WWE Stars and Their Favorite Soccer Teams
There are few more international sports than that of professional wrestling. Companies such as WWE and AEW have global followings, and fans from around the world are being supported in this modern day with a number of premium events being held intentionally.
That has been apparent on the Road to WrestleMania this year, with Raw and SmackDown taking place in cities such as Bologna, London, and Brussels.
However, the European-feel to wrestlers is also evident based on their sporting interests outside of the ring, with many having a passion for soccer. But, who do some of the biggest WWE stars support?
Sheamus
Sheamus is one of the biggest soccer fans on the WWE roster, and he has made no secret of his love for Liverpool. If you know how to bet on EPL games you probably know how close the Reds are of winning the title this season.
The Irish superstar has also appeared on the NBC coverage of the Premier League.
The 47-year-old is one of the veterans on the current roster, and he was picked up back in 2009 after impressing on the Indy circuit. Sheamus is a four-time world champion, and he was the first Irish-born world champion in WWE history He is also an excellent competitor in the tag-team division, winning the titles on four occasions.
His accolades also include victories in the King of the Ring Tournament, the Money in the Bank ladder match, and the Royal Rumble; becoming only the second wrestler to achieve wins in those signature events.
Drew McIntyre
Drew McIntyre is a lifelong fan of Glasgow Rangers, and typically attends matches at Ibrox when the WWE are overseas during European tours.
McIntyre is arguably the most successful British WWE star of al-time, and he made history back at WrestleMania 36 when defeating Brock Lesnar to become the first British world champion in WWE history.
The Scottish star endured a mixed early history in WWE after being released from the company in 2014. However, he would return to the WWE in 2017, winning the NXT Championship before being promoted back to the main roster.
McIntyre has been one of the standout stars in the last 12 months, with his rivalry with CM Punk throughout last summer catapulting him to a whole new level.
Finn Balor
Finn Balor has made no secret of his love for Tottenham Hotspur, and he was also in attendance for their Champions League final against Liverpool in 2019. However, his main passion remains in the ring. The 43-year-old currently competes on Raw, and is a member of The Judgement Day.
Balor’s ascendency to the top of the sport saw him spend time in Japan, before he was signed to NXT. His star would reach new heights during his time with the developmental brand, winning the NXT Championship and holding the gold for 292 days.
He was also the co-winner of the inaugural Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic alongside Samoa Joe. After arriving on the main roster, Balor would become the first Universal Champion at SummerSlam in 2016.
However, he was forced to vacate the gold due to injury. Since returning, he has won the Intercontinental Championship on two occasions, and also became a Grand Slam champion after winning the Tag Team Championships at Payback in September 2023.
Triple H
It could be argued that there are few more important stars in WWE than Triple H. The chief content officer of the company is a passionate sports fan, and labelled himself as a follower of West Ham United during a European tour.
The love has blossomed between the two, with the Hammers even playing Triple H’s theme song on matchdays. There are few more decorated stars in WWE history than Triple H, with the superstar making his debut in WCW in 1994.
He rose to fame as part of the D-Generation X stable during the Monday Night War. He has achieved major success in the ring, winning the world championship on 14 occasions. Triple H is also a five-time Intercontinental champion, and has also held the World Tag Team Championships on one occasion.
Wade Barrett
Wade Barrett’s love of Preston North End is no secret for those that follow him on social media, and his passion is attracting new fans to the club, with fellow commentators Michael Cole and Pat McAfee joining Barrett to watch North End in their recent quarterfinal clash with Aston Villa.
Barrett’s emergence in the world of WWE came back in 2010 after winning the first season of NXT. He would then head one of the most exciting factions of the era, with The Nexus causing chaos on weekly television.
He would later achieve success with the Bad News Barrett persona, before becoming King Barrett after winning the King of the Ring in 2015. However, he would leave the company in 2016, before returning to commentate on matches for NXT in 2020. Barrett is now the voice of SmackDown.
