Poppy Reflects On Performing At NXT Halloween Havoc, Pee-Wee Herman Inspiring Her To Work With WWE

Poppy and NXT are rapidly becoming synonymous with one another. Earlier this year, before the coronavirus pandemic shut everything down, Poppy performed at NXT TakeOver: Portland and even played Io Shirai to the ring at NXT on October 30, 2019. She would once again play the NXT Women’s Champion to the ring at this year’s Halloween Havoc special event.

Speaking with Yahoo, Loudwire’s Artist of the Year opened up about getting the chance to perform at Halloween Havoc in front of a small crowd after the pandemic had canceled her plans for a tour and how she’s become fast friends with Shirai.

“I’ve played “Scary Mask” now twice on Halloween. The first time was awesome — that was in the middle of a marathon run, but I absolutely wanted to do it. I played a show and then went to Florida to play “Scary Mask,” ran to the airport to fly to London and play an NME event, came back and played another show to pick up on the rest of the tour. It was awesome — I didn’t sleep for like four days.

I played the intro music for Io Shirai, and we’ve become friends. She’s one of my favorite wrestlers now. She had a bit recently where she put a trash can over her head and jumped into a group of girls during a match, which was awesome. I love wrestling, so when I had an invitation to come play, I had to do it.”

Poppy, who has said in past interviews that her favorite wrestler growing up with Ken Shamrock, explained that she first got the idea to work with WWE after seeing Pee-Wee Herman make a guest appearance with WWE Raw many moons ago.

“That was also one of my side dreams from a very long time ago — I wanted to work with WWE. I got the idea after I saw Paul Reubens, Pee-Wee Herman, make an appearance on WWE back in the day. They used my music in a video game and for a couple of intro songs, and then invited me to play. I think I’ve done it three or four times now. [Before the 2020 appearance], I had to go through some pretty intensive testing and screenings because they run a very tight ship. Everyone had to wear masks — it was a whole process. But I was cleared, and it happened!”

Poppy’s fiance Ghostemane is providing the theme song for NXT New Year’s Evil, which will take place on January 6.

Ringing in the new year with a bang…@Ghostemane is #NXTLOUD this @WWENXT New Year’s EVIL…. #WeAreNXT #NXTNYE pic.twitter.com/B441kUywTB

— Triple H (@TripleH) December 16, 2020

The card will feature Finn Balor facing Kyle O’Reilly for the NXT Championship and more. Fightful will have live coverage