Sylvester Stallone spoke with Sports Illustrated about his career, his new action movie, the Samaritan, and how pro wrestling influences his style and filmmaking.
Sly views wrestling the same as an action movie, fantasy combined with real risk and stakes.
Sylvester Stallone, the star of the new movie “Samaritan”, thinks people who dismiss pro wrestling are the same as those who dismiss action movies https://t.co/rmOO2lVPhU
— SI Wrestling (@SI_wrestling) August 17, 2022
The Demolition Man spoke about how the work of Bruno Sammartino inspired him to pursue acting roles.
“People like Bruno “Sammartino, those are people that helped forge my personality and my outlook on life. Bruno, Gorgeous George, [bodybuilder/actor] Steve Reeves, [boxer] Rocky Marciano—especially Rocky Marciano.”
In the interview, John Rambo gave one of the better comebacks to the “wrestling is fake” trope.
Sylvester Stallone on pro wrestling: “I love wrestling. It’s all about getting swept up in the drama. … I hear people say it’s not real. Really? Gravity is real. Jumping off the top rope or having 300 pounds landing on you, that’s real.”
100.
— ???????????? (@wrestlelamia) August 18, 2022
Stallone has been involved in WWE in the past and is a long-time friend of Hulk Hogan. The cross-over between Stallone fans and wrestling fans is pretty clear. Stallone’s action movies often tell a complex but fulfilling story of a good man triumphing over evil.
Other Celebrity Wrestling Fans
Sly is far from the only famous wrestling fan. Here are a few other real-life stars who love the squared circle.
90s heartthrob Freddie Prinze Jr is not only a huge wrestling fan; he even worked for WWE for a time. The lifelong fan is now in the process of starting his own promotion.
Freddie Prinze Jr. Thinks Top WWE Star ‘Is Back’ Following Vince McMahon Stepping Down https://t.co/ZHIq81UeEG
— WrestlingINC.com (@WrestlingInc) August 17, 2022
Megaproducer and noted beard haver Rick Rubin is a longtime wrestling fan, often called a purist for his love of classic “old school” work. Rubin helped fund Jim Cornette’s nostalgia-driven Smokey Mountain Wrestling.
Rick Rubin on his love of pro wrestling, and how “Rowdy” Roddy Piper helped turn the Beastie Boys bad: http://t.co/u1GX2EowSK
— Rolling Stone (@RollingStone) April 20, 2015
Rubin is often seen at WWE events, often sitting right behind the commentary.
Just @MichelleDBeadle eating hotdogs at a wrestling match next to Rick Rubin pic.twitter.com/7vWx3Pag58
— Bunkie Perkins (@BunkiePerkins) March 30, 2015
Television presenter Maria Menounos is a big wrestling fan who is always around WWE, especially during WrestleMania.
What Is Maria Menounos’ Relationship With WWE? https://t.co/GL2TYCj3jO pic.twitter.com/VhyowFAAjZ
— Wrestling Resource – The Sportster (@WrestlingSheet) July 22, 2022
Daily Show host Jon Stewart has been involved in wrestling for a few years.
Welcome BACK to #SummerSlam, Jon Stewart! pic.twitter.com/Mx8oVA9mQJ
— WWE (@WWE) August 19, 2018
He even wrestled, kinda. The pundit was AA’d by John Cena.
GIF: Jon Stewart really getting into this wrestling thing pic.twitter.com/VwLbGFAJME
— CJ Fogler AKA Perc70 #BlackLivesMatter (@cjzero) August 25, 2015
I like it when I see a famous person really into wrestling. Despite its mass appeal, wrestling is still a relatively niche interest. Many celebrities just show up for a promotion, but I like to think I can always tell when they are real fans.
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