14 WWE Superstars who starred in Hollywood movies

WWE and Hollywood always had a connection between them when it comes to the similarities they possess. The WWE superstars have to follow and do their regular routine according to the prepared script which many misjudge as fake but in reality the moves and the accidents that happen are all real.Similarly in the world of motion pictures, actors have to execute their roles as per the script and they too quite often hurt themselves on the sets. Although they are tow totally different lines of work, these similar traits in both the wrestling and film industry have time and again encouraged the WWE superstars to pursue a career in mainstream media. And we have seen a lot of the guys crossover to the big screen in order to gain commercial success. While many have failed in their pursuit to sustain their WWE success and become Hollywood megastars, some have prevailed in achieving stardom as movie stars. We take a look at those who have tried their hands in becoming Hollywood actors and have succeeded or failed.

#14 Kane

Kane made his motion picture debut in 2006 as Jacob Goodnight in See No Evil. The movie was WWE Studios first production and was released in May 19, 2006. Known as the Devils favourite Demon in the WWE and The Undertakers evil half-brother, Kanes character crossed over aptly to the big screen as he played the role of a disturbed serial killer.

His next project was a small cameo appearance in MacGruber alongside other WWE superstars such as Chris Jericho, MVP, Mark Henry and The Great Khali.

Kanes upcoming project is See No Evil 2 which is a sequel to the 2006 movie.

Buy WWE 2K15 here

#13 The Miz

After appearing as himself on several reality shows and TV series, notably Psych and Pair Of Kings, The Miz landed his first lead role in the third installment of The Marine, replacing fellow WWE superstar Randy Orton. The movie titled The Marine 3: Homefront which was a direct to video release, opened to mixed reception and didnt do a great deal in terms of success.

But despite of failing to impress the audience, Mizs role of sergeant John Carter did impress the movie critics as they felt he has a bright future in the industry. He returned to the WWE recently after filming The Marine 4 where he reprised his role and brought along with him a new Hollywood gimmick called The Moneymaker.

Buy WWE 2K15 here

#12 Kevin Nash

Former WCW and WWE superstar Kevin Nash, also known as Diesel got his first movie break in the 1991 movie Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze where he played the role of Super Shredder, a genetically enhanced version of the villain Shredder.

After landing a very minor role in the 1998 movie Family Plan, Nashs next significant role was in the film The Punisher as the Russian where he appeared in a fight scene.

He also featured in the Adam Sandler movie, The Longest Yard which casted a host of other WWE superstars including Steve Austin, Goldberg and The Great Khali. That was his last notable role as his movie career never took off.

Buy WWE 2K15 here

#11 The Big Show

The Big Show has had small stints on the big screen starting as Big Santa in the 1996 Arnold Schwarzenegger PG movie Jingle All the Way. He then appeared as Captain Insano in The Waterboy.

In the action comedy MacGruber, Big Show was casted as Brick Hughes alongside with other fellow wrestlers where they are blown off in the first scene altogether.

His first on-screen lead came in 2010 as he starred as Walter Krunk in the comedy film Knucklehead. The film opened in selected theatres and was a box office failure. Show then returned to the WWE and kept on wrestling as a full timer until Lionsgate and WWE Studios signed a 6-movie-deal where Show was casted in the first one titled Vendetta.

The action film directed by the Soska Sisters (See No Evil 2) has completed filming and is expected to come out at the fall of this year.

Buy WWE 2K15 here

#10 Randy Orton

Randy Ortons first major step into the world of Hollywood came in 2009 after Orton himself revealed that he would be starring in the lead role for The Marine 2, succeeding John Cena. But an injured collar bone prevented Orton from working on the film and Ted Dibiase was casted instead.

After that, Orton played a supporting role in the comedy film, Thats What I Am. Another chance to play the lead character of Jack Carter came knocking at his door as the casting crew of The Marine 3 approached him. But due to his past with the US Marines, he was dropped again and The Miz replaced him.

His only major role till date is in the sequel to 12 Rounds which was a direct to video release unlike its predecessor which starred John Cena.

Buy WWE 2K15 here

#9 Andre The Giant

After several stints on television including in series like The Six Million Dollar Man in 1970s as Big Foot and The Fall Guy, Andre The Giants debut role on the big screen was an uncredited appearance as a giant god named Dagoth in Arnolds movie Conan The Barbarian.

He also made a small appearance in Micki+Maude and most notably as Fezzik in the 1987 film The Princess Bride.

The cameo role in Trading Mom as a circus giant was his last role before he died.

Buy WWE 2K15 here

#8 Rowdy Roddy Piper

Rowdy Roddy Piper was one of the first wrestlers from the WWE who has enjoyed a fair amount of mainstream success. He featured on many TV shows including SNLand the Robocop series. He was also a guest VJ on MTV and appeared in Cyndi Laupers music video.

Pipers first lead role came in 1986 in the movie Body Slam. Since then, he has been casted in many feature films as a lead or supporting actor, most recognizably in Hell Comes to Frogtown.

Buy WWE 2K15 here

#7 Jesse Ventura

Jesse Ventura began his acting career when well past his prime wrestling days. His first role was in the groundbreaking Arnold Schwarzenegger classic Predator where he was cast as Blain, one of Arnolds mercenaries. That helicopter shot where he displays a hostile attitude towards Carl Weathers and spits on his feet became memorable for the fans of this cult classic.

Developing a good friendship with Arnold, Jesse was cast in several other movies with the California Governer including supporting roles in The Running Man and Batman & Robin. He also featured as CryoCon in Demolition Man.

Buy WWE 2K15 here

#6 Goldberg

Bill Goldbergs incredible success in the WCW caught the attention of the reel makers as he made his debut through Universal Soldier 2: The Return. The movie bombed in box office and his Romeo character was a forgettable role.

Goldbergs next recognizable role was in the 2005 film The Longest Yard as an inmate alongside several other fellow wrestlers. The movie did well at the box office and became Goldbergs best big-screen role till date as after that he appeared in low-budget movies or failed projects.

The movie Santas Slay where he takes on the character of a homicidal Santa Claus was a disaster while low budget movies like Half Past Dead 2 and Kill Speed facilitated a downhill slope in his movie career.

Buy WWE 2K15 here

#5 Triple H

Triple Hs first big screen role was in the third instalment of the Blade series where he was a side kick of the main protagonist Dracula. The film failed to take off at the Box Office and was received negatively.

His next major role was in the 2011 comedy film The Chaperone where he played the character of a wheel man who gets caught up between his daughters school field trip and a bank-robbing crew. It was another disaster for The Game as the movie faltered at the box office.

Before returning to the WWE, he appeared as Arlo Jayne in the movie Inside Out, but the crime-drama film was again a big flop as Hunters acting was dubbed as inert.

Buy WWE 2K15 here

#4 Batista

Batistas latest release, Guardians of the Galaxy grabbed the headlines as it turned out to be a major box office success. The Animal played the role of Drax The Destroyer and was lauded for his performance.

But before enjoying commercial success, Batista has been trying his hand at acting since 2009. He did a few direct to video movies before playing the villainous Brass Body in The Man with the Iron Fists which was his first big studio venture. He was also cast in the 2013 movie Riddick alongside Vin Diesel.

Batista is also set to appear in the highly anticipated remake of the 1989 movie Kickboxer.

Buy WWE 2K15 here

#3 John Cena

Gaining huge success as a WWE superstar, it was only a matter of time before John Cena made his name in the reel world. The Cenation leader got his breakthrough role in The Marine as retired sergeant John Triton who runs into a band of criminals on a normal day and has to rescue his wife who is kidnapped by that gang.

Cenas second movie was highly engaging thriller 12 Rounds which was a box office failure. His next movie Legendary was also poorly received.

Cena is currently filming for two movies ( Trainwreck and The Nest) both of which are set to come out in 2015.

Buy WWE 2K15 here

#2 Stone Cold Steve Austin

Arguably, the biggest star of the WWEStone Cold Steve Austin, made his on-screen debut in The Longest Yard where he was casted as Officer Dunham, who loved to harass the inmates. The film was a commercial success box office success which featured a lot of other WWE superstars.

In 2007, Austin got his first lead role as Jack Conrad, a prisoner who is given the chance to escape execution as he is transported to a deserted island along with nine other criminals to put on a live killing show for the internet and battle other convicts in order to emerge as the surviving winner.

Although the film bombed at the box office, it gained a cult following. Gradually, Austins movie career began to go downhill as he began to appear in low-profile movies such as Damage, Hunt to Kill and Tactical Force.

He was also cast as Paine in Stallones The Expendables where he worked under a Latin American Dictator. He also appeared as Adam Sandlers high school bully in The Grown Ups 2.

Buy WWE 2K15 here

#1 The Rock

The Rock may lose out to Stone Cold when compared in context of who was the biggest star in the WWE. But when it comes to Hollywood, The Great One eclipses his adversary and any other superstar for that matter.

With an unspoken attitude and flawless mic skills in the WWE, The Rock was destined to make it big in the movie world and currently, he is one of the most recognized and successful stars of the industry.

Starting as The Scorpion King in 2002, he has gone on to star in major box office hits such as Walking Tall, The Game Plan, Race to the Witch Mountain, Fast Five, G.I.Joe retaliation and most recently Hercules.

Never before has a WWE wrestler gained such mainstream popularity on big screen as The Rock has. He has established himself as a Hollywood mega star and has gained equally credible status as a WWE superstar.

Buy WWE 2K15 here