Many WWE Superstars have come and gone over the years. There are a plethora of reasons why Superstars depart the company, and after their run with WWE is over, they have to move on. For WWE Superstars, many of them find regular jobs while others find it hard to move away from the limelight.
For example, perhaps the biggest career change right now is CM Punk, who is gearing up for his debut fight in the UFC. It’s getting a lot of attention right now, and all eyes are on him to see if he has what it takes to make it in that business. Or, remember when Jesse Ventura tried his hand at politics and ended up winning the Minnesota Governor’s office in 1999? Many Superstars went into acting or modeling, even some ended up on reality shows. The Rock has found massive success as one of the biggest actors in Hollywood. The Miz started off as a reality TV star on The Real World and also has acting credits to his name. Even though Chyna is known for her adult movies, she too has starred in a reality show back in 2005 called The Surreal Life. Lillian Garcia has had a singing career on the side while announcing for WWE.
There are many careers out there, and they are pretty varied between all the past WWE Superstars. Fans see some again, and some they hear about every once in a blue moon.
Some of these 10 career changes fans may have seen coming and others just may surprise you.
10: Snitsky
Snitsky started out on the WWE main roster in 2004 but had eventually requested his release from his contract in 2008. After leaving the company, Snitsky has dabbled in some acting roles, but perhaps his most well-known job outside of WWE was being a bodyguard for baseball player Alex Rodriguez.
The Double-A Reading Phillies had hired bodyguards for A-Rod due to fear of fan reactions, as A-Rod had a pending suspension at the time, plus he was on rehab assignment. Snitsky was one of the five bodyguards who were hired while A-Rod was in Philadelphia area during that time.
9: Rico
Rico was best known for his flamboyant character in the early 2000’s until his release in 2004. Since then he wrestled on the Independent circuit, mainly for All Japan Pro Wrestling until he retired from the ring in 2005. However, in the meantime, he had started law enforcement training, which he completed in 2006. Rico then went on to become a Sargent Inspector for the Nevada Taxi Cab Authority.
Rico would go back to pro wrestling in 2012, stating that he was starting to commit to getting back to the ring full time. He is featured on the Future Stars of Wrestling roster, which is based in Nevada.
8: Eve
Before her WWE career, Eve was a model and a dancer. She was with WWE from 2007 until her retirement in 2013. Eve has served as an Ambassador for WWE since 2014, and while she’s retired from the ring, Eve busies herself as a Spokeswoman and Head instructor the Gracie Women Empowered Self-Defense Program. She has also gotten married to Rener Gracie and gave birth to her first child last year.
Eve has also gone on to acting, starring in The Scorpion King 4: Quest for Power and had a recurring role in the show, Matador before the show was cancelled.
7: Coach
Jonathan Coachman had a pretty big role in WWE from 1999 to 2008. He has done jobs from interviewer to commentary for the company. Since leaving the company Coach has landed a job as an anchor for ESPN. Fans see him often as Coach is prominently featured on the sports channel, perhaps one of the most seen former WWE personalities.
Coach also currently hosts weekly interviews with current WWE talent and hosts an ESPN radio show. Former WWE personality Todd Grisham is also with ESPN as an anchor.
6: Chris Nowinski
Nowinski had a very short WWE career back in 2002 when a concussion would force him to retire from the ring. Since then, the Harvard graduate started the well-known Sports Legacy Institute (now Concussion Legacy Foundation) to which he serves as an Executive Director. The institute conducts research on sports-related head injuries and also brings awareness to these issues.
Nowinski is extremely active in this role, appearing in various television interviews over time and has had a hand in getting touch with athlete’s immediate families when tragedy strikes to conduct research on the deceased’s brain tissue. Nowinski continues to be an advocate against the dangers of sports-related head injuries and has made a huge difference when it comes to head trauma in sports.
5: Edge
Edge was with WWE from 1996 until his sudden retirement in 2011. After Edge retired, he would go on to acting, to which he has been successful in. He has starred in a handful of WWE movies in addition to being cast on the TV show Haven until the series finale in 2015.
Edge still does acting, having a few roles lined up since wrapping up Haven. Edge still does plenty of work for WWE as well, with the most recent being his own show on the WWE Network with his life-long best friend Christian, The Edge and Christian Show That Totally Reeks Of Awesomeness.
4: Trish Stratus
From 1999 until 2006, Stratus would play a huge role in revitalizing the WWE Women’s Division. Stratus retired in 2006 to focus on getting married and would start a new career in the process. She would open Stratusphere Yoga, a yoga studio where she has been successful.
Trish has since made DVDs and provides tips and meal plans in addition to running her Yoga business. You can find her on Instagram sharing recipes and promoting her yoga studio. Stratus has also dabbled in acting roles over the years with her latest movie, Gridlocked. Stratus keeps herself busy with all of these roles on top of motherhood.
3: Mick Foley
Foley started with WWE in 1996 and has been active with the company on and off since his retirement in 2005. Foley is perhaps best known for his series of autobiographies he has written since 1999. His works have been featured on the New York Times’ best-seller list. Foley writes all his own material and doesn’t require a ghostwriter for his work.
In addition to writing, Foley has also tried his hand at stand-up comedy. Foley does occasional dates for his stand-up routines, and as of July 2016, he has an active role in WWE as Raw General Manager in addition to his own show on the WWE Network, Holy Foley!
2: Diamond Dallas Page
DDP started off in WCW in 1991 and would be involved between WCW and WWE until 2005. From there DDP created his own yoga program after finding success with his back issues. DDP Yoga is highly successful, and many of today’s WWE talent have praised the program.
Chris Jericho went on to say that DDP Yoga has helped him with his pain, and he is pain-free from doing DDP Yoga. You can also see infomercials on DDP Yoga. DDP is also credited with helping former wrestlers Scott Hall and Jake the Snake Roberts recover from addiction plus getting them involved with his yoga program.
1: Chris Jericho
In addition to writing three autobiographies, Jericho fronts his own metal band, Fozzy. Starting in 1999, Fozzy has reached success over time releasing over six albums. The band also headlines festivals and goes on tour ever so often to promote their records. On top of writing his fourth autobiography and fronting the metal group, Jericho also hosts his own podcast twice a week called Talk is Jericho.
Add WWE to his list of jobs, Jericho is one of the busiest talents on the roster. While Jericho is far from retiring from the ring, his veteran status allows him to call the shots on his career choices and becomes flexible when he can.
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