LeBron James Signs With 76ers, Joins DX Fan Joel Embiid

LeBron James announced on Friday, July 24 that he is signing with the Philadelphia 76ers, teaming him up with center Joel Embiid — a longtime pro wrestling fan with a notable WWE connection of his own. Embiid, known for busting out D-Generation X’s “suck it” taunt after big baskets, has reportedly drawn fines from the NBA for the celebration over the years. It’s a bit that’s made him a favorite among wrestling fans who cross over into basketball fandom, and it’s not the only DX tie the Sixers organization has: Triple H has done the pregame introduction for Philadelphia 76ers games in the past.

While this is fundamentally a basketball story, the wrestling world has plenty of reason to take notice. Embiid’s embrace of DX’s signature taunt over the years has made him something of an unofficial ambassador for the faction within NBA circles, and Triple H’s willingness to lend his voice to Sixers introductions shows how far WWE’s biggest stars have leaned into crossover moments with other major sports properties. Triple H, now WWE’s Chief Content Officer, has never been shy about using pop culture synergy to keep WWE characters and callbacks in front of audiences who might not otherwise be watching wrestling programming.

James joining Embiid in Philadelphia adds another layer of star power to a roster that already has built-in wrestling fandom, and it raises the question of whether the two-time MVP might eventually find himself on the receiving end of an in-arena DX callout, or even join in on the bit himself. LeBron has never been shy about his own wrestling fandom over the years, having been photographed at shows and referencing wrestling moments in interviews, so a shared moment with Embiid wouldn’t be a stretch.

For WWE, these organic nods from major athletes remain valuable, low-cost marketing. Every time a superstar like Embiid busts out a taunt like “suck it” on a national broadcast, or Triple H makes an appearance tied to a non-wrestling event, it reinforces DX and the broader WWE brand to an audience that spans well beyond the usual pay-per-view viewership. With James now sharing a locker room with one of the league’s most visible wrestling fans, it’s worth watching whether more of these moments bubble up as the Sixers’ season gets underway.

It’s a fun bit of crossover to file away — not breaking wrestling news in the traditional sense, but a reminder of just how deep DX’s cultural footprint still runs, even in NBA locker rooms.