There are some wrestlers that have garnered mainstream popularity. This is a list of the performers that have taken their wrestling fame and become part of popular culture.
01 of 10
Hulk Hogan
Mark Mainz/Getty Images
When people think of wrestling they automatically think of Hulk Hogan. He was responsible for the wrestling booms of the ’80s and ’90s. He has had mainstream success as a movie and television star. Amazingly, he might have become more famous since retiring due to his family. First for their reality show Hogan Knows Best and then for their problems which have included a nasty divorce and his son going to jail.
02 of 10
The Rock
WireImage / Getty Images
In his relatively short career, the Rock quickly became an icon of the industry and his wrestling success has translated into a very successful movie career. Unlike every other wrestler that tried to transition to Hollywood, the Rock has garnered both critical and commercial success that has led him to become a legitimate leading man that can open both action and family movies.
03 of 10
“Stone Cold” Steve Austin
Moses Robinson / Getty Images
Steve Austin’s blue-collar wrestling persona captivated the wrestling fans and the world. His Austin 3:16 shirt is the best selling shirt in wrestling history. Steve used his fame in the world of wrestling to appear in both movies and guest star on several television shows.
04 of 10
Vince McMahon
Ethan Miller/Getty Images
Vince McMahon is the face of the WWE for non-wrestling fans. Just as Don King’s popularity has far surpassed that of most of his fighters, the same can be said for Vince McMahon. Some of his promotional stunts have brought him to the forefront of popular culture. In addition, ever since his interview with Bob Costas, whenever he appears in a televised interview it is must-see TV.
05 of 10
Andre the Giant
Andre the Giant Tossing Chuck Wepner Out of Ring. Bettmann/Getty Images
Andre the Giant was known as the 8th World Wonder due to both the size of his body and his charisma. His role in The Princess Bride was the first time a wrestler captivated a movie audience.
06 of 10
Jesse Ventura
LGI Stock/Gett Images
While he had a decent wrestling career, it is his post-wrestling work that puts him in this category. His announcing work is legendary and led to his acting career. Jesse shocked the world by becoming the Governor of Minnesota as an independent candidate.
07 of 10
John Cena
Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
John has become the most famous wrestler to start in the WWE after the turn of the century. In just his first decade in the business, he has starred in several movies, been a part of a network reality TV show, has done commercials for Gillette, and even made a rap album.
08 of 10
Roddy Piper
WireImage / Getty Images
Roddy Piper was the bad guy everyone paid to see get beaten up by Hulk Hogan. Piper retired at the top of his game and starred in the classic sci-fi thriller They Live.
09 of 10
Ric Flair
Paul Kane/Getty Images
Unlike the other people on this list, Flair never sought his fame from anywhere else but the wrestling ring. As a main eventer for over a quarter of a century, anyone that has any knowledge of wrestling has come across his name.
10 of 10
Stacy Keibler
George Pimentel/Getty Images
Stacy Keibler became a household name when she appeared on Dancing With the Stars. Since then, she has appeared in a variety of TV shows and movies for ABC studios which signed her to a contract after her WWE contract expired.
There are some wrestlers that have garnered mainstream popularity. This is a list of the performers that have taken their wrestling fame and become part of popular culture.
01 of 10
Hulk Hogan
Mark Mainz/Getty Images
When people think of wrestling they automatically think of Hulk Hogan. He was responsible for the wrestling booms of the ’80s and ’90s. He has had mainstream success as a movie and television star. Amazingly, he might have become more famous since retiring due to his family. First for their reality show Hogan Knows Best and then for their problems which have included a nasty divorce and his son going to jail.
02 of 10
The Rock
WireImage / Getty Images
In his relatively short career, the Rock quickly became an icon of the industry and his wrestling success has translated into a very successful movie career. Unlike every other wrestler that tried to transition to Hollywood, the Rock has garnered both critical and commercial success that has led him to become a legitimate leading man that can open both action and family movies.
03 of 10
“Stone Cold” Steve Austin
Moses Robinson / Getty Images
Steve Austin’s blue-collar wrestling persona captivated the wrestling fans and the world. His Austin 3:16 shirt is the best selling shirt in wrestling history. Steve used his fame in the world of wrestling to appear in both movies and guest star on several television shows.
04 of 10
Vince McMahon
Ethan Miller/Getty Images
Vince McMahon is the face of the WWE for non-wrestling fans. Just as Don King’s popularity has far surpassed that of most of his fighters, the same can be said for Vince McMahon. Some of his promotional stunts have brought him to the forefront of popular culture. In addition, ever since his interview with Bob Costas, whenever he appears in a televised interview it is must-see TV.
05 of 10
Andre the Giant
Andre the Giant Tossing Chuck Wepner Out of Ring. Bettmann/Getty Images
Andre the Giant was known as the 8th World Wonder due to both the size of his body and his charisma. His role in The Princess Bride was the first time a wrestler captivated a movie audience.
06 of 10
Jesse Ventura
LGI Stock/Gett Images
While he had a decent wrestling career, it is his post-wrestling work that puts him in this category. His announcing work is legendary and led to his acting career. Jesse shocked the world by becoming the Governor of Minnesota as an independent candidate.
07 of 10
John Cena
Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
John has become the most famous wrestler to start in the WWE after the turn of the century. In just his first decade in the business, he has starred in several movies, been a part of a network reality TV show, has done commercials for Gillette, and even made a rap album.
08 of 10
Roddy Piper
WireImage / Getty Images
Roddy Piper was the bad guy everyone paid to see get beaten up by Hulk Hogan. Piper retired at the top of his game and starred in the classic sci-fi thriller They Live.
09 of 10
Ric Flair
Paul Kane/Getty Images
Unlike the other people on this list, Flair never sought his fame from anywhere else but the wrestling ring. As a main eventer for over a quarter of a century, anyone that has any knowledge of wrestling has come across his name.
10 of 10
Stacy Keibler
George Pimentel/Getty Images
Stacy Keibler became a household name when she appeared on Dancing With the Stars. Since then, she has appeared in a variety of TV shows and movies for ABC studios which signed her to a contract after her WWE contract expired.
There are some wrestlers that have garnered mainstream popularity. This is a list of the performers that have taken their wrestling fame and become part of popular culture.
01 of 10
Hulk Hogan
Mark Mainz/Getty Images
When people think of wrestling they automatically think of Hulk Hogan. He was responsible for the wrestling booms of the ’80s and ’90s. He has had mainstream success as a movie and television star. Amazingly, he might have become more famous since retiring due to his family. First for their reality show Hogan Knows Best and then for their problems which have included a nasty divorce and his son going to jail.
02 of 10
The Rock
WireImage / Getty Images
In his relatively short career, the Rock quickly became an icon of the industry and his wrestling success has translated into a very successful movie career. Unlike every other wrestler that tried to transition to Hollywood, the Rock has garnered both critical and commercial success that has led him to become a legitimate leading man that can open both action and family movies.
03 of 10
“Stone Cold” Steve Austin
Moses Robinson / Getty Images
Steve Austin’s blue-collar wrestling persona captivated the wrestling fans and the world. His Austin 3:16 shirt is the best selling shirt in wrestling history. Steve used his fame in the world of wrestling to appear in both movies and guest star on several television shows.
04 of 10
Vince McMahon
Ethan Miller/Getty Images
Vince McMahon is the face of the WWE for non-wrestling fans. Just as Don King’s popularity has far surpassed that of most of his fighters, the same can be said for Vince McMahon. Some of his promotional stunts have brought him to the forefront of popular culture. In addition, ever since his interview with Bob Costas, whenever he appears in a televised interview it is must-see TV.
05 of 10
Andre the Giant
Andre the Giant Tossing Chuck Wepner Out of Ring. Bettmann/Getty Images
Andre the Giant was known as the 8th World Wonder due to both the size of his body and his charisma. His role in The Princess Bride was the first time a wrestler captivated a movie audience.
06 of 10
Jesse Ventura
LGI Stock/Gett Images
While he had a decent wrestling career, it is his post-wrestling work that puts him in this category. His announcing work is legendary and led to his acting career. Jesse shocked the world by becoming the Governor of Minnesota as an independent candidate.
07 of 10
John Cena
Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
John has become the most famous wrestler to start in the WWE after the turn of the century. In just his first decade in the business, he has starred in several movies, been a part of a network reality TV show, has done commercials for Gillette, and even made a rap album.
08 of 10
Roddy Piper
WireImage / Getty Images
Roddy Piper was the bad guy everyone paid to see get beaten up by Hulk Hogan. Piper retired at the top of his game and starred in the classic sci-fi thriller They Live.
09 of 10
Ric Flair
Paul Kane/Getty Images
Unlike the other people on this list, Flair never sought his fame from anywhere else but the wrestling ring. As a main eventer for over a quarter of a century, anyone that has any knowledge of wrestling has come across his name.
10 of 10
Stacy Keibler
George Pimentel/Getty Images
Stacy Keibler became a household name when she appeared on Dancing With the Stars. Since then, she has appeared in a variety of TV shows and movies for ABC studios which signed her to a contract after her WWE contract expired.
There are some wrestlers that have garnered mainstream popularity. This is a list of the performers that have taken their wrestling fame and become part of popular culture.
01 of 10
Hulk Hogan
Mark Mainz/Getty Images
When people think of wrestling they automatically think of Hulk Hogan. He was responsible for the wrestling booms of the ’80s and ’90s. He has had mainstream success as a movie and television star. Amazingly, he might have become more famous since retiring due to his family. First for their reality show Hogan Knows Best and then for their problems which have included a nasty divorce and his son going to jail.
02 of 10
The Rock
WireImage / Getty Images
In his relatively short career, the Rock quickly became an icon of the industry and his wrestling success has translated into a very successful movie career. Unlike every other wrestler that tried to transition to Hollywood, the Rock has garnered both critical and commercial success that has led him to become a legitimate leading man that can open both action and family movies.
03 of 10
“Stone Cold” Steve Austin
Moses Robinson / Getty Images
Steve Austin’s blue-collar wrestling persona captivated the wrestling fans and the world. His Austin 3:16 shirt is the best selling shirt in wrestling history. Steve used his fame in the world of wrestling to appear in both movies and guest star on several television shows.
04 of 10
Vince McMahon
Ethan Miller/Getty Images
Vince McMahon is the face of the WWE for non-wrestling fans. Just as Don King’s popularity has far surpassed that of most of his fighters, the same can be said for Vince McMahon. Some of his promotional stunts have brought him to the forefront of popular culture. In addition, ever since his interview with Bob Costas, whenever he appears in a televised interview it is must-see TV.
05 of 10
Andre the Giant
Andre the Giant Tossing Chuck Wepner Out of Ring. Bettmann/Getty Images
Andre the Giant was known as the 8th World Wonder due to both the size of his body and his charisma. His role in The Princess Bride was the first time a wrestler captivated a movie audience.
06 of 10
Jesse Ventura
LGI Stock/Gett Images
While he had a decent wrestling career, it is his post-wrestling work that puts him in this category. His announcing work is legendary and led to his acting career. Jesse shocked the world by becoming the Governor of Minnesota as an independent candidate.
07 of 10
John Cena
Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
John has become the most famous wrestler to start in the WWE after the turn of the century. In just his first decade in the business, he has starred in several movies, been a part of a network reality TV show, has done commercials for Gillette, and even made a rap album.
08 of 10
Roddy Piper
WireImage / Getty Images
Roddy Piper was the bad guy everyone paid to see get beaten up by Hulk Hogan. Piper retired at the top of his game and starred in the classic sci-fi thriller They Live.
09 of 10
Ric Flair
Paul Kane/Getty Images
Unlike the other people on this list, Flair never sought his fame from anywhere else but the wrestling ring. As a main eventer for over a quarter of a century, anyone that has any knowledge of wrestling has come across his name.
10 of 10
Stacy Keibler
George Pimentel/Getty Images
Stacy Keibler became a household name when she appeared on Dancing With the Stars. Since then, she has appeared in a variety of TV shows and movies for ABC studios which signed her to a contract after her WWE contract expired.
01 of 10
Hulk Hogan
When people think of wrestling they automatically think of Hulk Hogan. He was responsible for the wrestling booms of the ’80s and ’90s. He has had mainstream success as a movie and television star. Amazingly, he might have become more famous since retiring due to his family. First for their reality show Hogan Knows Best and then for their problems which have included a nasty divorce and his son going to jail.
01 of 10
01
of 10
02 of 10
The Rock
In his relatively short career, the Rock quickly became an icon of the industry and his wrestling success has translated into a very successful movie career. Unlike every other wrestler that tried to transition to Hollywood, the Rock has garnered both critical and commercial success that has led him to become a legitimate leading man that can open both action and family movies.
02 of 10
02
03 of 10
“Stone Cold” Steve Austin
Steve Austin’s blue-collar wrestling persona captivated the wrestling fans and the world. His Austin 3:16 shirt is the best selling shirt in wrestling history. Steve used his fame in the world of wrestling to appear in both movies and guest star on several television shows.
03 of 10
03
04 of 10
Vince McMahon
Vince McMahon is the face of the WWE for non-wrestling fans. Just as Don King’s popularity has far surpassed that of most of his fighters, the same can be said for Vince McMahon. Some of his promotional stunts have brought him to the forefront of popular culture. In addition, ever since his interview with Bob Costas, whenever he appears in a televised interview it is must-see TV.
04 of 10
04
05 of 10
Andre the Giant
Andre the Giant was known as the 8th World Wonder due to both the size of his body and his charisma. His role in The Princess Bride was the first time a wrestler captivated a movie audience.
05 of 10
05
06 of 10
Jesse Ventura
While he had a decent wrestling career, it is his post-wrestling work that puts him in this category. His announcing work is legendary and led to his acting career. Jesse shocked the world by becoming the Governor of Minnesota as an independent candidate.
06 of 10
06
07 of 10
John Cena
John has become the most famous wrestler to start in the WWE after the turn of the century. In just his first decade in the business, he has starred in several movies, been a part of a network reality TV show, has done commercials for Gillette, and even made a rap album.
07 of 10
07
08 of 10
Roddy Piper
Roddy Piper was the bad guy everyone paid to see get beaten up by Hulk Hogan. Piper retired at the top of his game and starred in the classic sci-fi thriller They Live.
08 of 10
08
09 of 10
Ric Flair
Unlike the other people on this list, Flair never sought his fame from anywhere else but the wrestling ring. As a main eventer for over a quarter of a century, anyone that has any knowledge of wrestling has come across his name.
09 of 10
09
10 of 10
Stacy Keibler
Stacy Keibler became a household name when she appeared on Dancing With the Stars. Since then, she has appeared in a variety of TV shows and movies for ABC studios which signed her to a contract after her WWE contract expired.
10 of 10
10
