Most unusual routes into the business

[JerryvonKramer]

Eduard Carpentier transitioned from being an Olympic gymnast to a pro wrestler. Gymnastics to pro wrestling is a road not often traveled.

 

What are some other unusual paths taken by guys who became wrestlers or otherwise involved in the game?

[MoS]

Inoki was a track-and-field athlete; he probably would have never wrestled had Rikidozan not recruited him. I can't think of too many similar athletes transitioning to wrestling.

[(BP)]

The first one I thought of was Sam Sheppard, the physician who was convicted of murdering his wife and was the basis for The Fugitive. Even though he was later acquitted, he had trouble returning to medicine. He married George Strickland's daughter, and Strickland trained Sheppard and booked him as "The Killer" to capitalize on his notoriety. He wrestled a few dozen matches in the early 70s until his death. Famously, he invented the mandible claw using his knowledge of anatomy.

[KrisZ]

Ricki Starr was a ballet dancer

 

Jerry Lawler got in through his drawing ability.

[Matt D]

DDP had a pink Cadillac

[KrisZ]

Mr. Donnie was Tommy Rich's drug dealer

[UKWildcat]

Sooo, was the story about Afa and Sika true in San Francisco? (Them always charging the ring, so they began training them to be wrestlers because they feared them so much).

 

In Southwest, Terry Daniels answered Adrian Adonis' open challenge and fought him to a draw. They began training him after his impressive showing.

 

Terry Garvin was a hair stylist in Nashville that would cut the boys hair. Dundee ended up training him.

[Timbo Slice]

DDP was the first guy I thought of. Really odd to think of where he was, getting in the game late and then becoming a star.

 

I almost want to say Dario Cueto, but that's just good casting.

[slackermillionaire]

In more recent times, Enzo Amore get signed to WWE, without any prior experience, based on a video audition tape that Triple H's personal trainer gave to Hunter.

[Strummer]

Kevin Nash was a bouncer at a strip club

 

Joanie Laurer was selling beepers when HHH and Shawn Michaels met her

[jpchicago23]

Wasn't Hogan a bass player in a band before he broke in?

[Ricky Jackson]

[Hawkeye12]

DDP first tried wrestling in like 1979 though, but only had a few matches. Then he took several years off in the night club business before getting back in with managing and commentating. Then he tried working again and took off.

[Seej]

Vince Russo. Video store owner to WWF head writer within a couple of years.

[UKWildcat]

Vince Russo. Video store owner to WWF head writer within a couple of years.

You can probably add Bischoff in this as well (how quick he rose)