Athletes crossing over to the WWE or pro wrestling comes with increased hype. This could have been a major talking point had it been it happened for any athlete of other sports. Dwight Howard, who had an illustrious career in the NBA, thought about going into pro wrestling. The prospect of a tall, athletic NBA player crossing over remains exciting, to say the least. However, it didn’t happen for a key reason.
Dwight Howard made this known in a recent interview with TMZ Sports that his aspirations to be a wrestler have come to an end. He came to this sad conclusion when he spoke to WWE legend Ric Flair. The wrestling legend emphasized that he needed to be in optimal physical conditioning to have a successful career in the sport.
I was talking to Ric Flair. He said I don’t know if my knees is good for wrestling.
Dwight Howard via TMZ Sports
Most fans were expecting the three-time Defensive Player of the Year to grace their screens with his participation in the sports after he participated in a WWE tryout during SummerSlam weekend in 2022. His potential career in the world of WWE had excited fans, it even got a climax when it received a mention from Bobby Lashley.
Sadly, despite his successes and accolades as an eight-time All-Star, he has remained unsigned by NBA teams since the end of the 2021-22 season. He could perform well as a role player in any contending team in the NBA. He is currently plying his trade in Taiwan and competing in the show Dancing with the Stars.
Dwight Howard backs 2008 Redeem Team in debate against 2024 Team USA
The NBA loves its debates, and another one entered the fray after Team USA came back with Gold at the just concluded summer Olympics in France. This time around it was between the 2024 team and the 2008 “Redeem Team,” which also went undefeated in their own Olympic campaign. In a recent appearance on Gil’s Arena, Dwight Howard sided with his 2008 team when asked if the 2024 squad could beat them.
Howard believed that both teams enjoyed success and dominant gold medal runs. However, to him, the Redeem Team’s victory felt more significant due to their mission to restore Team USA’s dominance following the 2004 bronze finish and having a core of young players.
I’m going with our team. Well, we got a prime Kobe [Bryant]. We got young Bron (LeBron James). We got the bald-head D Wade (Dwayne Wade). Talk about Bron at 23, I’m 22, Melo (Carmelo Anthony) at 24, Chris Bosh at 24.
Dwight Howard via Gil’s Arena
The squad consisted of a prime Kobe Bryant, as well as young stars, LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Bosh to name a few. The 2008 Olympics, however, marked Howard’s only appearance on the Olympic stage, where he averaged 11 points and six rebounds in 16 minutes per game.
