Wrestlers being in comic book projects isn’t a new thing. Before John Cena and Batista became the best WWE stars to become full-time actors, Kevin Nash was The Russian in The Punisher, Macho Man fought Peter Parker as Bone Saw in Spider-Man, and Triple H was a random vampire named Jarko Grimwood in Blade Trinity. Later, Cody Rhodes appeared in Arrow, and The Flash featured former WWE superstars Goldberg and Adam Copeland (Edge).
xThe trend of wrestlers appearing in superhero movies won’t stop anytime soon, especially with a new roster of talented stars who’ve recently debuted. Take someone like Nikki Cross (whose real name is Nicola Glencross). She’d be the perfect person to be in a cult villain group. She’s somewhat doing it now with the Wyatt Sicks.
This article will explore wrestlers that could be characters in Bat Family projects. Some will be crime bosses while others will be goons used for canon fodder or built up to make the heroes look strong. One person on this list should have a villain built specifically for them. Let’s start with someone who may be the WWE’s brightest star.
Rhea Ripley
Real name: Demi Bennett
There may not be a person on the WWE roster with more upside than Rhea "Bloody" Ripley. She’s beloved by wrestling fans and people who couldn’t tell the difference between Rey Mysterio and his son Dominik. She breaks the internet with random goofiness, flexes, and friendly flirting with other women on the roster. In short, she knows how good she is and how to work the internet.
Rhea Ripley is far from being in her prime and isn’t even 30. And while we don’t know if she’ll take the path to Hollywood full-time, she won’t be short of offers for cameos. Having her fight any member of the Bat Family would work. She’s strong and brutal enough to take any of them on and make the battle look believable.
Oba Femi
Real name: Isaac Odugbesan
Oba Femi is one of the few big guys with charisma. He grabs the microphone and people listen to every word. And when he completes a sentence, the crowd grunts in approval and solidarity. It’s easy to see that he’s a star in the making. However, if you ask him, he’ll say he’s already one.
Oba is definitely someone Batman should fight because he can believably overpower Batman and take his punches. It’s been a while since we've seen a henchman like that in a Batman movie, especially one with personality. Oba could be one of The Dark Knight’s most memorable fights. It would be hard-hitting and entertaining.
Jacob Fatu
Real name: Jacob Parmar Fatu
Some wrestlers act tough, Jacob Fatu is tough. He also has a presence about him that screams, “Don't mess with him.” He’s even intimidating during his promos because he believes in himself and knows how good and terrifying he is.
Having him fight someone like Nightwing or Red Hood works because there’s nothing Jacob Fatu incapable of doing. We've seen him use power, speed, and athleticism in ways many WWE stars can't. Even though Jacob Fatu would be playing a fictional character, beating the Samoan Werewolf would add clout to the two heroes.
Lola Vice
Real name: Valerie Loureda
Lola Vice is a legit badass. She’s been on the US Olympic Taekwondo team and has a 4-1 record in mixed martial arts. And after watching her briefly in NXT (and the Instagram video above), it’s easy to see why she’s on this list. Valerie Loureda can legitimately beat someone down and talk trash while doing it. She’s the perfect person for Batgirl, Batwoman, or Cassandra Cain to fight.
Dexter Lumis
Real name: Samuel Robert Shaw
To say Dexter Lumis is a man of few words is an understatement. That being said, Samuel Robert Shaw has an appeal that doesn’t need words. He can pull off a cold dead stare that would send chills down anyone’s spine. That's why he’d fit perfectly with Penguin, Joker, or any costumed-themed villain's henchmen. It would come off like Kevin Nash when he fought The Russian in The Punisher. He'd be silent and violent.
Jade Cargill
Real name: Jade Nicole Cargill
Jade Cargill is a star. People loved her from the minute she showed up. She has an illuminating smile, dresses up in comic book costumes, and seems to have a wonderful personality. Plus, she can flex anyone out of the room.
We need to see Jade Cargill vs Kate Kane (Batwoman). It’s two of the toughest women in their genre beating each other down. Also, how funny would it be for Batwoman to try and punch Jade only for her to laugh it off?
Bobby Lashley
Real name: Franklin Roberto "Bobby" Lashley
First, Bobby Lashley always looks like money. His suits are tailored, the colors go well with his skin, and there’s never anything put on him that doesn’t match. Second, his physique strikes fear in anyone. He’s built like a tank and hits like one too. Third, he looks like he was sculpted out of marble ('nuff said). Lastly, Lashley is also a former MMA fighter with a more than impressive record of 15-2. Put all that together and you have someone any Bat-Family project would be lucky to have.
Lash Legend
Real name: Anriel Howard
The “Boujee Bully” has grown into more than just NXT’s powerhouse. She’s progressed into showing that her personality is as powerful as her body. It’s only a matter of time before Hollywood notices. The former NCAA star and WNBA player would be the perfect person to run with Harley Quinn. Harley would love her attitude and Lash would protect Harley as she does her current NXT teammate, Jakara Jackson.
Chelsea Green
Real name: Chelsea Anne Cardona
Look, this writer is aware that Chelsea Green isn’t someone who’s expected to knock people out or give anyone in the Bat Family a problem with her fighting. But that’s not why she’s on this list. Chelsea Green should be exactly who she is everywhere she goes. She’s hilarious and sometimes a hot mess.
Nick Aldis said it best. Chelsea made the best out of a situation and became a fan favorite. Imagine her as the main villain in a story starring Batgirls, Stephanie Brown and Cassandra Cain. Chelsea would run away saying she was set up when and we’d love it. She could be the successful but cowardly mob boss in an ultra-serious universe.
Roman Reigns
Real name: Leati Joseph Anoaʻi
Before we get started, acknowledge your Tribal Chief. I’ll wait.
If you look at Roman Reigns since his attitude change in 2020, the Head of the Table has been the best thing to happen to the WWE and every bit of the boss that Carmine Falcone was in Gotham City. He ordered his crew around, had a grip over everything, and didn't allow himself to be disrespected. Not to mention that he was one of the most manipulative heels ever.
Why not create a character for Roman Reigns? We’ve already seen that he can do the job. If you want to take it a step further, Paul Heyman could be involved and speak for him at times. It would add to the mystique and power of who he is. He's so mysterious and powerful that he doesn't leave his highrise unless he has to. And when he does, he arrives, wrecks everyone, and leaves.
What other WWE, NXT, or AEW stars would you like to see in a Bat Family project? Let us know on the Bam Smack Pow Bluesky, Instagram, and Twitter.