Detroit Pistons vs. Orlando Magic: Dennis Rodman’s WWE induction adds star power to playoff weekend

DETROIT – April in the D has been a thing in the city for quite some time now, but this weekend is a little different as the Detroit Pistons are gearing up to take on the Orlando Magic inside Little Caesars Arena, and one of their legends, Dennis Rodman, received another ring during WrestleMania 42.

Detroit Bad Boys legend and Pistons icon, “Rodzilla,” was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame over the weekend.

It was first reported on Friday, March 20, that “Rodzilla” was to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame as a member of the class of 2026.

Rodman is a five-time NBA champion and contributor with Chuck Daly, Isiah Thomas, and the Detroit Pistons (back-to-back) and the Chicago Bulls (three-peat) alongside Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, and Phil Jackson in the mid-90s.

Speaking of the Bulls, Rodman skipped practice and a mandatory media session between Games 3 and 4 in 1998 to appear on WCW Monday Night Nitro with Hulk Hogan, Scott Hall, Kevin Nash, and the NWO.

Rodzilla flew to Detroit to join the NWO before rejoining the Bulls to take down his future opponent, Karl Malone, and his Utah Jazz to cap off the three-peat.

In 1998, Rodzilla appeared on Nitro and attacked fellow WWE Hall of Famer Diamond Dallas Page.

Malone, since their battle with the Bulls and Rodman in back-to-back NBA Finals, came in for the save and later teamed up with Page to face Hogan and Rodman at Bash at the Beach in 1998.

Rodman initially joined the New World Order during the 1997 season, making headlines as he teamed up with Hogan in a tag-team to face Lex Luger and the Big Show (The Giant) at Bash at the Beach in that same year.

Rodzilla also wrestled against the “Macho Man” Randy Savage at WCE Road Wild in 1999.

Pistons

The Pistons capped a historic regular season with a 60-22 record and the top seed in the Eastern Conference.

Detroit secured its first Central Division title in 18 years with a season-ending win over the Indiana Pacers, reaching the 60-win mark for the first time since the 2005-06 season.

The Pistons finished with their best record in two decades, echoing the franchise’s past success.

Detroit’s 60-win season marks its strongest showing since the “Goin’ to Work” era team that reached the Eastern Conference finals in 2006.

It also joins the franchise’s elite seasons, including the 1988-89 “Bad Boys” team that went on to win an NBA title.

The Pistons are now turning their focus to the playoffs, as they will take on the Orlando Magic at 6:30 p.m. on NBC.

Read: Detroit Pistons’ J.B. Bickerstaff recognized by peers with 2026 NBCA Coach of the Year Award

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