Superstars Earmarked for Hollywood but Both Say They’re Just Getting Started in the WWE
Over the decades, many of the WWE’s superstars have stepped away from the squared circle to lend their charisma and massive followings to Hollywood movies. John Cena has recently found success, Andre the Giant made his way into a cult classic, and Dwayne Johnson – once hailed as The Rock: The Most Electrifying Man in Sports Entertainment – continues to power box office hits. Coming into 2019, Forbes named Johnson as the highest-paid actor of the year, reportedly making $87.5 million, $23.5 million of which came from Red Notice.
Still, compared to the number of superstars that come through the WWE and their respective fan bases, relatively few come out of the company to cement solid acting careers on the big screen. In 2022, though, there are two clear stars of the WWE, and both are being touted for bigger roles in Hollywood in the years to come. While the two are still in the WWE, and only one has credits on their filmography, they have been keen to reassure fans that there’s a lot more to come from them in pro wrestling.
Reigns and Belair are the clear stars of the WWE
Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns has been atop the men’s line of pro wrestling for a good couple of years following a somewhat hit-and-miss opening few years to his career in the eyes of the fans. Bianca Belair, on the other hand, has rapidly surged to the top of women’s wrestling, coming through NXT, tying the record for eliminations at 20202 Royal Rumble, and not looking back since. NBC Sports has seen Reigns and the Raw Women’s Champion switch at the top of the rankings throughout the year, but one is always at the top.
For The Tribal Chief, he was long seen as being pushed to stardom by the company, but after turning his heel and taking the top title in August 2020, fans became much more embracing of the towering champion. He’s wrestled the best and crafted a compelling narrative through the villainous The Bloodline stable. Belair, as The Ringer details, has built a kind of brand loyalty by being sold as a major superstar and then delivering on the expectations that come with such a billing.
As champions, however, it’s also important to be very marketable because, at the end of the day, the WWE is an entertainment company, and showcased success isn’t always enough – as Reigns’ early runs demonstrate. The company now waits for fans to showcase their devotion, and then pushes the superstars accordingly. It’s why both Reigns and Belair are the faces of the promotion and its products, as shown with the new Betway game WWE Clash of the Wilds. They are the main two superstars of the slot but are also joined by legends John Cena and Charlotte Flair, showcasing the tier that these two champions are operating at.
When partnering with the WWE, even when it comes to a slot game, the other side wants to use the image rights of the best and most popular so that the product will appeal to as many fans as possible. Reigns and Belair being in the Clash of the Wilds slot indicates how marketable and popular the superstars have become. Given that the WWE reported a revenue increase of 19 per cent to $304.6 million in Q3 2022, it’s clear that the company knows how to promote its product and stars.
Only just getting started in the WWE, but heading for Hollywood
Very interestingly, with news and recent releases showing links between Reigns and Belair to Hollywood, both superstars came out to make it clear that their WWE runs were only just beginning. After rumbling his way to Smackdown on 18 November, Reigns told The Ringer that, to him, “we’re in the second quarter of the Super Bowl right now,” and that “it’s only begun,” “it’s going to get bigger.” That month, he also discussed that he’d like to gain more experience in Hollywood as “you can’t fall down your whole life.”
He’s certainly a presence whenever he’s in front of crowds and has gained a tremendous fandom with a promotion that has tens of millions of followers worldwide. As the face of the WWE, Hollywood studios will flock to Reigns to feature in their productions if he can refine and prove himself as a viable actor. The 37-year-old does boast a handful of cameo and acting credits already, including roles in Hobbs & Shaw, The Wrong Missy, and as a voice actor in Rumble.
Belair is certainly making for a captivating watch in the WWE right now. At the Crown Jewel event this year, her battle with Bayley arguably stole the show. The heated rivalry came to a head in the Last Woman Standing Match, with Belair trapping her foe in a ladder between the ropes. Not long after, on 15 November, news broke that Belair had signed with top talent agency WME with the aim of exploring opportunities in Hollywood. Now 33 years old, it might not be long until we see Belair in a blockbuster flick.
Even with these plans in the works and a clear direction into Hollywood being forged, Belair made it clear that the WWE is her commitment. In an interview with Metro, she stated that she’s “just getting started” in the WWE as she has “so much more to do.” The WWE has rarely shied away from its superstars giving the movie scene a go because, in the end, it helps to bring more eyes to the pro wrestling product.
With Reigns and Belair flying high within the WWE right now, it makes perfect sense for them both to seek opportunities in Hollywood. If they make it into a box office hit or two, they’ll only be cemented as the faces of the company.
