It seems like Dwayne Johnson is starring in a new film, appearing in a TV series, or being a significant part of the entertainment landscape every other week.
In addition to being everywhere, the guy is one of the most popular, highly paid movie stars on the planet and is known worldwide.
Not long ago, he was just a third-generation wrestler known as Rocky Maivia, struggling in the ring and unable to work the mic.
It took a lot of work, rebranding (changing his name to The Rock, etc.), and marketing to turn him into one of the greatest characters in WWE's history and one of the best wrestlers ever.
After he became the biggest name in wrestling, it didn't take long for Hollywood to come calling.
He began as a mostly CGI entity known as "The Scorpion King" and slowly worked his way through modestly budgeted action films ("The Rundown," "Walking Talk," "Snitch," "Faster"), comedies ("Be Cool," "Tooth Fairy," "The Other Guys," "Central Intelligence"), and over-the-top actioners ("Skyscraper," "Doom," "Rampage," GI Joe: Retaliation").
He finally became a major player in tent pole franchises like the "Fast and Furious" films, the "Jumanji" pictures, the DC Universe films, and other films based on video games and theme park rides.
He is, without question, the single most successful pro Wrestler-Turned-Actor of all time and a certified Hollywood legend.
The fact that the best movie he's ever been in, Richard Kelly's masterpiece "Southland Tales," which features his finest performance ever, was a massive bomb and misunderstood art film, is beside the point. The Rock has made it.
Here is a list of Pro-Wrestlers who tried their hand at acting in movies and on TV with varying degrees of success.
A few of these former grapplers achieved great success, while others didn't fare as well, but every one of them has made an indelible mark outside of the squared circle.
The entries below include several movie and TV titles. Check out the terrific JustWatch to see if the titles are available for streaming, on DVD, or even in theaters. Type the title into the search bar on the website, and away we go.
Second only to Johnson, Cena is perhaps the most successful wrestler to transition to acting. There is a solid and legitimate argument for the next guy on this list to be considered for that honor as well; we'll get to him in a second.
In the years since leaving the world of full-time wrestling, Cena has become a reliable comic actor with a fabulous sense of humor about his image. He has chosen some terrific projects.
Check out: "12 Rounds," "The Marine," "Trainwreck," "Bumblebee," "Sisters," "Blockers," "Fighting With My Family," and the franchise hits "The Suicide Squad," "Peacemaker," and "Fast X." He's also awesome as a Ken in "Barbie."
Here's the guy on par with Cena regarding post-wrestling to acting success. He is a solid and, based on his stiff promo work in wrestling, surprisingly funny actor. He seems much more serious about his craft and takes some riskier projects than most guys on this list. He's also forever a member of the Marvel Universe, which all but guarantees immortality.
Check out: "Spectre," "Blade Runner 2049," "Hotel Artemis," "Army of the Dead," "Glass Onion," "A Knock at the Cabin," the "Guardians of the Galaxy" films, and the magnificent "Dune" films.
The OG of all entertainment-hungry pro wrestlers, Hogan was the first international wrestling superstar who broke through when Vince McMahon changed wrestling forever by turning it into one corporate entity instead of multiple small, localized factions.
Regarding acting capability, Hogan is always just Hogan, and he will never be anything else, even if his name was Thunderlips in "Rocky III."
Check out: "Santa With Muscles," "No Holds Barred," "Mr. Nanny," "Thunder in Paradise," and "Suburban Commando." His most memorable appearance in any movie was his hilarious cameo in "Gremlins 2: The New Batch."
Piper is one of the best wrestlers in the history of the medium. He was outstanding in the ring, incredible on the mic, and could excel as either a good guy ("babyface") or a bad guy ("heel"). Especially as a heel.
He, too, was limited in his abilities as an actor, but he will forever be a part of film history because of his outstanding performance in John Carpenter's political, sci-fi masterpiece "They Live."
He appeared in some other films and TV shows, but nothing comes close to "They Live," which is enough to make him a legend.
Check out: "Hell Comes to Frogtown" and a ton of straight-to-video titles that are everywhere.
A legend in the ring simply because he was a manufactured force of nature that destroyed everyone who got in the ring with him, Goldberg was never known for his mic skills or sparkling personality.
He was big, buff, and he beat ass. His transition to film and TV was a weird one because of his limitations, but he eventually found his niche on the television show called, ahem: "The Goldbergs."
Check out: "The Longest Yard," "Santa's Slay," "Ready to Rumble," "The Kid and I." My favorite Goldberg performance is in the criminally underrated "Looney Tunes Back in Action."
The most fascinating entry on this list is the former Governor of Minnesota, who was not only one of the very best wrestlers to walk into the ring but also an incredible announcer, hilarious commentator, and brilliant host during the early seminal days of the WWE.
He also starred in a few of the most iconic action films of the 1980s and 1990s before entering politics.
Check out: "Batman and Robin," "Ricochet," "Demolition Man," "The Running Man," and his finest work in "Predator." He ain't got time to bleed.
This is a massive human whose size almost guarantees he will only be cast in specific roles (you know, that of giant dudes) or outlandish villains.
Nash is one of the smartest and most savvy guys in wrestling history. He understands the business better than most and is hilarious, charming, and terrific on the mic. He has used those abilities to great effect in the supporting actor universe.
Check out: "Dog," "Chick Fight," "John Wick," "The Punisher," and "Rock of Ages." His best work, by far, is as one of the most charming dancers in the "Magic Mike" movies. Great stuff.
A real revolutionary performer from the Attitude Era of the WWE, "Stone Cold" is the whole package. He looks great, has an incredible body, and has an unbelievable talent on the mic. His meteoric rise in wrestling was unprecedented, and his film career could never equal it.
He appeared in several straight-to-video projects and a few TV shows, but his success is in reality shows, podcasts, and talk shows. That doesn't mean that there aren't movies out there in which Austin shines; there certainly are.
Check out: "Chain of Command," "Grown Ups 2," "The Expendables," "The Condemned," and "The Longest Yard." But it's his work on Don Johnson's TV show "Nash Bridges" that is really terrific and definitely worth a look.
OK, I saved "The Eighth Wonder of the World" for last, not because he was a good actor (because he wasn't) or a particularly great wrestler (because he wasn't). I saved him for last because he was simply an amazing person who transcends both businesses and belongs on a different plane.
He revolutionized wrestling and helped its transition from backwater lark to a multi-million dollar industry.
On the acting side, there are two reasons why he is an absolute legend:
That's it. That's all, and that's enough.
Thanks for reading, and please SUBSCRIBE to my weekly NEWSLETTER!
And consider joining me on Patreon as a paid subscriber to help keep this thing going.
Thanks again!