam will unfold over two nights this weekend at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, with Jelly Roll making his official in-ring debut. And if his recent training and attitude are any clue, he’s not just showing up—he’s ready to throw down.