Protecting 50 Cent, joining cannabis industry and running for office – 10 bizarre jobs wrestlers did after retiring
THERE comes a time when every athlete has to roll credits on their career, and it comes much faster than the average profession.
The same goes for professional wrestlers, as not everyone is Terry Funk and thus can't keep coming back from retirement all the time.
Therefore, many former WWE superstars had to find a new passion after hanging their tights and spandex for good.
Some of them went down a career path not everyone thought they would ever be interested in and took up some bizarre jobs.
Here are 10 wrestlers with the most unexpected jobs after retirement:
10. SCOTTY 2 HOTTY - VARIOUS
Scotty 2 Hotty became known as part of the famous Too Cool faction, which saw him linking up with Grand Master Sexay and Hall of Famer Rikishi.
What's not very known about Scotty is that after retiring in 2007 he wore many hats as he worked as a firefighter, EMT and real estate broker.
The American became a registered firefighter in 2013 before training to become a paramedic, while working real estate on the side.
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9. MARC MERO - MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER
When you think about pro wrestling, one of the things that come to mind are the intense and aggressive promos wrestlers give in the ring before throwing down, especially during Marc Mero's glory years in the 90s.
But Mero now sings a different tune as he became a motivational speaker who advocates against bullying and dedicates his life to helping people discover the "true champion within".
The former Intercontinental Champion is doing very well and many became familiar with his work during an emotional speech he made about his late mother's passing, which went viral.
8. IVORY - ANIMAL DAYCARE OWNER
One of the women that paved the way for the Women's Revolution was Ivory, one of the toughest female wrestlers in the 2000s who stood out in the Attitude Era as part of the Right to Censor stable.
The Hall of Famer also did wonders outside the ring as she helped train fellow legends Lita and Trish Stratus.
After hanging up her wrestling gear in 2006, the three-time Women's Champion turned her attention to dogs as she started her own animal daycare and grooming business in 2007.
7. WENDI RICHTER - DOG SHOWS
Who doesn't like dogs? That's why we have two entries of dog lovers in this list.
Wendi Richter was among the pioneers of women's wrestling as she put the division on the map with unforgettable matches as well as an alliance with Cyndi Lauper before the plug was suddenly pulled in the 1980s.
After her retirement, Richter took on various interests and among them were dog shows as she saw her pup competing in the Westminster Dog Show, which she sadly didn't win.
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6. MIDEON - CHEF
He is known by many names, such as Phineas I. Godwinn, abbreviated to PIG, Mideon and, yes, Naked Mideon.
However, the former grappler is more famous as Mideon following his stint as part of The Undertaker's Ministry of Darkness.
But it is probably more appropriate to address him as chef Mideon these days as he has turned to the culinary arts working in Clearwater, Florida.
5. BRET HART - MUSICAL ACTOR
Many wrestlers have tried out acting after retirement, but perhaps no one did it like two-time WWE Hall of Famer Bret Hart.
Hart joined a traveling production of Aladdin: The Family Musical in 2006 and reprised the role of Genie.
The seven-time world champion wasn't your average Genie, though, as his role also demanded some wrestling and thus The Excellence of Execution got to show his moves on some villainous characters.
4. MASON RYAN - CIRCUS PERFORMER
Mason Ryan was seen as the next big thing almost 10 years ago and was paired up with CM Punk in the Nexus stable.
However, Ryan failed to live up to expectations and was released in 2014.
The towering Welshman left wrestling altogether in 2015 and joined Cirque de Soleil a year later as the chief archer of Ka.
3. VAL VENIS - CANNABIS INDUSTRY
Billed as a porn star character with the name of The Big Valbowski and Van Venis when he wrestled in WWE's Attitude and Ruthless Aggression Era.
The wrestler now goes by Kaptain Kannabis as he legally sells medical marijuana from his Health 4 Life Dispensaries in Arizona.
Venis has left the sport of professional wrestling and is an outspoken advocate for the legalisation of cannabis.
2. KEN SHAMROCK - 50 CENT'S BODYGUARD
Ken Shamrock is known as one of the legitimately toughest guys to ever compete in WWE due to his UFC success.
That is why it should come as no surprise that upon switching careers as a bodyguard, Shamrock was employed to protect one of the world's biggest rap stars.
The UFC Hall of Famer was spotted guarding 50 Cent in 2014 and stated that he greatly enjoyed that experience.
- KANE - MAYOR
Kane had one of the best debuts in 1997 when he was booked as Undertaker's demonic brother.
The Big Red Machine then went on to raise havoc in WWE for decades to come as he set people on fire, buried opponents alive and broke rivals' necks.
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