Several WWE profiles and interviews document wrestlers with academic paths that differ from their public careers: David Otunga left legal practice for wrestling, Becky Lynch earned an acting degree after earlier college study, and Mojo Rawley completed an MBA while playing professional football. Other stories need a distinction between a confirmed degree and graduate study or career plans that a historical profile described as still in progress.
What counts as a completed degree?
The examples below come from WWE interviews and profiles, some published years ago. “Surprising” is an editorial description of the contrast between a wrestler’s public career and an academic field—not a claim that the field is rare among wrestlers. The available profiles do not establish how common any of these credentials are across wrestling.
That distinction matters: some sources report a completed degree, while others describe study underway or a future goal at the time of publication.
David Otunga: Harvard law and litigation
David Otunga told WWE that he graduated from Harvard Law School and worked as a litigation attorney at a Chicago firm before leaving legal practice to pursue WWE. The account comes from his interview with WWE interviewer Aubrey Sitterson, which frames the transition with the question of how someone goes from Harvard Law School to the ring.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →#1 Best Overall
Otunga recalled telling his mother: “Hey, Mom, I’ve graduated from Harvard, and I’m a lawyer at the best law firm in Chicago. I did what you said, so can I follow my dreams now?” The quotation is his account of the decision to change careers; it is not evidence that he continued practicing law after entering wrestling. WWE’s interview with David Otunga.
Becky Lynch: college study, an acting degree, and a clown thesis
WWE’s 2015 profile says Becky Lynch enrolled in college at 17 and studied history, politics, and philosophy. She later left school, returned to college, and earned an acting degree. Her thesis was about clowns—an interesting detail, but not the name or subject of the degree.
“I did my thesis on clowns,” Lynch said in the profile. The source supports her studies in those three subjects and the acting credential; it does not establish that she earned a separate degree in history, politics, or philosophy. WWE’s profile of Becky Lynch, published May 18, 2015.
Mojo Rawley: an MBA earned alongside NFL football
Mojo Rawley told WWE that he entered the University of Maryland’s MBA program, accelerated his studies, and completed the degree while also playing in the NFL. WWE’s profile also identifies him as an MBA graduate. His example is a completed business credential earned alongside a demanding sports career, rather than a degree pursued after wrestling began. WWE’s interview with Mojo Rawley.
Rank #3
Paul Burchill: sports science and English, with nursing as a goal
WWE reports that Paul Burchill earned degrees in sports science and English before pursuing rugby and professional wrestling. The same profile described him at that time as hoping to finish a nursing degree and become a registered nurse.
The nursing detail is a historical ambition, not confirmation that Burchill later completed a nursing degree or became a registered nurse. WWE’s profile of Paul Burchill.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Kenny Dykstra: graduate study reported as underway
WWE’s profile says Kenny Dykstra enrolled at Nichols College in 2012 and was pursuing an MBA and a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership (MSOL) when the profile was written. It does not say that he completed either degree, so they should be treated as graduate studies reported in progress—not as earned credentials. The profile also reports that he published the children’s book Billy’s Bully in 2013, but that is separate from his academic status. WWE’s profile of Kenny Dykstra.
Quick Recap
Best Value
How these academic paths differ
| Wrestler | Field or program | Status reported by WWE | Career connection |
|---|---|---|---|
| David Otunga | Law | Graduated from Harvard Law School, according to his interview | Worked as a litigation attorney before leaving practice for WWE |
| Becky Lynch | History, politics, philosophy; acting | Studied the first three subjects; later earned an acting degree | Returned to college after leaving school; thesis concerned clowns |
| Mojo Rawley | Business administration | Completed an MBA, according to his interview | Earned it while playing in the NFL |
| Paul Burchill | Sports science and English; nursing | Earned degrees in sports science and English; nursing degree was a goal described in the profile | Studied before rugby and professional wrestling |
| Kenny Dykstra | MBA and MSOL | Was pursuing both when profiled; completion not established | Enrolled at Nichols College in 2012 |
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
