5 wrestlers who we grew up watching and where are they now
Talk about a blast from the past!
PHOTO:FILE
KARACHI:
Most fans first got introduced to the world pro wrestling through WWE. We grew up watching our favourite superstars punch, chop, slam and drop each other weekly, that is, until some of us grew out of it. We grew up, got busy with our jobs and lost track of the stars that entertained us for years. Here are five former WWE wrestlers who we haven’t seen on our TV screens for years but we often wonder, “Where are they now?”
Rey Mysterio
The Master of 619 is credited for popularising the Lucha libre wrestling style in the United States. Since joining WWE in 2002, he entertained his worldwide fans with high-flying moves off the ropes, steel cages and other structures. He left the company in 2015 and hasn’t been seen much on TV since. However, that doesn’t mean the legendary underdog has stopped wrestling. He currently wrestles for Lucha Underground, a wrestling promotion based out of Los Angeles, which combines the fantastical elements of fictional TV shows and pro wrestling to create a unique product. The former WWE Champion debuted on the second season of Lucha Underground and continues to be a top star in the promotion, facing a completely different breed of talent and helping shape the future of wrestling. If you want to catch the ‘Ultimate Underdog’ in action, do check him out on Netflix and El Rey Network.
Trish Stratus
Trish Stratus is perhaps the greatest female superstar in wrestling history. And while we may remember her battling fellow legendary superstar Lita in iconic matches, she has been gone from our screens for way too long. Since retiring from in-ring competition in 2006, the WWE Hall of Famer has worked in several reality television shows and a couple of films. And although she returned as a trainer for the WWE Tough Enough in 2011, she hasn’t returned to full-time competition. What has mainly kept her busy is her yoga studio called ‘Stratusphere’, which the seven-time Women’s Champion established in 2008. It has been billed as Canada’s largest eco-friendly yoga studio.
Batista
WWE unleashed Batista on the fans in 2002. Since then, The Animal went on to establish himself as one of the top stars of the generation, alongside John Cena and Randy Orton. Since leaving WWE in 2010, he has gone to venture in MMA. He currently has a 1-0 record. But he has mainly been working in films, most notably the blockbuster franchise Guardians of the Galaxy, in which he reprises the role of Drax. He also played the antagonist Mr Hinx in 2015 James Bond film, Spectre and has reportedly joined the cast of upcoming Blade Runner 2049.
DDP
Something’s up with former wrestlers opening yoga studios. Joining Stratus, former WCW legend Diamond Dallas Page also has a yoga studio called DDP Yoga. And while it may seem like DDP hasn’t done enough outside the ring, it’s certainly not true. He has helped save lives of several wrestlers who had been battling addiction and were indulged in complete self-destruction. Most notably, he helped Scott Hall (Razor Ramon) and Jake ‘The Snake’ Roberts recover from their addictions and helped them lead a sober life.
Chavo Guererro
Chavo Guerrero was best known for being one-half of the popular former tag team Los Guerreros alongside his uncle Eddie Guerrero. Apart from that, he was a successful Cruiserweight winning the namesake title six times. Since leaving WWE in 2011, he has appeared in several different promotions. But he rose to his full potential again with Lucha Underground. That’s right, Mysterio is not alone in the underground temple. Chavo is one of the co-producers of Lucha Underground. He also performs as a wrestler occasionally, being involved in storylines with Mysterio and others.
Have something to add to the story? Share it in the comments below.
Most fans first got introduced to the world pro wrestling through WWE. We grew up watching our favourite superstars punch, chop, slam and drop each other weekly, that is, until some of us grew out of it. We grew up, got busy with our jobs and lost track of the stars that entertained us for years. Here are five former WWE wrestlers who we haven’t seen on our TV screens for years but we often wonder, “Where are they now?”
Rey Mysterio
The Master of 619 is credited for popularising the Lucha libre wrestling style in the United States. Since joining WWE in 2002, he entertained his worldwide fans with high-flying moves off the ropes, steel cages and other structures. He left the company in 2015 and hasn’t been seen much on TV since. However, that doesn’t mean the legendary underdog has stopped wrestling. He currently wrestles for Lucha Underground, a wrestling promotion based out of Los Angeles, which combines the fantastical elements of fictional TV shows and pro wrestling to create a unique product. The former WWE Champion debuted on the second season of Lucha Underground and continues to be a top star in the promotion, facing a completely different breed of talent and helping shape the future of wrestling. If you want to catch the ‘Ultimate Underdog’ in action, do check him out on Netflix and El Rey Network.
Trish Stratus
Trish Stratus is perhaps the greatest female superstar in wrestling history. And while we may remember her battling fellow legendary superstar Lita in iconic matches, she has been gone from our screens for way too long. Since retiring from in-ring competition in 2006, the WWE Hall of Famer has worked in several reality television shows and a couple of films. And although she returned as a trainer for the WWE Tough Enough in 2011, she hasn’t returned to full-time competition. What has mainly kept her busy is her yoga studio called ‘Stratusphere’, which the seven-time Women’s Champion established in 2008. It has been billed as Canada’s largest eco-friendly yoga studio.
Batista
WWE unleashed Batista on the fans in 2002. Since then, The Animal went on to establish himself as one of the top stars of the generation, alongside John Cena and Randy Orton. Since leaving WWE in 2010, he has gone to venture in MMA. He currently has a 1-0 record. But he has mainly been working in films, most notably the blockbuster franchise Guardians of the Galaxy, in which he reprises the role of Drax. He also played the antagonist Mr Hinx in 2015 James Bond film, Spectre and has reportedly joined the cast of upcoming Blade Runner 2049.
DDP
Something’s up with former wrestlers opening yoga studios. Joining Stratus, former WCW legend Diamond Dallas Page also has a yoga studio called DDP Yoga. And while it may seem like DDP hasn’t done enough outside the ring, it’s certainly not true. He has helped save lives of several wrestlers who had been battling addiction and were indulged in complete self-destruction. Most notably, he helped Scott Hall (Razor Ramon) and Jake ‘The Snake’ Roberts recover from their addictions and helped them lead a sober life.
Chavo Guererro
Chavo Guerrero was best known for being one-half of the popular former tag team Los Guerreros alongside his uncle Eddie Guerrero. Apart from that, he was a successful Cruiserweight winning the namesake title six times. Since leaving WWE in 2011, he has appeared in several different promotions. But he rose to his full potential again with Lucha Underground. That’s right, Mysterio is not alone in the underground temple. Chavo is one of the co-producers of Lucha Underground. He also performs as a wrestler occasionally, being involved in storylines with Mysterio and others.
Have something to add to the story? Share it in the comments below.