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WWE and the NFL
WrestleMania XXXI emanates from Levi Stadium in Santa Clara on Sunday, which is the home of Super Bowl 50 as well. And since the WWE and the NFL are two of my favorite things (it would be a trifecta if it included Archer), I took the liberty of comparing some NFL players with their WWE counterpart.

Both are super popular, but I just don't get it. At least the good news is both have been shuffled to the mid-card during this stage of their careers.

All right, Sherman isn't Russian. I get that. But here's the thing. Rusev is hated on by a lot of people, but why? He's smart. He doesn't always say the most popular opinion. And while he boasts a ton, dude always backs it up. So yeah, I'm going to stick with this.

Both of these superstars are at the top of their game, but are long overdue for a serious title run.

People have been asking RG3 'what's up?' over the past couple of seasons. I kid, I kid. R-Truth was at the top of the card a couple of years ago and then disappeared. Kind of like RG3. But now both are back for another shot at the top.

Yes, I know there is another guy in the WWE with a similar 'beast' nickname, but hear me out on this one. Ambrose is one of the most popular guys in the game. He plays by his own rules. Appears to be unstable, but knows exactly what he was doing. And he was a part of a championship team two years ago. So this is apt. APT!

Well, I mean just look at them.

Wilson was a third-round draft pick who didn't look the part of an NFL quarterback. Some said he was too small to succeed with the current giants of the league. Bryan has fought the same stereotypes since he walked into the WWE as a contestant on NXT, despite years of success as an independent wrestler. Wilson, of course, proved the skeptics wrong with a victory in Super Bowl XLVIII. Bryan did the same at WrestleMania XXX.

BNB is one of the most talented guys in the E, and poised to be a champion at some point. But only if he could just stay healthy. Why does that sound so familiar?

Both have roots in reality TV shows. The Miz got his big break when he appeared on MTV's "The Real World." Cutler has a well-publicized romance with "The Hills" star Kristin Cavallari. While neither are cheered by the masses (well, not until recently for The Miz), I'm kind of drawn to both of them.

Both are third-generation superstars. For the record (and this has nothing to do with the comparison), Axelmania has been one of the most consistently great things about RAW the last couple of weeks.

Jobbers!

We've waited for a while for Sandow to become a breakout star (and he will in a couple of weeks). Similarly, Freeman is poised to breakout for the Falcons this season. That's just a little fantasy football tip for you.

I will admit; I marked out for Sting during Monday Night RAW at Staples Center. But I'm looking forward to his return to the ring as much as I would look forward to Favre returning on the field.

Both are super popular with the crowd despite being a smidge past the prime of their careers. But damn, I still like watching them.

I liked this much better when Graham still played in New Orleans because of the Bayou connection. But both are considered the next great phenoms. But at some point, you need to start picking up some wins.

Megatron, like the Viper, was at the top of his game a couple of years ago. And while both are still a top attraction, there are some youngsters who are nipping at their heels.

I would have said Finn Balor, but he's nearly the same age as Orton. And Breeze is my favorite NXT guy so I'm going with him. I'm not saying Tyler is on the verge of taking over for Orton, I just had to find a way to wedge him in here so much because he's my favorite.

When Revis joined the Patriots, it was akin to when Rollins joined the Authority. Revis didn't sell out, he bought in. He won a Super Bowl and then sold out by going back to the Jets.

Well if the Patriots are the Authority, then it stands to reason Brady would be 'the game.' Although can we put it out there on front street? Brady is one of the best at his position, ever. Trips was great, but he is still overshadowed by many superstars of his generation.

I made this connection last year. Kuechly has become an NFL star. Cesaro was on his way after he won the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal. But somehow hit the skids over the last 11 months.

Red heads!

The Gronk Bus is totally the Exotic Express! I expect (and demand) the Patriots have somebody in a bunny costume standing on the sidelines next year. That would be awesome. And it totally seems like something Bill Belichick would be down with. Oh right, never mind.

Every time I watch them perform, I just feel so bad for them. Ryback because he's always stuck with these failed pushes. And Thomas because of the whole Cleveland thing.

Both people feel like this is their year to win a championship. I think it's too early for both of them.

Eat
Sleep
Sack Quarterbacks
Repeat

Goldust and Stardust are the sons of Hall of Famer Dusty Rhodes. So they share some similarity with Chris and Kyle Long, sons of Hall of Famer Howie Long. Come to think of it, this would be a pretty cool undercard match for next year's WrestleMania. I'll pitch that around.