Steelers Throwback Thursday: Roethlisberger and O-line face-off with Big Show, Jericho live
Steel City Underground presents “Steelers Throwback Thursday” featuring plays, stories, and recaps from recent seasons which you may have forgotten about! Now we’re “bringing them back!”
Some of our loyal Steel City Underground followers know that Joe Kuzma, the ‘boss’, is a huge professional wrestling fan. Some who know him better know just how deep that interest in pro wrestling actually goes. As a bit of fun, and an homage to Joe’s second sports love (outside of Pittsburgh Steelers football, that is), we’re jumping back to 2010 when the Steelers’ offensive line made an appearance on WWE (formerly the WWF) to protect their quarterback from Chris Jericho and The Big Show with a little help from a couple of friends.
During the 2009-10 season, the Steelers had finished with a 9-7 record (tied for second place in the AFC North) and fell just short of making the NFL Playoffs. During the following offseason, Santonio Holmes was traded. There were transitions in the front office, coaching staff, and scouting staff. Pittsburgh selected Maurkice Pouncey (C/G, Florida), Jason Worilds (OLB, Virginia Tech), Emmanuel Sanders (WR, SMU), Thaddeus Gibson (OLB, Ohio State), Chris Scott (G, Tennessee), Crezdon Butler (CB, Clemson), Stevenson Sylvester (LB, Utah), Jonathan Dwyer (RB, Georgia Tech), Antonio Brown (WR, Central Michigan), and Doug Worthington (DE, Ohio State) in the 2010 NFL Draft.
During this time period (early 2010), the tag team known as DX (consisting of Triple H and Shawn Michaels), was back together in a reformed pairing. On the February 8, 2010 episode of Raw, the duo lost their Unified Tag Team titles to The Miz and Big Show (known as ShoMiz) in a match that featured CM Punk and Luke Gallows (The Straight Edge Society) due to it being a triple threat elimination.
In May, Ben Roethlisberger appeared on WWLive in what was billed as a showdown against Big Show and Chris Jericho. With Big Show and Jericho on the mat, trash-talking ‘Big Ben’, the Steelers’ offensive line showed up to defend their quarterback. That night, in front of a huge live crowd, the line consisted of the following players: Justin Hartwig (center), Chris Kemoeatu (guard), Flozell Adams (tackle), Max Starks (tackle), Trai Essex (guard), and Jonathan Scott (tackle).
Hilariously, the line got down into a traditional stance to square-off with Big Show… before the big man, and Jericho, opted to clear the mat. It left Roethlisberger firmly protected by six guys (who were easily as big as their wrestling opponent) who simply stood up, arms in the air, to the thrill of the crowd in attendance. After a few moments of taunting aimed at Jericho and Big Show, the Steelers were joined on the mat by DX in what will go down as one of the strangest yet hilarious offseason moments Pittsburgh players have ever been involved in.
Thanks to Joe for keeping things at SCU fun. And if you want more information, you might be able to hit him up – I’d guess he knows more about this match than I could ever write for one throwback piece.
