Wrestling & Basketball Comparisons

So, the Basketball & Pro Wrestling nerd produced a unique question. Who would be Pro Wrestling/Basketball counterparts or comparisons? So, for example Michael Jordan is the Hulk Hogan of basketball, and that got the wheels turning and produced some fairly good examples of this so let us start with beloved anti-hero.

Stone Cold Steve Austin: When it comes to being the anti-establishment, every man anti-hero Allen Iverson was the Stone-Cold Steve Austin of basketball and of his time. Iverson was not embraced by the masses at first and would become undeniable where he became the most popular name of his sport a lot like Austin. Their rage against the machine ways became infectious with fans worldwide and had a following or fan base that last forever.

The Rock: When it comes to being the most electrifying man of their sport, generation, and entertainment the only basketball equivalent for The Rock is Shaquille O’Neal. Both Rock and O’Neal were charismatic personalities that crossed over to the mainstream and explode to bigger heights and transition to more celebrity status but still in touch with their loves.

Hulk Hogan: This one is an easy one to do but Michael Jordan is synonymous with Basketball like Hulk Hogan was for Professional Wrestling. Both became iconic in the 80’s and went on to globalize their sports taking it to new heights and putting themselves in legendary status and influence on generations to come after them.

Ric Flair: The flashy, polarizing, respected icon Ric Flair is beloved by all and was the flamboyant figure of wrestling during the 80’s so who better to be the basketball equivalent of him than Laker legend Magic Johnson. Johnson and Flair both embodied the flash and fast times of the eighties living it to the hilt, sadly they both have had down moments that had fans worried but somehow bounce back better than ever from it every time and universally revered today.

Undertaker: No one is more iconic and loyal of a figure in wrestling than the Undertaker and no one is more iconic and loyal to a sport more specifically a franchise than Bill Russell. Russell and Undertaker were both stoic giants who commanded and received respect from everyone as well as being the gold standard of their sports.

Shawn Michaels: When it comes to being a generational talent that is universally beloved for some wrestling fans that person is the Heartbreak Kid Shawn Michaels. Michaels has been a polarizing figure with a hate him or love him situation throughout his career so who is that in the basketball world? From an all-time perspective it would be the great Kobe Bryant who now is universally beloved after his passing but at points during his career not liked very much, easy to work with but tolerated because of his talents.

So, is there a current player who resembles this? The answer is yes Phoenix Suns star Devin Booker, who ironically emulates Kobe (or tries to anyway) but in basketball circles is considered a special talent but has a love/hate relationship with teammates and fans (I guess hate for me because anyone who whines about double teams isn’t a hooper to me) but is tolerated because of his potential megastar talent.

Bret Hart: Only fitting to do the rival and opposite of Shawn Michaels in Bret “The Hitman” Hart, considered “The best there is, best there was and best there ever will be” Hart is revered as a quiet but amazing talent that would be exceptional in the past and future of his sport. So, the two players who resemble that in basketball are Tim Duncan for all-time and Nikola Jokic currently. Duncan & Jokic are both universally respected for their fundamental talent, selfless leadership, and approach to the game, as well as having a style of play that would be effective in any era or phase of basketball.

Sting: When it comes to be the loyal icon for wrestling fans one of the first names come to mind is Sting, who was loyal to staying with WCW until the very end when he could have left many times but chose to stay. So, who is the Stinger of basketball? Who the loyal franchise guy? All-time it is Maverick’s legend Dirk Nowitzki and currently for good or bad reasons its Trailblazers Damian Lillard.

Both guys have every reason to leave their representative franchises and go somewhere to win a title and be elevated but both stars chose to stay where they were drafted to make it work which worked out in the end for Nowitzki with a championship in 2011, while Lillard is still pursuing his first title but does not want to go somewhere else and chase a ring that way which is respected by everyone.

Roman Reigns: Now we are going to get into more current wrestling star comparisons for a little bit, and we start with our Tribal Chief, head of the table Roman Reigns. Reigns universally viewed as the best wrestler going right now which has been a journey to get to this point, so who would be Roman Reigns for basketball?

We would have begun and end our search in Milwaukee with the Greek Freak Giannis Antetokounmpo. Giannis is the undisputed best player in the world right now and makes us all acknowledge him as such, Antetokounmpo is the current face of basketball ushering the future into new heights a lot like Reigns with wrestling.

Seth Rollins: When it comes to the Drip God Seth Rollins, he is an undeniable superstar and in the top tier of his sport, well you can say the exact same thing with Maverick’s megastar Luka Doncic. Doncic a lot like Rollins is a cannot miss, one in a million talent that is destined to be great and has shown signs of greatness early in their careers leaving us to believe that only more is to come for their futures which will help the future of professional wrestling and basketball.

Jon Moxley: Rounding up the infamous trio of the SHIELD with the wild man of the group Jon Moxley. Moxley who is edgy, rowdy, wild member of the group who goes off the beaten path and has been quite successful doing so proving their worth as well as their antics are worth tolerating in the grand scheme of things.

That statement could not be fitting in a basketball sense then with Heat’s Jimmy Butler and Pistons legendary bad boy and captain Bill Laimbeer. Butler and Laimbeer like Moxley were outspoken, brash, controversial, confrontational, and defiant in doing things their way in success which has worked for their careers.

Kenny Omega: Now we go the most polarizing and highly debated person in wrestling with Kenny Omega, Omega by some is seen as a once in a generation talent who is far above his contemporaries while others see glaring red flags, issues and flaws that can not be ignored. So naturally Lakers “Big Man” (Use that term loosely) Anthony Davis is a mirror image of Omega in every way.

Davis is world renowned for being a generational star talented big man, while others like myself do not see that but see a slightly overhyped, hollow, dare I say fake or pretend superstar that recently on bigger stages has not delivered where on smaller stages he seems to deliver or over deliver. But for this comp there is small wait and see window for them to be as advertised on a big stage or fail doing so.

Bryan Danielson: When it comes to a talent that is universally loved, respected, and viewed as the best at what they do but are some of the mildest mannered and humble people are for wrestling Bryan Danielson (Daniel Bryan in WWE) and basketball counterparts would be John Stockton and Stephen Curry. Like Danielson, Stockton, and Curry the little guys of their generation but could not denied for their phenomenal talents, respect of their sports history and are liked by all.

CM Punk: When comes to outspoken, controversial, explosive, and dynamic personas or personalities look no further in pro wrestling than Chicago’s own CM Punk who has not found a fight or debate he did not enjoy. So, is there a basketball equivalent to Punk? The answer strangely is yes with Dennis Rodman and Kyrie Irving.

Rodman during his career was absolutely a Punk like figure in basketball, clashing with all forms of authority, his own unique personality and not afraid to speak his mind no matter the outcome led to a cult like following for Rodman to this day. When it comes to Kyrie Irving, he is certainly building a resume up to that same kind of person with his unique comments and actions causing controversy and chaos but seems to be comfortable in that storm.

MJF: The future big megastar with undeniable talent that no one can deny in the world of pro wrestling is MJF (Maxwell Jacob Friedman) a young, wise beyond his years, brash and excels in the villain role star who will be a fixture in wrestling going forward. In basketball Trae Young is that player. Like MJF, Young is a promising mega star who does not shy away from the boos and hate but relishes in it and becomes better. In the future there will be a bidding war of some kind for Young when his next contract is up a lot like MJF will be in 2024.

Dusty Rhodes:  Back to some iconic or legendary people we return every man, the common man Dusty Rhodes. Rhodes was the star of his day that was loved by all as well as represented everybody in some relative fashion and that you could root for. In basketball there are a couple of examples of this with Larry Bird and Zion Williamson.

Bird & Williamson like Rhodes were not the athlete of their time visually, but their talents and abilities made them superstars and champions regardless of their physical appearance. Like Rhodes was the opposite to Flair, Bird was the opposite to Magic Johnson and Zion could be viewed as the opposite to Giannis in that regard but are beloved by everyone who loves their sport.

Kane: The Big Red Machine Kane was the strong and silent type figure in wrestling that intimated many and commanded respect from everyone. So, the basketball comparison of Kane would Kawhi Leonard and Hakeem “The Dream” Olajuwon, who both are amazing top tier all-time talents who are champions and legends for franchises but have not heard much from them. Leonard & Olajuwon like Kane showed up, defeat the opposition, and left with little to no noise setting a tone and creating a presence that would not be forgotten by everyone.

Triple H: When it comes to being one of the best to ever do it who now are in a position to make their sport a better place no one better fits that in wrestling than Triple H who now is in control of the WWE and is shaping the present and future of WWE in his image. In basketball the two examples of this would be Jerry West and Chris Paul.

Paul and West have or had the positions, tools and abilities to lead the next generation of basketball in new directions under their leadership, from Jerry West well documented success in front offices for the Lakers, Grizzlies and currently Clippers while Paul who’s career is not done yet but was the head of the players union for most of his career and got new contracts, rights and policies in place for present and future players like Triple H is currently in his position with the WWE.

Randy Orton: One of wrestling’s icon, legend, and gold standard is Randy Orton. Orton was known as cannot miss generational talent that at points in his career was difficult, complicated, and obnoxious but was tolerated because his gifted talent and was at his best as a villain. In basketball Kevin Durant is the picture-perfect comparison to Orton, they cannot miss talent and ability, the success as champions and their back and forth, love/hate dynamic with fans and media alike.

Durant seems to have done his best work in the villain role when he joined the Golden State Warriors in 2016 where he won multiple titles and accolades but didn’t get the praise, he thought he deserved which led to more bitterness and resentment since then making him more villainous in the public eye but hopefully one day will be like and reserved again like Orton has done in recent years.

John Cena: The last comparison is a perfect one with John Cena and LeBron James, both hit the scene around the same time, were viewed as the next great megastar and was the face of a new generation and continues to do so in the latter part of their careers. Loved by some and hated by some James and the fans interaction is similar to Cena and the fans throughout the years but underneath the respect and love is there for them just at some point they became mainstream which led to some resentment for the masses but in the end have been great examples and leaders of the sport and generation.