10 Wrestlers who would be interesting choices for biopic movies about their lives

The movie about Paige's journey to WWE comes out this Friday.
The movie about Paige's journey to WWE comes out this Friday.

With the recent release of Paige's movie 'Fighting with my Family' and the news that Chris Hemsworth will play Hulk Hogan in an upcoming biopic, just which other wrestlers would be good subjects for biopics or movies based on their lives?

Professional wrestlers are often treated like superheroes and super-villains, but under the surface of their characters, they are human beings.

A lot of wrestlers have had crazy careers and even crazier journeys just in order to get to the top of their industry.

We've heard stories of TJP and Daniel Bryan living in their cars early in their careers as well as stories of stars like Jake Roberts and Scott Hall struggling with addictions throughout their lives.

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A documentary about Kenny Omega will air on HBO next month and HBO also made a successful documentary about the life of Andre the Giant.

In the wake of the news about Hogan's potential biopic, which superstars from the past or even ones presently active would make for good movies?

Considering the popularity of pro wrestling around the world and the impact created by movies like Ready to Rumble and The Wrestler, one can be rest assured that there is a market out there ready to consume material on those who made great careers inside the squared circle.

Not every wrestler has struggled to get to where they are in their careers, but here are 10 superstars about whom interesting movies could be made.


#10 Jeff Hardy

The Charismatic Enigma has had an eventful life full of ups and downs.
The Charismatic Enigma has had an eventful life full of ups and downs.

Jeff Hardy has been in the world of professional wrestling since he was legally an adult. Since his whole adult life has been in the ring, he's experienced a lot of roller coaster rides throughout his life.

From breaking out as a tag team with his brother to becoming a World Champion in WWE by himself, Hardy had a lot of success. But with that success came a lot of trouble outside the ring, from injuries to addictions to arrests.

Hardy's life reads as a cautionary tale and the fact that he's on the straight-and-narrow currently is a testament to his character.

A huge part of a potential biopic could even involve the infamous 'Victory Road' match in 2011 with Sting where he showed up for the match high and how Eric Bischoff had to call a serious audible for the match.

His past troubles were even brought up in his recent feud with Samoa Joe, so Hardy's life would make for a great movie script.

#9 Daniel Bryan

The New Daniel Bryan would be a great subject for a biopic.
The New Daniel Bryan would be a great subject for a biopic.

The reason why Daniel Bryan first connected so well with the WWE Universe was that he was seen as an everyman who had paid his dues on the independent scene prior to making it to WWE.

He was constantly overlooked because of his size and look and didn't get much of a chance as a main-eventer until the beginning of the 'Yes Movement'.

Since he was overlooked and underestimated, it made for the perfect underdog moment when he beat all three members of Evolution at WrestleMania 30 en route to winning the WWE Championship.

And if that wasn't a good enough story, another whole heartbreaking part of his life was when he had to relinquish two titles due to injury and eventually retire due to ongoing issues with concussions.

But his story has had a happy conclusion so far as he has returned to the ring and become the WWE Champion once again. Hollywood itself couldn't have written that better.

#8 Kurt Angle

With his in-ring career possibly winding down, it would be a great time to have a feature film about Angle.
With his in-ring career possibly winding down, it would be a great time to have a feature film about Angle.

Kurt Angle's life even before WWE seemed like something that a movie could have been made from.

As fans all know, Angle won a gold medal at the Olympics 'with a broken freakin' neck'. His success outside of wrestling led to a fruitful career inside the industry as his career has remained active to this day.

While he claims to have wrestled his final match in the WWE, all of what happened to Angle between his Olympic win and today would be a good story.

His redemption from having issues with substances during his later years in WWE to his struggle with alcohol during his time with TNA comes from a movie script.

And if people want a relationship angle (no pun intended), we all know about the whole Jeff Jarrett/Karen Jarrett relationship that ended his marriage.

Angle's movie will certainly be a feel good movie showcasing his value system, ethics, and all that he underwent to make him a national hero.

#7 The Undertaker

The Undertaker has remained loyal to WWE since debuting in 1990.
The Undertaker has remained loyal to WWE since debuting in 1990.

While he might not have had as many ups and downs like a Jeff Hardy or a Kurt Angle, The Undertaker is synonymous with WWE.

After failing to find his footing in WCW, he signed with WWF and debuted at Survivor Series in 1990. The rest is history.

His career is filled with first-ever matches in WWE, like Hell in a Cell, Casket matches, and Buried Alive matches.

Whether or not he came up with the ideas for the matches isn't as relevant as the fact that he became known for participating in these types of matches and keeping kayfabe in his character alive.

The Undertaker is the best gimmick of all time and the fact that he had an undefeated streak at WrestleMania for over 20 years is the stuff of legend.

Sure, the outcomes are predetermined, but what started out as a simple streak of wins at the show turned into a right of passage for some superstars and akin to a championship match at the show itself.

If nothing else, he was the epitome of a loyal, locker room leader who commanded the respect of the entire roster and even his boss.

It would be interesting to see a story crafted around how he impacted not only the WWE but the industry as a whole.

#6 Ric Flair

Flair is a pop culture icon.
Flair is a pop culture icon.

If there is a pro wrestler past or present who would have a great story to tell, it would definitely be the Nature Boy.

He was adopted as a child, almost died in a plane crash and was struck by lightning. And that's all outside the ring.

His time in the 1980s created the greatest faction of all time in the Four Horsemen, and his time with Evolution prolonged his career.

The match with Shawn Michaels that ended his WWE in-ring career would be a poignant moment captured on film as would the death of his son, Reid, and several of his divorces.

A link to his daughter Charlotte Flair could also be made, since she's one of the best performers of her generation.

When all is said and done, Flair would be the perfect subject for a film not only for wrestling fans but for those who follow pop culture as well.

Jared Goff and Sean McVay of the Los Angeles Rams use his name as audible calls in their offense, and Flair has even appeared at games for the Carolina Panthers and Atlanta Falcons.

#5 Shawn Michaels

HBK's new haircut alone deserves at least a YouTube video.
HBK's new haircut alone deserves at least a YouTube video.

The Heartbreak Kid has basically had three different phases or careers in WWE. The first was as a tag team specialist turned cocky heel who ruled over the backstage in WWE in the 1990s with his fellow members of the Kliq.

His second career with WWE would be the time away from the company after he severely injured his back and was forced into semi-retirement. He became a Born Again Christian and it saved his life.

The third act would be his life after his comeback to pro wrestling and how he remained an integral part of the company through his parts with DX and matches with The Undertaker.

People whose lives have had severe ups and downs are usually the most interesting subjects for documentaries or movies about their lives.

Shawn Michaels is one of the best wrestlers of all time and it would be easy enough to craft a film spanning his life.

The fact that despite being away from championship gold, Michaels remained an integral part of WWE programming. His longevity is also something that could be focussed on.

#4 CM Punk

CM Punk might want us to forget about his time in WWE, but fans never will forget it.
CM Punk might want us to forget about his time in WWE, but fans never will forget it.

Phil Brooks has had a movie-worthy life both as Brooks and as CM Punk. His upbringing with an alcoholic father turned him to a straight-edge lifestyle that helped define parts of his wrestling career.

He was thought so little of when he signed with WWE that he was able to keep the moniker CM Punk that he used on the indies.

His rise from afterthought to the longest-reigning champion of the modern era was also something that defined his WWE career, but so did his exit from the company.

When he walked out due to frustrations with WWE in 2014, it marked a huge milestone in wrestling history.

He was still at the height of his popularity but to walk out at a time like that was unheard of. And it wasn't because of money.

The fact that fans still chant his name during dead points of wrestling shows or when they are upset with what they are watching is a testament to his impact on the industry.

The only hard part about making a movie about his life would be getting his approval and finding the right actor to portray the 'Voice of the Voiceless'.

#3 Bret Hart

The Best There Ever Will Be comes from one of the most storied families in wrestling.
The Best There Ever Will Be comes from one of the most storied families in wrestling.

Bret Hart helped save the WWF after the steroid scandal of the early 1990s. His smaller frame and technical ability showcased that all wrestlers didn't have to be huge or overly muscular. He was truly a 'professional wrestler' and not just an entertainer.

Since he was so integral to keeping the WWF afloat during the early to mid 1990s, it would be even more shocking of how 'the Montreal Screwjob' went down to take the title off of his waist.

It mirrors the machinations of an evil genius like Cersei Lannister trying to do her best to get her way while crushing her enemies.

"The Montreal Screwjob" was a pivotal moment in wrestling history due to the lines of kayfabe getting blurred, and it would be a huge part of a movie made about Bret Hart's life.

Another huge part of the movie would have to be the death of Owen Hart and how it affected everyone involved. It was supposed to merely be a stunt but it contributed to the disconnect between the Harts and WWE.

But another big part could be his eventual reconciliation with not only Mr. McMahon and WWE but also the man who 'screwed him' in 'the Montreal Screwjob', Shawn Michaels. It definitely seems like a lot of Hart's story could have come right out of a movie.

# 2 Roddy Piper

Like Ric Flair, Roddy Piper has had an interesting life.
Like Ric Flair, Roddy Piper has had an interesting life.

Roddy Piper was important to the early stages of WWF as he took part in the first two main events of WrestleMania.

But unfortunately, he wasn't pushed to the moon like Hulk Hogan and never won the main title in either WWE or WCW.

He did leave a huge mark of both wrestling fans and pop culture for his character in wrestling as well as his acting career.

The whole line from 'They Live' - I've come here to chew bubble gum and kick a** and I'm all out of bubble gum' is one of the best one-liners of all time.

But since he was such a magnetic personality, why didn't he ever get a run as a top star in either company? That fact in and of itself could be the story behind a movie about his life.

He clearly impacted a generation of superstars, including Ronda Rousey as he even gave her his blessing to use the nickname. He was an engaging person and those often make for good movies.

#1 Mick Foley

Mick Foley's life is the ultimate tale of a wrestling fan turned pro wrestler.
Mick Foley's life is the ultimate tale of a wrestling fan turned pro wrestler.

Mick Foley's life as a pro wrestler has been one that a lot of pro wrestlers have experienced, but his route to get there was certainly an unconventional one.

He wasn't exactly in the best shape, so promoters who loved muscle-bound hulks probably overlooked him.

And to set himself apart, he engaged in hardcore wrestling for which he became known as 'the Hardcore Legend'.

From his time in ECW to his matches in WWE, Foley was one of the mainstream wrestlers associated with the rise of the sub-genre in America.

Let's also not forget two of the greatest moments in WWE history - including when he finally won the WWE Championship and when he went crashing through the Hell in a Cell structure against the Undertaker - and continued the match.

He also lost an ear during a match and is a best-selling author. When all is said and done, Foley has an underdog story that would certainly resonate with audiences.

And how hilarious would it be to see the time he entered the Royal Rumble match under all three of his personas on the big screen?

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Edited by Riju Dasgupta
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