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Before making it to the wrestling business, almost every WWE Superstar earned a living by working ordinary jobs. A few wrestlers, however, had duties and responsibilities that exceeded the rest. These brave men and women proudly served their country in the military.
Professional wrestling itself is a rigorous industry to work in, as it requires a lot of training, sacrifice and endurance. WWE Chairman Vince McMahon himself is a supporter of the U.S. military. Every year, the company holds an event called Tribute to the Troops to honor and entertain the dedicated personnel in the United States Armed Forces.
WWE has also contracted several Army veterans to the company over the years, providing them with a platform inside the squared circle. So, who are these patriots? Let's take a look at the ten Superstars who served in the military before or after joining WWE.
Honorable mentions:
- Verne Gagne
- Corporal Kirchner
- Konnan
- Zeb Colter
- Paul Bearer
- Crush
- Steven Cutler
#10 Lacey Evans
Lacey Evans began her pro wrestling career in 2014 and she went on to sign with WWE in 2016. Before stepping to the ring, the Sassy Southern Belle served as a military police officer in the United States Marine Corps for five years.
Lacey Evans enlisted when she was 19 years old, and she went on to serve on the Marine Corps SWAT team. Evans was introduced to pro wrestling by one of her colleagues who promoted indy wrestling shows on the side. The Staff Sergeant booked her in a wrestling match on the show and that's where it all began.
Lacey Evans competed in NXT before moving to the main roster where she had her first feud with one of WWE's biggest stars, Becky Lynch, for the RAW Women's Championship. Lacey Evans co-main evented WWE Extreme Rules in 2019 and since that time she has challenged for a championship multiple times.
The Sassy Southern Belle also competed in the first women's match in Saudi Arabia when she collided with the Natalya at WWE Crown Jewel in 2019. There's no doubt that Lacey Evans will one day reach the top of the mountain in WWE by capturing her first Championship.
#9 Mr. Kennedy
Mr. Kennedy was in line for a major push during his time in WWE but it did not turn out the way he expected. After his release from WWE, he joined TNA (now IMPACT Wrestling) and competed as Mr. Anderson where he won the TNA World Heavyweight Championship.
Before joining the wrestling business, Mr. Kennedy served as a security officer at Point Beach Nuclear Power Plant. This led to his recruitment into the United States Army. Following that, Mr. Kennedy signed with WWE in 2005 and he went on to capture the US Championship only a year after his debut.
In 2007, he won the Money in the Bank contract at WWE WrestleMania 23, earning himself a World title opportunity but he had to drop it after sustaining an injury. Mr. Kennedy currently runs a wrestling school known as The Academy.
#8 Bobby Lashley
WWE Superstar Bobby Lashley has a long list of accomplishments outside the wrestling business. Lashley had a very impressive career in MMA and he was also successful in amateur wrestling. What a lot of people might not know, however, is that Bobby Lashley has a military background.
His father was a United States Army drill sergeant and his sister served in the United States Air Force. After college, Bobby Lashley followed in his father's footsteps by enlisting in the military though he continued to compete in the army's World Class Athlete Program.
Bobby Lashley even obtained a silver and gold medal in an event held by the International Military Sports Council during his third year in the army. Bobby Lashley made his initial WWE debut in 2005 and his overall tenure in the company saw him becoming the ECW World Champion, United States Champion and Intercontinental Champion.
#7 Montez Ford
Montez Ford currently competes on WWE Monday Night RAW as part of The Street Profits and as of writing, they are the reigning Tag Team Champions on the Red brand. Ford joined WWE along with other Performance Center recruits in 2015 and he went on to team up with his partner Angelo Dawkins in NXT where they enjoyed a run with the NXT Tag Team Championship.
Before becoming a professional wrestler, Ford took part in other athletics, which he was successful in. Montez Ford enrolled in his high school's Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps and after his graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps.
He served in the Marines from 2008 to 2012. Ford also handled Defense Travel System plans for his battalion, which he revealed in an interview. After his service, Montez Ford embarked on a career in professional wrestling.
#6 Freddie Blassie
WWE Hall of Famer "Classy" Freddie Blassie is proclaimed to be one of the greatest managers of all time. He managed many legendary wrestlers like Hulk Hogan, The Iron Sheik and even boxing legend Muhammad Ali. Freddie Blassie also achieved success as an in-ring competitor.
Outside the squared circle, Blassie enrolled in the United States Navy during the Second World War and served in the Pacific Theater for over three years. After he was discharged from the Navy in 1946, Freddie Blassie returned to the ring and attained more success. Blassie joined WWE in 1964 and worked as a manager from the 70s before his official retirement in 1984.
#5 Kevin Nash
Before pursuing a career in professional wrestling, WWE Hall of Famer Kevin Nash was a basketball player. An injury he sustained during a game in Germany forced him to end his basketball career in 1981.
Big Daddy Cool then decided to enlist in the 202nd Military Police Company and was stationed at a secure North Atlantic Treaty Organization facility where he served for two years. After serving overseas, the former WWE Champion returned to the US and got into pro wrestling.
Nash was a big name in World Championship Wrestling and in WWE. He held a world title in both companies and main evented various PPVs.
#4 Road Dogg
Road Dogg is mostly known for his time in WWE as part of the New Age Outlaws and D-Genration X. During the the Attitude Era, the groups were popular yet controversial.
Road Dogg made his wrestling debut in 1986 following the path of his father Bob Armstrong who was also a wrestler. Pro wrestling wasn't the only profession he followed his father to. Like Mr. Armstrong, Road Dogg served in the U.S. Marine Corps, putting his wrestling career on hold.
The veteran currently works as a backstage producer and writer in WWE. He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2019 as a member of D-Generation X.
#3 Perry Saturn
Perry Saturn is among the few wrestlers who competed in WCW, ECW, WWE and TNA. He began his pro wrestling career in the 90s and he went on to win a championship in three of the biggest companies during that time.
Perry Saturn enlisted in the United States Army when he was 17 years old and he served for four years. He is a certified graduate of the U.S. Army Ranger School and he was also a U.S. Army Airborne Ranger.
#2 Jesse Ventura
Jesse “The Body” Ventura served in the U.S. Navy before embarking on a career in pro wrestling. He was a member of the Underwater Demolition Team during the Vietnam War in the 20th century and was stationed in the Philippines.
After his time with the military came to an end, Jesse Ventura pursued a career as a WWE Superstar. After retiring from in-ring competition, Ventura became a commentator in WWE.
He has also appeared in various movies such as Predator and Batman & Robin. Ventura is also a politician and from 1999 to 2003, served as the governor of Minnesota.
#1 Randy Orton
Last, but not least, we have Randy Orton. The Viper is regarded as one of the best heels in the business and he is one of the most decorated champions in WWE history. The third-generation Superstar holds the record for being the youngest World Heavyweight Champion in the company and he has also main evented WWE WrestleMania twice.
Although his father and grandfather both worked in the wrestling business, Orton chose to join the U.S. Marine Corps after his graduation. However, his time in the military didn't work out as he was discharged due to bad conduct. Orton then decided to follow in his father's footsteps by becoming a professional wrestler.
The Viper currently competes on Monday Night RAW as a heel. Randy Orton has also been a part of a few dominant groups in WWE such as Evolution, The Legacy, The Authority and The Wyatt Family.
Outside of wrestling, Randy Orton has also starred in two action movies; 12 Rounds 2: Reloaded and The Condemned 2. The Viper is definitely a future WWE Hall of Famer.
What makes Sting special? His first AEW opponent opens up RIGHT HERE.
