6 AEW stars who haven’t been successful as actors

AEW stars are slowly becoming household names. With the help of many former WWE Superstars, AEW has become one of the largest wrestling promotions in the world.

Just like many WWE Superstars, AEW stars have also tried their hands at different art forms. This has allowed many AEW wrestlers to venture towards a career in acting over the past several years.

While WWE Superstars such as John Cena, The Rock, Batista, and The Miz have made it big in Hollywood, not many AEW stars have gone too far. It looks like AEW stars are better in the ring than on the silver screen.

With that being said, take a look at the six AEW stars who haven’t been too successful as actors.

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#6. Former AEW star Diamond Dallas Page (DDP) appeared in many horror films

Diamond Dallas Page (DDP) made his AEW debut in 2019. He has been an influential individual in wrestling, and AEW benefited from his appearances.

The former WWE Superstar has become a world-renowned fitness instructor. Apart from that, he has appeared in several movies and television shows.

DDP has mostly gotten small roles in nearly a dozen horror movies. According to the AEW legend himself, he hasn’t had the luxury The Rock has in Hollywood:

“Well for starters, I don’t have the luxury The Rock has. (laughs) By the way, no one, I don’t think anyone in the business is prouder of him than I am, because when I look at who is the number one action star in the world, boom, it’s one of our guys. (laughs) It’s the top guy!”

DDP also revealed that he has taken acting classes for four years, and that is one of the reasons why he is good at acting:

“I get offered roles here and there, and the reason why I have the chops that I do for acting, is because I went to Howard Fine’s acting studio, who is the most renowned acting coach in Los Angeles. And I worked with Howard for four years, he’s one of my closest friends.”

Even though DDP is a fine actor, he hasn’t gotten any big roles. He is one of the biggest names in wrestling, but he is far from making it big in Hollywood.

#5. Paul Wight had a Netflix show before he joined AEW

Paul Wight recently made the move to AEW after a lengthy career with WWE. The legendary giant has appeared in several movies and television shows over the years.

During his time away from WWE, Paul appeared in his own Netflix show titled The Big Show Show. Even though the series was a light watch, it did not make it too far.

The AEW star hasn’t had a very successful acting career, even though he has made cameos in several big movies and shows. His acting career could have taken off had Vince McMahon allowed him to appear in an Oscar-winning film. According to Paul Wight himself, the AEW star was nearly cast in Gladiator by Nicolas Cage.

"There were so many projects I couldn't do because of the WWE schedule. When I first signed with WWE... Nick Cage was trying to hook me up with this Russel Crowe movie. But it was being shot in Spain. I would have to be in Spain for 6 weeks for it. But I'm thinking 'Russell Crowe is going to be a star, Nick Cage wants me, I've got it.' I go to ask Vince and he says, 'I'm paying you to be a wrestler, not an actor'... There wasn't as much crossover in the wrestling business then. For a while, WWE was very against wrestlers crossing over into movies. Then eventually they got into the program."

WWE did not allow Paul to go ahead with the acting project. That could have helped boost the AEW star’s resume and give him the chance to become a successful actor.

#4. AEW EVP Cody Rhodes tried to make it into the acting world

Cody Rhodes has been synonymous with AEW since the company’s inception. He has played an integral role in the company’s formation and growth.

Cody had a decent career in WWE. After departing from the company, he competed on several independent promotions. During that time, Cody also tried to build up his acting career.

His most notable performances came in seven episodes of the television show Arrow. Apart from that, the AEW star did not bag too many acting deals and has a long way to go to become a successful actor.

"I think everyone I know in Hollywood sent me the treatment for Heels. If you know anything about two brothers from a wrestling family in Georgia, it starts to sound very familiar.”

During the interview, Cody added that he has a lot of desire to do more acting in his career:

"I have a ton of desire to do more acting so long as it doesn't conflict with my job here. I'm 35, and I said I only wanted to wrestle for five more years. I have political aspirations.”

The AEW star will retire as one of the most influential figures in the world of wrestling. However, he will not be remembered for his acting.

#3. Former AEW Champion Jon Moxley appeared in a few movies

Former AEW World Champion Jon Moxley recently starred in a movie titled Cagefighter: Worlds Collide. The movie was expected to be a big deal. But it did not make as big an impact as most AEW fans would have liked.

Cagefighter got rather ordinary reviews and ratings, and many did not like the acting in the movie. In a recent interview, Moxley revealed that he wasn’t aiming to become the next John Cena or The Rock of Hollywood. However, he wanted to give more time to AEW than the silver screen.

"Just recently I did a movie called Cagefighter that had a limited release and is coming out in the U.S. in October. I like wrestling the most. I don't have any aspirations to take over Hollywood or be the next Rock or John Cena. That being said, if Marvel called and said 'Do you want to be in the next Avengers or be Batman' I would be like 'Hell yeah, sign me up.' It's fun, it's a challenge and it's a different craft. Unless it was some huge once–in–a–lifetime opportunity, if you offer me a role that requires me to take nine months off where I can't wrestle, I am not going to do it."

This wasn’t the first time Jon Moxley has starred in a movie. During his WWE career, Moxley played the lead role in 12 Rounds 3: Lockdown. The film also did not get very good ratings, and the AEW star took a break from acting for seven years before appearing in Cagefighter.

Moxley is a great sports entertainer. However, he hasn’t unlocked the art of acting on the silver screen. The former AEW World Champion has been rather unsuccessful as an actor.

#2. AEW star Christian Cage did not make it big as an actor

AEW star Christian Cage has always been one step behind best friend Edge. The two superstars had a wonderful career in WWE before injuries forced both men to retire.

Edge returned for WWE, while Christian made his way back to the ring for AEW. During their time off from the ring, both men tried their hand at an acting career.

While The Rated-R Superstar made a name for himself in the world of acting, Christian did not become as big as his friend. The AEW star has appeared in several movies and television shows. However, his performances haven’t been as noteworthy as many other wrestlers.

Christian was asked about his work in Murdoch Mysteries, and also about his future in Hollywood during an interview. Captain Charisma stated that he was an artist and wanted to act in more movies if given the chance:

“I just like the challenge, you know, and that was one of the things, too, when I stepped away from the ring. We’re artists in a sense, we like to create. We’re creative minds and you can tell those stories in the ring.”

“But honestly, I would love to do a dramatic role. I would love to do something that would check that box off. That they wouldn’t expect a professional wrestler to be able to do. Something with some depth and some layers, a real drama. I would love to do that.”

Christian’s time in the ring and on the silver screen is far from over. However, he is one AEW star who has been very successful as an actor.

#1. AEW star CM Punk appeared in a few horror films

Another AEW star who loves horror movies is none other than CM Punk. The Best in the World is known as one of the finest sports entertainers around. Unsurprisingly, Punk isn’t bad at acting either.

The Second City Savior has appeared in a few movies recently. His most famous films are Girl on the Third Floor and Jakob's Wife. He has also appeared in a few television shows during his time away from the ring.

However, the AEW star’s acting career hasn’t taken off the way The Rock and John Cena’s did. Even though Punk believes he is better than the rest at wrestling, he hasn’t enjoyed the same level of success as many other wrestlers in Hollywood.

He was recently said that he would love to appear in a lot more horror movies and films of other genres.

“I’m not averse to anything. As long as the role fits, and the content is quality and the people I work with are A-plus people, I think that would attract me to the project. Comedy, rom-com, action, horror, whatever. I just love horror so much. Being covered in blood and slime is a good day for me.”

The AEW star could end up bagging a few more top roles in Hollywood in the years to come. However, it looks like he won’t be as successful as Cena, Dwayne Johnson, and Batista on the silver screen.