Many people see striking similarities between wrestling and politics, considering both worlds involve crafted personas and blurred reality. Both wrestlers and politicians often collaborate discreetly behind the scenes, even as their public conflicts appear fierce.
Many wrestling personalities have ventured into politics to various extents—some reaching high political positions, while others gave it a shot before returning to wrestling.
Matt Morgan, standing at seven feet tall with an impressive build, transitioned from Tough’s second season and wrestling training under Al Snow to becoming the mayor of Longwood, Florida, serving from 2017 and again from 2019 to 2020.
Kane, known as “The Big Red Machine,” trained by Ray Candy and Marenkos and inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2021, humorously became the mayor of Knox County, Tennessee. Though he hasn’t appeared in full wrestling gear at City Hall, he governs with a corporate style and was re-elected in 2022, showing his constituents’ support.
Rhyno, recognized as the last ECW champion and inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2024, tried his hand in Michigan politics by running for a seat in the Michigan House of Representatives in 2016. Despite approval from Vince McMahon and passing the primary, he lost the general election.
Booker T, a wrestling legend trained by Ivan Putski and part of the ten-time WCW Tag Team Champion Harlem Heat, aimed to become the mayor of Houston in 2016 to share his life lessons. However, his name was absent from the 2020 ballot for reasons unknown.
Jerry “The King” Lawler, a prominent figure in Memphis wrestling and someone who never won a WWE title, ran for mayor of Memphis in 1999. His bid to improve local infrastructure and education ended with a loss to the incumbent.
Linda McMahon left her role as WWE CEO to pursue a political career, running for the U.S. Senate in 2012 and later serving in Donald Trump’s cabinet. Her experience managing WWE’s complex operations undoubtedly prepared her for political life.
Antonio Inoki, founder of New Japan Pro Wrestling and part of Japanese politics since 1989, bridged wrestling and politics uniquely. He organized significant events and diplomatic meetings to promote Japan’s future and reforms.
Jesse “The Body” Ventura broke new ground by becoming mayor of Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, in 1991 before winning a surprising victory as Minnesota’s governor. Ventura showed that wrestlers could successfully transition into political roles.
Donald J. Trump, the 45th and 47th President of the United States, famously hosted WrestleManias 4 and 5 and appeared multiple times in WWE events. His brash persona made him a natural fit for WWE’s theatrical world before his political career, marking him as a uniquely divisive figure.
Fan Take: WWE fans should take pride in seeing their idols leverage their fame beyond the ring into impactful political roles, showing wrestling’s broader cultural influence. This crossover highlights how storytelling and charisma in wrestling can translate into real-world leadership, potentially opening doors for future wrestling stars to leave their mark on society.
