The world of professional wrestling is one of the biggest industries in the world and the crossover potential into Hollywood is one of the best for any business, as it already has a proven track record thanks to the likes of John Cena, The Rock, Batista and more.
The Marvel Cinematic Universe is seen as one of the most desirable places for an actor to get involved in somehow and WWE wrestlers aren’t strangers to the MCU either, as Dave Bautista became a global sensation as Drax The Destroyer in Guardians of The Galaxy. With that said, there are more potential names who could be in the MCU.
5 Wrestlers Who Should Be In Marvel Besides John Cena And The Rock
As mentioned above, there are many wrestlers who have the potential to be part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but just haven’t been given an opportunity yet. We will now list five such wrestlers.
1) The Undertaker
Although predominantly portrayed as a face throughout his WWE career, The Undertaker’s towering stature, ominous appearance, and commanding presence make him an ideal candidate for a comic book villain. He initially debuted as a heel, embracing a persona characterized by eerie mannerisms, an obsession with death, and a penchant for placing defeated opponents in body bags.
Over time, The Undertaker’s in-ring persona evolved to include supernatural elements, such as summoning lightning bolts and seemingly rising from the dead. With previous experience portraying a villainous alien bounty hunter in film, The Undertaker’s portrayal as a comic book villain would undoubtedly be a natural fit.
2) Bryan Danielson
Standing at five feet, 8 inches tall and weighing two hundred and ten pounds, Bryan Danielson may not possess the imposing stature of some of the behemoths in the wrestling world. However, what he lacks in size, he more than compensates for with grit and determination.
Despite battling numerous injuries and facing skepticism from corporate higher-ups about his character, Bryan defied the odds and ascended to become WWE Champion, garnering a groundswell of fan support in the process. Currently, he continues to shine as a major star in AEW.
Bryan’s narrative of overcoming adversity to achieve success mirrors that of a classic underdog, akin to superhero figures like Spider-Man. Despite being in over his head, he consistently emerges victorious in the end, making him the perfect prototype for a superhero.
3) Sting
As Sting rose to prominence as a beloved face in the mid-’80s, his appearance epitomized the era: a sculpted physique, a blonde buzz cut, vibrant tights, and glam-rock-style face paint that became iconic. However, as the ’80s transitioned into the ’90s, Sting evolved his look to reflect the changing times: adopting all-black attire, a trench coat, long hair, and face paint reminiscent of the popular Crow character.
This transformation mirrored his character shift, as he embraced a darker persona, lurking in the shadows and ambushing the villainous NWO members in defense of WCW’s honor and values. This portrayal aligns closely with the archetype of a vigilante superhero, employing stealth and cunning to combat injustice, regardless of the odds.
4) Chris Jericho
Chris Jericho is one of the biggest professional wrestlers in the world who has constantly reinvented himself in every single promotion he has been a part of. His ability to portray the role of a villain as well as a hero can easily translate to Marvel in many ways, especially as someone who can go toe-to-toe with Deadpool in a battle of words.
5) Roman Reigns
Roman Reigns is one of the biggest stars in the history of WWE and he is tailor-made for Hollywood, especially in Marvel. He is currently a bad guy in WWE, so he would definitely find success in a similar role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, where his charisma and cool demeanour could be utilized.
