5 WWE Superstars with an amateur wrestling background

While it's usually a difficult move to make, a number of amateur wrestlers have successfully made the transition to WWE. In fact, some of the biggest names in professional wrestling history, such as Kurt Angle, Bob Backlund and Bret Hart, have a background in amateur wrestling.

With that being said, here are five WWE Superstars with an amateur wrestling background:

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#5. Dolph Ziggler was a decorated amateur wrestler before WWE

Before he signed with WWE, Dolph Ziggler was a successful amateur wrestler in both high school and college.

Ziggler went to Saint Edward High School in Lakewood, Ohio, and racked up 82 pins -- a school record -- during his time as a student. In high school, Ziggler was teammates with Gray Maynard, who went on to become a UFC lightweight contender and had a memorable rivalry with Frankie Edgar.

During his collegiate career, Ziggler recorded 121 wins, qualifying for the NCAA tournament four times. When the Cleveland native graduated, he was in the top four for career wins at Kent State University. He was inducted into the Kent State Hall of Fame in 2016.

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#4. Chad Gable wrestled at the 2012 Olympics

When he burst onto the scene in NXT, Chad Gable earned comparisons to WWE Hall of Famer Kurt Angle due to his amateur wrestling credentials. Gable competed for Team USA in the 2012 Olympics in London, participating in the Greco-Roman event. He was defeated by Pablo Shorey in the quarter-finals of the bottom half of the draw.

Gable won a gold medal at the 2012 Pan American Games and the Dave Schultz Memorial. Gable was also a Minnesota high school state champion and attended Northern Michigan University, where he won a silver medal in the World University Games.

#3. Otis was an Olympic prospect before his WWE career

Following a successful amateur wrestling career, Otis was brought to WWE by veteran Gerald Briscoe. During his time as a grappler, Otis won a Greco-Roman bronze at the Pan-American Games and the junior national title. He also trialed for Team USA at the 2012 Olympics.

Otis won the Wisconsin State Championship at 285 lbs while wrestling for Superior High School. At the collegiate level, he competed for Colorado State University and Augsburg College.

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#2. Bobby Lashley was successful in amateur wrestling and MMA

Prior to pursuing a career in professional wrestling, Bobby Lashley was an outstanding amateur wrestler. After taking up the sport in high school, Lashley won the NAIA National Wrestling Championship three times in a row while attending Missouri Valley College.

Once he graduated, Lashley enrolled in the army where he competed in the World Class Athlete Program. He even won two medals in freestyle wrestling at an International Military Sports Council Event.

However, Lashley suffered a serious knee injury while training to qualify for the 2004 Olympics, prematurely ending his amateur wrestling career.

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#1. Brock Lesnar is an NCAA Division I Heavyweight Champion

In addition to all of his achievements in WWE and UFC, Brock Lesnar is also a former NCAA Division I Heavyweight Champion. Before signing with WWE, Lesnar had an amateur wrestling career at Bismarck State College and the University of Minnesota.

Lesnar's amateur wrestling career started at Bismarck State College, where he won the NJCAA Heavyweight Championship in his second year. Following a successful stint at the school, he transferred to the University of Minnesota on a fully-paid wrestling scholarship.

When he was at the University of Minnesota, Lesnar shared a room with Shelton Benjamin, who would also join him in WWE. The Beast Incarnate finished second in 1999 but wrapped up his amateur wrestling career by winning the NCAA Division I Heavyweight Championship the following year.