Rapper and musician Jelly Roll made his pro wrestling debut alongside Randy Orton at WWE SummerSlam 2025, taking on Logan Paul and Drew McIntyre. Prior to this match, Jelly Roll had noticeably slimmed down, shedding 160 pounds since his heaviest weight in 2020.
During a recent episode of “WWE Unreal,” Jelly Roll opened up about his lifelong battle with weight issues. He shared that growing up chubby, he earned the nickname “Little Jelly Roll” from his mother instead of something like “Slim Jim,” which he humorously suggested might have led to a different physique. He also reflected on watching celebrities enter WWE and wondered if he would ever reach that level of fame. When he appeared on Monday Night Raw in Nashville in 2023 alongside Randy Orton, he felt validated, realizing he was famous enough to be welcomed into the wrestling world—a moment he described as really special.
Recalling SummerSlam 2024, Jelly Roll told a story about receiving John Cena’s Five Knuckle Shuffle, a moment that highlighted the severity of his weight problem. He admitted that it took two grown men, R-Truth and The Miz, to help him back to his feet, which was a terrifying wake-up call. Determined to change, Jelly Roll left that event with a new mission: to return stronger and healthier. He spoke with Paul “Triple H” Levesque about his weight loss efforts and seriousness about wrestling again. By the time he stepped into the ring that night, he weighed under 300 pounds for the first time since he was a teenager. This milestone was especially meaningful given past struggles with weight loss.
True to his commitment shown on WWE Unreal, Jelly Roll has transformed physically and now feels ready to compete professionally for at least one more match or possibly a full-time wrestling career lasting six to nine months.
If quoting, please credit “WWE Unreal” and Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.
Fan Take: Jelly Roll’s inspiring weight loss and journey into WWE highlight how determination and self-improvement can open new doors, even in an industry as physically demanding as professional wrestling. For WWE fans, his story adds a relatable and motivational narrative that could bring fresh energy and diversity to the sport’s evolving roster.
