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WRESTLERS WHO'VE PERFORMED IN OTHER PRO SPORTS

It’s not just in the wrestling ring where these stars have shone 

Being a professional wrestler is definitely an all-consuming occupation. First, you have to be in tip-top physical shape, as the sport is so physically demanding. Then on top of that, you also have to be willing to take some real punishment on your body, as the bumps come thick and fast. Plus, you also need extreme mental fortitude, due to having to be on the road for over 300 days in a year, making a ‘normal’ life out of the question. This means that the wrestlers who do manage to rise to the top of this taxing profession, are elite level athletes with steely determination. 

It shouldn’t be too surprising then, to learn that some wrestlers have also managed to excel in other professional sports during their lifetime. Let’s take a look at some of the most famous examples, and further shine a light on some of the finest athletes to ever step into a wrestling ring.  

Goldberg

This wrestler was such a powerful and dominating force, that he had to always be escorted to the ring by a group of police, for everyone’s safety. The menacing Goldberg’s undefeated streak back in the late 90’s, was one of the real highlights of WCW, and his subsequent move to WWE in 2003 caused an absolute fanfare. He’s still a part of the WWE in his fifties, although it seems that he might have retired from the ring back in February, when he recorded a video saying that the bout against Roman Reigns may be his last WWE match. 

One of his most famous moves is his vicious spear, which looks like a tackle straight out of the NFL. It’s a move he was always fated to use though, as Goldberg actually was a professional footballer back in his younger days. His large stature made him a college football great at the University of Georgia, where he played as a defensive tackle. He then was drafted by the Los Angeles Rams, although he didn’t feature much for the side, and after experiencing a bad abdominal tear, his footballing days were over.

Thankfully, football’s loss was wrestling’s gain, as he’ll go down as one of the most exciting wrestlers to ever step into the ring. 

Kevin Nash

Kevin Nash is tall. Like, really tall. Standing a solid 6ft 10in, his towering height has allowed him to revel in the wrestling world. His Jacknife Powerbomb, where he raised his opponents high above his head, and then suddenly slammed them down, has gone down as one of the greatest finishing moves in WWE history. If there’s one sport where height is revered even more than it is in wrestling though, it’s basketball.

Nash played centre for the University of Tennessee from 1977 to 1980, before moving to Europe to play professionally for several teams. Unfortunately, despite showing extreme promise on the court, he tore his anterior cruciate ligament, fully ending his basketball dreams. 

We all know what happened after that, as the big man made his move into wrestling, and made his massive mark on the sport. 

Ronda Rousey 

Ronda Rousey has seriously electrified the WWE since she signed for the company back in 2018. Her career in wrestling started right at the top, with her making her debut at WrestleMania 34, where she teamed up with Kurt Angle to win a mixed tag team match against Stephanie McMahon, and Triple H. Since then, she’s gone on to help make the women’s branch of WWE a real force, as her rowdy persona brings more and more eyes to their matches. 

The reason Rousey was able to instantly make an impact at such a high-level, was that she’d already made herself a household name thanks to her time in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. The now 35-year-old first gained recognition for her incredible mixed martial arts skills, which made her the first ever UFC female champion. Her spectacular fights were a huge reason why the promotion company has evolved to become a real leader in the world of combat sports.  

The UFC is now watched all over the globe, and is also massively popular with bettors, due to its plethora of intense clashes. You can find all the latest odds for upcoming UFC fights, at betting sites listed over on SBO. Each chosen bookmakers is guaranteed to be highly convenient to use, have better odds, as well as giving instant payouts on winning bets. You also get the latest free bets and sign-up bonuses, as well as easy to follow sports betting guides, making you more likely to see a return on your wagers. 

 

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