7 Wrestlers Turned Politicians: Who Succeeded, Who Failed?

Wrestling and politics share surprising similarities: backroom deals, power struggles, and larger-than-life personalities. So, it’s no wonder that many wrestlers transition into politics after their days in the ring! Here’s a look at seven wrestlers who took their battles from the ring to the campaign trail—some triumphed, while others fell flat, discovering that the political arena can be even tougher than the squared circle.

1. Glenn Jacobs: From WWE’s Kane to Knox County Mayor

Glenn Jacobs—better known as former WWE World Champion Kane—mixed wrestling and politics when he threw his hat into the ring, announcing in 2017 his candidacy for mayor of Knox County, Tennessee, where he owns an insurance business and lives with his wife, Crystal.

While this was technically his first political race, Jacobs had been active in sharing his Libertarian viewpoints. They were approached in 2014 by a group of Tea Party Patriots who tried to persuade him to run against incumbent Republican U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander.

Ultimately, Jacobs chose not to run against Alexander. However, the local political landscape looked very different when Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett was nearing the end of his term limit.

Despite labeling himself as an outsider, Jacobs hit familiar conservative values during his announcement speech.

“Now this is the part where many politicians will stand up here and tell you all the grandiose things that they’re going to do just by snapping their fingers,” he said. “I’m not going to do that because that would be unrealistic and disingenuous.”

Glenn Jacobs won the Knox County mayoral election in Tennessee and officially took over as mayor on September 1st, 2018.

He was re-elected in 2022, defeating former Knox County Democratic Party head Debbie Helsley. As of 2024, Jacobs is serving his second term as Knox County Mayor, focusing on balancing the budget while making strategic investments in the community.

Throughout his tenure, Jacobs has prioritized education, public safety, and economic development. He has supported the creation of three new schools without increasing taxes, given Knox County teachers their biggest annual raise since 2008, and increased deputy salaries by over 10%. Jacobs has also taken strong stances on issues such as making Knox County a Second Amendment sanctuary and opposing lockdowns in 2020.

Wrestlers have often pursued public office, but they’ve been met with varying degrees of success (and often a great deal of ridicule). Some consider running for office only to back out at the last minute. Take Ric Flair, for example.

2. Ric Flair’s Political Aspirations—Governor of North Carolina?

In the late 1990s and early 2000s, the Nature Boy explored the possibility of running for governor of North Carolina on multiple occasions. Flair had been active in fundraising for GOP politicians in the state and had a good relationship with past legislators and governors.

Flair even went so far as to announce his intention to run in 2000 and 2004. But a campaign never materialized. As late as 2008, Flair was still mulling his options, but a conversation with another blonde bomber may have stopped him from pursuing elected office.

Jesse Ventura, a retired wrestler and maverick politician unexpectedly elected governor of Minnesota from 1999-2003, revealed during a podcast that Flair had sought his advice, but Ventura convinced him he shouldn’t mix wrestling with politics due to some of Flair’s own legal challenges.

“He told me he had something like 143 speeding tickets,” Ventura said.

“I told him, ‘You can’t be governor, you can’t run, they’ll kill you. That’s a total disregard for the law, and as governor, you’re the head law enforcement officer in the state.”

While the political climate has changed significantly since the early to mid-2000s, Ventura’s concerns about Flair’s ability to withstand the scrutiny of a political campaign proved prescient. In recent years, Flair has faced various controversies that likely would have complicated any political aspirations.

Despite never officially entering politics, Flair has remained a prominent figure in popular culture. He continues to make headlines, both for his wrestling-related activities and his business ventures. He’s become a brand ambassador for several companies, launched his own line of merchandise, and even stepped back into the ring for what was billed as his last match in 2022.

His journey from potential political candidate to elder statesman of wrestling illustrates the complex relationship between celebrity, politics, and public life in America.

“This game is much more harsh and much dirtier than wrestling ever was,” Ventura said to Flair. “If you have any skeletons in the closet, you better expose them beforehand. If they find out after, you’re dead.”

3. Jesse Ventura: Wrestling’s Most Successful Politician

Of course, Jesse Ventura knows the challenges of entering politics. Long before Donald Trump leveraged voter dissatisfaction and a strong sense of self-promotion to win the 2020 presidential election, there was Jesse Ventura.

During the 1998 Minnesota governor’s election, Ventura capitalized on his fame as a wrestler and actor, riding to an improbable win as a third-party candidate.

Ventura took 37 percent of the vote as the Reform Party candidate, besting Hubert Humphrey III and St. Paul Mayor Norm Coleman. His victory was aided by Minnesota’s same-day voter registration policy, with 75 percent of those who registered on election day casting their ballot for Ventura, contributing significantly to his 2 percent margin of victory.

Ventura’s close advisers say that Trump’s victory map was much like the Minnesota election, slightly changed due to the burst of technology and connectivity that has happened here in the second decade of the new century.

“Jesse’s success is the perfect case history to show this can happen,” Bill Hillsman told PBS Newshour during the 2016 presidential election.

Hillsman is a Minneapolis ad man and close Ventura adviser who came up with several memorable campaign ads, including one that depicted Ventura as an action figure who tells special interests: “I don’t want your stupid money.”

“Trump’s campaign is just Jesse’s campaign writ very large, with more money and some hugely advantageous communications tools,” such as social media and online organizing, Hillsman said.

But there was an element of Bernie Sanders’s optimism and hope in Ventura’s campaign, as well. After initially funding his campaign with $250,000, most of Ventura’s funding came through small donations of $50 or less and selling $22 T-shirts.

Ask people in Minnesota about Ventura, and the results are a mixed bag. Sometimes when mixing wrestling and politics, the old TV Persona can get in the way.

After campaigning partially on a tax cut, he did refund part of Minnesota’s budget surplus to taxpayers. But even in that, the former governor’s ego got in the way. He referred to those refunds as “Jesse Checks.” And those checks kept coming to Minnesotans for three straight years until the state ran into financial trouble.

While Ventura oversaw installing a light-rail system in the Twin Cities and allocated more money for schools, many observers noted that as an outsider, he tired quickly of the day-to-day grind of governing, and he frequently clashed with other elected officials and NPR radio personality Garrison Keillor.

Toward the end of his first term as governor, Ventura announced that he would not seek another term. However, his influence on American politics persisted long after his tenure.

In recent years, Ventura has remained politically active, albeit in unexpected ways. In 2024, at the age of 73, he made headlines by supporting Democrats Kamala Harris and Tim Walz while also criticizing Republican candidates.

Ventura has also ventured into the marijuana industry, launching his own line of cannabis products under the Jesse Ventura Farms label. His motivation stems from a deeply personal experience: medical marijuana was the only remedy that alleviated his late wife Terry Ventura’s seizures.

Interestingly, Ventura claims that Donald Trump studied and copied his 1998 campaign strategy for the 2016 presidential race. “He studied what we did, and his people mimicked it exactly when he ran in 2016,” Ventura shared in a 2024 interview. “Trump copied everything I did in ’98 and executed it in 2016.”

Ventura remains the most successful American wrestler-turned-politician since Abraham Lincoln. His legacy continues to influence American politics, demonstrating that the path from the wrestling ring to the political arena can indeed lead to significant impact and change.

4. Jerry Lawler: The King’s Bid for Mayor of Memphis

Jerry Lawler is a beloved icon in Memphis, so a mayoral bid was not out of the question. What’s surprising is that Lawler lost two elections in his hometown, and rather badly at that.

In 1999, the then-semi-retired wrestler and co-host of WWE’s RAW television show decided to mix wrestling and politics by launching a bid to become the mayor of Memphis.

In a crowded field that included 15 candidates, Lawler pulled down 11.7 percent of the vote, ahead of 12 of the other challengers. Unfortunately for him, incumbent mayor Willie Herenton won more than 45 percent of the vote, breezing past the crowded field for another four years in office.

While much of Lawler’s platform was laudable— his platform included making the streets safer for residents, beautifying the city, and improving the quality of education. He also promised to attract businesses to Memphis, improve traffic flow, create more parks, and decrease property taxes.

Lawler’s bid for mayor came in the months following Ventura’s rise in Minnesota, and the King had high hopes for an upset bid. That didn’t happen. The New York Times speculated that it was partially because he was indicted on charges of attacking a police officer in a parking dispute at the airport before the election.

But his showing was strong enough that Lawler mounted another campaign for mayor, this time in the summer of 2009, during a special called election. Lawler struggled this time, bringing in only 4 percent of the vote and finishing fifth in the race.

Despite these political setbacks, Lawler’s influence in Memphis remained strong.

While he hasn’t pursued further political ambitions, he has remained engaged in community affairs and continues to be a vocal advocate for his hometown.

In recent years, Lawler has focused on his wrestling legacy, making occasional appearances in WWE and independent promotions. He’s also expanded his business ventures, including his Memphis-based restaurant, “King Jerry Lawler’s Hall of Fame Bar & Grille,” which opened in 2016 and continues to be a popular attraction for wrestling fans and locals alike.

Lawler’s resilience was tested in February 2023 when he suffered a stroke, but true to his fighting spirit, he made a remarkable recovery. This health scare only seemed to strengthen his bond with the Memphis community, as fans and fellow wrestlers rallied around him during his recovery.

While those mayoral election losses might be among the few ‘jobs’ the King did over a 30-year career headlining in Memphis, they certainly haven’t diminished his status as wrestling royalty or his impact on the city he calls home.

“Jerry Lawler, for the People!” Watch Jerry Lawler’s Mayor of Memphis campaign ad:

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5. Bob Backlund: From WWF Champion to Failed Congressional Run

Bob Backlund has a secure place in wrestling history.

Despite the current backlash against his late-’70s ‘Howdy Doody’ look, and his 1990s run as a crazy heel who ‘snapped’ and went after fallen opponents, Backlund was a legitimate wrestler with great credentials.

He was an NAIA national wrestling champion, and Vincent J. McMahon hand-picked him to dethrone Superstar Billy Graham for the WWF title.

Backlund kept the belt, too, taking on all comers over a period of four-plus years before dropping the strap to the Iron Sheik in December of 1983.

Backlund’s foray into politics began in 1995 when the WWF ran an angle where he declared his candidacy for President of the United States. This storyline featured Backlund preaching socially conservative values and even confronting a Bill Clinton impersonator at the 1995 Survivor Series. However, this angle was quietly dropped before reaching a conclusion.

In 1999, Backlund took his political aspirations beyond the wrestling ring, running for Congress in Connecticut’s First District. His campaign, however, was met with skepticism and criticism from political observers.

Mixing wrestling and politics was unsuccessful for him, but his tours engaged voters and brought them out—even if it was only to vote against him.

While Backlund’s populist run was covered in a front-page New York Times story, that didn’t turn into much momentum for him back in his home state.

In fact, Michele Jacklin, a political columnist for the Hartford Courant, essentially called Backlund’s candidacy exactly what it was: a stunt.

“Lacking the traditional accouterments of a big-time political campaign and having little money or staff to speak of, Backlund has managed to parlay his WWF career and the news media’s infatuation with wrestler-turned-governor Jesse Ventura into scads of free publicity for his 1st Congressional District bid,” Jacklin wrote.

“Last year, Backlund was profiled in a flattering front-page story in The New York Times. It was enough to turn Democratic freshman John B. Larson’s hair gray(er), even in a district whose voter registration overwhelmingly favors the incumbent.

“But Larson isn’t the story and hasn’t been, even though he’s got a two-year record worth examining.

“Larson could disrobe (Calm down, congressman. I’m not suggesting that you would), climb to the top of the Travelers Tower, lob marshmallows onto passersby, and the news media wouldn’t bat an eye. We live in a political culture that covets celebrity and gimmickry. Backlund’s got both.”

Backlund lost to Larson, and badly. He didn’t even win a single town in the First Congressional District. On Election Day, Backlund sought to achieve two things: win a seat in Congress and break the record for the Harvard Step Test. He managed to accomplish one of those goals, but it wasn’t winning the election.

When asked if he would run again, Backlund was noncommittal. In the years following his failed congressional bid, Backlund has remained somewhat active in the wrestling world. He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2013, recognizing his contributions to the industry.

From 2016 to 2017, he appeared on WWE programming as Darren Young’s “life coach,” attempting to “make Darren Young great again” in a storyline that played off the political climate of the time. This run showcased Backlund’s ability to adapt his character to modern storylines while maintaining elements of his eccentric 1990s persona.

In recent years, Backlund has made sporadic appearances at wrestling conventions and independent shows. He’s also authored an autobiography, “Backlund: From All-American Boy to Professional Wrestling’s World Champion,” which was released in 2015. The book, which you can read our review for here, details his journey from amateur wrestling to becoming a two-time WWF Champion, as well as his brief venture into politics.

While Backlund’s political career may not have taken off, his legacy in professional wrestling remains secure.

6. Rhyno’s Run for State Representative in Michigan

And then there’s Rhyno, the tough-as-nails former ECW World Champion and tag team partner of Heath Slater in WWE and TNA.

While the team won championship gold in WWE (technically bronze, I guess?), Rhyno’s alter ego Terry Gerin didn’t quite have the same luck regarding running for statewide office in his native Michigan.

In 2016, Gerin ran for Michigan’s 15th House district seat, which covers Dearborn, Michigan. He won the Republican primary by a mere 54 votes, showcasing just how tight political races can be. However, the general election proved to be a different story. While more than 13,000 people voted for Gerin, his Democratic opponent, Abdullah Hamoud, tallied more than 21,000 votes, according to The Press and Guide, a Dearborn, Michigan newspaper.

Unlike Backlund, Gerin was endorsed by a major newspaper when the Detroit News chose him over his GOP opponents. This endorsement highlighted his potential as a serious candidate, despite his wrestling background.

Unfortunately for him, Gerin was running in a district that leaned heavily toward Democrats. The 15th district had been a Democratic stronghold, with the party consistently winning by significant margins. In 2016, the average margin of victory for Democratic candidates in the Michigan House of Representatives was 40.9%, compared to 25.1% for Republicans. This stark difference in party performance in the state made Gerin’s uphill battle even steeper.

His schedule did him no favors, either, as he was on the road for WWE for much of the campaign. Balancing his wrestling career with his political aspirations proved challenging, limiting his ability to engage with voters face-to-face.

In his concession speech on Facebook Live, the candidate lauded the efforts of his supporters.

“The numbers are in, and I regret to say I was unsuccessful in my bid,” Gerin said.

“But I was very successful in becoming closer to my community, knocking on doors, talking with residents, and just forming a bond. I knew going into this that Dearborn is a Democratic district, and it would be an uphill battle, a battle I was willing to take on,” Rhyno continued.

“Myself and my volunteers created something out of nothing [a campaign], we pushed forward with honor and pride. I’m very proud to [have] had them in my corner.”

While Gerin did not say whether he would seek elected office again, he encouraged his supporters to stay politically active and involved in their communities. His run, though unsuccessful, demonstrated the potential for wrestlers to engage in local politics and connect with their communities in meaningful ways.

Since his 2016 campaign, Rhyno has continued his wrestling career, making appearances in various promotions including WWE, Impact Wrestling, and the independent circuit. While he hasn’t made another bid for political office, his experience serves as an interesting case study of the challenges faced by wrestlers transitioning into the political arena.

7. Antonio Inoki: Wrestling Legend and Japanese Politician

While some wrestlers like Rick Steiner (Cherokee County, Georgia, Board of Education) and B. Brian Blair (County Commission, Hillsborough County, Florida) have had successful stints in local politics, no country embraces wrestling and politics quite like Japan does.

The most prominent example is, of course, Antonio Inoki. The founder of New Japan Pro Wrestling was elected to the House of Councillors (a part of the Japanese Diet, similar to the U.S. Congress) in 1989, winning re-election in 1992 before losing his seat in 1996.

Grantland’s Mimi Hanaoka detailed Inoki’s rise in political prominence in detail:

“When Inoki was first elected to the Japanese House of Councillors in 1989, it was through the ‘Sports and Peace Party,’ which was established largely around him.

“Even then, his political party was premised on a sports-infused takedown of the political status quo. The party’s catchphrase was ‘An Octopus Hold [manji-gatame] on the National Diet, a jumping roundhouse kick to the back of the head [enzuigiri] on the national consumption tax.’

“Less than a year after he began life as a politician in 1989, more than 100 Japanese families living in Iraq were arrested and held by Saddam Hussein as human shields during the first Gulf War.

“Hussein hoped to forestall military retaliation for his August 1990 invasion of Kuwait, and detaining foreigners in Iraq seemed like it might prevent the bombardments that would later be called Operation Desert Storm …”

Essentially, Inoki tired of the slow process of official channels and approached Hussein on his own, using his reputation as a wrestler and performer. Inoki was able to persuade Hussein, in part, because he was negotiating with the dictator not as an agent of the Japanese government, but as an agent representing the peaceful will of the Japanese people.

While the hostage crisis went on for months, and Inoki made repeated trips to Iraq, each time he made a little more progress than the last. Finally, after multiple ploys and a ‘festival of sport’ sponsored by Inoki, the last of the hostages (41 of them, in fact) were freed.

That’s when Inoki made a move from popular wrestling to politics. But it wouldn’t last. Multiple scandals beset the Japanese hero, and he retired from political life for 18 years until 2013, when he again campaigned and won a seat in the House of Councillors.

During his second stint in politics, Inoki continued to use his unique position to engage in unconventional diplomacy. He made over 30 trips to North Korea, believing that his approach could help improve relations between Japan and the reclusive state. His efforts, while controversial, showcased his commitment to promoting peace through sports and cultural exchange.

Inoki’s political career was marked by both triumphs and controversies. In November 2013, he was suspended from the Diet for 30 days due to an unauthorized trip to North Korea. Despite the criticism, Inoki remained convinced that ongoing communication was crucial for resolving issues like the North Korean abductions of Japanese citizens.

Throughout his career, Inoki created multiple political parties, including the Sports and Peace Party and the Assembly to Energize Japan. He even considered running for governor of Tokyo at one point.

Before his passing at 79 on October 1st, 2022, Inoki had come to see himself as more of a statesman than anything else. He understood his unique standing in Japan and Asia and was determined to use it to effect change in that part of the world.

Other Japanese wrestlers have gone on to have prominent political roles as well. Hiroshi Hase, a former wrestler for both New Japan and All Japan, served as the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology from 2015 to 2016. As of 2024, Hase is serving as the governor of Ishikawa Prefecture, continuing the tradition of wrestlers in Japanese politics.

Hase was the second professional wrestler elected to national office after Inoki. Others have served as well, including Atsushi Onita and the Great Sasuke, who was the first masked wrestler elected to national office.

Inoki’s legacy in both wrestling and politics remains significant. He was a pioneer in mixing sports, entertainment, and diplomacy, often using his fame and charisma to navigate complex international situations. While his methods were sometimes controversial, his dedication to promoting peace and cultural understanding through sports left an indelible mark on Japanese politics and international relations.

So, while many American wrestlers have mixed wrestling and politics, Japanese wrestlers seem to have perfected the art of actually getting elected and making a lasting impact in the political arena.

Wrestling with Politics: Triumphs, Defeats, and the Unpredictable Arena

Wrestlers-turned-politicians often discover that the political arena can be even more cutthroat than the squared circle. While some, like Jesse Ventura and Glenn Jacobs, have successfully navigated their way to victory, others, like Ric Flair and Jerry Lawler, faced tough defeats.

These larger-than-life figures took on the challenge of public office, showing that politics, like pro wrestling, is full of unexpected twists and turns.

These stories may also interest you:

• Donald Trump and His Contribution to WWE
• Ludvig Borga – The Surreal, Shocking Life of Tony Halme
• Asuka and Her Surprising Life Outside of Wrestling

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