4 current and former WWE names who participated in the Olympics

It is not uncommon for WWE stars to have had other careers before becoming professional wrestlers. Many of them have had an MMA career before moving to wrestling, while some others were NFL players or had different athletic sports careers.

With the 2024 Olympic Games taking place in Paris through next Sunday, August 11, we take a look at four current and former superstars who have participated in the Olympics and have also won a medal.

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#4. Gable Steveson

Before joining WWE, Gable Steveson competed in the 2021 Olympic Games in Tokyo. He participated in the Men's Freestyle 125 kg division and dominated his opponents en route to the gold medal bout, where he beat Geno Petriashvili 10-8 and claimed the top spot in the Olympics.

He became the youngest freestyle athlete to win the gold medal in the 125 kg category in the Olympic Games.

Steveson moved to professional wrestling in August of 2021, when he made an appearance at WWE SummerSlam in late August. He signed a deal with the Stamford-based company, but never really competed on the main roster aside from some sporadic appearances.

In early May 2024, the 24-year-old former professional wrestler became a free agent and he is now playing for the Buffalo Bills in the NFL.

#3. Chad Gable

WWE Superstar Chad Gable (Photo credit: WWE.com)

Chad Gable signed with WWE in 2013. A year before that, he took part in the 2012 Olympic Games in London and competed under his real name (Charles Betts) in the Greco-Roman category in the 84 kg division. However, he faced early elimination after losing in the second round.

Gabel signed with the Stamford-based company in 2013 and has been performing there since then. While he has never won a major title in his singles career, the star is a three-time tag team champion.

#2. Ronda Rousey

Back in 2008, Ronda Rousey participated in the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. She was third in Judo in the under 70 kg category. The bronze medal she won was the first Olympic medal for a Team USA athlete in Judo.

Rousey participated in the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens but lost in the opening round. She was 17 when she competed in the Athens Olympics.

Ronda Rousey moved to UFC back in 2011. She retired as one of the greatest MMA athletes and became a UFC legend before moving to WWE in 2018, where she won multiple titles before leaving in 2023.

#1. Kurt Angle

Kurt Angle was an Olympic gold medalist before signing with the Stamford-based company. Back in 1996, while he was still recovering from a serious neck injury, he took part in the heavyweight category and won all five matches en route to the gold medal in the Atlanta Olympic Games.

Kurt Angle spent a total of 10 years with WWE in two separate stints (1998-2006, 2017-2019) before retiring. He became a world champion six times and won the King of the Ring back in 2000. In 2017, he was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame, with fellow legend John Cena, who will retire in 2025, introducing him to the fans in attendance.