They say failure is just a stepping stone to success. Well, not always. While it's a good idea to try out new things and become as versatile as possible, some things just aren't meant to be for some people. Sometimes, it's a good idea to stick to what you're good at and not try your hand at other things, unless you really want to embarrass yourself in front of the entire world.
Most WWE wrestlers may be some of the most talented performers and entertainers in the world, but when they tried their hand at other fields and professions, it didn't really work out for them.
Here are five such guys
Honorable mention- Mr. Vince McMahon -XFL
Vince McMahon is patriarch of the most successful wrestling promotion in the world, there is no doubt about that. In 2000, he launched the XFL, which was a more violent version of the NFL.
It had to be cancelled after just a single season as it caused losses worth a whopping $35 million to both WWE and NBC, the broadcasters of the now defunct league. It drew a lot of criticism for it’s quality and many were skeptical about the legitimacy of the results given how WWE works.
CM Punk – MMA (Hasn’t made his UFC debut yet)
CM Punk may be the longest reigning WWE Champion of the current era, having the held the belt for a whopping 434 days. He may be one of the best WWE wrestlers ever. But having signed a contract with UFC about 18 months ago, he is yet to make his professional debut. It may be hard to admit for a CM Punk fan, but it doesn’t look like it’s going to happen anytime soon. CM Punk was scheduled to face against another UFC newcomer, Mickey Gall at UFC 199. But he had to undergo emergency surgery on his back to restore a herniated disc. His debut was moved to UFC 200, but CM Punk, in an interview with the MMA Hour, said that he wants to make his UFC debut at Madison Square Garden at UFC 205 on November 12. But even chances of that look bleak as Punk has lost nearly all of his training bouts and a lot of MMA fighters believe that Phil Brooks (CM Punk) might not be able to compete in a UFC ring, given his history with injuries and recent performances.
Hulk Hogan – Acting
They say Hulk Hogan is on the proverbial Mt. Rushmore of wrestling. I really don’t have to explain how huge Hulk Hogan was, the millions and millions of screaming Hulkamaniacs must still be audible. That being said, even the those Hulkamaniacs would admit that they are not proud of his acting career.
After becoming perhaps the most successful WWE wrestler ever, The Hulkster decided to try his hand at movies. His first movie was Rocky III. Perhaps the only movie he’d not be absolutely embarrassed about. He went on to do some deplorable and downright pathetic movies like Mr. Nanny, Santa with Muscles(yes!), The Ultimate Weapon, and The Secret Agent Club. Needless to say, Hulkamania wasn’t running wild in Hollywood.
Macho Man Randy Savage – Rapping
When one thinks of Randy Savage, of the biggest wrestlers in the erstwhile WWF, rapping is perhaps one of the last think you’d expect him to do. But in 2003, he dropped his album. While definitely not being right up there with The Marshall Mathers LP or All Eyez on Me, Randy Savage’s Be a Man can be likeable in its own way. Plus, it really would be fun to hear him rap. Interestingly, the title track was aimed at Hulk Hogan.
Brock Lesnar – Football
Brock Lesnar is famous for his expliots in the WWE. where he is a four time WWE World Heavyweight Champion and the youngest King of the Ring, NJPW, where he was a one-time IWGP Champion and UFC where he became the Undisputed Heavyweight Champion. He left WWE in 2004, rejecting a lucrative offer and joined the Minnesota Vikings, where he had a less than memorable stint. He did play a few pre-seaons games but couldn’t make the squad and was advised to play in Europe, which he declined as he wanted to be with his family.
Shane McMahon – CEO of YOD (You On Demand)
Shane McMahon surprised one and all by resigning from the WWE in 2009. He later became CEO of You On Demand(also known as the Netflix of China), the biggest video on demand and pay per view provider in China. In the years that Shane was CEO, the company didn’t earn much profit, despite being in the most populous country in the world.
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