5 Current WWE Superstars who admitted to having mental health issues

The current generation of WWE superstars has drastically changed the perception of mental health issues in the pro wrestling industry. Mental health issues exist everywhere in every field and aren't necessarily limited to certain occupations.

Like other jobs, professional wrestling can take a major toll mentally and physically. The difference now is that several superstars are willing to talk about it. Unlike the generations before them where superstars would toughen up and often deny their problems to themselves, today's stars are aware of the impact that they can have on people when they open up about their own issues.

These five current WWE stars have admitted to having mental health issues:

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#5. Brock Lesnar — The 9-time WWE World Champion deals with social anxiety

For years, Brock Lesnar was unfairly labeled an antisocial person or assumed to be "mean" because of his vocal dislike for people. When 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin asked him years ago what he meant when he stated that he didn't like people, The Beast Incarnate didn't have too much to say.

The truth is that Brock Lesnar is simply somebody who prefers being alone or with a few close members of his family. His anti-social-like behavior might be criticized by some, but the only reason he would be criticized for it is that he's a big star, and nothing else.

Lesnar certainly doesn't owe it to anyone to socialize after his work hours are done, and he treats WWE exactly for what it is - a business. Lesnar isn't a locker room leader, nor does he spend time giving out advice to younger stars. In an interview with Pat McAfee, Lesnar revealed that after he's done performing, he likes to be left alone:

“I like to go and just get away from the people. It’s not that I dislike people. I mean, it’s not been that way but some people I don’t like.” said the former UFC star. “I just like to be left the f**k alone because if I’m in front of an audience then it just exhausts me. So I gotta go and recharge up.” (H/T SEScoops)

You won't read much about Brock Lesnar's co-workers saying bad things about him. In fact, it's quite the opposite. Many current and former WWE stars have praised The Beast Incarnate for his personality backstage, and his general willingness to help.

He isn't the most social person, which is understandable. However, he manages to put it all aside when he's on-screen as perhaps the last larger-than-life figure in the promotion.

#4. Rhea Ripley — The former WWE Women's Champion has been vocal about her mental health issues

Rhea Ripley is regarded as one of the toughest women on the WWE roster. She is certainly one of the biggest from a physical standpoint, but her on-screen character is seemingly fearless.

That isn't the case in real life, and Ripley wants fans to know that. Following in the footsteps of superstars before her, the former RAW Women's Champion admitted in 2019 that she had undergone several mental health issues. Speaking to Lilian Garcia on the Chasing Glory podcast a year later, she was able to reflect and said that she was glad she opened up:

"I’m very glad that the conversation went that way cause like you said there is a lot of bullying and suicides especially like in the sport and it’s really, really sad. Like I always see posts coming up every now and then of like someone new that has passed away and it makes me really mad and sad cause like like they could have help” (H/T SEScoops)

Ripley admitted that her previous approach of bottling up her emotions only led to her having destructive behavior and snapping and fighting with friends and family. She said she's more mature now and has been able to communicate her feelings more effectively.

Ripley perfectly represents the newer generation of WWE stars and their willingness to speak about their mental health issues.

#3. Sasha Banks — Depression took over as her life with WWE consumed her

Sasha Banks is one of the biggest superstars in WWE today regardless of gender. She has taken a dip into the world of acting and has found some success with her role in the popular Mandalorian show on Disney+.

This has led some to speculate that Banks has the most crossover appeal in WWE, despite not being pushed as the #1 woman in the company. However, a few years ago, she had reached a breaking point.

It was 2019 around WrestleMania 35 when reports came out that Sasha Banks lost her temper backstage. She would proceed to take a hiatus until the summer of that year when she returned to have an epic feud with Becky Lynch.

In early 2021, she spoke to WWE Hall of Famer 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin on The Broken Skull Sessions and went into detail about how depression had taken over her during that time:

"Depression. Depression was taking over. My mind was taking over. My thoughts were taking over. This place was being bigger than me, and I really really lost myself because, for a good seven years, I didn't even hear my real name. I didn't hear Mercedes anymore. All I heard was Sasha Banks. And travelling on the road, we only get one to two days off. So I'm home. Not even seeing what my real hair looks like. All I see is purple hair every single day. There were so many things that I let it control me . . . I was looking in the mirror, and I was looking in my eyes, and I lost all the light in it. I couldn't even look at myself, I didn't even know who the hell I was. How I was going into work, how angry I was, how sad I was. It was not the person that I dreamt to be . . . It hit the fan and I wanted to make sure that I didn't lose myself."

Sasha Banks would return better than ever, but her detailed account gives an insight into how brutal the life is for a WWE superstar despite all the bright lights and glamor.

Thankfully, the break she took worked out well and she came back better than ever, becoming one of the company's key figures in the pandemic era.

#2. Alexa Bliss — Very vocal about mental and physical health issues

Few superstars in WWE have been vocal about their mental and physical health issues the way Alexa Bliss has. Even while she was the unpopular multi-time champion who was resented by fans for getting a big push, she used her platform off-screen to openly express the issues that she has had.

The biggest thing she revealed was the anorexia and eating disorder that she suffered from during her teenage years - an issue that nearly led to her death. When speaking to Sports Illustrated during the pandemic, Bliss admitted that she still deals with occasional bad spells of depression:

“I take it day-by-day. Dealing with eating disorders, anxiety, and depression, I’m no stranger to mental illness. Every few years, I deal with a really bad spell of depression. You have to know it doesn’t have to overtake your life."

Bliss is a proud advocate for mental health problems and how it can affect people. She said that she understands her position in the public eye and does the best she can to be in a good place:

“Mental illness can dictate someone’s entire life. I put myself in a position to be in the public eye, but I’m doing what I love. I’ve gone to therapy, I’ve done everything I can do to get my brain in a healthy place.

It can't be denied that superstars like Alexa Bliss with a big platform can directly influence fans. Being vocal about her anorexia, depression, and anxiety and the ongoing battle only makes her more relatable and influential.

#1. Big E — The former WWE Champion had a long battle with depression

Big E was one of the fastest-rising stars of WWE in 2021. He became the WWE Champion after cashing in his Money in the Bank briefcase on Bobby Lashley. Despite his reign as the champion not panning out the way fans hoped, it made him more popular than he ever was before.

Speaking to Pat McAfee on his podcast, Big E revealed how he took a long time to battle depression from his early years:

”It took me a long, long time. I try my best to never tell anyone, ‘this is the way you need to go to overcome mental illness. We all have our own paths and what works for us. What worked for me; at 19 years old, I had a coach of mine, Rod Akin, who essentially forced me to go talk to someone. In many ways, it really saved my life. Even then, it took a while for me to get into the process".

Big E stated that he began meditating for at least 12 minutes a day. Tapping into a daily spiritual practice has helped him immensely.