Ranking WWE's Best Actors Amid Roman Reigns, Street Fighter Rumors
A recent report from Matt Grobar of Deadline that Roman Reigns is in consideration for a role in a live-action Street Fighter film, coupled with his own interview with Tom Kludt of Vanity Fair in which he discussed leaving the squared circle for a less-punishing form of entertainment over the next two years, has The Tribal Chief poised to potentially be WWE's next big breakout star in Hollywood.
The 40-year-old would follow some of the most prominent stars WWE has produced by taking his talents to the silver screen. From world champions to industry icons, pro wrestling's No. 1 promotion has a rich history of producing movie stars.
Who is the best actor of the bunch and who else joins them on the list? Let's take a look at the names Reigns hopes to follow.
5. Andre the Giant
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One of the stars of Carl Reiner's The Princess Bride, Andre the Giant leapt out of the squared circle and into the hearts of the audience as the lovable Fezzik.
The giant friend of Inigo Montoya, he is every bit the endearing character on the screen as he was off of it, especially in the bond he forms with the princess, Buttercup.
Andre's film credits are minimal, but the impact he had on moviegoers as Fezzik and television viewers in his appearance as Bigfoot in The Six Million Dollar Man, help earn him a spot on this list, if for no other reason than his unforgettable presence and aura.
4. 'Rowdy' Roddy Piper
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Roddy Piper made the jump from the ring to the screen in 1986's Body Slam, a wrestling-themed film. But it was not until two years later, with the release of John Carpenter's cult classic They Live, that he experienced his first real taste of Hollywood success.
Starring as the sunglasses-wearing, shotgun-carrying John Nada, Piper vowed to "chew bubblegum and kick ass," but was all out of gum. He was the wanderer who discovers a pair of sunglasses that open his eyes to aliens controlling the minds of everyday humans through subliminal messaging in the media, he fought back against them.
The epic fight scene with co-star Keith David remains one of the best (and most practical) brawls on screen, something Carpenter credited Piper for as well as his iconic bubblegum line.
Piper would go on to star in countless television and film roles, including his other 1988 starring role in Hell Comes to Frogtown, as well as a popular two-episode guest starring stint on It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia.
One of the most charismatic performers in WWE history, he never achieved the level of stardom of others on this list, but there is an argument that his role in They Live is as memorable and iconic as any his peers have had.
3. John Cena
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Look no further than John Cena's role as Peacemaker in the Max original series of the same name and its origin story, Suicide Squad. A cocky, self-centered, egotistical, emotionally complex, occasionally dim-witted and oblivious antihero, he hits all of the marks as Christopher Smith.
Away from the superhero realm, he has proved very funny in the comedies he has starred in, even if the quality of the projects have been questionable.
A dramatic role would be nice, so he can flex some of those acting chops he has exhibited on Peacemaker, but there is no denying the undisputed WWE champion is a talented actor with the potential for bigger and better as he transitions out of pro wrestling and into a full-time run in Hollywood.
2. The Rock
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The most successful of this crop of WWE Superstars-turned-Hollywood actors, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson is a bona fide megastar.
He crossed over and never looked back, becoming a legitimate A-lister and someone fans unfamiliar with his exploits in the squared circle watched with great excitement.
Beginning his Hollywood career with a small role as The Scorpion King in The Mummy 2, he rose to the top of the industry with his role in Fast 7 and earned acclaim for his willingness to fill roles of all kinds.
The star of action films such as San Andreas, Rampage, and Skyscraper, as well as Moana for Disney and Black Adam for Warner Brothers, he has recently signed onto some meatier acting roles, including the upcoming Smashing Machine and director Martin Scorsese's next film.
A worldwide celebrity who returns from time to time to the business that made him a household name, The Rock would be the undisputed No. 1 on a list of most famous actors. The spot on this list, though, goes to another former world champion.
1. Dave Bautista
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Former world heavyweight champion Batista is the best actor to emerge from WWE and make it big in Hollywood.
Under his real name, Dave Bautista, he rose to immediate stardom in his role as Dax the Destroyer in the Marvel Cinematic Universe's Guardians of the Galaxy. His comedic timing as the way-too-literal big man earned him rave reviews.
And while he easily could have settled into a career that saw him play funny action stars, he expanded his horizons with daring roles in other genres.
He appeared in both Dune films, starred as the disturbing doomsday bearer in Knock at the Cabin Door, was the voice of The Parakeet King in Studio Ghibli and Hayao Miyazaki's masterpiece The Boy and The Heron, and he shined as Eddie in the superb 2024 Pamela Anderson vehicle, The Last Showgirl.
His willingness to develop his acting skills instead of leaning heavily on one kind of role has helped him earn respect of his peers in Hollywood.
An actor who can hulk up and deliver a trademark spinebuster to any villain, or show emotional range and depth opposite the heaviest hitters in Hollywood, Bautista is the measuring stick for wrestlers-turned-actors.
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