From WWE to Hollywood: some of the best career transitions
For a host of people all over the world, professional wrestling is a great form of entertainment. World Wrestling Entertainment, WWE, records that it broadcasts to a whooping 900 million television households worldwide each week. Each Week!
Professional wrestling is a kind of performing art that involves staged and scripted wrestling. I guess it is safe to say that wrestlers are performers, because how else do we explain why the world of wrestling is full of drama.
In this article we look at five professional wrestlers who have transitioned from performing in the ring to performing on the big screen!
1. Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson: If you’re a fan of the Fast and Furious film series, then you are not unfamiliar to The Rock’s acting prowess. Johnson had his big break when he graced our screens in the movie The Mummy Returns(2001), where he starred as the Scorpion King. His acting career has continued to thrive ever since; he has appeared in over 40 movies and has become one of the highest paid and most successful actors in Hollywood.
However, before Dwayne the actor, there was Dwayne the professional wrestler. He made his WWF (now WWE) debut as Rocky Maivia in 1996 and maintained a successful wrestling career before retiring in 2004 to go into full-time acting.
The Rock has without a doubt had a great career transition.
2. John Cena: *Waves hand Cena style* Now you see me! Even non-wrestling fans are familiar with John Cena’s popular signature move and theme song. Cena started his wrestling career in 1999 and has won numerous titles including thirteen WWE Championships. He has been regarded as one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time.
Interestingly, wrestling isn’t his only strong suit, he is also an actor and a former rapper. Cena’s debut as a leading man was in the movie The Marine(2006).
He has enjoyed a fairly successful acting career over the years, appearing in over 34 movies, including Bumblebee, etc.
3. Dave Bautista: Better known as Batista, David Bautista, is a retired professional wrestler, who was a household name at the peak of his career. He started his wrestling career in 1999 and went on to become a six-time world champion.
Batista has appeared in a number of high-profile movies, most notably, in Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Guardians of the Galaxy where he stars as Drax the Destroyer. He started acting in 2006, guest-starring in season six of Smallville. The years have seen him grow into what many describe as a talented actor. He retired from wrestling in 2019.
4. Hulk Hogan: Hulk Hogan whose real name is Terry Eugene Bollea, began his professional wrestling career in the late 70’s and has been dubbed the most recognized wrestling star worldwide. During and after his wrestling career, Hogan enjoyed an extensive acting career.
He was one of the earliest wrestling stars to hit the Hollywood streets with his acting talent. His first cameo/movie appearance was in Rocky III as Thunderlips. In addition to starring in 15 movies, he has also appeared in a number of commercials and hosted a couple of shows.
5. “Stone Cold” Steve Austin: It goes without saying that Steve Austin made a name for himself during his career as a professional wrestler. He gained popularity for being a brash, beer-drinking and sometimes defiant character. By the time he retired in 2004, after a 12-year wrestling career, he had held 19 championships.
In 2005 he made his film feature debut in the remake of the movie The Longest Yard. Over the years, Stone Cold has appeared in at least 22 movies, playing villain in movies like The Expendables and showing his comedic skills in movies like The Grown Ups 2.
#Updated brings you lists, roundups and the latest news on the hottest topics. In this edition, we look at five professional wrestlers who have transitioned from performing in the ring to performing on the big screen.
