Roosevelt, New York holds an underappreciated place in professional wrestling's cultural history, thanks in large part to the influential figures who once called it home. Among them is Howard Stern, the iconic radio personality who spent his formative years in Roosevelt and later attended Rockville Centre's South Side High School. Stern’s rise to prominence in the 1990s and 2000s brought wrestling into the homes of millions of radio listeners, as The Howard Stern Show became an unexpected hub for candid, off-the-rails interviews with top wrestling stars. The show’s freewheeling format gave wrestlers a unique platform to showcase their personalities beyond the ring -- sometimes with controversial results.
One of the most notable wrestling moments on Stern's show was Hulk Hogan’s now-infamous interview, parts of which later became legal evidence during Hogan’s high-profile lawsuit against Gawker Media. The interview, which delved into Hogan’s private life, underscored how Stern’s platform could amplify and complicate wrestling personas in ways traditional sports media could not. Another frequent guest, The Iron Sheik, became a cult figure due in part to his unfiltered, often chaotic appearances on the show. These segments helped revive the public profile of "Sheiky Baby" and introduced him to a new generation of fans, blending wrestling history with shock-jock entertainment.
Roosevelt’s wrestling ties extend into the world of hip-hop with Method Man, who spent part of his early life in the town before moving to Staten Island. A lifelong wrestling fan, Method Man has frequently expressed his appreciation for WWE and even contributed musically to a WrestleMania entrance by The Rock, one of the most iconic wrestlers of all time. His involvement represents the deep cultural crossover between pro wrestling and hip-hop, particularly among artists who grew up during wrestling’s attitude-driven boom in the late '90s and early 2000s.
Adding to Roosevelt’s influence is comedy legend Eddie Murphy, another famous native of the town. Murphy has collaborated with wrestling talent in his Hollywood projects, including the upcoming Amazon Prime film The Pickup, which co-stars WWE’s Roman Reigns. Speaking of Murphy, one of his frequent collaborators in the 1980s was Barry Blaustein, a film writer and director who would later direct the controversial wrestling documentary Beyond The Mat.
Researched by Darren Paltrowitz on June 11, 2025.