WWE Superstars had varied careers before joining the company. Some of them come from more influential career backgrounds, like the army. Moreover, it is an honor to serve the country, and these wrestlers take full pride in their military history.
The Superstars, who have served before in the army, have an edge over others. They have experienced the discipline, consistency, and determination needed to bring up their best during their time in the armed forces. All of them take pride in their military backgrounds and use their experience and learnings in their careers as professional wrestlers.
WWE has repeatedly shown its admiration and respect for the armed forces. The former CEO, Vince McMahon, has vivaciously supported the army many times. Moreover, the Stamford-based promotion also supports the military and holds an annual Tribute to the Troops every year to appreciate them.
10 WWE Stars who have an army background
The Triple-H-led promotion has employed veterans from the army who have proved to be Great Superstars and had outstanding careers. Let’s find out.
10. Jaxson Ryker
Jaxson Ryker joined WWE in 2018 after a decade of performing on other pro wrestling platforms. He was first signed with the NXT, where he played an important part in the ‘Forgotten Sons’ storyline along with Wesley Blake and Steve Cutler.
He was later seen on SmackDown in 2020, where he had a brief run. Jaxson was in the United States Marine Corps and served in the Iraq War from 2002 to 2006 as a sergeant. He has a solid military background, which is reflected in his performance in the ring.
9. Perry Saturn
Perry Saturn lives up to his personality as a tough guy. He has competed in three major promotions, including WCW (World Wrestling Championship), ECW (Extreme Championship Wrestling), and WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment). He is famous for his unique storyline at WWE, where he had an unusual attachment to a mop and named it Moppy.
Perry enlisted in the U.S. Army at the young age of 17, graduated from the US Army Ranger School, and also served in the United States Army Rangers. Ranger School is one of the most challenging training programs in the U.S. military and demands an incredible amount of hard work and determination.
8. Zeb Colter
Wayne Maurice Keown also known as ‘Dirty’ Dutch Mantel or Zeb Colter has a long professional wrestling career spanning more than two decades. He has rigorously served in the U.S. Army’s 25th Infantry Division. He served a year in Vietnam during the Vietnam War and was awarded the Vietnam Service Medal.
Zeb Colter is mostly remembered for his gimmick as the hothead manager of the team ‘The Real Americans,’ which consisted of Jack Swagger and Cesaro.
7. Mr Kennedy
Mr. Kennedy had a famous tenure in WWE from 2005 to 2009. His career highlight came when he won the Money in the Bank at WrestleMania 23. After that, he could not run for the title opportunity due to injuries. He became the United States Champion just a year after his debut. Kennedy has served as a security officer at the Point Beach Nuclear Power Plant, which further led to his deployment in the U.S. Army.
His service in the army made him tough and nurtured some great qualities in him, like determination, discipline, and hard work. He joined TNA (now Impact Wrestling), where he went on to become the TNA World Heavyweight Champion.
6. Road Dogg
Road Dogg, who is known famously for his part in the New Age Outlaws and D-Generation X, had a memorable WWE career in the Attitude Era. He made his debut as the manager of Jeff Jarrett and further developed his personality as a wrestler in the company. He is still working on the Stamford-based promotion as a writer and backstage producer.
Road Dogg took after his father, Bob Armstrong, who was in the U.S. Marine Corps before his wrestling career. Dogg also served in the Marine Corps starting in 1987, for which he had to drop his in-ring career for some time.
5. Kevin Nash
Kevin Nash, also known as ‘Diesel’ in WWE, was a basketball player before becoming a professional wrestler. In 1981, he sustained a serious injury during a game in Germany, which made him discontinue his basketball career. After the injury, Kevin got himself enlisted in the 202nd Military Police Company in Giessen, West Germany. It was then that he served for 2 years in a secure NATO, where he was promoted to the rank of specialist.
Kevin Nash during his time with the U.S. Army’s 202nd Military Police Company pic.twitter.com/24sOxD8SGL
— Allan (@allan_cheapshot) August 8, 2016
After his service in the military, Kevin returned to the US and made his career as a professional wrestler, competing in both WCW and WWE. Kevin Nash’s service in the military equipped him with qualities like resilience, hard work, and determination, which helped him in his wrestling career.
4. Montez Ford
Montez Ford, best known for his role in the ‘Street Profits,’ also had a military background before joining WWE. Ford himself enlisted in the Marine Corps, as he was a member of the JROTC program in high school.
TO ALL THAT HAVE SERVED THIS GREAT COUNTRY OF OURS,
HAPPY VETERANS DAY!#VeteransDay pic.twitter.com/HEzyECYpny
— 𝕂𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕋𝕖𝕫 (@MontezFordWWE) November 11, 2019
His military background has helped him a lot in his pro wrestling career and added an interesting layer to his persona. He joined WWE in 2015 as a tag team player with his partner, Angelo Dawkins. The duo has won NXT, RAW, and SmackDown Tag Team Championships.
3. Lacy Evans
Lacy Evans is a famous WWE Superstar and she has shown the potential to be one of the greats since her debut in 2016. She has been in main storylines and had feuds with Superstars like Becky Lynch. She is also one of the two women who competed in the first-ever Women’s match at the Crown Jewel in Saudi Arabia.
Evans has served as a U.S. Marine Corps Military Police Officer and on the Special Reaction Team training for 5 years, starting at the age of 19. Lacy Evans is one of the few female superstars who has served in the military before joining WWE.
2. Bobby Lashley
‘Almighty’ Bobby Lashley has been one of the most dominant superstars in the WWE. He has held numerous titles and has been part of many main storylines in the company. Apart from this, he also has a successful career in MMA.
Few people know that Bobby has also served in the U.S. Armed Forces. Lashley participated in the Army’s Combat Sambo program and served as a sergeant for four years. He is also specialized in chemical operations. His army training and conditioning have helped him in his career as a professional wrestler and enhanced his physical abilities.
1. Randy Orton
The 14-time WWE champion, Randy Orton, is undoubtedly one of the biggest names in the pro wrestling business. The Viper has a glorious career in Triple-H-led promotion as he has proved to be one of the best heels of all time and is still able to do so.
I support the United States Marine Corps. Who woulda thought? pic.twitter.com/K7IaKYn4
— Randy Orton (@RandyOrton) June 12, 2012
Randy Orton had served in the United States Marine Corps before starting his pro wrestling career. He enlisted in 1998 and became a 1st Battalion, 4th Marines member. He served for one year and was dismissed from the army due to his misconduct. Randy credits his military training as an important part of his career and believes that it has helped him a lot in his career as a pro wrestler.
