Knicks stars Brunson and Towns headline WWE’s MSG celebration of NBA title

WWE’s Saturday Night’s Main Event, held at Madison Square Garden on July 18, 2026, served as a formal celebration of the New York Knicks’ recent NBA championship. The broadcast, marking only the second time the event has taken place at the venue, shifted focus from standard wrestling programming to institutional recognition of the basketball team, featuring special appearances by stars Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns.

The event opened with a segment centred on wrestler Danhausen, who faced JD McDonagh and Dominik Mysterio in a two-on-one disadvantage. Danhausen, who had previously engaged in a public dispute with commentator Stephen A. Smith, was cheered by the MSG crowd for a gimmick credited by fans with aiding the Knicks’ first championship in 53 years. The match concluded when Towns, appearing under the ring name ‘KAThausen’, emerged from a cloning machine prop to deliver chokeslams to both opponents, securing the victory for Danhausen.

This appearance marked Towns’ second involvement with WWE, following a viral incident at Fanatics Fest on the preceding Friday. His characterisation as ‘KAThausen’ involved specific theatrical elements, including the use of a stuffed cat prop and the delivery of physical moves that resulted in McDonagh being thrown through a table. The segment underscored the integration of sports figures into the promotion’s narrative structure.

Later in the broadcast, Jalen Brunson appeared alongside World Heavyweight Champion Roman Reigns during a segment involving challenger Seth Rollins. Rollins, scheduled to challenge Reigns at SummerSlam in two weeks, was interrupted by Tyrese Haliburton of the Indiana Pacers, continuing a kayfabe rivalry between the players that dates back to 2024. Brunson, who was recovering from wrist surgery and wore a cast on his left arm, did not engage physically but intervened to allow Rollins to attack Reigns from behind before standing with the champion.

The crowd reaction to Brunson was described as intense, with fans chanting for the NBA Finals MVP and forcing Reigns to pause his promotional segment. The broadcast concluded with Brunson holding the Larry O’Brien Trophy and Reigns holding the World Heavyweight Championship, symbolising the convergence of the two institutions. The event highlighted WWE’s strategy of leveraging major sports victories to enhance the prestige of its programming at its most significant venue.