Professional wrestling is not something you can do without skills. The strength and stamina it takes to be in this field is remarkable. That’s not all, you gotta have an entertaining personality to land up on television as well. These wrestlers managed to learn the skill and do regular training even after being in a full-time job. Their life outside the ring is remarkable.
Trish Stratus, Wrestler and Philanthropist
Before being the star of the ring, Trish Stratus was a fitness model. She wanted to prove that she can do a lot more than posing for a camera and that is what she did with WWE. She entered the field after her first competition as a fitness model. She later became a philanthropist and she even became a part of organizations like Ronald McDonald House, Dreams Take Flight, and the Special Olympics.
Lita Goes From Wrestling to Punk Rock
Amy Christine Dumas A.K.A Lita began her wrestling career in Mexico and after a year of training, she entered the professional ring in 1999. This four-time WWE champion and winner of the WWE Women’s Championship formed her punk rock band post her retirement in 2006. The Luchagors toured all across the United States and the United Kingdom. Her love for animals enabled him to open establish charity called Amy Dumas Operation Rescue and Education (A.D.O.R.E.).
Bret “The Hitman” Hart Embraced His Artistic Side
According to the WWE website, Bret Hart is the greatest technical wrestler in WWE history. In his career of five decades, he was the first Canadian to get the title of WCW World Heavyweight Champion. If you think that this strength doesn’t have a sensitive side then you are probably entirely wrong. His poetic side is reflected in most autobiographies of fellow wrestlers. He has also been an actor and was a part of an episode of The Simpsons.
That’s Mayor “Kane” to You
Kane was one person who entered the ring and dethroned the then champion – Steve Austin. Nobody could imagine that this man of terror in the ring could be a politician? Glenn Thomas Jacobs A.K.A Kane became a mayor of Knox County, Tennessee, after he left the ring. His political sphere is as successful as his career in the ring.
Shawn Michaels Goes From Wrestler to TV Host
This four-time champion and a WWE Heavyweight Champion is one of the greatest wrestlers to enter the ring. He is not just a wrestler but an amazing entertainer. Do you remember his witty lines even in tough situations in the ring? Outside of the ring, he was all about entertainment and that is why he turned towards the television. He became a host of the television show, Shawn Michaels’ MacMillan River Adventures.
Nikki Bella Goes into Business and Media
If you remember the 2008 smackdown, you’d know that it was Nikki Bella’s debut in the professional wrestling career. Also, she was not alone, her twin sister was with her too and the two of them called themselves “Twin Magic”. She held the record of holding the reign of the Divas Championship title for the longest period of time. Outside of the ring, the two sisters launched Nicole + Brizee body and beauty line.
John Cena Goes From A Wrestling Rapper to a Wide Screen Wonder
This trash talker was considered “just a phase” by many people but in 2005, Cena proved that he was more than his rhymes as he defeated fellow wrestler JBL. It was his first WWE world championship title and he went ahead to win 16 more. It was a freaking world record. Outside of the ring, Cena got his first feature film, The Marine. He then got roles in movies like Ferdinand, Blocker, and Bumblebee.
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson Never Left the Spotlight
You don’t need us to tell you what is he up to outside of the ring. He is everywhere and people love him. However, we’d still what we are asked to do. His attitude era of the 1990s and the early 2000s got the highest ratings. Outside of the ring, this superstar remained the same and ruled Hollywood. His career is defined by movies like The Mummy Returns, The Other Guys, Moana, Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, and Hobbs & Shaw.
“Stone Cold” Steve Austin Stayed in Wrestling
He entered the ring in 1996 and was one of the poster boys of the Attitude Era. That is when his new name came into play – Stone Cold Steve Austin. And this man has stuck to wrestling throughout. He never went away from the ring. After his ring in the career, he went ahead to become the Co-General Manager of the professional wrestling TV program, Raw.
Antonio Inoki Found Success in Wrestling and Politics
This living legend of Japan has fought with boxer Muhammad Ali in 1976. He even headlined two shows in North Korea and the telecast had a record-breaking audience. He then stepped into the politics sin 1989 and alongside that he was still into professional wrestling. That year itself, he was elected in the Japanese House of Councillors. He was re-elected in 2013 and took retirement in 2019.
Adam “Edge” Copeland Is Still On the Screen
This Canadian native became one of the most decorated wrestlers in the history of WWE. He won 31 championships and hat is enough of a proof of his strength. In 2011 he decided to take the retirement and took the road to the television. Adam Joseph Copeland A.K.A Edge was then seen in numerous shows and the latest one is Vikings.
Paul “Triple H” Levesque Loved WWE so Much He Married Into It
This man has found a place for him to live and it is the WWE Hall Of Fame. In 2019, he received the honor, citing his successful career in professional wrestling. Triple H then got married to McMohan and the two established a cancer fund, Connor’s cure. He never left the WWE organization as he is the Chief Operating Officer of the organization now.
The Dastardly Rich, Ted DiBiase
This million-dollar man was the first WWF North American Heavyweight Champion. Also, he is considered one of the best villains in the history of WWE. Outside of the ring, he left his negative persona behind and chose to become a Christian minister. Since then, he has traveled the world, delivered sermons, and has even written an autobiography.
No Break Could Stop Bill Goldberg From Winning
From the late 90s to early 2000s. Bill was unstoppable and that is when he took a long break that started in 2004 and lasted till 2015. He came back and in two years, he won the WWE Universal Championship. Stepping out of the ring changes him into a color commentator in the mixed martial arts arena. The most recent one was his hosting for the show called Forged in Fire: Knife or Death.
Kurt Angle Trades in his Belt and Titles for a Suit and Tie
This man debuted in 1998 just after a few days of training. In the very first year of his career, he won four championships but he didn’t stop there. He went ahead and in his career of 21 years, he won 21 championships. He is not a wrestler anymore but he hasn’t even left the ring. In 2017, he became the general manager of the WWE program, Raw and in September 2019, he took a new position, backstage producer for the WWE.
Dave Bautista Goes From the Ring to the Stars
Dave Bautista is one name who has ruled the WWE world for the longest. He was the world’s heavyweight champion for 282 days. He has announced his retirement three times and has returned after the two of them. We will have to see if this time he comebacks or not. Also, outside of the ring, Bautista has featured in many Hollywood movies such as The Man with the Iron Fists, Guardians of the Galaxy and he is ready to be a leading actor in upcoming movies called My Spy and Army of the Dead.
Mick Foley Shows off His Softer Side
You might have heard numerous names for this one man. “Cactus Jack,” “Mankind,” or “Dude Love” yes, all of these are his names. He is a three-time world champion, 11-time world tag team champion. Out of this hardcore side, he is a writer and has been featured in the New York Times bestselling list numerous times. His works can be seen in five memoirs, four works of children’s fiction and two published fiction.
Jesse Ventura Pretty Much Does it All
This man is a former Navy man and he stepped into the ring in 1975 under the name Jesse “The Body” Ventura. By 2004, he was honored as he was asked to inaugurate the WWE Hall of Fame. In 1999, he stood up for elections of Governor of Minnesota and won. He served one term and since then he has been part of numerous political talk shows.
Mark William Calaway aka “The Undertaker” Undertakes the Real Estate Business
He was introduced to the WWE world in 1990 and since then he hasn’t looked back. He is a four-time WWE champion and three-time World Heavyweight champion. The most famous win for him has been the streak at The Show of Shows. Outside of the ring, he has a series of comic books called Chaos! Comics. Recently, he moved into the real estate business and has established the Zeus Compton Calaway Save the Animals Fund with his ex-wife, Sara.
James Hellwig aka “The Ultimate Warrior” is the Ultimate Philanthropist
This man caught the attention of his comic book look and quickly making his opponents lose. His most memorable win would be the one in 1990. He won WWF Heavyweight Championship by pinning Hulk Hogan. He took retirement in 1998 and started curating awards for all the people who got behind the camera in WWE.
Lawrence Wendell Pfohl aka “Lex Luger” Overcomes Adversity
With an incredible physique, Lawrence was known as a complete package. He was part of most titles and was in running in the competition of all. He even got the award for Most Popular Wrestler of the Year by Pro Wrestling, 1993 In 2007, he suffered a nerve impediment and he lost the movement of his legs and arms in the process. He tried to walk with a cane and combined all his experiences in his memoir, Wrestling with the Devil: The True Story of a World Champion Professional Wrestler – His Reign, Ruin, and Redemption.
Hulk Hogan Put His Face Everywhere
He has been one of the most popular pro wrestlers to come into existence. He is a six-time WCW World Heavyweight Champion. People were actually comparing him and Hulk in Marvel movies and it became a legit legal fight. He has been starred in movies over 30 times outside the arena of wrestling. He has also been part of advertisements and one of them was based on him, the Hulk Hogan Thunder Mixer and a grill, The Hulk Hogan Ultimate Grill.
Page Joseph Falkinburg aka “Diamond Dallas Page” Is Positively Unstoppable
He was a coach before he became a wrestler and he became a WCW World Heavyweight Champion and a WWF European Champion. When not wrestling, Page is a fitness instructor, motivational speaker, writer, and actor. His most recent book was Positively Unstoppable: The Art of Owning It.
The Head Honcho Himself, Vince McMahon
Chairman of the World Wrestling Entertainment company has entered the ring as a fighter. In the ring, he has been known as McMohan. FYI, he is a two-time world champion and 1999 Royal Rumble winner. Outside of the ring, we know he has a global empire with a listing worth of $5.71 billion.
Kevin Nash, Actor and Wrestler
When this man entered the WWE ring, he was a ringside enforcer for the WWE. In 1990, he made his debut as a wrestler under the name diesel. By 1994, he had won a world championship, singles championship, and tag team championship. Till now, he has won 21 championships. Outside the ring, Kevin is appearing in movies like The Longest Yard, Grandma’s Boy, John Wick, and Magic Mike XXL.
