Major league athletes tend to stick to their sport. With the exception of a few crossovers, like Tim Tebow’s move from the NFL to the MLB, skills on the field don’t typically translate to other endeavors.
This stands true for the WWE. No matter how quickly a hockey player can clear the rink or how many three-pointers an NBA star can sink, that doesn’t mean they can hold their own in the ring.
That doesn’t mean many haven’t tried—particularly from the NFL. Over the years, few athletes have been able to find crossover success jumping from the gridiron to the ring, though many have tried. Here are some of the best and worst to have made the attempt.
Worst: Rob ‘Gronk’ Gronkowski
Earlier this year, the NFL’s ‘Gronk’ made headlines following a retirement announcement that transformed into a jump to the WWE. WrestleMania 36 saw the tight end transform into a host for the evening before seeing the former NFL player opt back into the football league shortly afterward.
Following Gronkowski’s short-lived stint in the industry, the tight end moved back to the NFL to play for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Though the news came as a shock, NFL betting odds this season have been kinder to Gronk than WWE ratings and reviews.
Playing alongside Tom Brady with the Buccaneers is a familiar role for Gronkowski, while his WrestleMania debut earlier this year fell flat due to high-maintenance demands and brought into question his future in the industry.
Dean ‘Mojo Rawley’ Muhtadi
As a close friend of Gronkowski, many have pointed to Mojo Rawley for influencing Gronk to attempt a full leap into the WWE. Rawley played for the Green Bay Packers in 2009, and then for the Arizona Cardinals in 2010 as a nose tackle and defensive end.
However, his stint in the NFL was short-lived due to an injury, which led him to join WWE’s developmental team under the name ‘Mojo Rawley’. He then joined Zack Ryder to form The Hype Bros before moving on to win the WWE 24/7 Championship.
Since then, Rawley has been rumored to be a part of WWE RAW’s Retribution segment. Given his brief time in the NFL, he’s known primarily for his WWE persona and career.
Best: Steve ‘Mongo’ McMichael
Few athletes have had the crossover success like Steve McMichael in moving between the WWE and the NFL. He began as a defensive tackle for the New England Patriots after an illustrious college football career. Following the Patriots, McMichael spent time with the Chicago Bears, with whom he won Super Bowl XX in 1986.
Following his retirement from the gridiron, McMichael went on to participate in WrestleMania 11 with a ringside appearance, which was quickly followed by roles as a guest commenter in subsequent productions.
However, ‘Mongo’ would then go on to make his name as a participant in the Four Horsemen after training with Randy Savage. He became a fan favorite for his antics in The Great American Bash, WCW US Heavyweight Championship, and the Dungeon of Doom.
Bill ‘Goldberg’ Goldberg
Like Mongo, Goldberg is a well-known name in the WWE. Though he doesn’t boast the illustrious NCAA and NFL career that Mongo does, Goldberg was drafted in 1990 into the NFL to play for the LA Rams. Following his stint with the NFL, Goldberg moved to Canada’s CFL, then to the Carolina Panthers.
Following injury, Goldberg began training in MMA and powerlifting at the WCW Power Plant. At this time, he began working under the moniker ‘Bill Gold’, making appearances on Monday Nitro and Saturday Night.
From there, Goldberg went on to defeat Raven to take his first pro wrestling championship title. With 40,000 people in attendance, Goldberg defeated duo Scott Hall and Hulk Hogan to become the WCW World Heavyweight Champion, making him one of the most unforgettable acts of the 90s.
Some of his best-known antics include his early ladder taser match, an undefeated two-year record (with some figures suggesting 173 wins), and his highly-publicized return fights like Fall Ball, Halloween Havoc, and his feud with The Rock.
