Dwight Howard’s WWE aspirations were nothing short of ambitious. The eight-time NBA All-Star and 2020 NBA Champion seemed ready for a dramatic switch from the basketball court to the wrestling ring. The former Orlando Magic star wowed audiences during a WWE tryout at the 2022 SummerSlam, where his promo went viral and grabbed the attention of WWE executives. Even Triple H declared that the “ball was in Howard’s court.” Yet, despite the hype, the much-anticipated leap into wrestling never materialized. What made this towering athlete hesitate to trade his sneakers for wrestling boots?
Did Ric Flair Shatter Dwight Howard’s WWE Dreams?
It all boils down to a fateful conversation with the legendary Ric Flair. The “Nature Boy” himself reportedly planted a seed of doubt in Howard’s mind. Speaking to TMZ Sports, Howard recounted how Flair, a two-time WWE Hall of Famer, questioned whether his body, particularly his knees, could withstand the punishing demands of the wrestling ring. “Flair told me, ‘I don’t know if your knees are up for this,’” Howard confessed, revealing that the idea of lifting 300-pound wrestlers and enduring the constant physical toll made him reconsider his ambitions.
Wrestling is no child’s play. It’s not just about the theatrics; it’s about surviving the relentless grind, and Flair knows this better than anyone. Howard, no stranger to knee issues throughout his 18-year basketball career, seemed to realize that the wrestling ring is a different beast altogether. “Nobody wants to pick up 300-pound dudes and do that their whole life!” Howard admitted, expressing a mix of admiration and apprehension for those who live and breathe wrestling.
While his NBA days may be over, Howard isn’t ready to fade away just yet. In May 2024, he joined the Taiwan Mustangs as both a player and part-owner, signaling a fresh chapter in his sports career. But that’s not all; he’s also hinted at an unexpected venture into stand-up comedy. Could we see the towering 7-footer cracking jokes on a comedy stage soon? Only time will tell.
From an editor’s perspective, this twist in Howard’s story raises a provocative question: Did Ric Flair actually do him a favor? Wrestling might seem glamorous, but the toll it takes on the body can be devastating, even for a seasoned athlete. Howard’s decision to listen to Flair’s cautionary words might just be the wisest play of his post-NBA career.
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