Arnold Schwarzenegger has excelled in whatever field he has chosen for himself. Be it bodybuilding, acting, or being the Governor of California, he has spent a lifetime mastering multiple worlds.

During his journey from being a young athlete to becoming a seven-time Mr. Olympia under Joe Weider, he built long-lasting camaraderie with wrestling icons like Bruno Sammartino.

'The Austrian Oak' has been associated with WWE for decades. Schwarzenegger's appearance on SmackDown in the year 1999 is indeed a memorable one.

He knocked Triple-H out. In 2013, he inducted Sammartino into the Hall of Fame, which further strengthened his ties with the company. The following year, he appeared on Raw in Brooklyn, N.Y., to promote a film and nail The Miz across the jaw.

Schwarzenegger went on to become a global superstar, and WWE recognized his cultural influence and long-standing connection. WWE inducted Schwarzenegger into its Celebrity Wing in 2015, ahead of WrestleMania 31.

However, Schwarzenegger isn't the only celebrity sharing the honors of the WWE Hall of Fame despite a brief time inside the ring.

WWE Hall of Famers and the American Dream

Unlike the NFL or MLB Hall of Fame, the wrestling world makes space for people from all disciplines. It's safe to say that Schwarzenegger has shared a room with some of the most influential personalities across the US.

William Perry from the NFL was inducted into the Hall of Fame by one of WWE's best, John Cena, in 2007. Bob Uecker, best remembered as a pro baseball catcher and sportscaster, was inducted in 2010.

Even other combat disciplines found a place in the Celebrity Wing of the WWE, including legendary boxer Mike Tyson. American rapper Snoop Dogg was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2016.

Despite representing entirely different professions altogether, the thread that connects them is what they mean for the American dream.

And with a career as decorated as Schwarzenegger's, it's hardly a question whether the bodybuilder has achieved the "true American dream," according to the WWE's official website.

Perhaps, sometimes it's not the amount of time you spend inside the wrestling ring that matters, but the history that you have created. Did Arnold Schwarzenegger deserve the WWE recognition? Let us know your thoughts.

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Written by

Proma Chatterjee

Edited by

Ashvinkumar Patil