The wrestling-to-acting transition is one of the most loved Hollywood debuts for a reason. The high stakes, melodrama, good physique, physical timing, and overall charisma make wrestlers hero material.
It is 2010; I just came back from school.
After lunch, I’m glued to the TV, flipping through channels to make sure I don’t miss a single match. During the breaks, I hop on the computer and refresh live score updates on our Xfinity Internet connection, just in case I miss something on screen.
A man on the screen stands bleeding in the ring while twenty thousand people cheer for him in the arena.
Though he seems tired and too weak, he moves closer to his opponent on the floor and strikes his signature pose. The whole jam-packed arena erupts in screams again.
Fast forward decades later, I am sitting right in front of my TV, same face, but this time, he is acting as a cold, mysterious spy handling a case for the FBI. The nostalgia hits me once again, and I feel like the sofa is a cotton puddle.
Right then and there, I knew he was built for great things. He didn’t just break into Hollywood; he conquered it.
Yes, I am talking about the famous wrestler, The Rock.
But he is not the only one. It seems that Hollywood is obsessed with wrestlers and WWE. In the last few years, we have seen some of the biggest names in the wrestling world entering Hollywood.
The WWE and Hollywood crossover has become even more predictable because mainstream content streaming sites like Netflix have a dedicated WWE section. Additionally, ISPs like Xfinity are also sponsoring WWE. With Xfinity service, you can watch every WWE pay-per-view live!
So, why is Hollywood so interested in wrestlers? Let’s break it down.
The Early Days of Wrestlers and Their Lives
Before the world of social media and a multi-million-dollar industry built around WWE champions, there were less glamorous days of wrestling.
During those days, wrestlers had to prove their charisma in the ring and their impact in real life. Names like André the Giant, “Rowdy” Roddy Piper, and Hulk Hogan are all part of the less glamorous WWE era.
All these names took their sweet time to transition from wrestlers to actors. They had to prove their worth with physical beauty as well as their on-screen presence, and even after their effort and time landed some basic roles.
Original Larger-Than-Life Screen Icon
André the Giant proved that with on-screen physical presence, he could steal all the attention. Once he entered Hollywood, he became part of some good movies like Fezzik in The Princess Bride. With his powerful role and comic timing, he then turned into a pop culture legend.
The Cult Classic King
When we talk about cult classics in wrestling and Hollywood, “Rowdy” Roddy Piper comes to mind. Rowdy literally brought the fighting strength and dramatic wrestling effect straight to Hollywood. He starred in the famous sci-fi classic, They Live, which made him famous.
Mainstream Classic
During the 80s and 90’s, Hulk Hogan became famous with his role in Rocky III (as Thunderlips). He later worked in No Holds Barred and Suburban Commando as well. Acting critics might say that his acting wasn’t so good, but we can all agree that his larger-than-life presence made him a pop-culture legend.
The Modern Days of Wrestling and Hollywood
The modern-day Hollywood is all about attention. As long as you have the attention from the audience, you can get into Hollywood. It’s like saying, ” You bring the audience, and we will offer you the platform.
The fun part of this story is that we have some of the biggest WWE World Champions ruling the industry right now. They are not just part of modern Hollywood movies, but with their character, they are highlighting important issues for the public.
For instance, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is known as the blockbuster machine. Although he is big and bulky, he has a sweet and gentle side to his personality as well. He has worked in some of the biggest movies like The Mummy Returns, the Fast & Furious Franchise, Jumanji, The Smashing Machine, etc.
Critics are in love with his acting skills, comic timing, and also his gentle yet fun attitude in interviews. As a pioneer in modern Hollywood, he is one of the highest-grossing movie stars right now. Apart from his Hollywood career, he is also active on social media and has an organic brand.
Another famous name in Hollywood is Dave Bautista. He was part of some famous movies like Guardians of the Galaxy, Blade Runner 2049, Dune, and Knock at the Cabin, where he showed Exceptional Dramatic Range. He is loved by the audience for his star performance and character acting. Although he started as a funny actor as Drax the Destroyer, he is now famous for his heartbreaking dramatic acting in Blade Runner 2049.
Finally, a name that we all love and value as wrestling fans. Yes, I am talking about John Cena. Known for his “you can’t see me” and signature move, Cena played a hero in every universe. He worked in some of the biggest movies, i.e., Trainwreck, Peacemaker, The Suicide Squad, and Blockers.
He is known for being a light-hearted, funny yet gentle personality. He has Fearless Comedic Timing while still playing an unstoppable hero. During his work with James Gunn’s Peacemaker, he touched a new creative high by adding chaotic humor and deep emotional vulnerability to his acting.
Honorable Mentions
As WWE enthusiasts, we love our heroes, but not every wrestler gets a lead in a major franchise. Some land a side character while others deliver a standout performance in a cameo.
Here are some famous wrestlers who made it to Hollywood but failed to land a lead character:
Mercedes Moné (Sasha Banks)
He worked in The Mandalorian as Koska Reeves and proved that he can fit any role like a glove.
Steve Austin
He worked in The Expendables and carried out some of the best action sequences that were appreciated by the audience and the critics.
Kevin Nash
Kevin played Tarzan in the Magic Mike franchise, where his comedic self-awareness is still one of the most talked-about things in the movie.
Edge (Adam Copeland)
While he didn’t get a chance on the silver screen, he landed fantasy and drama television roles in famous series like Vikings and playing Ares in Percy Jackson and the Olympians.
There is no doubt that every millennial was once in love with a wrestler. However, we can all agree that not every hero can fit in every universe, which is the reason only wrestlers like The Rock, Dave Bautista, and John Cena have made it to the top list.
FAQ
Why are most of the wrestlers natural actors?
Since wrestling is live, unscripted theater, with an audience, wrestlers get used to delivering dynamic facial expressions while maintaining their character. This helps them become better actors.
Who is the highest-grossing wrestler-actor of all time?
Currently, The Rock is ruling the box office. His films have generated more than $10 billion globally.
Which WWE superstar should join Hollywood next?
Rhea Ripley and Roman Reigns are seen as the top contenders for the next Hollywood entry.