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Despite their achievements in their respective sports, several pro athletes dream of becoming WWE Superstars. The chairman and CEO of WWE, Vince McMahon, has welcomed many pro athletes over the years.
Legends such as Muhammad Ali, Mike Tyson, and Shaquille O'Neal have all stepped inside the ring. A few athletes have even competed against WWE Superstars throughout the promotion's illustrious history.
While some athletes only made guest appearances, others made a full-time jump to WWE. Ronda Rousey and Kurt Angle are two such examples, as both of them were champions in their respective sports before they became WWE Superstars.
Rousey and Angle could be role models to five specific pro athletes mentioned in this list, as they also wish to pursue wrestling careers. One of these athletes has tried his luck in WWE before as a guest, while others have yet to fulfill their dreams.
With that in mind, let's take a look at five pro athletes who want to become WWE Superstars.
#5. Boxer Anthony Joshua - Next WWE Superstar?
Anthony Joshua is a multi-time boxing champion and an Olympic gold medalist. However, he is also interested in pursuing a pro wrestling career in WWE.
Although he would not turn his back on boxing for pro wrestling, Joshua would like to test the WWE grounds once his boxing career is over. A few months ago, the Olympic gold medalist said he would like to try his luck in WWE because his idol Muhammad Ali had done the same.
"I'm gonna do WWE because that's what Muhammad Ali done. So I'm gonna do WWE," the British boxer told Alternative Sport.
Muhammad Ali is not the only famous boxer to step inside a WWE ring, as many others have followed throughout the years.
Mike Tyson was involved in a storyline between Stone Cold Steve Austin and D-Generation X leading up to WrestleMania XIV. The Baddest Man on the Planet served as the special enforcer in the WWE Championship match between Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels.
Floyd Mayweather is also another boxer who had the chance to step inside a WWE ring. He was involved in a feud with The Big Show that ended with Mayweather beating the 7ft giant at WrestleMania XXIV via knockout in a No Disqualification match.
Tyson Fury is the latest popular boxer to compete in a WWE ring. Following a brief feud, he defeated Braun Strowman by count-out at Crown Jewel 2019.
If Anthony Joshua is to jump from boxing to WWE, who should be his first opponent?
#4. Basketballer Enes Kanter - A former WWE 24/7 Champion
Enes Kanter is an international Turkish basketballer currently playing for NBA side Portland Trail Blazers, and he also happens to be a big WWE fan.
Kanter made a special appearance at a Main Event taping before Monday Night RAW in September 2019. He pinned R-Truth in the middle of the ring to capture the 24/7 Championship. The then-Boston Celtics star went on to reveal his team's shirt to tease the fans at Madison Square Garden while celebrating his win. Soon, R-Truth took advantage of Kanter's celebration to roll him up for the pin and recapture the title.
Kanter has expressed his desire to return to WWE as a full-time wrestler when he retires from basketball. Last year, the 29-year-old disclosed that he already has an offer from WWE.
"I'm definitely becoming a WWE wrestler, for sure. I actually already have this offer from WWE, but I’ve got to finish my basketball career first," Kanter told NBA reporter Shams Charania.
Few basketballers have made WWE appearances in recent years. NBA legend Shaquille O'Neal is the most famous basketball player to step inside a WWE ring. When he guest-hosted Monday Night RAW in July 2009, O'Neal confronted The Big Show and they even traded blows inside the ring.
O'Neal was also a surprise entrant in the André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal at WrestleMania 32.
Would you like to see Enes Kanter back in WWE? Sound off in the comments section below.
#3. Soccer player Adebayo Akinfenwa - A new powerhouse in WWE?
Adebayo Akinfenwa is an English soccer player currently representing Wycombe Wanderers in League One. However, the 6ft tall 225lbs striker could soon become a WWE Superstar.
Akinfenwa, who is dubbed "the strongest man in soccer", is currently approaching the end of his soccer career as he celebrated his 39th birthday on May 10. In an interview with Callum McGinley on the UMM YouTube channel, Akinfenwa said he plans to hang up his boots next year.
Akinfenwa also spoke about his post-retirement plans. The 39-year-old confessed he does not want to become a soccer coach when he retires. Instead, Akinfenwa revealed he is negotiating a WWE crossover.
"There are also talks with WWE. I reckon I'd be a good wrestler," said Akinfenwa. "I've always been able to live my life where nobody has put me in a box, so that's how it is, I'm excited for the future."
Akinfenwa may not be one of the best soccer players in the world, but he could become a scary WWE Superstar. Do you agree?
#2. Footballer Earl Mitchell - A trained WWE scout
Earl Mitchell is a former American footballer who played for a few NFL teams before hanging up his boots. He is now interested in pursuing a WWE career.
Mitchell announced his retirement from football in November 2019. A few months later, he came out of retirement to help his former team, the San Francisco 49ers, in the Super Bowl LIV before retiring again for good.
"I'm done. I'm grateful I got that opportunity to come back, but I think that was a good way to finish my career," Mitchell told The San Francisco Chronicle.
Following his retirement, Mitchell expressed his interest in becoming a WWE Superstar.
"Wrestling is definitely a passion of mine. It's also important that I find something I'm skilled in. Time will tell. They know I'm interested," said Mitchell.
In addition to being a former footballer, Mitchell also trained to be a recruiter and talent scout for WWE. He studied scriptwriting and talent acquisition at the hands of former WWE director of talent development, Paul Fair. It seems he had already taken a step towards becoming a WWE employee.
Do you think Mitchell would succeed as an in-ring competitor?
#1. Soccer player Grant Holt - A future WWE Superstar?
Grant Holt is a former English soccer player who represented Norwich City in the Premier League and other clubs in the lower divisions. The retired striker now dreams of becoming a WWE Superstar.
The 40-year-old started his wrestling training with the Knight family before signing a contract with World Association of Wrestling (WAW). He won a 40-man Royal Rumble on his debut.
Holt wants to join WWE one day, and he even revealed his passion for Vince McMahon's company in a 2020 interview with Wrestling Travel.
"When the WWF and later WWE era came, I absolutely loved the art and drama of it, and I loved everything about it," said Holt.
There is no telling what the wrestling business has in store for the former soccer striker, but he is eager to explore the industry.
"The football is my bread and butter, it’s my passion and it’s what I love doing, but obviously with wrestling it gives me a different release," Holt told Wrestling Travel. "If you want to achieve something, you go and give it your best, and the same goes for my wrestling, so we’ll see what happens."
Would you like to see the former Norwich City striker in a WWE ring one day?
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