I have actually thought about this topic many times over. It either means l am a huge fan of James Bond movies, a huge fan of professional wrestling, or I have too much time on my hands. Maybe a bit of all three.
Over the years, there have been famous villains in the Ian Fleming series. Dave Batista starred in the last Bond movie Spectre as Mr. Hinx. He wasn’t the first professional wrestler to ever appear in a Bond film. Harry Sakata – known as Tosh Togo in the ring – holds that distinction. Sakata played the role of Oddjob in the Bond film “Goldfinger” starring Sean Connery.
As the James Bond series continues to be one of the most highly acclaimed movie series internationally, it figures more professional wrestlers could be cast into major roles on screen. Here’s a look at five wrestlers who would be or could have been solid villains opposite everyone favourite secret agent.
#1 Mr. Fuji
Imagine Mr. Fuji the manager. Decked in a black suit, carrying his cane with his famous hat. His smile as he surveys the location of a possible strike and a confrontation with Bond that is pleasant and devilish at the same time. I always liked Mr. Fuji’s character.
He represented everything sinister in a heel and was one of the best Japanese wrestlers of all time. Maybe he brings along Mr. Saito or Mr. Pogo or both to confront Bond. Fuji’s best move in the ring was to throw salt in the eyes of his opponent. I wonder if it would work with Bond?
#2 Ivan Koloff
A man who had the nickname “The Russian Bear” cannot be left off this list. Koloff was one of the better heels in professional wrestling from his time in both the WWWF and the NWA. A barrel-chested man who was strong and punished his opponents with strength.
He would be an instant hit in the theatres. The only thing better would be if he wore his famous “Russian Chain” around his neck on screen. I could also see a scenario where Bond is not only confronted by Koloff but also his “nephew” Nikita and Krusher Khruschev (Barry Darsow).
#3 Paul Ellering
The man whose claim to fame is being the manager of The Road Warriors. Ellering had a solid gimmick as a mouthpiece and part-time wrestler with his tag team champions. He would wear dark sunglasses and wear a safari jacket all the while carrying around a rolled up Wall Street Journal.
He would then wrapped it in his hands as he tried to make his point on camera to the fans, urging them to come to the arenas to watch his man destroy everything in sight. His raised voiced and menacing smirk is perfect in line with playing the heel role in a Bond movie.
#4 Brock Lesnar
Even more disturbing than Rusev’s massive size and sexy wife is a man who appears to be unstoppable in the ring and potentially on the big screen. The one thing Lesnar has not done is take his superstar status and translate that to movie roles.
For a man of his size and lack of ability on the microphone, saying less and doing more is all the more valuable to his place in the movie history. Add Paul Heyman as his mouth piece and there could be cinematic magic.
The 290-pound beast would have no problems throwing Bond around a ring, or anywhere else he should see fit.
#5 Rusev
The Bulgarian Brute would make short work of Bond – or at least try to. A barrel-chested big guy with power behind everything he throws at his opponent, Rusev presents the same kind of opposition as other larger villains in Bond movies.
The one thing he does have that many other wrestlers don’t have is a gorgeous sidekick in Lana. And we all know Bond is a sucker for a beautiful woman – especially one who can speak multiple languages. It would interesting to see how Rusev uses this to his advantage.
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