15 Athletes Who Might Have a Future in WWE
The pairing of celebrities and athletes in the world of professional wrestling isn't anything new.
Ever since WWE's inaugural WrestleMania in 1985 included cameos from Mr. T, Cyndi Lauper, Muhammad Ali and Liberace, the wrestling business has gone back to the well and included various walks of life to add a little sizzle to some of its biggest events.
Being the dominant wrestling entity that it is, the WWE is famous for abusing that formula. Stars like Ronda Rousey, Lawrence Taylor and Floyd Mayweather Jr. have all gotten a chance to make waves in a WWE ring.
Knowing that the company loves to lean on professional athletes for help, we thought it would be fun to select 15 names who could really thrive on that stage.
In order to qualify for this list, an athlete has to have a vibrant personality, amazing physical tools or merely look the part.
Here's the list of athletes we came up who could have a future in exchanging pleasantries in WWE.
Honorable Mention: Ohio State Assistant Strength Coach Anthony Schlegel
1 of 16Ex-Ohio State linebacker and current Ohio State assistant strength coach, Anthony Schlegel, has to come to the WWE at some point. Sure, his moment may have passed. But come on, the story practically writes itself.
After Schlegel slammed a rowdy fan who found his way onto the field, the video of that incident went viral. Using raw testosterone and brute power, he laid a beating on that poor soul.
Considering the WWE loves to get the crowd going, maybe Schlegel can come out and bodyslam faux fans on a weekly basis. It's a cheap gimmick, but who cares? Sometimes those turn out to be the most entertaining ones.
Frank Kaminsky
2 of 16
Though he fell short in his pursuit of the national championship, Wisconsin big man Frank Kaminsky is the perfect WWE candidate.
At 7'0", 234 pounds, the lanky scorer has a unique body type that would translate well in a WWE ring. Besides his physical traits, Kaminsky's personality is more than enough to make him a fan favorite.
The dancing, good-vibration antics of Frank are perfect for a run as a WWE face—what good guys are called in the world of wrestling.
Now that his collegiate career is done, maybe Kaminsky can make a cameo on WWE's flagship program, Raw.
Zdeno Chara
3 of 16
Zdeno Chara strikes fear in the hearts of his opponents. As captain of the Boston Bruins, this mammoth 6'9" defensive star is the NHL's version of The Terminator.
When he fights, he puts foes down. And his bull-like strength and menacing presence on the ice make him the conqueror of all things puck.
A transition to the WWE for the 38-year-old would be welcomed. Chara has the athletic ability, build and look to be a WWE mainstay. Thanks to his Eastern European descent—he was born in Slovakia—Chara could even join forces with a guy like Rusev.
Look into Chara's eyes. Do it. Now imagine that icy stare in a WWE ring. Are you convinced?
Nick Young
4 of 16
A critical part of being successful in the WWE comes down to one's swagger and skills on the microphone. Based on those qualities alone, Nick Young of the Los Angeles Lakers would be a wonderful addition to the roster.
Young is confident, outlandish and can talk up a storm. Playing in Tinseltown, he has also developed a personality that is worthy of the WWE Universe.
Ronda Rousey
5 of 16
Had you watched WrestleMania 31, you would have seen UFC star Ronda Rousey ignite the fans at Levi's Stadium.
Putting Stephanie McMahon in an armlock and flipping Triple H on his head, Rousey joined forced with The Rock, and together they decided to punish the leadership of WWE.
WWE has always enjoyed bringing in UFC stars to compete. Back during the Attitude days, Ken Shamrock was one of the biggest stars in the company.
Rousey has everything you'd want from a pro wrestling perspective. She's a gifted fighter and a remarkable athlete and has built a serious reputation over the years. Throwing her into a feud with Stephanie or making her the female version of Brock Lesnar—an unstoppable wrecking machine—would be a seamless transition.
On top of that, all of the talk about Rousey fighting a man could be put into action without any serious consequences. That storyline would be huge.
Marshawn Lynch
6 of 16
Of all the distinct personalities in sports at this moment, Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch has the best one.
Lynch's post-game antics and one-off interviews turned a quiet halfback into the biggest attraction of the 2014-15 NFL season—and it wasn't even close.
His "Beast Mode" temperament has found a way to resonate with fans. Created during a dramatic stampede against the New Orleans Saints in the 2011 playoffs, Lynch became a folk hero the moment he leaped into that end zone.
Lynch would be awesome in the WWE. Think Lawrence Taylor but with a more enticing storyline. Pair Lynch up in a tag team match or let him get after it in a singles match. The man clearly has enough athletic capability to make it work.
John Calipari
7 of 16
It's about time the WWE gave us another authority figure to go out and stir the pot. Personally, I miss the days when Eric Bischoff was running the show.
Searching for a personality who could lead the charge in the world of sports leads us to Kentucky men's basketball coach John Calipari.
Calipari is a showman. He can talk, recruit like crazy and build cohesion in a matter of seconds.
Putting his slick persona in a WWE managerial role would be great. He could either be a face commissioner or a heel. He also just so happens to look and act the part.
Coach Cal is a celebrity in his own right. The master of this "rent-a-player" college basketball era we're living in could bring a certain je ne sais quoi to the company.
Yasiel Puig
8 of 16
Yasiel Puig is another character who definitely would make it colliding with Superstars in the WWE trenches.
Puig's psyche has always been driven by large doses of charisma. Tyler Kepner of The New York Times explained how even during practice Puig would show off for the adoring crowds.
We already know that Puig is one heck of an athlete. Transferring that athleticism and love for pleasing the fans over to the WWE is almost too natural of a fit.
Think Razor Ramon meets 2015. Puig could be a heel who draws fans in despite his "nasty" on-screen role.
Clay Matthews
9 of 16
Clay Matthews looks like a professional wrestler. His Ultimate Warrior locks and muscles are reminiscent of the glory days back in the '90s.
Matthews' visceral approach on the field makes his WWE presence bold. Watching him chase down opponents and slam them to the turf is sort of like watching Roman Reigns operate in the ring.
If Reigns can get a push, why can't Matthews with a little work? Both men are listed at 6'3" and are hyperathletic specimens.
Jon 'Bones' Jones
10 of 16
Jon "Bones" Jones in the WWE is the perfect setup for Brock Lesnar to take his first "real" loss in ages. As the UFC's most dominant titleholder, Jones is an athletic marvel of epic proportions.
The speed and strength this dude possesses are frightening. Jones would be an instant headliner. He's clever on the mic and knows what to say to get the crowd going.
Unlike Ken Shamrock, Jones would have an astronomically high ceiling. He's a world championship-caliber fighter who could be thrown into the main event scene over at WWE.
Maybe when his UFC days are finally winding down, he will make the jump and create a second career arc for himself.
Tim Tebow
11 of 16
Attention all higher-ups located in the WWE offices: We've found the ultimate sports attraction. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you Tim Tebow.
Tebow is the most polarizing athlete in sports, and he hasn't taken a meaningful snap for an NFL team since 2012.
Earlier this offseason, he worked out for the Philadelphia Eagles. Despite not making the team, the news coverage surrounding his "tryout" was extensive, as Ryan Grenoble of The Huffington Post brought to light.
Bringing Tebow over to the WWE would create a feeding frenzy of media people. The guy has always been able to draw a crowd.
At 6'3", 236 pounds, he has the right build for a wrestling ring. Partnering him up with the likes of John Cena or even a fan favorite like Daniel Bryan would create a storm of exciting television.
There's a real chance to bring "Tebowmania" to the WWE. Even if it were a one-time thing, the rewards would far outweigh any risks.
Ndamukong Suh
12 of 16
Say Tim Tebow is the premier face of WWE. That means Miami Dolphins defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh can be the exact opposite of that.
Suh's antics in his NFL career have raised some red flags. He's one of the best defensive players in all of the land, but he plays overly aggressive and even dirty at times.
Putting Suh in the ring and labeling him a heel would be the smart approach. The 307-pounder is agile and explosive. With enough ring work, he should have all the tools needed to become a force.
Maybe Dolphins owner Stephen Ross would even step up and take on a managerial role. If you remove the Dolphins emblem from the picture above and replace it with a WWE one, it would look like a introductory great press conference.
Conor McGregor
13 of 16
If fleshed out the proper way, you could make a case for every name on this list benefiting from a WWE run. But of all the athletes on display here, UFC villain Conor McGregor would be the ultimate addition.
McGregor is basically already a WWE personality. He may not have a contract with the brand, but the things he has done in the UFC are eerily similar. The Irishman is a rambunctious destroyer of worlds. He's a brilliant fighter who has scaled Dana White's business and carved out a special place in a brief period of time.
Like Ken Shamrock, McGregor would be a home run lodged into the WWE Universe. He's a belligerent talker and an arrogant walker.
The storylines and feuds the creative team could muster up would be endless. McGregor has enough juice and bravado to brawl with any of the top talent—especially Daniel Bryan or Dolph Ziggler.
Serena Williams
14 of 16
The women's division in the WWE needs a jolt of energy. The days of Trish Status and Lita are long gone. Serena Williams is one star who has enough clout to create a buzz once again.
Women's wrestling is very appealing when it's done right. In fact, some matches are far greater than what a lot of the men tend to produce.
We know that Williams is a super athlete. Of course, like everyone else on this list, she would have to undergo a rigorous training program to get ready. But once unveiled, Serena would be a game-changer for the sports entertainment industry.
J.J. Watt
15 of 16
Another person who could challenge the tyrannical reign of Brock Lesnar would be J.J. Watt. Since he entered the NFL in 2011, Watt has morphed into a once-in-a-generation talent.
Watt is the NFL's quintessential tough guy. With blood streaming down his nose and an aggressive streak in his bones the size of Texas, Watt could stare down Lesnar and redefine the working definition of "riveting."
At 6'5", 289 pounds, Watt is close in size to Lesnar. Seeing Watt run back touchdowns and get to the quarterback rapidly gives us hope that if these two collided, the ring would explode with shards of carnage and pride scattered everywhere.
Don't even let him brawl with anyone else. It's Watt vs. Lesnar, or nothing at all.
Wladimir Klitschko
16 of 16
Boxing's heavyweight champion, Wladimir Klitschko, could follow in the footsteps of Mike Tyson and make a WWE appearance before his active career is done.
With Klitschko set to defend his heavyweight title in New York City—it's the first time in seven years he will fight in the United States—later this month, what better time is there to throw him into a WWE ring?
The WWE's faux pro-Russian push with former United States champion Rusev has been a popular angle. Though it may be deemed insensitive, pitting Klitschko and Rusev against each other for an in-ring confrontation is another way to fuel that angle, with Wladimir hailing from Ukraine.
That's just one of many theories. A well-known boxer, Klitschko could even be weaved into the WWE based on what he's been able to accomplish in the boxing world—perhaps serving as a special guest referee during one of Rusev's match?
Unless noted otherwise, all game scores, stats and information courtesy of Sports-Reference.com. All WWE information provided by WWE.com, unless noted otherwise.
.jpg?w=600 "WWE Raw Results & Grades 🔠")
