9 WWE Wrestlers who appeared in Olympics

WWE had always used the worldwide famous talents for making their own brand name by hiring them. Whether it is MMA, UFC or from some other professional wrestling background. Also WWE always keeps a close eye on the potential talent of Olympic wrestlers as WWE management knows they are the pride of their nation. And working with such a personality will gain international attention.  Here we are going to discuss some famous WWE Wrestlers who appeared in the Olympics.

WWE Wrestlers who Competed in Olympics 

Ronda Rousey

Most of the WWE fans might know Ronda Rousey for her achievements in MMA and UFC careers, but very less know about her achievements in Olympic Games Career. She is a professionnel Judo wrestler.  Ronda used to train Judo with her mother before she was a teenager.

At the 2008 Summer Olympic Games held in Beijing China, Ronda Rousey represented the United States in the Women’s Judo 70kg weight category where she won the Bronze Medal for her country. She was also the first American to win an Olympic Medal in women’s Judo.

 Mad Dog Vachon

Mad Dog Vachon was only 18 years of age when he competed in olympics. In 1948 Mad Dog Vachon represented Canada in Greco-Roman style 174 pound Wrestling category at Summer Olympics games London, UK. 

He finished 7th palace in the tournament and couldn’t win any medal in that olympics. But he is still remembered for his first match of the tournament, where he pinned The Indian wrestler in just 54 seconds.

The Iron Sheik

One of the very famous legends of the WWE is The Iron Sheik. Although he never competed as a wrestler in the Olympics, he tried for the spot on Iran’s Greco-Roman wrestling team for the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico. But was cut in the final list.

Then he moved to the USA and started his career as a coach for Greco-Roman wrestling. And in the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich he appeared as an Assistant Coach to the USA team.

Bad News Brown

A very Remarkable character of WWE Bad News Brown was well known for not smiling when he is on-screen. This is another name in this list who not only competed in the Olympics but also won a medal in the Olympics

At the 1976 Summer Olympics Montreal, Brown represented the U.S. in HeavyWeight Judo and won a Bronze Medal for his country. This victory Made him the first African American to win a solo olympic games after boxing and field events.

Ken Patera

The Second ever WWE Intercontinental Champion Ken Patera represented the U.S. at the 1972 Olympics Munich. He competed in weight lifting under 110 kg category. Beside his brilliant performance he couldn’t grab any medal in this olympics.

Chad Gable

One of the young talents in WWE Chad Gable began his WWE career with Jason Jordan as a tag team partner. He was the second WWE wrestler after his team mate Jason Jordan to hold all three NXT, Raw and Smackdown Tag Team Championships.

Chad Gable represented the U.S. at the 2012 summer Olympics held in London. He competed in a Greco Roman style wrestling tournament under 84kg category. He easily won his first qualifying match but was eliminated from the competition in the next round as he lost by 3-0 in the match.

Danny Hodge

One of the most fittest personalities Danny Hodge is well known for crushing an apple with his bare hand at the age of 80. Danny Hodge represented the U.S. twice in his career in the Olympics. His first appearance was in 1952 Olympics in freestyle wrestling where he was placed fifth. And second appearance was in 1956 Olympics Melbourne, Australia where he successfully grabbed a silver medal for his country in freestyle wrestling.

Although Danny Hodge never competed in WWE as a wrestler, he appeared two times as a special chief guest in the honor ceremony. One in 2005 and second in 2012. He was a very close friend of Jim Ross and Jim Ross always praises Hodge greatness.

Mark Henry

World strongest man Mark Henry was very popular since his school days. He was also called World Strongest teenager as in 1990 at the age of 18 he set a new world record of 832 lb (377 kg) squats at the National High School Powerlifting Championships. 

Mark Henry competed two times in the Olympics as a Super-heavyweight weightlifter. First in 1992 at The Summer Olympics held in Barcelona, where he finished in 10th place. Due to not having clear lifts he was not able to win any medal. Second time was in the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia. This time he was well prepared with a clean lift but unfortunately he faced a back injury during the competition and ended up being 14th place.

Till that time he gained so much popularity that Vince McMahon, owner of WWE was so impressed with Mark Henry that he first time ever offered a direct 10 years contract to someone. Mark signed the contract and entered into the professional wrestling world.

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Kurt Angle

The only wrestler in WWE history with an olympic gold medal. Kurt Angle had been always introduced as Olympic Gold Medalist in his entire wrestling career to honour him. Kurt Angle started Amateur Wrestling when he was just at the age of 7.

Before the trials Kurt suffered a neck Injury, and despite it he qualified for his spot for Olympics. And for the next 5 months before the Olympics he spent most of the time in resting and rehabilitation. He even started taking pain killer injections to reduce his pain for practice and soon he temporarily became addicted to it which he never hides and stated in his interviews also.

At the 1996 Summer Olympics  Atlanta, Georgia, Kurt Angle represented the U.S. in freestyle heavyweight 90-100kg (198–220 lb) wrestling category. During this tournament his neck injury got more severe but beside of it he kept wrestling with a broken neck and won a Gold medal. In 2016 for his accomplishments in the amateur wrestling field Kurt  Angle was also inducted into the International Sports Hall of Fame.

About how many wrestlers you had already known ?

What do you think among these Olympians who had a better career in wrestling field.