Cricket and WWE doesn’t appear to have much in common at first glance. One is a sport played on a cricket field with two sides of eleven each, a bat and a ball. The other, is played out in a ring, with one man (or woman) taking on another in an all-out battle. Once you start delving a little deeper, common patterns start to emerge.
These common patterns are not necessarily between the rules of the two sports or the way it is played, but in-fact, in between the career paths of the athletes. While cricket is played live and anything can happen, WWE is scripted and a person’s character is decided beforehand.
We couldn’t help but imagine who the WWE equivalent to some of our favourite cricketers would be. So, here it is:
1) Chris Gayle – Brock Lesner
Chris Gayle is the ‘Universe Boss’ in the world of cricket, while Brock Lesner takes you to ‘Suplex City’ every time you step into a ring with him. Both these athletes are absolutely dominant and command an air of respect every time they step out on their domain. Having been around for a number of years, both have earned the respect of their peers and the love of their fans.
They also have similar physiques. Chris Gayle is probably one of the only cricketers in the world who can claim to have a body similar to that of WWE superstars.
At the peak of their powers, they are unstoppable and can change the course of a game or match at will. Both the stars have left a legacy that will be tough to match in history. Both of them enjoy unparalled popularity and add star value to any ocassion.
2) Sourav Ganguly – Triple H
Sourav Ganguly is one of India’s greatest cricketers ever, while Triple H is one of the most successful wrestlers to have ever entered the ring. However, what links these two stars is how they made the transition from the field or ring to the board room so seemlessly after their playing careers.
Sourav Ganguly is the Cricket Association of Bengal President, a member of the Cricket Advisory Committee and IPL Governing Counil. Triple H is the Executive Vice President, Live Events & Talent for the WWE. Both of them are destined to command what happens in their respective sports for a number of years to come.
Both of them are powerweights in their respective fields now. During their playing days, both were aggressive and street-smart and had the ability to overcome the greatest odds to win.
3) Shahid Afridi – The Undertaker
Shahid Afridi is cricket’s evergreen child. He has been around for a couple of decades, but he just doesn’t seem to age. The Undertaker is WWE’s most celebrated and iconic wrestler ever, with a legacy that will never be matched.
Both these legends have one thing in common though. They always make comebacks to the grandest stage. Shahid Afridi has made multiple U-Turns on his retirement, never being able to walk away. Undertaker is another who makes the most improbable returns, while no-one expects him to. Both are probably beyond their prime now, but that doesn’t stop them from coming back for one final hurrah.
Shahid Afridi is known as ‘Boom Boom’ Afridi for his gung-ho style, while the Undertaker definitely has a more rounded style to his wrestling.
4) MS Dhoni – John Cena
MS Dhoni is India’s most successful captain ever, having led the team to multiple world cup wins. John Cena was WWE’s face for the best part of over a decade. He was immensly popular with people of all ages around the world.
What links these two is their ability to polarize opinion. In the beginning of their careers, both enjoyed fame and fortune, they were easily the most popular in their respective fields. Over the years, with their athletic prowess waining, they started to gain haters and people who started questioning their ability.
They’re at a crossroads in their careers now. While Dhoni’s midas touch has seemed to have disappeared, John Cena’s connect with the fans has all but disappeared.
5) Virat Kohli – The Rock
Virat Kohli is one of the best batsmen in the world right now, he captures the imagination every time he steps on the field. Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson was known as the most electirifying superstar in the world for his inimitable style.
Kohli has seen his popularity shoot through the roof as he has improved his own image over the years, working on his physique and skills on the mic. Similarily, the Rock too spent hours polishing his image into an all-round superstar.
The Rock is one of Hollywood’s biggest superstars right now, while Kohli adorns a number of billboards and is the face of many brands around the country. Both are expected to perform to the best of their abilities every time they step out on the field or ring, but also handle their fame with grace.
What makes Sting special? His first AEW opponent opens up RIGHT HERE.
