Professional wrestling is something that those involved in it are passionate about. They don't do it because they have to, but because they want to. However, the physical toll it can take on one's body suggests that the pain isn't necessarily always worth the gain.
For all the John Cenas of the world, there are some veterans of twenty years in the business still touring the independents in search of their opportunity to showcase what they can do on the most prominent stage of them all.
Not a lot is made of what happens to wrestlers once their time in the ring is through. Often, we only hear of the cases of men and women who are in financial difficulty, when the physical burden that came with being a professional wrestler leaves them with nothing.
However, there are several instances of wrestlers that didn't allow wrestling to dictate their future. While they are proud of their accomplishments in the ring and of who they are, they are equally proud of the lives that they’ve made for themselves after wrestling.
Here are five former wrestlers who have made a successful career for themselves after their careers were over.
#5 Rick Steiner
During his wrestling career, he was known as the dog-faced gremlin. As cool a nickname as that was, his toughness and ability to change the complexity of a match using his athleticism was remarkable.
Fans’ earliest exposure to Steiner was when he was under the tutelage of Kevin Sullivan as part of the Varsity Club, alongside Mike Rotunda. He was portrayed as a simpleton, but when he stepped between the ropes, Steiner could go.
Much like his brother Scott, Rick could suplex anyone anywhere, taking them right out of their boots. Whether it was an overhead, a gut wrench or a belly to back, Steiner was a suplex machine.
Once Steiner's wrestling career ended, it didn't mean that his life ended. For the past thirteen years, Steiner has operated his own real estate brokerage and has sold real estate. In addition to that, Steiner ran unopposed in 2006 for the Cherokee County School District as a write-in candidate and won.
Steiner has proved that there is life after wrestling, as his post-career success suggests.
#4 Charlie Haas
As part of the World's Greatest Tag Team, Haas achieved his fair share of success. Alongside partner Shelton Benjamin, he captured the WWE tag team championships on multiple occasions.
After their team split up, Haas was used in a variety of different roles. While at times his character had more of a comedic side, that still didn't negate his overall in-ring ability.
Earlier in his career, Haas and his late brother Russ were in the midst of gaining momentum until Russ' untimely passing. However, Charlie continued to compete for a number of years not only in the WWE but in Ring of Honor as well.
Also read: 10 Wrestlers who started their own promotions
After announcing his retirement in 2013, Haas has become an entrepreneur.
He opened a nutrition shop with his wife and is also a territory manager for R3 Wound Care and Hyperbarics in the Dallas, Texas area. Haas's knowledge of health and wellness has provided him with a vehicle to succeed after his wrestling career came to an end.
He has shown that with the support of those around him, as well as drive and determination, a successful post-wrestling career was definitely possible.
#3 Eve Torres
On a recent edition of where are they now, WWE explored life after wrestling for one of its former Divas champions.
A past winner of their Diva search, Eve Torres, had the capability of being both a beloved face and a hated heel. She was a three-time Divas champion that also was involved in several storylines that allowed her to show her acting skills.
She was once an assistant to former General Manager John Laurinaitis and was also involved, on-screen, with the likes of Zack Ryder and John Cena.
Torres worked very hard to improve her in-ring skill-set during her time in WWE. However, when she met Rener Gracie of the esteemed Gracie family, her life changed. Her priorities altered, her in-ring career came to an end and she sought other interests.
As a mother and wife, Torres achieved personal fulfilment, and she has achieved professional fulfilment as well. She is an actress, model and entrepreneur. Torres and her sister-in-law run a party company, and she is also a Jiu-Jitsu instructor at the Gracie academy.
#2 Trish Stratus
One of the most notable women wrestlers during the Attitude Era was Trish Stratus. When Stratus first joined the WWE she was more of a valet, someone showcased because of her looks, more than anything else.
As time passed, however, Trish worked and trained to develop her craft, and in the process became an integral part of the women's division.
Although she didn't have a long career, Stratus' run in the company was meaningful because she had the opportunity to play the role of both a face and a heel, and captured the WWE women's championship seven times.
She even holds the distinction of capturing the women's championship in her retirement match against her close friend, Lita.
After Trish walked away from the ring, the transition into her new career began. She created a whole brand around herself that showcased her dedication to health and wellness. Her muscular look was replaced with a much leaner physique, and the emergence of a new business venture.
Stratus opened a yoga studio, Stratusphere Yoga, in the suburbs of Toronto. She has also done movie work on occasion and has shown that there indeed is life after wrestling.
#1 Diamond Dallas Page
During his rise to prominence in WCW, Diamond Dallas Page had fans eager to feel the bang. His climb wasn't an overnight thing, it took time for fans to believe in him enough to see him lead the charge against the new World order.
Page always had the gift of talking, and during his time in the AWA and early days in WCW, his role was that of a manager. In WCW, he managed the likes of Scott Hall and Kevin Nash.
As time passed, Page became a wrestler, but really wasn't given enough credit for what he could do in the ring.
After several years of fighting, scratching and clawing, he was given a chance to succeed, and there was no stopping him. Page ultimately captured the WCW Heavyweight championship and was thrust into being the face of the company.
After his career ended, he reinvented himself by creating a yoga studio that does more than simply having his clients attend classes, he's all about changing lives. Today, his DDPYoga encompasses DVDs sold worldwide, an integrated smartphone app and streaming services.
Page has certainly thrived since his wrestling career ended!
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