When it comes time for a wrestler to retire, they normally have a really hard time doing so, and it makes sense. All professional wrestlers have known for years is the road and the ring. There's not much like the world of professional wrestling, so it's really hard to move into a different career field.
The good news is that American politics is the only thing that comes close to the world of professional wrestling. With that being the case, it makes sense that there's been some overlap between the two. Over the years, many wrestlers to have worked for major companies like WWE and WCW have stepped into the ring that is politics.
10 Rick Steiner
One-half of The Steiner Brothers tried to move into the political field after retirement. In 2006, Rick Steiner ran in the Republican primary for a seat on the Cherokee County School District Board. Initially, he was disqualified from running for not using his legal name.
However, the situation was later worked out, and he ran in November 2006. He won his seat running unopposed and has remained on the school board since then.
9 Hulk Hogan
In 1998, Hulk Hogan announced his plans to run for President of the United States. Having been inspired by other political upsets around the time, the Hulkster announced his bid for the 2000 race in an interview with Jay Leno.
However, Hogan didn't end up running for President, and he returned to WCW weeks later. He's rarely discussed the situation since then, likely because it was just an excuse for him to take some time off, and turn babyface.
8 B. Brian Blair
If one doesn't remember B. Brian Blair's time wrestling, that's okay. His highest-profile stint came in the WWE from 1985 to 1988, as one-half of The Killer Bees tag team. Following his release, he mostly worked on the independent scene.
However, Blair has also been heavily involved in politics. In 2002, he ran for Hillsborough County District 6 Commissioner but lost. However, he ran again in 2004 and won. He remained in the role until 2008 but has stayed involved since then. He's currently the President of the non-profit Cauliflower Alley Club, which assists former wrestlers and fighters.
7 Booker T
One of the most recent names to get involved with politics, Booker T took a stab at the 2019 Houston mayor election. Announcing his run in 2016, he planned to tackle homelessness, as well as help the poor and underprivileged.
Sadly for Booker T, he never got to show his vision in execution. Ultimately, he never made it on the ballot, but has since stated that he could see himself running again in the future.
6 Jerry Lawler
Jerry Lawler has the honor of running for political office not once, but multiple times. In 1999, The King ran to be mayor of Nashville, Tennessee. At the time, his goal was to attract more businesses to the town, lower taxes, create more parks, and more.
Ultimately, Lawler lost to incumbent Willie Herenton, but he didn't stop at his third-place finish. In 2009, he ran in a special mayoral election, this time coming in 5th place. Following his second defeat, the legend never ran again.
5 Bob Backlund
In 2000, Bob Backlund decided to enter the ring of politics. An aggressive campaigner, he ran in the Republican primary for a Connecticut seat in Congress. Sadly for the former WWE Champion, he wasn't allowed to put his opponents into the crossface chickenwing.
Ultimately, Backlund came up short, not even making it out of the primary. Although, even if he did, he would've been a massive underdog against Joe Liberman, who won the state race. If that name sounds familiar, he was on the 2000 Democratic ticket for President.
4 Rhyno
Rhyno has heavily been interested in politics as his in-ring career has begun to wind down. In 2016, the legend announced his plans to run for a House of Representatives seat in Michigan. A-then employee of the WWE, he asked Linda McMahon and Vince McMahon if the move was okay.
While he made it out of the Republican primary, Rhyno was crushed in the general election in 2016. Four years later, he announced his plans to run for the Monroe Township Board of Trustees for Monroe Township, Michigan. Again, he came up short.
3 Matt Morgan
In the early 2010s, it seemed like Matt Morgan was a future world champion for Impact Wrestling. He wasn't super hot with fans, but he had size and was booked very well. However, he retired for the first time in 2014, and he's been busy with politics since then.
Three years later, Morgan became the mayor of Longwood, Florida. For the last six years, he's worked in the role and has shown no interest in leaving the world of politics.
2 Kane
While not retired, Kane has taken a massive step back from WWE over the last few years. For the unaware, it's mostly tied to his political career. For years, Kane has been involved with politics, campaigning for Ron Paul during his several runs for President.
In 2016, he won the Knox County, Tennessee mayoral election in an absolute landslide. In 2020, he was re-elected to the same position, although in a much closer vote.
1 Jesse Ventura
One has to wonder if every previously mentioned wrestler would be interested in politics if it weren't for Jesse Ventura. While a former wrestler and commentator, he's arguably known more for his political involvement. In 1991, he became mayor of Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, but he wasn't done there.
Four years later, Ventura pulled off one of the biggest political upsets of all time, becoming governor of Minnesota as a third-party candidate. His stint was well-received, but he hasn't run for office since the end of his term in 2003. Although, Ventura has repeatedly teased that he could run for President one day.
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