Professional Wresting might be scripted. But having a legitimate combat sports background could be a big add-on in the business. Names like Kurt Angle and Brock Lesnar came in with such background and turned out to be huge success stories in the industry.
In the current roster, there are a few wrestlers, whose combat sports background is well known. For instance, we know that Dolph Ziggler was a great amateur wrestler, just like Chad Gable and Jason Jordan.
We are also aware of the MMA background that Shinsuke Nakamura had. But there are some wrestlers out there whose combat sports background is not explored. In this list, we are going to take a look at them.
#5 Baron Corbin
Most WWE fans out there are aware of the footballing background that Corbin has. He was an impressive offensive guard in the NFL but before he ventured into football, he was a boxer as well. Corbin is a two-time Amateur Kansas-Missouri Golden Gloves regional champion.
He had also fought in the National level Golden Glove tournament of champions back in 2008 where he got a win and a loss under his name. The boxing background of Corbin is something that barely gets the limelight it deserves as going on to the national level is not a cakewalk. Knowing this could also change the perception that most fans have of him.
#4 TJ Perkins
The inspirational story of TJ Perkins is something that the fans loved. From being homeless to becoming the Cruiserweight champion, he has turned into a fan favourite in no time. But what not many people know is the Perkins’ combat background.
Born to two airline workers, Perkins started training boxing, MMA and catch wrestling at the young age of 18.
He successfully managed to incorporate these styles into his wrestling career as well and it is more than evident when he hits the ring. At 32, Perkins still has years left in his wrestling career and hopefully, he would get to showcase his combat sports background more in the coming years.
#3 Jack Gallagher
It would be hard for fans who tuned into WWE’s Cruiserweight classic to forget Jack Gallagher. He was one of the few wrestlers in the tournament that came in with a great character and he has reportedly pleased Vince McMahon as well. Gallagher is yet to make his mark completely on the WWE scene but what gets him into this list is his MMA background.
Gallagher is an active MMA fighter and made his MMA debut back in December 2015 with a win via submission. He scored his second win in April this year via another submission to have a perfect record of 2-0 in MMA fights. His MMA career is far from over and it would be interesting to see how it turns out now that he is in WWE.
#2 Tommy End
Tommy End recently found a place in the headlines as he was part of the new set of recruits to the WWE performance centre. The fans that are aware of his work immediately marked End out as a potential prospect in the WWE, as the Dutch wrestler had impressed everyone in the independent scene for a long time.
Tommy also had a legitimate combat sports background. He started training in kickboxing and Pencak Silat from a young age itself and started competing in this at the age of 9. He still trains kickboxing to the day and it has also had a huge impact on the styles that he uses inside the ring.
#1 Hideo Itami
The WWE stay of Hideo Itami has been a forgettable one. Although he had a good start, injuries have haunted him and he is yet to make a huge impact in the promotion. Hideo is expected to return this December after recovering from his latest injury. While we are familiar with his wrestling history, Hideo also has an amateur kickboxing background.
He trained in kickboxing before he jumped into the professional wrestling business in 2000. The hard-hitting style of Hideo where he uses kicks to destroy his opponents came as a result of this amateur kickboxing background that he has.
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