At a recent AEW (All Elite Wrestling) pay-per-view event, a University of North Carolina (UNC) fan seized his moment in the spotlight to throw a cutting, funny punch at archrival Duke University rather than cheer on a wrestler.
In an instant, what should have been a typical crowd shot became a viral moment of elite-level trolling, stealing the internet’s heart and reigniting one of college basketball’s most bitter rivalries in the most unlikely setting.
UNC Fan Hijacks AEW Camera Spotlight with Savage Duke Takedown
The Scene:
The moment came during a gap in the action as the AEW camera panned across the ecstatic crowd. Among the throng of wrestling enthusiasts, one guy stuck out: a passionate UNC fan dressed in Carolina blue, brandishing a smartphone screen that said “70-67″—short, savage, and to the point.
UNC fan at the AEW pay-per-view uses his camera time to dunk on Duke
byu/tvcneverdie inCollegeBasketball
While it’s not uncommon for supporters to bring strange or even provocative signs to wrestling matches, the sheer randomness of incorporating a college basketball rivalry into the squared circle had viewers and social media users in giggles.
The screen received plenty of attention, and the camera lingered just long enough for the internet to capture the moment in screenshots and memes.
The video quickly went viral online. UNC followers cheered the secret attack on the opposition, while neutral observers admired the amount of petty commitment.
The term “elite pettiness” became popular in fan circles, with commenters praising the fan’s commitment to keeping the rivalry alive in whatever venue, including a professional wrestling event unrelated to college sports.
To outsiders, shouting out Duke at a wrestling tournament might seem weird. But for those familiar with collegiate basketball culture, particularly in North Carolina, this moment made perfect sense.
The UNC-Duke rivalry is legendary one of the most fierce in sports with decades of buzzer-beating plays, Final Four matchups, and furious fans on both sides. The rivalry never sleeps, as evidenced by this AEW cameo.
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In a pay-per-view packed with high-flying leaps and dramatic storylines, one screen stole the show for sports fans. The UNC fan reminded everyone that petty rivalries never die; they only find new platforms. Even in a wrestling ring, the rivalry between UNC and Duke is eternal.
And somewhere in Durham, a Blue Devils fan is already thinking about revenge.
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