The WWE superstars are known for their flair and panache inside a wrestling ring. From putting on great matches to proving their verbal prowess on the microphone, the WWE superstars are some of the most talented and fascinating people you could come across.
However, it is well documented that off camera, some of the top stars yearn to prove themselves in a different arena. From Vince McMahon’s quest to conquer Hollywood and the sporting world to the likes of DDP and Trish Stratus becoming fitness gurus, some of the stars tried their hand in different fields.
However, other than movies, one other theme that is particularly common among the top stars is their willingness to share their gift (or lack of) of music. While everyone cannot be like Chris Jericho and Lita, who’ve been successful with their respective bands, that hasn’t stopped the other stars from giving it a shot. Today, we take a look at five superstars who were unsuccessful in trying to become musicians.
1. John Cena
At the top of the list is one of the greatest WWE stars of all time, the 15-time world champion, John Cena. Long before he started acting in movies, hosting award shows and reality series, John Cena spent a considerable amount of time in recording studios. In 2005, when John Cena won the WWE Championship for the first time, it gave WWE and the Leader of CeNation the opportunity to release an entire album, and it became a big success.
After rapping his “Basic Thuganomics” theme, Cena named his first record, “You can’t see me”, which to this day remains one of the most commercially successful albums released by a pro wrestler. Let’s be honest – we all know someone who at one point or the other had his theme as their ringtone or still do – even if it is you.
However, while Cena remains as one of the most successful professional wrestlers, he soon found out that the music industry wasn’t for him, and he set his sights on Hollywood and hosting reality series.
2. Hulk Hogan
Hulk Hogan’s career is quite similar to Cena’s – the top stars of their generation, who inspired millions of fans worldwide. Both are equally despised by the “smarks”, and haven’t exactly been raging box office hits. While John has now found his footing hosting award shows and reality television, Hulk Hogan has been one of the most controversial stars in recent memory.
Hogan has one other thing in common with Cena – Hogan tried to see if his popularity could translate to the Hulkster having a successful music career. Hogan released a song titled “Hulkster in Heaven” – a tribute to a fan from the Make – A – Wish foundation who unfortunately passed away before one of Hogan’s matches.
However, Hogan’s music career dropped a leg on the Hulkster, with his career taking a nosedive before it really took off. The song itself had some memorable lines, including, “I used to tear my shirt, but now you've torn my heart”.
3. “Macho Man” Randy Savage
The former WWE Champion and WWE Hall of Famer remains one of the most popular wrestlers in the history of the business. Randy revolutionized the business – his raspy voice, colourful attire, his funky hair – do and the “Pomp and Circumstance” which he came out to made Savage one of the most colourful characters in professional wrestling history.
However, Savage’s hatred for Hulk Hogan forced him to “drop an album”, where he went after his former tag team partner. While the track was a hit with the wrestling fans – especially considering it was one of the more vocal disses targeting The Hulkster, Savage found out that he wouldn’t have much success in the music industry. Randy Savage, unfortunately, passed away in 2011, but his “Be a Man” album continues to attract wrestling fans, especially those who witnessed the rise of the Mega Powers.
4. Maria Kanellis
When Maria was in WWE, she was one of the more popular divas although the WWE management wanted her to play dumb. As the popular saying goes, the women wanted to be her while the men wanted to be with her. Maria then went to Ring of Honor and is currently in TNA.
“The first lady of wrestling” is currently one of top heels as well. However, Maria has never been too shy to get out of her comfort zone. From posing for Playboy to trying to launch her music career, Maria has made efforts to pursue other avenues. While she wasn’t awful by any means, her debut album “Sevin Sins” remains her only album that has been released till date. Maria has since appeared in films and in various TV series.
5. Jillian Hall
The number one pick has bits of grey shades – it is Jillian Hall staying in character while releasing an album, consisting of five traditional Christmas songs. While Christmas carols often get you into festive spirits, Jillian’s album will likely squeeze all the spirits out of the person that dares to listen to her album.
Surprisingly enough, Jillian’s album debuted in Billboard Top 200, but thankfully her music career was much shorter and relatively less successful than her WWE career. Fair warning, though, her songs aren’t for the faint-hearted.
