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From lean rookies to hulking champions and dramatic post-career changes, these pro wrestlers redefined their bodies in shocking ways! Join us as we examine the most dramatic physical transformations in wrestling history. We're looking at superstars who completely changed their physiques, whether through intense dedication, character evolution, or life's unexpected challenges.
Transcript
00:00Dwayne The Rock Johnson is turning heads with his dramatic weight loss.
00:03Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we're counting down our picks for the professional wrestlers
00:09who underwent the most surprising physical transformations.
00:13We'll be excluding female wrestler physique changes, however, as that is a list for another time.
00:18Number 10, Drew McIntyre Upon his initial 2007 debut on WWE's main roster
00:35and later as Vince McMahon's chosen one, Drew McIntyre's physique could best be described
00:41as lean and athletic.
00:48However, when the Scottish warrior returned to WWE TV in 2017 after several years away,
01:01he showed off a dramatically more muscular frame, bulking up his chest, shoulders, and back
01:07into a powerhouse physique that instantly set him apart on the main roster.
01:12McIntyre's increased muscularity played a key part in his main event push, culminating
01:18in him capturing the WWE Championship.
01:21Drew's body stands as proof of a relentless work ethic, taking him from promising young
01:27talent to dominant headliner.
01:38Number 9, Jinder Mahal
01:40Between just August and December 2016, another former 3MB member impressively carved a ripped,
01:48combative physique that launched him from mid-carder to WWE Champion.
01:53Jinder Mahal
02:09Jinder Mahal attributed his drastic change to quitting alcohol, adopting a disciplined diet, and meticulous
02:16training.
02:17Jinder Mahal
02:18He defended the transformation by pointing to his adherence to WWE's drug testing protocols,
02:24insisting it was all dedication and hard work.
02:27The fact that the change was made in only four months makes it even more stunning.
02:33Jinder proved that discipline and focus can reshape not only one's body, but their career.
02:40Devon
02:41Jinder Mahal
02:468.
02:47Damion Priest
02:48Before WWE, Damion Priest admitted to being horribly out of shape, weighing around 400 pounds
02:55while working various jobs and wrestling on weekends.
03:01Facing many hardships and setbacks, Priest eventually decided to fully commit to changing
03:10his life and focusing on achieving his wrestling dream full-time.
03:16It's then that he cut out junk food, joined a gym, and embraced a strict new lifestyle.
03:28The weight dropped, the muscle came in, and he evolved into the lean, imposing force we
03:34see today.
03:35Priest's transformation is so drastic that looking at photos from his indie days feels
03:41like seeing a completely different person.
03:447.
03:45Paul H. Levesque Beginning as a muscular yet wiry blue chipper,
03:51Paul Levesque steadily evolved into a portrait of mass, monstrous shoulders, thick traps,
03:57and a rock-hard core that defined the Attitude Era and beyond.
04:04Yep, Levesque's physique as terrorizing is a far cry from that of the sledgehammer-wielding
04:15Triple H. In fact, each era of his career showcases aspects of physical change, some more impressive
04:23than others.
04:27And while his body has certainly seen changes in his post-retirement life, as seen in his
04:322025 family vacation photos, Triple H's evolution from a muscular young athlete to the imposing
04:39cerebral assassin stands as one of wrestling's most iconic.
04:456.
04:46Gunther Without question, Gunther's transformation
04:48deserves plenty of praise.
04:51Rising from his days wrestling as Walter, the ring general's transformational shred featured
04:56a wrap-around curtain of dense muscle, pecs, and quads.
05:01So I'm right now preparing for Bash in Berlin, preparation for a professional wrestling match,
05:06especially a match as important as a World Heavy Championship match.
05:10It's very specific and always depends on the opponent.
05:14And despite the stunning turnaround, his lighter physique retains that strongman, old European
05:20vibe, muscular yet functional.
05:32His new frame gives every chop and strike visual legitimacy, with his body still looking like
05:37he can back his power.
05:53There's no denying that Gunther's sheer presence amplifies his aura as one of WWE's most intimidating
06:00forces, and his old photos look like they belong to a completely different man.
06:055.
06:06Chris Jericho
06:19Chris Jericho has reinvented himself countless times, with many of his revamps accompanied
06:25by noticeable body transformations.
06:28In his early career as a cruiserweight, Jericho sported a lean, athletic build that gradually gained
06:34more mass, especially as he rose through the WWE ranks.
06:39During his tenure in AEW, Chris seemingly embraced a heavier, less defined physique, showing a different
06:46side of his in-ring presence.
06:48However, health concerns during a 2021 Fozzy Tour motivated Jericho to shed significant weight,
07:00giving fans yet another dramatic reinvention.
07:02With a physique that evolves alongside his ever-changing character, Jericho's body transformation only
07:17highlights his enduring adaptability and lasting impact on the industry.
07:234.
07:24Dwayne The Rock Johnson
07:30When he began his WWE tenure, Dwayne Johnson had a classic 90s wrestler physique, pumped
07:36arms and a puffed-out chest.
07:38But over time, his body evolved into a more defined, bulging build.
07:48Johnson's look fluctuated at times, however.
07:50In the early 2000s, he underwent surgery to reduce gynecomastia, reshaping his chest before
07:57bulking back up again.
07:59His look ultimately became larger than life, a thicker core, sculpted lats and massive arms.
08:05In 2025, he unveiled yet another remarkable transformation, revealing a surprisingly leaner physique that
08:13marked a departure from his traditionally muscular build.
08:16Dwayne showed off his new slimmed-down figure, sporting a silk, short-sleeved blue button-down
08:21with colorful sketches and straight-leg black trousers.
08:25Many users online responded to the new look, saying on X, had to do a double-take.
08:30This change underscored his commitment to adding a fresh dimension to his showbiz career.
08:36Number 3.
08:38Scott Steiner Scott Steiner's transformation is truly something
08:42to behold.
08:52Already a muscular tag-team wrestler with his brother Rick, Scott morphed into the hulkish
08:57Big Papa Pump character, bursting with mass across his pecs, arms and insanely vascular traps.
09:05The shift came with an eye-catching aesthetic, including giant biceps and muscles that looked
09:11to be carved from stone.
09:13Heck, Steiner's physique became as much a star as his persona.
09:17He even branded himself a genetic freak.
09:20What I think that really scene came to see is me come down that aisle, get in that ring
09:28and kick your ass.
09:30Yep, Scott's transformation is legendary for its extremes, creating one of wrestling's
09:35most visually jaw-dropping muscular bodies.
09:38Number 2.
09:39Dave Bautista Dave Bautista's metamorphosis from WWE Powerhouse
09:44to Hollywood A-lister is perhaps the greatest among wrestlers turned thespians.
09:50The animal began his in-ring career with a muscular yet proportioned physique, carrying the kind
09:56of mass perfect for in-ring dominance.
10:05Over time, Bautista's frame erupted into that of a human tank, pecs, shoulders, arms and traps
10:12for days.
10:22After stepping away from the ring, however, he crafted different cinematic physiques to
10:27fit a variety of roles, proving his versatility beyond sheer size.
10:32Now in his late 50s, he has stunned fans by trimming down and revealing he'd lost an incredible
10:39weight in hisца.
11:001. Lex Luger
11:03While it's only natural for pro wrestlers to change physically after stepping away from
11:07the squared circle, few transformations have been as startling as Lex Luger's. Nicknamed
11:13the total package for his herculean physique, Luger was once the epitome of sculpted physical
11:18dominance.
11:26But a devastating spinal stroke in 2007 changed everything. Sadly, his body is nearly unrecognizable
11:33compared to his prime. However, despite the physical toll and challenges, Luger describes
11:42himself as streamlined and redefined, saying his health is great. While he still relies
11:48on a wheelchair due to nerve damage, recent progress, including walking unaided at times,
11:54shows how far he's come. Luger's extreme physical transformation underscores a journey
11:59of loss, resilience, and an unwavering spirit.
12:13Which other pro wrestler transformation left your jaw on the floor? Jacob Fatou? Akira
12:19Tozawa? Braun Strowman? Smackdown your picks in the comments below!
12:25The warning, right? You get a warning like that, you gotta listen to your body, you know,
12:30and listen to the powers that be.
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