Vince McMahon’s idea to make “wrestling” an entertainment spectacle has made this business more than just a niche industry. No longer is it a “secret” that WWE is mainstream, with names like The Rock, John Cena and Batista becoming actors in big time movies. No longer is it frowned upon to discuss WWE in common conversation. With every opportunity for superstars to appear at ESPY Awards, Sports Center and the Academy Awards, the McMahon family has to grin like a Cheshire cat.
With the growth of the company, celebrities share the areas with the common fan. Every week it seems WWE is showing an athlete or movie star in the front row of Raw and Smackdown. They may be “marks” but they are also fans – some of them A-listers that make The Miz look like an extra from time to time.
These seven celebrities have professional wrestling in their veins and show their love affair for the business with great pride.
7: Ronda Rousey
Roddy Piper gave her permission to use “Rowdy” as part of her in ring name with UFC. Rousey appeared in a segment with The Rock and has been part of several rumors that have her taking her talents to Mr. McMahon’s neighborhood. Rousey is everything both UFC and WWE fans want in a performer – male or female. At some point, she will get back in an octagon and beat up her opponents like wrestlers conduct squash matches. If she does cross over to WWE, it will be huge and lucrative for both her and the company.
6: Billy Corrigan
The rock star and man behind the Smashing Pumpkins is now the man behind Impact Wrestling. This is not Corrigan’s first foray into the business as he owned a small promotion before making the jump to the bigger side of wrestling. Corrigan is now the president of TNA, taking over for Dixie Carter. The move hasn’t paid dividends yet, as there is still plenty of work to strengthen the fledgling company. Signing former WWE stars like Aron Rex, Bobby Lashley and the Hardys has helped some. Can Corrigan take his business savvy and make Impact a winner?
5: Seth Green
Green is often seen at live Raw events, has hosted a Monday Night Raw program and is instrumental in the Camp WWE cartoon on the WWE Network. The diminutive actor is a creative genius, appearing in movies and on the small screen. Green has also gotten in the ring in a six-man tag match with John Cena and Triple H taking on Legacy (Randy Orton, Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase, Jr).
4: Snoop Dogg
He is in WWE’s Hall of Fame. The man who makes rapping look easy is related to Sasha Banks, which gives him instant ring cred. Snoop Dogg was inducted into this year’s WWE Hall of Fame in the celebrity wing. According to WWE, He brought his unique flair to WrestleMania XXIV in Orlando, where he served as the Master of Ceremonies for what could only be described as a unique Lumberjill Match between Divas Maria & Ashley and Melina & Beth Phoenix.
3: The Rock
There is always a chance that The Rock will get back in the ring, but for now, he is the highest paid actor in Hollywood. The Rock has to be considered one of the biggest fans of the business – the one that made him a household name long before he walked out on a movie set. Whenever there is a huge pay-per-view event or Raw or Smackdown Live are in Los Angeles or Miami, you can bet it is a possibility he will show his mug for the cameras. He is still so popular there is talk about him working an angle with Vin Diesel at WrestleMania 33. Yes, we can all smell what The Rock is cooking.
2: Jon Stewart
Although I don’t like the fact Stewart, who is a solid comedian and political commentator, has ruined two segments at SummerSlam in two straight years, he is a great wrestling fan. Ultimately, though, this might have been the last time we see him on television. When Stewart shoved a chair in the gut of John Cena last year, causing him to lose his chance at the WWE World Title and the United States Title, he was public enemy No. 1. After the spot with The New Day and The Club, he still remains and will continue to be public enemy No. 1
1: Dennis Rodman
Rodman, the mercurial, controversial celebrity has gotten in a wrestling ring before and performed fairly well. If there was an entertainer who would take to the business and succeed, it might have been the former Detroit Pistons, Chicago Bulls and San Antonio Spurs star. Rodman’s off the way character and unique style is perfect for the unpredictable nature of this business. He was a performer in WCW in a tag team match with Hulk Hogan vs. Karl Malone and Jay Leno.
