The NFL may be America’s most popular sport, but this weekend all eyes will be on Philadelphia for WrestleMania 40. To celebrate, we’re matching every AFC team with a WWE Superstar.
AFC East
Buffalo Bills | Al Snow
Severe weather conditions dumped 18 inches of snow on Buffalo last year, forcing the NFL to postpone the Bills’ AFC wild-card game against the Steelers. Allen “Al Snow” Sarven sees plenty of precipitation in Ohio as owner/operator of the Ohio Valley Wrestling promotion featured in the Netflix docuseries, “Wrestlers.”
Miami Dolphins | The Rock
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has always been proud of his heritage and likely has a soft spot for fellow Samoan, quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. Johnson also played defensive tackle and won a national championship with the Miami Hurricanes in 1991.
New England Patriots | Rob Gronkowski
Most people forget that between retirements, the former All-Pro tight end won the WWE 24/7 championship at WrestleMania 36 and actually held the title while playing for the Buccaneers.
New York Jets | Dude Love
Hardcore legend Mick Foley donned many personas in his 30-year career, but his hippie-inspired “Dude Love” character seems best suited for starting quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
AFC West
Denver Broncos | X-Pac
Sean “X-Pac” Waltman was born and raised in Minnesota, but he perfected a move known as the “Bronco Buster” while a member of “Degeneration X.”
Kansas City Chiefs | Kane
Coached by Andy “Big Red” Reid, the Chiefs have been on a roll winning two straight Super Bowl titles. Glenn “Kane” Jacobs, also known as “The Big Red Machine,” is currently in his second term as Mayor of Knox County, Tennessee.
Las Vegas Raiders | The Viking Raiders
Obviously, they’ll have to share with Minnesota. Luckily, they’re a tag team.
Los Angeles Chargers | Ernie “Big Cat” Ladd
An AFL champion and a defensive tackle on San Diego’s original Fearsome Foursome, Ladd spent his offseasons competing as a professional wrestler against legends like Earl “Mr. Universe” Maynard and Bruno Sammartino. He’s a member of both the Chargers and WWE Halls of Fame.
AFC North
Baltimore Ravens | Raven
After a short stint as manager “Johnny Polo,” Scott Levy won two ECW championships as “Raven,” a dark, sociopathic loner inspired by Edgar Allen Poe.
Cincinnati Bengals| Flyin’ Brian Pillman
After going undrafted in 1984, Pillman joined his hometown Cincinnati Bengals as a linebacker. His struggles to make the roster were even covered in a series of articles written by Peter King.
Cleveland Browns | D’Lo Brown
Brown didn’t have much success in the WWE, but Joe Flacco could have used his signature strut after coming off the couch to lead Cleveland to the playoffs last season.
Pittsburgh Steelers | George “The Animal” Steele
William James Myers was a schoolteacher, author and actor, but he’s better known for his habit of eating turnbuckles and sticking out his green tongue.
AFC South
Houston Texans | The Undertaker
Mark “Undertaker” Calloway spent 30 years rising from the dead to become a three-time World Heavyweight champion. The Texans came back from a disastrous 3-13-1 season in 2022 to win the AFC South and beat the Browns 45-14 in last year’s AFC wild-card game.
Indianapolis Colts | Pat McAfee
Before working as a podcaster and WWE commentator, McAfee was a Pro Bowl punter for the Colts. He’s also 2-1 in WrestleMania matches.
Jacksonville Jaguars | Disqualified
Tony Khan, son of Jaguars owner Shahid Khan, owns rival AEW wrestling.
Tennessee Titans | Andre the Giant
One of the true legends of professional wrestling, the 7-foot-4, 520-pound Titan was a legend both in and out of the ring.