Professional wrestling has long been a destination for gifted athletes from various backgrounds. Many wrestlers have leveraged their skills and experiences from other athletic pursuits to become superstars in the squared circle. Here are 15 wrestlers who thrived in different sports before making their mark in sports entertainment.
Brock Lesnar
From dominating pro wrestling and NCAA Div I wrestling to mixed martial arts and a brief stint in football, Lesnar’s athleticism knows no bounds. In MMA, he won the UFC Heavyweight Championship after a short setback. He also tried out for the Minnesota Vikings but ultimately returned to wrestling, where he became a dominant force.
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson
The Rock has dominated WWE for nearly two decades, winning numerous championships and captivating fans. His charisma propelled him into Hollywood, where he starred in blockbuster franchises like The Fast and the Furious. Before his in-ring conquest, he pursued a football career, playing for the Miami Hurricanes and briefly with the CFL’s Calgary Stampeders.
Titus O’Neil
A standout on the Florida Gators’ defensive line in the late ’90s, Thaddeus Bullard later took his athletic talents to the Arena Football League, playing for four teams from 2003 to 2007. During his senior year at Florida, Bullard, known as Titus O’Neil in WWE, served as the student body’s vice president.
Kurt Angle
A true legend in amateur and pro wrestling, Kurt Angle’s achievements are unmatched. From Olympic gold in freestyle wrestling in 1996, which he won despite having a neck injury, to multiple WWE, WCW, and TNA championships. His career is extraordinary. Debuting in WWE in 1999, he’s held nearly every major title, solidifying his place in wrestling history.
Baron Corbin
During WrestleMania 32, Baron Corbin emerged victorious in the third yearly Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal. He has since established himself as one of the most powerful WWE performers. At 6’8″ and 275 pounds, his blend of strength and agility is matched by a background in football and boxing. Here, he earned Golden Gloves titles and played for the NFL’s Indianapolis Colts and Arizona Cardinals.
Bobby Lashley
Bobby was a national amateur wrestler with titles at Missouri Valley College in 1997 and 1998. He also ventured into a brief Olympic hopeful stint, but his journey took a dramatic turn after a bank robbery injury. Debuting in WWE in 2004, Lashley leveraged his wrestling background into a successful MMA career, amassing a 12-2 record and winning Heavyweight Championships in Shark Fights and XFN.
Bill Goldberg
Before Bill Goldberg became a notable MMA commentator and WCW/WWE star, he was a promising football player. During his college career, he played for the Georgia Bulldogs and was drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in 1990. Goldberg’s NFL career lasted until 1995, which was highlighted by a World Bowl win in the World League of American Football.
Mark Henry
Mark Henry stands out as one of WWE’s most formidable Superstars. Known for his devastating “Hall of Pain,” he claimed titles like the World Heavyweight, ECW, and European Championships. Before WWE, Henry dazzled as an Olympic weightlifter and strongman, winning the 2002 Arnold Strongman Classic and setting numerous powerlifting records.
Braun Strowman
Strowman’s rise is remarkable. He first debuted with Bray Wyatt’s family and soon became a dominant singles competitor on RAW. Before wrestling, he conquered strongman events like the Monsters of the Midland and the Arnold Amateur World Championship, proving his immense strength and sports agility.
Roman Reigns
Before he electrified the WWE universe, Roman Reigns, born Joe Anoa’i, shone on the football field. A standout linebacker at Pensacola Catholic High and an All-ACC defensive tackle at Georgia Tech, he briefly played for the NFL’s Vikings and Jaguars and the CFL’s Edmonton Eskimos before conquering WWE.
Chad Gable
Chad Gable, a former Olympian, competed in Greco-Roman wrestling at the 2012 London Olympics, finishing with a 1-1 record. His amateur wrestling background has translated into a successful WWE career, where he is known for his technical prowess and skill. He has won several titles, including the Raw Tag Team Championship.
Big E
A standout member of WWE’s The New Day, Big E helped the trio break records with a 483-day tag team championship reign. With this, he surpassed Demolition’s 478-day record. Before WWE, Ettore Ewen set powerlifting records, including a victory at the 2011 USAPL Raw Nationals, and excelled with the Iowa Hawkeyes on the gridiron.
Mojo Rawley
Making waves on WWE since his NXT call-up, Mojo Rawley rose to fame with The Hype Bros alongside Zack Ryder. Rawley has also excelled solo, winning a Royal Rumble qualifying battle royal and the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle. Known off-screen as Dean Muhtadi, Rawley boasts a football background with the Maryland Terrapins and brief stints with the Packers and Cardinals.
Dolph Ziggler
Ziggler’s wrestling credentials are spectacular. He has two World Heavyweight titles, five Intercontinental titles, a United States Championship, and a World Tag Team Championship. His top-rope dropkicks, superkicks, and the signature Zig-Zag highlight his prowess, which is rooted in an exceptional amateur career. At Kent State, his 121 wins and 82 high school pins secured his place in the Athletic Hall of Fame.
Ron Simmons
Wrestling Hall of Famer Ron Simmons, the first Black heavyweight champion across multiple leagues, initially made his mark as a standout defensive tackle at Florida State. His impressive college career led to a brief stint with the Cleveland Browns and Ottawa Rough Riders before he spent three exciting years with the Tampa Bay Bandits in the USFL.
15 Wrestlers Who Proved Their Prowess in Other Sports