A viral image shows Pakistan cricketer Babar Azam receiving the WWE Championship belt from legends John Cena, Roman Reigns, and The Big Show during the Big Bash League. Fans celebrated the apparent cricket-wrestling crossover, but fact-checks reveal it's entirely fake and AI-generated. No such event occurred amid Azam's solid BBL performances.
Cricket and wrestling fans across the globe lit up social media platforms over the past few days with excitement over what seemed like an epic fusion of two powerhouse sports. Pakistan's star batsman Babar Azam, currently turning heads in Australia's Big Bash League for the Sydney Sixers, appeared in a stunning photo flanked by WWE icons John Cena, Roman Reigns, and The Big Show. The image depicted the trio handing over the prestigious WWE Championship belt to Azam, who sported his team jersey, fueling wild speculation of a special tribute to his on-field prowess. Posts racked up thousands of likes and shares, with captions hailing it as a moment when "cricket royalty meets wrestling giants."
However, the buzz quickly turned to debunking as sharp-eyed observers and fact-checking outlets dove in. The picture, first shared on X (formerly Twitter) around January 1, exhibits clear hallmarks of AI manipulation: mismatched shadows, awkward hand placements, inconsistent lighting on faces, and unnatural blending between figures. The original poster even admitted it was created for fun, urging fans not to treat it as real. No official statements from WWE, the Big Bash League, Sydney Sixers, Cricket Australia, or any credible media corroborate the event. Neither Cena, who retired from in-ring action last month, nor Reigns and Big Show—who hasn't appeared for WWE since 2021 and now competes elsewhere—were spotted at BBL venues.
Azam, making his BBL debut this season, has steadied his form with 129 runs in five matches, including a crucial half-century of 58 off 46 balls against Melbourne Renegades that clinched a vital win for his side. His elegant cover drives and anchoring role have impressed, but any WWE nod remains firmly in the realm of fantasy.
Key Highlights from the Fact-Check Saga
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Viral Image Exposed: AI-crafted photo shows digital flaws like warped hands and poor shadows, confirmed fake by creators and experts.
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No WWE Stars Down Under: Cena retired recently, Reigns active elsewhere, Big Show with rival promotion—none attended BBL games.
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Babar's BBL Surge: 129 runs at 32.25 average, strike rate 117.27; recent 58-run knock anchors Sydney Sixers' innings.
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Fan Frenzy Fizzles: Social media storm highlights crossover appeal but underscores need for verification in viral era.
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This non-event underscores how AI deepfakes blur lines between reality and hype in sports entertainment.
Sources: Times Now, Khel Now, LatestLY, Free Press Journal.
