Professional wrestlers from different wrestling promotions, such as WWE, AEW, TNA, NJPW, and others, are famous among fans for their exceptional in-ring skills. They thoroughly entertain the fans by performing on a regular basis inside the squared circle.
Meanwhile, there are some wrestlers who previously had a brief stint in the world of professional wrestling and then chose to go ahead with another career. As a result, fans might have forgotten such wrestlers. With that, here are five unusual names that fans might not know were once pro wrestlers.
5. Terry Crews
Terry Alan Crews, aka Terry Crews, has a multi-talented personality. He is an actor, a television host, and a former football player. Crews have starred in movies such as The Longest Yard, The Alibi, Idiocracy, Balls of Fury, Terminator Salvation, The Expendables, and more.
Also, he was seen in television shows including All of Us, American Dad!, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?, America’s Got Talent, and so on. Meanwhile, fans might not know that he was once a pro wrestler. He wrestled in WCW for a short stint and was known by the name of ‘T-Money’.
Previously, WCW wrestlers went into the Battle Dome arena and caused havoc. During that time, T-Money was involved in a feud with Rick Steiner. Apart from that, he also worked with WWE. Though he never had a match in the Stamford-based promotion, he was featured in a video package ahead of SummerSlam 2018.
It was also reported that WWE had plans to work with Crews, but his schedule didn’t allow him to do so. With that, his brief stint in the world of wrestling came to an end. It now remains to be seen if Terry will ever work with WWE in the future.
4. Tyler Mane
Daryl Karolat, aka Tyler Mane, is a popular actor. He has starred in movies such as X-Men, Troy, Halloween, Playing with Fire, and more. Also, he was a part of television shows such as Hercules, My Boys, Jupiter’s Legacy, and so on.
Meanwhile, fans might not know that Tyler Mane previously had a career in pro wrestling. Earlier, he had a brief stint in NJPW. Thereafter, he made occasional appearances in WCW. Moving ahead, Mane signed with WCW in 1993. He was then given the name ‘Big Sky’.
![5 Celebrities You May Not Know Were Pro Wrestlers Early in Their Careers 2 Tyler Mane](https://static.sportsmanor.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/22032300/Tyler-Mane.jpg)
With that, he teamed up with Vinnie Vegas and participated in a few feuds. Thereafter, he became a part of the Universal Wrestling Federation in 1994. During that time, he defeated Steve Ray to win the UWF MGM Grand Championship. However, he later took his retirement from the world of professional wrestling in 1996. Since then, he has gained popularity with his acting skills.
3. David Arquette
David Arquette is a well-known actor and producer. He has starred in movies such as Scream, Never Been Kissed, The Runner, A Foreign Affair, Never Die Alone, Once Upon a Time in Venice, and more. Also, he has starred in television shows including Drop the Mic, Dice, Carter, Creepshow, The Dark Side of the Ring, Mrs. Davis, and more.
Not to mention, David Arquette’s acting skills have resulted in him winning several awards. This includes the Teen Choice Awards for Scream 3, the Streamy Awards for Cleaners, the Blockbuster Entertainment Awards for Never Been Kissed, and more. Also, he was nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award.
Meanwhile, fans might be unaware of the fact that Arquette was once a professional wrestler. Previously, in 2000, he participated in several WCW storylines. During that, he won the WCW World Heavyweight Championship once. Also, he participated in many Premium Live Events.
![5 Celebrities You May Not Know Were Pro Wrestlers Early in Their Careers 3 David Arquette](https://static.sportsmanor.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/22032349/David-Arquette.jpg)
Going forward, David made his WWE debut on December 13, 2010. During that, he teamed up with Alex Riley in a handicap match against Randy Orton. Thereafter, he also had a brief stint in Championship Wrestling from Hollywood (CWFH).
Moving ahead, in June 2021, it was reported that David decided to take his retirement from pro wrestling. He wrestled his final match in July 2021, where he teamed up with A Little Angry Tree and defeated Whooper Texas Ranger. However, in April 2023, he made a brief appearance in AEW. That marked the end of David Arquette’s pro wrestling career.
2. Tommy Lister Jr.
Tommy Debo “Tiny” Lister Jr., aka Tommy Lister Jr., was a popular character actor. He acted in films such as Blue City, Prison, No Holds Barred, Midnight, Immortal Combat, The Players Club, Circus, and more. He was also a part of television shows including Renegade, Martin, Damon, All of Us, Mann and Wife, and more.
Apart from that, he also had a career in professional wrestling. He was a part of WWF/WWE from 1989 to 1990. During that, he participated in several storylines and feuds. Also, Tommy mainly feuds with Hulk Hogan under the name of ‘Zeus’.
Moving ahead, in July 1990, he appeared at a World Wrestling Council show in Puerto Rico. During that, he, as Zeus, faced Abdullah the Butcher in a double countout. Thereafter, he also had a brief run with WCW in 1996. Thus, though he was a part of several wrestling promotions, he became popular among the fans for his acting skills.
1. Robert Maillet
Robert Maillet is a well-known actor. He has acted in movies such as Sherlock Holmes, Immortals, Pacific Rim, Hercules, Rabid Dogs, Becky, Deadpool 2, and more. Also, television shows he has starred in include Merlin, Once Upon a Time, Haven, The Strain, American Gods, Titans, and more.
Meanwhile, fans might not know that he was previously a professional wrestler. He was a part of WWF/WWE from 1997 to 1999. In the Stamford-based promotion, he performed under the ring name ‘Kurrgan’. Also, he was a member of The Oddities and The Truth Commission.
Thereafter, he became a part of the Mexico CMLL in 1999. During that, he was known as ‘Gigiante Kurrgan’. However, he later took a hiatus from the world of professional wrestling. Meanwhile, he later made his return to wrestling and wrestled in various wrestling promotions.
Not to mention, throughout his wrestling career, Robert has bagged several championships to his name. This includes winning the AGPW Continental Championship once, the NWA/ECCW Heavyweight Championship twice, the RAW Heavyweight Championship once, the USWA World Tag Team Championship three times, and more.
Thus, it can be understood that Maillet has achieved a lot in the world of professional wrestling. However, it’s his acting skills that have helped him gain popularity among the fans.
Meanwhile, all of the above-mentioned personalities previously showcased their skills inside the squared circle. However, they later chose a different career path, and many fans forgot about their pro wrestling careers. With that, it remains to be seen if any of the popular personalities will again make an appearance inside the squared circle.