Before some of you start commenting, Where’s Ken Shamrock, Dan Severn, Brock Lesnar, Bobby
Lashley, CM Punk, Batista or Alberto Del Rio for that matter?
Yes, they are all trained in martial arts and have competed in MMA, however, we are
pretty sure by now that you know that.
So in this list we are going to include some WWE wrestlers that you might be surprised
have a background in martial arts.
Number 5 – Rusev
If Rusev wasn’t already a big, Bulgarian Brute there is only more to add with his background
in martial arts.
Shortly after his debut in Florida Championship Wrestling, now re-branded into NXT, Rusev
tore both his anterior cruciate ligament and his meniscus.
After months of rehabilitation, Rusev made his return and shortly after suffered a second
injury but this time, he broke his neck and temporarily paralysed one of his arms in the
process.
While undergoing rehabilitation for the second time, Rusev travelled to Thailand, where he
learned the martial art of Muay Thai, which focuses on stand-up striking along with clinching
techniques.
It is no wonder that Rusev has some deadly kicks incorporated in his move set.
Number 4 – Santino Marella
Behind his comedic gimmick with a devastating Cobra Strike finishing move, yes very deadly
indeed, Santino Marella actually has a background in judo.
In fact, his early gimmick back in WWE’s developmental territory, OVW, was “Boris
Alexiev”, a Russian mixed martial arts gimmick, who would dominate his opponents with stiff
strikes and submission holds.
Prior to his WWE wrestling career, Marella trained in the original Battle Arts academy
in Japan, where he was taught shoot wrestling and a little bit of mixed martial arts.
Following this, he went on to pursue a career in MMA and claimed to hold a 6-1 record.
However, official records only state one match, in which he lost in just 26 seconds after
being knocked out by Takashi Ishino.
But we will just forget about that…
Number 3 – Maryse
This may come as a surprise to some but Maryse is actually one tough female you do not want
to mess with.
She holds a black belt in Kyokushin Karate, a style of stand-up, full-contact Karate,
which she practiced since the age of eight.
She even won her first competition at the age of 12 in Kyokushin Karate.
Not only this but Maryse is also trained in judo and practices kickboxing, which she enjoys
incorporating into her fitness regime as it makes her feel like Lara Croft from Tomb Raider,
according to her.
Number 2 – The Undertaker
Mean Mark can be mean whenever he wants to as he is trained in martial arts and kickboxing
and has a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Black Belt under Steve Williams.
The Undertaker is an avid fan of MMA and has attended many UFC shows.
In an interview, he even stated that he would have liked to pursue a career in Mixed Martial
Arts had it been more popular in his youth.
The Undertaker’s background in martial arts is the reason why he wears padded fighting
gloves to the ring and is a reflection to why he is known as “The Best Pure Striker
In WWE” as Brazilian Jiu Jitsu focuses on grappling and ground fighting.
In addition, his deadly Hell’s Gate submission manoeuvre, a modified gogoplata, is also inspired
by Mixed Martial Arts.
Number 1 – Kane
Who would have thought that the Big Red Monster Kane, is trained in martial arts?
Kane is trained in mixed martial arts and early in his wrestling career, he did some
shoot style MMA fights in Japan under the company, Fujiwara-Gumi.
You can watch a young Glenn Jacobs grapple around with his opponent and perform lots
of submission manoeuvres.
Following this, he went on to appear as Jerry Lawler’s private dentist, Issac Yankem,
which was a tooth-ache of a gimmick…I’m sorry I had to…and then was introduced as
the Big Red Monster gimmick that we love, Kane.