Back in 2013, I wrote an article highlighting the WWE Superstars I’d most love to sit across the felt from. Since then, there’s been quite a lot of change that’s taken place in the squared circle, at the poker tables, and in my own poker life. With new blood, legendary comebacks, and characters as colorful as ever — and with WrestleMania 41 coming to us from Las Vegas this year — it’s high time I put together an updated list for 2025. It’s still real to me, damnit, and at 43 years old I’m still a wrestling fan at heart.
The 10 WWE Superstars that I’ve selected entertain millions of fans across the globe week in and week out. As they’re not just athletes, but performers, I’m positive that they’d all make for unforgettable company at the poker table. Admittedly, I’m not sure how many of the WWE superstars I listed below actually play poker, but for the purposes of this article, I’m going to assume that they do. Whether I’d win or lose would be immaterial. The bottom line is that I know I’d have one hell of a fun poker-playing experience with and of the 10 wrestlers I’ve listed below.
So, without any further ado, here are the wrestlers I’d most love to play poker with in 2025.
1. Cody Rhodes
Cody’s got that calm, composed demeanor that would make an absolute pleasure to sit with at the table. He’s articulate, respectful, and strategic, perfect for a thoughtful game Stud-8. We all know now that he can “finish a story”, but whether can he tell a convincing story at the felt remains to be seen. He strikes me as someone who’d appreciate the mental aspects of poker and not just play to win, but to learn and grow. We’d probably end up talking life philosophy between hands.
First #WWECrownJewel Champion ✅
📸: @Timmsy17 pic.twitter.com/OwVM6VY63U
— Cody Rhodes (@CodyRhodes) November 4, 2024
2. LA Knight
Yeah! Imagine LA Knight in the 1-seat, doing his whole schtick after scooping a pot. He’s got charisma for days and would probably treat a poker game like a performance piece. At least for a little while, hearing him shout “YEAH!” every time he rakes a pot would be worth the buy-in (but then I’d likely politely ask him to clam up if he’d keep it up for too long). He’d keep the mood upbeat, trash talk in good fun, and probably make even the quietest table erupt in laughter. If poker ever needed a hype man, he’d be it.
https://t.co/TMQxzEmLtA pic.twitter.com/QWMLcQYbxf
— LA Knight (@RealLAKnight) March 9, 2024
3. Roman Reigns
I’m guessing that Roman would try to bring his Tribal Chief aura to the felt and try to maeuver his way towards becoming the head of the table captain. Picture this: dimly lit poker room, he pushes all in… and says nothing, with a 1,000-mile Phil Ivey-like stare to boot. Intimidation factor = 100. But I’d still love the challenge. Would he dominate the table like he’s dominated WWE? Who’d have what it takes to call a bluff from him? Either way, playing against Roman Reigns would be a real test of nerve. At the very least, his stoic presence would force everyone to bring their A-game, and I’d relish the challenge.
In due time…
It will all be mine.
My way.
Again.Believe That. #RoyalRumble @HeymanHustle pic.twitter.com/RUnnL8ba7E
— Roman Reigns (@WWERomanReigns) February 1, 2025
4. Rhea Ripley
“Mami” may be terrifying in the ring, but I bet she’d be super chill at the table. Focused, intense, and fearless. Exactly the kind of player who’s down to aggressively 3-bet with relentless abandon and stare into your soul until you fold. I’d be curious if I’d be able to get a read on her. She seems like someone who thrives in high-pressure situations and wouldn’t flinch with a massive pot on the line. While “Mami” is used to getting what she wants, I’d want those chips of hers!
Bigger, better, stronger. 👹 pic.twitter.com/CWgVQxAd9l
— RheaRipley_WWE (@RheaRipley_WWE) January 22, 2025
5. Kevin Owens
KO is like the perfect blend of old-school grinder and unpredictable maniac. Even if we weren’t playing the 7-2 game, I imagine him as the type to try and pull off the bluff with the worst starting hand in Texas Hold’em. Win or lose, I can totally see him then lecturing the table about how “nobody respects his game.” He’d keep things lively, that’s for sure. I feel like he’d take the game seriously, but still know how to keep it light, cracking jokes between hands. His love for competition would make every pot a battle worth remembering.
Mine. pic.twitter.com/1Bq49UgEIt
— Kevin (@FightOwensFight) December 15, 2024
6. Seth “Freakin’” Rollins
Seth brings just the right mix of chaos and flair. I imagine he’d rock up to the table in something ridiculous, cackle after winning a pot, and play mind games worthy of a Daniel Negreanu highlight reel. A poker night with Rollins would be anything but boring. He’d probably play to the cameras (because of course the game would be live streamed, for the fans), and add some unpredictable flair to even the most standard of hands. Expect fireworks. Plus, it would be cool to see what sort of chip porn masterpiece “the Architect” would design.
The problem isn’t that I’ve changed. The problem is that you’ve stayed the same. #WWEBerlin tonight. #WWERaw in Greenville Monday. #WWECrownJewel next Saturday. pic.twitter.com/8x93HNG3NH
— Seth Rollins (@WWERollins) October 28, 2023
7. Bianca Belair
The EST of WWE? You’d better believe she’d aim to be the best at poker, too. I see her as someone who’d bring competitive energy, soak up strategy like a sponge, and likely kick some serious ass at the table. She’d also bring incredible sportsmanship to the fray, giving everyone else at the table a boost. And if she ever lost a hand, she’d bounce back (i.e., kick-up) with grace and confidence.
EST in Belgium#ESTofWWE pic.twitter.com/0272yzz7zI
— Bianca Belair (@BiancaBelairWWE) March 17, 2025
8. Gunther
Stoic. Methodical. Calculated. Gunther would be the stone-cold rock of the game, quietly grinding his stack, waiting to pounce with precision. He’s the kind of player you’d fear bluffing into, and the one you’d most want to outplay just for bragging rights because he’d be the least likely to crumble under any sort of pressure. His sheer discipline and composure would turn every hand into a psychological test. Much like anyone who faces him inside the ring, you’d absolutely have to bring your A-game to oust Gunther in poker.
WWE have updated Gunther’s official render. pic.twitter.com/L8VZeALBvG
— Wrestle Features (@WrestleFeatures) April 20, 2025
9. CM Punk
There’s just something so damn relatable about CM Punk, and that’s exactly why I’d want him at the table. He’d bring straight-edge intensity and enough verbal jabs to put anyone on tilt. Just imagine the banter! He’d challenge you on every play and never let a weak bet go unpunished. And if things got heated? That just adds to the fun. He’d be a master of speech play, that’s for sure!
I’ve got the look down. Put me in coach! pic.twitter.com/BAzV8sifB7
— player/coach (@CMPunk) March 12, 2021
10. Drew McIntyre
Maybe it’s because I just got back from covering a poker event in Scotland, but I just had to pick Drew for this list. He seems like the kind of guy who’d have a great sense of humor, but also be able to back up any move he makes with big time intensity. I could see McIntyre throwing in a few sarcastic one-liners, and raising you with top pair and a sly wink. He’d likely have some phenomenal poker stories, too, perhaps involving a great bar fight.
Back-to-back#WrestleMania pic.twitter.com/UWveQCzOqs
— Drew (@DMcIntyreWWE) April 20, 2025
Ring the Bell, and Shuffle Up and Deal!
Poker is about more than cards and winning or losing money. It’s about personalities, stories, and having unforgettable moments. With any of these WWE Superstars at the table, I know I’d be guaranteed all of the above. By contrast, there are also 10 WWE Superstars who I’d hate playing poker with in 2025, and I invite you to read that companion piece as well.
I hope all you poker and wrestling fans enjoyed reading this as much as I enjoyed writing it up.
