Three major WWE wrestlers have attempted to branch out into acting in Hollywood, including Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, John Cena, and Dave Bautista, but Bautista is clearly the best. While these ex-wrestlers were required to practice some acting during their time in professional wrestling, the theatrics they performed are a far cry from the requirements of Hollywood actors, meaning this phenomenon of wrestlers turning into superstar actors is quite strange. While all three ex-wrestlers have their strengths, when it comes to pure acting ability, Dave Bautista comes out on top.
Wrestlers becoming actors is nothing new, with athletes like Roddy Piper breaking into the film world back in the 1980s. However, the frequency at which these ex-wrestlers are moving into acting and the success they are finding makes this modern trend its own beast. Dwayne Johnson's box-office power proves he is one of Hollywood's biggest actors, while John Cena's comedy chops have landed him leading roles in successful movies and shows like Peacemaker. Dave Bautista has more humble beginnings compared to the latter two, but he has proven himself to be the best ex-wrestler turned actor.
Why Dave Bautista Has The Edge Over The Rock
The Rock is the most well-known wrestler turned actor, starring in massive franchises like Jumanji and the Fast & Furious movies. However, when it comes down to it, the Rock is just a basic action star. In nearly every movie he's in, the Rock plays the same character, a sarcastic but lovable jerk who always saves the day. Dave Bautista, on the other hand, has an incredible amount of range. Dave Bautista plays a furious warrior in Dune, a tragic and remorseful replicant in Blade Runner 2049, and hilarious comic relief in the Guardians of the Galaxy movies.
On top of his acting range, Bautista works a lot better in an ensemble cast than the Rock, an essential quality in modern Hollywood. The Rock prefers to be the leading man, rarely playing second fiddle to any actor. In the Fast & Furious movies, The Rock even has a clause in his contract saying that he can't lose a fight, showing that his ego comes at a cost to the characters.
Bautista, on the other hand, shines in ensemble casts. He tends to play beloved supporting roles in some of his most famous films, including Guardians of the Galaxy, Dune, and Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery. The Rock may be a movie star, but Dave Bautista is a character actor, meaning he supports the movies he's in instead of his public image.
John Cena Hasn't Taken Bautista's Hollywood Title (Yet)
While the Rock isn't anywhere near as talented as Dave Bautista, John Cena isn't that far behind. John Cena's role as Peacemaker in The Suicide Squad shows that he can play both comedic and dramatic roles. The actor's talents are illustrated even further in the spin-off show Peacemaker. John Cena getting his big acting break in a superhero movie proves he's following Bautista's career trajectory. However, he still hasn't overtaken Dave Bautista's Hollywood title because he hasn't yet demonstrated Bautista's range.
Apart from his performance as Peacemaker in the DCU, John Cena hasn't branched out yet and taken on the dramatic roles that make Dave Bautista so great. Cena's Hollywood projects are almost exclusively comedies with mixed reviews, such as Blockers, Playing with Fire, and Vacation Friends. Peacemaker may be the catalyst that breaks Cena out of his lovable oaf typecast, which would allow him to finally show off his acting range. As of now, though, the ex-wrestler simply hasn't shown that he has the level of talent to surpass Dave Bautista, despite not being too far behind.
Bautista's New Projects Will Confirm His Hollywood Status
Dave Bautista has starred in films before, but he has generally played supporting roles in his biggest successes. Dave Bautista's Hollywood status is about to be cemented through his next projects. Notably, Dave Bautista is the biggest star in M. Night Shyamalan's Knock at the Cabin, with the film's marketing banking on Bautista's star power. If the film is a box-office success, it could confirm that Bautista has become a true Hollywood star, with his acting prowess alone selling nearly any film. Knock at the Cabin is a horror movie, meaning that Dave Bautista's acting range will expand even more, further proving he's Hollywood's best ex-wrestler.
