9. Chuck Palumbo: Greaser In And Out Of The Ring
"The Main Event" Chuck Palumbo is one of the few to make his real-life passion into his gimmick, and then turn the gimmick back into a successful business. The former WCW and WWE Tag Team Champion ended his WWE career as "Custom Chucky P," riding a custom-built chopper to ringside and portraying an auto mechanic and greaser in the ring. His highest prolific feud during this period was against Jamie Noble as the two battled for the hand of Michelle McCool. Palumbo won the battles, but not the girl, and he eventually left WWE for the comforts of a garage (but not before gifting both a custom chopper and Michelle McCool to The Undertaker.) Palumbo, not content with just working on rides in San Diego, parlayed his successful chopper business (which, again, was parlayed from his wrestling gimmick) into another successful business: Chuck Palumbo's Garage Gym, a fitness center with a garage feel. Palumbo also taught himself guitar and started a band while he was injured - 3 Spoke Wheel- that occasionally plays and tours in the San Diego area, and- just announced last week- Palumbo agreed to a television deal with Discovery Channel to star in
Lords of the Car Hoards, a reality show where Palumbo will rebuild classic cars by visiting collectors and offering his services. Not bad for a man who almost married Billy Gunn. Chuck Palumbo's Customs: http://cpkustoms.com/