WWE: 31 Professional Athletes Who Would Make Great Wrestling Heels

It's been done before to get the crowd's attention or to drum up ticket sales, or in some cases, the athlete just wants to see what it is like to be in the squared circle.

Athletes seem to love wrestling and wrestling seems to love athletes from other sports.

It is a match that is not always made in heaven, but most times, it is made in money.

Over the years, the WWE has had its share of athletes compete in Royal Rumbles, main events and many PPV shows.

Even today, wrestling attracts big-time athletes like Ben Roethlisberger or the Detroit Pistons, who carried around a replica of the World Title after they won their last championship.

Here are some athletes we all could see in the ring as heels in WWE.

Mike Tyson

He is still one of the baddest men on the planet, and he has already gotten in the ring in the WWF.

Tyson has been lying low as of late, appearing in The Hangover movies and on reality television.

Something tells me the WWE would be just like a reality show to him.

Jack Tatum

He was the meanest defensive back in the NFL in the 1970s.

The late Raider great would have torn your head off for smiling if he could.

Receivers feared going across the middle to make a catch because they knew what was coming from Tatum if they did.

Dennis Rodman

He wrestled with Hulk Hogan against DDP and Karl Malone.

Rodman actually looked pretty good doing it, and I believe he tried to give it a go as a celebrity wrestler.

Rodman's size, speed and hands make him ideal for cheap shots and short cuts in the ring.

Bryan Cox

The former NFL linebacker said he played every game thinking the opposition was out to hurt his family.

Cox was a vicious tackler and hitter and never backed down from anyone on the field.

Randy Johnson

If the mullet did not scare you, maybe a fastball from the 6'10" pitcher would.

Johnson is all arms and legs; opponents would have a hard time blocking any assault from him.

Chris Pronger

He is one of the most popular Flyers and a great player.

As a hockey player, you know he is in great cardiovascular shape. And with a name like Pronger, he would be ideal as a heel in wrestling.

Gina Carano

Ah, a beauty that is said to be in talks with the WWE about coming to their brand.

The MMA queen would be a welcomed addition to the Divas ranks, where she could do something most of these ladies don't do: she could wrestle.

John McEnroe

You Cannot Be Serious!

In the 1980s, McEnroe embodied everything that was right and wrong about men's tennis.

And with a mouth and a temper like his, he would fit in with some of the bad boys of wrestling today.

Mia St. John

She may be beautiful, but I for one will not make this boxing legend mad.

St. John knows how to handle herself in the ring. And when things are tough, she just throws a left jab and all that is left is the three-count.

Laila Ali

Daughter of "The Greatest" boxer of all time and a pretty good fighter herself.

She shows great technique in a boxing ring and displayed great agility on Dancing with the Stars.

She would have no problems making her presence known in wrestling.

Kyle Busch

The NASCAR driver everyone loves to hate.

He has such a temper but also has a desire to win every major title there is in motorsports.

He could be a triple crown winner on the track and a multiple title winner in wrestling.

Curtis Joseph

As a goalie, he stopped everything that came in his path.

Cujo was a monster in front of the nets.

He could be the stopper a stable needs when they are faced with an "invasion."

Ron Heller

When he played in the NFL, he was regarded as the dirtiest player in the game.

The offensive lineman never backed down from opposing offensive linemen. He caused many a fight in his playing days.

The Williams Sisters

There is a lot of fight in Serena and Venus.

Like the Bella Twins, they take up for each other and something tells me they are little more ruthless when it comes to winning a title.

Diego Maradonna

One of the greatest all-time soccer players, internationally.

I was thinking with the way he looks now, he would make an awesome heel manager.

And Vickie Guerrero would love to look at this guy for hours.

Arnold Schwarzenegger

Go ahead, you tell the Governator that he cannot wrestle if he wants to.

I'd like to see that.

Wayne Rooney

English soccer player and one of the best in the world.

Let's see if he can play a sport or be in a business where he has to use his hands.

Maybe William Regal can help train him.

Sebastian Janikowski

The Polish Prince doesn't hold back at the buffet line (I know from personal experience), and he has a strong enough leg to kick the crap out of anyone.

Get him in the ring and see what he can do.

Rampage Jackson

His name says it all, and his bark is something that would be an instant hit with the fans.

He would be a heel everyone would love to hate. And unlike some other MMA stars, Jackson could make the transition and win WWE gold.

Bill Laimbeer

He was the king of the flop and the lower leg foul.

Laimbeer swore up and down he never committed a foul, and he was quite the crybaby about it.

He wouldn't get that far in the ring with those tactics. But he would be entertaining.

Danica Patrick

I figured this is where the obligatory Danica Patrick picture goes.

Actually, when she wins, she celebrates in a "girlie way" as she puts it.

I wonder what happens when she loses?

Kevin Harvick

He is just as much a menace on the track as his rival Kyle Busch.

Come to think of it, the two could battle in Hell in a Cell and see what happens.

Boris Becker

The German tennis great is up there in years.

He has a James Bond-esque look to him and might better be served as a manager who helps his stable to victory.

And of course, more eye candy for Vickie Guerrero to look at.

Ed Reed

He is a a thief in the Ravens' secondary; he could steal a few victories in the WWE.

Reed loves to play the ball or, in this case, the opponent. So when they are least expecting it, they will feel the impact of one of the best hitters in football.

Anna Kournikova

Couldn't you see her and Maryse in some kind of feud over mirror time?

Seriously, she needs a hobby.

And we have seen what a temper she has lately.

Brian Wilson

He is eclectic, and he has lots to say.

The Giants' relief pitcher is a rare bird.

And if that does not convince you, the beard will more than make you wonder what he is hiding in there that can hurt his opponents.

Ray Lewis

You knew I could not leave him off this list.

He is the quintessential bad boy and the one man perfect for this role.

Lewis is mean, bad and would be an all-around a great addition to any wrestling promotion.

And even in his late 30s, he still will bring it every night.

Terrell Owens

He loves himself more than anything on the planet.

He is a constant complainer about what is fair.

He constantly thinks everyone is out to get him.

Sounds like one of these snot-nosed wrestlers who just filled their diaper.

Arianny Celeste

She is the athletic UFC ring vixen who all guys who follow MMA know.

Celeste can hold her own in the ring.

Maybe she and Gina Carano come into the sport as ultra-hot heel tag team specialists.

Tim Lincecum

He looks like he belongs on the Bad News Bears.

All arms and legs and probably can't shave yet.

Maybe the WWE characterizes him as the next X-Pac.

OJ Simpson

He was a great athlete and a world-class talker when he was on commercials.

And he could leap tall cars in a single bound in Hertz commercials.

On second thought, maybe we shouldn't go there.