Top 5: Military Tough Wrestlers

Matthew Hollie follows his family’s roots in his latest for YES!

Matthew Hollie
Aug 26, 2017 · 3 min read

For those who don’t know this, I have family who either served or currently serving in the military. And to me that says a lot. And when I see guys who wrestled in the ring who previously served in the military, that means a lot to me considering the fact that these guys have not only put their bodies on the line in the ring but also risk their necks fighting for America. And that says it all right there.

5. Jesse Neal

Jesse Neal put his life on the line for America. He was in the United States Navy and was onboard the USS Cole when it was attacked by suicide bombers in 2001. While this incident may have been the motivation for a wrestling career, it has become a source of strength for his career. While he has won championships outside the recently rebranded Global Force Wrestling, he has become an example of overcoming the biggest of tragedies.

4 . & 3. Wilcox & Mayweather

Speaking of GFW, I like the team of Wilcox and Mayweather, guys who for the mold for tough guys from the military. I know Wilcox is a former NWA Champion under the name Jax Dane, Mayweather once wrestled for the promotion as Crimson. These guys put their bodies on the line, night in and night out, on a regular basis. One can only hope they can be successful in GFW anytime soon.

2. Lacey Evans

Another name that comes to mind when comes to having a solid military background is “The Lady of NXT” Lacey Evans. While she may be classy outside the ring, she is anything but inside it with a tough as nails attitude in the ring and a solid work ethic, considering the fact she was a former Marine Corps SWAT Team member. I like the fact she pays homage to the pinup ladies of the 1940’s and 1950’s, she is also a prospect to watch in the near future. I look forward to seeing her succeed in NXT and beyond.

1. Sgt. Slaughter

While he’s long retired, it all started with Sgt. Slaughter, who actually was in the United States Marines as a drill sergeant and utilized that background for a successful professional wrestling career. A former WWE World & United States Champion, a member of both the WWE Hall of Fame and the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame, Sgt. Slaughter defined the meaning of toughness in the ring the same way he did in the Marines.

While most rosters in wrestling promotions have guys who work the hardest with their athletic background, I like to see promotions find talent that have more than athleticism, but a solid military background as well. These guys continue to make us fans proud as well as the veterans who fought for freedom for hundreds of years.

Read more at YesWrestling.com
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