Many pro athletes have found their way into the world of pro wrestling after their first career ended.
Roman Reigns (Georgia Tech) and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson (Miami) were stars in college. Bill Goldberg (Atlanta Falcons) and Steve McMichael (Chicago Bears) made it to the NFL.
Locally, former Colorado Buffaloes lineman Leon White had a stellar career in the guise of Vader. Even a pair of former Denver Broncos found their way into the ring: linebacker/guard Wahoo McDaniel and linebacker Darren Drozdov (Droz).
WRESTLEMANIA 32:
As World Wrestling Entertainment’s WrestleMania 32, the Super Bowl of pro wrestling, is just six days away, here’s a look at 10 notable star pro athletes who made a foray into the world of pro wrestling:
Bronko Nagurski, Chicago Bears fullback
The Pro Football Hall of Famer was a two-time National Wrestling Association world heavyweight champion in the late ’30s and early ’40s, defeating legendary pioneering pro wrestlers Lou Thesz and Ray Steele.
Lawrence Taylor, New York Giants linebacker
In his only pro wrestling match, the Hall of Fame linebacker — accompanied by several star NFL players — main-evented WrestleMania XI against Bam Bam Bigelow in Connecticut. Although Bigelow controlled much of bout, Taylor was able to come up victorious after performing a second-rope leaping forearm on Bigelow.
Butterbean, professional boxer
At WrestleMania XV, Butterbean for some reason had a shoot (that means real, kids) boxing match against wrestler Bart Gunn. Gunn was unsurprisingly knocked out in 35 seconds.
Kevin Greene, Carolina Panthers linebacker
The future Hall of Famer had stints during the offseason for World Championship Wrestling in the mid-’90s. Some highlights included tagging with retired Bears Pro Bowl linebacker Steve McMichael and former NFL player-turned-pro wrestling superstar Bill Goldberg. His run ended when teams began putting a “no wrestling” clause in his contract.
Reggie White, Green Bay Packers defensive end
The former Packers star had one professional wrestling match. After McMichael called him out, they met in the ring on May 19, 1997 at WCW’s Slamboree PPV. White would lose after
Karl Malone, Utah Jazz forward
After the Utah Jazz lost to the Chicago Bulls in the 1998 NBA Finals, the Mailman had an opportunity to exact revenge in the squared circle. Teaming up with Diamond Dallas Page, Malone faced off against “Hollywood” Hulk Hogan and Bulls forward Dennis Rodman at WCW’s Bash at the Beach. It wasn’t exactly the most entertaining bout and to add insult to injury, Hogan and Rodman won. Perhaps DDP should’ve tried getting John Stockton?
Dennis Rodman, Chicago Bulls forward
Speaking of Rodman, “The Worm” joined Hogan’s New World Order faction in 1997 in the midst of a suspension from the NBA. He had a handful of tag-team matches with the company until 1999.
Akebono, sumo wrestler
The only American-born sumo wrestler to reach the highest rank of yokozuna (no, not that Yokozuna), Akebono Taro faced off against the . A sumo match. Akebono threw Show out of the ring for the victory.
Mike Tyson, professional boxer
In 1998, after Tyson had twice lost to Evander Holyfield (and bit the man’s ear off), the former world heavyweight champion was hired to be the guest enforcer of the Shawn Michaels-Steve Austin match at WrestleMania XIV. He didn’t wrestle then, but 12 years later, he teamed up with on “Raw.” Tyson took off his black shirt and revealed a DX shirt, turning on the “Ayatollah of Rock and Rolla.”
Floyd Mayweather Jr., professional boxer
Big Show took on the much smaller . Mayweather was thrown around but would end up on top after connecting with his powerful punches.
CHEW ON THIS
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Colorado Mammoth goalie Calgary’s Karson Leung
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
Luke Walton, a two-time NBA Western Conference coach of the month winner with a record of 0-0, turns 36. Walton led the Warriors to a 39-4 record to start the season, but since he was the interim coach filling in for Steve Kerr, he gets none of the wins.
Joe Nguyen: jnguyen@denverpost.com or @joenguyen
