5 WWE stars who had other plans if wrestling didn't work out 

Wrestling isn't considered to be a stable career, even wrestlers who had scholarships to study at college and still remain part of Olympic level wrestling teams are not considered to be able to have lengthy careers in the sport.

The shelf life of a wrestler isn't thought to be very long, which is why many current WWE stars made plans for a second career, just in case their wrestling dream didn't work out.

There are a number of stars who put themselves on a time limit when it came to making it in their wrestling career, otherwise, they could easily make the switch to a 9-5 job, given that they had ensured that they had already studied and gained the relevant qualifications to pursue this second career.

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#5 The Bella Twins - Actresses

Nikki and Brie were hoping to have successful careers in Acting or Modeling

Nikki and Brie Bella made their first appearance in WWE as part of the 2006 Diva Search, even though the sisters didn't win the competition they were still signed to WWE, but initially declined the contract they were offered, because they had dreams of making it as models and actresses.

The duo quit WWE back in 2012 as well, since they decided to take a break from wrestling and look at different career options. It seems that both sisters had dreams that didn't include wrestling in the beginning, but since their careers have been adapted so that they are allowed to act as part of Total Divas and they are still able to model for the company, the women are considerably happy remaining with the company now.

#4 Ruby Riott - teacher

Ruby Riott had plans to become a teacher

Ruby Riott's character comes across as something of a rebel, which is why it is quite a shock to note that the current SmackDown star actually wanted to be a teacher.

Ruby's mother was in education when she was growing up and it seems that this rubbed off on her daughter, who was all set to begin a career in education herself until she was introduced to wrestling at the age of 15. Ruby could still go back to college when she finally hangs up her wrestling boots, but it seems that for right now, she definitely made the right decision to pursue a career in the squared circle.

#3 Kane - English Creative Writer

Kane had no original plans to pursue a career in wrestling

Kane may be seen as the "Big Red Machine" on WWE TV, but in reality, he is actually one of the smartest WWE stars on the roster. Kane has a degree in English Literature and originally didn't have plans to become a wrestler. Kane has stated that his degree has helped him throughout his career though since there is an air of creativity needed to maintain a character.

“It happens to all of us”, Jacobs revealed. “We plan something and end up doing something entirely different. At this point, when I turn back and think, I don’t know if I would have come this far if I had taken up something else [other than wrestling].” Kane has instead decided to pursue a career in politics outside of WWE.

#2 Lana - dancer/actress

Lana was already a qualified actress and dancer before she joined WWE

Lana was already building a fanbase of her own before she made her way to WWE through the 2013 Diva Search, after appearing in a number of films and attending Ballet school.

Lana was hired by WWE based on the skills she already possessed and has since been able to learn to be a wrestler from scratch, whilst WWE has been able to use her skills as an actress on WWE TV.

Lana could easily have continued her career as an actress/ dancer if she wanted to and has continued to pursue parts of this career, whilst under contract, but it seems that so far WWE has been able to allow Lana to continue to act and dance as part of Total Divas. Lana has also been able to meet her husband Rusev ever since she was signed by the company.

#1 Wade Barrett - Marine Biologist

Wade Barrett is perhaps one of the smartest former WWE stars in history

One of the strangest things that any WWE star ever pursued, was a career as a marine biologist. Wade Barrett may have been the United Kingdom's best hope of having a WWE Champion in the current era as a talented in-ring performer, but it seems that he was also quite a smart person outside of WWE as well.

Barrett pursued a career in Marine Biology and worked in a science laboratory as a recruitment consultant before he made the switch over to a career in wrestling. Even though Wade left WWE last year and has since decided to pursue a career in acting, it seems that one day he will continue to put his university degree to good use.