A lot of professional athletes also like to test themselves at the casinos. Some even carve a second career on the poker tables, while others are content with the occasional game of roulette, blackjack or a spin on the slots.
Maybe it’s the desire to remain competitive when they aren’t competing in their own sport, or perhaps they have too much downtime to fill. Whatever the reason may be, athletes tend to love casino games, and we can include professional wrestlers on that list. They may be taking part in poker games or playing online at any of the real money or social casinos that are available. They are keen enthusiasts and there are many past and present wrestlers who continue to enjoy a host of casino games.
John Cena
He’s one of the most successful pro wrestlers of all time, with a host of trophies and awards. WWE star John Cena has won the United States Championship, Royal Rumble, Money in the Bank, and a number of other top titles in the organization.
He’s heading toward the final stages of his wrestling career, but Cena remains a busy man. He’s released rap records and carved out a second career as an actor, and he also loves to take part in poker.
Cena first started to take an interest in poker as the game attracted more exposure in the early 2000s. A decade later, he was actively taking part in online tournaments. In 2012, it’s suggested that he competed in over 900 online events, while a year later that figure dropped to 652.
He remains a recreational player, but John Cena’s competitive nature will doubtless give him the will to win on the poker tables.
Michael Mizanin
The man known as ‘The Miz’ is another top wrestler with a number of WWE titles to his name. Michael Mizanin has won the overall WWE championship twice, along with other top trophies.
His career mirrors that of John Cena to an extent: He has also acted to a high degree, while he’s played poker at a top level. In Mizanin’s case, poker is in the blood, as his father was a player. The Miz must have inherited that love for the game, as he continues to perform at the tables, and was one of a number of athletes taking part in recent high profile celebrity poker tournaments.
Natalya Neidhart
Many female wrestlers also take to the poker table, and one of the most familiar of these is Natalya Neidhart. Performing simply as ‘Natalya.’ she has won two women’s world championships and remains one of the most intimidating opponents in the sport.
Neidhart takes that professionalism and competitive edge into the casinos too. Like many others, poker is her preferred game, and she plays with an attacking approach that opponents find difficult to cope with.
Rey Mysterio
In the wrestling ring, Rey Mysterio likes to go on the attack, but this approach is in contrast to his performances on the card tables. At blackjack and poker, he is known for a more cautious style, and he takes time to read his opponents.
Mysterio’s contrasting approach may underline the importance of casino play to many wrestlers. At the tables, they may have the opportunity to relax a little more and to let a different side of their characters shine through.
