Clotheslines, powerbombs, and over the top characters, wrestling is a perfect fit for the comic book medium. If you ever want to see why this is the case, just check out our short lived series. It’s called “Wrestling with Issues“. We discuss comics that star wrestlers, written by wrestlers or about the sport. Wrestlemania is a few weeks away at the time of this writing. It seems like the perfect time to discuss wrestlers in comic book films.

Before diving into the list of performances by wrestlers in comic book films. Two wrestlers deserve a shout out for their contributions to an underrated film. Shad Gaspard contributed stunt work on Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn). John Hennigan, better known as John Morrison in WWE, was also involved in the stunt work. If you have never seen Birds of Prey, I highly recommend it for the pure insanity. Jesse Ventura had a small role in Batman & Robin, that was very questionable. Much like Ventura, Kurt Angle had a small role in the supernatural and quirky Dylan Dog: Dead of Night. The following wrestlers would go on to have important roles in comic book films, for better or worse.

• Tommy Lister Jr in Barb Wire (1996) and The Dark Knight (2008)

For the non wrestling fans, you most likely think Deebo from Friday was a wrestler? In the mind of Vince McMahon, he was made to be one. After his performance in the Hulk Hogan led No Holds Barred, Tommy Lister would perform for the WWE as Zeus. Wrestling a few matches from 1989-1996 in different organizations, Lister’s wrestling career is a afterthought compared to his film career. He had roles in two films based on comics, the Pamela Anderson led Barb Wire. Barb Wire was based on the Dark Horse Comics series created by Chris Warner. Its a forgettable film that I honest forgot Tommy Lister was in. His role in The Dark Knight is small. Yet, it is impactful. He plays this imposing figure who holds the fate of Gotham City in his hands. It also helps that The Dark Knight is a classic in the comic book film genre.

• Robert Alexander “Jeep” Swenson as Bane in Batman & Robin (1997)

No offense to the late Jeep Swenson but I hate this portray of Bane. Swenson having a body that is more in resembling the Hulk from Marvel, he was cast for his appearance. Batman & Robin is one of those films that trying to find a positive is difficult. The appearance matches the comic with the mask but nothing else. He is brain dead and just a brute. After Tom Hardy played Bane in The Dark Knight Rises, the less said about Swenson’s Bane, the better.

• Paul Levesque (AKA Triple H) as Jarko Grimwood in Blade: Trinity (2004)

This has to be the most ridiculous casting decisions in comic book films yet it works. Blade: Trinity is filled with flaws, questionable action and poor action. These flaws should not discount Triple H’s importance to the film. Jarko is a character that anyone can play, its nothing special. Put a Pomeranian in the arms of a jacked wrestler and the character becomes special. Triple H acting skills are weak but when he is on screen with Ryan Reynolds, the film is entertaining. Despite the film being the weakest of the Blade Franchise, i find myself enjoying this film with each watch. If someone has a pomeranian, can I borrow it? I believe that a Jarko cosplay is necessary for the future.

• Stephen Farrelly (AKA Sheamus) as Owen Rocksteed/ Rocksteady in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out Of The Shadows (2016)

I loved this casting and thought it would have been the breakthrough for Sheamus, but I was wrong. Sheamus is decent as the humanoid rhinoceros. However, the overall quality of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows harmed any potential. I hope that Sheamus gets another chance at playing a goofy villain again. As a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles fan, I cannot recommend the film. Bit I can say that it was awesome seeing a live action Rocksteady.

• Kevin Nash as Super Shredder in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2: The Secret of the Ooze (1991) and The Russian in The Punisher (2004)

Looking at the filmography of Kevin Nash, its surprising to see the amount of success he had in film. Nash appeared in movies ranging from The Longest Yard to the Magic Mike franchise. He also had the opportunity to play a villain in two comic book films. Nash provides a fun trivia answer. Nash was the wrestler behind the Shredder costume in the classic Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles sequel. However, his silent and imposing role as the Russian in The Punisher was the perfect role for Nash. The Russian looks like he was ripped from the panels of a Punisher comic. Nash kicks Frank Castle’s ass, to the point that it was believable that Frank would lose. The scene between the Russian and Frank Castle is famous for Thomas Jane stabbing Nash for real. 21 years later The Punisher acts as a time capsule for early Marvel films.

• Tyler Mane as Sabretooth in X-Men (2000) and Deadpool & Wolverine (2024)

Standing at a massive 6 feet 9 inches, Tyler Mane is an imposing figure throughout all of 2000’s X-Men. Mane does not say much in the film. This contrasts with the Sabretooth we would get in the prequel X-Men Origins: Wolverine played by Liev Schreiber. In 2000, Tyler Mane was the perfect casting for the character. In retrospect, I really enjoy him in the role. His return in Deadpool & Wolverine was a hilarious call back. Tyler Mane has had a successful acting career. He took over the role as Mike Myers in Rob Zombie’s Halloween films. He would star in two comic book shows from 2021-2023 with Jupiter’s Legacy and Doom Patrol. If you want to meet Sabretooth in person, you can meet Tyler Mane as the featured guest. He will be attending The Uncanny Experience this summer.

• Dwayne Johnson as Black Adam in Black Adam (2022)

Well this should have been a surefire hit. However the only comic book film that is led by a wrestler failed due to be too late. Dwayne Johnson was tied to the role of Black Adam since 2006. Black Adam would take 16 years to come to the silver screen and it disappointed. Johnson made sure people knew he was all in for this role and that it was a passion project. The only problem in Johnson’s vision was that Black Adam is not a hero. Black Adam lacked Shazam as his opponent. The attempt to create a Black Adam and Superman showdown made the film feel like a setup. The film had everything going for it. It had a great cast, a big budget, and decent special effects. So why did it fail? Dwayne Johnson is the reason, his ego made Black Adam impossible to succeed. I am a Dwayne Johnson fan. He was an idol of mine growing up. I really wanted Black Adam to succeed. James Gunn announced that Dwayne Johnson will not be involved in the future of DC Studios. Is there a chance that Dwayne Johnson would star in a Marvel film? Never Say Never!

• Randy Savage as Bone Saw McGraw in Spider-Man (2002)

A terrible actor used perfectly. Randy Savage is a legend in the squared circle and Spider-Man showcased that well. Teamed up with a over the top Bruce Campbell, Sam Rami created a classic and hilarious scene. Savage only had a few minutes on the screen and 23 years later, we still love the scene. Now the dialogue is rough, but Savage delivered it as if he was cutting a promo on Hulk Hogan. The character of Bone Saw McGraw as a substitution for the character of Crusher Hogan. Savage playing a character named Hogan would not fly.

Funny note, the character of Crusher Hogan appeared in Amazing Fantasy #15. That was also the first appearance of Spider-Man and pre-dates the arrival of Hulk Hogan by 17 years. It would have been hilarious if Savage did play a character named Hogan, on second thought.

• John Cena as Peacemaker in The Suicide Squad (2021)

The next two wrestlers to appear in a Comic Book film are perfect example of great casting. Before The Suicide Squad, John Cena’s film career was lacking a defining role. James Gunn knew exactly what he was getting with John Cena as Peacemaker. In my opinion, The Suicide Squad was DC’s best film in a while. Thankfully, James Gunn and John Cena are leading the way for the future. Peacemaker is supposed to be an anti-hero. You spend most of the time hating the character throughout the film. However it was fun to hate the character and Cena turns the character into a lovable goofball. Peacemaker was so popular. He received an acclaimed series on HBO & Max. The series will have a season 2 in August.

If you are a wrestling fan, John Cena turned heel for the first time in 20 years. Turning heel means he is the bad guy. Do we think peacemaker allowed Cena the opportunity to try something new? I think so! Much like the character of Peacemaker, it will be a fun ride at Wrestlemania.

• Dave Bautista as Drax in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

In wrestling we hear “This is Awesome” chanted all the time, however this casting deserve the “Holy Shit” chant. Dave Bautista became a A-list actor after starring in Guardians of The Galaxy in 2014. For the next 9 years, Bautista would star in 5 films and a special for Marvel Studios. If you are a wrestler and want to become an actor, get James Gunn information. Gunn casting Bautista as Drax and Cena as Peacemaker, it shows that in the right role an actor can shine. One of the best things about Bautista in the MCU, he leaned into comedy over action and it worked.

An example of how well beloved the character of Drax is. In the biggest film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Avengers: Infinity War, Drax plays a pivotal role. Dave Bautista has made notion that he would love to be in James Gunn’s DC universe. Could we see Cena and Bautista against each other as comic book characters? I hope so, it would be fantastic to see a wrestler turned actor star in both DC and Marvel films.