Auto racing and professional wrestling have crossed paths several times, creating unforgettable moments. In the mid-1990s, NASCAR’s popularity led the then WWF (now WWE) to introduce Bob “Spark Plug” Holly, a stock car driver turned wrestler. As the years went by, the crossover evolved. By the late 2000s, NASCAR drivers began making appearances at WWE events. In 2009, Kyle Busch and Joey Logano took center stage as special guest hosts on the October 26 edition of Monday Night Raw. A decade later, Busch returned to WWE, appearing on an episode of Raw in December 2019, where he even won the WWE 24/7 Championship.
The tradition of motorsports meeting wrestling continued. As WWE returned to Charlotte, North Carolina, on February 17th, it welcomed a special guest who shares roots with the Queen City. The Daytona 500 champion William Byron. Driving his No. 24 race car straight into the arena, Byron wasn’t alone. He was joined by a wrestling superstar, another North Carolina native from Jacksonville, setting the stage for an electrifying night.
AJ Styles returns in style as William Byron becomes his chauffeur
After two years away from in-ring action, 2x WWE Champion AJ Styles made a thunderous return to WWE Raw in Charlotte, North Carolina—and he had a high-speed escort. Daytona 500 champion William Byron drove Styles straight into the arena in his No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, setting the tone for a night of adrenaline-fueled action.
As Byron stepped out of the car, Styles handed him a custom WWE Heavyweight Championship belt, acknowledging the NASCAR driver’s recent triumph. Just a day earlier, Byron had etched his name in history by winning his second Daytona 500, joining an elite club of multi-time winners of NASCAR’s most prestigious race. His victory was a statement of dominance, and now, he was bringing that winning energy to the wrestling ring.
AJ STYLES PULLED UP IN A RACECAR
UNREAL MOTION
#RawOnNetflix pic.twitter.com/KjQJS6Jc7j
— FADE (@FadeAwayMedia) February 18, 2025
The two then walked toward the ring, hyped for what was to come. With WWE Raw now streaming live on Netflix, NASCAR gained massive global exposure, making the crossover a win-win for both sports. The moment highlighted Byron’s growing star power beyond racing, proving that NASCAR champions can make an impact far beyond the track. Styles, a Jacksonville, North Carolina native, then squared off against “Dirty” Dominik Mysterio in a highly anticipated match. The returning superstar didn’t disappoint, securing a dominant victory in front of an electrified Charlotte crowd.
Fans love Byron’s WWE moment and AJ Styles’ phenomenal return
The crossover between NASCAR and WWE took fans by surprise, and they loved every second of it. “I was surprised to see Byron pull up with AJ Styles,” one fan commented, while others simply called it “Superb” and “Cool as hell.” Seeing a Daytona 500 champion drive into Monday Night Raw was a moment that no one expected but everyone enjoyed.
AJ Styles’ return after two years only added to the excitement. “That was wild! AJ’s next-level vibes are unmatched,” one fan wrote, while another already had championship aspirations for him: “He should definitely be aiming for the Intercontinental title now.” Of course, there was also respect for his legacy, “He’s called The Phenomenal One for a reason.” With Styles back in action, the WWE Universe is eager to see if he can capture the Intercontinental Championship.
Meanwhile, William Byron shifts his focus back to racing. His next stop is Atlanta Motor Speedway, another drafting track where skill and luck both play a pivotal role in claiming victory. Evidently pumped after his Daytona 500 win and Monday Night RAW appearance, can he carry his winning momentum into the AmBetter Health 400 next week? We want to hear from you! Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
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