When you think about individuals determined to leave an undeniable mark on the wrestling business, Westside Gunn and Smoke Dza immediately come to mind. For the past two years, their vision, Fourth Rope, has disrupted a niche space that many realized was waiting to be claimed, and they have successfully done so. What started as a passion evolved into a cultural statement, blending hip-hop and professional wrestling in a way that feels organic, intentional, and unapologetically bold.
Fans gathered at AMC theaters on Thursday, February 12, to celebrate the screening of HEELS HAVE EYES: WESTSIDE GUNN DAY 2025, a moment that not only highlighted Gunn and Dza’s impact, but also emphasized the continued growth of Fourth Rope as a movement.
From Buffalo to the Big Stage
Before Fourth Rope became a brand stamped across wrestling rings and streetwear drops, there was Alvin Lamar Worthy, better known to the world as Westside Gunn, a native son of Buffalo, New York, a founder of Griselda Records, with an eye and penchant for creativity long before the spotlight found him.
Raised in a city often overlooked in mainstream hip-hop conversations, Gunn carried Buffalo on his back. Creativity was embedded in him from the jump. As a youngin, he sketched, designed comic books while curating his own sense of style. He wasn’t just into fly streetwear; he embodied it: bold aesthetics, gold chains, wrestling references with high-fashion sensibilities were part of the Fourth Rope DNA before it was even a concept.
Buffalo’s grit shaped him. The hunger, the cold winters, and the blue-collar mentality of the city translated into a sound and image that refuses to be ignored. As a founder of the Griselda movement, Gunn helped shift the industry’s ear back toward raw lyricism and street authenticity, firmly putting Buffalo on the hip-hop map.
Smoke Dza: Harlem Roots, Wrestling Soul
Smoke Dza, aka Sean Pompey from Harlem’s stomping grounds, is known for his laid-back vibe, vivid plots, and deep ties to hip-hop’s underground scene. Aside from making music, Dza has long been an outspoken, passionate wrestling fan, referencing wrestling culture in his lyrics and appearing at major events. His fandom has become a defining part of his public persona and Fourth Rope, bridging hip-hop and wrestling culture and earning him respect in both worlds.
Standing alongside Gunn in this venture is Smoke Dza, whose Harlem upbringing carries its own lineage of cultural influence. Dza’s love for wrestling runs deep, it’s not aesthetic, it’s lived. From Attitude Era nostalgia to modern-day appreciation, wrestling has always been woven into his creative identity.
Harlem’s style and Buffalo’s edge might seem miles apart, but the synergy between Dza and Gunn makes sense. Both artists built their careers rooted in reality, understanding of wrestling, and not just entertainment, but as storytelling, larger-than-life characters, championship energy and dramatic arcs that mirror the hip-hop grind.
Their collaboration on Fourth Rope was it was inevitable.
Fourth Rope Makes Its Mark
Fourth Rope, the wrestling promotion and its name itself, is a nod to the theatrical concept of the “fourth wall,” the invisible barrier between performers and the audience. In wrestling, there are traditionally three ropes surrounding the ring. By calling it Fourth Rope, Gunn and Dza symbolically add a new dimension, connecting wrestlers and fans in a direct, culture-driven way with their periodic events called Heels Have Eyes, which aren’t just events; they’re curated experiences.
In just two years, Heels Have Eyes has managed to create a lane that blends talent, community, culture, and branding, the below are just a few:
- Heels Have Eyes: III: Steel Praying
- Heels Have Eyes: IV Atlanta
- Heels Have Eyes: V SxSW
- Heels Have Eyes: VI For the Culture @ Wrestlemania 41
- Heels Have Eyes: Paris
- Heels Have Eyes: Art Basel
- Heels Have Eyes: Fright Night @Six Flags
The bullish attitude behind the brand is unmistakable. Fourth Rope doesn’t ask for space, they command it. From talent selection to production style, everything feels intentional and reflective of Gunn and Dza’s taste level. Their deep ties to wrestling culture eventually led to a public fallout with WWE over alleged copyright infringement via WWE images.
The company issued takedown notices and cease-and-desist letters related to Gunn’s use of WWE audio clips and wrestler imagery in his music and artwork, including the Griselda track “The Hurt Business,” which featured Smoke DZA and Wale, was pulled from platforms following a copyright claim. Tensions escalated when Gunn later revealed he had been escorted out of a WWE Monday Night RAW event despite being a longtime supporter who frequently attended shows and promoted wrestling culture through his brand. While Smoke Dza was not personally at the center of the dispute, his collaboration became part of the broader copyright clash that underscores the complicated relationship between hip-hop’s wrestling fandom and WWE’s strict intellectual property enforcement.
Two Years of Cultural Collision
What makes Fourth Rope special is its authenticity. Gunn and Dza are lifelong fans who understand the psychology of wrestling and the thump of hip-hop culture. They’ve created a platform where both worlds coexist seamlessly. The success over the past two years proves the model works. Packed venues, viral moments, fashion collaborations and a loyal fan base show that the fusion of rap and wrestling isn’t a gimmick, one would say: it’s the future.
Fourth Rope has become a space where championship belts feel like platinum plaques and Heels Have Eyes events hit like mixtape drops.
Westside Gunn Day: A Celebration of Vision
The screening of WESTSIDE GUNN DAY 2025 wasn’t just an event, it’s a victory lap that represented Buffalo pride, independent hustle and a creative partnership that’s reshaping how wrestling is presented in modern culture. From sketching comic books in Buffalo to building a brand that merges street luxury with suplexes, Dza and Gunn’s journey feels poetic. Dza’s Harlem seasoning to this mix gets you Fourth Rope, a platform that understands all the arts of the verse.
Two years in, they’re not experimenting anymore, but establishing a legacy in a world notorious for being exclusive and uninviting to outsiders unless invited. If this first chapter is any indication, Fourth Rope isn’t just here to participate in wrestling culture, it’s here to headline it.