WWE/MARVEL Universe: 9 Superstars as Superheroes (&Villains)

WWE/MARVEL Universe: 9 Superstars as Superheroes (&Villains)

Welcome back to Cheap-Heat.com and another exciting Mash-Up brought to you by the guys at B+ Players Radio . My name is Mark Adam Haggerty, and in addition to my outspoken affinity for Sports Entertainment, James Bond and Star Wars, I'm something of a comic book nerd too. Not to the same extent as my co-hosts Gary Mastriano or James Thorpey, but enough to know when a WWE Superstar is bordering on Marvel Superhero! The Marvel Cinematic Universe has been exploding in recent years, overflowing from the silver screen to our television sets and Netflix accounts. Years before the introduction of Thor, rumors ran rampant about the possibility of Triple H playing the Norse Demi-God. Although the King of Kings wasn't cast in the role, we thought it might be fun to "Fantasy Book" our favorite WWE Superstars as heroes and villains of the Marvel Universe!

Be sure to check out our STAR WARS MASH-UP and JAMES BOND MASH-UP exclusively available here at Cheap-Heat.com!

2. Captain Cena
John Cena as Captain America
Sheathed in the unmistakable red, white, and blue of Old Glory, Captain Steve Rogers is known to appreciative citizens across the globe as Captain America ! The result of a genetic experiment gone right , Captain America fights for the honor of innocent lives at home and abroad. While personal interests might garner Cap's attention from time to time, his first priority is his duty—and his duty is to protect America . The WWE has a lengthy past comprised of patriotic performers such as Hulk Hogan, Hacksaw Jim Duggan, Lex Luger, and others. While the current roster includes a number of ex-military members and All-American athletes, there's only one man fit to fill the shoes of Captain America. He's the guy who salutes the crowd, the original " Marine," and the first person off the plane for "Tribute to the Troops." I'm talking Captain John Cena!

3. Iron Ayatollah
Chris Jericho as Iron Man
He's cocky, brazen, and smitten with his own sense of self-satisfaction. But when terror takes hold of a city on the brink of collapse, Tony Stark is quick to react and Iron Man is first on the scene! There certainly are a lot of billionaire superheroes—although it kind of makes sense. The most charitable people in the world are superrich members of society like Bill Gates, Warren Buffett, and Vince McMahon . Plus the equipment necessary to turn a normal man into a superman is bound to cost a pretty penny. Tony Stark is suave and sophisticated and speaks with a sarcastic reverence that polarizes people, making Stark both admirable as well as controversial. And does anybody look better in a suit than Tony Stark? How about the man who Saves the WWE every time he returns? Chris Jericho has the style, the cynicism, and the sarcastic nerve required to match wits with Tony Stark. And with all those Fozzy royalties, I'd imagine he's got the funds required to raise his own army of Iron Men.

4. Thorman Reigns
Roman Reigns as Thor
The Mighty Thor is a Norse-Demi God and member of the Royal House of Asgard—sent by his father to earth so as to learn humility, as well as humanity. Arriving in an alternate �Universe was difficult for Thor, who expected the same majestic treatment to which he was accustomed, only to encounter a rude awakening. Through trial and tribulation Thor managed to find his way, becoming one of the most celebrated superheroes within the Earthly realm. Roman Reigns is too, the member of a royal family —the likes of which includes: former world champions the Rock and Yokozuna; tag team champions the Wild Samoans and Usos; as well as main event Superstars Rikishi, Umaga, Peter Maivia and more. Some—perhaps even Roman Reigns himself—believed the Georgia Tech all-star would be fast-tracked to the world championship. And in a way he has—but not without spilling blood, battling behemoths, and vanquishing wrongdoers. Roman Reigns is a warrior who's been humbled by his surroundings, only to become greater as a result.

5. Loki Rollins
Seth Rollins as Loki
Loki was a fairly unfamiliar face to casual fans such as yours truly, until Tom Hiddleston brought the character to life in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Loki is the adopted brother of Thor, and the most contemptuous conniver from the outer realm known as Asgard. Though Loki seems harmless enough—standing alongside his brothers —his evil intentions set him apart and solidify him as Thor's arch nemesis. If Roman Reigns is cast as the mighty Thor , then who better to play his turncoat counterpart than the man who stabbed Roman in the back— Seth Rollins ? Roman was without question the strongest and most powerful member of the Shield , leaving fans unmindful of what might be coming from a brother deemed the Architect . Unlike Loki, whose plans are generally foiled without a fuss, Seth Rollins defeated Roman Reigns and proceeded to rule over Asgard—er ah, I mean the WWE Universe for the utmost majority of 2015.

6. Dean Punisher
Dean Ambrose as the Punisher
A man with nothing to lose and no more to gain than anarchistic vengeance could make for one of the most cavalier evildoers in all of fiction. Luckily for citizens of the New York City , Frank Castle's bloodlust is specific to the people who killed his wife and daughter—and anyone else who might stand in his way. The Punisher is perhaps the most-brooding hero in history, relying on tactical precision and heavy firepower—rather than superhuman abilities—to defeat his foes. Dean Ambrose was raised in Cincinnati public housing and learned how to fight at a young age. His hard-hitting style might leave something to be desired amongst purists, but Dean Ambrose gets the job done and isn't interested in making friends—just conquering enemies.

7. Spider Neville
Adrian Neville as Spider Man
Soaring through the air on a web and a prayer is the one and only Spiderman . Introduced in 1962, Spiderman dominated the comic book marketplace by connecting with young readers like no character ever before. Unlike Bruce Wayne or Clark Kent, Peter Parker is a teenager and therefore faces the same sort of dilemma's that kids might see on a daily basis. When he isn't battling Doctor Octopus or Typeface , Spiderman is a regular guy just trying to make his way amongst the hustle and bustle of New York City . Nobody flies around the ring in 2015 quite like the "Man That Gravity Forgot " Adrian Neville. Much the same as Spidey, Neville goes by one name and has taken the youth of his �Universe by storm via uncanny acrobatics and heart stopping heroism. Standing at just five foot ten, Neville is a perpetual underdog that always manages to quash evil by defeating the most merciless members of the WWE roster. Spiderman might be able to do whatever a spider can—but he's no match for the unpredictable in-ring prowess of the Red Arrow Adrian Neville.

8. Wolverandy
Randy Orton as Wolverine
According to legend, James "Wolverine" Howlett was born during the 1880s in Cold Lake, Alberta Canada. He was conceived from a rape suffered by his mother at the hands of the family groundskeeper—Thomas Logan . Logan went on to murder Wolverine's father, which sent the young Howlett into a frenzy wherein his mutant abilities began to manifest. Wolverine killed Logan with a triad of razor sharp titanium spears jutting out from either fist. Wolverine's powers center around his inordinate healing ability and near immortal lifespan. After thirteen years on top of the world, twelve championship title reigns, and almost a dozen career-threatening injuries—Randy Orton either has superhuman abilities or a guardian angel. In addition to sharing regenerative skills with Wolverine, Randy Orton is a calculated hunter whose ability to scout opponents is one-in-the-same with Wolverine's keen sixth sense of survival. It's safe to say both Randy Keith Orton and James Logan "Wolverine" Howlett are " Apex Predators" in firm control of their surroundings.

9. Carnage Balor
Finn Balor as Carnage
I’m finding it troublesome having to relate Finn Balor to Cletus "Carnage" Kasady. Carnage is one of the most unredeemable villains in the entire Marvel Universe —he's a sadistic serial killer and a child murdering arsonist! Kasady's transformation into the shapeshifting powerhouse known as Carnage began when he was cellmates with Eddie Brock at Riker's Island . The alien symbiote that turned Brock into Venom latched onto Kasady and gave him powers beyond anything with which Venom nor Spiderman could possibly contend. Finn Balor has a rich history of painting himself to match his favorite villains including Darth Maul, Bane, the Joker, the Punisher, the aforementioned Venom and yes —even Carnage. While it might have been easier comparing Finn Balor to Venom—as I don't think Balor has ever torched an orphanage or killed his mother—the Photoshop job would have been impossible.

10. Undertaker Thanos
The Undertaker as Thanos
It's hard to pinpoint the most dominant evil being in the Marvel Universe . Stan Lee and the hard-working men and women of Marvel have created some of the most vindictive villains in all of entertainment, but none so heartless as the alien being for whom Death is the ultimate aphrodisiac. Thanos is one of the most prominent baddies in all of comic book lore, having maintained a central role in the Marvel Universe for over forty years. It might be hard to identify the most diabolical deviant in comics, but there's no mistaking the one true "Big Evil " of the WWE. Like Thanos, the Undertaker has been a governing force in his own Universe longer than any other entity, and remains the walking embodiment of terror—the personification of Death.

Like this article? You can follow Mark Haggerty and B+ Player Radio on Facebook and Twitter . B+ Player Radio is a network of professional wrestling podcasts produced by writers, comedians, musicians, and most importantly— professional wrestlers! Listen to hours of exclusive content available every single week on iTunes TuneIn Radio SoundCloud and Cheap-Heat.com !