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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Anthony Rizzuti

Former Panthers HC Matt Rhule steals the show at WWE SmackDown

Do you smell what The Rhule is cookin’?

On Friday night, former Carolina Panthers head coach and new University of Nebraska czar Matt Rhule attended the live episode of WWE SmackDown, held from his new home of Lincoln. And the 48-year-old, who was accompanied by his stable of Cornhuskers, stole the show . . .

(Well, that wouldn’t be the first Xavier Woods he’s cheered on.)

Rhule, of course, was hired by “Big Red” to lead their team into a new day. Everybody’s got a price, and his was met with an eight-year, $72 million pact from the struggling Big Ten program—one that’s desperately looking to rise back to prominence.

That deal came just a month and a half after the Panthers tossed Rhule over the top rope to end a tumultuous and messy three-year reign. Carolina posted an overall record of 11-27 under his watch, causing the irresistible force of owner David Tepper to meet an end with what seemingly became an immovable contract.

In any event, Rhule-a-mania is runnin’ wild in a new ring.

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