The Danhausen Knicks aka Knickshausen are 2026 NBA Champions, and WWE is taking full advantage of the hype ahead of their return to MSG in mid-July.
On Wednesday, June 10, ESPN/ABC panned a stunned celebrity row (and rows beyond it) at Madison Square Garden featuring the likes of Chris Rock, Ben Stiller, Mariska Hargitay, Timothee Chalamet, Kylie Jenner, Fat Joe, Spike Lee, Tracy Morgan, Sydney Sweeney, Taylor Swift, and so many others.
However, among the group of stars who watched the Knicks rally from an historic 29-point deficit just days prior to the team winning game five to seal their first NBA Championship in over 50 years, perhaps it’s biggest celebrity was missing. And of course, that man is Danhausen, the man who has become synonymous with the Knicks and their incredible run to the title.
Though, when WWE comes to Madison Square Garden this July, there is no doubt Danhausen (and the Danhausen Knicks) will be in attendance, soaking in the glory of the championship he helped manifest when he uncursed Stephen A. Smith and thus, his beloved New York Knicks.
Danhausen: From Curse to Champhausen for New York Knicks
As fans might recall, the Danhausen Knicks connection began earlier this season. Danhausen made an appearance on ESPN’s First Take about a month before the NBA Playoffs, where he proceeded ot curse Smith and the Knicks. And it seemed that curse might have worked, as when the playoffs began, the Knicks started slow. Their first-round series saw the eventual champs go down 1-2 to the lower-seeded Atlanta Hawks. Now, in fairness to the Knicks, they did proceed to reel off seven straight wins, including a second round sweep of the Philadelphia 76ers, while still under Danhausen’s spell.
Prior to the start of the Eastern Conference Finals, Danhausen and Smith reached agreement on some new terms and Danhausen promptly removed the curse. Just in time for the Knicks to overcome a 14-point fourth quarter deficit against the Cleveland Cavaliers. From that point on, the series was never close as the Knicks cruised to victories of 16, 13, and finally 37 points to record their second sweep in a row.
.@nyknicks CONGRATULATIONS FROM DANHAUSEN
FOREVER UNCURSED 🏀👹🦷🗽@WWE pic.twitter.com/xWVA8Npefc
— Danhausen (@DanhausenAD) June 14, 2026
As the finals began, New York was seen as the underdog to a much stronger Western Conference. No matter who won between the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder or upstart San Antonio Spurs, the West’s champ was going to be seen as the stronger one. Betting odds supported it but it’s famously said in sports, games aren’t won on paper.
The Spurs may have had more talent on paper but when it came to the games, the Knicks showed more poise. A roster that featured three players who 10 years earlier won the NCAA National Championship at Villanova, embraced togetherness and teamwork. The bench was solid and Jalen Brunson, who has his own WWE history and is featured as a playable DLC in WWE2K25, was every bit the Finals MVP he earned in the end.
WWE is All In on Danhausen Knicks and Knickshausen
Danhausen, who sat courtside for game three of the NBA Finals (ironically, the only game the Knicks lost) celebrated the victory with the team posting his excitement in their win and of course, his new list of demands which includes a house on Sesame Street, role in Severance season three, and to have a regional version of himself as mascot of the team. While those all sound unlikely, TKO/WWE and the Knicks are already working on other ideas for the Danhausen Knicks connection. According to Bryan Alvarez, Danhausen is expected to be at the Knicks championship parade, where TKO is planning to film content for a YouTube documentary.
WWE released new Danhausen Knicks merchandise mere moments after the team claimed the trophy. It’s a shirt that should be seen by the thousands when WWE comes to Madison Square Garden in just over a month’s time. There, Danhausen should receive a hero’s welcome. It is also being reported that at least one Knick is planned to be there with WWE hoping to get additional members of the team along with head coach, Mike Brown.
WWE SATURDAY NIGHTS MAIN EVENTHAUSEN AT MADISON SQUARE GARDEN
JULY 18 @TheGarden @WWE
Get your tickets or you are cursed! https://t.co/UeM7ZXP3AC pic.twitter.com/cA0R8jWjRV
— Danhausen (@DanhausenAD) June 14, 2026
The timing couldn’t be better. Knicks fans waited 53 years for this and in July, they can thank the man who helped make things possible. And probably Jalen Brunson, the new face of the franchise, will be there too.
