Top 10 Wrestlers With Amateur Backgrounds In WWE History
9. Dolph Ziggler
One of the flashiest acts in recent WWE history, Dolph Ziggler is a superstar characterised by his showmanship. His energetic wrestling style, loud personality, and cocksure swagger ensured his status as one of WWE’s most popular wrestlers, but while his performances have made him a household name, Ziggler’s genesis took place in the tough, gritty world of amateur wrestling.
Taking-up wrestling at a very young age, Ziggler attended St. Edward High School in his native Ohio, where he set a school record of 82 career pins. Wrestling alongside future UFC Lightweight contender Gray Maynard, Ziggler’s high school team won the National Championships on two separate occasions.
From there, Ziggler attended Kent State University with the intention of continuing as a wrestler while preparing for a future life as a legal practitioner. Amassing an impressive 121 career wins from 2000 to 2003, Ziggler currently stands second in terms of all-time career victories at his college, and won three All-Mid-American Conference Championships in 2000, 2002, and 2003. If you’ve ever wondered why everything Ziggler does looks so smooth and effortless in the ring, now you know.