Linda McMahon and 14 Others Who Used WWE As Springboard To Celebrity
Linda McMahon is running for Senate in Connecticut and is the wife of WWE chairman Vince McMahon. Her role in running the WWE has come into question as she's run for the office.
McMahon isn't the first person to use her public notoriety from wrestling to find future success and fame outside of the company. Inside is McMahon and 14 other people who have found fame during and after the WWE because of the name they made for themselves in the company.
Is there anyone you think I missed? Make sure to leave it in the comments.
No. 15: Linda McMahon
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For the most part in the WWE, Linda McMahon was out of the limelight.
While her husband and children were running around and getting in front of the cameras, McMahon stayed out of sight. Now she did get involved in a couple of storylines and did some things that are embarrassing, especially when you're running for Senate like she is.
It will be interesting to see if she can actually win the race and grab the seat. I'd honestly be shocked.
No. 14: Trish Stratus
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Trish Stratus started out as just another pretty face who happened to be a valet for the people with actual talent in the ring.
However, Stratus turned into one of the most decorated women to ever step foot in the squared circle and then used it to boost her fame. Stratus took part in the CBS show Armed and Famous, where celebrities went through police training. Stratus is very famous in her home country of Canada.
Her looks don't hurt either.
No. 13: Triple H
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Triple H was one of the biggest stars of the Attitude Era and he made sure to capitalize off the WWE's success.
He's done guest appearances on television shows and starred in commercials, especially the Miller Light "Man Law" ads. He's also had a role in a major motion picture in Blade: Trinity. And how could we forget his appearance on The Weakest Link?
Those were good times.
No. 12: Randy Savage
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Macho Man Randy Savage always was a character and that helped him find things outside of wrestling during and after his career.
Savage has had a ton of acting gigs during his time, and has quite the resume. While that well has kind of dried up in recent years, he did have a minor role in the original Spiderman as a wrestler. Go figure, right?
But who could forget his Slim Jim ads?
No. 11: Brock Lesnar
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When Brock Lesnar came into the WWE, he was dubbed as "The Next Big Thing" and quickly became the WWE champion.
Lesnar was a wildly popular wrestler but had a bitter falling out with Vince McMahon and the WWE. He left the company and tried to make the Minnesota Vikings in training camp before being cut. That's when the wrestler found his way to the UFC.
He quickly became the Heavyweight champion before losing to Cain Velasquez last weekend.
No. 10: Goldberg
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While Goldberg rose to fame in WCW, he did eventually join the WWE. Since he left the company, he's found a niche for himself.
He used to be a a commentator for Elite XC before the company shut down. Now he is the host of Garage Mahal on the DIY Network. Before that, he was a contestant on Celebrity Apprentice.
Goldberg wasn't the most talented wrestler, but he made the most of it.
No. 9: Mick Foley
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Mick Foley is a living legend in the wrestling industry, known for his hardcore matches and most prominently, his match with the Undertaker at the 1998 Hell in A Cell.
Foley was thrown from the top of the Cell to the floor below and then fell through the ceiling of the cage later in the match. While he's most famous for his ability to bleed and take punishment, Foley has turned into a best-selling author, not something you'd expect from a wrestler.
He's a lot smarter than he looks, and is a talented writer.
No. 8: Andre The Giant
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Andre The Giant was one of the most larger-than-life wrestlers that has ever existed in the history of the industry, and he used that stature to branch out from wrestling.
Andre had a rather substantial acting career and it culminated with his role in The Princess Bride. That movie has stood the test of time, and he and the movie are universally praised. Had he not passed when he did, he would have likely made plenty more movies.
There will never be another Andre.
No. 7: Stacy Keibler
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Stacy Keibler was one of the many pretty faces that the WWE rolled through to set every young man's tongue wagging in the crowd.
After she left the WWE, she appeared on Dancing With the Stars and had a very successful run on the show. She's also done some minor acting appearances and with her looks, she shouldn't have much trouble trying to find work.
I'm sure every wrestling fan misses Ms. Keibler.
No. 6: Roddy Piper
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Rowdy Roddy Piper is one of the more famous wrestlers in the history of the industry. He's one of the best talkers that there has ever been, and his Piper's Pit segments revolutionized the way people use the microphone.
He's done a bunch of acting gigs during his career. He was recently on a Funny or Die video doing a fake PSA about childhood obesity, putting children who ate junk food and the parents who gave it to them in wrestling moves.
That sounds about right for Piper.
No. 5: John Cena
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John Cena is the current face of the WWE, and he's been sure to take that ball and run with it in terms of cashing in.
He's released a rap album and starred in two movies, even if they were legendarily bad. Not only that, he's also a current Gillette spokesperson. You can say whatever you want about Cena's ring skills and how poor they are, but the guy knows how to make money.
You can't knock the hustle.
No. 4: Jesse Ventura
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It's hard to believe that this man used to be called "The Body."
Jesse Ventura went on to be the governor of Minnesota. It shocked many that people would elect a former wrestler to run their state. He wasn't exactly loved by the media, and he was no fan of them either.
Currently, Ventura hosts a show where he explores conspiracy theories and gives you the real scoop on what we're not supposed to know. Pardon me if I don't take him seriously.
No. 3: The Rock
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The Rock was one of the most famous wrestlers in the late 1990s and early 2000s, and he made sure to capitalize on that.
He's done a bunch of movies and recently did a couple of Disney movies that have been painfully bad to watch if you're a former fan and don't have children. Plus, The Scorpion King, his first feature film, was laughingly bad.
I'm sorry Rock, but I don't smell what you're cookin'.
No. 2: Stone Cold Steve Austin
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The Texas Rattlesnake used to be one of the most recognizable men in the world.
Austin changed the entire business in the late 1990s, as he and a couple other wrestlers helped take the Attitude Era to new heights. During that era the WWE had more success than any other time in the company's history. He did a lot of TV guest spots then, including a recurring role on Nash Bridges.
Most recently he had a role in the Sylvester Stallone action flick, The Expendables, which has more action stars than you could ever imagine.
And that's the bottom line.
No. 1: Hulk Hogan
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You know this had to be the Hulkster. There's no one else that comes close.
Hulk Hogan is the most recognizable wrestler in the history of the industry, and he is an icon in every sense of the word. He had a big part in Rocky III and found new fame with his VH1 reality show, Hogan Knows Best.
Sure, he won't go away, ever, and that's annoying, but there's no denying the Hulkster's popularity.
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