Danhausen made his WWE debut at Elimination Chamber in Chicago on Saturday, Feb. 28. His appearance marked the end of the human-sized mystery crate angle the company had been running in recent weeks.
However, Danhausen’s introduction to the WWE universe didn’t get off to a good start. A loud chorus of boos could be heard raining down from the crowd in attendance as he made his way to the ring.
According to Dave Metlzer, bringing Danhausen to the WWE wasn’t a move that had total backing from everyone behind the scenes.
“People pushed for him. There are people who didn’t want him,” Meltzer said, via Wrestling Observer Radio. “It was not a unanimous decision or anything like that. I would guess that the people who didn’t want him are thinking like, ‘Hm. Sure didn’t work out so well this time.’ But, in time, time will tell. He’ll get another chance and maybe it’ll be the Gobbledy Gooker or he’ll be R-Truth, one or the other.”
In fairness, WWE may have overestimated Danhausen’s popularity with their audience. It’s likely that 80% or more of those in attendance weren’t sure of who he was. As such, his entrance may have been too over-the-top for his current level of popularity.
Danhausen Was Removed From AEW’s Roster Page
On the morning before Elimination Chamber, Danhausen was officially removed from AEW’s roster page. He’d been sidelined within the company since Worlds End in 2023. During his spell on the sidelines, Danhausen had been working the independent scene.
It’s hard to expect a WWE audience to know, and be excited about, a wrestler who has seldom been in the limelight over the last two or three years. Furthermore, Danhausen was never a serious competitor in AEW and didn’t fit the company’s style of wrestling or the vibe of the overall show.
Instead, Danhausen has always felt like a WWE-style talent who can fit into a comedy role without being relied upon to impress in the ring.
Danhausen Issued Statement Following WWE Debut
On March 1, Danhausen took to social media to issue a statement following his debut for the WWE.
“Thank you @loulouladuchesse for everything and leading the ghoulhausens,” he wrote on Instagram. “I love you. My friends and family who supported Danhausen to get here since the beginning. All the Fanhausens old and new who’ve stuck by Danhausen from abandoned Target buildings on 8 mile in Detroit with 12 people in attendance to almost 20K at the United Center last night. Now the real work begins. We takeover television and the audience. Love That Danhausen.”
One area that WWE hopes Danhausen can dominate in is merchandise sales. He was reportedly one of the top sellers during his time with AEW. And, given the WWE’s larger audience, there will likely be hope that he can replicate that success on a larger scale.
For now, though, WWE creative and Danhausen must figure out how to win over the WWE Universe. If they can’t connect with him, his time in the company will be short. Fortunately for Danhausen, we’re still in the infancy of his tenure, and the only way he can go right now is up.
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