25 Athletes Who Would Make Awesome Wrestlers

It’s a discussion we have had time and time again. What athlete in today’s sports world would look great in the wrestling ring?

I’m not talking about Karl Malone and Dennis Rodman in a match at a pay-per-view for WCW. I’m talking about athletes who would make the conversion to the wrestling ring and be successful.

Championship-level success.

Whether it is football (which seems to be the local sport to find cross-over athletes) or MMA (where we have already seen a cross over in Brock Lesnar) or amateur wrestling (thank you, Kurt Angle and Verne Gagne, among others), there are plenty of names that make this conversation more than interesting.

Then there are the athletes some of us think of and see the potential in their ability.

Whatever the sport, whoever the athlete and however it can be accomplished, here are some of the top athletes in the world who we would love to see make the transition. These athletes would make amazing professional wrestlers. 

So let the debate begin and enjoy.

Justin Burroughs

Now that he has Olympic gold, what is next for this awesome athlete?

No American freestyle wrestler has defended his golf medal in the sport since 1996. Could Burroughs be the first?

If not, he could follow fellow gold medalist Kurt Angle into professional success.

I see Burroughs as a cross between D'Angelo Dinero and R-Truth. He could also be an instant success in the business, using his amateur background as a stepping stone to title greatness.

Serena Williams

A freakish athlete who yields a tennis racket as her weapon of choice.

And a body that is better put together than most men.

Serena Williams, even after 30 years old, will still be a threat to win every time she steps on the tennis court. She is that good.

And when she gets in the ring, she can use the forehand "smash" as her finishing move.

She could certainly be a threat for any title she puts her mind to.

And I have this image of her using the finishing move made famous by Junkyard Dog called "The Thump."

Rampage Jackson

Just the name invokes fear.

"Rampage."

As he walks to the ring with chains around his neck and looks like a man on a mission. Yes, Jackson is made for squared circle.

After a successful career in the Octagon, the transition, much like Brock Lesnar, seems plausible.

And seeing both in the ring together would be huge for the business.

Chuck Liddell

When he was in the ring with the likes of Randy Couture and Tito Ortiz, Chuck Liddell was an animal.

And with the goatee and mohawk cut, he is the kind of "hero" wrestling fans would take to immediately.

Liddell is retired from MMA contests, but that does not mean he wouldn't be successful in TNA or the WWE.

And fans know him through mainstream circles.

He is one bad ass.

Ray Lewis

Everyone's enforcer.

Lewis looks like he is a rookie again this year for the Ravens. And when No. 52 is in the middle of your defense or in he middle of a war, there is no one better to have standing by your side.

Just look at him coming to the ring in pads and wrestling gear. He would certainly be a man to contend with.

Dennis Rodman

He has done this before and had some success.

Now it would be interesting to see if he could wrestle on a consistent basis.

Rodman is the type of athlete and media whore who would love the spotlight and wrestling professionally certainly offers that.

He also appeals to the younger generation with his exotic lifestyle and his fashion sense.

Certainly someone you want in your wrestling outfit.

LeBron James

An NBA championship. A body built like an NFL tight end. And a mind that allows him to do anything he sets it to do.

LeBron could be the most imposing force in professional wrestling.

A sculpted body and athleticism we haven't seen in many players, I like LeBron's chances with the likes of John Cena, Zack Ryder and Christian.

And those aren't the only wrestlers who I think James has a chance with.

If he can win with flare on the courts, just think of what he can do in the ring.

Jon Jones

Maybe the best MMA fighter in the business today, there is nothing standing in Jones's way of winning everything in sight.

Jones makes it look easy with his fighting style and his agility, which will come in handy against smaller, quicker (if that is possible) opponents.

Deion Sanders

Not so much as a wrestler.

But now that A.W. is no longer in the WWE, could you see him as a manager, styling and profiling (sorry Ric Flair) wearing outrageous suits and flashing the gold?

Oh, man what a treat.

As an FSU graduate and a fan of the pomp and unconventional person Sanders is, he has a place in the WWE.

And he could sell it better than you think.

Mike Tyson

He was once the baddest man on the planet and has been in the ring before with Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels.

Tyson is still an intimidating force, if in appearance only.

I could see him as an "advisor" to a young wrestler or "enforcer" for a solid stable.

Either way, Tyson attracts crowds and still draws money.

Vitali and Wladimir Klitschko

In the 1970s and 1980s, we all feared the Russians. And in wrestling, we feared the likes of Ivan Koloff, Nikolai Volkoff and Nikita Koloff.

Now meet the Klitschko Brothers.

Big, strong, fearless and certainly intimidating, they would give Daniel Bryan and Kane a major run for their money.

Someone please sign them up and see what happens.

Laila Ali

The beautiful daughter of the greatest boxer of all time. Ali has been in the ring herself.

I would love it if Ali, who has shown her agility in other athletic endeavors, become the face of women's wrestling in matches against Beth Phoenix or Eve or someone from the past (Trish Stratus?).

This would certainly give women's wrestling a boost it needs.

Kurt and Kyle Busch

Funny thing about this duo: They could be friends or foes in a matter of seconds.

Could you see them in the ring in a tag team event and then get into an argument about who finishes off the match?

Maybe these two need anger management with Kane and Daniel Bryan.

Maybe they need to hug it out.

Terrell Owens

He is strong, athletic and without a team to call his own. What about professional wrestling?

With Owens's off-field drama and appearances on E-News and with Dr. Phil, he is perfect for the soap opera that is this business.

And in a pinch, he can shed a tear or two about his partners in crime.

Holley Mangold

Fresh off her performance in the London Olympics, what is next for Mangold?

The sister of Jets offensive lineman Nick Mangold, Holley would be a welcomed addition to either TNA or the WWE.

Could you see a match with Mangold, who is well over 300 pounds, getting in the ring with someone like ODB or Kharma, should she make a return to the ring?

Awesome.

James Harrison

No one hits harder than Harrison. And with his never surrender mentality and knockout ability, you know he has "heel" wrestler written all over him.

Harrison has a penchant for late hits and punishment. Fans love to see that in the ring and outside in the stands.

Harrison could be a real popular heel when he hangs up his cleats.

Paulina Gretzky

She may not play her father's sport or have her mother's agility, but she can sure swing a golf stick.

We need someone like Gretzky in wrestling. If her athleticism is as refined in other sports, then should would be a great marketing tool.

If she becomes more of the diva-type, and as a fan of her beauty, I am just fine with that.

Jason Pierre-Paul

Maybe the most feared pass-rusher in the NFL right now.

Can you see this freight train coming at you full force in the corner? Forget someone like Rikishi making you shudder, this guy could break you in half.

Brian Urlacher

Another in a long line of great Bears linebackers.

If he came to the ring, pointing and shouting like he does on the gridiron, he could scare opponents before the bell rang.

I love the bald head and the fierce scowl; something out of the pages of Goldberg and Stone Cold.

Urlacher is another beast who could make the transition and be great.

Shaquille O'Neal

We have have heard about this before. It never materialized. O'Neal was seen on television on TNA recently, talking with his pal Hulk Hogan and has a part with Impact! and the "Aces and Eights" angle.

Can O'Neal, with his size and injury history, be as successful in the ring? He is so large, it remains to be seen if he can be as agile.

I think with his charisma O'Neal can do anything he puts his mind to.

He brings excitement, that's for sure, brother.

Rob Gronkowski

This list would not be complete without "The Gronk."

There are few football players or athletes who are as media-savy in today's current sports-crazed society.

"The Gronk" would be a great marketing tool for this business. And his dance style may make him a favorite of the female fans.

Angela Rypien

She may be a better passer than her father, and that's saying something. I love her intensity on the field.

And if she wears the outfit, or lack thereof, I think she will be a crowd favorite.

Rypien is more athletic than you may think and her strong arm and powerful legs could make her a Gail Kim-type of athlete.

Brian Wilson

You got to love the beard.

Could you see him in a tag team with Eric Young? Two wild men who could be the Jekyll and Hyde of the wrestling world.

And since Wilson is a veteran of the red carpet, could you see them in matching tuxedos?

And the banter back and forth would be a Ric Flair/Roddy Piper classic.