On September 14, 2024, WWE SmackDown introduced Megan Thee Stallion’s latest hit, Neva Play, featuring BTS’ Kim Namjoon, aka RM, as its new theme song. WWE SmackDown moved to USA Network after almost five years on Fox, bringing with it a new logo and a theme song.

Before the MTV 2024 VMAs on September 12, Megan Thee Stallion released a hit song called Neva Play.

Moving to a new network typically heralds new visual updates, including a redesigned logo and theme tune for WWE SmackDown. The Def Jam theme, a mainstay of the show’s opening credits, was replaced with the new theme song Neva Play.

Furthermore, recent WWE rights negotiations saw WWE Raw move to Netflix and WWE SmackDown return to USA Network. Additionally, WWE NXT moved to the CW Network. But for the rest of 2024, SmackDown and Raw will air on USA Network.

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BTS’ fandom went into an online frenzy as the news hit the internet, while some non-K-pop fans and WWE hardcore enthusiasts found the new theme song a tad bit “unfitting” for the show.

One such WWE fan wrote on X,

“The intro fire but the song choice is kinda unfitting not gonna lie”

Some non-K-pop fans said they would prefer a rock or metal song as the WWE SmackDown theme rather than Megan Thee Stallion’s latest hit.

“Song is hot dookie cream, a rock/metal song would’ve been better. Hopefully when Raw goes to Raw, it’ll have a rock/metal theme,” another X user wrote.

“I like Megan Thee Stallion, and I like “Neva Play”, but I just don’t think it’s fitting for it to be the new #SmackDown theme. Also, I’m not feeling the new logo, sorry,” another X user added.

“Isn’t the greatest song but I’ll get used to it… the popularity and some lyrics make it better for me than “nobody better than me”. Pop is the best wrestling theme IMO for AEW dynamite, neva play is better than the collision and RAW themes,” one other X user commented.

The BTS fandom celebrated a new achievement as RM became the first K-pop artist and the only soloist to break into the WWE stronghold. However, some viewers noticed that the intro of the theme song only featured Megan Thee Stallion’s verses and not those of the BTS leader.

A few ARMY members also playfully quipped that, given his reputation as a major BTS fan, John Cena must have picked the theme.

“Why just her part of the song? It’s RM that makes the entire song good,” one BTS ARMY noted.

“Nah wwe actually allowed @JohnCena to choose the new theme,” another BTS ARMY joked.

“Wait guys you don’t understand. Once WWE picks a intro theme song, it stays the itro for YEARS. That means people of many upcoming generations will be hearing RM,” one other BTS ARMY took pride in the news.

BTS’ RM and Megan Thee Stallion’s latest hit Neva Play wins hearts globally

Neva Play has over 11 million views on its official music video on YouTube as of September 14, 2024. Produced by B Ham, Peter Fenn, and Shae Jacobs, the song hit No. 1 on the iTunes Top Songs chart in at least 87 regions worldwide by September 7.

The official music video (MV) consisted of allusions to anime, indicating that Megan Thee Stallion and RM are at odds with another rapper. The verses such as “For Asia, man, we paved the way,” served as a reminder of the paths that both she and BTS carved for those who followed them.

The collaboration came slightly over three years after Megan Thee Stallion featured on BTS’ Butter (Megan Thee Stallion Remix) in 2021. It was the rendition of BTS’ original summer hit, Butter. Both versions hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.

According to Evening Standard, BTS’ Kim Namjoon, aka RM, currently serves in the military and will return in June 2025 to resume music activities with his group.