After their NBA careers end, many players try their luck in other professional sports. A former Lakers center nearly became a WWE wrestler after his time in the league ended.
The NBA boasts some of the best athletes in the world on its roster, and in recent years several players have found themselves at a WWE event at some point, trying their hand at professional wrestling.
Names like Shaquille O’Neal, Dennis Rodman, and Karl Malone are among the many names that have made appearances at wrestling events. Another NBA big man nearly pursued a career in WWE.
Dwight Howard made the surprising announcement that he is set to sign a contract with WWE. But before he can join the team, the former first overall pick said that Wrestling Hall of Famer Ric Flair, I dissuaded him from it.
“I talked to Ric Flair, he said he didn’t know if my knees were good for wrestling,” Howard told TMZ on Wednesday. “My knees feel good, it’s just wrestling. You’re talking about lifting 300-pound guys and all that. Nobody wants to do that their whole life.”
The former NBA Slam Dunk Contest winner would have been a sight to behold in a wrestling ring, but it seems safe to say Howard has closed that chapter before it even began despite his 2022 tryout.
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