Wrestling companies are always looking for athletes from other sports to come into the business. Jake Paul and more could debut in 2024.
There has always been a crossover between the worlds of professional wrestling and athletes. The appeal for the WWE in these athletes is a gateway to more mainstream attention from more popular leagues like the NFL and the NBA. While many may dismiss professional athletes’ involvement in professional wrestling events as nothing more than paid promotional work, many top athletes seem to be genuine fans of professional wrestling in general or WWE specifically and are seemingly enamored by the product.
However, it is one thing for a professional athlete to love wrestling, it’s an entirely different thing for said athlete to lace up their boots and step into the ring. However, that hasn’t stopped some athletes from trying to cross over into professional wrestling. Here are some we could see crossing over.
9
Claressa Shields Could Be A Future WWE Champion
Claressa Shields – Boxer
Claressa Shields is a decorated boxing champion, winning Olympic Gold Medals in her weight class at the 2008 and 2012 Olympic Games. In 2016, Shield turned pro and has consolidated multiple Middleweight Championships, including the WBA, IBF, WBO, WBF, and the Ring titles. In 2021, Shields also tried her hand at MMA making two appearances for the Professional Fighting League winning her debut fight by TKO but losing the second one by a split decision.
Shields has commented about the possibility of having a WWE match in 2023 stating that she would love to step into a WWE ring and has stated that she feels like could take on the whole division. This certainly fits with the brash and confident personality that she has backed up in the boxing ring.
Professional Career Professional Highlights
2016-Present Undisputed Middleweight Champion
8
Colby Covington Is A Natural Heel
Colby Covington – MMA Fighter
Several UFC fighters would naturally be able to transition into careers in professional wrestling and Covington is seemingly no exception. The controversial UFC star has made several political statements, openly supporting Donald Trump, and even visited the Trump White House after becoming the interim UFC Welterweight Champion after defeating Rafael Dos Anjos. Covington’s political views are just the tip of the controversial antics of the former Champion, having previously called the country of Brazil, a dump, and insulted Leon Edward’s deceased father during a pre-fight press conference.
In 2020, Covington caused a stir by stating that he may cross to professional wrestling and “make wrestling real again”. WWE Champion Drew McIntyre responded to the statement, which resulted in Covington threatening to take McIntyre’s soul out of his body. Given that Covington has now lost three of his last 5 fights, breaking his foot in his most recent fight, he may be more seriously considered a run in the WWE. The fact that UFC and WWE are under one roof of the company TKO means a crossover is more likely than ever.
Professional Career Professional Highlights
2012-Present Interim UFC Welterweight Champion
7
Hanna Cavinder Has Signed A WWE Contract, Has Yet To Step in the Ring
Hanna Cavinder – Basketball
Hanna Cavinder is one-half of the Cavinder twins alongside Haley who both played college in Fresno State and Miami. Both the Twins have also grown a large following on social media and signed NIL deals with WWE in 2021. However, in 2023, Haley announced that she would be returning to NCAA competition, playing for TCU, while Hanna continued her work with WWE. In July 2023, the twins appeared at a SmackDown in Orlando, Florida.
During the meeting, the twins met Wade Barrett and Grayson Waller. The two filmed an entrance in front of an empty arena as well as filming additional material at the performance center, and appeared on a podcast talking about how they wanted to be the next Bella Twins.
Professional Career Professional Highlights
NA (Played in College from 2019 to 2023) 2-Time All-Mountain West Team
6
Jake Paul Could Always Join His Brother In WWE
Jake Paul – Boxing
Speaking of social media influencers, Logan Paul made numerous WWE before making his in-ring debut at WrestleMania 38, teaming with the Miz to take on Rey Mysterio and Dominik Mysterio. Logan has continued to make WWE appearances, including a reign with the United States Championship. Logan’s brother, Jake Paul has also made appearances in the WWE, during Logan’s Undisputed Championship challenge against Roman Reigns at Crown Jewel.
Instead of following his brother into WWE, Jake has continued working as a boxer and also signed a long-term deal with MMA promotion Professional Fighters League in 2023. Given his brother’s deal with the WWE, it would be surprising to see Jake also make his in-ring debut with WWE.
Professional Career Career Highlights
2020-Present Back-to-back victories Over Tyron Woodley
5
Daniel Cormier Has Made A WWE Appearance In The Past
Daniel Cormier – MMA
Former MMA Superstar Daniel Cormier is a former UFC Champion, winning the title in the Light Heavyweight and Heavyweight divisions. Cormier would have two memorable fights with Jon Jones for the Light Heavyweight Championship, losing the first bout by Decision, and losing the second bout before it was overturned by the CSAC. Cormier would finish his MMA career with back-to-back losses to Stipe Miocic.
Cormier is a long-time fan of WWE and professional wrestling, with Cormier working with WWE in 2022 as a special guest referee in the Fight Pit match between Seth Rollins and Matt Riddle at the Extreme Rules pay-per-view. In 2023, Cormier would present several WWE panels ahead of WrestleMania 39, including an interview with another former UFC Heavyweight Champion and WWE wrestler, Brock Lesnar. Now that Cormier is finished with the Octagon, maybe WWE can entice him to wrestle in one of their rings.
Professional Career Professional Highlights
2009-2020 Former UFC Light Heavyweight and Heavyweight Champion
4
Grant Holt Has Some Wrestling Experience Already
Grant Holt – Soccer
Grant Holt is a former striker who played for numerous teams in the United Kingdom, Singapore, and Australia during his career. Holt is best known for his runs with Nottingham Forest and Norwich City. After retiring in 2022, Holt signed with West Ham United as a scout. Holt previously worked as a coach for Barow and Norwich City. Toward the end of his professional football career, Holt made his professional wrestling debut for British Independent promotion World Association of Wrestling. Holt would continue to wrestle for the promotion in 2018 and 2019, even wrestling alongside former WWE wrestlers Billy Gunn and Rene Dupree.
It would be a long shot for Holt to make it to the WWE, but he already has the start in professional wrestling.
Grant Holt is a former striker who played for numerous teams in the United Kingdom, Singapore, and Australia during his career. Holt is best known for his runs with Nottingham Forest and Norwich City. After retiring in 2022, Holt signed with West Ham United as a scout. Holt previously worked as a coach for Barow and Norwich City. Toward the end of his professional football career, Holt made his professional wrestling debut for British Independent promotion World Association of Wrestling. Holt would continue to wrestle for the promotion in 2018 and 2019, even wrestling alongside former WWE wrestlers Billy Gunn and Rene Dupree.
It would be a long shot for Holt to make it to the WWE, but he already has the start in professional wrestling.
Professional Career Professional Highlights
1999-2022 League Two Player of the Year 2008-2009
3
Israel Adesanya Paid Tribute To The Undertaker At UFC 276
Israel Adesanya – MMA
Israel Adesanya is an accomplished MMA fighter having won the UFC Middleweight Championship twice with five successful title defenses. Adesanya also had a single fight in the Light Heavyweight division, losing to Jan Blachowicz. At UFC 276, Adesanya paid homage to the Undertaker ahead of his fight with Jared Cannonier. The Nigerian-New Zealand kickboxer wore a black wide-brimmed hat and carried a silver urn to the octagon while Undertaker’s music played through the speakers in the arena.
Unbeknownst to Adesanya, WWE executives Vince McMahon, Stephanie McMahon, and Triple H were all in attendance at the event. Given that UFC’s parent company, TKO, now owns WWE as well, perhaps we can see more of the promotion’s MMA fighters making their WWE in-ring debuts.
Professional Career Career Highlights
2010-Present 2-time Middleweight Champion
2
George Kittle Already Has Close Relationships With WWE Names
George Kittle – Football
Since being drafted in 2017, George Kitten has been a member of the San Fransisco 49ers and is one of the leading TightEends in the league, making the Pro Bowl in 5 of his past 7 NFL seasons. Despite a relatively limited time in the ring, Kittle already holds four NFL records and 5 49ers franchise records. Kittle also has a deep connection with professional wrestling, including a friendship with The Rock, with the Rock christening Kittle” The People’s Tight End”, and Kittle wearing cleats to honor the Rock.
In the past few years, Kittle has made numerous WWE appearances and even commented on the Rock, Roman Reigns, and Cody situation ahead of WrestleMania 40. Kittle has stated that he wants to wrestle in the WWE one day.
Professional Career Career Highlights
2017-Present 5-time Pro Bowler
1
Conor McGregor Always Gets People Talking
Conor McGregor – MMA
It is clear for everyone to see that Conor McGregor is coming to the end of his career as an MMA fighter after suffering a brutal loss to Khabib Nurmagomedov and back-to-back losses to Dustin Poirier, breaking his leg in their second fight. During his recovery from injury, the UFC announced that McGregor would be a coach in the 31st installment of the Ultimate Fighter Series, facing off against Michael Chandler.
Given that McGregor has already retired from UFC in the past, and has a history of high-profile clashes with professional wrestlers, there is no reason why McGregor couldn’t trade the Octagon for the squared circle. Though, unlike the others on this list, Conor McGregor has stated that he has no interest in joining the WWE, though he has also called out WWE wrestlers including a social media feud with Paul Heyman.
Professional Career Career Highlights
2008-Present Held UFC Title in Featherweight and Lightweight Divisions
