The biggest story in sports this week has been the return of The Rock to the WWF (sic — sorry, hippies, it will always be that to me). The news sent waves around the world. Not only was The Rock trending on Twitter, but so was his alter-ego, Dwayne Johnson. That, my friends, takes star power.
And it got me thinking: Is there anybody in the NFL who possesses The Rock’s charisma?
Some might say Chad Ochocinco, but that doesn’t really work, mainly because The Rock was once a champion. Sorry to Terrell Owens and Steve Smith South, because they, too, are out in that case.
A case could be made for Hines Ward. He’s a two-time champion, blurs the line between heel and fan-favorite, plus he has been known to lay down the smack on opposing defensive players. A strong candidate.
Then there is Clay Matthews who, much like The Rock, is a third-generation superstar in his sport. And like The Rock, Matthews does have that Hall of Fame bloodline. Matthews’ post-Super Bowl schedule has been pretty electrifying, too.
Still, that seems kind of off. You might have to go back to Warren Sapp — who was a college teammate of The Rock at the University of Miami — to find a person who fits.
But what about the rest? Here are the top six current NFL player to WWE superstar comparisons going. (And before you start, yes, this is the kind of mindless fun we will be enjoying until football kicks off again.)
6. Ochocinco/The Miz
The Miz goes by a goofy nickname and spends most of his time telling people how awesome he is instead of actually proving it. Yeah, I would say that fits. And really, can’t you see 85 wearing this shirt? Though by always taking a backseat to T.O., he might be more Alex Riley.
5. Ray Lewis/Triple H
Triple H is known as “The Game.” He is the king of kings, and he calls all of the shots. And while Lewis might not be married to the boss’s daughter, he certainly carries that kind of respect with every NFL player.
4. Aaron Rodgers/Edge
At first it seemed like Philip Rivers might be a good match with Edge. But Rivers prides himself on never working blue when he talks trash to opponents. Not quite a “Rated R Superstar” at all. So give Rodgers the nod here, because not only do he and Edge wear the same belt, Matthews helped deliver the title for both.
3. Drew Brees/Daniel Bryan
Both Brees and Bryan were once derided as being far too small to make it with the big boys. Both were able to overcome the odds to be champions of their profession. Who has the last laugh now?
2. Peyton Manning/John Cena
Manning and Cena are middle America’s dream — clean-cut, bad hairdos, but they make good commercials (although it seems that only children can take their sugary goodness). And both are the face of their respective industries right now, even though most discerning adults root against them.
1. Brett Favre/Ric Flair
Hall of Famers for sure, but both should have hung it up a long, long time ago.
Also receiving votes: Rivers/CM Punk; Jay Cutler/Zack Ryder.
What do you have?
