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Wrestling or if you grew up in the south like me call it wrestlin’. I grew up watching the Monday Night Wars between WWE and WCW and the Attitude Era. I remember watching Stone Cold Steve Austin, The Rock, DX, Booker T, NWO and so many others. My mom and aunt took my brother and I to a WWE event in Kansas City. I remember seeing the Bushwackers and them licking people’s heads. I also remember seeing the Iron Sheik and Ravishing Rick Rude.
To be a professional wrestler, you need to be athletic and take a lot of punishment. I see you Hell in the Cell, Elimination Chambers, chairs and kendo sticks along with body slams, super kicks and the Irish whip. One thing you do need is to be able to make a lasting and strong promo for your character. Need to be able to talk to the audience and display what your character feels about anyone and everyone. Even though wrestling is in the ring, communication to the audience is also important as the industry is sports entertainment. Just think about it, some of the most memorable quotes in wrestling are from the top stars doing promos. Stone Cold with “And that’s the bottom line cause Stone Cold said so,” or The Rock with “Do you smell what the Rock is cookin’?”
Wrestlers now, make the jump to movies. It would seem like an easy transition as people from Roddy Piper, Hulk Hogan, Dwayne Johnson, John Cena, Dave Bautista have all made the jump to movies and are doing it big. It’s gotten to the point where you think of them as movie stars more than wrestling stars. I decided to rank the top 10 wrestlers who turned actors. If you don’t like my list, I got two words for you……. SUCK IT!
# 10: Hulk Hogan
Hogan is an ICON in the wrestling business. In the 80-90s, Hogan was the biggest and best wrestler around. Hulkamania was running wild and every kid and person was wrapped up in it. Hogan turned wrestling career into acting with roles as Thunderlips in Rocky III. He also had starring roles fighting Zeus in No Holds Barred and flexing his pythons in Suburban Commando and Mr. Nanny.
#9: Chyna
Known as the Ninth Wonder of the World, no list would be complete without this iconic woman athlete and sport performer. She was the first woman ever to win the Intercontinental Championship and after wrestling decided to dabble her hand in acting. He had few minor credits in Third Rock from the Sun, Bamboozled, Gary & Mike and other reality tv shows. It was a shame that she passed away at a young age.
#8: Kevin Nash
Kevin Nash had a huge impact on the world of wrestling. He was one of the founding members of the now and has a great podcast now. Nash is a towering person over all standing a 6’11. This has lead to many roles. His first one was with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles as Super Shredder. You might not have seen his face in that role but before MCU became a monster hit, he was the Russian in the Punisher. He beat the shit out of Frank Castle before ultimately meeting his end. Nash hasn’t has a major role but he does have many memorable smaller roles. Hell, he was one of the few men who ran into John Wick and survived.
#7: Adam “Edge” Copeland
Copeland is one of the best promo wrestlers and wrestlers in the industry. His time with Christian was epic before becoming the Rated R Superstar and winning multiple Heavyweight championships. His first was a cameo appearance in the fantasy movie Highlander: Endgame but no one really remembers that bad film. After Copeland had to leave wrestling because of injury, he landed roles in Syfy’s Haven and became a recurring character on the awesome Vikings. Now Copeland has a role in Percy Jackson and the Olympians playing the God of War Ares.
#6: Andre the Giant
The man who towered over all back in the day of wrestling but has a heart of gold. Andre starred in the beloved and as you wish, The Princess Bride. He got to show off his comedic chops and live on in one of the best romantic films of all time. This was his only movie role but once again, he made the most of it and you can look into his eyes and tell he was a gentle giant.
#5: Jesse “The Body” Ventura
Ventura made a return to the commentary booth at Saturday Night’s Main Event where he called the main event match for the Undisputed WWE Championship. Ventura seemed to have zero rust as he was the heel commentator. Ventura is the only person on this list become a governor. My personal favorite Ventura part is in the Predator as Blaine. If a film full of one-liners, he has one of the best with “I ain’t got time to bleed.” Ventura went on to appear in other films like The Running Man, Demolition Man and others.
#4: John Cena
“And his name is John Cena!!!” Cena entered Hollywood through the WWE Studios starring in the god-awful Marine. He followed that up with 12 Rounds which was decent in my book. This 16-time World Champion big break came from the Transformers spin-off Bumblebee as Agent Jack Burns. Cena’s star hit new levels starring in the Fast and Furious franchise as Dom’s brother, but his best role came as Peacemaker in the Suicide Squad. This role landed him the Peacemaker tv show. Cena is only going to get bigger and better.
#3: Rowdy Roddy Piper
“I have come here to chew bubblegum and kick ass…..and I’m all out of bubblegum.” Piper belongs on this list and to be ranked high on this list. Have you seen They Live? Dude has one of the best movie quotes and gets into an epic fight with Keith David. Piper starred in a few other films and even though his life was cut short, he had an epic appearance on It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.
#2: Dave “The Animal” Bautista
I remember when Bautista first came to WWE. He didn’t talk much until he left Evolution and won the World title. Bautista made the jump to the CW having a small villainous role in Smallville. Bautista put in the work time to be a movie star. He had a small role in Blade Runner 2049, but it wasn’t until James Gunn cast him as Drax the Destroyer in the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise. Bautista made an impact in the MCU by showing his comedic chops. Bautista went on and had a major role in Denis Villeneuve Dune franchise. Bautista is still on a role, and I don’t see him stopping anytime soon.
#1: Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson
“IF YOU SMELLLLLLL WHAT THE ROCK IS COOKIN!!!” Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson went from one of the best promo men in the wresting industry to capitalizing and building a A-List star career. First having a minor role in The Mummy Returns and Be Cool, Johnson built his career to being one of the highest paid actors in the world. He has started as an anti-villain in Black Adam, tried to take down Dom and his crew in the Fast and the Furious, is a God in Moana and this is only the tip of the iceberg. Johnson has more to come and new levels to reach.
