Big E, Chyna and the Most Memorable Bodyguards in WWE History

Bruisers like Big E and Chyna made their mark on WWE with their arms crossed, standing guard, daring someone to come at the wrestler they were tasked with safeguarding.

They weren't mouthpiece managers or alluring valets but instead hired muscle. Big E stormed into WWE playing Dolph Ziggler's protector. Chyna served as Triple H's bodyguard.

In each case, these sentinels of the squared circle flourished in that role, forcing their way into WWE history.

It's a role Nia Jax has begun to play for Alexa Bliss and Tamina is currently fulfilling for Lana. In time, those two powerhouse women may earn a place on this list. 

For now, though, a pair of weasel-like goons, a rough-and-tumble cowboy and a giant in a showboat's shadow rank as the most memorable WWE bodyguards to date. The following list ranks those wrestlers taking into consideration how much they rounded out their client's characters as well as their uniqueness and overall presence.

Honorable Mention

• Rick Rude
• Luke Gallows

The bodyguard role has often been a means to introduce a newcomer. Rather than bring on an unknown to watch their back, though, Triple H and Shawn Michaels enlisted the help of The Ravishing One when forming D-Generation X in the early stage of the Attitude Era.

That gave rare star power to that spot.

Casting an intimidating tough guy like Rude there was brilliant. David Shoemaker wrote in The Squared Circle of Rude's aptness for the role: "He was a perfect fit for the promotion's new generation of sex-obsessed disorderlies." 

But WWE never took full advantage of Rude.

He became most famous during that time period for appearing on WCW and WWE programming on the same night. Still, being in such an iconic group with uncommon name power for the role earns him a spot here.

Gallows was both bodyguard and cult member under CM Punk's spell in 2009 and 2010.

He did well as the hired muscle in large part because of his look. It was easy to buy into a guy that big with a mess of tattoos and a shaved head as an intimidator at Punk's side.

He gets extra points for being a part of Punk's anti-drug clan, which allowed him to be involved in the story rather than just brood outside the ring.

7. J&J Security

No longer active as cruiserweights in the ring, Jamie Noble and Joey Mercury shifted to a backstage role. That was until Seth Rollins needed some protection as The Authority's golden boy near the end of 2014.

J&J Security defied the standard conventions of the bodyguard role. They were smaller than the man they were protecting. They weren't the least bit intimating. 

Instead, they were loyal pushover goons.

J&J Security added major depth to Rollins' character. He was a spoiled coward champion, and having hired guns who he pulled from the corporate world underscored that.

Their novelty alone made them memorable as did their failed attempts to protect Rollins, becoming the victim rather than the bully. Brock Lesnar was among the many wrestlers who battered Noble and Mercury in thrilling fashion. 

6. Acolyte Protection Agency

Credit: WWE.com

Bradshaw and Faarooq of APA.

Bradshaw and Faarooq extended the life of their partnership by moving away from the occult and moving into the bodyguard business.

During the Attitude Era, the Acolytes Protection Agency prowled the wrestling ring, backstage and bars savoring the joy of beating folks up. The team took off in a big way.

Greg Oliver and Steven Johnson noted in The Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame: The Heels the effect the alliance had on the two bruisers: "That pairing, which became a fan favorite, revived both men's careers."

The APA, though, were more mercenaries than bodyguards at times. They didn't stick to a particular Superstar's side. As a result, they didn't have the advantage of becoming key parts of their protectors' stories as bodyguards like Big E did.

5. Cowboy Bob Orton

As Hulkamania exploded and WrestleMania was born, Roddy Piper could count on Cowboy Bob Orton watching his back.

When Piper and Paul Orndorff marched into the first WrestleMania's main event against Hulk Hogan and Mr. T, Orton was right there with his trademark cowboy hat and bad attitude. Orton became an extension of Piper's character, the hard-hitting ally ready to nail Hot Rod's foes with a cheap shot.

Orton often battled Piper's rivals, making him the first line of defense for the heel.

Cowboy wore a cast on his arm for ages, using it as a weapon time and time again. That became an iconic part of his ensemble, helping to stay in fans' memories years after his alliance with Piper.

Orton would play a similar role for his son later in his career, jumping into the fray in Randy's battles with Undertaker and others. 

4. Big E

Dolph Ziggler and AJ Lee could rest easy as they tormented the WWE roster. They had a chiseled powerhouse right behind them at all times.

At the close of 2012, Big E debuted by wailing on John Cena. He then went on to be an enforcer for Ziggler and steady sight alongside Lee.

His physique allowed him to stand out from the start.

Big E looked every bit like an imposing bodyguard. He was a brooding human tank accompanying his allies. When he bowled someone over, he created a highlight every time.

His chemistry with Lee helped him make an early impression on the audience. He became a friend and big brother to a degree. 

3. Virgil

Not as muscular or large as a bodyguard like Big E, Virgil became an unforgettable character by an uncomfortable dynamic instead.

As Million Dollar Man Ted DiBiase's hired muscle, Virgil's duties often slid into manservant territory. He polished his client's shoes as well as pounded his opponents into the ground. The alliance was rich with racial undertones.

Virgil helped complete DiBiase's character.

His presence amplified how heartless and arrogant the rich heel was. He was part-protector, part-property. Eventually, the abuse he took caused Virgil to snap, and he battled DiBiase in an indelible rivalry.

All that added up to Virgil being a part of WWE conversation for years afterward despite not being successful as a solo act after leaving DiBiase's side.

2. Chyna

Credit: WWE.com

Chyna stands at Triple H's side.

Chyna serving as Triple H's muscle flipped traditional roles on their head. A woman was the enforcer for the first time. That was groundbreaking. 

As Nick Schwartz wrote for Fox Sports, Chyna "revolutionized what it meant to be a female performer at the height of the WWE's Attitude Era."

The Amazonian powerhouse fit in perfectly as a bodyguard for D-Generation X, the Attitude Era's resident rebels. She wore tight-fitting revealing clothing while kicking guys in the jewels. She exuded attitude. She defied tradition.

Her presence was top-notch, helping make her a larger-than-life figure who sometimes outshone the man she was protecting.

1. Diesel

If WWE were to draw up the ideal bodyguard character in the writing room, the sketch would likely look a lot like Diesel.

The big man could intimidate with his size and demeanor alone. He was a large, imposing figure, a silent thug in shades. He fit in with his client's character perfectly.

Shawn Michaels was an undersized, sneaky villain. He was a trash-talker quick to retreat from a fight. Having the colossal Diesel at his side made perfect sense.

Michaels rose to prominence in the early '90s with the help of his behemoth bodyguard. 

The pairing clicked. Diesel was an integral part of The Heartbreak Kid package.

Diesel went on to become WWE champ and later one of WCW's bigger names, and his success as Michaels' muscle kick-started that.