The wrestling community mourns the passing of Ozzy Osbourne, the legendary “Prince of Darkness,” who died today. Renowned as the frontman of Black Sabbath and a solo rock icon, Osbourne left a distinctive and lasting mark on nearly four decades of professional wrestling history.
Osbourne’s most memorable wrestling moment occurred on April 7, 1986, at WrestleMania II, during WWE’s Rock ‘n’ Wrestling era. Teaming up with the eccentric Captain Ru Albano, Ozzy managed the British Bulldogs (Davy Boy Smith and Dynamite Kid) to victory over the Dream Team (Greg Valentine and Brutus Beefcake) for the World Tag Team Championship. This role made him one of the first major celebrities to take an active part in wrestling storylines rather than just making a brief appearance.
Throughout the 2000s, the Prince of Darkness kept his ties to WWE strong. In November 2009, Ozzy and his wife Sharon guest-hosted a memorable episode of Monday Night Raw, featuring the entertaining “Raw’s Got Talent” segment, which showcased hidden skills of WWE superstars. The couple’s natural chemistry and Ozzy’s unpredictable persona brought compelling entertainment to the role.
Ozzy also made several music appearances on WWE shows throughout the decade, performing his latest singles. His Black Sabbath classic, “War Pigs,” was chosen as the official theme for the NXT Takeover: WarGames event, cementing his influence on WWE’s modern musical landscape.
In 2021, WWE honored Osbourne by inducting him into the WWE Hall of Fame Celebrity Wing. During his virtual acceptance speech, he humbly stated, “Thank you to the WWE Universe for this award. I don’t deserve it, but thank you anyway.” He also showed appreciation toward Vince McMahon and Triple H, underscoring that the honor was really about the fans.
Ozzy’s bond with WWE remained strong up until his final year. After his farewell concert “Back to the Beginning” at Birmingham’s Villa Park on July 5, 2025, WWE paid tribute to him on Monday Night Raw. Commentator Corey Graves called him “the greatest thing ever,” while WWE’s official social media channels celebrated his legendary career.
Ozzy Osbourne’s involvement in wrestling was far more than a celebrity cameo; it demonstrated his genuine respect for the art form and his connection to rock and roll’s rebellious spirit. His legacy in wrestling echoes his iconic lyrics, forever riding on the “Crazy Train.”
The wrestling world has lost a cherished friend and ally in Ozzy Osbourne, whose contributions helped bridge the worlds of rock music and sports entertainment during some of WWE’s most iconic moments.
Fan Take: Ozzy Osbourne’s impact on WWE transcended typical celebrity involvement, genuinely enriching the wrestling culture with his rock ‘n’ roll spirit. For WWE fans, his legacy is a reminder of how music and wrestling can blend to create unforgettable entertainment, inspiring future collaborations that keep the sport fresh and thrilling.
