WrestleMania weekend has come and gone, and albeit, I don’t know the way you weren’t leaping out of your seat to look at a former punter who already seems on each sports activities associated TV present overshadow the WWE championship match between Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton – a pair of males who’s historical past dates again twenty years. WWE, everyone! Simply whenever you assume they’ll’t mess up the simplest of layups, they flip round and launch a full-court shot into the opposite web. I totally anticipated Jason Kelce and/or Bert Kreischer to get entangled within the match someway as Terry Funk turned over in his grave.
Dangerous reserving apart, let’s have enjoyable and mix the worlds {of professional} wrestling and the NFL – as a result of they aren’t very totally different on the finish of the day. Positive, the squared circle and the gridiron lack similarities, however what helps make the NFL our pastime? The drama.
What can we love greater than something right now of yr? The storylines off the sphere. Who desires to be on a brand new crew? Who’s offended at their crew proprietor? What gamers are beefing with each other? It’s the identical as professional wrestling. Even in season, drama drives the NFL. We spent all of 2025 questioning if A.J. Brown would get traded and monitoring his social media to see what he mentioned subsequent. On the finish of the season, Todd Bowles minimize a scathing promo on his personal crew. Sam Darnold accomplished the final word underdog storyline of cast-off to world champion – every thing is skilled wrestling.
So, with that in thoughts, forward of the most important weekend on the wrestling calendar (until All In 2026 tops it, which it very properly might), at the moment we’re evaluating quarterbacks to wrestlers. Ring the bell.
Patrick Mahomes: Kenny Omega
When Mahomes grew to become the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs’ starter in 2018, he instantly revolutionized the place with 50 landing passes in an MVP season. very like Omega took the professional wrestling scene by storm within the mid 2010s in New Japan Professional Wrestling, and ultimately helped begin All Elite Wrestling. 5 Tremendous Bowl appearances and three championships later, he’s unquestionably one of many 5 finest quarterbacks the sport has ever seen. And coming off the again of one more very good pay-per-view essential occasion match towards MJF at AEW Dynasty, Omega continues to cement his personal legacy as top-of-the-line to ever step foot in a squared circle.
Justin Herbert: Sami Zayn
You couldn’t discover anybody who would say a foul phrase about Sami Zayn for the primary decade that he was in WWE. His NXT run was large, and his inclusion within the Bloodline saga earned common reward. That mentioned, during the last 18 months, Zayn’s “underdog” character has grown extremely stale and a few of us (factors at self) have by no means been big Sami Zayn guys. Herbert got here out of the gates with unmatched pace, throwing 69 touchdowns in his first two seasons and topping 5,000 yards in Yr Two. That mentioned, he’s 0-3 within the postseason and has but to carry out properly in a playoff sport, inflicting many to marvel if all of the reward is admittedly warranted.
Kirk Cousins: Dolph Ziggler
The true life Nic Nemeth was much more outspoken and flashy than Cousins throughout his WWE run, however this focuses extra on profession arc. Ziggler was by no means seen as a WrestleMania essential venter, however he was an extremely regular hand within the mid-card that would win america or Intercontinental Championship on any given evening.
Haas was one half of the world’s biggest tag crew with Shelton Benjamin, who shaped an alliance with Kurt Angle. Of the three, he’s the one who’s least remembered. If the Broncos are Workforce Angle, the protection is Kurt Angle, Courtland Sutton and Jaylen Waddle are Benjamin, and Nix is Haas.
Cranky man in his 40’s who has had a number of teased returns over time? Now, Punk is straightedge and Rodgers notably does no matter hallucinogen lets him discuss to banana bushes, however return and watch Punk’s press convention after All Out in 2022. “I’m damage, I’m outdated, I’m f—king drained, and I work with f—king kids.” He and Rodgers are two pissed off peas in a pod – which can be why I get pleasure from each of them a lot.
Lamar Jackson: Rob Van Dam
It’s becoming that RVD’s theme music begins out with a voice shouting, “One in all a sort.” His mixture of high-flying strikes and martial arts continues to be a mix that has been unmatched and is not possible to duplicate. We haven’t seen one other RVD, and we seemingly gained’t see one other Lamar Jackson when it comes to his skill to run the ball whereas additionally tossing 40 touchdowns in a season.
Modern faces of the franchise. Neither afraid to talk their minds and be sincere once they clearly don’t assume issues are working (go watch any podcast Rhodes has completed within the final week the place he clearly hates the McAfee stuff). Each had been additionally massive underdogs. Burrow left Ohio State and wager on himself at LSU, which is what Rhodes did when he left WWE in 2016 and went on an unbelievable run on the Indies, which result in him being one of many founding fathers of AEW. Now, each are on the very high of their respective professions.
Shedeur Sanders: Curtis Axel
His dad was Mr. Excellent, and he… properly, he wasn’t good. Want I say extra? I’m positive there shall be loads of “towards all odds” compilations this yr, although.
Very similar to Mrs. Foley’s child boy, Josh Allen takes a lickin’ and retains on tickin’. Each guys are extremely simple to root for and can die attempting to win. It took Foley a very long time to win his first world championship, and the gang was in a state of pure euphoria when he defeated The Rock in January, 1999. When Allen lastly does win a Tremendous Bowl for the town of Buffalo, it is going to be immediately emotional and a large weight off the again of one of many sport’s high stars, in addition to the town he represents.
Suppose Evolution period Randy Orton, who was the youngest wrestler to ever win the World Heavyweight Championship at age 24. It was evident instantly that Orton was gifted and going to be nice for a very long time, which is how he has carved out a 24-year profession that sees him difficult to win his fifteenth world title this weekend. Maye is barely getting into his third season, and was an MVP finalist and took his crew to the Tremendous Bowl in simply his second season – the perfect is but to come back. It is usually excellent that Orton misplaced in the principle occasion of Evening One like Maye misplaced within the Tremendous Bowl.
Geno Smith: Bobby Lashley
Lashley was as soon as considered the subsequent massive factor in WWE. He gained the WWECW Championship early on in his first run with the corporate, however by no means become that essential occasion star. An MMA run accompanied by a terrific run in TNA, although, introduced him again to WWE the place he gained a number of world championships. Smith resurrected his profession in Seattle, however now could be hoping to take action once more with the Jets. If he has something near a run like Lashley is again to having with The Damage Syndicate, that will be an enormous win for him and New York. *Compulsory “WE HURT PEOPLE” chant right here.
Malik Willis: Kofi Kingston (Pre-New Day)
Kofi Kingston was mid-card wrestler within the early portion of his profession. He gained the Intercontinental Championship, Tag Workforce Championships, and United States Championship to solidify himself as a mainstay on Uncooked and Smackdown, however was by no means a world championship menace. Proper now, that’s the place Malik Willis is hovering, and the Dolphins haven’t precisely set him up for fulfillment after buying and selling Jaylen Waddle to the Broncos.
Trevor Lawrence: Lex Luger
Luger was WWF’s hopeful subsequent Hulk Hogan, which was a label that was insurmountable, very like the lofty expectations positioned on Lawrence earlier than he performed an NFL snap. That doesn’t imply he hasn’t been good, although. He led the Jaguars to a playoff win in 2021 after surviving the City Meyer debacle. And in 2025 in his first season below Liam Coen, Lawrence put up over 4,000 passing yards and 29 touchdowns, main the Jaguars to 13 wins and a playoff berth. Ought to he proceed to stack seasons like that, Jacksonville can change into one of many marquee groups within the AFC.
There’s clearly one thing there with Cam Ward. A number of the throws he made in 2025 regardless of having the worst offense in soccer round him was astounding. With Trick Williams, there may be star potential. He’s good within the ring, has an amazing look, and a good higher entrance that will get the gang exited to see him. He defeated Sami Zayn for america championship to an enormous pop. He has a shiny future in WWE, as does Ward with the Titans.
C.J. Stroud: Sammy Guevara
Guevara began his AEW profession with a bang, showing within the first match in AEW Dynamite historical past towards Cody Rhodes and was a part of the highest heel group within the firm alongside Chris Jericho. Nevertheless, regardless of a number of TNT title wins, followers soured on the high-flyer laborious throughout his heel run alongside real-life spouse Tay Melo. He has largely been relegated to Ring of Honor during the last two years. For Stroud, he must recapture that magic he discovered as a rookie if the Texans need to make it previous the divisional spherical, and if he desires to be thought of the long-term reply in Houston.
Daniel Jones: Baron Corbin
The true-life Tom Pestock looks as if a beautiful man – the WWE character Baron Corbin was a steaming bowl of feces. But, WWE always shoved him down the throats of followers. That will sound imply to Daniel Jones, however he’s someway been a starter within the NFL yearly since 2019 whereas posting a document of 32-49-1. He had first half of 2025, however that’s not sufficient to say he’s now impulsively quarterback. And but, the Colts nonetheless gave him the GDP of the town of Indianapolis.
Matthew Stafford: Jon Moxley
Moxley fka Dean Ambrose left WWE in 2019 after being a part of probably the most necessary teams in wrestling historical past, The Protect. After struggling via dangerous artistic, he wager on himself and joined AEW as one among its first main signings, and he has by no means regarded again, changing into the ace of All Elite Wrestling in a run that has featured a number of world title reigns, an IWGP world championship reign, and a number of other different notable accolades. Stafford was quarterback with the Detroit Lions, however was by no means going to succeed in the heights he did had he stayed in Detroit. A Tremendous Bowl ring and MVP later, his time in Los Angeles shall be remembered excess of his time with Detroit.
Sam Darnold: Drew McIntyre
Out of time, so say goodbye
What’s yours, now could be mine
And I dream damaged goals
I make them come true
Why WWE took away that superior theme tune, nobody will ever know.
McIntyre was tabbed as a prodigy when he debuted in WWE within the late 2000s. He by no means made it to the principle occasion scene, and was relegated to a comedy act in 3MB alongside Jinder Mahal and Heath Slater. He left WWE and went on a profession resurging unbiased run that noticed him return to WWE a lot bulkier and searching like the principle occasion star he was as soon as promised to be, which has resulted in a number of world title reigns. Sam Darnold was as soon as written off after failed stints with the New York Jets and Carolina Panthers, and simply accomplished his personal resurrection with a Tremendous Bowl win.
Brock Purdy: Diamond Dallas Web page
DDP was as soon as a supervisor in WCW. But slowly however certainly, he grew to become a star within the ring, which culminated in him changing into one of many stars high performers. He gained the WCW championship thrice and was a fan-favorite up till WCW folding in 2001. Everyone knows Purdy’s story by this level, going from the ultimate decide of the draft to beginning within the Tremendous Bowl.
Jacoby Brissett: 1999 Jeff Jarrett
In 1999, Jeff Jarrett demanded $300,000 from the WWE to lose the Intercontinental Championship earlier than leaving for WCW. Jeff Jarrett largely over-valued himself, very like Jacoby Brissett is correct now by wanting extra money from the Arizona Cardinals.
Batista was grown below the tutelage of Triple H in Evolution earlier than breaking out as a star of his personal. Love was drafted whereas Aaron Rodgers was nonetheless on the peak of his powers. Nevertheless, since taking up because the starter, he has confirmed to be one of many sport’s high quarterbacks, placing Inexperienced Bay within the postseason in every of his first three seasons on the helm. He even beat his mentor in 2025 the identical approach Batista defeated Triple H for the World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMani 21.
Penta is so thrilling to look at. His in-ring pace, and mixture of lucha fashion and technical prowess makes him as distinctive a wrestler as there may be. His flamboyant entrance with a sassy strut has additionally gotten him much more over with the gang. Williams has change into probably the most clutch performers in entrance of our eyes, painted nails, matcha, and all. He’s as enjoyable on the sphere as Penta is within the ring.
Jared Goff: Claudio Castagnolli
The previous Cesaro in WWE wanted a change of surroundings, and he has been terrific since becoming a member of AEW. With runs as a trios champions, CMLL World Champion, and Ring of Honor world champion, the Swiss Superman has been one of many mainstays of AEW TV.
Kyler Murray: Johnny Gargano
Gargano was one of many largest stars within the Black and Gold period of NXT, however has but to discover a actual spot for himself since being referred to as as much as the principle roster. Murray was terrific at Oklahoma, however by no means reached the expectations positioned upon him in Arizona. Maybe a brand new house in Minnesota can result in sustained success.
Dak Prescott: Seth Rollins
There are occasions the place Dak Prescott seems to be like a high 5 quarterback in soccer, however accidents have change into a priority with him, as they’ve with Rollins as their respective careers progress. All eyes are at all times on each, as properly, as Rollins has been one of many faces of WWE for over a decade, and Prescott leads America’s crew.
Jayden Daniels: Je’Von Evans
Je’Von Evans is probably not the most important wrestler on earth (he’s billed at 195 kilos), however my goodness, he issues he does when his quantity known as are breathtaking. Bouncing across the ring like a human rubber band, he has shortly change into one of many sport’s high high-flyers at age 21. The issues about Jayden Daniels’ body died down in 2024 when he led the Commanders to the NFC championship Sport as a rookie. And whereas accidents caught as much as him in 2025, he has minimize down on taking part in the place like he’s within the latest Jackass film, and is likely one of the NFL’s high twin threats.
Completed, however boring and at all times leaves you wanting extra. Credit score to The Combine, he got here from the very backside and has put collectively a profession in WWE that has spanned greater than 20 years. However, nobody is placing a Miz match of their high 10. Hurts has change into very polarizing as a result of whereas he helped the Eagles win a Tremendous Bowl, his struggles in 2025 have many questioning and debating the place his place is within the quarterback hierarchy.
Wayne has been heralded as the way forward for professional wrestling. At simply 20 years outdated, he’s the present Ring of Honor World Tv Champion and was a part of one among AEW’s high tales, developing below Christian Cage earlier than betraying him in July of 2025. His presence and swagger is much like that of Dart, who himself got here into the NFL below Russell Wilson on the New York Giants depth chart.
Baker Mayfield: LA Knight
Baker Mayfield is likely one of the finest trash talkers within the NFL, and his wrestling counterpart is likely one of the finest on the mic in all of wrestling.
Bryce Younger: Cedric Alexander
Many believed that Cedric Alexander might have damaged out into a pleasant mid-card star in WWE. Sadly, that by no means occurred on a constant foundation. Some say it’s a measurement subject, which is the most important limiting issue for Younger.
Tyler Shough: Ricky Saints
Saints is a bit older than most in NXT, very like Shough was older for a university participant. Nevertheless, the expertise may be very evident and the longer term is shiny for each Shough and Saints.
Yeah, Jey Uso is an enormous no from me. He’s dangerous within the ring, terrible on the mic, and whomever inexperienced lit “Yeet” ought to be charged with crimes towards humanity. Tagovailoa isn’t good both, however Dolphins followers nonetheless spent years attempting to persuade themselves he was.
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