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Cam Newton makes Triple H look tiny flexing Shawn Michaels' signature pose

Triple H appeared on "First Take" to promote WWE's "Wrestlepalooza," and fans were more amazed with Newton's height than his over-the-top fit.
Matthew Graham|
Feb 7, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; Cam Newton on Radio Row at the Super Bowl LIX media center.
Feb 7, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; Cam Newton on Radio Row at the Super Bowl LIX media center. | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Cam Newton has become a budding media star with his hot takes and even wilder fits.

That trend continued today on "First Take," where the former NFL MVP for the Carolina Panthers is now a regular commentator on its signature show after signing a multi-year contract with ESPN last month. While financial terms were not disclosed, it's been reported it's around $2 million annually.

RELATED: ESPN exec reveals real story of Molly Qerim's 'First Take' sudden departure

Cam Newton
Apr 25, 2024; Detroit, MI, USA; Former NFL quarterback Cam Newton and broadcaster Kaylee Hartung pose for a photograph on the red carpet ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft at Detroit’s Fox Theatre. | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The main guest for ESPN's splashy WWE takeover throughout the weekend, after the Worldwide Leader in Sports signed a $1.6 billion recently, was Triple H, the wrestling legend turned WWE Chief Content Officer to promote this weekend's "WWE: Wrestlepalooza."

RELATED: Stephen A. Smith makes insane salary beyond $100 million ESPN deal

Triple H
Apr 6, 2024; Philadelphia, PA, USA; WWE CCO Triple H during Wrestlemania XL Saturday at Lincoln Financial Field. | Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images

Newton, 36, who stands at an imposing 6-foot-5 and has towered over many folks lately, hit Triple H, 56, with Shawn Michaels signature line and pose, "I think I'm cool, I know I'm sexy," which made Stephen A. Smith lose his mind.

Triple H, born Paul Michael Levesque, is supposedly 6-foot-4, but wow, Newton towered over him. Many users had similar jokes, saying Newton made Triple H look like only "H."

RELATED: ESPN’s Molly Qerim shares emotional message after stunning 'First Take' exit

Not to be outdone with his Michaels moves was Newton's fit, which included a fedora with his long hair running through it, and the world's most audacious red necktie.

ESPN will obviously be spending a lot more time on wrestling since it will now have all of their signature events on their new app, including Wrestlemania, starting in 2026.

ESPN's $105 million man Smith also shared his top five wrestlers of all time, and had a surprise No. 1 with Goldberg.

The only bigger surprises were Newton's height and his one-of-a-kind style.

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Matthew Graham
MATTHEW GRAHAM

Matthew Graham has over 20 years of media experience and oversees The Athlete Lifestyle On SI. He has had previous leadership roles at NBC Sports, Yahoo, and USA TODAY, where he co-founded For The Win (named Best Mobile Site by Digiday). He has also written for ESPN, Cosmopolitan, US Weekly, People, E! Online, and FHM, covering major sports and entertainment events like the Oscars, the Golden Globes, NBA Finals, Super Bowl, and winning the Yahoo Superstar Award for coverage of the Olympics.

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